Quite a bit of this today. I walk on the left, against traffic. Look please at the shade on the right. I did all day! But there was a stretch for about five miles I walked on the right, in the shade… road under construction! So nice… amazing what you appreciate out here, stuff you never knew existed!
And on we go… another great day. Left the east side of Palestine - got a ride to the edge of town, as four different people told me it probably wasn’t a good idea to walk across from the hotel. Didn’t ask questions, just heeded their advice. And 19.25 lovely miles later, comfortable in Jacksonville, though food was a challenge unless I walked someplace, and I wasn’t about to do that this afternoon! Either I’m getting used to it, or it has gotten cooler, but 93 today was almost comfortable thanks to a cool breeze most all morning. Last couple of miles were tough, and I was walking away from my eventual destination!
Nice to see a change of scenery. We’ve gone from open and dry to lots of trees, but less population! The first 17 miles were completely devoid of stores, gas stations, anything commercial, and I forgot additional water, so I was having to ration the 3 liters carefully, but no problem. Since last week, I have been able to measure water quite well. Back to listen to your body, it’ll tell you.
I’ve developed a couple of little routines, one involving water. When my legs tighten up or hip hurts or blisters sting, I reach for my little water hose connected to the bladder in my pack - the two first sips are typically warm, oh but the third is freezing cold most of the morning. And I focus only on the water as it hits my system. Then I take three long deep breaths, focused on them only… and most, if not all of the time, by the time I’m done, 15-20 seconds, pain is gone.
Missed seeing people today… very few interactions. I suppose I could just start talking to the cattle. I’m sure they’ve got all kinds of stories of stampedes as young steers, and their little trysts. Memories of the old west… will work on that.
I’ve also, over the last three or four days, become aware of something that I think will serve me well. I’m not going to pay much attention to my thoughts for about an hour before arrival, and an hour after. I’ve found myself getting kind of negative during that time frame, and I attribute it to just being tired! It’s when I think about all the what ifs, and the next day, and ugh, just being a baby… so I now have a second routine, started yesterday.
When I arrive at hotel, get backpack off, sit down… I’ll take a shower, shave, wash clothes, get all that out of the way, but then I’m just going to close down, do a crossword puzzle and just let my my mind rest, not think about anything… when I’m walking it’s going full tilt, whether it’s thinking about something or listening to music… 10,000 Maniacs has been dominating music for the last couple of days… but I’m going to just let it stop for a while while the body chemicals settle down.. worked today.
Big weekend coming up… going to take a couple of walks… Peace.