Day 63, June 5, 2012

 I woke up on day 63 at around 9. When I woke up I was directly on the concrete. My sleeping bag was next to me and I was skin on concrete. It's crazy how I have adapted to be able to sleep on a rock hard surface. Or maybe I'm just so tired each night that I sleep over discomfort. Either way when I woke up I was a little surprised.
         I sat up and it was already hot. It makes me think ahead to texas and how it's going to be when I have to sleep in the desert and wake up to hundred degree plus days. I have really just winged so much of this trek and somehow continue to be ok. The desert and heat of traveling to the west is a little nerve racking, but I still find a sense of trust deep inside. Even if something happens I know whatever it is I still have God by my side. And with that I can get through whatever my life brings. Even failure.
        I got up and packed up. I walked to the back of the church and drenched my head with water out of the faucet. It was cold and I splashed my face with my hands full of the water. This feeling of refreshment eases my mind of worries. I enjoyed the wet cool feeling on my body. I filled up my water jugs and was ready to head out. I packed my cart up and walked to the highway and headed west.
         It was gonna be a hot day. Maybe the heat is good as I will need to get used to the conditions and how to survive walking in them. I had also soaked my towel before I left and had that draped over my head as I began walking. That helps me stay cool. I walked towards Ruston, LA.
       I walked a couple hours when a guy pulled off. He had some waters and gave me 3 bottles. At this point my waters were hot from the sun, so I chugged a water he gave me as it was a little cooler than mine. With the other 2 I poured them into one of the bottles I had already drank.
       A few more miles down the road I was getting really hungry and still hadn't eaten. I was planning to stop around 3 to sit out the hot hour between 3-4 as I usually try to do. Just as it was getting close to 3, a car pulled off at 2:45 and handed me a bag of food! It was a box of breakfast pastries, and a bunch of waters. Great timing and I was ready for a break.
         I found a tree next to the highway with shade. I was in a stretch of nothing so there was not anything around but forest. I laid my jacket down and sat on it. I ate 3 of the pastries and downed 2 waters. Then I laid down and rested my eyes. The heat was still making my entire body sweat even in the shade. It was a tough day.
         When I got up I was ready to continue. I didn't feel great but I needed to continue towards Ruston. I kept walking. I headed west on the 80. I walked at a slow pace and stopped often to re wet my towel for my head. It seemed to get hotter as the evening set in.
        About 5 miles up a truck turned around. It was a lady and she gave me a few dollars. She was very intrigued with my travels. She offered me more money but I told her the few dollars was plenty!
        Another mile up or so I was starting to feel a little light headed. I drank water. I felt like I was ready to fall asleep but not sure why. Another car stopped and it was 2 ladies. They gave me a dollar and said they saw me on the news! They said they would pray for me. I continued.
        About 2 more mile up a truck pulled off and it was a really pretty girl. She said she didn't have anything except a soda. Thank god, because all I craved was a soda! I pounded it and talked with her. She was really nice and also said she would be praying for me.
       I came to the east side of Ruston. Just when the houses started appearing along the highway. I wanted to take a break as soon as I saw a place with an outlet. I stopped at a building that had one. It was closed and I sat there charging my stuff and drank some water. Then all off a sudden I heard something loud! I turned my head and it was 2 cop cars sliding into the rock driveway in from of the building. They slid to a stop and 2 more cars slid in behind them. They jumped out and came towards me! I was confused!
        As they came at me they said are you breaking in?!? I calmly stood there and said no. They said they had a call that I was breaking into the building. I laughed and said no, I wasn't. They saw my stuff charging and my cart and then calmed down. I told them I had no reason to break into anywhere. I was pretty taken back. They asked for my ID and within a couple minutes they knew I was being honest. They didn't even run my license and then said sorry. They went across the way to a driveway and stopped at the house there. I figured those people must have called the cops. Just before they pulled up I did go behind the building to the woods and take a massive dump. Then it clicked in my head that when I walked behind the building they must have thought I was trying to break in. I wasn't upset. Just confused. Then that made sense.
        So I took off from there. I headed into Ruston. When I got there I came to a laundromat. It was right along the 80 and I needed to wash my sleeping bag. So I stopped there and did a wash. I stayed there til about 10pm. Then I went behind it and there was nothing in sight. So I made my bed there and went to sleep around 11.

