Day 70, June 12, 2012

 I woke up on day 70 pretty late. Since I was up in the night from the storm, I had slept til almost 11. I hit the road after packing up.
      I set a good pace and headed towards Shreveport LA. It was really hot and I was drinking water anytime I even thought about it just to be safe.
       After walking a good pace I got to the suburbs where I came across a McDonald's. I went inside and ate off the dollar menu. It was about 3 when I got there. I was getting ready to give back to those in need before leaving Louisianna. So I took a good portion of the little money I have to survive, and bought $60 worth of McDonald's $5 giftcards. I then took $5 bills and wrapped the cash and giftcards together with rubber bands. I sat there about an hour and then headed out along the highway around 4.
       I walked a few miles when I pulled off to help a man I saw. I gave him a card with the cash and he was very surprised! Look on his face and his expression was awesome!
     Right after I helped him a car pulled over and a guy got out. He came up and gave me his lunch from work that day that he didn't eat. It was a tuna with cracker snack pack and pop tarts.
      Another mile up or so I spotted another man to help. I ran across the street and shared a card/cash with him. He had been walking in the heat all day too and he was very thankful. He was homeless and also had a sweet cart like mine.
       About another half mile up a lady and her daughter pulled over to give me a tube of Pringles and a few dollars. It was pretty ironic that I had helped 2 people and right after both of those instances, people pulled off to help me.
      I was low on charge and wanted to post some videos, so I stopped at a Starbucks and got an iced water and sat down to charge/use Internet. The guy working there took his break shortly after I had sat down, and he sat next to me to ask where I was from and headed. I told him my story and he was blown away! He said it would be an honor to at least get me a free drink. So I told him maybe something small and chocolate. He brought out a drink and shook my hand and said it was an honor to meet me. Pretty crazy when stuff like that happens out here.
      So at around 7 I left to keep moving. I wanted to find a place to camp that night soon. As I walked it was quiet and I was witness to an amazing sunset! I was so thankful and can't even put into words how pretty and vivid it was. I stopped just to take it all in as I stared at it. It was amazing.
      After dark I finally found a church along the 80. I walked to the back and found I little inlet type part where it was like a u shape. So I walked into the u part and made my bed on the grass. I wanted to get good sleep and it was soft there. I hoped it wouldn't rain or that the sprinklers wouldn't blast me in the night. I laid down and went to bed around 11 or so.

   

Day 68, June 10, 2012

      

