Days 210 & 211

Saturday & Sunday  05/26, 27/12Last night was a challenge.  Mother nature hit pretty hard and my poor little tent was really tested.  Lightning, thunder, rain, and high winds. Saturday was hot  with high winds.  Friday evening and for several hours Saturday at a recently open restaurant called Simmy's.  It was great to have a cool place out of the heat and wind.  Sunday I went to First Christian Church in Alma.  I love it when I like a church and it's members right off the bat.  Got there in time for a real good Sunday School class taught by Pastor Larry.  Also got to listen to a good sermon and meet several people.  Then God blessed my socks off again.  Pastor Larry and his wife Anne own a closed motel and they offer me a place to stay as another thunder storm is on the way.  At 3 o'clock Larry picks me up and moves me to very comfortable room.  More about these gracious people later.  First picture is of  the owners of Simmy's.  Cody and his wife Kelly.  Two people with guts to take on the daunting task starting a new restaurant.  Second is of Treasa and third is of Tracy, Anna, Chelsea and Big Red.  All very nice people made me feel very welcomed.

Days 207 to 209

Wednesday to Friday  05/22, 23, 24/12  Days 207 to 209   50 miles  7,617  Total

Wednesday I walked around town for an hour and my knee wasn't happy.  Thursday I packed up and walked out of town heading north.  First 1/2 mile was all up hill and by the time I got to the top I was really struggling.  My knee was sure not ready for hills.  Found a good place to catch a ride and I did everything but dance and found no takers. It is late in the afternoon I have to make up my mind whether to limp on and camp in an open field or walk all the way back into Stockton and stay at the city park.  With visions of some farmer running me out of his field I drag back into town feeling like whipped pup.  Because of the knee I am walking funny and now my foot and hip hurts too.  What a deal.  As always I know tomorrow can be better. Friday I pack up at sun up and go to the main street leaving town and a gal by the name of Christine offers me a ride within 15 minutes of being on the street. This sweet lady gives me a ride to Glade which is very small with no businesses.  As I am walking across the street Jerry pulls up and offers me a ride to Phillipsburg.  Jerry is a crusty old bugger like me and we had a nice ride before he drops me off on the east side of town.  I walk through town and put my thumb out on the west side and after 15 minutes, Preston gives a ride right to a RV Park in Alma, Neb.  Preston is from Oklahoma on his way to South Dakota for the weekend.  Thursday I couldn't catch a ride to save me and Friday it is the total opposite.  Three nice people and a good dose of patience.  First pictures is of my last sunset in Kansas and second is of a bison telling me it is time to move on.

Days 202 to 206

Friday to Tuesday 05/18 - 22/12  Days 202 to 206  211 miles   7,567 Total

I had to leave Ness City today.  Going to miss this special group of people very much.  Connie and I did a sight seeing tour through several Kansas towns and state parks in a 211 mile, two day journey to Stockton, Kansas.  Connie got us separate rooms in Colby and Stockton and went to church with me Sunday at main Street Christian Church.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet and become close to some very wonderful people on this journey. Connie is one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met and I sure am blessed for knowing her.  It was hard to watch her drive away Sunday afternoon.  In the past all of the proceeds we have generated has gone to three organizations for their general fund.  Tuesday I was able to send off two checks for $360 each to sponsor two kids for a whole year.  First was in the name of Jetmore/Hanson Methodist Church  and second was in the name of Connie, Rosalie, Rick, Deb, and Sandy of Ness City.  What a good feeling and it makes everything worthwhile.  Swelling in my knee is going down and doesn't hurt near as much to walk on so will probably head for Nebraska soon.  I pray that you all have a wonderful Memorial weekend.  First picture is of a baby Robin looking at me with disdain.  Second is of a wide open Kansas road.

Days 200 & 201

Wednesday & Thursday  05/16, 17/12  Days 200 & 201

Wednesday is my 200th day since I left Coquille, Oregon.  I can't believe it has gone so fast.  Had a little set back today.  I was helping Rick with a stock tank and when I was walking around some rubble caused by a previous tornado I fell into an abandoned well.  Scrapped both of my hands and my hip a little but the real problem is that I tweaked my bad knee.  Rick said my eyes where pretty big as he helped me out of this hole.  I bet that was a funny sight.  Anyway, instead of being the walking man right now, I am the hobbling guy for a few days.  This could have been bad, but it wasn't and it reminded me that I need to be careful on where I walk. Connie is taking me to Stockton, Kansas Friday where my son has sent me some mail to general delivery.  First picture is of sun set at Connie's families old home stead.  Tornado pretty much leveled everything many years ago. Second is of part of Rick's cattle that I got to hang out with for a few days.

Days 192 to 199

Tuesday to Tuesday  05/7 - 15/12  Days 192 to 199

Another week of having fun in Ness City.  I did get some other things done so that I don't feel totally guilty for having such a good time.  Got to build a few things for Rosalie and help Rick with some water tanks for his cattle.  He didn't need me, but let me tag along.  It was nice to be involved with ranching, even if it  was only as a spectator.  Heading north Friday.  First pictures is of one of Rick's bulls.  He seems to have an attitude.  Second is of golf course that we shot three times in perfect weather.  Third is of Alford and Kay.  Connie and I had a nice evening with them.

Days 184 to 191

I have been told that if you want people to follow your blogs you need to blog on very regular basis.  I'm sorry that I have not done that as of late.  I have gotten mixed up with a bunch of very kind and  fun loving Kansas people.  God has blessed me with having way to much fun and also getting book 2 near completion.  I attended my first ever Catholic Church  last Sunday and a great little Assembly of God church this Sunday.  Played a lot of pinochle with Connie and her mom Rosalie.  Did some yard work for Rosalie and her neighbor Nina, who gave me a haircut.  First picture is of six ladies who invited me to have dinner with them at a restaurant in McCraken.  Save the comments on me having dinner with so many attractive women, just part of the job.  Second pic. is of just part of about 40  motor cycles that showed up while we were having dinner.  Third is of Rosalie and Connie at a stop we made on our way to Hays, Kansas to have dinner then attend a Barber Shop style concert at a university  concert hall.  These two women are very special people and will be a big part of book 3. Back on the road Saturday.