Well I have arrived in Bogota, Colombia. I am very tired but also very very happy. We take off to Armenia tomorrow to spend Christmas and New Years at the farm which will is the perfect place to relax and sooth the body after everything.
We will be arriving back in Bogota early January. Until then you will not hear from me as I will be enjoying time with Cami and her family. I will know when I am able to return to the States when I arrive back in January.
Until then. I want to wish a massive merry xmas to all of you, the people that helped me along the river, the people who donated, all of my sponsors, followers of the blog and my friends back home. And to my family back home I will miss you guys very much on Xmas day, but will be thinking of you all and will hopefully get the chance to speak to you guys for a little. But for now... time to rest up...
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Southern Hospitality...
I wrote of how it had proven a little tough at times to find someone willing to help out when I was looking for a camp spot close to the city of Memphis. I had heard many rumors and tales of how amazing and overflowing the hospitality of the south was, but in my first few days there it seemed to have escaped me. Boy have things turned around now!!
I must admit, I did come into the south expecting too much maybe, and after being told numerous times, "no you can not camp there" or "hey you better keep moving on from here" I thought maybe that the rumors I had heard were slightly exaggerated. I was soon to find out that the rumors were not only true, but the people far exeeded them in their hospitality to strangers and their passion and love of life!
It started two days ago when I wandered into the Tunica Museum. I wrote about meeting a great guy by the name of Dick, who is the director of the museum. I asked him if I could put up my tent there for the night. A long story short, Dick invited me back to his house for the night where I met his lovely wife, Brooks, who by sheer chance, is well connected to the Mississippi Press Association, she was actually the president at one stage. Seeing that I was planning on hitchhiking to New Orleans from Tunica, Dick and Brooks thought of a plan that could help me along the way. They started a process of calling and e-mailing the other newspapers throughout Mississippi and Louisiana to try to get as many people involved to help me arrive at my destination. Through this I expected maybe to get a few hundred kilometers, max, towards New Orleans. The next two days following this were to blow me away and show me just how special and great the people of the south really are.
After Dick and I had returned from breakfast the next day the plan was thrown into action. I am going to shoot through this as to write about all the great individuals I have been blessed to meet over the last few days in depth, would take me some time. So here goes... Brooks drove me to the town of Cleveland where she was to introduce me to a top bloke by the name of Mark Williams. After eating too much Christmas party food, Mark took me further on to the town of Leland (home of Kermet the Frog) to the lovely Stephanie who was to wisk me away to the town of Rolling Fork and into the capable hands of town legend and character, Ray Mosby. This is where I was to spend the night, and not camped and in my sleeping bag by the way. A great guy and friend of Ray, a man by the name of Nick, was kind enough to put me up in the towns only, and beautiful, bed and breakfast, and also was to buy me dinner from his own pizza restaurant. I could not beleive my luck, and this was only day one of the great people!
Day two started by me being picked up at 10 am by local lady, Melissa, and mind you, I had no idea where I was going or who I was going to as I was being handed from person to person, town to town, like a baton in a relay race. All I knew was that I was enjoying myself and was closing in on New Orleans. Well Melissa gave me a great little tour of the town and then we headed off towards the town of Vicksburg, where a good change over of the baton (the baton being me of course) took place and was recieved by another top fella by the name of Jimmy. While Jimmy took of to a meeting I was introduced to Shaun, who was good enough to take me out for lunch and entertain me while I waited for Jimmy. We ate at one of the nicest reataurants in town and then I was again passed back to the Jimmy for the next leg of the mission. Jimmy got me as far as Natches where he put me into the capable hands of Sam. From there Sam and I sped off towards our next marker of Woodville where I was to meet an incredibly nice guy by the name of Gary. Gary informed me of the next part of the plan that was we were to be going out for dinner with the president of the Lousiana Press Assosiation, Pam, who had been a big help in organizing all of this. So after a big dinner which included Alligator, a heap of laughs and my first beer in two and a half months, we set off again as I was to be spending the night at the house of Gary in Baton Rouge. Getting back to Gary's 9pm around, we stayed up for another hour or so over a glass of wine with his mate Ralph before I dragged myslef off to sleep exhausted, and trust me, I slept like the dead!
Today we were up at 7am and were meeting Pam again for Breakfast and I was also meeting my next mate for the next leg of the journey. Here I met Mike, and after breakfast we jumped into the car and were on our way again... all the way to New Orleans! Mike gave me a whirlwind (but a very good one at that) tour of New Orleans and then took me to the doorstep of a friend of mine who lives in New Orleans that I worked with in 2009. I had arrived...
I have to tell you, everyone of these people went out of their way to help me, a complete stranger to them. My efforts to pay for food, accomodation, anything, were met with an almost offended looks or a joke that I did not have the correct money, as they only accepted money made from their towns. I was handed from town to town like a baton in a relay into the hands of some of the kindest, warmest people I have met on this trip. The feelings of gratitude and appreciation I have is very hard to describe in a blog post, but after the hard slog I have just put behind me, being around these people and seeing what they did for me honestly blew me away and left me very humbled. I am sure they would say it was nothing and tell me not to mention it, but what a way to end the trip for me this time around...
