A new day

Last night I had to make my camp in the dark. It was late, and there was nothing, so I had to wait for darkness to create some shadows. I made camp on the side of a hill and after, I stepped outside to relieve myself. Looking up, I saw the most beautiful thing. It was a full moon, so I could see the tops of the trees, and there were fireflies doing their dance. I stood there amazed by it for several minutes. It's one of those moments, that make this walk, with all its hardships totally worth it. Especially when stealth camping after dark, and I'm in my tent, the first hour or so, I just lay there. Listening to the sounds of the road. First, I'm very aware, listening for cars slowing down, in possible pursuit of the vagrant that would dare despoil their virginal property. But then slowly, I am lulled by the noise of the passing cars, into calmness. It reminds me if the Hulk, when he calls. The buzzing of the world around, while the mind stops spinning. Because of the visibility of my spot during the day, I had to break camp before sunrise. The blanket kept me warm and I wanted to sleep in. But was on the road by 645. Yesterday evening, which for me now is about 530, I was given money and food by two separate people, a disabled vet and a local guy who saw me earlier. On a trek like this, money is always a concern, as much as knowing where your next meal will come from. I prefer to plan 3-7 days ahead, and comfortable with that. When I don't know where my next energy drink is coming from, then I start to fret. And then I pray. And each time I have been answered with money and or food; and lodging when I needed it. Not only from friends and family, but from complete strangers. It feels amazing to be the recipient of these gifts, both monetary and spiritual. My phone had to be reset, it was acting up, and my contacts may be gone. Just an FYI.

Another Mississippi rant

No sidewalks or crosswalks in Hattiesburg! None. And of course no shoulders. So every 20 feet, I have to stop, life my cart over the curb, walk twenty feet and then gently pull my cart back over the curb to the road as all my things get jostled about. I bought those water jugs with the screw in lids, because it seems when you do that much jostling with a tap on lid, the air pressure inside makes it pop off. Then all your stuff is wet. Also there is so much litter. The individual businesses, clean up what they cam around their places, but the medians and sides of the roads ate filled with trash and flying debris. Thus far, Mississippi is the most unfriendly state to walkers.

How many days

Can wear the same socks before I need to was them? I'm going on 7 and when I take off my shoes at night, the uh...aroma fills the tent. Washing requires the precious water and I'm a little wary of the various creeks and rivers. Its really the boots though that are the culprit. After the "king kong ain't got nothin on me" incident where I was trogging thru the swamp, they just haven't been the same. More comfy maybe, but smelly. I guess its the price I will just have to pay until my clothes get so unbearable that a laundromat is required. Its not as if I am socializing with anyone, buy it still bugs me. I am also bothered that I haven't really lost any weight since my 400 mile mark. I know I've gained muscle, and my body is probably in starvation mode because of how little I eat. I also haven't really been making the miles I should have because of the rain. So though I'm peeved, I'm not really bothered because I still have a way to go. I was just planning on going shiftless eventually and build up a tan. Its so hot sometimes that I want to, but thoughtfully refrain. Now that I have my blanky, I can relax a little about the cold, it was starting to stress me out. Hattiesburg is my last big town for a long while and I'm prolonging resuming my walk. Its just nice having a store on every block.

Less than

A hundred miles from my southern route, yet 15 degrees colder, I don't get it. It was 46 when I woke this morning, and it was not fun. Thank goodness it got warm fast after sunrise. I'm at WalMart now and definitely planning on getting a blanket, thermal underwear, a fleece or something! The tire will just have to wait. If I have to go all chinaman I will. Just rims. I think about my uncle Sid often, and he was a good man. I'm trying to be more like him if possible, more accepting and more people orientated. For most of my life I've pushed people away trying to define myself, and have been very selective about who I chose to call a friend. I just ended up lonely and alone. Now I see that a person's spirit is the most important quality and being surrounded by people that make you feel good. I've always prided myself on my wit and satire. But a kind sincere comment goes way further, and makes people feel better. Not to get all hippie on you, but it's all about being happy and making others happy. So I've decided to Make Love Not Wit, as much as is humanly possible for me. Goal today, is to exit Hattiesburg and make miles.

