The Great American Journey

GAP WALK JOURNALS - VI

Saturday - August 30,  2008   Day 178   17.6 miles

Total Connecticut miles - 58.3     Walking Days - 89

Washington D.C. miles - 4.6   Cumulative miles 1582.3

How do I explain today? It just wasn’t my day, I guess. It was
rainy the first part of the day - just a light, steady rain all
morning. My maps had to go into zip-loc bags to keep dry, so I
just looked at them periodically, picking out my next turn, then
putting the map back until I needed it for the next turn.

The first segment went well. I got my speed up gradually as
usual, and was spending much of the time praying for the people
along the route, for our leaders, for the upcoming elections, for
the candidates for President and Vice President, and for God to
watch over both Norma and I as she drives and I walk, and to
prepare us both for whatever opportunities we might have today.

I noticed a car parked on the other side of the street in a turnout
near the beginning of the second segment. As I got even with the
car, I saw a man poke his head out the window. He called across
to me to ask if I was on some special walk or something. I
crossed the road to talk with Bob, who was quite touched by this
walk of prayer. He shared some things with me, and I was able
to pray with him right then as well as to promise him I would
add him to my pray list. I was very moved by his words to me.

After I made my next turn, I continued walking and looking for
Orchard Road. Norma drove on by to go find her next spot to
wait for me. A little later she called to tell me where she was
waiting. Then some time later she called to ask if I had gotten to
Orchard Road yet. I told her no, not yet.  She said I was overdue,
but I knew I had stopped to talk with Bob, so figured I would
see it soon. But I didn’t . . .

After a bit I began to wonder if I had missed it, and pulled out
my map to study it. This time I studied it a little more, and then
the realization came that I had missed my turn. So I looked my
map over to see if I could redeem my loss, and felt confident
that I could continue on this road and it would bring me right to
the Swing Bridge.  I called Norma to tell her what I had
discovered, and suggest she meet me in Haddam.

As I continued walking I was confident that I would meet up
with Norma soon - - - that is until I came into the town of Lyme
(where they first discovered Lyme’s disease) and noticed the
way the road was turning. Hmmmm, I didn’t like that direction.
Out came the map again, then I went into a store to ask
directions, and to see if they had a map. She showed me the
maps on the wall in the back of the store. As I studied them I
now realized where I was, and my heart dropped into my
stomach (that, of course, is just a figure of speech).

I called Norma and told her how to get to where I was by back-
tracking and making a right when she got to Hwy 82.  Then I
went inside a gift and antique store to look around for a bit, then
back out to where I could watch for her. After a long time I
called her to find out where she was. She was confused and on
the earlier part of the route, but not coming my way.  I was able
to talk her through what she needed to do. Then I waited. This
time she came.

When I got my gear off and my stuff put into the van, I said to
her, “It’s like the blind leading the blind,” and we both laughed.
I had walked 5.7 miles off the route. I’m so used to walking now
that I don’t even realize how far I’ve walked, so I really went
out of my way.

Since it was now after 2 or 3 p m, we decided to stop and eat
lunch. We had a very nice lunch in East Haddam next to the
Opera House.  After lunch we drove back to the junction of 151
and 82 where I had gone on part of my blunder. I started there,
only this time I turned to the west and walked to where I should
have gotten to before. When I came to the Swing Bridge I
looked to see if there was room for me to walk, and decided
there was. It was an open grated bridge so I had to walk
carefully to make sure I didn’t catch my sandals and trip.

By the way, a Swing Bridge is one that swings out to let tall
boats pass through rather than a drawbridge that lifts up to let
the tall boats go under.  Norma had been sitting waiting for me
earlier where she got to see it swing open. I didn’t get to see it
open, but at least I got to walk over it.

On the other side I stopped at Goodspeed’s Station Country
Store to use a restroom. They didn’t have a public restroom, but
when I explained to Kris what I was doing, he very nicely led
me to their private restroom. Afterward I talked with him for
quite awhile, and I got his picture. He was delightful, and so
kind. Another good memory.

I continued walking, but realized it was almost 6 p m now. A
few days ago I had decided to quit walking at around 6 or 6:30
each evening - or walk 20 miles whichever came first. And
actually if I reach the 20 miles earlier I might even go for a little
bit over 20 miles. Calling Norma, I explained to her where I was
and suggested she come back to pick me up. It was a good place
to start up again on Monday too.

We’re not too far from our town where we’re staying now, so
the trip home was pretty quick. We went first to Starbucks for
my chai tea, and a coffee for Norma. When I went in, the gal
that had made my tea yesterday saw me and called out my order.
Now I was impressed by that. I got to talking with the two on-
duty clerks/baristas and two off-duty ones. They were great (as
are most Starbucks employees) and I even got them to pose for a
picture for me.

Back to our room to eat leftover gnocchi (I think I spelled that
right), shower, and get things ready for our Sunday. Norma had
a list of four churches for me to call. I like to call them on
Saturday night because I get answering machines that tell me the
time and anything else I need to know.

We chose the church we want to go to. Now we’ll see if that is
God’s choice for us. I’ll let you know tomorrow which one we
go to.

Have a great day tomorrow, everyone. And don’t forget to
attend church.