I now will be enjoying the city of New Orleans until the 21st of Dec, which is when my flight for Colombia is. To all the people I mentioned above, I thank you with all my heart for the last few days, it has been a special experience, and I thank God for always putting such good souls in my path.
As I mentioned in my last post, I have not finished the trek yet. I need to leave the USA due to my visa expiring, but I will be returning to complete the rest of the trek (from Tunica to New Orleans) when I am able in 2012. I will be putting one more post in here before I leave for Colombia on the 21st of Dec. For all the people that have written me emails, I am sorry that I have not replied as yet, but I do have some time now over the next few days to be able to reply to you all and I will do this as soon as I can.
Tomorrow I am going to buy clothes, normal clothes, comfy clothes, clothes not made for the bush and hiking, clothes that make me look as normal as I can look... and also I will be buying deoderant (that is disgusting I know, sorry mum), tomorrow is going to be a good day...
I must admit, I did come into the south expecting too much maybe, and after being told numerous times, "no you can not camp there" or "hey you better keep moving on from here" I thought maybe that the rumors I had heard were slightly exaggerated. I was soon to find out that the rumors were not only true, but the people far exeeded them in their hospitality to strangers and their passion and love of life!
It started two days ago when I wandered into the Tunica Museum. I wrote about meeting a great guy by the name of Dick, who is the director of the museum. I asked him if I could put up my tent there for the night. A long story short, Dick invited me back to his house for the night where I met his lovely wife, Brooks, who by sheer chance, is well connected to the Mississippi Press Association, she was actually the president at one stage. Seeing that I was planning on hitchhiking to New Orleans from Tunica, Dick and Brooks thought of a plan that could help me along the way. They started a process of calling and e-mailing the other newspapers throughout Mississippi and Louisiana to try to get as many people involved to help me arrive at my destination. Through this I expected maybe to get a few hundred kilometers, max, towards New Orleans. The next two days following this were to blow me away and show me just how special and great the people of the south really are.
After Dick and I had returned from breakfast the next day the plan was thrown into action. I am going to shoot through this as to write about all the great individuals I have been blessed to meet over the last few days in depth, would take me some time. So here goes... Brooks drove me to the town of Cleveland where she was to introduce me to a top bloke by the name of Mark Williams. After eating too much Christmas party food, Mark took me further on to the town of Leland (home of Kermet the Frog) to the lovely Stephanie who was to wisk me away to the town of Rolling Fork and into the capable hands of town legend and character, Ray Mosby. This is where I was to spend the night, and not camped and in my sleeping bag by the way. A great guy and friend of Ray, a man by the name of Nick, was kind enough to put me up in the towns only, and beautiful, bed and breakfast, and also was to buy me dinner from his own pizza restaurant. I could not beleive my luck, and this was only day one of the great people!
Day two started by me being picked up at 10 am by local lady, Melissa, and mind you, I had no idea where I was going or who I was going to as I was being handed from person to person, town to town, like a baton in a relay race. All I knew was that I was enjoying myself and was closing in on New Orleans. Well Melissa gave me a great little tour of the town and then we headed off towards the town of Vicksburg, where a good change over of the baton (the baton being me of course) took place and was recieved by another top fella by the name of Jimmy. While Jimmy took of to a meeting I was introduced to Shaun, who was good enough to take me out for lunch and entertain me while I waited for Jimmy. We ate at one of the nicest reataurants in town and then I was again passed back to the Jimmy for the next leg of the mission. Jimmy got me as far as Natches where he put me into the capable hands of Sam. From there Sam and I sped off towards our next marker of Woodville where I was to meet an incredibly nice guy by the name of Gary. Gary informed me of the next part of the plan that was we were to be going out for dinner with the president of the Lousiana Press Assosiation, Pam, who had been a big help in organizing all of this. So after a big dinner which included Alligator, a heap of laughs and my first beer in two and a half months, we set off again as I was to be spending the night at the house of Gary in Baton Rouge. Getting back to Gary's 9pm around, we stayed up for another hour or so over a glass of wine with his mate Ralph before I dragged myslef off to sleep exhausted, and trust me, I slept like the dead!
Today we were up at 7am and were meeting Pam again for Breakfast and I was also meeting my next mate for the next leg of the journey. Here I met Mike, and after breakfast we jumped into the car and were on our way again... all the way to New Orleans! Mike gave me a whirlwind (but a very good one at that) tour of New Orleans and then took me to the doorstep of a friend of mine who lives in New Orleans that I worked with in 2009. I had arrived...
