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THE
JOURNAL
ONLINE
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QUIRE
TEN:
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
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The Quest for the Journey On, Part Six
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The Journey On: The Ninth Hundred Days
Sunday, 10 May 2015 through Monday, 17 August 2015
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The Journey to the
North Woods
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(Day 801 JO) 63°F. 6:00 am, cloudy
Overnighting in a parking lot
After driving to a f-mart for coffee, the sun soon rises into and overcast sky as I search from the internet a location of a kingdom hall. I find one in Hannibal, Missouri, which is a two hour drive from here. Leaving right away will have me arrive there around nine am with just enough time to dress before the meeting.
So, I drive north on state highway 19 soon to cross the Missouri River in the town of Hermann and quickly notice how the land north of the river has fewer hills, even flat most of the time providing for the many farms and even a few wineries. Driving this route keeps me at least fifty miles away from the city and out of the traffic therein; methinks that despite this way being much slower than other routes, it does so provide for and enjoyable Sunday early morning ambiance.
Arriving in Hannibal at nine this morning, I drive directly to the Kingdom Hall, park on the street next to the hall to get dressed and soon thereafter the friends begin arriving. Upon entering, several of the friends greet me, first Chris and Mitsey, then several of the brothers and then I take my seat. After the meeting, the sister sitting directly in front of me turns around and says "Hi, my name is Erica, and this is my son Josiah."
We talk for a little while and she then points out another son who is nineteen, who soon comes to talk with his mom and then Jordan is introduced to me but he mother says that he has a sore throat and it hurts to talk. I ask Jordan, "Would you like a fix for that sore throat?" His eyes light up and he says, "Yeah!" I tell him that I have just the thing out in my van, it is an essential oil.
He follows me out to the parking lot where several of the friends are already at their cars talking. I put clean water in my stainless cup, add five drops of tea tree oil and tell him to fill his mouth, gargle, spit it out and repeat until all the water is gone. When he hands the cup back to me, I ask him "Did it work?" to which he says, "My throat doesn′t burn any more." I offer to repeat the treatment and he takes a second cup from me.
We talk a little more about the tea tree oil and he says that he will be getting some right after they leave the hall. I also give Jordan my card and tell him about Appendix Four which discusses living water and the importance of drinking water having an alkaline pH. We depart but he says that he wants to keep in touch to which I accept his offer telling him that he has my contact information.
From Hannibal, I drive north and hope to arrive at the next national park near Iowa City, Iowa before it closes and follow the directions that the GPS gives me. I find out later that in setting the parameters in the navigation, I had chosen the shortest route instead of the fastest route. In doing so, the shortest route uses not only state highways but also county highways and other county roads which results in driving through a lot of back roads and small towns. I do arrive at the
Herbert H. Hoover National Historic Site just before four pm giving me over an hour to tour his birth home, fathers blacksmith shop, the local Friends chapel, and the town of West Branch, Iowa. What I find interesting is that both of his parents died before he was ten years old and he was sent to live with and Uncle in Newberg, Oregon southwest of Portland, who owned a school where Bert was able to attend. Herbert later went to Stamford College in southern California. He went on to become the thirty-first president in 1929 serving one term.
Leaving West Branch, Iowa, I continue the drive north, again on county roads until I arrive on US highway 20 and turn east driving to Dubuque, Iowa where I park in a d-mart for the evening and despite the soreness lingering from the rock hole work and rain pounding on the roof, I endeavor to get some sleep.
(Day 802 JO) 64°F. 6:11 am, Humid
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon arising in the humid morning air, I drive to a w-mart but it is located within a g-mart so I sit in the jammer trying to connect without having amy success. So, instead, I leave out northward along the Great River Road heading towards my next national park. I do not return to this journal writing until after sunset and after traveling many mile thru several states.
The first state, of course is Iowa and from Dubuque, I see a part of Iowa that is quite beautiful with abundant views from hilltops of the well established farms supporting many silos; the two lane county roads that I travel are dotted with small quaint villages. Occasionally, there are views of the Mississippi River across which is Wisconsin. Aside this river, in this northeast corner of Iowa is where I find the
Effigy Mounds National Monument.
According to those who say they know, from about 700 to 1200 CE effigy mounds were built along the water ways of the south half of what is now Wisconsin and parts of surrounding states. Often built atop the bluffs but almost always within view of the waterway. Used primarily as burial mounds, there are several types constructed including: conical, linear, compound and effigy. Of these four types, only the conical is found outside the effigy mounds region.
The conical, the most numerous mound found in the effigy region, are round domes up to ten feet tall and twenty feet in diameter. Lineal mounds are up to four feet high, as much as eight feet wide and could be as long as one hundred feet. The compound mounds are conical mounds joined by lineal mounds; the largest in the park has seven conical mounds and extends four hundred and eighty feet. The type of effigy mounds, which make this area famous are those in the shape of bears and eagles.
A typical effigy is two to four feet high, forty feet wide and eighty feet long. Wing spans of 124 feet and 212 feet have been found on two birds mounds in the park. The Great Bear Mound measures 37 feet long and 70 feet wide at the shoulder.
Leaving the national monument, I continue north along the Great River Road and as great bluffs tower above the river the roadway is untraveled except by a few locals. It is early spring here with the redbud, dogwood and wisteria in full bloom and plentifully along this path.
Crossing into Minnesota, the drive continues toward the twin cities as far as Red Wing, Minnesota but to avoid driving into the cities, I cross the Mississippi River into Wisconsin to drive north along the St Croix River (pronounced Saint Croy). This roadway rises immediately up out of the deep river valley to the higher surrounding plateau some three to four hundred feet high in elevation. Methinks that the upper Mississippi River has taken eons to cut this channel deep through the earth and forming this deep valley with these limestone bluffs. This area is so much different than all the previous lower river crossings that has been the path most of my life.
On top of the plateau, the drive continues along often busy county roads to the
St Croix National Scenic Riverway in St Croix Falls, Wisconsin. Upon arriving in town, the first thing that catches my attention is that everyone is still wearing their winter coats. It is true that as I have been driving north, the temperature has steadily been dropping, but this is mid May no less. Still, I am glad not to have to turn on my air conditioner so that I can sleep.
Then stopping at the visitors center and finding it closed, I grab a brochure and drive to the
Ice Age National Scenic Trial which is shared with Interstate Park, a state park with a camping area and take photos of some of the signs and footpaths.
Finally, I drive to a d-mart, buy salad fixings and retire to the parking lot in the jammer.
(Day 803 JO) 33°F. 5:40 am,
Overnighting in a parking lot
There is much humidity in the air and in the jammer this morning making it feel much colder than the actual temperature, and when I run the jammer to charge batteries, use the heater to warm myself and the inside of the jammer. At nine am, I drive to the St Croix visitor center, stamp my brochure, buy a patch, watch the movie and tour the museum. I talk with the ranger for a little also about the ancient people, both the mound builders and the cliff dwellers. Then, I drive to the visitor center for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail which is also located within Interstate State Park but because there is a national park visitor center in the state park, my national pass gets me in free. I also put my hiking shoes on to walk the Summit Rocks Trail to see the Dalles of the St Croix and the man of the mountain, taking photos as I go.
After the walk, I drive across the St Croix river into Minnesota and proceed to drive to the source of the Mississippi River,
Itasca State Park, where Lake Itasca is purported to the headwaters of the river. There are many who would disagree, including myself, saying that the source is actually the source of the Missouri River near Yellowstone National Park, but I digress. Upon arriving in the state park, I again put on my hiking shoes, actually, I never took them off from the Summit Rocks walk, walk to the head waters of the Mississippi River and walk over the very first bridge crossing the river, one which gives a whole new meaning of bridging the Mississippi River. Too, I stop at the Mississippi Headwaters Museum and glean more information about this great river.
Finally, I leave the state park driving on the Great River Road, the very beginning of the route heading down river at the time when the river is more like a creek, crossing several small bridges that cross this not to wide river. Soon, I arrive in Bemidji, Minnesota and drive to the d-mart, park and finish today′s journal entry. At nine-thirty pm, I turn off the jammer which I have been running with the heater on and some classical music playing from Minnesota public radio. Then, I read in my Bible for a while before turning off the light.
(Day 804 JO) 42°F. 6:03 am,
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon arising, I turn on the jammer to warm up the engine while I am putting on my blues. The forty-two degrees feels more like the mid thirties because of the high humidity and light rain. It has been raining off and on now for several days and I am glad that the heater in the jammer is working well. Then, I drive to the f-mart for a senior coffee and connect to the internet. In a short time, I find out that the next national park is only a two hour drive away so I decide to drive there this morning, do my visitor center routine, tour what I am able to see and afterwards, head south back through Minnesota to find a location to spend the night.
So, off to spend another day north by northeast on US 71 in the northwoods crossing a long stretch of state forest full with white birch and evergreens with a ring of light along the horizon in the direction that I am traveling. A sign aside the highway informs that this is the Voyageur′s Highway where there are much fewer farms but a proportionately increase of resorts providing those who want a woodlands experience. Too, there is a noticeable lack of blooming trees along this section as if it had previously been logged and only those trees good for logging replanted. This is also a lonely highway during the morning as seldom are there other vehicles on the road.
In Little Fork, MN, I take state highway 217 to cut across to US 53 and soon arrive at
Voyageurs National Park at Kabegtogama Lake visitor center, but it is still closed for the winter, so I return to the highway, stop at a general store to find that there is only one visitor center open until Labor Day, that being the Rainy Lake visitor center thirty miles away. So, I drive to Rainy Lake and enter the visitor center to go through my routine. What I find out is that this park is primary a water park, one for canoes, kayaks and motor boats even though there are several backpacking trails for foot traffic and that this park would be best visited during the summer for all of these activities.
After my visit at Rainy Lake visitor center, I drive southeast to Virginia, MN and stop for WiFi to plan the next few days and then leave for Grand Portage, MN. Like most drives of recent, this one also uses both state and county road ways making it hard to record the many names and numbers of the many roads. However, I will at least list some of the towns; leaving Virginia, I drive east through Aurora, then Bassett and finally come out of the higher elevations to a bluff overlooking Lake Superior at Silver Bay, Minnesota. I then drive up to
Palisade Head, which is rills of igneous rhyolite overlaying softer basalt and undercut by the eroding of Lake Superior. What does that mean? Simply that this large rock formation was created from eruptions of molten lava followed by aeons of weathering and glacial scouring, which transformed the side facing the lake into massive cliffs.
Then, as I am driving up the coastline towards Grand Portage, I stop at a National Forest Service ranger station to obtain campground information and then locate the
White Pine campground just as the sun is setting. Finally, I finish today′s journal writing and move to the back of the jammer at nine pm. Once horizontal, I begin to realize much improvement with the pain that has been plaguing me this past week, that which was cause by my work in the rock hole at Monte Creek. At night when I lie down is when I am most aware that the soreness still exists. Too, I have been thinking back about how the pain of the walk took so much longer to go away during my backpack on the AT and how my daily walks must needs resume soon to enable myself the ability to walk on anything other than flat.
