May 30

Happy Memorial Day!

John and I carried American flags with us today in honor of Memorial Day. This is the 3rd time we have done this on our Coast to Coast Walk. Once in New Mexico, once in Texas and now in Mississippi.

We left the Mississippi Delta country today and said hello to hills and Kudzu. Kudzu was introduced to the US in 1876. Kudzu was used for erosion control and in the depression era and during that time the Civilian Conservation Corps. planted hundred acres of this fast growing plant. Now it covers seven million acres of land in the deep south. Herbicides have little effect on it. The only know way to get rid of it is to buy a herd of goats and let them eat it.

On we waked until we spooked a small herd of deer. They were in a wooded area beside the highway and when we scared them, they took off across a field and disappeared.

Ruth and Carol were there with cold water and cold orange slices. Thanks girls.

Today we found a socket, a socket extension, two fishing bobbers, a Mexican Raslin Mask and .27 cents. Stay tuned ......

May 28

We started walking this morning where Ruth and Carol picked us up yesterday. It was in front of Heartland Catfish, a catfish processing plant. No wonder we saw so many catfish ponds.

At about the 4 mile mark, we started to enter Greenwood, MS. Greenwood is almost surrounded by rivers. The Tallatchie River flows east and is north of Greenwood. It is joined by the Yalabusha River. At that confluence, the Yazoo River is born and flows west, south of Greenwood. And I'm not making the names of these rivers up. Both the Confederate and Union forces had gunboats on the Yazoo River during the Civil War.

There was a McDonald's ahead and we decided it was time for a break. A sweet tea for me and John had a coupon for a free Frozen Strawberry Lemonade. Yum-O.

Fortified we headed out again. In a short time we came to the Keesler Bridge over the Yazoo River. The Yazoo was up and muddy, no fishing today.

We walked 13 miles today and we are east of Greenwood, Mississippi. We found 2 sockets and $1.22 in coins. Stay tuned ....

May 27

It was chilly this morning when Ruth took us out to the starting point. We started in flat farmland. Rice, corn, soybeans and now we are seeing more commercial catfish ponds.

 

We walked on and on today. Nothing exciting happened today, except a very large tractor passed by.

 

We passed through the town of Itta Bena, birthplace of blues great B.B. King and home to Mississippi Valley State University. It is also the place of a civil rights march from Itta Bena to Greenwood, Mississippi in which activist Stokely Carmichael coined the phrase, "Black Power".

 

Itta Bena is a Choctaw phrase that means "camp together" or "home in the woods"

 

After 13 miles we met Ruth and Carol and celebrated a big milestone in our walk today.

We crossed the 2,000 mile mark. We broke out our very best plastic glasses and toasted one another. Our drink of choice was BingBlack Cherry Cider, very non-alcoholic, but very tasty. John texted his children and told them about our milestone. Doug, John and Ruth's oldest son, texted back, "Amazing Feat! and Amazing Feet".

 

John and I could have never have done this without Ruth and Carol. They do all the "other stuff" that you don't hear about. Take us out, pick us up, prepare our meals, wash our clothes, shop for groceries, etc. Thank you Carol and Ruth!!!

 

Today we found a deep socket and .11 cents. Stay tuned ....

May 25

Ruth took us out today and we started walking toward Leland, MS. We were there in a short time and saw the sign, "Highway 61 Blues Museum. More about that later.

 

Mississippi being a poor state can't afford shoulder on highways. We have about 18 inches of asphalt shoulder and 5 feet of gravel shoulder. The gravel is almost impossible to walk on. It's like walking in sand, no traction. So while John walked on what little bit of shoulder we had, I chose to walk where the gravel meets the grass. A little bit better than walking in the gravel. But that wasn't the big problem. The big problem today was wind.

You would have thought we were in west Texas or Oklahoma. Strong wind from the south. Knocks you off your stride and it makes you feel awkward.

