May 2

It was pouring down rain this morning at the Oak Grove Campground, so we decided to move the RVs to Daisy State Park this morning and walk in the afternoon. We drove to the park and was greeted at the office by Becky Russell. We got to talking to Becky about our walk and the fact that we were raising money to put a single mom with two daughters in an affordable, decent Habitat house. Turns out Becky was a single mom with two kids, but that didn't stop her from handing John a $20. bill to help pay for the house. I don't think state park employees make very much money, so $20. was probably  a big sacrifice for her. Reminds one of the bible story where the widow put two small copper coins in the offering and Jesus said whe has put more in the offering than any of the others. They gave out of wealth, while she gave out of all she had to live on.

 

We set up the RVs and after lunch, Ruth took us out to the starting point. As we were walking along, we started talking about our dog, Jolie Blonde. She is a female, yellow lab with a great disposition. Trouble is, she trembles at the sound of thunder. And we have had thunder and rain and wind ever since Lake Murry at Ardmore, Oklahoma. She was in the motorhome when the tree fell on it and poked 2 holes in the roof. So, if anyone knows a good dog phychiatrist for a shell shocked lab, let us know.

 

Speaking of dogs, we must have a special effect on dogs. They seem to like us. Another young dog decided to join us and almost right from the start things went wrong. It escaped be a road kill by about a foot. We tried everything to discourage this dog, but he/she seemed intent on go with us. After a bit, it decided it was too far from home and left. Our score in saving animals is ... elk -1, dogs - 2.

 

We walked through New Hope and I stopped in at the post office to see if I knew the postmaster. For those who don't know, I worked at the post office for 18 years. I didn't know her, but in talking, I found out that she and her husband took a motorcycle trip out west and passed through many of the same towns that John and I walked through.

 

On we walked when a log truck driver stopped and said, "Are ya'll broke down?". A person could take that different way. John's feet hurt and my right knee doesn't feel too good. But, no, for two guys pushing 70, we are not "broke down". We told him we were walking on purpose and thanked him for checking up on us.

 

When we started this morning, I asked John if he thought it would rain. "Naw, not until this evening" So, I left my rain gear in the car. At the end of our walk today, Ruth and Carol picked up two very wet walkers. John is better at saving dogs than forecasting the weather. Stay tuned ....