(Day 805 JO) 41°F. 5:30 am
White Pine Lake Campground, CRS: 6.5.
With the eastern time zone not too far to the east of me, I get up with the early daylight, start the jammer, pull forward and then get out and glance over the campsite before I leave.
I drive down from the campground to White Pine Lake and immediately see a pair of
Common Goldeneye ducks, so take photos here before continuing my tour. Leaving White Pine Lake, I stop at another lake and see a pair of
Ring-necked ducks.
Then, I drive further into the national forest looking for the high point of Minnesota, Eagle Mountain and the drive takes me fifteen more miles in to locate the trailhead to the mountain. At the trailhead, I find out that it is a four mile hike, each way in to the peak, eight round trip and is through marsh land, across creeks, thick forest and steep climbs, a hike that I am not ready to do at this time primarily due to the fact that I still need to find a Kingdom Hall for the meeting tonight. Leaving the trailhead, I continue back to the lakeshore highway and then head north towards the Grand Portage.
Upon arriving at
Grand Portage National Monument, I sit in the jammer to write in my journal until it opens. At eight-thirty am, I walk into the visitor center, obtain my brochure, stamp it, and purchase an embroidered patch. Then, I watch the video and tour the museum. A portage is a land passage and this one is grand because it is a nine mile walk from Lake Superior to a location upstream of the waterfalls, gorges and rapids which exist on the lower Pigeon River. The native Ojibwe taught the newcomers to build birch bark canoes and guided them along the waterways into the wilderness. The newcomers, mostly French, called voyageurs quested for beaver pelt to quell the demand in Europe. The Grand Passage was the route first used by the natives, then by the voyageurs and it was only the start of their quest for more pelts further and further west into the interior of the continent. A navy of small canoes plied this passage from the late 1600′s until the early 1800′s.
Upon leaving the monument, I drive to the Canadian border and walk on a paved half mile path to see the reason why the voyageurs had to portage around the first nine miles of the Pigeon River; the High Falls where the water flooding through a rock opening and down sixty feet to the gorge would have also kept me from taking the river route. Leaving this state park, I begin driving south on state highway 61, stopping at many sites to take photos of coast line, islands, and a couple light houses including
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Finally, I head to Duluth for the meeting tonight, pull into the parking lot and get dressed. Then, because I have a some time, I pre-study the school and service meeting. Soon, I an inside and visiting with the friends, then the meeting begins and seemingly goes quickly. After the meeting, I meet a young sister whose name is Elise, a name that I have never hear before except among my own siblings.
After the meeting, I go with Buciah to a local f-mart with which visit and his study is there also; we talk for some time but during the discussion, not once did I see any indication that God was tugging on his heart.
(John 6:44) We greet each other good bye and head to our vehicles. I drive to the d-mart and crawl into the back.
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The Journey Alongside the
Great Lakes
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(Day 806 JO) 43°F. 6:30 am, humid with fog
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake to one hundred percent humidity with thick fog but it remains dry inside the jammer. I drive to the f-mart for coffee and to wake up. Then, I begin my drive east into Wisconsin, along the south shore of Lake Superior which takes me through the northwoods heavily forested with white birch trees and evergreens on my way to next national park. It is very early spring here with only a few dogwoods in bloom and there are an occasional farm roadside but the lakes are increasing in number as are the resorts. Arriving in Bayfield, Michigan with the Bayfield in Bloom celebration just beginning, I see a lot of daffodils along the road way as I drive directly to the visitor center for
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. I go inside to learn about the twenty two islands that make up this group, how nine lighthouses have been built on them, how old growth forests cover some of the islands and some of the history surrounding the inhabitants. Like the other parks in these northwoods, Apostle Islands is only just beginning to open for the summer and as yet, boat tours are limited or absent. Leaving this park, I finish crossing the top of Wisconsin, drive into the upper peninsular of Michigan, stopping in Houghton, Michigan and locate the only open visitor center for
Isle Royal National Park, which is on the mainland and hosts the Ranger III passenger ferry outfitted for providing access to the island from this center. Much like the Apostle Islands, I would like to return someday to walk in these isolated northwoods. Leaving this harbor dock, I drive across the bridge on US highway 41 and onto Keweenaw Island to visit
Keweenaw National Historical Park to learn about copper country, see some of the structures, such as shaft-rock house with its hoist house, the company towns that grew out of the industrial age on the island between 1843 through to 1914. I visited one shaft-rockhouse and found out that the shaft drilled down from this structure went down 92 levels to about nine thousand feet beneath the surface. The cable from the hoist house connected to a man trolley would first lower a new shift down to the working level and then raise the retiring shift to the surface. Then the rock house operators would change to a rock trolley and begin lifting rock out of the mine. At the end of the work day, the operators would change to a water bucket trolley and begin lifting water out of the bottom of the shaft.
There is not time today to take the mine tour, but I learned that the tour now only descends the top six levels because all the lower levels are filled with water. I drive out to Copper Harbor to check the charge for camping at Fort Wilkins State Park and find it would be thirty six dollars to stay there for tonight, a fee that I am not willing to pay, even though there is hot water in there showers. Again, I tell myself that hot showers are not a necessity for a wayfarer. I leave the park, drive to the harbor to take some photos and then drive back towards the mainland on state highway 26 stopping frequently to take photos when I see a roadside park where I think would be a good location to eat supper. I drive into the park, stop to pull in and see a man sitting on one of the picnic tables. I notice that he is about my age and I roll down my window to greet him. We talk for a few minutes and learn he has been out hiking. It is not long before we both feel a bit of comradery with one another. He then asks me "Do you need to take a shower?" to which after thinking about my previous decision at Fort Wilkins, a smile come to my face and then answer him, "It is not necessary by yes, I would love one." He offers me to come to his resort lodge only a hundred yards down the road to use one of his facilities.
We end up talking for over an hour about belief in God during which he revels that he is a Tauist which is as he told me, belief in the inner god dwelling within giving us true knowledge from within. He tells me about Tao Te Ching, a book written by Lao-tzu and he reads some of these words, suggesting that I should seriously look into this life path. I then share my story of learning true knowledge, how, thirty-seven years ago, after my wife divorced me, I began to read the Bible in search for answers to my questions. Then, I tell him, the path I took guided me to find the answers to those questions and that now, I serve the most high God, Jehovah. Because we both believe whole heartily in our own true knowledge neither of us agree to look in to the other′s belief. After that, he departs to his home leaving me to shower; I bring in my own towel, soap and shampoo to take a hot shower. After the shower, I clean up the bathroom and leave it spotless, the same condition that I found it in, a lesson I learned long ago in Boy Scouts and still practice today. Then, when ready to leave, I knock on the door of his home but no one answers so I write a short note, tape it to the window on the door and head down the highway. In a couple of miles, I find a second roadside park, stop and park for the evening. After writing my journal entry for this day, I climb into the back to sleep. In prayer, I once again thank Jehovah for drawing me into his organization.
(Day 807 JO) 45°F. 6:22 am
Overnighting in a road side park
Awaking from my slumber, I see the sun at the start of suntouch, rise, put on my sandals, grab my camera and take photos of the sunrise. I start the engine to begin warming it up and drive from the roadside park south on highway 26 along the north side of the island and soon come upon a small lake with steam rising from it′s surface. I stop to take photos and then write in my journal. When then inside of the jammer is toasty warm, I then drive further south on this highway and come to Eagle Harbor where I stop to explore the light house. I continue south on the island stopping again in Calumet at the visitor center to take in the second floor of exhibits and then head south again, cross the bridge over the Portage Lake channel (The partly artificial waterway that make upper Keweenaw peninsula an island.) to continue south on US highway 41 along Keweenaw Bay where I am able to see Mount Arvon at 1979 feet, the highest point in Michigan. Currently, this mountain is not accessible by the public due to areas around it being in private ownership. I am able to photograph it from the bay shore.
I continue on US 41 south until it turns west towards Marquette, Michigan traveling though an area of many lakes but also many homes and resorts, stopping briefly in Ishpeming, Michigan to upload my journal entries. As the temperatures begin to warm up, I press on to the next national park arriving at the visitor center of
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore at two pm purchase three patches and add the stamps to the brochure. Then, I drive to the pictured rocks and take photos. Finally, I begin the long trek across the middle of upper peninsular arriving at Lake Michigan shortly before sunset. I stop several times on my way before arriving at the four dollar toll bridge across the strait of Mackinac. I notice two things immediately when I cross, first is the the temperature is much warmer in lower Michigan and second, there are a lot more people here than there are in upper Michigan. With more people comes more concrete and less forests in the sense that it is like one big city here. This makes me wonder about Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the northeast side of the lower peninsular, will it also be overrun by overuse like most parks? I hope to find out tomorrow. Nevertheless, it is necessary for me to drive south in Michigan and turn the corner at Toledo so as to be able to make my way through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York to obtain New England for the summer. That is the path I will take and while I travel this path, I will be looking to stop at still more national parks.
At ten-fifteen, I arrive at the d-mart and make my way into the rear of the jammer to sleep.
(Day 808 JO) 62°F. 7:15 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
The morning comes to early for me these days, especially since the drive last night began to splat bugs on and around my headlights. It was a beautiful suntouch yesterday evening but I do not wake in time for the morning suntouch. Still, I am off driving south on US highway 31, first to Charlevoix, Michigan, a beautiful harbor town on north Lake Michigan but do not stop to take photos, instead drive to the f-mart for coffee and two biscuits with egg to have while checking my com and uploading journal entries. Something just passed by that I have not heard for many day, then a second one does also telling me that I am on city streets again. Those sounds of sirens are not often heard in the northwoods, they have them there but the frequency of use in those remote places is so small so as to not to even notice. The second sound that caught my attention, only because I have not heard one of these also in many days is a small aircraft fling low overhead. Yes, since crossing the toll bridge last night, these paths that I have been driving upon are city streets.
I continue south on US 31 to locate the Kewadin Kingdom Hall for the Sunday morning worship arriving at nine-fifteen am. I begin dressing, and soon the friends begin to arrive, after which I go inside and listen to Tom give a talk about how Bible Principles are like soothing ointment to what pains us. Then the meeting is over much to quickly and I find myself at a roadside park at Birch Lake having a meal of my Daystart and drinking the coffee in the Y-cup, still somewhat hot from earlier. The wind blowing off the lake is cool and the sun above warms up the day. I do not linger for too long here because I wish to arrive at the next park before the visitor center closes. The drive south takes me near to the Great Traverse, a ten mile open water crossing at the mouth of the bay with the same name. The voyageurs would cross at the mouth so as to voyage further south along the upper Michigan coastline, but of this upcoming coast, I do not think any voyageur would ever want to avoid. My travel is by land and here at the top of the lower peninsula, much of the forest is new growth with the greening of leaves everywhere but where the forest gives way to the efforts of man, there are row after row of apple trees in bloom, even many cherries also.
