Yes, We Do!

We stop to smell the Roses, and lay in the shade out of the hot sun.

Our First Day in New Jersey, Love Taps, and The Girls.

We slept at a rest stop last night on the recommendation of the fireman at Deep water. His advice was great, we slept late until 8am. Then we made it to the station house and inflated the World, the firemen stopped traffic so they could take a picture of Nice (the dog), me and the World in front of the building and all the trucks. They said they will post it on their web site. We were off into New Jersey by nine o'clock.
I am anxious when we begin each new state but the people of New Jersey were great all day. I was never wanting for extra water from people stopping with a bottle for Nice and me. I enjoyed talking with all the police officers who stopped. The word of Nice and the World spread quickly and we had a fine day despite the three fender car bumping "Love tap" , as one of the drivers described it.
At the end of the day I got a ride back to get the van while Nice was pampered by several pretty young girls. Some guys have all the luck.
I am going to get some sleep now. Good night New Jersey!

Three States and a Dog.

Monday we walked from Maryland into Delaware late in the afternoon. As we crossed the border I looked back on some of the memorable moments that happened. One sunny day Nice (the dog) laid down under the shade of a tree in the front yard of an old woman who came from her garden to see why the World was at her doorstep.
As her and Nice had a therapeutic moment she shared with me that she was diabetic. Though her hands and feet were numb and most days he worked hard to keep her levels balanced she would tend her garden and stay active. She said her grandchildren were a motivation for her on days when she was feeling down and she pushed on. Despite the hardship.
She thanked me for walking for the cause and thanked Nice for reminding her of her little dog she had just lost after 15 years. Scenes like this motivate me to keep going.
Just before we walked out of Maryland we were walking by a drive thru coffee shop when the wind blew hard and seemed to prod me into the picnic bench in front of the shop. I took it as a good time for some coffee and stepped in for a coffee smoothie. I was trying not to be a nuisance and move along but between the brain freeze and the line of patrons that had formed to get coffee and ask about our World I couldn't go . Then a woman pulled up who said she had just been told she was borderline diabetic and the doctors and family say she could turn it around. I shared a story of a man I met who had lost a lot of weight and with walking biking and diet had gotten off medication. She was encouraged and said I was just the thing she needed, that she would redouble her effort. The wind played a part in that scene because I was not going to stop at the Kiosk. As we finally did get going the owner filled our water bottles and encouraged me for what I was doing.
Not far into Delaware we were met by the Newark Delaware Fire Chief who had already read up on us and had a plate of chopped chicken for Nice. we talked about our route and he wrote some instructions out for me. Then he offered for us to stay at the fire house that was a half mile off the route 40 we were walking on. I don't turn down a shower when I am on the road so we were at the station in good time.
Once there the firemen printed a more scenic route off the busy highway to historic New Castle and offered to bring the support van to me when I arrived.
The walk the next day was 14 miles and it rained from early afternoon until almost 6 pm. A couple came and offered warm drinks and a meal at just the right time. They even sent us away with a thermos of coffee and some extra supplies. There are so many good people on the road, I am constantly humbled.
When we arrived in New castle I got to Goodwill Fire Co. To ask if I could park and stay the night in the van but before I knew it I was invited in for the night.
Finally the. Next day we loaded up and drove the World over the Bay Bridge and found a place to begin this morning. We will be head north on route 130.
Have a great day!

All Thumbs

I have to laugh at myself sometimes. I just spent the morning and early afternoon thumbing on this blackberry a review of the last few days. I gave vivid examples of inspiration, praise for people and organizations who have helped me, discribed Nice (the dog) and his dealings with people; his contribution to the good feelings along the way. Then I lost it by pressing the wrong button.

My Work is Done in Maryland

I need to approve all comments that are sent to my blog. I ok each one without question and then read them as I review what I previously posted. I believe what I am doing is set by the bar of influencing awareness more than the funds I raise. A comment I just moderated from my Mother's Day post brought me joy and caused me to tear-up. A young mother commented she may change her lifestyle. Not for herself, but for her children's sake.

