We all eventually need some rest, and today, a Sunday, is my first in three weeks. My first Sunday out, I was in no place to rest, so I went on, and last Sunday, just wanted to keep going. But today was needed, not so much for my body, which is feeling incredibly well, but for my mind.
I never imagined I could enjoy a Sunday in Texarkana as much as I’m enjoying today, but then again, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have gotten here by walking from Austin. Might have to start dreaming a bit wilder. Today has given me a chance to look back on the last three weeks and just let it sink in. I still find myself in disbelief sometimes, as I walk along, that this is actually happening!
My walk through Texas has been incredible. Long, but incredible.
As expected, there were no incidents besides the scrape with the law a couple of weeks ago. Everyone I’ve met has been nothing but nice, helpful and just overall nice. I expect that to continue, no reason it shouldn’t.
Have seen some beautiful views, thousands, literally. Went from relatively flat and agricultural to beautiful trees and a few hills. No big challenges, which allowed me to settle in to a very nice rhythm. It also gave me confidence - I’m glad I started in Texas, where I’ve been comfortable for many years.
My change of course kept me in the state for four additional days, but well worth the deviation. Everything has worked out as it should, as I face Arkansas. I’m actually looking forward to it, and the approximate 275 miles it entails, so a couple of weeks. I’m working on logistics around both Little Rock and Memphis, perhaps not the best places to walk around! I will of course but safety first.
So Thank You Texas - thank you everyone along the way that has made these weeks incredible. Thanks for the wave backs, the meals, for asking if I needed help or a ride, for all the trucks that switched to the far lane when they saw me, for the views, the breeze and the peace.
Spent some time on the numbers today, still a bit frustrated by the variations in measurement, but kind of fun to look at. Google Maps says it has been 364 miles. Garmin is close at 351, Fitbit is closest, at 366 miles, MapMyWalk is at 340.
According to Fitbit, I have taken 782,046 steps on this walk, that;s a lot of steps. Fortunately, the second half of these have been pain free, as my onset blisters have all calmed down since I changed to my Salomon’s. The second half also saw a break in the heat. Even though it was hot, anything under 100 degress is welcome after that first week.
Food for the most part has been decent, relatively healthy and within reach! Said this before, but just giving the body what it asks for. Cravings are cravings for a reason. There are days where it’s all salty foods, sometimes sweet, and of course all kinds of fluids, including a beer or two in the evening if it’s available. Learned a little something the other day. Noticed that (sorry) the smell of my sweat had a little ammonia odor to it, which, after a few minutes on the internet, learned was caused by my body burning protein for fuel, probably because my carbohydrate reserve was gone. Hasn’t happened since, and am making sure to get plenty of carbs. I figure I’m burning between 4,000 and 4,500 calories per day, which isn’t altogether easy to fulfill with good calories. But so far so good, zero gastric issues!
Music has been hugely important throughout… always listening to something. Yesterday afternoon I actually memorized the entire Mexican national anthem! Forgot it now, but it was fun, listening to about a dozen different versions, and remembering the various schools where I heard it most every day.
Every genre imaginable, from all different stages and ages. Kinda fun to hear a song and just let your mind drift back to when you first heard or listened to in the past. Have gone all the way from a ten year old kid listening to WFM in Mexico City, 70’s in high school, 80’s finishing college and running all over the place.
Here’s the ever growing walktothepark playlist on Spotify… it’s part of what you do when you walk for hours a day. Covers a lot of music ground, but every song on the list is there for a reason.
I’ve taken dozens of pictures of lanes and driveways lately.. supposing these all go to someone’s home. I do hope those homes are happy within. Then it got me thinking about how most likely, someone will leave for work, and return, to these driveways. And I dare say, they do it rather automatically, just as they have many times before. The more you do something, the more automatic it becomes, and it also conditions us to what we think is a predictable outcome. So we leave for work with a predisposition. The driveway (and you can replace with a parking spot, a garage, whatever) is by then so automatic that we forget to notice where it’s taking us. I’ve been guilty of this in the past, but now that I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, I relish every second, no predisposition, no expected outcomes. Someday, I’ll probably get back in to a routine, and do hope to not fall into “automation”. It makes you miss an awful lot.
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Very nice to be resting today, but I am ready to get going again. Backpack washed (phew), laundry done, nothing left to do. Might just take a little walk :-)