 

A few miles out of Indianola, a first happened. We were delayed by a train. We heard it before we could see it and since we needed a break anyway, we just waited for it to pass. It was a long train and it took a while for it to pass. Which was OK since we now were fresh and decided to walk another mile, 13 miles for the day.

 

After Ruth and Carol picked us up and we came back to the RVs, we ate lunch, showered and Carol and I went back to Leland to visit the Highway 61 Blues Museum.

We walked in and a local musician was playing Delta Blues on the guitar. The museum is heavy on local blues musicians, but it did have some memorabilia on B B King, Muddy Waters, Howl'in Wolf, etc. We left a tip in the tip jar for the guy playing guitar and left for Indianola and the B B KIng Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.  We were met by Ann Jennings Shackelford who is the Communications Director for the Museum. If you haven't figured it out by now, Carol and I are big blues fans, Zydeco music also, but that is a different story. The museum is fantastic. It tells the story of B B's life and how music shaped his life. This museum comes highly recommended.

 

We told Ann about the walk and she got real excited and wants all to come back after tomorrows walk for some sort of interview,

 

Today we found a towel, a 7/16 wrench and .43 cents. Stay tuned .... 

May 24

Ruth took us to the starting point early this morning. As soon as we started walking, John and I were ambushed by swarming gnats. We were walking by some backwater, next to a field with tall grass at the edge. The gnats didn't bite, but there must have been hundreds of them and they sure are a nuisance. After a bit, we left all that behind and entered Greenville, Mississippi.

We are on Highway 82 which travels through Greenville, if fact, it goes all the way to Brunswick, Georgia, our destination. Greenville is on the MIssissippi River and is a poor Mississippi delta town, surrounded by farmland.

We stopped at a McDonald's to get some refreshments, ice cream cone for John and a Coke for me, which I soon switched to sweet tea. A group of older people were there eating breakfast and we soon got into a conversation with them. They were very impressed by what we had done and John kept dropping hints about a contribution, which fell on deaf ears. One fellow did ask a rhetorical question, "Is your intellect as bright as your orange t-shirts?". That is a difficult question to answer. Let's just say that some days are bright orange and some days are not so bright.

On we walked as some National Guard solders passed by in a short convoy. Casper said they have been down here for weeks, patrolling the levee and looking for leaks. Thanks Arkansas and Mississippi National Guard for keeping us safe.

We are almost to Leland, Mississippi. We found a 7mm socket, $2.17 in coins (this makes up for some lean days) and 2 forks in the road, we didn't know which one to take, so we took the one less used. Stay tuned ....

May 23

Yesterday Carol and I attended worship services at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Village, while John and Ruth drove to Monticello and attended Pauline Missionary Baptist Church. They have some lifetime friends there and it was a good time to visit with them again.

Also, yesterday about 6:30 pm, John and I walked 2.8 miles to the RV park where we are staying. By doing that, no one had to take us to the starting point this morning. At 6 am, we simply stepped out of our RVs and started walking along the banks of Lake Chicot. Lake Chicot is the largest oxbow lake in North American and is the largest natural lake in Arkansas.

After a few miles, we were joined by Casper Pearson, who is John nephew. Casper is the supervisor of a construction crew that is widening Highway 65 from Lake Village to the approach of the Mississippi River bridge. Casper knew we were coming and he wanted to walk over the bridge with us. In a short time, we came to the bridge and started walking over.

The new bridge, completed in 2009, is the largest cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River. It is impressive and long, about 2.5 miles counting approaches. The old bridge, built in 1940, has, since 1972, sustained more barge collisions than any other bridge over the Mississippi. And because of that fact, the old bridge will be demolished.

 A barge just happened to be going downstream as we crossed over. Casper had a crew member pick him up on the other side. Good job Casper.

WE ARE IN MISSISSIPPI! 

This is a huge milestone for us. We have walked through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. No wonder my feet are sore.

Today we found and open end wrench, an Oklahoma license plate and .02 cents. Stay tuned ...

May 21

It was raining this morning when we got up, so our walk was delayed for a few hours. We are still in farm country and probably will be for a long time. That means all we see is wheat, rice, corn and soybean fields. And dead snakes.

