North Platte, Nebraska.  Musician and a man of many talents, Rob was gracious enough to let me stay with him for the night while I was traveling through western Nebraska.

Rob plays in a great sounding jazz swing band and a rock band as well.  He also plays a major role in most of the music events that take place in the North Platte area.

That night he invited me to talk at an event he was hosting titled "Shoestring Travel".  It was held at Michelle Stephens' POP Co-working (peopleoreintedplanning.com) which is a new business workspace & incubator for creative entrepreneurs located in a great space downtown.

It was an intimate turnout, I met some great people, and enjoyed speaking about my experiences through Couchsurfing (couchsurfing.com).  That night I also learned to play "The Settlers of Catan" board game (catan.com).  It is a very interesting multiplayer game that I can see people getting very addicted to.

That night I slept in a Craftmatic adjustable bed.  It was God sent, my legs were elevated the whole night and felt brand new the next day!

Rob is a spectacular host, smart guy, excellent musician, and just a great individual!  I'm really glad I got the chance to be Rob's guest.


4/19/13
SoilTrek.com

Lincoln, Nebraska. I met Jeff through his little brother, Derek who had spotted me on TV. Jeff works as a landscape artist/consultant, was someone I connected to very well especially in regards to similarities in our own personal philosophies.

The conversations we had surely deepened my way of thinking on certain topics, which I believe is important to do.

I got to meet some of his closest friends in town and also ate at some great restaurants in the Lincoln area including the Haymaker district, Go Cornhuskers! In addition I experienced a good tour of the city.

Lending assistance in my journey Jeff helped produce extra business cards when I ran out, helped me to get postcards to send back to New York, and took me to pick-up my new Northface boots at the local FedEx my ex-girlfriend had ordered and shipped me.

Jeff was a terrific individual that I'm glad I got to know closely and who was also a fantastic host!

4/3/13
SoilTrek.com

4/28/13
SoilTrek.com

Fort Morgan, Colorado. I would like to give thanks to the following great I've met in recent days...

Big thanks to The Kotschwars in Big Springs (who I will post about soon), John in Crook (who I will post about soon), Rob in North Platte (who I will post about soon), Ike near Iliff, the guys that gave me the Coca-Cola on the highway, Bill in Hillrose, the nice woman that bought me dinner in Hillrose, Sterling Library staff (couldn't find the picture we had taken), Sterling Walgreens staff, and the Sterling Wells Fargo staff.

Laurie, Amanda, & Cassie of Walgreens in North Platte were a huge boost for me. They were totally excited about what I was pursuing, it felt great just being around them. They were very accommodating and I loved it!

Paul of Penny's Diner in North Platte, Nebraska was a great person to meet. He journeyed on a similar walk after the military. Paul gave me an beautiful tour of Sutherland's northern landscape and gave me some great survival advice. Paul thanks pal it was a pleasure, still love the Mountain Dew car interior!

Mychelle, Paul's co-worker, was mentioned as the best waitress ever on Foursquare website. And you know what? She is in fact honestly one of the best waitress I ever had.

Penny's Diner
473 Halligan Drive
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 535-9900

Sterling, Colorado. After camping out at the local park and performing a few errands around town I decided to eat lunch at Subway. I know, I know, Subway again. Well this time I stepped in to Subway and there was a swarm of teenage girls everywhere. I automatically thought I would have to sit outside to eat because there was no place to sit or even lean against for that matter.

While waiting to place my order a few of the girls approached me in awe and asked me several great questions about my excursion. I discovered these ladies played soccer for the Scotts Bluff Bearcats in Nebraska. Soccer is one if the coolest sports in my opinion and its always great to see young females involved sports.

After placing my order the cashier informed me that one of the team members had already paid for my meal. What? How awesome was that? My meal was covered before I even placed it! Thanks to the lovely Celeste for buying me lunch, I truly appreciated it!

We took the above picture before the team departed. I believe I'm in the photo, somewhere in a sea of Bearcats.

Thanks again to Celeste, shout out to Rikke and the whole Scotts Bluff Bearcat soccer team!


4/27/13
SoilTrek.com

Julesburg, Colorado. Finally crossed the state border into Colorful Colorado! The plan is to be in Denver on May 1st, no days off, and so far so good!

Thank you to Susan in Julesburg, the woman that offered the water in addition advice about rattle snakes, and also to the trucker the gave me the energy drinks!


4/24/13
SoilTrek.com

Des Moines, Iowa. After the long stretch of several days steadily walking from Waterloo to Des Moines I was extremely happy to reach a place where I could hopefully relax a little.

When I arrived into town I stopped into the local library where MW Eddie Sauls picked me up. WM Sauls is the head leader of all Prince Hall lodges within the Iowa jurisdiction. We had only spoken previously via phone, he has such a great a energy about him, so it was great finally meeting him face-to-face!

I had Jimmy Johns (mid-west sandwich restaurant chain with fast delivery) for the first time and enjoyed it. We also went to the barbershop because I was overdue for a cut. While waiting there I met some other great brothers from North Star Lodge #2.

MW Sauls later had to leave to get ready for a conference and so I chatted with the customers a bit and took pictures as I waited to meet WM Dominique Strode.

WM Strode, a hard working intelligent brother, soon picked me up and gave me a great tour of the Des Moines and also the North Star lodge. The meeting hall was one of the best I've seen on this trip. Talking with WM Strode was awesome and gave me some great incite.

Later he checked me into the Baymont Inn, reminded me he would be back to get me for a dinner prepared by his beautiful
wife, and then left. The Baymont was a very gorgeous hotel with very large rooms that were highly relaxing. So much so I set my alarm, put on ESPN, and went straight to sleep while laying on the couch.

Dinner that night was excellent! WM Strode's wife Tonya made a great southern meal along with a delicious red velvet birthday cake for the occasion.

Much love to MW Sauls, WM Strode and his wife, in addition all the individuals from North Star Lodge #2 That I had the pleasure to meet.

Thank you for truly taking care of fellow brother, I truly felt welcomed!


3/16/13
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4/23/13
SoilTrek.com

Elwood, Nebraska. Getting the proper gear while traveling can be a bit tricky. I went ahead and ordered some stuff online and had it shipped "General Delivery" to their local post office so I could pick up the items while passing through town and thats where I met Perry.

As soon as I walked in Perry had my packages waiting right there on the side. He was very cordial and gave a great recommendation on where I could get a replacement NY to LA sign. I packed up my new gear, thanked him, and said good-bye.

Sign & place to stay: Fast forward, that night I made it to Cozad and stayed a night at one of the motels in town. I received a wakeup call the next morning from Perry who offered to drive me east to the town of Lexington to get a new sign from the place he recommended the day before.

Got my sign done in record time and now it was wind proof as well due to the attached bungee cords. Kurt at Lexington Sign Pro did a stupendous job, highly highly recommended!

Much thanks to Perry for his assistance in managing my packages at the post office and orchestrating me obtaining a new sign. I am grateful in so many ways, thanks again!

Also thanks to Kurt for a great job with the sign and to Patty for covering my breakfast at the A&D Cafe in Lexington.


Lexington Sign Pro
Kurt Benet
(308) 324-8000
112 West 6 Street
Lexington, NE


4/17/13
SoilTrek.com

Dear Google Maps,

Thanks for the scenic view, but how am I supposed to get across?

Sincerely,
Sterling


4/17/13
SoilTrek.com