I have to tell you, everyone of these people went out of their way to help me, a complete stranger to them. My efforts to pay for food, accomodation, anything, were met with an almost offended looks or a joke that I did not have the correct money, as they only accepted money made from their towns. I was handed from town to town like a baton in a relay into the hands of some of the kindest, warmest people I have met on this trip. The feelings of gratitude and appreciation I have is very hard to describe in a blog post, but after the hard slog I have just put behind me, being around these people and seeing what they did for me honestly blew me away and left me very humbled. I am sure they would say it was nothing and tell me not to mention it, but what a way to end the trip for me this time around...
I now will be enjoying the city of New Orleans until the 21st of Dec, which is when my flight for Colombia is. To all the people I mentioned above, I thank you with all my heart for the last few days, it has been a special experience, and I thank God for always putting such good souls in my path.
As I mentioned in my last post, I have not finished the trek yet. I need to leave the USA due to my visa expiring, but I will be returning to complete the rest of the trek (from Tunica to New Orleans) when I am able in 2012. I will be putting one more post in here before I leave for Colombia on the 21st of Dec. For all the people that have written me emails, I am sorry that I have not replied as yet, but I do have some time now over the next few days to be able to reply to you all and I will do this as soon as I can.
Tomorrow I am going to buy clothes, normal clothes, comfy clothes, clothes not made for the bush and hiking, clothes that make me look as normal as I can look... and also I will be buying deoderant (that is disgusting I know, sorry mum), tomorrow is going to be a good day...
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Time To Rest the Feet, For Now...
I have just arrived to the outskirts of the town of Tunica, Mississippi. I will be making camp on the grounds of the Tunica Museum, the director of the museum, Dick, was good enough to let me borrow a small patch of grass out the back. As the title says, today is the last day I will be walking for this leg of the trek. I have 5 days to get from where I am now to New Orleans where my flight is leaving from to Colombia, and seeing the next 2 or 3 days are forecast as rain and thunderstorms, there is no point in waiting for them to pass and then walking another day or two if I am lucky. So the Tunica Museum will be where I will need to come back to in 2012 to continue where I left off. I still have around 500kms to go more or less. Seeing I have already covered over 2000kms, the last 500kms, I hope, will be a nice, enjoyable stroll, this I hope anyway...
Last night I was looking for somewhere to set up camp. I tell you, the further south I have gone, the people are very wary of helping someone out when it comes to camping. When I was north of Memphis, finding a place to camp was no problem at all, next to bars, gas stations, churches, motels and even peoples properties. But since arriving around the Memphis area and further south, I am sorry to say it has been a lot harder, people have even laughed in my face when I have asked. I do not know if the laws are any different in the states, but, oh well... Last night I came to a gas station that was next to a little outside business that sold little cubby house type things. they were really cool, with just one room, a few windows and a door. The insides were all of wood but still pretty cozy. I went over and said gday to lady working there and asked if I coud put up my tent out the back of the cubbies, she immedietly told me no, no, no. I thanked her andyway and went to ask the people at the gas station. they told me no problem. Just as I was pushing the last few pegs of my tent into the ground, the lady from the cubby house place turned up with her husband. They got out and started asking me about what I was doing. The man was a really nice guy, a real country lad with a good heart. I think he might have encouraged the lady to come over and offer me the option to spend the night in one of the cubby houses. When she offered I greatfully accecpted, as it would be a lot warmer and would save me the hassle of packing up a cold, wet tent in the morning. The couple bid me goodnight and I went to choose my room for the night. There was about ten different ones there. I chose a little one that resembled a little farm house and bunked in around 8pm and slept like a baby.
I was up early today and headed over to the gas station to grab some breakfast. I got chatting to the lady there who was a very lively, funny women. 20 mins later another younger girl who worked there also came in, not looking very happy at all. Something is going on here I though, you could cut the tension in the air with a knife. And then it was on! These two had obviousloy had some issues that morning that I had missed. They started arguing about who was supposed to do what around the place. A few more customers came in during the situation but this did not deter them at all. the older lady in her strong southern accent started yelling, "Yall (you all) wanna see a fight?" Speaking to us, the customers, "I will drag this thing all over the place if she puts her hands near me again?". I could not help myself and started to laugh a little, it was a pretty nuts, hectic scene but a little comical aswell. The younger girl took off out of the shop, and jumped into her car yelling that she was going to call the boss. Boy was the lady fired up. "I got this one, I got this one" she was repeating to us. I would not have fought her thats for sure. I thanks her, wished her luck and got out of the ring before round 2 kicked off.
I will continue the blog until the day I leave for Colombia as I am sure that I will still be coming across many strange, and also, many beautiful people that you will like to hear about. I will be hitch hiking all the way to New Orleans and most likely passing through some of the areas I will need to walk on my return, so it will be interesting to get an idea of where I will be heading.