A very large, and dead, water moccasin was laying on the shoulder of the road. It was probably 5 feet long. We don't want to meet a live one.

On we walked until Carol and Ruth picked us up just as we were entering Lake Village. We found an antique Arkansas license plate and .02 cents. Stay tuned ...

May 20

Ruth took us out this morning about 6:30 am. We were expecting a rather dull day, but it didn't turn out that way. After about 2 miles, we entered the town of McGehee. The locals pronunciation of McGehee is a bit puzzling. They call it McGee, what happened to the hee in McGehee?

We came to a Wal-Mart store and needed to use the facilities. Wal-Mart's outside patio furniture made the perfect rest stop. We asked an employee, Jane, if she would take our photo. When we told her what we were doing, she exclaimed, "O, my good Jesus !". Thanks for taking our picture, Jane, you have a great southern Arkansas accent.

And just next door to the Wal-Mart was a Sonic. It was about 8:30 am about then, so we ordered what we thought was appropriate for the occasion, a strawberry and hot fudge sundae. Yum-O!.

The next few miles we dodged farm tractors and ducked crop dusters. Yes, we are certain that a crop duster tried to due us in. It was spraying a field of rice and it came in very low just missing the power lines. Seriously, crop duster pilots are very skilled and take many risks. They are probably retired US Air Force Thunderbird pilots.

Don't think this adventure is all walk and no play. The last 2 days, John and I have been fishing on Lake Chicot from a pier. We both caught several fish, but of course since this is my blog, I caught more than John. For another opinion, check out John's blog.

We approached the Amish and Country Store just outside Dermott. This was not our stopping point, but Ruth and Carol were there. Can't pass up a good shopping opportunity.

We found a fishing bobber, a 1/2 inch socket, a metal spike and .26 cents. Stay tuned ...

May 19

Ruth and Carol took us out to the starting point today. The weather was cloudy and windy, with temps in the low 70s.

 

It wasn't a very exciting day. The highlight of the day was when a crop duster flew overhead. We did manage to walk through the community of Tillar. No gas station and no convenience store, just a few houses and farm equipment.

 

Yesterday, I told you about the Catfish Kitchen and all the good food they served. Well, after finishing 2 helping of banana pudding, the waitress came over and asked everyone if they wanted ice cream. John said he would like some, but I was stuffed and couldn't eat another thing. Then the waitress said, "Come on, you can walk it off".

 

We didn't find anything today, nada, zilch ! Stay tuned ....

May 18


Yesterday we moved the RVs down to Lake Chicot State Park near Lake Village. When we checked in, the lady behind the desk said that the Mississippi River had crested and that the water was now going down. She also informed us that there is an abundance of wildlife in the park, more than usual. The animals are taking refuge from the flooded land.

Carol and Ruth took us out this morning and sure enough, we saw several deer. They dropped us off where we left off yesterday. It was the beginning of a construction zone. Usually that is bad news for John and I, but this time it turned out to be a blessing. We had a wide dirt road that was packed down by heavy equipment and it made good walking. We also had about half of a paved lane with orange barrels to protect us. It lasted for about 8 miles and we sure appreciated it.

We passed through the town of Gould, AR. A long time ago, a friend told me he had the best hamburger he ever tasted in Gould. I wonder if the Country Kitchen was that place?

On we walked through Dumas. Passed the McDonald's, Sonic and a Mexican Restaurant. Carol and Ruth were waiting for us about a mile on the other side. We decided to eat in Dumas and chose the Catfish Kitchen. We all had eaten here before and thought it was a good place. We don't eat out much on the road, but we do sometimes. The Catfish Kitchen comes very recommended. It was an all you can eat buffet and everything was good. Catfish, chicken, meatloaf, fried okra, pinto beans, etc. and all the dessert you wanted. Good banana pudding.

We found .02 cent. Stay tuned ...

