The Great American Journey

GAP WALK JOURNALS - VII

Thursday - September 11, 2008 Day 190 0.0 miles

Total New York miles - 33.2 Walking Days - 94

Washington D.C. miles - 4.6 Cumulative miles 1688.8

Today seemed long - longer than it should have been. It started
out good enough. We got up and leisurely got ready to go. Then
when we left we went across the street to eat at IHOP, and then
to Starbucks on our way out of town.

After coming out of Starbucks my phone rang. It was Leroy who
I met in West Haven, CT. We talked for a few minutes, and I
was so blessed by his call. We drove to Chester, PA
via I-95 most of the way. Our only stops were rest stops.

At Chester we went to get our mail and turn in a forwarding
address. I had one more piece of mail. It was the same clerk I
had the other day who told me then (in a rather sarcastic way) I
was lucky the mail was there since they don’t hang onto general
delivery mail. I had explained then that my husband had sent
them a letter telling them I was going to be in the area, and
asked them to please hold mail for me. Dave always sends them
a good note explaining the situation, and we’ve not had any
problem. In fact, the postal people are usually excited to help.

Well today when I went in and asked if I had more mail, he
brought me one more piece. I smiled as I picked up the
forwarding form and told him I would fill this in and bring it
right back to him. He told me (again in a very sarcastic manner)
that they wouldn’t be forwarding any mail. I asked him why, and
he told me in a very matter-of-fact way that they don’t forward
mail. So I asked him why, since the other post offices along the
way have without any problem.

He then told me “You just got a forwarding order from Rhode
Island and they didn’t forward anything.” So I assured him that
mail didn’t always come after I left an area, so then there was no
need to forward anything. It was only if something more came.
He just walked away and mumbled something about “do what
you want.” Throughout the conversation I did my best to stay
calm, but I probably did show a little irritation. So folks, if you
send something to Chester, PA for me you may get it back, or it
might possibly get forwarded if the right person gets it first.

When I got out to the car I told Norma that my blood pressure
was now probably sky-high. Postal clerks are generally very
nice, but this one left a bit to be desired. He seemed to have an
awfully big chip on his shoulder. So now I need to keep him in
my prayers. His outlook on life seems to be very hard. I don’t
know what’s going on in his life, but obviously he needs prayer,
so I will add him to my list and ask God to help me pray in a
positive way for him.

From there we continued on a few miles to Philadelphia and on
to Bensalem, PA to get a room for two more nights. We had
prayed, as usual, for God to go before us and lead us to just the
right place. I had found an area where several motels were
listed in one of my directories, so I had set the GPS for this area.
I pulled into the first one that I knew was usually very good.
They quoted me a price, and I explained what I was doing and
asked if there was any way to get a lower price. The clerk very
kindly told me to go to Buck’s County Visitor Center down the
street and pick up one of the coupon books to get the room for
$20 less a night. Wow! How nice.

So we drove to the Visitor Center and told the gal there what we
wanted. She was so helpful. When we walked in I noticed many
quilts hanging from the ceiling, and pointed them out to Norma
who is a member of the Santa Clara Quilters. She went back out
to get her camera.

As we talked with Sandra and explained what we were doing,
she became even more helpful and enthusiastic. Merril was
there with her and the four of us really had fun talking. We
talked about 9 11 being the thing that really inspired my prayers
on the walk across the country in 2003 and 2004, and the fact
that today is the seventh anniversary of that attack on our
country.

For most of us that day is indelibly etched in our minds. May we
never forget the events of that day, and may we continue to pray
and strive for unity, true peace, and for strength for the future. I
trust that each of you will daily pray for our country, our leaders,
our candidates for government offices at this time - especially
for the presidency - and that we would each choose to seek
God’s will in our voting, and in our daily lives.

Sandra wanted to know what kind of shoes I wore, and I told her
“Merrell’s.” Then Norma and I went in to watch the video they
have about Buck’s County. That was really good and gave us a
few ideas for tomorrow.

When we came back out from the video, we talked with Sandra
and Merril some more. Sandra was trying to find the Merrell
sandals online, but no success. I told her which online service I
use to buy my shoes, and other information. She also told me
there is an REI near Pittsburg, and that she’ll be going there
soon, so will check there. I let her know that she can call me if
she has any more questions about them.

While I was there I asked about a Walk-In Clinic. They told me
where one was not far away. So after checking into our room,
we headed back to the clinic. Norma waited in the waiting room
where they had a TV on with the news, while I was in waiting
for the doctor, and than with the doctor. The staff at this clinic
was great. I gave out several of my cards, and talked with
various ones about the walk. When Doctor Ostroff came in with
Katlyn, he asked if I was the lady walking all over this country.
We all had a great time talking.

He checked me over - indeed my blood pressure was high (I
knew that), and he gave me some information I didn’t know -
the medication I take for my blood pressure is one I should
never just stop - one needs to be weaned off of it. Due to the
situation at the pharmacy where I tried earlier to get it refilled I
was not able to wean myself off of it.

I had really prayed that God would give me wisdom about what
to do when I suddenly was without my medication. Well after
some time without it, and testing it, and finding that it was
definitely up, God led us to just the right place to get it checked
out and taken care of. Thank you Dr. Ostroff.

The gal at the front desk told me where to find a Wal-Mart, and
we headed off to find it. I took my prescription in to get filled,
then Norma and I went to Ruby Tuesday to eat dinner where we
had a delightful waitress, Trish. What a delicious dinner, with
plenty to bring back to our room to have for tomorrow night.

After picking up my prescription we went back to our motel to
get settled. As I said earlier, “It was a long day.” But much was
accomplished, and we met some great people. Now I look
forward to tomorrow and to what God has in the plan for us as
we tour Philadelphia, and the surrounding area.

So here you see it - the grit of the mundane on a non-walking
day. And now it’s time for me to head for bed.