       

Day 62, June 4, 2012

On day 62 I woke up in front of a church on the concrete. I slept ok that night. I was a little sluggish when I woke up and slow to get my things ready. I was in a bit of a funk and my mind was just drained.
      So I sat there in the morning from about 8 until 10. I decided also to try and cut some weight from my cart and backpack, so I got rid of some things I didn't absolutely need.
       At around 9:30 two cop cars pulled up. One of the cops got out and right away said he saw me on the news. I talked with them a while letting them know I had permission to stay there and everything. They also were curious about my journey. They both said it was an honor meeting me and that they were inspired. That meant a lot to me. I shook their hands and they left.
      I finally got my stuff ready and headed out. It was about 10 when I headed down the highway. I walked a couple miles when a truck pulled over. A guy handed me $20 out of the window. About 10 minutes later another truck pulled off. This time a guy gave me a roll of dimes that had $5 worth.
Then about 5 minutes later a girl pulled over and gave me 2 brownies. It always feels great when I have a lot of people pull off in a rush. It really makes me feel like the people are out there to take care of anyone who needs help. They don't ever ask what I'm going to do with what they give me. They just see me and want to help out. That feels great and it means so much to me when I'm out here with very little.
       So I walked about 7 miles when it was about that time to take a mid day break. I was coming to a little town called Calhoun. I stopped there at a little pizza place. I had picked up a loaf of bread the day before to eat so I could conserve money. So I got a drink there and ate the brownies and some slices of bread for lunch. I stayed there for a couple hours. The girl working there came out and talked to me while I took my break. She said there was a guy and his son about 2 weeks before that stopped there on their way walking across the country. She told me about their trek. Me and her talked a while and I enjoyed the company.
       So I headed out at about 5. I walked over the 20 and continued on the 80 through Calhoun. Another car pulled over and it was a lady who saw me on the news. She gave me $5 and said good luck. Another mile up or so a car pulled off and 3 girls that also saw me on the news gave me a few dollars. Another mile or so ahead a guy pulled off and gave me a few dollars. Again another car pulls off and it was a family. They asked where I was headed. They also gave me $13. About 5 minutes later a man and his mother pulls off and gave me $8. It was pretty awesome to have all the support from people who see me on my way across the country.
        I came to a church about 4 miles west of Calhoun, LA. It was up a little hill and there was a perfect little overhang to make my bed under. I looked around for an outlet but didn't find any. I needed to charge my electronics and not seeing an outlet bummed me out. I went out to the church sign by the highway just to triple check there might be an outlet. And I found one! It was on a brick block with a light on it. So I charged my things there.
       After they charged I headed up the hill and laid down on the concrete under the overhang. I passed out at around midnight.
   

     

