Tuesday, May 13th

Ruth took us out to the starting point today, mile marker 354 and dropped us off. Our goal was to walk to marker 370, 16 miles. It was cold this morning and the weather forecast called for "chance of rain showers" Like good boy scouts, John and I wore our Gortex rain gear. Be prepared! On our walk, we passed the Midway Station, a gas station and convenience store. It probably got it's name by being halfway between Show Low and Springerville. It was getting cloudier and darker as we walked. The countryside today looked like pastureland with a sprinkling of cedar trees. It is also deer, elk and antelope country. Oh yes, and cattle too. Then it happened, we could see it coming. It started to rain and the temperature dropped, drastically. The rain was a light mist and didn't bother us too much. The villain was the wind. It started blowing and the wind/chill factor must have been in the 30's. It was cold! Fortunately it didn't last long. The sun actually came out, only to disappear again. But the wind stayed with us all day. It has been very windy around here lately. On we walked to the highest point on this section of highway, 7550 ft. John Goodman said it best, "This is the high point of our trip". On we walked a few miles and there was Carol to pick us up. Today I found a knife, fork and spoon. Stay tuned ....

PS: I would encourage everyone reading my updates, to go to the Garland Co Habitat for Humanity website. There you will find not only my blog, but John Goodman's as well. John and I are trying to raise enough money through this " Coast to Coast Walk" to fund a Habitat house in Hot Springs, Arkansas. About $40,000. is needed. We are asking everyone to pledge 1 cent per mile that John and I are walking. Since we are walking 2700 miles, that would mean we want you to pledge $27. We feel this is the "Wal-Mart" approach to raising money, everyone can afford it.

Please send your pledge/check to ...

Coast to Coast Walk

PO Box 171

Hot Springs, Arkansas 71902

Of course, you can pledge more if you so desire. We have had two individuals pledge $1.00 a mile!