Seneca, KS

I have walked 106 miles in the last four days since leaving Kansas City. I crossed into Kansas on Wednesday. I am currently at the Starlite Motel in Seneca, KS trying to avoid the severe weather in the area. I have encountered a few thunderstorms in the past few days. No tornado sightings, but there have been plenty across the state of Kansas this week. The worst of the storm is scheduled for tonight and tomorrow so I will have to see what is in store for tomorrow.

I had flashbacks to my first day on the road back in Myrtle Beach heading out of Kansas City. Not walking for 3 days is like an eternity for my body. Also I am still breaking in my new pair of shoes. My old ones were tied together and thrown in a tree north of KC. Breaking in these shoes has left my feet more sore than usual. Yesterday I took off my socks and both of my feet were swollen and discolored.

My first night in Kansas was a new experience for me. I expected Kansas to be vast, open fields surrounding me and for the most part that is true. That first night walking, looking for a place to camp. Nothing is there. Everything is flat. Nowhere to hide. Anticipating thunderstorms any minute I knew I had to get set up quickly. The next town being 16 miles ahead of me, I was just going to have to take it. I ended up just setting up about 100 feet off the road next to a flattened cornfield. Clearly visible to the few cars passing. Eagerly awaiting sundown, and darkness to hide me once again I began setting up my tent. Not an easy task in 30 mph winds blowing. Finally setup, I laid there with real fear. This was the first time on the road where I really missed the comforts of home. Laying there on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere Kansas, I missed home. Helpless for what was coming, I laid there. Awakened every hour of so by the passing trains. Finally I opened my eyes once again, it was morning. The rain never came.

Last night I approached Hiawatha, KS where I found a park with many shelters to sleep in as the rain came down. This morning I reached Hwy 36, I will be heading west on this road for the next few weeks through Kansas and into Colorado. The shoulder on this road is paved for about 2 feet and then another 8 feet or so of gravel and rocks. I walk on the paved part but it does leave me very close to the passing cars. Semi-trucks have become quite the annoyance being so close to them as they pass. With each one passing a strong gust of wind comes with it. Like a wave that slaps me in the face and stops my feet. Not so bad once, by about the 50th time, you find yourself starring forward trying not to be affected and yelling obscenities at nobody in particular.

Sometimes I feel like this walk is flying by so quickly. I am further along both geographically and mentally than I thought I ever could 66 days into it. At the same time, I feel like it has to have been longer than 66 days judging by how much differently I feel compared to when I began on March, 4th. It is almost like I am watching myself in the future continually achieve exactly what I wanted to. I feel like the old me is still sitting at home regretting everything he never did. I have to remind myself sometimes while I am walking, "you're doing this." This whole thing was just another idea I had one night. Unable to sleep at night once again as wild ideas ran through my head. I was finally tired of thinking of these things that would make me happy and doing nothing about it. Well, here I am. I'm doing this.

Sitting out front of Wal Mart this morning enjoying my ritz and cheese crackers I saw a man walk by me. He had a large backpack on as well as another strapped on backwards as he staggered up to me. He asked if I wanted any food. I said yes of course and he pulled out several bags of food for me to pick what I wanted. He said he had too much to carry. His name was Joe. He was from Seattle. He had slept behind that very Wal Mart the previous night. It was great to talk to somebody who could relate to this experience as I have slept behind a few Wal Marts in the past couple months. He didn’t know yet where he was headed. We parted ways and I thanked him for the food as he thanked me for lightening his bags.

I cannot wait for this storm to pass. Even the days where it doesn’t rain, it always threatens to. It is still stressful knowing it could rain at any moment. Especially when towns are so far apart. Anyways 1353 miles in. I haven’t showered or changed my clothes since Tuesday, so I should probably take care of that.