 I woke up on the concrete behind the shed by a church between Gibsland and Minden LA in a country stretch. It was about 7:30 when I woke up. I was taking my time and moping around hoping to catch the church service if it was early enough. I slowly packed up and then went up to the church around 8:45. I didn't see any cars and didn't want to wait too long. So I ended up heading down the road.
         I walked about 3 miles when a car passed and then turned around. The man pulled up and he handed me $40 out of the window. He said when I get to the next town to get myself some food. He was really nice and from that point I had a feeling I had a good day ahead of me.
       I headed along the 80 towards Minden. It was really humid and already I was sweating a lot! I walked about 8 miles at a good pace. I also saw the first deer of the trip and I enjoyed that. I look forward to seeing those along my walk. It jumped out behind a bush and stopped and stared at me about 20 feet away. I paused. We stared at each other for about 10 seconds and then I slowly reached for my pocket to get a picture. But as soon as I moved he darted off into the woods.
       So I stopped ahead and sat down next to the highway. I hadn't eaten yet so I pulled a snack out and sat down to eat it. Right when I sat down a lady pulled up and called me over. I got to her car and she handed me a box of churches chicken and a side of mashed potatoes. She had just bought it and was going home and said she would feel better that I could eat it. That was really awesome!
       I left there and continued to Minden. A few miles up a cop pulled off. He said that they had recorded a call of a suspicious man walking down the highway. When we talked he kind of laughed at the fact someone called and said that. But he had to check it out. He was a nice guy and thought what I'm doing is awesome. He ran my license and then talked to me a bit after. He said he would pray for me before he left and said to be safe. I continued.
         It was pretty hot out and I was looking forward to a break in the town ahead. As I got close another car pulled over and a few ladies gave me $4. They said they just had a good message at church and needed to put it into action. That was pretty cool. They were very happy to help and I could tell they enjoyed it.
        About another mile up a lady pulled over. She said she passed me on her way to get pizza for her family. So she ended up buying an entire extra pizza for me! I was blown away. She gave me the pizza and she took off. I couldn't believe it. I ate a slice and then carried the rest with me.
         Another half mile or so ahead, a man pulled over. He asked where I was headed. He gave me $5 and wanted to say a prayer for me. He said he knew God was taking care of me and he was really happy to hear how I have been blessed by so many people.
        Another mile ahead, a truck pulled over. A guy around my age. He asked where I was headed and asked if I would share my story. So I told him. He asked me if I would like to rest? He said his church was ahead and that I could take a break there and just get a place to relax and recharge. I was hesitant to accept the offer but he was very sincere so I sort of went with it.
         So he called the youth pastor and said he was going to let me rest at the church. He ended up pulling off the key to the church and giving it to me! I was blown away! I never knew this man, and within 5 minutes he gave me a key to the church! It was awesome and made me feel good! He had to go to a band practice and said he would come to the church afterwards with some friends to visit.
        So I headed up to the church. I was slightly in disbelief of what had just happened. I got to the church and opened it up! It was a good sized nice church. Inside it was very cool and it felt great to be out of the heat. I walked inside and was just smiling. I looked around and couldn't find a light. So I sat on a couch that was inside and just kept laughing in a shocked/awesome feeling way. I said a prayer just saying thank you. I don't care who you are, when you are in the heat and walking all day then an unexpected thing brings you to an awesome place to cool down and relax, it is something to be thankful for.
        So I sat there on the couch and sprawled out. I was so comfortable and honestly sort of forgot how it feels to have something that soft to lay on. It was amazing! I sat there a while and then about an hour and a half later Zach (guy who pulled over) and his friends Eli, and Justin came there. We hungout and just relaxed and talked. I was still so shocked and couldn't thank them enough.
        We sat there a while then we headed next door to a house that was the youth hangout. There was another church that came in to have an evening service (they share the church) so we went to the house. A few more people showed up there and we just talked and hungout. Everyone was so nice there. They also had food and fed me also and I shared the pizza I had with them.
        So we sat there most of the night and ended up playing games and stuff. It was a really cool night and I really enjoyed the company especially after being alone for most of the days recently. And they all had a great sense of humor so we laughed a lot. Just all really good people.
         When it was about midnight I was pretty wiped out and had a long day. I was ready to crash. They had already told me earlier that I could stay there and they would stay with me so that I could. So we went back into the church.  I ended up going to sleep on the giant couch and those guys camped out with me also inside the church. It was nice and cool in there and It was a very relaxing night. I was seriously still shocked and just couldn't be in a better mood to have this gift of comfort after a long hard road of grimy and rough living. I fell asleep pretty late at around 1am. What a day!

       