On the last day of walking this strech I do do not have any amazing feeling of acheivement, nor do I feel a surge of emotions. I am happy with how far I have gotten in the period I had, I did not expect to pass Memphis which I did, I am happy with that. Right now I am looking forward to heading south by the use of something else other than my own two aching legs. I am looking forward to arriving in New Orleans at the house of a friend I will stay with for a night or two. I am looking forward to wearing normal, clean clothes again. I am looking forward to cooking a decent meal. I am looking forward to a warm bed. I am looking forwrad to arriving back to the mountains surrounding Bogota in Colombia. And most of all I am especially looking forward to seeing Cami and her family and spending Christmas with them. I am looking forward to a rest!
Keep following guys, as I said I will be keeping you all informed on the next week in the USA, and then once I am in Colombia, I will let everyone know when I will be returning to complete the rest of the trek.
God Bless...
Last night I was looking for somewhere to set up camp. I tell you, the further south I have gone, the people are very wary of helping someone out when it comes to camping. When I was north of Memphis, finding a place to camp was no problem at all, next to bars, gas stations, churches, motels and even peoples properties. But since arriving around the Memphis area and further south, I am sorry to say it has been a lot harder, people have even laughed in my face when I have asked. I do not know if the laws are any different in the states, but, oh well... Last night I came to a gas station that was next to a little outside business that sold little cubby house type things. they were really cool, with just one room, a few windows and a door. The insides were all of wood but still pretty cozy. I went over and said gday to lady working there and asked if I coud put up my tent out the back of the cubbies, she immedietly told me no, no, no. I thanked her andyway and went to ask the people at the gas station. they told me no problem. Just as I was pushing the last few pegs of my tent into the ground, the lady from the cubby house place turned up with her husband. They got out and started asking me about what I was doing. The man was a really nice guy, a real country lad with a good heart. I think he might have encouraged the lady to come over and offer me the option to spend the night in one of the cubby houses. When she offered I greatfully accecpted, as it would be a lot warmer and would save me the hassle of packing up a cold, wet tent in the morning. The couple bid me goodnight and I went to choose my room for the night. There was about ten different ones there. I chose a little one that resembled a little farm house and bunked in around 8pm and slept like a baby.
I was up early today and headed over to the gas station to grab some breakfast. I got chatting to the lady there who was a very lively, funny women. 20 mins later another younger girl who worked there also came in, not looking very happy at all. Something is going on here I though, you could cut the tension in the air with a knife. And then it was on! These two had obviousloy had some issues that morning that I had missed. They started arguing about who was supposed to do what around the place. A few more customers came in during the situation but this did not deter them at all. the older lady in her strong southern accent started yelling, "Yall (you all) wanna see a fight?" Speaking to us, the customers, "I will drag this thing all over the place if she puts her hands near me again?". I could not help myself and started to laugh a little, it was a pretty nuts, hectic scene but a little comical aswell. The younger girl took off out of the shop, and jumped into her car yelling that she was going to call the boss. Boy was the lady fired up. "I got this one, I got this one" she was repeating to us. I would not have fought her thats for sure. I thanks her, wished her luck and got out of the ring before round 2 kicked off.
I will continue the blog until the day I leave for Colombia as I am sure that I will still be coming across many strange, and also, many beautiful people that you will like to hear about. I will be hitch hiking all the way to New Orleans and most likely passing through some of the areas I will need to walk on my return, so it will be interesting to get an idea of where I will be heading.
On the last day of walking this strech I do do not have any amazing feeling of acheivement, nor do I feel a surge of emotions. I am happy with how far I have gotten in the period I had, I did not expect to pass Memphis which I did, I am happy with that. Right now I am looking forward to heading south by the use of something else other than my own two aching legs. I am looking forward to arriving in New Orleans at the house of a friend I will stay with for a night or two. I am looking forward to wearing normal, clean clothes again. I am looking forward to cooking a decent meal. I am looking forward to a warm bed. I am looking forwrad to arriving back to the mountains surrounding Bogota in Colombia. And most of all I am especially looking forward to seeing Cami and her family and spending Christmas with them. I am looking forward to a rest!
Keep following guys, as I said I will be keeping you all informed on the next week in the USA, and then once I am in Colombia, I will let everyone know when I will be returning to complete the rest of the trek.
God Bless...
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Cami...
I will be heading off tomorrow after arriving here in Memphis yesterday. I am in good spirits at the moment as originally I had thought I would be lucky to get as far as Memphis in the first three months of the trek. I have another 4 or 5 days of walking before I need to start hitch hiking to New Orleans which should get me to the town of Clarksdale, another 100kms or so south of Memphis. With my visa allowing me only 3 months in the USA, I have to leave the country which will allow me to go back to Colombia to spend Christmas with Cami and her family which to say will be a happy time, is a massive understatement if I have ever said one! I will have to return in 2012 to finish the last 500kms or so of the trek.
Speaking of Cami...what a absolute blessing she is to me. I have not written a lot about how hard this has been for both of us to be apart like this, but I tell you the truth, it has been dificult to say the least. When I thought of this idea originally, it was obviously Cami I ran it past first. Initially she thought it to be a little crazy, the whole idea of walking across a country and us being apart for so long, and this I totally understand and I am sure most people would be in agreement here with her. But being the amazing and supportive person that she is, and after discussing it for a day or so, she was 100% behind me. Not only that, the help and ideas she put into this, without it all, I would not have been able to get as far as I have and to have raised as much money as we have for Ahmsa. For all of that I thank you so much Cami.