Day 61, June 3, 2012

  I woke up on day 61 in the grass corner of two fences connecting. It was about 7:45am. I looked out and saw cars passing by very close. I keep wondering how I get away with sleeping in open spaces without being seen or kicked out. But I guess I just get a good sense of where I should stay, and if I'll be good there. So far it hasn't failed.
        So I packed up and headed to the McDonald's to get a little charge before heading out. I ordered a yogurt parfait there while my things charged. Then I took off.
        I got onto the road at around 9:15. I walked about a half mile when a truck pulled into a dirt parking lot where there were some other cars parked. A guy and girl got out and walked towards me. I took out my headphones and the guy handed me $20. Then his girlfriend asked me to come into church with them. I said I needed to walk a ways. And then she said "aww come on! It will be so cool!" an then I thought, I'm not on any time schedule and since they wanted me to go, I said sure!
         So we walked in, I was pretty uncomfortable in my nasty sweaty clothes and duct taped shoes. But they said not to worry and nobody will judge. So I left my cart in the back with a camera man. It was a huge church! I was still feeling like I havn't gone enough distance in the last few days, and wanted to move. But it was ok.
          I sat with them for the service. It was a good message. There were a few times where I still had questions in my mind about the topics. But I still felt a good energy, and I said some very sincere prayers.
           After the service I took some pictures with them, and then said goodbye. I walked out feeling better than when I went in, so I was thankful.
           I walked through west Monroe. It was a pretty decent part of the town. I pulled off just at the end of town as I was hungry. I stopped at a Mexican restaurant and got a drink and ate some free chips and salsa. I sat there for a couple hours to stay out of the heat.
          I left there around 4. I left town and walked down a stretch of the highway where there were just houses here and there. As I walked I noticed my cart was leaning. I stopped and looked down and saw that a plastic piece on the leg had busted. And the cage part had slid down on one side. I looked at it and realized I needed something small like chicken wire to rig it up. I didn't have anything to use so I just hoped I would run across a hardware store or something soon. So I kept on and hoped it didn't break from the weight.
         About a mile up I was scanning the ground along the shoulder of the highway for maybe a small screw or something. And then I spotted something!!! It was a piece of steel rod! I picked it up and it was perfect! It was about a foot long.
         I stopped at the next church I crossed about a half mile up. I sat in front of the doors under an overhang and emptied my cart out. Then I bent the rod back and forth til it broke in half. I used the leather man the cop in Mississippi gave me and bent the wire so it would go into a hole where the plastic broke off. So I twisted a blade through the plastic piece (that slipped over the leg) big enough for the rod to fit into. The rod went through the plastic piece and into the hole, which held the plastic piece up to hold the cage up. Then the rod bent 90 degrees to run down the leg. Then I duct taped the rod really good around the leg. I ended up breaking the other legs plastic piece to do the same with the other half of the rod. When I was done it was stronger than the way it was originally made. I was proud of my hobo modification.
         Just as I was finishing, a truck pulled up. It ended up being the pastor of the church who was meeting someone there for paperwork. He saw me and said, "hey you were on tv!" I told him I was just fixing my cart. He said he thought it was awesome that I was homeless and still giving the little of what I have to homeless people I pass. He insisted I stay there for the night! That was awesome! I was planning on getting a few more miles at least, but since I had permission, I figured I would stay. I would sleep much better not having to worry about hiding and being kicked out.
       So he left and said good luck! A little while later another truck pulled up. It was the maintenance guy for the church. He heard I was there and so he came to hangout and talk to me. He was a really nice guy and had a good understanding of what I'm going through. He knew some people who wander around and live like I'm currently living. He was rad. We had a cool conversation for like an hour. Then he took off. I made my bed on the concrete right next to an outlet. I relaxed til about 11 and I fell asleep.

 
     

Day 60, June 2,2012

All of a sudden I heard growling... I woke up and behind the dog that was laying down was another black dog. If was pretty big and was looking past the dog laying down and right at me. The sun wasn't up yet but it was bright enough to see him. He growled again. Then I yelled "go home!". And he started barking loud and aggressive. He was coming towards me so I stood up and walked aggressively at him. He jumped back and ran sideways around me barking wildly.
        I was afraid his barks were going to wake people in the houses up and then I would be approached by someone or have the cops called out. I yelled again for him to go home. Then he finally left. He growled as he walked away. The other dog never moved. It just wagged his tail as I went back to crawl in my sleeping bag. I passed out for another hour or so.
        When I woke up at about 7:30 I packed up and walked back to the McDonald's. I had an interview with a California news station about my journey. So I wanted to use McDonald's wifi so I had a better connection to FaceTime with them.
      The dog had followed me to McDonald's. When I went inside he laid down by the door. I noticed in the next hour he was getting in people's way and at one point laid in the middle of the drive through. Everyone was asking each other whose dog it was and I just laughed.
      After the interview it was afternoon. I had sat there to wait for them for a while. So eventually I left walking towards downtown Monroe. As I walked I seriously had someone pull over every 5 or 10 minutes and talk to me for 15 or 20 minutes. All the people had seen me on the local news. I had money, prayers, and food given to me. It was awesome to meet all these people, but I really wasn't getting anywhere walking. Even a cop pulled over and said he saw me. He offered me lunch too but I wasn't hungry.
        It was about 3 and I came to a parking lot that had a car show going on. It said free food and stuff so I went to check it out. It was a furniture store putting it on. So I ended up going in and taking my break there. Even though I didn't get much distance I still wanted to beat the mid day heat. So I went in and got a couple cold waters they gave out. Then I sat on a recliner and watched a big screen display tv for an hour. I was so comfortable it was hard to get up.
         So at around 4 I kept walking. Again cars were pulling off and tons of people honked and waved. It was bizarre. After someone pulled over again and talked to me for about 20 minutes I knew I was off pace to get to where I was trying to go. I sort of fell out of a grove too. So I ended up spotting a place to sleep and just stopped walking for the day. I went into a McDonald's across the street and used Internet. I stayed there til about 8 when I crossed the street to my spot. It was a grass area behind a bank. It was exposed but in the dark it was ok. Just worried about being spotted in the morning. I fell asleep in the corner of a fence there at around 11.