Day 69, June 11, 2012

 I woke up from Zach coming up to me and saying "nick". I sat up from on the softest couch I may have ever been on. Either that or I'm just so used to concrete and the ground that it felt that way. Either way it was a great place to lay my beat and battered body down for a night and let it enjoy something so easy on myself.
        Me and Zach and Eli sat there on the couch inside the church. We were all still half asleep. We had stayed up late and it was around 9:30 or so. We hung out and talked a little before doing anything. Part of me was still riding the high of this blessing coming my way, and part of me was a little sad that I would be leaving these guys soon. Those guys were really cool and it seemed like I had known them for longer than a day. More like 10 years.
       But the time came and I started to pack my things. When I was all ready to go those guys gave me hugs and said good luck on the remainder of my journey. They helped me refill my waters and asked if I needed anything else. I told them as I tell everyone, all I can ask for are prayers as that was all this journey started with. They came up and said a prayer for me before I left. Then I walked out the front door and I left. They were very easy about the situation and were funny, as I walked away they yelled "they grow up so fast" and we all laughed. They had great sense of humors. I turned my head and continued realizing it may be the last I see of them. That is always hard out here even when it's stranger I just meet. People are really awesome that have crossed into my journey of life, and it's hard to leave them so fast. But there's a long road ahead so I kept going forward. Hope to see them again in this life or another.
        So I walked a few miles and wanted to stop somewhere to write a few journals to get caught up. I spotted a BBQ place and stopped there. I ordered a sandwich for $2 and sat down inside next to an outlet. It was around noon. I sat there a while and got caught up. By the time I was done it was around 3. I left there and wanted to get about 15 miles in still.
       I started down the highway west along the 80. About 3 miles up a car pulled off. The person looked familiar. When he got out I noticed it was Justin. The 3rd friend I had net the day before. He had tracked me down and had a cold water for me. It was hot and that really hit the spot! He said he also might be going to Dallas in a few weeks and if he did he would stop to meet me and get me lunch or something. He gave me a hug and we parted.
       I continued down the highway in the heat. I was feeling good and meeting those guys and getting a good night's rest meant a lot mentally to me. At this point my body is being taxed so much that I'm relying on my mind to get me through this. So that for sure gave me a mental boost. And that also has been helpful from all who have stopped to help me. Honestly when someone pulls off just to make sure I'm ok and gives me nothing, it means just as much to me as the person who gives me food or $20. The mental edge of the gesture to watch out for me gives me a big help to keep pushing.
          After walking about 7 miles a truck pulled over. An old man got out and walked over to me. He moved and talked very slow. He came over and asked where I was headed? I told him I'm trying to walk across the country and started with no food/money. Just as I was telling him this another car pulled over behind his truck. The old man didn't notice the car. A girl jumped out and lobbed a chicken sandwich to me. Just before she lobbed it the old man asked me how I get food? And right as he finished asking that the chicken sandwich the girl threw dropped down in front of his face and down into my hands, and I replied "like that" and smiled. His jaw dropped and his eyes became huge! He never saw the girl so to him this sandwich dropped from the sky. I was laughing a bit then I pointed back to the girls car as she was about to pull away and the old man leaned back and turned and saw her. He was still taken back by it and gave me $10. He said to keep going and god bless. I continued.
          I walked a good pace and the sun was setting. I stopped on a bridge to look at the sunset. And a car pulled over there also and gave me 2 gatoraids, some snacks, and a few bucks. I drank the gatoraids there and then kept walking.
         I walked in the dark for another hour. It was really humid and I was soaked in sweat. I finally got to a church ahead on the 80 at about 9:00. I walked to the back of it and there was a good sized overhang. I made my bed on two rugs that were in front of the door. I laid down and rested. I fell asleep around 11 or so.
        I woke up to what sounded like a gunshot!... I opened my eyes and it was pouring rain! The wind was gusting and blew an empty water bottle I had away into the trees. Lightening struck and the thunder again hit hard! I sat up. The wind was strong and blowing some chairs around that we're under the overhang with me. The way the overhang was positioned at the corner of the church was just right with the wind direction to keep me dry. I really lucked out! I got up and moved my cart closer in to the corner. The wind was that strong. I sat there and watched the storm. It was around 3:30 and I stayed awake about an hour until it calmed down. I fell back asleep somewhere around 4:30am.

     

Day 67, June 9, 2012

 I woke up on day 67 behind a dollar store in Arcadia LA. When I woke up I realized I had slept on the dirt. Even though I didn't sleep great that night, it was better than normal, and I was feeling pretty decent. I sat there and put in the new sole inserts that I got at the dollar store at some point the day before. After I put those in I packed up.
       I went into the McDonald's and brushed my teeth and filled up my water jugs in the bathroom sink. I wet the towel I have also and put it over my head underneath my hat. It was around 9:30am. I set out on the road.
       I walked through the west side of town and made my way back to the 80. It was already warm. When I got onto the 80 I set a good pace and my feet felt good in my new shoes.
       I walked until about 2 when I came to the little town of Gibsland LA. It was small and all there really was there was a gas station connected to a laundromat. I went into the laundromat and there was an outlet. I plugged in and was charging up. I sat there and ate some snacks I had received from the people that visited me the day before.
       I sat there about 15 minutes when a man came in and asked if I was ok. He seemed to be the manager of the place and maybe didn't want me hanging out there. I told him yes and that I was just taking a break from the heat as I passed through. He said ok and then left. I wasn't sure if he was the manager but I had that feeling. Then about 20 minutes later he came in again and asked if I was doing laundry?  So I told him I was going to. He said ok and left again. So I grabbed some quarters and threw my sleeping bag and some stuff in the wash. They didn't need to be washed but I didn't want to get kicked out so I figured I could clean them anyways. I used some shampoo I have packed (mini bottle) in the wash and washed them.
         At around 4:30 I was ready to go and hoped the heat was cooling a bit. So I got my stuff out of the dryer and packed up to go. I headed out on the 80 towards a church I had routed about 7 miles west.
        As I reached the end of town a car pulled off. It was 3 guys around my age and they asked if I was ok? I said yes and thanks for stopping. They asked if I needed money and I told them no and that I was ok. Then they ended up handing me $17 anyways. They said they would pray for me and said good luck.
        As I left town the scenery was nice. The sun looked pretty cool behind the clouds and I took some cool pictures. Then I walked another couple hours. I got to the church along the 80 about 10 miles east of Minden LA. It was a good sized church and nothing was really around. Just bare country and forest really. It was nice.
        I got there around 6:30 and found a perfect place to sleep. It was an overhang of a shed that had a concrete pad under it. There was also an outlet there right where I made my bed. I ended up gathering some wood and making a small fire. It was getting cool and thunder came in as the clouds rolled over me. I enjoyed the fire as I watched the sunset.
      I put the fire out around 8 and I laid down. It was very peaceful as I was overlooking a green field backed by trees and then a pretty sunset. Very nice evening. The cool air felt good and the sound of thunder was awesome.
      I ended up dealing with a bunch of beetles after dark. They kept getting into my long hair and when I felt it I would grab them under my hair and have to pull them out through the wad of hair I grabbed. It was pretty nasty and they would crawl on me about every 5-10 minutes. Even though im used to bugs and it's not that bad anymore, it was very annoying.
         I fell asleep around 10:30 that night and slept pretty decent. It was a good day overall. I walked about 15 miles.