Soon, I am crossing below the forty-fifth parallel and come into another densely populated area where the apple orchards are interspersed with golf courses and marinas. During the drive to the park, I notice that the water here along the shores are amazing in it&pwrime;s prismatic colors, starting with turquoise near the shallow water next to the shore line and gradually becoming dark cobalt blue in the deepest lake water. Yes, these waters, like the forest, shorelines and other natural features here are impossible to describe, wonderful to be able to experience and will be ever so hard to forget. The air conditioner comes on for most of this drive, and early in the afternoon, I arrive at
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, stop at the visitor center for the usual items, after which I begin driving through the park making stops at the points of interest finding out that many of the museums and heritage are not yet open, typical to national parks primarily designed for summer activities. Still, the views are available all the time and that is what I am here for this go round. I did get a kick at the high dunes on the lake side where there is a sign reading "Do not climb down to the lake! Rescue fee will apply! The climb back up from the lake could take two hours!" This climb access point does not provide a view of how far down the lake is, so I walk down the boardwalk to the viewing platform where there is a family group talking loudly to someone climbing back up. When I get to the platform, I see two people using all fours climbing up from the bottom having climbed only one third of the way so far. I zoom in on the two and see that it is two young girls, their parents being the ones on the platform with the other younger kids. According to the dad, they have been at the climb up for a little less than half and hour. I watch and when they arrive at the top, it has taken them over an hour. Another youth starts his trip down, he had told others that this is his third time and the climb up takes him less than a half hour. Oh, to be young again! But that will come in the paradise when I hope to return here just to try this unbelievable climb.
Leaving the high dunes, I find several other spots to take photos before stopping at the g-mart in Glen Arbor, Michigan to buy some coleslaw, beets and avocado. Then I head back to the campground which I find out will only cost six dollars for one night. After eating the beets from the plastic container, I use this small bowl for the slaw and try mixing several things with it to make it taste good. I first add olive oil and then try some dried sprouted mung beans but I decide the the beans need to be re-hydrated. Next, I try the the same recipe and then add hot sauce which tastes pretty good but still the beans need water. Finally, I leave out the beans and hot sauce but add Parmesan cheese to the oil and then repeat my old axiom, "There is nothing that can not be made better with Parmesan." Then, I have the avocado for desert, pack up my food containers and need to turn on the jammer again to charge batteries and so take the opportunity to run the air conditioner.
With the sun still more than a hand width above the horizon, at eight pm I climb into the back of the jammer and do some reading. This old man is tired and he did not even climb up on the low dunes.
(Day 809 JO) 61°F. 6:01 am
Sleeping Bear National Seashore
Loon Lake Campground
Awake and moving quickly, to get on with the drive to Maine. I stop in town for some coffee and get back on state highway 22 south to Beulah, Michigan were I reconnect to US highway 31 south. In town is a f-mart where I upload my journal and before continuing on my way check com. Upon returning to the drive to Maine, I head south into a vast wilderness of city street, which is more commonly known as the lower peninsula of Michigan. Along the way, the forest become sparse, the air befouled, the waters brown, and the people to busy to greet others. Yes, it is a true wilderness! I drive the coastal route on US highway 31 though Whitehall where I knew a brother thirty years ago but have since lost contact, then Muskegon where I connect with interstate 96 to Grand Rapids and then to Lansing, then south on US 127 keeping in the center of the state to avoid the large cities. At Somerset, I turn onto US 223 and drive to where it connects with US 23. Then, I head south and follow 23 past Toledo, Ohio until it connects with US 20 and from there head east across Ohio, another vast wilderness of city streets. When I get close to Cleveland, US 20 turns into interstate 480 heading east and then I turn north on interstate 271 and east again on interstate 90 into Pennsylvania where rain begins coming down hard. Finally, I turn north onto interstate 79 and drive into Erie, Pennsylvania at about six pm thinking that I have a long time to work on my computer before I must needs sleep, but when I turn into a parking lot in the pouring rain, I hit a curb with the front left tire and it goes flat.
After putting on the spare, I drive to the d-mart where I have the tire technician look at it and he determines that it has a hole in the side wall and needs to be replaced. This wheel is the same one that had the tire replaced twice in Texas; it keeps getting banged up. I wonder if I will have any problems with getting it replaced for the third time. I will stay the night and have it done in the morning. Then, when I get into the jammer to drive to a place to park for the evening, the transmission shifter works only partly. Thinking the worse, that the gear shifter lever has broken I get out to look under the car. Then, not seeing the problem, I look inside at the floorboard and see a screw that I have never seen before. Upon picking it up, I confirm that it is entirely new in my collection of detached screws from the jammer. I grab my flashlight to look under the dash and spot the place from where it has fallen out. I get out the special torx screw socket from my tool box and work for about ten minutes to return the screw to it′s place. That completed and upon checking to see that the transmission shifter works just fine now, I drive to the w-mart across town and finally get to work on my computer, even though not for long because it quickly becomes time for me to return to the jammer for sleep. At ten pm, I drive back to the d-mart, park, put up my light darkening towels and want to read for a while but I am too tired to keep my eyes open any longer.
Checking the distances, I find that today, I have driven five hundred and thirty miles. Methinks, using the interstate highways helps me get through the vast city street wilderness of the east so much much quicker. Yes, I have crossed the Great Wilderness of the City Street, well, at least the first leg of it.
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The Journey to the
North East
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(Day 810 JO) 61°F. 5:55 am,
Overnighting in a parking lot
Daylight awakens me and upon arising go directly to the f-mart for coffee, noticing that the rain has stopped. At seven, I drive back to the d-mart to have my tire replaced. Previously, I was concerned that I would get the tire replaced for the third time and that concern was well-founded when the technician and then the department head try to convince me that hitting a curb is not covered under the road hazard warranty. I told the department head that road hazard means damage to the tire when you are driving on the road but he disagreed with me asking me "Did they tell you when you bought the warranty, that hitting curbs are not covered?" I told him that there was never any such discussion and asked to see the store manager. He leaves to get the manager and while away, I find the d-mart written tire warranty policy which clearly says that impact breaks are covered under the road hazard warranty. He returns a few minutes later without the manager and says that the damage is covered under the road hazard warranty. I ask if he can put the tire back on the vehicle and he says that because I have mismatched tires on the vehicle, he can not put the tire back on it. Also, he says that he will not sell me a new road hazard warranty because I carried the tire in instead of letting them take the tire off of the vehicle. I tell him that it went flat and I had to put the spare, a different size tire on the vehicle so that I could drive here. I ask to see the manager again. He leaves and returns with the manager who tells me that because I have mismatched tires on the vehicle, they can not put the tire back on the car. Then ask here is I can have the road hazard warranty on the new tire; she hesitates but then says if we sell you a warranty and the time goes flat again, then you will get another new tire. I reply "Isn′t that the purpose of the road hazard warranty?" She says "OK, I will allow it this time but be aware that most of our stores will not allow you to do this."
When all the smoke clears, I end up paying thirteen dollars for a new warranty and taxes, walk out of the store rolling my tire, put it on the jammer and drive out of there smiling because I got a free tire with a new road hazard which I wanted in the first place. But what a bunch of doggy poop that was necessary for me to walk through in order for the store to provide the service that according to the store policies, I was entitled to in the first place. It is because of this huge runaround received that I will make it a point to never stop at that store again.
At about nine am, I leave Erie, Pennsylvania on US Highway 20, turn east onto state highway 430 into New York and follow it to interstate highway 86 where I continue east stopping once at Allegany State Park to see the Red House, a large structure built by the DDC. When I go into the gift shop to located an embroidered patch, the clerk begins talking to me about how grand the DDC buildings were built back in the thirties and out loud wonders why the government can not do the same thing now. I look her right in the eyes and tell her "Because we are living in the last days!" Puzzled, she asks why do I say that and I respond by quoting from 2 Timothy 3: 1-5 where it discusses the attitudes that people will have and that they would not be able to agree on what is the correct path to take. She asks, "Do you really believe we are in the last days?" to which I assure her of the certainty of it. Then I tell her that it will be the last days of wicked people, not good people. The discussion continues for a short while more where I leave her with the positive thought about the paradise earth and that the paradise is what God intended in the first place. After that, I walk out to the jammer, grab the May 2015 issues of out magazines, with the cover caption "Is the End Near?" walk back in and offer them to her. She readily accept the magazines and thanks me.
Returning to the drive east on interstate 86, I see countless rolling hills, quaint villages, many lakes, even more farms, even a farmers market where I stop for some fresh vegetables and much about the Seneca Nation of Indians which of the Iroquois descent. Stopping, I ask about the ancestors, if they were the Algonquin and a woman sitting at the museum tells me no, the Algonquin are another nation. I ask her about the land bridge crossing and she says that is just a fairy tale made up by the Europeans so that they could justify taking our land from us. She says that the native people came from this continent, from the earth because all of their people′s legends tell of descending from the earth here. I try to reason with here but she keep saying of everything I am saying is from the Europeans and Christianity and is not true. Verily, when compared to the woman earlier and how gladly she accepted the truth of God′s Word and this woman who will not ever consider listening, I can see that this is the time of the final separating of the people.
Once again returning to interstate 86, I drive east to Binghamton, New York and then take interstate 88 northeast as far as CoblesKill, New York, where I take state highway 145 southeast and then state highway 23 to CatsKill, New York where I locate the d-mart and make sure it has a tire mart connected. Then I go to the sandwich shop and buy a roasted chicken sub, after which, I return to the d-mart, park the jammer with the engine running to charge batteries and write my journal entry for today. At ten pm, I am horizontal and reading the Bible before going to sleep. Another long day of driving from Erie, Pennsylvania to CatsKill, New York of which is almost 410 miles.
(Day 811 JO) 51°F. 5:30 am,
Overnighting in a parking lot
The wind has been blowing hard since last even just after sunset and continues hard this morning when I awake, and the cold front driven in by the wind makes it cold enough to require me to don my jeans but not enough to turn the heater on. I drive to the f-mart to purchase coffee and for WiFi but arrive ten minutes before it opens, so sit here and check my com while waiting. Then, I return to the d-mart for the purchase of another tire to replace my second badly worn tire and have absolutely no problems buying a tire with a road hazard warranty and then walk out the door rolling it to the jammer. What a total difference from the belligerent imbeciles at the store in Erie where I had planned to buy this second tire but held off until now.
After stowing the tire in the hanger under the rear of the jammer, I head out to the next national park. From CatsKill, New York, I cross the Hudson River on the Rip Van Winkle bridge, pay the one dollar-fifty toll and then drive through Hudson, New York. Then I use US highway 9 and several state roads including highway 9H to travel north through the Hudson River valley where the city street only continues even though there are many large wooded areas all along the road ways here. At eight-thirty this morning, I arrive at
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, park the jammer and wait for the flag to be hoisted. Soon, a ranger coming from the visitor center walks toward the pole attaches the colors and raises the flag briskly to the top. I shut down my computer, grab my computer, keys, phone, neck pouch and and head for the visitor center. Upon entering, the ranger asks if I would like to join the nine am tour and I tell her yes. She directs me to the place where the tour begins and I meet the ranger who will give the tour. She takes me through the lower two floors and the basement and I marvel at how well the structure was built, especially since it was completed in 1797. The home even had indoor plumbing and an indoor flush toilet. The only down side to indoor plumbing during this era is that pipes were made of lead.