Emotionally she has been a strength for me. As hard as it has been for her also, when ever I was tired, had had enough, was sore, cold or just simply buggered, she always knew what to say and how to say it to pick me up and give me some strength for the day.
There are many things I could write about how this trek has given me a lot of precious time for reflection on just how important Cami is to me and my life, but those words are not for you nosy buggers, they are reserved just for her and I look forward to sharing them with her in less than 2 weeks time...
Cami, en serio muchas gracias por todo que haz hecho en esta tiempo para nosotros, eres increible y la mejor para mi... Te amo.
Speaking of Cami...what a absolute blessing she is to me. I have not written a lot about how hard this has been for both of us to be apart like this, but I tell you the truth, it has been dificult to say the least. When I thought of this idea originally, it was obviously Cami I ran it past first. Initially she thought it to be a little crazy, the whole idea of walking across a country and us being apart for so long, and this I totally understand and I am sure most people would be in agreement here with her. But being the amazing and supportive person that she is, and after discussing it for a day or so, she was 100% behind me. Not only that, the help and ideas she put into this, without it all, I would not have been able to get as far as I have and to have raised as much money as we have for Ahmsa. For all of that I thank you so much Cami.
Emotionally she has been a strength for me. As hard as it has been for her also, when ever I was tired, had had enough, was sore, cold or just simply buggered, she always knew what to say and how to say it to pick me up and give me some strength for the day.
There are many things I could write about how this trek has given me a lot of precious time for reflection on just how important Cami is to me and my life, but those words are not for you nosy buggers, they are reserved just for her and I look forward to sharing them with her in less than 2 weeks time...
Cami, en serio muchas gracias por todo que haz hecho en esta tiempo para nosotros, eres increible y la mejor para mi... Te amo.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Three Quaters - Done and Dusted...
After 2 long, looong weeks I have finally arrived in Memphis, back to Josh, Cameron and Murphs house, and do you think it was a pleasure to finally walk into their house again, god it was nice I tell you.
After being stuck in the motel a week or so ago, the rains eventually died away and I was able to push on south again. But I tell you, it did rain those few days I was stuck in the motel. The day I left the whole carpark of the motel I stayed at was under water and as soon as I had left the town and the farmland began, it was rare to find a paddock that did not resemble a small lake. I got a few good days walking in with cold, but sunny days that followed the rain.
From Blythville I made my way through the towns of Luxora, Osceola, Wilson, Bassett, Joiner, Turrell, Clarkdale and West Memphis before I crossed the border into Tennesse this morning.
I got to the town of Osceola around 6pm and coulod not find a good place to camp, so I headed on south. I came to the edge of town and could see nothing but darkness ahead of me. With the forecast telling me we were expecting snow for the night I did not fancy the idea of trying to find a campsite in the dark with snow falling on top of me. I spotted some lights a little back so made my way towards them. It was a little pharmacy. I asked the people there if there was a place to camp a little down the road, they informed me that there was a church maybe 2kms further down where I could camp. The owners were a really nice couple who asked me about what I was doing. I told them all was going well execpt for my achilles. The guy there, Jerry, told me he understood about them and lifted the bottom of his pants to reveal a long scar running along his achilles tendon. He had an operation there some years ago and when he saw my red and swollen achilles I think he felt a little compassion and gave me a bottle of Ibe Profin and a few bottles of Gatorade to wash them down. I thanked them and continued on south in search of the church, or my room for the night. I arrived shortly and put my tent up in a hurry under a tiny carport type thing out the back of the church, I say in a hurry as it was getting cold, real cold real quick. Just as I was finishing my meal for the night of a can of fruit salad and a few energy bars, I took a look out of the tent to see the snow arriving. After maybe 10 mins or so the snow had become pretty thick and did not let up until the morning. During the night the tent got a good layerof snow all over it, turning my tent into an ice box. My sleeping bag has a comfort rating of -11 and on this night it was working hard to keep me warm, it was a long cold night!
Arriving in the town of Wilson, I settled in and put my tent out the back of a church again. I eneded up meeting a small group of some of the regulars there who had gathered for a bible study. I joined them and after we got chatting and I was again blessed by being surrounded by good people who offered me the option to stay the night in the church. Hearing that the night was forecast to be -4, I greatfully accepted. Not only did they offer me the use of the church, they returned later to bring me a hot bowl of soup, and also in the morning, brang me breakfast and coffee. Thanks so much to you guys, it really was a pleasure to meet you all and spend time with you.