   
     

Day 59, June 1, 2012

 I woke up on day 59 in front of the church west of Rayville LA. I slept on the concrete but had still slept very well compared to the average night out here. It was a little cooler and a little breeze blew. I woke up at around 8:30.
         I packed up and before I left I wanted to re-bandage my feet. So I pulled the bandage off my right heel and put a fresh one on. The blister looked good. But when I pulled the one off my left ring toe my skin was swelled up and loose. It was pretty nasty. So I wrapped it up the best I could.
         I filled my waters up and started walking. I got to the town of Start about 5 miles up. The sign said "welcome to Start home of Tim Mcgraw". As I got into town I noticed a fire over the railroad tracks. I walked over to check it out and it was a controlled fire of a field. I hadn't eaten yet and was starting to get hungry. Just as I was leaving the small town a car pulled over. A lady handed me a bag and said God bless. She was a stranger and I don't think she saw me on the news either since she didn't mention anything. It was awesome and I pulled right off in some shade.
       It was a hot BBQ pulled pork sandwich that was amazing! And some chips with a sprite and a few snacks. I really enjoyed it and it was perfect timing. I continued walking. I walked a good pace and really didn't stop hardly at all that day.
        I had walked about 16 miles when I saw a car parked across the street at a gas station. They were waving me over. I went over there and it was a girl I had met the day before. She was with a friend who wanted to get a picture with her son and me. So I happily did that and talked a little with them!
         I walked the last mile or so and got to a McDonald's. My feet felt ok but were just a little cramped. I sat inside there and ordered 2 McChickens and a water. I enjoyed those and relaxed using their wifi.
        At around 10 I went outside and walked a few buildings over. I found a closed building and went behind it. There was a grass area where I made my bed. There were houses directly in sight behind me but it was dark and they wouldn't see me til daylight. So I layed down and it was a cool night again. I was comfortable and I fell asleep good.
           I slept good most of the night. But suddenly a heard something walking. I could hear footsteps and it was close behind me. Sounded like it was maybe 10 feet away. I sat up and looked and it was a dark dog!... It was creeping up by me. As soon as I popped up I saw he was startled. But still didn't trust if he was nice or going to come at me. So I yelled "hey!". And he flinched. He seemed friendly from yelling at him. So I sat there a few minutes and he wanted to come up to me. I pet him when he walked up then was at ease. I laid back down and I heard him lay about 3/4 feet behind me. He ended up sleeping right there the rest of the night.

 
       