After the tour of the Buren home, I return to US highway 9 north to Albany where I pick up on US highway 4 and continue first north along the Hudson River where the highway is know as the Hudson River road. This route takes me to the
Saratoga National Historical Park where in 1777 Benedict Arnold helped to defeat the British forces and turn the tide of the American Revolution. Had Arnold died in this battle, he would have been hailed of one of the greatest heroes of the war with the British, instead he later tried to sell to the British, the architectural plans for West Point located on the Hudson River which gave him the title of traitor. Leaving the Saratoga park, I continue up US highway 4 which turns east and into Vermont toward the town of Rutland.
I arrive in Rutland at about five pm and drive directly to the park pavilion amid town where US highways 4 and 7 intersect, the very same park pavilion I stopped at when I arrived here in Rutland for the first time on noon of the thirteenth of August, 1978. It was warm that day and I sat in the pavilion, got out my stove to cook rice and make tea. Knowing not a single soul back then I determined it would be hard to find place to camp within the town so I continued my road travel north on US highway 7 and then east on US highway 2 on my way to Maine. Then, in February of 1983, I returned to live here for nine months until October that year but make a lot of friends while here and then return the next summer to help build a new Kingdom Hall for the Rutland congregation. There are places I wish to revisit during my stay here, albeit a short visit and the pavilion park is top of the list, in fact, I am here now writing in my journal. The next place is the Kingdom Hall on Gleason Road, the one that I had helped to build. It is not too far so I will go there now because the fire trucks with sirens blaring are heading out for a run here in town and it is just too noisy here in this city.
Upon arriving at the hall, no one is here but I see that the grounds have just been maintained and the building is very well kept. When reading the meeting schedule posted at the front door, I see that the school is held on Tuesday evenings so I will need to look else where for one held on Thursday, tomorrow evening. Then, I drive back into town, which has grown tremendously from the last time I was here when it was a small community and stop at a f-mart for supper. Afterwards, I drive to the rail yards to find the d-mart nearby, arriving at seven pm, and park for the evening. I spend a short time working on the computer but since I have been pushing long hours the last few days, I will retire early tonight, but first, I must needs read another chapter.
(Day 812 JO) 35°F. 5:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
I am awaken by the near freezing temperature and start the jammer′s engine for some warmth. As it begins to warm up inside, I slowly remove the sleeping bag and get dressed with my winter
blues. Then, I drive to the f-mart for coffee, WiFi and to work on my journal while drinking the cup of hot. Soon, I continue eastward on US highway 4 to find a congregation with a Thursday meeting but I fully intend to return here and visit my friends another time; the highway takes me up on the mountain and over the pass near Killington Peak.
After arriving in Rutland yesterday, I began from several places to espy the mountain ridge to the east, particularly Killington Peak and upon seeing it once again a rush of memories fill my mind, those of my summit of this peak June 27, 1979.
Just before starting that climb in 1979, my journal, on page 316, reports that I had just come upon
Governor Clements Lean-to, an old stone structure with a built-in fireplace located next to a wide rushing brook and I stop for a rest. Babe (my black Labrador retriever) finally shows up and there appears to be something wrong with her; I call her to me to take a look. I find stuck in her nose and snout many porcupine quills and she is especially sensitive to my touching her face.
What a situation! I decide the quills must come out right now! I leash her and sit down on the edge of the bunk, position her between my legs and then slowly I squeeze my legs around her upper body and neck to hold her still. She begins to writhe and I speak soft but firm to her in order to calm her.
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It took all of an hour to remove the last of the quills that day, after which, I give her a break by lugging here pack the rest of the day, up Little Killington Peak and then on to Killington Peak were we stop at Cooper Lodge for the evening.
Yes, that was quite the day and returning here to the mountain in New England does so bring back some grand memories.
Continuing east on US 4, and at seven am, I summit the pass where the both
Appalachian Trail and the
Long Trail Inn are located stop briefly but soon continue on my way to Maine. The next stop is in Woodstock, Vermont to visit the
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park and while approaching this park can only think that with such names this park could only represent the rich and privileged. I arrive shortly before the visitor center opens and when I do walk onto the grounds, feel that my presumption of the people who owned this farm was correct but upon the visitor center opening allowing me to view the park movie there is need to change my view slightly.
This is a park dedicated to the rich and privileged who did something with their wealth in the field of conservation, here as well as in various other places in the world. The movie tells of how these were remarkable men for there time and they achieved remarkable advances in this field. I leave Woodstock east on US 4, which follows the Queche river from Killington to the junction with SH 12 in Taftsville, Vermont. Here, I see the
Taftsville covered bridge and stop to take photos. Then, I continue south on SH12 to it′s junction with US 5 at the Connecticut river. Turning south on US 5, I drive to the first bridge, which upon arriving at the crossing, find it to be the
Cornish-Windsor covered bridge. I cross to the New Hampshire side so that I may take photos of this bridge.
Stopping at an area for bridge parking, I begin clicking away at the bridge and then a woman, looking to be in her seventies stops her car in the middle of the road, gets out and begins walking to the house up from the bridge and then back to her car. I think this is somewhat odd but then walk back to my car, get in and begin to drive past her, who is now walking in my direction. As I drive by she waves at me with a frantic expression on her face so I pull over to the side of the road, open my door and question her as to what she wants.
She says that she can not move her car and asks if I would call her son to come and help her. I call the number but he does not answer, meanwhile I walk to her car and see that she has a flat tire. I ask her "Do you want me to change the tire?" to which she says "Yes, and I will pay you." I get the jack and spare out of the trunk, and begin working on the tire. There are many people driving by who offer to help but I tell them that I am taking care of it. As I begin putting the spare on the car, she reaches into her purse to pull out some money and I tell her, "Put your money back, I will not take it." She insists but I tell her "I am not changing your tire for you, I am doing it for God." A large smile comes to her face and she reaches into her purse, pulls out a cross to show me and says, "I have two of these, would you like one?"
Surprise at her offer, I have to think what to say to her. Then, I tell her I don′t use a cross in my worship of God, what religion are you?" to which she tells me Catholic. Smiling, I tell her, "I grew up Catholic and I began to read the Bible. When I went to the priest to ask some questions about what I was reading, do you know what his answer was?" After she tells me no, I tell her, "He told me to stop reading that book because it is only going to confuse you." This little old woman has warmed up nicely to my story, even asking questions, so I continue, "I traveled for all over the US checking out other religions looking for one that would give me the answers to my questions from the Bible and after three year I finally found the true religion. She then said, "Tell me, which one is it?" to which I answer, Jehovah′s Witnesses. At this point, I figured that the conversation would be over but she tells me that her daughter-in-law is one of Jehovah′s Witnesses and has given her a small book about the Bible. Now I am totally shocked at what I just heard her say and then tell her that she should read that book. She said that she would and we say our good byes.
As I am going back to the jammer to wash my hands, another man has stopped to take photos and greets me. A conversation ensues and I find out that he is retired and about two months into his tour of the United States. We talk for a short time and I am able to witness to him also. As I am pulling away form this stop, methinks that this is a good place for sharing the good news with passer byes. I drive up the Connecticut River road, and in a short time arrive at
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site and stop completely unaware what this one is all about. Methinks that if it is a religious site, which the name would imply, I will not stay and head down the road. However, upon parking and walking around the grounds, (The visitor center does not open until this Saturday) I find out that Augustus Saint-Gaudens was a famous sculpture of the American Renaissance who was commissioned by Theodore Roosevelt to design several coins for the US mint. The obverse of the 20 dollar double eagle coin, featuring the standing liberty is still use for United States gold bullion coins. His designs are considered the most beautiful of all the American coins. Upon leaving this park, I look at the time to see that it is three pm and realize that I need to find a Kingdom Hall in which to go to the meeting tonight, so I stop at Woodsville on the Connecticut River to check my GPS. The GPS shows a f-mart twenty miles east on New Hampshire state highway 112 (NH 112) in North Woodstock, a f-mart which always has WiFi so I click on the go-to button.
Immediately after beginning the drive on NH 112, I determine that this is the western section of the state highway which connects to the Kancamagus Highway, a highway that I have traveled during fall but never in any other season; it remains a highway I wish to drive again. Less than two miles on NH 112 after driving along the Wild Ammonoosuc River, I drive past a side road beside which a sign reads "Covered Bridge" with an arrow pointing down the side road. I pull over, turn the jammer around and drive to the bridge, cross it and upon coming out of the opposite side see a parking area just to the left and turn onto the graveled road passing another parked car. It only goes a hundred feet in and has a turnaround so I turn around and park in a shady area near to the bridge. Grabbing my camera, I walk down on the rocks toward the water and as I approach a couple, (slightly younger than myself) I see that the woman is soaking her feet and ask "Is the water cold?" Immediately, the man says "It is much warmer here than the water at Franconia notch." I walk up and feel the water with my hand and say "That′s not bad, about forty-five or fifty degrees and good enough to take a bath. I haven′t had one in quite awhile." A conversation ensues in which the woman tells me that she feels that this is a spiritual place. The man says, that he feel that this place was used by people long before the Europeans got here. I say "At least from the time before the bridge was here. Then, I tell them that this is too good of an opportunity for a bath to pass up and greet them goodbye. Then I go back to the jammer to get my soap and towel and then head for the gravel bar fifty feet down stream. After gaining the elusive clean one more time, I sit on the large yellow rock, and while looking at the beautiful surrounding methinks, I am back on the mountain, thanking Jehovah for such grand beauty and giving Him praise for having called me to Him.
Again, realizing that I must needs find a hall, leave the covered bridge and continue up over the mountain ridge and then down into the valley where North Woodstock and the f-mart are. After a diligent search using jw.org, I find that in the entire area, there is only one hall that has a meeting tonight, all the rest meet on Tuesday evening. I have no other choice but to drive south about thirty miles toward the coast and after doing so, arrive just one half hour before the meeting begins. Inside, I come upon a very friendly group of people and here I am told that there is a convention taking place in Portland this weekend, starting tomorrow morning. Suddenly, all the events of the past few days come into focus. Methinks, following the direction from the slave to attend all meetings, moving on after finding no meeting in Rutland, discovering the perfect locating for a bath by the covered bridge, driving toward the coast for the meeting, all of these put me within a short drive of the convention tomorrow morning and now, my decision is to be at the convention when the musical interlude starts in the morning.
Outside the hall at the jammer, I change into my driving blues, set the GPS and begin the drive to Portland, Maine. At eleven pm, I arrive just west of the city limits, check for a d-mart and then drive to the one closest to the location for the convention. I say a prayer of thanks to Jehovah for bringing me here safely and close my eyes to sleep thinking that I will need to get up at seven to have time to arrive early at the convention site.