Yesterday and today were both long days. I knew I was a good two days walk from the boys house here in Memphis, but I wanted to arrive tonight, so I pushed out two long days without having any breaks in between, except to use the bathroom and look at my GPS. So I am here now and to be honest, I am happy and stuffed. I will spend one more night here before heading off again south. It really is nice to be in a warm home with good people.
After having those days rest in the motel and taking those Ibe Profin that Jerry had kindly gave me, I am happy to say that my achilles virtually improved overnight. It was awesome, I woke up the next day after taking the Ibe Profin and was expecting that stab of pain with my first step, but nothing happened, I couldnt beleive it, it had actually improved dramatically overnight.
So all is well here in Memphis Tennessee, I have completed more than 75% of the trek, my body is feeling strong and healthy, I am in a warm house with good people, I have had a shower and washed my rancid clothes after 2 weeks in them, and now I am looking forward to the next 800 or so kms ahead of me.
After being stuck in the motel a week or so ago, the rains eventually died away and I was able to push on south again. But I tell you, it did rain those few days I was stuck in the motel. The day I left the whole carpark of the motel I stayed at was under water and as soon as I had left the town and the farmland began, it was rare to find a paddock that did not resemble a small lake. I got a few good days walking in with cold, but sunny days that followed the rain.
From Blythville I made my way through the towns of Luxora, Osceola, Wilson, Bassett, Joiner, Turrell, Clarkdale and West Memphis before I crossed the border into Tennesse this morning.
I got to the town of Osceola around 6pm and coulod not find a good place to camp, so I headed on south. I came to the edge of town and could see nothing but darkness ahead of me. With the forecast telling me we were expecting snow for the night I did not fancy the idea of trying to find a campsite in the dark with snow falling on top of me. I spotted some lights a little back so made my way towards them. It was a little pharmacy. I asked the people there if there was a place to camp a little down the road, they informed me that there was a church maybe 2kms further down where I could camp. The owners were a really nice couple who asked me about what I was doing. I told them all was going well execpt for my achilles. The guy there, Jerry, told me he understood about them and lifted the bottom of his pants to reveal a long scar running along his achilles tendon. He had an operation there some years ago and when he saw my red and swollen achilles I think he felt a little compassion and gave me a bottle of Ibe Profin and a few bottles of Gatorade to wash them down. I thanked them and continued on south in search of the church, or my room for the night. I arrived shortly and put my tent up in a hurry under a tiny carport type thing out the back of the church, I say in a hurry as it was getting cold, real cold real quick. Just as I was finishing my meal for the night of a can of fruit salad and a few energy bars, I took a look out of the tent to see the snow arriving. After maybe 10 mins or so the snow had become pretty thick and did not let up until the morning. During the night the tent got a good layerof snow all over it, turning my tent into an ice box. My sleeping bag has a comfort rating of -11 and on this night it was working hard to keep me warm, it was a long cold night!
Arriving in the town of Wilson, I settled in and put my tent out the back of a church again. I eneded up meeting a small group of some of the regulars there who had gathered for a bible study. I joined them and after we got chatting and I was again blessed by being surrounded by good people who offered me the option to stay the night in the church. Hearing that the night was forecast to be -4, I greatfully accepted. Not only did they offer me the use of the church, they returned later to bring me a hot bowl of soup, and also in the morning, brang me breakfast and coffee. Thanks so much to you guys, it really was a pleasure to meet you all and spend time with you.
Yesterday and today were both long days. I knew I was a good two days walk from the boys house here in Memphis, but I wanted to arrive tonight, so I pushed out two long days without having any breaks in between, except to use the bathroom and look at my GPS. So I am here now and to be honest, I am happy and stuffed. I will spend one more night here before heading off again south. It really is nice to be in a warm home with good people.
After having those days rest in the motel and taking those Ibe Profin that Jerry had kindly gave me, I am happy to say that my achilles virtually improved overnight. It was awesome, I woke up the next day after taking the Ibe Profin and was expecting that stab of pain with my first step, but nothing happened, I couldnt beleive it, it had actually improved dramatically overnight.
So all is well here in Memphis Tennessee, I have completed more than 75% of the trek, my body is feeling strong and healthy, I am in a warm house with good people, I have had a shower and washed my rancid clothes after 2 weeks in them, and now I am looking forward to the next 800 or so kms ahead of me.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
All Is Well...
I am just checking in to let everyone know I am ok. I have recieved some emails from people worrying about me as they have not heard from me for a while or seen a post, thanks for your concern guys! I have not added any post recently as I have not been able to get an internet connection as I have been passing through small towns that do not have a lot in them. The weather has been bad with more rain and snow and last night was as cold as I have had since begining the trek.
The connection I have now is not too flash either and keeps cutting out which is driving me nuts so I will leave this post as is. I will hopefully be getting nearer to Memphis in the next two days or so, then I will be able to find internet and fill you all in on what has been happening these past few days. Thanks again for your emails and kind words, it really is such a boost to read them these days...