     

Day 66, June 8, 2012

 When I woke up on day 66 I was still mentally strung out and tired. I sat up and sat there a minute. I went over to the hose behind the church. I laid down on the concrete and just ran the water over my face and my head for a few minutes. It was relaxing.
        I brushed my teeth and packed up. It was about 10am and I walked about a mile to a McDonald's that was near the 20. I wast sure yet what I was going to do that day so I just figured I would play it by ear depending on how I felt. Well after sitting there an hour I realized I was still pretty exhausted. I think the nights when I hardly sleep followed by hot days of walking, really takes a lot out of me. So I decided to take the day to let my mind relax and my body rest. After all I'm in no hurry and don't want to burn out.
       So most of the day I sat there and caught up on my journals. I had a couple visitors that were passing through, driving from Texas to North Carolina. They stopped and bought me lunch and also brought me some supplies. That was really cool and it's always nice to have people around that have followed my travels.
         I literally hardly moved all day. Even thought I was in a hard McDonald's chair, it was still relaxing. I needed the mental rest and to just not have to stress being tired from walking. It was good for me.
        At around 10 I went back behind the dumpster of the McDonald's. It was thick grass and was soft. It was hidden too and a decent place. I laid there and passed out.
       At about 3:30am the sprinklers turned on and completely blasted me and all my stuff. I scurried to gather my things and moved. I ended up going behind the dollar store next door. I was so tired. I laid right back down and fell asleep.

     

Day 65, June 7, 2012

 It was day 65. I was sleeping behind an apartment complex office building. Behind that was a field with cows in it. I was just outside of a little town, Simsboro LA. I rolled over to my other side and right as I get settled on that side, I saw a man walk back around the corner and look at me. He said "hello".
        I sat up and said hi. I explained to him what I was doing there. Luckily it was a small town and I name dropped some of the people I met the night before. He knew the people I had met and I think that helped him to be ok with me sleeping there. He said he thought I was a dead body when he came around and saw me. He said it was no problem and walked back to the front.
       I wanted to get up and leave since it wasn't really a good place to stay in the first place. I was EXHAUSTED! I didn't know how I was going to get through the day. I was so tired I couldn't even stand up without losing my balance. I didn't sleep well with the dog keeping me up most of the night.
       I packed up and it was hard just to do that. I walked to the front and had to toss my pair of shoes. It was a sad thing for some reason, but I tossed them out and finally put on the new Asics that someone gave me in Mississippi. And man they were comfortable.
       They man who woke me up came out to ask questions. He said he actually saw me a couple towns east the day before in Ruston. He gave me a couple waters and invited me in the office. He was the property manager. We sat in his office and talked about my journey. He really admired what I was doing. That was cool.
       So after about 15 minutes I took off down the highway 80. I was so beat and was just looking for a place to get to where I could go back to sleep. I was barely able to keep my eyes open. I was literally just looking for a place hidden to pass out. Anywhere.
        I walked about 4 miles. I found a driveway where there wasn't a mailbox. So I thought it was public and laid in some weeds behind a tree. I was in some weeds and laying on my jacket. I noticed a red truck pulled off in the driveway a couple times and wasn't sure why. Then about 30 minutes later I woke up hearing another car pull off. I looked up and it was actually the same truck. Then behind him a cop pulled off. The man in the truck said "there he is".
          I didn't know what was going on but the cop walked up and asked for my license. I was pretty confused. He took it back to his car and got in. The truck took off. And I was so tired I laid back down. I kept thinking I was dreaming. But when I would open my eyes the cop was still there. Finally about 20 minutes later the cop came out, gave me my license and said sorry to bother you. He got in his car, spun his tires and took off down the road petal to the metal. I went back to sleep.
        I slept for about 2 hours when I kept getting bit by aunts. It was getting to be too often and it was like the aunts were making their way to me. I got up and was still really tired and wore out. And now I had a headache from laying my head on the ground. I walked towards Arcadia. It was a few miles up and I wanted to find a church. So I toughed it out and walked til I came to a church east of Arcadia. It was such a good feeling to finally get there.
        I laid on the side of the church on concrete between the building and a bush. Luckily it was cool weather and I was able to go to sleep. I fell asleep around 12 and slept til 6.
        When I woke up I felt so much better. I didn't know if I would stay there or get to Arcadia. I ended up getting up and heading to town. I came up to a laundromat. I went in and plugged my stuff in to charge. After charging them I went to a church in town. It was a good spot to sleep and was well hidden. I was still tired so I went to bed around 10.