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The Summer Sojourn in
Maine
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(Day 813 JO) 49°F. 7:01 am,
Day One 2015 Convention
Overnighting in a parking lot
When I awake and look at the time, I see that it is seven am and thank God for waking me. I load my day pack with my Bible, songbook, notebook, extra pens, two bananas and three bottles. One is one liter size and holds water, a second one is .5 liter and contains a Spark drink and the third is .5 liter and contains a liquid meal shake. I put my suit on and then enter the address for the convention into my GPS following the direction until arriving downtown at the civic center. I ask a brother, one with an attendant badge, where I might park and he tells me to park in the University of Southern Maine parking garage, follow route 30 and you will see the signs. I use my GPS to locate the university but when I arrive, I do not see any signs nor a parking garage so I return to the civic center having doubts about the whole convention idea. However, I drive to the drop off location this time and wave to an attendant and when he arrives, ask him where I can park. He hands me a map with an address and directions to the parking sites including the university parking garage. Again, I thank Jehovah for making it so easy for me to be here. While driving to the parking garage, methinks that I must trust more whole heartily in Him in the future, not doubting about his ability to help me. Then, I catch the white bus and ride to the bus drop off location, walk into the center and find my seat on the lower level with all the other elderly friends, feeling right at home once again.
After the convention, I drive back to the d-mart, and work on my journal until time to sleep. While laying in the back, methinks that coming to Maine is looking more and more to be a good move for me and give thanks again to Jehovah for making every thing work so well. Also, I realize that the skies have been blue here in Maine, in fact, it has not rained since last Monday.
(Day 814 JO) 40°F. 5:31 am
Day Two 2015 Convention
Overnighting in a parking lot
The sun coming into the jammer forces me to arise and I start the engine for the warmth it provides me. Then, I drive to a f-mart for coffee but can not connect to WiFi. I then drive to the same parking garage and see that there are no witnesses any where around and suspect that this garage is not being used today. I look at the map the brother gave me yesterday and put in my GPS that address for the next garage and drive there. When I arrive, I see witnesses every where, holding signs, walking to the convention site and lined up to get into the parking garage. I get in line and soon, the brother tells me to park at the top of the garage, much like I did yesterday. Doing so means that I will be one of the last ones down but that is OK, because I am following the direction of the parking attendants and I am just happy to be here and receiving all this wonderful spiritual food.
Near where I am sitting, I meet a couple from Brunswick and ask them how long have they been in the Brunswick congregation to which they tell me since 1979. I then tell them that we must have previously met because I was in Brunswick during the winter of 1981. It is then that I begin remembering some names of the friends who were in the congregation then and I find out yes, they are still in Brunswick, Maine. After the sessions are over for the day, I get in to the jammer and begin down which takes quite a while to get out on the street because everybody is considerate and allows the parked cars to go ahead, yes, it is like being in the paradise here at this convention. Finally, I get of the garage, and being following directions from the GPS to guide me back to the d-mart where I go in and buy some veggies for a salad. After eating, I continue trying to get caught up on my journal writing only to need to get into the sack for sleep once again.
(Day 815 JO) 55°F. 7:00 am
Day Three 2015 Convention
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up at four and then five but go back to sleep and finally rise at seven am to another clear day. I drive first to the f-mart for coffee, then I drive to the parking garage and get dressed. Soon, I am sitting in my seat enjoying the program. During the noon break, I remain in my seat to enjoy my lunch and someone taps me on the shoulder. I get up and see a brother with his son. He says that his name is
Brian and the youth with him is his son Sean. The last time I saw Brian was when I was here in Brunswick in 1981 when he was about eight years old. After finishing my meal I walk around and someone calls my name, and I see it is the sister that was sitting near me yesterday and she had Larry and Barbara with her, the parents of Brian and my first adopted family when traveling away from Texas. It is so good to see them again after so many years. We talk for some time and I find out that they are in the ASL congregation in Brunswick. I tell them that I will be visiting Brunswick right after the convention and want to see more of the friends.
After that last part, I return to the jammer and have to wait again to for the cars to slowly drive the circular route out of the parking garage but soon, I am on the surface roads again, stopping first at the hg-mart nearby to restock my sprouted grains supply in my pantry. Leaving the mart, I travel up the coast and soon arrive in Brunswick, Maine, drive to the the Kingdom Hall and sit in the parking lot to work on my journal entry for the last few days. Then, I start the jammer to charge my batteries, turn on the ac and then begin watching the new movie that was released at the convention. After sunset, I locate a d-mart and park for the evening.
(Day 816 JO) 54°F. 6:15 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awaken by the dayspring at four-twenty am and notice that there is a grand display of light in the east but pull back the curtains to sleep for a time more. Finally, I arise and drive to the w-mart, purchase a tall blonde and plug in my computer to continue working on my journal. Soon, I am on my way to the hall for the ministry meeting. I wait until nine am and then Harold shows up but he was also hoping for some to arrive with a territory to work in. After calling several of the the brothers without success, he gives up the search and tells me that maybe we can work together tomorrow. I head back to the w-mart, take up a place by the electrical outlet, begin work on the computer and will wait for tomorrow morning to try again for the ministry.
Arriving at the w-mart, I spend much of the afternoon trying to correct the connection problem with the URL hosting company with my web site without success. The web site can still be seen by anyone going to the address but I have not been able to update it for four or five days. Then, at nine pm, I drive to the d-mart and watch the last half of the new JW movie, finding it well done for a full length movie. Towards the end of film, it begins raining and soon, I climb into the back of the jammer and fall asleep.
(Day 817 JO) 55°F. 6:30 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
When I awake, the first thing I notice is that the rain has stopped despite it continuing most of the night. I drive to the w-mart, take my place at the outlet and drink blonde roast from a ceramic cup until eight-fifteen am when I drive to the hall and get dressed for the meeting for the ministry. There is enough for two car groups and I go out with three other but only work for two hours; still I am happy to be out in the ministry. When I am dropped off back at my vehicle, I drive back to the w-mart to check on the status of accessing my web account. One of the staff at the hosting service encourages me to try a different browser, so I download Google Chrome, open it and when accessing the web account, it goes right into the control panel without a glitch. Then, I try internet Explorer 11 again but it still does not work. This tells me that the problem was with the browser, not the hosting service nor anything that I did. Now, I can get back to work again.
I stay at the w-mart until six pm when I pack and drive to the d-mart to buy a tie. After finding a tie, I drive to the hall for the Service Meeting. I will have to get used to going to this meeting on Tuesday evening because it appears that most on New England prefer that night and the only ones that have it on Thursday evening are those who get second choice. Anyway, this will help me by making the meeting early in the week because then, if for some reason I miss Tuesday night, I can always look for one of Thursday.
(Day 818 JO) 63°F. 6:20 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Again, I first wake with the birdsong shortly after four this morning but go back to sleep. Upon arising, I drive to the w-mart for coffee and to work on my journal. Then, at eight am, I drive to the hall for the ministry meeting and work with a young couple and a mature sister. We work some territory and I am able to talk with a man who accepts the article which asks the question "Is the End Near?" I have had good success talking to people with that subject, especially when I use the upbuilding verses of Matthew 5:5 and where Jesus quoted from at Psalm 37:9-11, 29 showing that the end will mean the end of wicked people and leave God′s people to enjoy the abundance of peace.
After the ministry, I return to the w-mart and use my free purchase for lunch. Then I return to the jammer and start the drive up the coast on US highway 1 towards Bar Harbor. I must say that this coastal highway goes through many small seaport towns, quaint little ones with lots of fishing craft in the harbors. At sunset, I arrive in Ellsworth, Maine where I turn onto state highway 3 and locate the d-mart, park, go inside and purchase salad fixings. Then, I return to the jammer and eat my supper while finishing today′s journal entry, after which I get into the back of the jammer to read before going to sleep.
(Day 819 JO) 61°F. 7:55 am,
Overnighting in a parking lot
Apparently needing to sleep longer than my usual early awakening, I rouse to see where I be. Soon, a smile comes to my face when I realize that I be in the land of the Maine-e-acs and this morning I plan to drive to Mount Desert Island and visit
Acadia National Park. However, first, before driving south to the coast, I take my ease at the f-mart to purchase coffee and to check my com.
Soon, I am heading south on highway 3 to Mount Desert Island, arrive in Trenton where highway three crosses the bridge onto the island. It is such an inconspicuous bridge that I have always missed it the past visits to the island. This time I stop at the picnic area, walk to the water and take photos and determine yes, I am on an island.
I remain on highway three, taking the road around the north side of the island, passing Eden and locate the home called East of Eden, were I stayed with Lucy when we were both working at the seafood restaurant in Bar Harbor during the fall of 1980. I do locate the home but like every thing else I have seen in the northeast, even this home and the grounds have changed considerably.
(m2re10-me10b-acadia-2015-0528.0929) The East of Eden Mansion
Then, I drive back to the park loop road, stop at the visitor center for a brochure, stamp, patch and to watch the video, my regular routine. Upon continuing along the loop road, I choose to take a side road, West street, into Bar Harbor to see the square but upon arriving, find it too has all changed much and verily, methinks not for the better as now, it is so attune with a turkey shoot.
Even the restaurant where Lucy and I worked that fall is long gone and the building which held the restaurant downstairs and housed the cooks upstairs is now divided into several booths for shooting turkey.
(m2re10-me10b-acadia-2015-0528.1115) The Village Green Turkey Shoot
I drive up West street and stop briefly at the sand bar, the one, at low tide allows dry passage to Bar Island. Suddenly, a flood of memories enter, memories of times on that island after crossing the bar at flood tide when the bar was going underwater and the tourist were departing. Upon arriving today, the tide is at it′s lowest ebb and a large crowd of tourist cover the entire sand bar and island.
(m2re10-me10b-acadia-2015-0528.1206) The Sand Bar and Bar Island
I leave shortly before noon, and choose not to stay any longer in Bar Harbor because now I have come to realize that it is just another crowded city replete with turkey shoots, high rise condos and extremely escalated prices. Neither do I believe that I will return here this side of the paradise.
Next, I drive to the sand bar, which is exposed with a very low tide and here I find, like in the city, a hoard of turkeys all over the bar and bar island. I decide not to stay and leave the sand bar. I drive back up West street, return back to the park loop road and continue up to the Cadillac Mountain road cutoff where I begin the climb up to the auto road to the summit.
When I arrive at the large parking lot, I stop at the summit shack and find directions to the bench mark, the one at the altitude of 1530 feet. The trail directly behind the shack leads to the high point where I meet Ken from Tennessee who is also looking for the bench mark and together we locate the metal disc that is cemented to a large granite stone. From here, you can see that most of the people here are over walking on the highlands summit loop trail to see the views below of Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands just off shore far below. Since arriving here on Cadillac Mountain, I have come to realize that the trails on this mountain range, for an old man such as I am, could be a formidable hike. During my last stay on this island and because of the considerable time previous spent walking the AT whereupon I had become one with the path, it making me lean (in structure), strong (in both body and character) and fast afoot, even with a load slung from my shoulders. However, my memories remain of wonderful fall hikes, mostly solitaire ones, atop bald mountains replete with blueberries and views below of countless islands. Too, I would cross from one ridge to another through wooded valleys where pristine ponds with water so still that the reflection doubles the beautiful images.