My work there is done.

Today I crossed into a new state, Delaware. I have much to say about the day, but I will wait because the best thing to happen was to see that comment from an anonymous Mother.

Mother's Day, our Day in Grace, and the Road to NorthEast

When the sun came up over the river I pumped some air in the World, and since we were unable to see anything of the city of Havre de Grace yesterday because of wind and traffic, I walked in the early Sunday streets.

I made our way to the only coffee house open on Sunday and had a good time with the woman who works there and the only other patron in the shop. We then made our way to the docks where a paddle wheel ship was docked. It is tiny compared to The Belle of Louisville which is still in service in my hometown, yet it still is impressive to see an old paddle wheeler.

I was also glad to see how accommodating the city is. They have public restroom accommodations for the tourism season. Our National Mall has no such thing, and if you ever have to roll a canvas world on the Mall in the rain, you won't like the aroma the next day.

I say this because Havre de Grace lost the chance to be our nation's capitol by one vote and, I think, is better-off for it. A statue and the oldest operating lighthouse in the country is enough to accent it's beauty. This area of Maryland would be very different had that vote so long an age ago had gone another way. The lighthouse was first I'd ever seen. To see one with such a history as my first makes it special.

I will cherish this morning's memory. A happy memory for Mothers' Day is hard to come by since my mother has gone. Were it not for the hurt of loosing my mother at such an early age to diabetes I would be back in my hometown hammering nails or painting some little old lady's house because it's more fulfilling working for an old woman in need than remodeling a McMansion. My mother has been gone almost half my life and I still grieve. If I can influence someone to avoid this hurt for their children by regulating their diabetes, getting fit to prevent diabetes, to somehow make it important and make changes in their life for the people they love, my walks will be a success to me.

I walked around havre de Grace this morning and put the World in the van, drove over the river then walked eight miles to avoid thinking about Mothers Day. I could have rested my sprained ankle but where's the fun in that? I honestly just wanted to fall asleep rather than write a post for Mothers Day. So all you Moms out there: take care, lest your sons or daughters walk thousands of miles to ease their pain.

I talked myself into needing a hug. Com'ere' Nice...

The Moment

I am awake early (4am) and can't get the scene from yesterday off my mind. For five hours I was sitting on a bench in this small town. The reason I made my way to downtown was to eat at a seafood restaurant, Price Seafood. I didn't know where it was. Soon the wind blew-in and I was unable to wander about to find the place. I tied down to a bench.

During the day I had many conversations with people as I was waiting for the winds to calm enough to move. As I told my life story over and again, I would ask where Price's Seafood was. Some had heard of it but did not know where it was. I had thought it was further down the historic St. Johns, the road with all the shops. I could not walk up because of the high winds and narrow walks. I sat, I talked, I told my story, I told my story... again!

Then, when I was telling my story, again, to one particular person, I mentioned that I had come to see the restaurant and she said it was just down the street in the other direction, not three hundred feet from where I was. Even in the blustering wind I could have gotten there hours before. I quickly gathered my things and at a run I was to my goal for the day.

That was when I had my Forest Gump moment. If you haven't seen the movie you wouldn't understand.

My friend Gail

We made it to the point at St. Johns and Union in historic Havre de Grace where the statue of LaFayette stands. The hill down to the city was steep and treacherous. I was brought to my knees when I stepped in a hole hidden in the grass. No journey is complete without at least a slight sprain. At the most dangerous spot on the long hill, a woman who had read about us on this site stopped, turned her emergency flashers on, got out and gave us lunch. When we finally reached bottom, I stopped for the sandwich and apple with chips. Then the gale winds rolled-in as we approached downtown. This is as far as we can go. I have tied the World to the bench where we sit looking at Lafayette's back. The World is raised off the ground occasionally by the gale force winds. I do what Gail says.

End of the Day on Level Ground.