The connection I have now is not too flash either and keeps cutting out which is driving me nuts so I will leave this post as is. I will hopefully be getting nearer to Memphis in the next two days or so, then I will be able to find internet and fill you all in on what has been happening these past few days. Thanks again for your emails and kind words, it really is such a boost to read them these days...
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Stuck...
Turned out I was in luck the other day when waiting to see if someone was going to turn up for a room, nobody did and I was able to thoroughly enjoy a hot shower and a warm bed, I was a happy man I tell ya, thanks again for that Darrell, was a blessing to run into you!
The next morning after finishing breakfast I was back on track towards the town of Blytheville which was only about 20kms away. I arrived there in the afternoon around 4:30. Seeing it was a Saturday night I was hoping on trying to find a church to camp at so I could attend the service in the morning. I passed a lady who I asked for directions. She kindly directed me to a church in exactly the direction I needed to go. Arriving just before dark I set up my tent and settled back to read my book before bedding down for the night. Just as i was about to call it a night, I heard someone yelling out to me "you didnt think I forgot about you did you sir"? Poking my head out of my tent I found the lady who had given me directions standing there waving a bag of good old KFC. Gold! I had not eaten since lunch that day and was famished. As Belinda (the ladies name) took off in her car I took a peep in the bag to see not only KFC, but also a big, beautiful chocolate cake. Belinda you made my night... thank you.
It was 4 in the morning when the first drops hit the rof of my tent. The rains had arrived, 10 mins later it was pouring. The service finished around 10am and I had been invited by a member of the church to her grandparents house for lunch. I was keen on getting moving but seeing as the rain had not let up and it looked as though it was not going anywhere soon, I happily agreed. After a good home cooked meal I was preparing to get my things together as the rain had eased a little, when one of the young nephews of my friend ran through the lounge room startling one of the dogs of the house. The dog took off after him and took a leap at him as the young boy was running into the kitchen. Unfortunately the dog was quicker than the boy and took a hold of the boys backside with his teeth. The poor little fella was quite rightly shattered and a little shaken up, but that was all luckily. Reckon the dog needs a good kick up the arse, I could not believe that after the dog bit the boy the owners of the house were angry that the boy provoked the dog by running through the house. But lets not talk of that anyore hey.
I left the house and continued on south. I managed to get only maybe 3 kms down the road when the showers that were lingering around turned into heavy rain. Even with my waterproof gear when the rain is that heavy it gets through and wets me through, especially my feet. I was in luck though as I spotted a motel down the road with cheap rates. I headed in and grabbed a room for the night as the rains had definetly settled in for the day. The manager has been good enough to dry all my clothes for me and I have had a shower and have settled in and am watching the classic movie A Time To Kill.
After checking the forecast for tomorrow it seems as if the rain is going to be just as bad tomorrow and with the added bonus of flood warnings for the area. I really want to keep heading south and get to Memphis which is about the the 3/4 mark of the trek but if the rain has not eased a little I hate to say it but I might be stuck here again. My achilles tendon has been aching for the last 3 weeks so this could be an opportunity to rest it maybe before heading to Memphis. I have spoken to two doctors about it through emails and they both told me it could be tendonitis which is not something I want to aggrevate anymore as it is quite painful at the moment, specially in the mornings.
We will just see what tomorrow brings, that is the beauty of the whole adventure...
The next morning after finishing breakfast I was back on track towards the town of Blytheville which was only about 20kms away. I arrived there in the afternoon around 4:30. Seeing it was a Saturday night I was hoping on trying to find a church to camp at so I could attend the service in the morning. I passed a lady who I asked for directions. She kindly directed me to a church in exactly the direction I needed to go. Arriving just before dark I set up my tent and settled back to read my book before bedding down for the night. Just as i was about to call it a night, I heard someone yelling out to me "you didnt think I forgot about you did you sir"? Poking my head out of my tent I found the lady who had given me directions standing there waving a bag of good old KFC. Gold! I had not eaten since lunch that day and was famished. As Belinda (the ladies name) took off in her car I took a peep in the bag to see not only KFC, but also a big, beautiful chocolate cake. Belinda you made my night... thank you.
It was 4 in the morning when the first drops hit the rof of my tent. The rains had arrived, 10 mins later it was pouring. The service finished around 10am and I had been invited by a member of the church to her grandparents house for lunch. I was keen on getting moving but seeing as the rain had not let up and it looked as though it was not going anywhere soon, I happily agreed. After a good home cooked meal I was preparing to get my things together as the rain had eased a little, when one of the young nephews of my friend ran through the lounge room startling one of the dogs of the house. The dog took off after him and took a leap at him as the young boy was running into the kitchen. Unfortunately the dog was quicker than the boy and took a hold of the boys backside with his teeth. The poor little fella was quite rightly shattered and a little shaken up, but that was all luckily. Reckon the dog needs a good kick up the arse, I could not believe that after the dog bit the boy the owners of the house were angry that the boy provoked the dog by running through the house. But lets not talk of that anyore hey.