Then, I return to the jammer, have something to eat while pounding on the keyboard writing my journal entry. It is very windy here and all the views are obscured with haze, or in reality the pollution from this old system. I drive down off the mountain, continue on the park loop and stop next at Jordan Pond, just before six pm, where I park and walk first through Jordan House, up to the pond view point and then down to the pond meeting several nice folks along the way. Afterwards, I drive to first Sear Harbor, then Northeast Harbor finding both villages closed up for the evening. Turning around, I drive back into the park and to Blackwoods campground, register for the evening and then drive to space A38. As I am setting up, it begins to rain so I back the jammer right up to the picnic table, open the tailgate and begin cooking my repast sitting under the tail gate. It is a good thing that the wind is not blowing here like it was atop Cadillac Mountain today or I would have gotten wet. When my supper is finished, I move every thing into the front, close the tailgate and climb in to eat. I use mustard, hot sauce and sesame oil mixed in. As the sky loses the light, I start the engine to charge my batteries and run the air conditioning while I write in my journal.
At nine pm, having cleaned the dished and put them away, I shut down the jammer and assume the horizontal position for reading before I sleep.
(Day 820 JO) 52°F. 6:01 am,
Acadia National Park
Blackwoods Campground, #A-38. CRS: 4.0
Up to a comfortable morning, open the jammer and spend time cleaning the inside because yesterday, I had stopped to wash the outside. Then while heating water for both coffee and tea, I take a bucket bath. Methinks, it is always nice to be clean, both my body and my home. Then, I drive to the Sieur du Mont, which is a location in the park with a botanical garden. After walking through the garden, I drive into the town of Bar Harbor for WiFi stopping at Chocolatte where I purchase coffee and sit inside next to an electrical outlet. I will return here again later because now I know the password.
After leaving town, I first stop to take a photo of
Egg Rock Lighthouse. Next, I drive back up West street and take the one direction park loop along the east coast of Mount Dessert Island toward Thunderhole, a tidal crevasse where high tide waves crash over the view platforms, but stop first at the Precipice trailhead. Upon getting out of the jammer with my camera see there is a barrier across the trail access with a sign.
I approach and see that the trail is closed due to the breeding season for these falcons which are endangered in this state. So, instead of climbing, I sit on the granite bench and begin scouring the cliff face and in less than ten minutes I see one
Peregrine falcon soar down from above and land somewhere on the rocks but not sure exactly where. Another man calls out, "I see him, he is on top of the white column."
I zoom in on the top of the white rock column and say "I see him also!" and snap a photo. However, I am at such an extreme zoom that it is hard to hold a focus and say out loud, "I really need to buy a tripod." Then the man who introduces himself as Ralph offers to let me use his. Hesitantly, I accept and begin shooting rapidly about thirty photos before handing the tripod back to him. He then hands me his card and I see that he is a photographer. I thank him and tell him that I am an amateur photographer and give him my card. The conversation continues and he give me some pointers about buying a tripod.
The next stop is Sand Beach where I do not go down to the water but I take a few photos, including more of Egg Rock Lighthouse and these fill up my eight gigabyte memory card so I turn on the computer and transfer all the photos from that card to the dated folders on the hard drive. Afterwards, I continue down the east coast and finally come to Thurnderhole but because the tide is out, find no thunder in the hole. So, I just take a few photos and talk with the people who come for the thunder, after which I drive to Otter Point and turn west around the south side of the island and soon head back up the park loop road back to Cadillac Mountain where I hope I will get to photograph a good sunset. While waiting for the sun to drop out of the sky, I make a few phone calls and talk with first Susan and then Joe.
When the sun prematurely drops behind the clouds, I head for the campground and because of the one way park loop, I have to take a round about route and do not arrive until after eight pm. I set up and begin boiling water for my repast, put in the rice and while it begins to boil, shampoo my hair and wash the insect repellant off of my upper body. Soon, the repast is done and I put away the kitchen, move the food to the cockpit, close up the jammer, climb in and begin eating. It is after ten pm when I am done with my meal and climb into the back to sleep. The moon is waxing gibbous but is hard to see from the thick forest wherein I am camped.
(Day 821 JO) 53°F. 6:03 am
Blackwoods Campground, #A-23. CRS: 4.0
Awaken by the crows making their noise and begin preparing coffee, finishing another canister of fuel. I emptied several items from my kitchen last evening during supper, notably the sesame oil, Parmesan, and mustard but all of that will be replaced Monday when I drive off the island to Ellsworth, Maine.
Now, with coffee in hand, I drive the five minutes to Bar Harbor stopping at the w-mart but do not go inside, rather sit in the jammer with the engine running to charge batteries and my computer remembers the password automatically logging in. At seven am, the sun makes inroads in burning off the fog and is now making shadows on the street. There are a few people on the street but it is still quite for a Saturday. Sitting here watching the people go by, methinks that most who vacation on this island spend much of their time in town, dining, shopping or just walking the streets in search for that special thing they really don′t need.
I leave at eight am drive north out of town to find the Kingdom Hall and see if there is a ministry meeting today or in the alternative, the congregation is at the convention in Portland. Dressed in my suit, it is now nine am and although there is a car parked in the lot, no one else has arrive for the ministry at the hall this morning which confirms that the congregation is at the convention in Portland. This also means that there will also not be a meeting here tomorrow morning. I remove the suit and tie, putting my summer blues back on and head down the western side of the island the two sides divided by Somes Sound which nearly divide the island in two. Except for climbing Acadia Mountain in September 1980, I have not explored the western half of Mount Desert Island. After I fill the gas tank, I drive south from the highway 3 entrance to the island and turn on state highway 102 heading south to the western side of the island.
My first stop is the trail head for Acadia Mountain and despite what I wrote in my journal Thursday afternoon about me being an old man, I have fully intended to climb Acadia Mountain all along but choose not to do so just before sunset as I had originally planed. Once parked, I get out of the jammer, put on my hiking shoes, ball cap and begin to load my day pack with water, bandana, camera, first aid package, two Access bars, map, paper and pencil. Thinking that one never knows what might happen, the last items that I stow inside the pack is a roll of tp and a bottle of rubbing alcohol.
Then I begin by climbing steep steps up from the road way and right away begin walking on granite surface rock. This blue blazed trail crosses the valley and then continues the long steep climb up to the top. Several times I find myself walking off the trail on well worn paths, but soon realize that there are no blue blazes and must needs back track to the last blaze that I saw to get back on the trail. Then, I begin to see blue sky in the trees all around which to me indicates the summit is most likely near and in just a short distance come upon the summit sign. It would appear to be be the same sign that was here in 1980 when I climbed Acadia Mountain the first time as it has the same look and wording, however, a wood sign just does not last thirty five years. Nevertheless, I drop my pack at the base of the sign and take several photographs of the pack with the sign.
Then after having walked the 1.3 mile trail to this summit, I find that I am tired and as I sit down on the granite rock, methinks that the desire to climb each and every mountain summit that once invaded my entire being no longer exists within me, rather, even climbing this small mountains is to me a monumental undertaking, at least when it comes to this old man′s body, at 65 years old. Yes, what once was a wayfarer that enjoyed a fast, lean and strong step, now has to deal with a slow, overweight and old one. This climb is rated by most guides as strenuous, however, I am glad that I am still able to climb to the top of the 690 foot Acadia Mountain. I enjoy the view for at least a half hour before beginning the trip down the same path I came up. Not long after I begin down, I am thankful for having added the last two items to my day pack, because it never fails, that walking, especially on a strenuous footpath always seems to have this effect.
Traveling down the steep rock climbs is at least twice as hard as the uphill battle and at least once almost loose my balance and fall, but I keep leaning backwards, taking my time down the rocks and soon come to the creek near the cross roads for the Saint Sauveur Mountain trail where I stop and rest my tired body. A couple approaches on the trail up to Acadia Mountain and I comment "Last water before the Summit!" They entirely ignore my comment as they are carrying bottled water but I said it primarily because had it been a different time, this water would be a good source for refilling a wayfarer′s bottle.
Oh, the memories, how so plentiful they are these days! I continue on to the trailhead parking, open up the jammer to let the accumulated hot air out and then, change out of my hiking shoes back to sandals, unload the day pack and soon, I continue my drive south on state route 102, take the alternate eastern route to the Seawall area and turn on the Bass Harbor Head road to see
Bass Harbor lighthouse, the only one on Mount Desert Island and notice that the shoreline here and elsewhere on the west side of the island are just not as dramatic as the cliff covered east side. Still, there is a charm to the rock strewn shoreline even with the difference. Next, I continue to round the horn and back north through Bass Harbor, after which I begin my drive back to the north end, cross the bridge and leave the island behind heading for the d-mart in Ellsworth
When I arrive at the Thompson′s Island information center, I stop for a stamp impression on my brochure and then drive north off the island towards Ellsworth, park at the d-mart, go inside to resupply and then sit in the jammer writing in my journal. However, when the pain of the step becomes to great for me, I climb into the back, put up all of the curtains and lie down to sleep for the night even though is is still before six pm.
(Day 822 JO) 59°F. 4:51 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake with the morning light and drive to the f-mart for coffee. On the way, I pass a spot that provides a wide view of the horizon with the sun coming up behind a low layer of clouds. Although not spectacular enough for me to pull over and photograph, I did notice something that I have never seen before. At about thirty degrees to the north of the sunrise and near the horizon were narrow rays of light, at least three, about a finger width wide, two or three hands width long and the rays were perpendicular to what would be normal sun rays. These rays, of which one was the brightest were almost rainbow like in their appearance and could possibly have been a fire bow or even something else that I have not identified.
I arrive at the f-mart, walk inside, and I might say full of the pain of the step to get my morning coffee. Then as I drink my coffee, I continue writing in my journal to catch up with the events of yesterday.
Once coffeed up, I continue east on US highway 1 until arriving at West Gouldsboro and here take state highway 186 south to Winter Harbor and see the
Winter Harbor lighthouse on Mark Island, of which I stop to take photos.
Then, I continue on the road the park road to the
Schoodic Peninsula a separate unit of Acadia National Park. Once in this park, I drive on the one way road toward Schoodic Point and first visit the Rockefellow Hall in the education center which has history exhibits of the navy station previously on the peninsula. Next, I drive to the point and sit in the jammer pounding keys while waiting for the rain to stop or even slow a bit.
While sitting here two gulls park on the rocks next to me and then some tourist gets out of his vehicle to take a photo of the gulls. Now, I am sure that no matter where this person comes from, that there are bound to be gulls there, yet, typical of a tourist, he makes it a point to photograph even these gulls. Well, the rain has slowed down somewhat but the mountains on Mount Desert island are not visible due to the overcast conditions, however, I get out to take some photos also. Now, where are those sea gulls?
Once the sky clears enough, I continue along Schoodic peninsula stopping often when I see water birds, so that I can take photos. At one location, I come upon a group of
Common Elder, a water foul that I have never seen before.
