Long Night/Morning

Little did I know after my update yesterday I still had a lot ahead of me that coming night/morning. I type this from the Days Inn in Canton, GA, meaning since I woke up yesterday morning I covered about 50 miles, with no sleep.

Ok so after I left the Mcdonalds in Sugar Hill I walked down the road in search of a place to set up camp. I kept walking and walking as it got dark amongst traffic and a never ending stretch of construction. I finally settled in a big dirt bunker looking lot off Hwy 20. Starting to settle in a bit and cook some ramen. (Sidenote: Nissin brand Top Ramen is garbage, Machuren brand rules) I put my tarp down and sat on it as I discovered that rain was supposed to hit at 3am and continue into the entire next day. I knew if I stayed here I would be covered in mud, so I packed up and continued to walk into the night in search of a better situation. I immediately came across another bridge with nowhere to walk. I waited for a clear and began sprinting, switching lanes avoiding cars and finally made it across. This was the toughest bridge to cross yet due to traffic. The river I crossed was the “Chadahoochie River” which is funny in itself. I reached Cumming, GA a while down the road and kept going, unable to find a motel for the night with rain coming. I came across a “Kroger” grocery store as the rain began. I went under the awning to plug in my phone and an older man who was an employee barked at me in ahis southern accent “YOU GOT 5 MINUTES TO GIT OR ILL CALL THE LAW.” So at that moment I tarped up my cart and realized I had another 20 miles until Canton. I began finding myself swerving, so tired. It is extremely unsettling to be so tired in a strange place and have nowhere to go. The rain began to thicken as I was greeted with an unexpected 530 am traffic jam. This area of Georgia is growing so much in population and the roads are not yet equipped for the number of drivers. Of course no shoulder to walk on, my left shin began to throb due to the length of this long days walk. I began to focus on distracting myself from the task at hand as I avoided headlights and pushed my cart through the mud. 12 miles to go I was in a zone mentally that I don’t think I have ever reached. It was like I was beside myself, shielding myself from this brutal endeavor. 5 miles to go, I knew this was tough, but I knew it was with in reach. A woman then pulled over saying her name was Lauren. She offered to take me to her work TC Country where I could get out of the rain and relax. There I met Fabio and Sabina who run the store. I was offered a cot to get some rest and I took full advantage. I spent a good portion of the afternoon talking to Lauren about both of our lives as she trimmed the nails of various rabbits. It was amazing how we were able to open up to each other only knowing one another for such a short period of time. All in all I met a group of great people at TC Country Store, so willing to accomadate a complete stranger who had severely overestimated his walking abilities. At the same time it just seemed like a standard gesture to them, like it was something they are always willing to do. I then headed to the Days Inn in Canton, GA, never have I felt so spoiled to be in a 2 star motel. My feet still feel okay, although I just removed a serious omount of skin from the bottom of them. Also, I am losing weight like crazy. I do not have access to a scale but I would guess I,ve lost at least 10-12 lbs so far, even with the amount of sodas. I’ve definitely had more sodas in the last 16 days then in the previous 2 years. I’m about 40 miles from Rome, GA with only a short distance after that into Alabama.