May 17


Ruth took us out to the starting point on a foggy, chilly morning. John and I started walking and in about an hour, the sun was burning away the fog and we had a pleasant morning.

This is farm country. There are fields of rice, corn, wheat and we think soybeans. Farm equipment and tractors are going up and down the highway. We saw a type of tractor that I had never seen before. Instead of wheels, it had two tracks. Probably good for wet fields.

We walked through the small community of Grady. Grady is John's middle name and also the name of one of his grandsons. John had me take a photo of him next to the Grady city limits sign so he could send it to his grandson.

We came upon the Cummins and Varner Correctional Institutes. There was a sign just before we got there warning motorist not to pick up hitchhikers. Also, don't pick up strange old men wearing orange.

Just as we entered a construction site, Ruth and Carol were there to pick us up. More about the construction site tomorrow. We found a bungee cord and .03 cents. Stay tuned ...

May 16

Yesterday we attended church services at the First Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff. The young people of the church conducted the entire service and they did a good job.

John and I walked 6 miles that afternoon. The weather was perfect, sunny but not hot.

Today was another story. It was cloudy and cold the whole day. But the biggest factor was the wind. It was a cold wind out of the north and was not expected on May 16. We are on Highway 65 going south to Lake Village, Arkansas.

We passed by Noble Lake, an oxbow lake formed by the Arkansas River. Then on to the small communities of Linwood and Moscow. Ruth picked us up just passed the water tower at Tamo. Stay tuned.

May 14

Yesterday we moved the RVs to Pine Bluff Regional Park and we are camped on the banks of Lake Langhofer. I is right in downtown Pine Bluff.

 

Our starting point today was about 5.5 miles west of Interstate 65. It was a bit chilly today and stayed that way for about 2 hours. Then it started warming up. After about 6 miles, we entered the municipality of Whitehall.

 

John had spied a Shipley Donut Shop on the way out, so on our walk back in, we stopped at Shipleys. Excellent donuts, better than Krispy Kream.

 

We walked on to Highway 65B, turned to the left and walked to the entrance of the regional park. Our 12 miles brought us exactly to the entrance. John found a boomerang and we found .48 cents. Stay tuned to see if John's boomerang comes back ...

May 13

Doug Goodman, John and Ruth's oldest son, joined us today and walked 6 miles. Doug lives in East End and is the Student Ministry pastor at East Union Missionary Baptist Church. We started off in a slight fog, but it quickly burned off and the sun came out after about an hour.

 

We had a first today, our first bat roadkill. I guess its sonar wasn't working.

 

After Doug had left us, we walked on until we came to a Sinclair service station/grocery store. I bought John and me a Nestles Chocolate Crunch Bar. They come highly recommended. As we were leaving, a man that was pumping gas said, "Are you picking up the trash?". I might explain that a litter crew has been through here recently and there are plastic bags of trash along the highway waiting to be picked up. We said, "No were are not picking up the trash, but walking Coast to Coast for Habitat for Humanity". We went on to explain the details and the man, who was joined by another man, were impressed at what we had accomplished. They told us to be careful and we were on our way.

 

Today Doug found a compass. The type that fits on the dashboard of a car. We determined that we were going the right way. Doug also found a bungee cord. John and I found .40 cents. Stay tuned....

May 12

Yesterday after the walk, we moved the RV to Southland Village RV park in Sheridan. We will stay here for 2 nights and then move on to Pine Bluff.

 

Ruth took John and I out early this morning and in a very short time we were crossing the Saline River. It was up and a bit murky from recent rains. This is not the Saline River that is in Howard County, near DeQueen. This is the Saline River that flows south in central Arkansas, near Benton.

 

Don Goodman, John brother, joined us again today and was about 4 miles with us. He told us about BelgiumBlue cattle that are raised by the Keesee family here in Prattsville. Seems that this breed of cattle is lower in fat and cholesterol than traditional cattle. (In attached photo, Belgium Blue cattle are in the background).