The granite, pink in color began as molten lava which as it cooled cracked. Then a newer lava with a different mix of minerals to intrude along the fractures and is called diabase dikes. The newer lava was softer and eroded quicker causing nooks and crevasses alongside the hard pink granite. Methinks that Thunderhole may have been formed this way and is interesting enough but what really causes me to go wow, was the info-reader board which showed why the waters off the coast of Maine are so cold. It tells about how the glaciers cut and scoured through New England and out into what is not the Atlantic Ocean. The last of these icy bulldozers left a mound of rocky debris (glacial moraine) 360 miles out to sea which is called Georges Banks. This mountain of rock from near Cape Cod out to south of Nova Scotia serves as a barrier to the Gulf Stream turning it outward away from the continent into the deep ocean. That warm water thus diverted allows for the current from Labrador to enter the Gulf of Maine bringing with it remarkably cool, oxygen rich water making these waters a perfect productive marine habitat.
Leaving the national park, I return to highway 186 and follow it back to US highway 1 and continue northeast up the coast until I come close to Saint Croix River which is the US border with Canada. I turn left along the river, continuing on US 1 north and stop next at
Fort Acadia
Saint Croix Island International Historic Site.
Before I had arrived, I had read the park brochure and knew that this was the first French settlement in North America. Pierre Dugua, Sieur du Mons had chosen this island site as the place to build a fort on the last day of August 1604 and then watched his two ships weigh anchor and set sail for France.
He and seventy-eight men including Samuel Champlain, remained to build a small town and determined that for safety reasons they would build on the very small island. He was expecting to be able to travel to the adjacent lands to hunt and trade with the local Passamaquoddy natives but the river froze and when the tides began upheaving large cakes of ice, the river became much too treacherous to cross. Thus, these French colonist were cut off from fresh water, game and fire wood needed for fuel.
Thirty-five died and twenty more were close to dying when, after the spring thaw, supplies came by way of the natives. The next year, 1605, after extensive surveying in the area, Pierre Dugua moves the town across the Bay of Fundy to a new location which they call Port Royal, where the French not only survived but thrived.
This 1605 settlement by the French at Port Royal became the very first permanent European settlement in North America.
In 1607, the first permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia and then in 1613, Captain Argyle sails from Virginia, destroys all remaining buildings on Saint Croix Island, then sails to Port Royal and burns the homes of the villagers while they are working in the fields. In 1620, the Pilgrims arrive in Plymouth. In 1775, after 150 years at war, the French cede their coastal holding in the Maritimes, (then known to the French as Acadie) to Britain. Shortly after, the Great Expulsion begins, which was the forced English deportation of thousands of the French people from what is now Nova Scotia. As I had previously learned when I visited
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, at least one of my mother′s ancestors lived through that terrible ordeal and arrived in Louisiana to start life anew. Here at Fort Acadia, I have come to know of just a little more about the struggle that was part of the life of my family, those of my ancestors who came to live on this continent.
Upon leaving this park, I drive north on US highway 1 and stop at the d-mart in Calais, Maine, purchase a salad for supper and then run the engine to charge batteries and heat the inside of the jammer because the rain that began early today lowered the temperature into the forties. Soon after eating, at about eight pm, I get into the sack still hurting from the pain of the step caused by my climb to Acadia Mountain.
(Day 823 JO) 48°F. 5:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon awaking see that it is overcast and still raining, however lightly. I start the engine to warm up the inside of the jammer while dressing. During the night, I both slept well and dreamt well waking refreshed but notice that the pain of the step is still with me.
After climbing Acadia Mountain, a mountain of small proportions in comparison to the next mountain I desire to climb, methinks Katahdin will all but do me in and have given it second thoughts. After going online and reading about how strenuous the climb to the top is on the trail that I wanted to hike on, methinks this approach to Katahdin must needs wait for me to be in better condition. Still, my desire to go there and at least photograph the greatest mountain is strong and when I arrive, then I will check on the possibility of accessing the summit by way of the Chimney Pond campground and from there up the Saddle trail, one designated for beginners, which sadly I must admit, is the category that I currently belong in. Still with adding exercise to my routine, including day hikes in the mountains, it shouldn′t take too long before I am back in the game.
The morning begins as usual, first coffee at the f-mart while uploading my journal entries, then back to the tour. I continue north on US highway 1 which goes all the way to the top of Maine and several times during the drive, I wonder what is in it for me to spend this day driving to northern Maine. It is raining when I start the drive and continues for most of the early morning but as I come close to Houlton, Maine, I see light on the horizon ahead of me and by the time I arrive in Houlton, the skys are mostly clear and blue. I stop at the d-mart looking for a tire department but am told that I will need to go to Presque Isle to find one. Arriving there at eleven am, I ask for a tire to be put on and the service manager tells me that it shouldn′t take longer than twenty minutes. However, it did take longer but I am totally impressed with having my car back on the road in just half and hour. Now, I have three new tires on the ground and a forth one hanging underneath on the spare holder. I now need to rotate it to the front right, the front right tire to the rear right and the rear right tire back under for use as the spare. I just don′t feel like doing it right now but it should happen soon. I do however, buy a stop leak for the radiator to try to stop a small gasket leak, a gallon of antifreeze and four gallons of water to add if necessary.
The drive continues north on US highway 1 as I continue to ask myself "Do I really need to drive to the top of Maine?" Methinks, it is true that I have never been there before but I do not want to go there just to say I have. Nevertheless, something draws me northward and upon arriving in Caribou, Maine, I begin to espy echoes of a flag throughout the area, one that I am not familiar with nor ever seen before. It has three color vertical fields, first blue, then white and finally red just like the French flag but at the top of the blue field is a yellow star. Too, the name Acadia is used frequently through out the area. I continue driving north on US 1 and notice that on many homes, a yellow star also is displayed. At Van Buren, Maine, the highway meets and continues westward along the Saint John River and the scenic highway signs changes from the Acadian Scenic Highway to the Scenic Saint John River Highway. The villages continue along both sides of the river with those on the opposite bank being in New Brunswick, Canada and having mostly French names. I continue to wonder about the yellow star and in the town of Madawaska, Maine (clearly a native American name) there is a small historic museum where I stop and find out from a friendly old curator that the French people who settled both sides of this river valley were escapees from the 1755 Great Expulsion of the French from Nova Scotia.
This seems to be what has drawn me north to find out that the story of my ancestors has more to it than the Evangeline deportation of French settlers to English ports on the Atlantic seaboard. Yes, the British did force some eight thousand French settlers into their ships and dumped them off at the next port of call on their journey southward. Many of those deported died as a result of being deprived but at least forty percent made it to places where they could start anew. However, the new part of this story that I have learned about from coming to this northernmost area of Maine called the French Valley is that a large number of the French in Nova Scotia did not get on those British boats but rather escaped into Brunswick, Maine and Quebec. Yes, a large number of those French people settled in this Saint John River valley including some with the Breaux name, my mother′s maiden name. Je suis Acadien! The search for my heritage has found a new chapter here along these banks of the Saint John River.
I follow the Saint John River until the Saint Francis River joins it at the town of Saint Francis where the villages become much fewer in number. Then, I turn around, return to Fort Kent where I turn south on state highway 11 and drive though first small villages and then large sections of Maine forests. In one forested area, there is a
sign that reads "Brake for Moose, High Collision area next 4.5 miles" I take a photo of the sign and only hope that I might see a moose on this road. True to the warning on the sign, this lonely stretch of northern Maine does provide me with sighting of not one but two moose and even get some photos. Then I stop at a road side stop to eat supper but forget to turn off my headlights and run my battery down. While I am getting out my jumper cables a car drives into the rest area and out and I notice a shield on the driver′s door meaning it is a state trooper. I tell him about having a dead battery and he offers to give me a jump. He tells me to watch out for the moose on the highway, especially now since it is after dark because they are plentiful on this highway and there are many that are hit by vehicles.
After the jammer is running, I continue down state highway 11 and immediately see another moose so I decide to move over to the interstate to drive further south. I take state highway 212 east to interstate 95 and head south toward Lincoln, Maine where there is both a d-mart and a Kingdom Hall, however, it is late, after ten pm, and I am getting sleepy so when I come to an exit with a rest stop, I take it, park the jammer and get horizontal.
Tuesday, 02 June 2015, Penobscot River Rest Stop, ME.
(Day 824 JO) 43°F. 6:01 am,
Strawberry Full Moon
Overnighting in a rest stop
Arise, check the water level in the radiator and it seems to be holding, then head south to the Lincoln, Maine exit and drive to the f-mart for coffee. Once online, I find out that the rain in the northeast should be moving out of the area later today. I stay in the f-mart and work on my website until six pm, when it is time to go to the meeting.
Here, the congregation is small but are very friendly, each coming up to greet me. Also, I find out that there is not a ministry meeting at the hall tomorrow morning so I will drive to Milo, Maine to see if the congregations there has one. When I arrive at the hall in Milo, it also does not have a ministry meeting, so I drive through town and stop at a l-mart to do a load of wash. I really like this laundry and while here, clean up the jammer some too.
After hanging and folding my clothes, I walk back out the the jammer, and see that the rain has stopped but the temperature remains in the high forties. So I change into my winter blues and drive to the d-mart which unlike all others closes each night at nine pm. After putting up my curtains, I get under the warmth of my down sleeping bag.
(Day 825 JO) 43°F. 5:15 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up early, turn on the engine, drive to the f-mart for coffee and sit in the jammer enjoying the warmth from the heater while pounding the keys. Then, after the second cup of hot, I leave Lincoln drive west on state highway 6, cross the Penobscot River, then the Sebec River and arrive in Milo, Maine where I gas up and find a very nice l-mart that also has WiFi but first before doing a much needed wash, I will make the short drive west on the state highway to the hall to see if there is a ministry meeting.
Arriving at quarter past eight this morning, I park and wait here to see if anyone will show up and when they do, I tell them that I wish to join in the ministry.
4
In a few minutes, Vernon and another brother comes over to my car as I am getting ready to asks to see my DPA card so that they can be sure that I am a brother. I open my neck wallet and pull out my card but then say "Wait, that is my Spanish card" and then find my English one and let them look at it. I thank them for what they did saying we are living in critical times. There are enough who show up to fill three car groups and I am assigned to work with Vernon and his wife Betty, a couple who have been retired for some time. Actually, all but two who are out for the ministry this morning are older than myself. We work mostly return visits and at one door, Vernon and I go to look for a man but a young mother comes to the door. From the short conversation we have with her, she seems to be ready for the truth and we encourage her to come to the Kingdom Hall. After the ministry, I drive into town to the laundry and put my clothes in the wash while I sit on a sofa, plug in the computer and begin pounding keys once again. All to soon, the wash is done and I pack out to the jammer and continue west on state route 6 to Abbot, Maine and leave route 6 to continue on state route 16. In a short time, I come upon a small lake side village and stop at a Maine rest area so that I might rotate my tires to put the fourth new one on the ground. After finishing the tires, I also check the water level in the radiator and find it to be still full. The radiator problem has been causing me some doubts about my remaining in Maine, even much grief and so I say a prayer to Jehovah asking for him to help me by giving me the power beyond my own thinking so that I may cope with this concern. Too, I ask for his help in my effort to find the location where He wants me to be in the ministry this summer. Finally, I give him praise and then remember, that is the reason why I have come here.