I left the house and continued on south. I managed to get only maybe 3 kms down the road when the showers that were lingering around turned into heavy rain. Even with my waterproof gear when the rain is that heavy it gets through and wets me through, especially my feet. I was in luck though as I spotted a motel down the road with cheap rates. I headed in and grabbed a room for the night as the rains had definetly settled in for the day. The manager has been good enough to dry all my clothes for me and I have had a shower and have settled in and am watching the classic movie A Time To Kill.
After checking the forecast for tomorrow it seems as if the rain is going to be just as bad tomorrow and with the added bonus of flood warnings for the area. I really want to keep heading south and get to Memphis which is about the the 3/4 mark of the trek but if the rain has not eased a little I hate to say it but I might be stuck here again. My achilles tendon has been aching for the last 3 weeks so this could be an opportunity to rest it maybe before heading to Memphis. I have spoken to two doctors about it through emails and they both told me it could be tendonitis which is not something I want to aggrevate anymore as it is quite painful at the moment, specially in the mornings.
We will just see what tomorrow brings, that is the beauty of the whole adventure...
Friday, December 2, 2011
Tent or Hotel, What Will It Be...
I woke up today after an average nights sleep. I made camp last night at around 4:30 and as soon as I lied down on my mattress to read a book I was out like a light. I slept deeply until around 10pm and then I was up and could not sleep again. I drifted on and off to about 8am this morning then said bugger it and got up to get organized. The lack of sleep I received last night was not to bother me today as today I was expecting visitors. A lady by the name of Chris, who has been following my blog, recently got in touch with me to tell me that she and her two daughters were heading down to Memphis and would like to meet up and take me out to lunch. Of course I said that would be great, some company and a good meal is like gold to me these days. They found me around lunchtime so I squeezed into the car with the family (the poor things, I probably smelled quite avg) and we made for a near by restaurant. It was nice to forget about the road ahead of me for a little bit and just sit back and chat with some good people while enjoying good food. Thanks so much to you Chris and your lovely family, it was a pleasure to spend time with you.
As Chris and her family dropped me off where they had picked me up from they handed me two goodie bags full of tasty snacks and a heap of other usefull little items for the trek. So with my pack a little heavier and me a lot happier, I put my head down and continued on south. The sun began to set around 5:30pm and I thought about calling it a night as I had come to a truck stop, but I was feeling good and strong after a good days walking and meeting such nice people had given me a shot of enegy. I could see a group of lights roughly 10 or so kms further down, so I decided that whatever it was down there, that it would be my resting spot for the night. I am glad now that I pushed on to those lights. On arrival I saw that it was a subway restaurant and a hotel. After grabbing a footlong sub and virtually inhaling it, I entered the hotel and said gday to the manager named Darrell. I explained what I was doing and asked if he minded if I could put my tent out the back for the night. Darrell told me it was no problem at all. I pushed my luck and asked if I could use the hotels internet also and was told no worries with that either. While using the internet in the reception area, Darrell and I got chatting. Darrell is a really good guy who has seen the world and has some great stories to tell. After sharing stories and having a laugh I was ready to call it a night. Darrell told me that if no one turned up to take the last room for the night, I need not worry about pitching that tent, he would gladly hand me the key at no charge. What a guy hey? So now I am waiting to 10:00 to see if anyone turns up or if I get a room for the night. If not it has been a good night hanging out in the reception having a yarn to Darrell in the warmth of the hotel. Ill let you guys know how it goes in the next post, wish me luck, I would love a bed and a shower right about now...
As Chris and her family dropped me off where they had picked me up from they handed me two goodie bags full of tasty snacks and a heap of other usefull little items for the trek. So with my pack a little heavier and me a lot happier, I put my head down and continued on south. The sun began to set around 5:30pm and I thought about calling it a night as I had come to a truck stop, but I was feeling good and strong after a good days walking and meeting such nice people had given me a shot of enegy. I could see a group of lights roughly 10 or so kms further down, so I decided that whatever it was down there, that it would be my resting spot for the night. I am glad now that I pushed on to those lights. On arrival I saw that it was a subway restaurant and a hotel. After grabbing a footlong sub and virtually inhaling it, I entered the hotel and said gday to the manager named Darrell. I explained what I was doing and asked if he minded if I could put my tent out the back for the night. Darrell told me it was no problem at all. I pushed my luck and asked if I could use the hotels internet also and was told no worries with that either. While using the internet in the reception area, Darrell and I got chatting. Darrell is a really good guy who has seen the world and has some great stories to tell. After sharing stories and having a laugh I was ready to call it a night. Darrell told me that if no one turned up to take the last room for the night, I need not worry about pitching that tent, he would gladly hand me the key at no charge. What a guy hey? So now I am waiting to 10:00 to see if anyone turns up or if I get a room for the night. If not it has been a good night hanging out in the reception having a yarn to Darrell in the warmth of the hotel. Ill let you guys know how it goes in the next post, wish me luck, I would love a bed and a shower right about now...
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