The Great American Journey

GAP WALK JOURNALS - V

Tuesday/Wednesday - July 29/30, 2008

Day 146/147 0.0 miles

Total Maine miles - 174.2 Walking Days - 70

Washington D.C. miles - 4.6 Cumulative miles 1179.6

Well, Tuesday was a real wipe-out for me. I woke up with a pain
in the pit of my stomach. Thinking it would go away I went
ahead and got ready for the day. I ate a banana in case I was just
hungry. That didn’t work. Russ and Connee got up and I told
them I didn’t think I was going to walk this morning, and that I
would wait awhile to see if I would feel like walking a little
later.

So I waited, and soon realized that I was not going to be able to
leave the motel room at all. I needed to be near the bathroom,
and I found I really couldn’t stand up for more than a few
minutes.

So Connee and Russ went out for a little while to explore the
area and check out a nearby park. It cost too much to go into the
park, but they did some shopping for a few things we weren’t
able to get the night before. I stayed with the TV on and saw
parts of lots of shows, but slept most of the time which I’m sure
was the best thing.

When Russ and Connee came back they watched TV, and Russ
also worked on my mapping for after he’s gone. He’s trying to
get all my mapping done before he leaves so I won’t have to
worry about it. There will be a few spots that Norma and I will
have to check out to make sure I can walk there.

In the evening Russ and Connee went off to Island Falls where
they walked around, then had dinner at a place we had been told
about there. They said the town was beautiful, and the restaurant
had incredible food. I was so glad they got to enjoy it. Food did
not even sound good to me, but I had asked them to bring back a
can of chicken noodle soup, figuring I needed to try to eat
something. I had that and managed to keep it down - thankfully.

I slept fairly good through the night, though I woke up several
times, but always went back to sleep pretty easy.

Today (Wednesday) was moving day. Slowly I packed up my
stuff, and the other two got it out to the car and loaded. Then we
headed to Brenda’s Restaurant for breakfast - our last meal at
this wonderful place where we’ve been getting three meals a day
many times. They have such great variety, and the price is right,
and it was certainly convenient. Each morning we called our
order in, then picked up breakfast and lunch on our way out.

We met a man and his mother there this morning. Eva lives in
the area, and Arthur was visiting from West Virginia. Arthur
and his wife, Eloise (not there,) are missionaries to Persecuted
Christians in Southeast and Central Asia. It was delightful
talking with them.

Finally we left and headed south to Skowhegan, ME where we
got the last room in the motel we’re staying in - last room that
will be available for the weekend at least. The fair is starting this
weekend. Norma arrives on Sunday, so we also reserved another
room from Sunday through Tuesday nights.

After getting set up in our room Connee and I went to do
laundry while Russ worked on mapping. We got a little lunch to
take with us and brought some back to Russ before doing
laundry. Connee did most of the laundry, ordering me to sit still
since I am still not feeling real great. I’ve forced some food
down, but really don’t feel like eating. I’m still pretty weak and
shaky, but the pain in my stomach has been pretty much gone.

We’re going to go get some dinner now, then I’m going to get to
bed - hoping to walk tomorrow.