  
     

Day 64, June 6, 2012

On Day 64 I heard rain drops start to fall on me. It got heavy fast. I got up quickly and pulled my tarp out of my cart. I gathered my things and brought them closer to my tarp. Then I spread the tarp and put it over my cart and my bed. I looked at my iPod and it was 3:30. I was drained. I went back to sleep as the rain fell on my cart.
       I woke up in the morning at around 9:30. It was warming up in my little tarp fort. I got out and packed my things. I was pretty tired still. I went back into the laundromat to charge my stuff while I brushed my teeth and filled my waters.
       I left at around 10. I walked through Ruston. I was walking past a store when a lady called me from the side door. She came out and gave me $13. She was just a stranger and wanted to help me. She was so cool!
      I walked past Louisiana Tech and their football field. After the campus was a stretch of country until the town of Grambling. I walked all the way to Grambling and then decided to take a break. I sat along side the road and drank some water. After about 15 minutes I continued.
        I walked from there towards Simsboro. The walk was up rolling hills and I was working. I got about half way there and was starving. So I pulled off to eat some bread and drink water for a break. And if you have ever eaten a store bought loaf of bread, you can imagine it was pretty dry and tasteless. But it was fuel and I needed it.
         As I closed in on Simsboro my knees began to hurt. I had about 3 miles until I was there so I kept going. Then rapidly my knees were becoming more and more painful. Both of them. It was weird and totally unexpected. I stopped to stretch a little and take a breather. Then continued. They were still hurting, and now it was going down my leg under my knee. I wasn't too happy and was thinking my shoes may have gone as far as they can go. I was thinking it probably had a lot to do with it.
       I stopped at a restaurant in Simsboro. And in fact, that was pretty much all there was there. It didn't open til 5 so I waited out front on a bench and charged my stuff. At 5 I went inside. There was one guy sitting in there and it was the owner. He asked me some questions and he was a real good guy. He was really interested in my story and wanted to know if I would go to the church across the way that night to share it. I said no problem. He then fed me a huge free meal. A hamburger that was enormous!
       His son came to meet me there a while later. Then across the street was the church so I walked over there as the son drove and I met him out front. It was pretty cool to go in and meet the small town locals. I went in and shared my story of how God is guiding my path across America as I started with nothing. But before I shared my story they were going through verses in the bible. And I came across something that gave me chills.... So when I started giving what I have to the homeless in Mississippi, some people said I was crazy and should hold onto what I have since I have a long way to go. I would tell them how I feel, and that I trust God has my back if I need it along the way. And after all, I already called Him out when I started with nothing. And he provided. So I know He is there if I need Him. I already tested that. So when we read this verse, it gave me chills...

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”[a]
6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid."
(Hebrews 13)

So I shared with them that this is exactly what I was feeling about sharing what I have. I just have no worries and know that God will have my back if I need it. Or that if anything happens it is God's plan.


After the church, I left down the highway. I was exhausted and hit a big wall. I needed to find a place to sleep fast! I didn't want to ask them if I could stay at their church, so I just left west. It was about 10 and I needed a camp spot. I came across an apartment complex. I saw the office building in the back and decided to try and stay behind it. So I walked back there quietly. I was behind it and it was out of sight. So I made my bed. I laid down very tired. I laid there about 20 minutes when a dog started barking really loud. I sat up and it was a big white dog and was looking at me from a ways away. He was dialed right on me and didn't look happy. I didn't want to yell and have someone hear me. So I stood up fast trying to scare him off. He ran back a little but wasn't really phased. The dog literally barked at me loudly until 1:30 am. I was honestly waiting for someone to walk back and see me or the cops to show up. But neither ever happened. The night sucked. I didn't sleep hardly at all. And it was a spot that I wanted to get out of early before someone saw me. It was gonna be a tough next day...