Taking the rest of the day

Off! Just outside Montgomery and found a spot just over the railroad tracks that was at one time a homeless guys spot. There's a blanket and a disused tarp hanging here. Walked about 20 miles, so I'm good.  The folks here in LA are a little different. They don't really talk, just stare. They're polite and all, but I guess they figure your business is your business. It's a little odd though. Another 4 days and I'll be in Shreveport. I've been toying with the idea of retiring Manny,  but don't want to carry all that water. I just have to treat him like walking an elderly man down the stairs. No crazy stuff and we may be good. So far no incoming rain, so I'm crossing my fingers tomorrow will be a sunny day.

Respite

Stopped at a little gas station, that happened to have a hot food cafe type thing. It's as good oasis as any for this long endless countryside. The main problem I'm experiencing is the lack of any available camp spots.  All the roadside property is a swamp, fenced, or underwater. and my normal haven, bridges, are gator pits. Makes camp spotting that much more frustrating. I seriously feel like I'm in some kind of natural disaster aftermath because of all the water. And can't really enjoy the walk. That's why I'm pushing so hard for Shreveport and Texas. I can't wait for the walk to be fun again, where fear is not my constant companion.

Fear again

Most everything on these southern roads are things that scare the crap outta me.  Poisonous snakes, poisonous spiders, bears, gators; and there's wildlife that you just have to be cautious of, like boars and dogs. And then sleeping in the midst of all that within a thin tent. It's nerve wracking at times. Faiyh and caution get me through most of it, but I found last night another piece of armor; and that's being tired. I was so tired, nor just from the walk but from the fear and anxiety that I just didn't care. I didn't care if I had to face the things my fear had wrought. I would beat it with a stick,  bears spray it, or kill it with my own hands if it meant a safe place to sleep. Probably not the smartest thing, but definitely an armor, and weapon against fear.

Misery

I could not find a spot last night for the life of me. Private property, fenced property, swaps and alligators. Because of the flash floods, all the rivers and gullies have overflowed to create one large swamp. Did I mention gators? I saw a fairly large one, about 10 feet long in the middle of some of that runoff. Couldn't find high ground for anything. So I kept walking. Near dusk I found a place next to a farmers fence line. I have seen more wildlife in LA than in any other state, and I'm not a wildlife guy. I'm making it my sole purpose to make as many miles each day as I can. Because of the rain and clouds I can't keep a charge on either phone. The cart is on its last leg and makes a jolting noise every rotation. When do I leave the swamp behind?

Spooky bridge

About 20 miles outta town, I found a bridge. Its shallow, but kept me out of that lightning storm about an hour ago. Its close to the water and very swampy. Like the kind of place gators would be happy. I haven't seen any yet. Just a humungo frog, which I see as keeping guard for me. Its gonna rain for at least another few hours, and though I'm bushes, there is no way I'm spending the night here. Just waiting out the rain, with my stick and bear spray handy. There's also a pile of bones. I'm guessing from a dog. They are arranged so must have been by human hands. Its just a weird spooky bridge. And I can't wait to leave it behind. A nice place in the woods, somewhere miles from here would be nice. I am tired but keep packing the energy drinks to stay awake.

Pretty

Miserable day thus far. Only got about four hours of uncomfortable sleep. I should have just found a place in the woods near civilization instead of heading out. I back hiked to the Kmart tho morning as I saw with the last of my battery life that a new stormfront was moving in. Getting out from under the bridge was a pain and my cart toppled, spilling the ice chest. But thankfully not everything is soaked. Walking with the cart reminds me of one of those wobbly carts you would see in a middle ages peasant town. But as long as it rolls. I'm charging my phone compliments of kmarts outdoor outlet, then I'm on my way. My hope is to beat the rain yo a hood concealed campspot so I can do so early and get some much needed sleep. My experience with bridges in LA has been less than ideal, so I hope to find a good wooded area. I dont even care about miles today so long as I can get some sleep and stay dry. I'm just that tired.

All that hurrying

For this crappy spot. Under a bridge, but was planning on camping in the woods. But the brush is too dense. And I bent another rim on this hill, so it's a crapshoot whether the cart is going to make it and how far. But as I slept in I'm not really ready for sleep, so may as well stay up a bit. I'm on the slant under the underpass, and going to try and sleep here with just my pad and bag. It's awkward but it's what I've got. And certainly not going walking at night. All my gear smells pretty bad. Usually I don't notice as much, but another day or two of this and i won't smell a thing. I'm a little worried about my cart not making it only because I just bought water, drinks, and food; which I would need to ditch most of if I have to backpack it. I am so thankful for all the people who donated for my shoes. There was enough left over to get new shorts, toiletries and mosquito repellant.