This land

In mid Mississippi is just beautiful! Got a real tom Sawyer feel to it. But all the streams and rivers are muddy and not pleasing to look at. And no McDonalds, everywhere else they are everywhere. Here in big cities. Same with WalMart.and WalMart must be the cash crop here because every other semi that passes me is a Wally world truck; the other kind is lumber. The people are okay, but they drive like they are on a mission and don't move into the middle lane when they see me, but instead go to the very edge of their lane firmly gripping the wheel, as if to say "My lane! My lane!". Or they try to run me over. Either or. Something that bothers me worse than the no shoulders dilemma, is the road kill. There is no cleanup for it and there is so much. I'd say every 50 feet and still be conservative. I've even seen domestic dogs and cats, not little ones either. It really makes me angry, that A, these domestic animals are running around the highways B, the owners could care less, and C, that these beloved pets are just left on the road, like an empty beer can. When I talk about the South, this is what I mean. Messed up priorities. I'm in a spot now, and its not the greatest. Once the darkness comes it will be better. Its also Friday, meaning the miscreants likely won't be four wheel in, but cruising the strip. I think they still do that. What else is there to do here? In the morning will hit up WalMart and hope they have the tire size I need and cheap. If not I may opt for a throw blanket. I bought a gas station t-shirt that may or may not help with the cop tonight. Its supposed to be gone soon by is a real hassle.

Hattiesburg

Made it here, but I guess I'm used to Florida, that when you get within city limits, you are already surrounded by sprawling metropolis. Here it's a truck stop. I may be able to bypass the library tomorrow but that depends on my phone. I got a small bit of work for a website to do, and just need to makes some updates and send a newsletter. Its tedious to do it on a 4 inch screen, but theme the breaks. Luther from yesterday, found me today and gave me his lunch again, and 5 bucks! Very nice guy! The truck stop has a cafe and I had a burger and fries. I barely touched the fries but consumed the burger in short order. I really have been craving healthy fresh foods and proteins, and nothing that a walker typically gets to eat, which are was carbs that pound a wallop but last a long time. It seems one of the packets of skittles I've been carrying done blowed up and now I have them everywhere. While setting up the tent last night, I noticed some red stains that were still wet. II checked myself just in case I was cut and didn't know it. After unpacking the rest of my gear, I found the busted package of skittles. While sitting on a guardrail earlier, two cars stopped to see if I was okay (I'm telling you, its the hat). And the second car gave me a powerade. After drinking warm water all day, that really hit the spot. Lots and lots of hills in Mississippi and all uphill. Gotta figure out my plan for today and find an early spot if I can.

Sitting

By the side of the road on what I call a pause area. Its a small unfinished driveway about 10 feet wide and allows me to rest without sitting on the grass. I slept well, despite waking up at 4 to do sit-ups, at which point it was very cold. The towel I bought helped, and I wore three shirts and my hoodie. Tonight I may set my alarm in anticipation of the cold to do some sit-ups in preparation. Once its about 11, the temp becomes bearable, but at 1, its back into the oven. I've been taking Benadryl for my cough, brought on by the cold, but the extra cold lately isn't helping. And those trucks blowing by create a nice cold windstorm that cause me to tense up. Energy drinks in the morning just taste like crap. But they are also necessary to get through the first couple of hours. Its motivation in a can. I feel like I'm at a null point in my walk where my current destination Hattiesburg just keeps getting further and further away. Pushing through is the only way to make it, but lately I'm just feeling tired after about 1. According to the current GPS reading, its 20 miles to the Hattiesburg library where I need use of a computer. Provided that it doesn't get further away, I can camp in town (hopefully), then hit the library, and that's if they are open on Saturday which I probably should look into. I'm hoping today brings me closer to my goal and some happy adventure.