Merino, Colorado.
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Follow my journey from Midtown NYC (Nov. 2012) to Downtown Los Angeles (Jul. 2013).
THE GOALS: (1.) Raise $20,000 for the American Diabetes Association, (2.) Spread awareness about the growing epidemic of Type-2 Diabetes, and (3.) Experience America up close and personal. [MISSION COMPLETE 7/20/13]
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 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 Exira, IA. When approaching a town I've come to enjoy the anticipation of having a good meal, nice place to stay, or a great conversation -- regardless if it happens or not. Knowing there's a chance gives me enough satisfaction to even deal with it not actually coming to pass.
Down the road I could see the town where I may have my next meal, the Red Barn Restaurant was my target, and I had 3-miles to go. As I was marching towards the eatery a SUV pulls over, a woman jumps out and hands me a bag of M&M Rice Krispy's, a coffee with sugar, and offers to pay for my meal at the Red Barn. I thanked her profusely, said good-bye, and she drives off. After devouring the treats and consuming the coffee I no longer was hungry hungry (just hungry) and had enough energy to part Lake Michigan. New plan: Eat light & quick to fill reserves and keep walking to the next town of Atlantic, Iowa (The Coca-Cola capital of Iowa and the halfway point between the Atlantic & Pacific Ocean).
As I'm about 1.5 miles away Judi pulls up again. She informs me Red Barn is closed, offers me a place to stay, and invites me to a community fish fry. Wanting interact with some people and also feed my belly I agreed. On the way to the fish fry I had the delight of meeting Judi's husband and brothers who were also wonderful. As for the fish fry it was great, it's held weekly at a church in Audubon on Fridays and people from the surrounding townships attend. It's an excellent way for the community to get together. It was very nice to randomly meet such a caring person such as Judi. She let me stay in her father's house (who had past away last year). When he was alive her father would often put walkers and hitch hikers up for the night, so through Judi he was carrying on with the tradition even after he's no longer here. Thank you for everything Judi! 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 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 Hudson, Iowa. This the view from where I camped out. The original place was a wooded public use area however it was flooded due to the melted snow. The only decent surface was under a rarely used narrow bridge.
The surface under the bridge was a bit muddy, but when you gotta sleep, you gotta sleep. I felt safe there however setting up the tent on the mud was a bit tricky and slippery. Worst case scenario was slipping on the mud and landing in the water -- which wasn't likely and wasn't the the worst thing in the world. Slept great that night, settled moisture in the morning was minimal. 3/14/13 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 Brace/Eustis, Nebraska. The current wind situation has caused me to lose two signs, but thanks to Perry (of Elwood) and Kurt (of Lexington) I'm back in business baby!
These photos were taken while walking north from Elwood (where I picked up some gear) to the city of Cozad.
The wind was so strong going down one of the hills it knocked my hat straight off with enough force to send it rolling UPHILL and almost off the cliff! Waiting for the hat to stop rolling, it never did! Not believing what I was experiencing I just laughed, and chased it down in knee deep snow. I felt the urge to ask it why it did what it just did -- however it was of course... just... a hat. 4/17/13
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STERLING CLEVELAND
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Friday, November 28, 2012 AuthorRunner, Writer, Thinker, & Positive Energy. Archives
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