 

We said our good-byes to Don and headed for Sheridan. It is pronounced "Shur-don" by the local folks here. Sheridan got its name from Union General Phillip Sheridan. Somewhat of a rarity, naming a southern town after a Union general. This was done to placate the reconstruction government.

 

John and I walked into Sheridan and Ruth and Carol were waiting for us at the YellowJacket Drive-In. John remarked that it has been on this corner ever since he can remember.

 

After a quick shower, we drove back to Prattsville and had lunch with Don and his wife, Deronda and daughter Becky, who is expecting a child in September. Don is pastor of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church and has been there since 1969, an impressive record. Thanks for a delicious meal, Don and Deronda.

 

We found an Arkansas license plate and .11 cents. Stay tuned ...

May 11

Carol dropped us off at Aaron's Rental in Malvern early this morning and in no time we were walking past the Acme Brick Company in Perla.

 

We stopped briefly at the Citco station and were on our way. Single file walking among the pine trees. Birds serenading us as we walk along. Suddenly, I heard John call out, "Dick, Dick". I turned around and there was John watching over a dead snake. I had walked right by it and didn't see it at all. Not being a snake person, It was very colorful, but I don't know what kind it is. Does anyone know what kind of snake this is?

 

We walked a little longer when John's brother, Don, pulled up in his pickup, parked it along the side of the road and joined us for about 4 miles. He was with us as we entered Poyen, population 272. John said that was just on weekends.

 

We walked to the other side of Poyen and Ruth was waiting to pick us up. She ever gave Don a ride back to his truck. We found .26 cents. Stay tuned ....

May 10

Carol dropped us off at Bud's Liquor Store  early this morning and we headed for Malvern. We soon passed by Reynolds Aluminum Continuous Rolling Plant at Magnet Cove. A fixture in Magnet Cove ever since Carol and I moved to Hot Springs.

 

We stopped for a break at a convenience store in Jones Mills and then kept on going. It was single file walking today. Very narrow shoulder.

 

We walked up a very steep hill, and just before we  crossed Interstate 30, a woman was on the side of the road taking our picture. She didn't say anything until we walked up to her and discovered she was a photographer for the Malvern Daily Record. More fame, I don't know if we can handle it.

 

We stopped at a Fina station for a short break. John bought us both a Fudgesickle and as we were leaving, a man stopped us. It was an old schoolmate of Johns, Doyle Loy. We chatted for a while as our Fudgesickles were melting, but Doyle came to our rescue with paper towels. John explained that Doyle drove him and his cousin to school each morning.

 

On we walked until a voice rang out, "Are you Johnny?" It was another schoolmate of John's, J.R. Hardage. J.R. drives a truck over the road to Amarillo, TX every other day and has Fridays and Saturdays off. Ruth also knows J.R.

 

We crossed over the bridge and saw the Amtrak Station below. John said years ago, that this was the spot that Ruth won 1st place in the hog raising competition.

 

We walked pasted the old ice house and Ruth was waiting for us. We found 2 American flags, an Arkansas license plate and .32 cents. Stay tuned ..... 

May 9

We had a guest walker join us this morning. Ken Goodman, star of the Vienna Theatre and John and Ruth's son, walked the first 3 miles today. We are walking on the Martin Luther King Expressway, from Airport Road to Malvern Avenue.

We walked by many familiar places, the intersection of MLK and Higdon Ferry Road where the main post office is located. Also, the intersection of MLK and Central Avenue. When Carol and I moved to Hot Springs in the mid 70's, both of these intersections did not exist. Higdon Ferry was a 2 lane wooded road, where the Garland Co Fairgrounds were located. Central Avenue was not much different. There were not many businesses past Central City and when Hot Springs Mall opened in the early 80's, things really started to change.

On we walked passed Hot Springs Creek and onto Malvern Ave. We are now on Highway 270 headed east. We passed Buddy Bean Lumber and Stratcor (formally Union Carbide). Ruth was waiting for us at Bud's Liquor Store. Ken found .07 cents while he was with us and I found another .01 cent. Stay tuned ....