I met some interesting people today walking east from Bel Air: an eighty-one year-old man who interviewed me and wrote my answers on a kleenex box, a tattooed mother with nose piercing, a veteran who steered me in the right direction, a softball team who cheered us on from across the highway, a young family fishing by a pond, and many more. At the end of the day we have found ourselves in a church parking lot and I have just been given permission to stay and rest for the night. Tomorrow we will walk to Havre de Grace.

Sleep well!

pardon the spelling and grammer please...

http://sites.google.com/site/englishgrammarguide/ grammar, grahams, graham crackers!

Nice, the Twins, and the World.

Yesterday we spent the day in Bel Air. As Nice (the dog) slept and rested, I took care of laundry. A man who called me on Wednesday evening recommended I ask someone at the Fire Dept. where I could wash my clothes. He was right, and the firehouse gave me directions to the laundry and where a Sprint store was located.

The mall which once housed the outlet now had only an AT&T store. Just for interest I went in to research their coverage. While waiting my turn I was impressed by the patience of the young man who was trying to assist an obnoxious old codger who was berating him and making it hard for the young man to do his job. The codger even had a whistle he blew as he attempted to make a point. The old fart said he used to be a sergeant and had been in communications: he was a good communicator.

That is where I chimed in saying I fancied I too was also a fair communicator and added that it was clear and succinct communications without a lot of clutter. The old man agreed and then added a "yuk,yuk,yuk" imitation of Curly, one of the Three Stooges. I said "That would be clutter."

Before I got into a verbal wrestling match I decided it best to ask where a Sprint location was and after getting clear directions from the young employee I left. After getting my phone serviced, I returned just to commend the young man for his infinite patience, and see how he faired against the ultimate customer relations challenge. All the store workers and I had a good laugh. Later that day after washing my clothes and having lunch, I returned to that parking lot to begin the day's walk as it was a few hundred yards from where I had stopped the night before. By then I had been "friended" on Facebook by one of the guys at AT&T and was on a first name basis with the star employee. A good day so far.

During these journeys where I am alone with my thoughts, the challenge is often from within. A few days ago I had some assistance from a man and his wife who had stopped to let me use the lighter plug in their car to put some air in the World with my camping air pump I carry with me in the back pack. When they handed the plug end back, I dropped it it cracked.

Yesterday when I plugged into the van's socket it blew a fuse, the plug end fell to pieces, and the World was flat. Keeping in mind that all thing have a purpose I found that a Pep Boys was just around the corner where fuses could be gotten and that a Target was just behind that. Target had a pump for air mattresses, but not an auto version. The associates there told me a Dick's Sporting goods was at the next light down the road.

After an hour and a half of walking and driving I was back to the point of resurrecting the World for the late day stroll through part of downtown Bel Air. Like the wind blowing hard against me, this glitch, I told myself, was just a nessesary cog that would lead me to that special someone or something that lay ahead which otherwise would be missed. Perhaps I make that up to keep from being frustrated at times when the wind or technical difficulties slow my roll. But, it serves me well.

Before I left the parking lot, the owner of the mall's Quizno offered a sandwich and anything I wanted. The first car that stopped to talk was a mother and her sons--one had type 1 diabetes. We exchanged encouraging words. While walking through the business district that was mostly shut down for the evening, I met several interesting folks such as a man and his little children who loved the world and Nice (the dog), and the woman who offered her home and hospitality for the evening, a place to shower, and good conversation plus the twin female dogs for companionship for Nice, playing in the yard and being a dog for a change.

As I walked to my hostess's home on the now slow Main Street, I came on two city workers struggling with a large sewer grate that had fallin in the basin. I helped place it with them as I am a carpenter and have experience with a mind toward safety. They thanked me after the task and I thought to myself that, had the fuse not tripped, had I not had to replace the air pump, one of them may have been hurt. Or, all this was just coincidence.

This morning I have touched-up a couple spots on the canvas of the World with paint. Last year I would roll far too long without taking care of my planet and it suffered. I've learned from my past mistakes, I hope. I am working to change the way I manage my resources as I walk for diabetes awareness. No hidden message here, eh?