Day 58, May 31, 2012

On Day 58 I woke up as I felt the rain on my neck. It was coming through the net I was wearing. I sat up and it was sprinkling down. I packed up quickly before it got heavier and soaked me. It was early. About 7:20 am.
      I headed back into the McDonald's to check the weather. It looked like a good chance of showers all day and a thunder storm warning was in effect. So I just decided I would play it safe and take another day off. I don't like taking all the time off but with the weather and my feet I guess I could afford the rest. And also, I'm in no hurry anyway. The next town was a stretch and on my gps it didn't look like there was much along the way. Wouldn't be good to get caught in a storm.
       So I ended up sitting there most the day. I ordered off the dollar menu and decided to take a nice day to eat good and relax. I sat there writing journals and using the internet til about 5. I was having trouble uploading videos using the McDonald's wifi, so I headed across the street to try the Wendy's wifi.
        On the walk over there I had 2 people pull over and hand me money. The walk was literally 100 yards. Two ladies pulled over and gave me $12 and then right after a guy and his girlfriend pulled over and gave me $10. Right as I was thanking the guy with his girlfriend a guy walked by with a guitar and a pack. He had torn clothes and looked homeless himself. So as soon as the people who helped me pulled away, I walked over to him and gave him $5. Pay it forward.
         The guy was 22 and was hitchiking from Atlanta to Texas. He was trying to get home to his family and didn't have much. We talked about how life is out here and how close to God you feel when you have nothing. Also how people always have your back without asking. He was a nice dude. We shook hands and said bye.
        I went into the Wendy's and right when I got in there it started pouring rain. It was extremely heavy and it started hailing too. All of a sudden it got really windy and thunder was roaring. I sat there and all of a sudden...BOOM!!! It sounded like a shotgun went off right above me! The music in the Wendy's shut off and the place rattled. The lighting must of struck the Wendy's or the gas station it was connected to! It was intense. So I sat there and watched the storm.
          After the storm passed it was around 7. I needed to go to Walmart for some washers to fix my wheels on my cart. So I headed there. The rain stopped and it was clearing.
         I left Walmart and headed down the road to get back along the highway. There was a church about 3 miles ahead where I would bunk up for the night. The walk there was pretty crazy. I couldn't walk a half mile without someone pulling off to take a picture with me and they said they saw me on the news. It was crazy! But cool also. And tons of people honked and waved. So weird to me...
         So I got to the church and there was only cover in the front. It still said chance of rain at night so I wanted to make my bed under a cover. I made my bed even though I was right by the highway. I was just lucky enough that the positioning of the bushes were angled just right to keep me out of sight of the passing cars. I stayed low and laid there out of sight. It was cool outside and it felt good! I eventually went to sleep around 11.

     

Day 57, May 30, 2012

 So I woke up on day 57 and my feet felt a little better. When I woke up it was around 8. The courtyard was pretty hidden so I decided I could take a quick shower with the hose and get away with it. So I stripped down to my under garments and sat behind a bush to stay hidden. I stretched the hose out and sat there and washed myself. I had a small bar of soap someone gave to me that I used to scrub myself. It felt good and refreshing. After the shower I quickly changed into fresh clothes. Then I washed the clothes I was wearing with the hose and the soap the best I could.
         After that I packed up to head out. I put the hose back, packed my stuff, and draped my wet clothes I just washed over my cart for the walk so they could dry.
         I headed down the road around 10:00am. I started walking and my feet quickly became tender again. But not in too much pain. I walked a good pace and wanted to get to Rayville LA which was about 17 miles away. It was pretty hot so I drank plenty of water and kept my towel over my head and kept it wet.
          About 5 miles in a lady pulled over and she gave me $7. She was a stranger who just wanted to help. She said God bless and drove off. It was cool.
          So I walked non stop all the way to Rayville as I wanted to get there early so I could get to a McDonald's and beat the hot part of the day in air conditioning. I got to Rayville around 4pm. The McDonald's was about 2 miles into town so I headed towards it. My feet were hurting pretty good by now and couldn't wait to get there.
        When I got to McDonald's my feet were just ready for a needed break. Since I walked straight that day with no breaks it probably pushed them a little hard. So I sat in McDonald's and slipped my shoes off. I hoped nobody sat next to me as my feet stank!
         As I sat there for about 15 minutes all of a sudden a man walked around the corner and said Nick?". I said "ya?". It was a guy from the CBS news station a few towns over in Monroe LA. He was following me on twitter and wanted to do a story. I usually update my day on twitter so he knew I was at McDonald's. So they asked if I could go outside with them to do some recording and an interview. So I said no problem and went with them to do it. I was a little shocked they came out but it was cool. It was also funny to see the people who looked at me funny in McDonald's to all of a sudden be so curious.
       After the interview the news guy said he would love to buy me something, so I let him buy me an ice cream Sunday. They were pretty cool and also gave me a reflective vest to wear at night if I walk. They also said that the next day it was going to rain and storm and that I might want to seek cover for the day.
       So I went back in and sat down to relax again. All the people inside we're coming up and asking my what my story was? And the workers came up as well and said if I needed any food to let them know. It's so funny that I sleep behind dumpsters and get treated that way. It's ironic to me and makes me laugh. This world is a funny place at times.
          So when it started getting dark I headed outside and the only spot out of sight to sleep was behind the McDonald's dumpster. So I made my bed back there and noticed a litter of kittens living out of the dumpster. I hoped they wouldn't mess with me. I laid down and the mesquitos were heavy. I grabbed one of the head nets someone gave me the day before and threw it on over my hat. I laid down and went to sleep there at about 11.