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

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

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

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
SoilTrek.com

Phelps County, Nebraska. I discovered this canal by accident after a night of camping out in Sandy Channel. It was definitely a hidden treasure.

4/17/13
SoilTrek.com

Lexington/Elwood, Nebraska. This is Adam (shown left) & Thomas (right), cousins and two excellent gentlemen who own and run their own local construction business.

While driving by they stopped me and asked me if I was hungry after spotting me twice. Starving with only tangerines and oatmeal in my pack I said "sure". The meal I had was great, Thomas not only covered my meal but paid for my hotel room in town.

That meant I didn't have to wait until tomorrow to eat a proper meal and didn't have to camp out in the expected snow fall. Thanks a million guys, after a long, cold, and windy walk you really turned things around!

*Thomas or Adam if you happen to see my sign please call me at (914) 255-2860, thanks!


4/17/13
SoilTrek.com

York, Nebraska. Someone please remind me what season are we in? Winter refuses to give up, but on the flip side I kinda enjoyed breaking out the winter gear and honestly I find myself more comfortable walking in colder weather. Anyway, a large portion of the day was relearning how to maneuver quickly and safely across ice covered surfaces.

Short Summery of Slippy Surfaces (SSoSS):
Frozen grass - most consistent as long as you avoid heads of clumped grass. However, the resistance from the frozen blades eventually wear you out a little.

Frozen gravel - Walked this the most, either in the middle of the road (no one's driving in this crazy weather) were the road is balanced or I walked the very edge were there is a slight incline but the roadside grass prevents my left foot from too much slippage.

Frozen cornfields - Not very user friendly. The turned over soil made it even worse, they were like big slippery jagged rocks. So you move... very... slooowwww.

Frozen rocks & pebbles - Slippery and dangerous and not worth it and crazy town.

Frozen paved roads - Straight ice rink without the zamboni. But, if hail has previously fallen earlier or day before it provides okay traction.

Frozen ditches - These weren't too bad as long as they weren't filled water or long strands of grass.

Frozen mud - Not bad and sort fun to walk on. With a layer of dirty ice on top and melted ice water in between it almost like walking on rough plexiglass. It's also cool watching the air bubbles dance beneath the ice.

I walked on white snow or ice whenever I saw it. It gives excellent traction to prevent you from falling. If it wasn't bright white, it is suspect in my book. Especially at night, you can't miss seeing it even with little light around.

If you are unsure about a surface while walking in icy conditions take my advice and just walk like a elderly person, meaning take your time! It may not look cool, but it will prevent you from becoming a falling fool.