Out of Bel Aire today and into to new unknown. Have a great day!

Rolling Horse Country=No Signal, Word of Mouth, and the Sanctuary of Starbucks

Last spring and summer when Nice (the dog) and I walked from Louisville, Kentucky to Kansas City, Kansas, I had network signal even in the most remote spaces and never gave it a thought that my cell phone that I use for blogging and sending pictures would text and call but not connect to the WWW (wide world o' wifi). On the high mountainous areas as we rolled to the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado I had no service, which is understandable, but what has the world come to when in the heart of Maryland horse country --an hours drive from the capitol of our nation-- a guy walking his dog can't send a picture to a friend(s)? What's a Worldguy gonna' do?

My last post, I was waiting for the evening traffic to lessen so the world could keep turning. When we finally went in motion we walked for an hour or so and were passing by a country home that was fenced-in for dogs. Down the drive came a twelve pound shaggy bijon-poodle-type. But Nice almost stopped in his tracks when a deep bark came from the small dog's direction. A larger dog was obviously about. Nice's reaction was comical.

Just as we were almost past the property a woman came to the fence to ask what our story was. Within a few minutes she had offered her yard and a ride back to the Two Ton Grape (Worldguy Supply Camper). When we returned, a woman whom had spoken to me during the rush hour break was waiting by the World. We all discussed the direction the world should follow and the woman wrote out GPS instructions into and thru the beautiful horse country. She then brought me dinner: a salad and hearty lasagna. Tillie you are so nice!

From that point is where my net access disappeared and we were going by word of mouth. We soon got some great advice to use the NCR trail, a converted rail trail which cut off several dangerous miles, that led us into Monkton. When we left Monkton following the directions, we found ourselves on a road that had guard rails on both sides with nowhere to go.

As logging trucks and semi-trailers flew by, I felt as if we were like cattle in a slaughter slew headed for the hammer. Then in a space between double rails a man was tending his garden. He offered to ride us out of harms way. Pride be d--med! You can't rake every leaf in a yard, and I don't need to walk every inch for my ego.

When we were dropped-off, a woman stopped just a minute later who was very supportive to ease the doubt in my mind I get at times like those when I ask myself "what am I thinking?". A few miles later we enjoyed picture perfect sights and people, culminating with Mr. Phil and his Fair Lady giving us their hospitality and a ride to survey the next day's options. After a search on their home computer, we decided to take a long road but one that was back to wide shoulder access that allows good passage for a man and his dog.

Of all the days, many fine people and conversations, one I will never forget and have no words to express my gratitude for is when we walked by a dentist's office and a throng off dental nurses/hygienists/assistants/angels came out to coo over the star of this tour: Nice (the dog).

Earlier in the day a happy man stopped to film us on the road and ask our purpose. A joy to talk to, he is the type of person that meeting for a few minutes makes the day better. It turned out *he* was the dentist who's fine coworkers we'd just met! It was soup day and they offered me lunch. And, as the bevvy of women led Nice (the dog), the happy man offered to fix my chipped tooth while I was there. By the time I left, he repaired several problems and given me no small miracle: the happy man gave me back my smile! I don't usually name full names but, as he said, he does business by "word of mouth". A dentist... word of mouth... Get it?

Joseph Castro D.D.S.
2106 Fallston Rd.
Fallston, MD11047
(410) 893-0513

Fabulous results and great people. Hug this man for me! And give him your business!

We walked over thirteen miles on the good road and are in Bel Air, MD., without phone/net signal, sitting at a Starbucks. Today will be a supply and clean-up day. I learned from last year's walk that we need a day on occasion where we don't walk, and where Nice (the dog) can also rest. The road to Maine, through all the states in the northeast, will be more enjoyable if we savor the experience. I will post again as soon as I can. I must find some way to keep good service on this journey. Recommendations?

Have a great day!