What I’ve learned in 4 weeks: You’ll get blisters, they’ll hurt; then they turn into callouses, and stop hurting. If you’re pushing too much weight, get rid of stuff. They say if you want to hear God laugh, make plans. God hasn’t stopped laughing since I took my first step. I’m still making plans and […]
Sometimes you have to go south to go north. And that’s what I’m doing. I spent a couple of days agonizing about a viable walking route out of Flagstaff. Between the crazy climbs and altitude (north via Tuba City), miles of nothing (through the Indian Reservations), the lack of services (water, food, lodging), and the […]
Today the world was flat, and most of the 25 miles I walked featured a paved sidewalk. But the day was not without drama. I was out the door of the Motel 6 on Priest Road at 5:30 am and grabbed 2 egg McMuffins. About an hour later I crossed paths with a guy towing […]
Perhaps someone can tell me the difference between Arizona Interstate 40 (it replaced Route 66), which I am not permitted to walk on, and Arizona State Highway 60, which I am permitted to walk on. Here are the similarities: Each is a 4-lane highway (2 lanes going each way). The Interstate has more traffic, but […]
Sleeping in my tent is satisfying in a number of ways. There’s plenty of room for me and my stuff (and everything’s within arm’s reach); it’s comfortable on my air mattress; I can see the stars through the mesh; and it usually costs nothing. The downside is the desert heat until the sun sets. I […]
One of my flaws is that when people tell me they’re going to do something, I believe them. When my 9 am ride had not arrived by 10 am, I started to panic—I needed to get that ride through Queen Creek Tunnel so I could…what? Get to the Motel 6 in Globe in time for […]
It’s 5 pm and I’m settled in my tent behind some bushes off Hwy 70. I can hear the cars and trucks, but I’m used to that. In fact, I miss the freight trains. I walked 25 miles today. This morning I was out the door of the Motel 6 in Globe at 5 am […]
Anyone who thinks this journey is about walking, I can assure you it is not. Tonight I was speaking to Ben, one of my valued mentors on this trip, and listed 8 or 10 qualities and criteria that are much higher on the list of importance than “walking.” Perhaps I’ll create that list someday. Meanwhile, […]
My third consecutive 25 mile walking day was easily the most grueling of the three. It was not as hot as the Mojave, and I’m in better walking shape now than I was then (and perhaps a little smarter as well). In an attempt to beat some of the heat (ha!), I was on the […]
Ants! Always when you least expect them. (Certainly you never want them.) After walking 15 miles in unbearable heat, I’d found a suitable site for my tent, set it up, and collapsed inside. While waiting for the sun to set I FaceTimed with Sharon. Looking over at my yellow squeeze bottle of mustard, I noticed it […]