Cloudy

Been battling with the sun all day in charging my phone, but it seems the shade of the trees isn't a good place to do so. It's been nice just relaxing. No exploring for me, therefore no chance of encountering anyone. I have done laundry so naturally its cloudy now and I've felt a few raindrops threaten my tranquility. But I'm betting it will pass. Alot of people seemed to like my day in the life post, and it was accurate in a general sense. But there is also an alertness that pervades the day. When walking on the shoulder, no matter how hallucinogenic things may seem in the heat of the day, I am alert to what's going on around me. I watch for oncoming cars to make sure they don't hit me, but I'm also scanning the grass and shoulder in front of me for snakes. And on the lookout for menacing situations, like a car parked ahead. When in town, I pay attention to people and their attitude towards me. I'm not paranoid, just very aware. It carries through the day and night, which is why at a campground or motel, I can truly relax and let down my guard. Like right now. Everything is packed in my cart, and I'm laying on the ground near my spot on a garbage bag. If I need to, I can be up and away in seconds. And everything has a place in where it goes. When I'm finished using something, I pack it back up, so I'm ready to go. Even in my tent at night, I have everything in my backpack. So after my hobo shower, I pack all that back up. I sleep using my backpack as a pillow, I have my snake pokin stick on the tent, a bottle of water and that's it. So in the morning after I put on my shoes but before I exit, I pack up my sleeping bag and now blanket; so when I exit the tent, I can break down my camp in about 5 minutes. Even now, on my veg day, I'm listening for odd sounds, cars stopping, peoples voices etc. I chose the yeti as my mascot with alot of thought, though I would have preferred bigfoot. Yeti is the Asian version but sounds better than wayward bigfoot. Anyway, I like that the yeti is hidden and unseen, which is how I prefer to travel and camp, incognito. I don't really want to be noticed, by the locals who like to have fun with the homeless guy, or by some sociopath who wants to kill someone and pin the murder on the guy passing through. Just like I don't tell everyone about my blog. I don't want them following me online with nefarious intent, knowing where I will be on any given day. So, w and awareness are a core outlook of this lifestyle.

Zero day

Packed up my camp, then did laundry, then trimmed and shaved, waiting for the sun to charge my phone and realized I was putting off leaving my campsite. The crappy energy drink isn't even giving me the motivation I need. So I'm calling it, Zero day. It's a beautiful day for walking, but I just wanna veg. So a day off it is!

Oh Manny

As I was cleaning out my cart, I noticed one of the rims was bent. I know it happened the other day when getting out if my spot, was on a hill and the cart started to topple, so and I had to push against the fall. There's a WalMart in town 5 miles up. I was planning in getting a tire for the one that has threads showing through. But with the other wheel bent, I don't want to invest money into something that's going to give up on me. Ugh! What a little cart of horrors its turning out to be. I guess I don't really have a choice and will use it till he goes completely lame. They should make a dolly backpack. Wear it or push it. Right now, the only thing Manny does well is hold my laundry to dry.

Morning has broken

I like waking up to the light of the morning and the sounds of the birds. Versus my alarm and a hasty exit. This is a good spot where I can sleep in. Not many of those. Of course sleeping in means laying about til 8 instead of 6, but that's my life now. I slept well. It wasn't as cold last night, and I really like having a blanket. Sleeping bags are not a long term solution for comfortable sleeping. And though I want to stay here all day and possibly another night, I wont. I will start getting anxious and then think about a nice icy soda, or need to charge my phone. There will be something that pushes me forward. Because, like it or not, the more distance I travel, the better I feel about my journey. Progress. And I like my weight loss program, and walking miles is a big part of that.

And water

The beautify lady also brought me a dix pack of water, I forgot to mention. I just happened upon a good spot for the night, and though early, there were no cars in sight so I seized the moment. The concrete drainage ditches are great for helping to avoid making lines in the grass with the cart. The popo pulled over and ran my license, and though they were fairly decent, I font want them waking me up in the middle if the night. There's still a few hours left of daylight, so I wont be setting up my tent for about an hour more. I was thinking earlier about how it would be great if right then I could be in an a/c'd room with a glass of my famous chilled tea, with a blanket and a good tv show. Then I thought of all that went with it before. The previous Tom. And it made me really glad I set about on this walk. Yesterday I was looking at my reflection in my phone, and I didn't recognize the look in my eyes. It was really odd, like looking at someone else. It made me wonder what new was in there. My journey thus far, through the swamp of Florida, the marshes of Alabama, and now Mississippi; I've been thinking of the highlights, the good stuff. Sure there was pure terror filled walks at night fearful of bears, and good ole boys playing chicken. There have been days that I wouldn't mind forgetting. But I feel it was a deconstruction of the Tom before and then an evolution of the man in becoming. But the things that stand out now are: Freddie, an older black man rushing out of his barn, across the roadway yelling "do you want an ice cold Pepsi?". Meeting Marlena and Iann, my new friends from Denmark, who are now weeks away from the end of there cycling journey. My escape from the most that surrounded my campsite, showing me what willpower really is. When Manny broke down and everyone rallied around me with donations and support. The epiphany I had about fear, and finding faith. Connecting with people that have been part of my life, but are now more in the foreground. And all the daily emotional support I get from all of you, it makes my life better. And I'm only a month and a half in! I haven't showered in a week. I have to conform my body to the shape of the ground nightly. I never no where in going to camp, and there is a certain odor. But I am happy.

Oh my

I really have to revise my impression of Mississippi. Sure there are issues here, just like any other place, but there are some nice things too. The scenery is just beautiful. Green and lush and rolling hills, a great outdoorsman paradise. The sky can take on a color of blue, that just makes you smile. I haven't gotten one lear or disgusted look, if anything, I get curious stares. I mean who in their right mind walks across a state with no shoulders? And more than any state thus far, people are generous and kind. I am terrible with names, and I really wanted to mention this woman's name but all I could think of was ice, cool magnificent ice! I'm walking a long stretch with no stores, and the whole while while baking from the inside out, I can only think of one thing...ice. I take a swig of water and it feels like filling up a pitcher and putting it in the fridge. No satisfaction, just motion. Then an SUV pulls up in front of me, which is amazing in its own right. See, I'm walking against traffic, and that's counter intuitive to receiving kindness on the road. People see someone and pull over in front of them if they want to offer a ride or something. It's convenient and common sense. I walk against traffic so that I can see cars as they swerve to hit me. So, when someone sees me, and makes a conscious effort, turns around, and pulls in front of me, its kinda amazing. So the door opens and there she is in her glistening beauty...a large icy drink from McDonald's. There was a woman holding the cool filling goodness, I'm sure of it. Kathy maybe. All I could think if was the ice. She handed me the drink and my legs just about gave in. She also gave me a combo meal with pies and some cash. So awesome! To take time to get a meal and drive it out to me, is just amazing! I feel cool for the first time since waking up this morning. Thanks kind lady.

Day 50 maybe

Spent all morning resetting my phone, reinstalling apps, and doing a little work. It's really hot out now, staggeringly so, but just doing the walk and all these hills. If I was still on my southern route, I'd be in Louisiana by now. Another 130 miles to go in MS and maybe if I can find the energy, and make 20 miles a day, I can be in LA by the end of the week. But planning is folly, so will just do the best I can and accept the changes as they come.