Next, I resume the drive west on 16 and soon begin the descent to the Kennebec River right away coming to a view of the Maine Appalachian mountains, the range to the west where the AT is atop. Stopping on the side of the road and looking closely at these mountains, I am able to distinguish Bigelow Mountain first, then Sugarloaf, Saddleback and Elephant Mountain. More good memories return to this Wayfarer but soon, I get back into the jammer heading for the Kennebec River and then turn north on US highway 201. Upon arriving in Caratunk, I take the side street to the post office, which is not the same building that I remember but there is a AT hiker box outside the office and when looking inside the box see a small journal for hikers to write comments, to which I add mine including info about the completion of my thru-hike right in this same location on July 27, 1979, nearly thirty six years ago. Next, I drive back to US highway 201 and soon come upon a sign warning of a hiker crossing which can be no other than the Appalachian Trail. Upon stopping I look at my watch and see that it is almost six pm and then see a hard surface road heading up an incline with a sign that reads: "Appalachian Trail, Parking" and has an arrow pointing up the road. Methinks, I have been wondering where I might park for the night and here for me is a perfect out of the way place. I drive up the hill to a large level area, get out of the jammer and take some photos when another couple comes walking up the hill and the woman asks me "Where is the
Appalachian Trail?" "Right here" I reply pointing at the small white blaze on a nearby tree. The woman then says "I thought that the trail would be more impressive or at least well worn." Smiling, I say, "No, this is the trail, right here on this mountain." The couple seemed to be disappointed and then I begin thinking about the words penned in Episode One: The Journey to Katahdin, at Chapter Twenty-six: The Mountain, where there on page 231, I entertain the thought of describing what the mountain is to a wayfarer. I write the following:
"How and where does a wayfarer find this lofty place? And, what is the mountain? Well, the mountain can never be found by those on holiday in a motor home, or on vacation in a motel, or at summer camp on a cot, nor even camping in a state park. The mountain is much more elusive than these typical outings.
"Further, the mountain is never a place traveled to in a car for the purpose of camping, for it can not be located by car because it is never on or near any roadway. Yes, it is true that trail′s path often crosses or follows roads, but when these places are seen by most people, they are inevitably passed by as not suitable for their needs, particularly when considering them for camping."
I do not think that the couple though much about this location of the Appalachian Trail and left this place unimpressed with the location and unknowing what in fact they had really stumbled upon here. They neither know of the mountain nor do they appreciation what it represents.
As for this wayfarer, my return to the lofty place of the mountain began at the moment I recognized Bigelow Mountain. When they leave and return to their large motor home parked on the roadside at the base of the hill, I climb into the jammer, prepare my supper, read in the Bible, and do some studying until it is after dark.
Then, I retire for the evening thanking Jehovah for all that he has provided me on the mountain and for allowing me to make it this far upon this journey.
(Day 826 JO) 42°F. 5:01 am
Appalachian Trail trailhead parking
Overnighting in a parking lot
Morning light comes early during this season in Maine and the day lasts long hours. Upon arising, I walk to the Kennebec River with the intent of fording the river but upon arriving find true what Paul said to me last evening while at the hiker box. The large flow of water coming down the river from the dams above continues all night and day due to the heavy rainfall of recent days. Yes, it has been raining a lot but now the sun is back out. There are no ripples to indicate the shallow water only one solid lake to the west bank. After returning to the jammer, I drive east on pleasant pond road to the lake and see that the city street now hinders access to this once pristine water and can not find the lean-to where I stayed at the night before reaching the river. So far, I have not found one thing unchanged here.
I return to US highway 201 and drive southward to find first the Skowhegon Congregation hall, where I make some coffee, eat my Daystart and then wash my hair. Later, some of the friends arrive for the ministry meeting and after greeting two, I depart to find a WiFi location further south. Driving through Skowhegon, the temperature rises into the sixties with high humidity and when stopping at a f-mart, it has no electrical receptacles so I leave for Watertown for the w-mart arriving at three pm and stay in the store until five pm when I retire across the street to the d-mart. However, before sleep, I go inside the d-mart for salad fixings and while there have my hair cut. When I arrive back in the jammer, I read for a while and then get into the back of the jammer at about eight pm.
(Day 827 JO) 43°F. 4:55 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon awaking, I get right up because the daylight is already bright, drive across the street arriving just as the lights are turned on at the w-mart. I walk in, buy a cup of hot and take my place where there is an electrical plug and begin pounding keys.
Later in the day, I have an idea to check to see if the URL for Paralegal Northwest Service has become available and find that it has, so purchase the URL for two years at a cost of twelve dollars and will try to sell it again. I create a new web hosting account, upload the files and when I test the temporary website, it works perfectly. The only thing I will have to change in the files are to update the dates and a few other items. Also, the URL will take up to forty-eight hours to begin working before I will be in business, not to do documents but to sell a fully functional internet business. Because I have paid for two years of URL service, I will have until June 2017 to sell the business. If it does not sell, then I have only lost twelve dollars, but if it does sell, I stand to gain several hundred dollars or more and updating the files should not take more than a day or two. Once every thing is set up, then I only need to wait for someone to contact me by email.
After pounding keys all day, some on my paralegal website and some on the journal, I call it good at nine pm and drive the jammer across the street to the d-mart parking lot.
(Day 828 JO) 45°F. 5:05 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake to another cool morning and drive to the w-mart for a tall blonde roast and more key pounding. I try to set up the paralegal association website that I had created to work with the paralegal business website but I do not have success in doing that, so I hold off for now trying to set it up. I do, however tweak the paralegal business by installing style sheet globally throughout all the web pages. Of course this will take more time to make these changes.
I finish up another day, drive to the d-mart for salad and an avocado for supper, then get horizontal by ten pm.
(Day 829 JO) 50°F. 5:49 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up and stop at the f-mart to fill my insulated cup will accessing the internet to check my con. I go back into the f-mart for two refills and once the insulated cup is full, I head to the hall just north of the interstate on Maine Street, park and take a bucket bath. Then, I finish my Bible study for the meeting today while having my Daystart with the hot coffee. Just before ten am, I head into the hall to meet several of the friends, there being over a hundred in this, the Fairfield congregation.
After the meeting, I drive to an ap-mart to have my battery checked and find out that the battery is bad. It seems that the episode last Monday evening when I left the lights on running down the battery so it needed to be jumped did the battery in, and I have been noticing that it has been getting weaker and weaker as the week progressed. Going first to one ap-mart, one that I do not normally by parts at, I find out that they want one hundred and ninety dollars for a five-year battery.
They test the battery and confirm that it is bad but I tell them that I need a second opinion and then drive to the ap-mart chain where I had purchased the now bad battery and find out that their five-year battery is one hundred and thirty dollars, about sixty dollars less. Now I know why I do not buy from the first ap-mart, they are higher priced. When I tell the clerk that I have their brand battery in my vehicle, she walks out to the jammer with me to see what model it is. When we go back into the store and she check my account and then tells me that I will be getting a pro-ratted discount of sixty dollars.
I tell her "That is why I keep coming to this store!" She gets her tools and comes out to install the battery but because I have upgraded the connectors, she does not have the right wrenches. I get out my tool box and do the installation while she waits to take the old battery back in.
Now, with a new battery and four new tires on the ground, I feel good about my travel in Maine but wonder what could be next. Even the radiator seems to be doing better since I drained a gallon of the water and added new coolant. Still, I plan to flush the entire coolant system before leaving Maine but for now, I am monitoring it closer than I normally would.
Finally, I drive to the w-mart to work on my computer until the sun begins to set and then I drive to the d-mart for the evening.
(Day 830 JO) 49°F. 5:47 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up to the bright sunlight shining into the jammer, drive to the w-mart for my morning cup of hot, then a second while working on the paralegal business. I have decided not to reopen the Independent Paralegal Association of Washington (IPAW) and instead take some of the pertinent information that I had on that web site and transfer it to Paralegal NorthWest Services (PNWS) to be part of this web site, which should increase the value of PNWS. However, whether it sells or not, only time will tell and this is like any other investment which may or may not succeed.
It has been a long day of pounding keys, but much in the way of transferring files has been accomplished and I am beginning to like this set up much better all the time. Methinks, the main reason it is better is I do not have to have the association to maintain and the necessary recruiting, training and association with the other paralegals that was inherently part of that association of paralegals. Now, the paralegal business is it′s own entity and the knowledge base which was one of the primary reasons for creating the IPAW is now, instead going to be built right into PNWS′s web site. Still, in transferring the Knowledge Base to PNWS, the amount of time it takes to prepare the web site for sale increases.
Another day comes close to an end, another day of pounding keys, one working almost entirely on the paralegal website, one which is only speculative at best as I well know that all the time spent these last few days could all be for naught. With the rain now coming down, I sit here among the other coffee shop goers and continue this work because curently I have the time to do so as I am waiting for the circuit overseer to arrive in the area next week. My prayers of late have been for direction to find a congregation, one which to make a home for this summer and possibly even one for many summers to come. As I have found out during many past experiences, I well know that I must wait for His direction and answer while my prayers continue to ascend to Him. Finding a circuit overseer has worked well in past endeavors, especially spiritual ones. I retire to the jammer which is now parked it the same spot that is has frequented nightly for several days and after reading for a short time, close my eyes.
(Day 831 JO) 59°F. 5:40 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
It has rained during the night but even thought it is not raining now, it remains wet outside. I drive to the w-mart, take my position with cup in hand and begin pounding keys.
At five pm, I leave the w-mart, drive to a f-mart to purchase three bean burritos for my supper. As it has been a long time since eating from this f-mart, methinks once a month should not be too often. Even though I have always enjoyed eating burritos and this meal fills me quite well, I know that I can no longer eat here often like I had before. Afterwards, I drive to the hall and prepare for the meeting with the Fairfield Congregation, the first time that I visit these friends. Then, with rain coming down, I retire to my place in the parking lot of the d-mart for then evening and notice that there is a lot of other vehicles also parking for the night, most of them quite large.
(Day 832 JO) 59°F. 5:55 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awaken by the bright sun rays infused through the window curtain cracks into where I lay still not quite ready to arise. I stretch, sit up, dress and then begin pulling the curtains down folding them and putting them in their place.
Noticing that the sun is nearly one hand high I climb into the drivers seat and make the journey of all but one hundred yards for my place among the morning coffee goers. Soon, with a cup of hot in hand, I begin my routine of pounding keys.
After finishing the business (www.paralegalnw.com) website yesterday, I have returned to the work on the journey at hand and having many photos to begin uploading, I bring in my camera memory card.
After working all day pounding the keys, at five thirty pm, I decide that I have had enough and go outside to locate a picnic table to cook super and enjoy a repast. Remembering that there is a picnic table at the hall, I drive the half mile there set up and cook brown rice, quinoa, and then add raw onions and seaweed during the last few minutes of cooking.
Because it is so warm, I don my summer blues and as I begin eating, a brother, walks out of the hall, introduces himself as Chris but he can not talk for long because he tells me that he has somewhere else he has to be. I finish eating my repast and then pack away all of the cooking gear. After that, I install a new seat cover that I purchased yesterday, and while my tools are out, put the jumper cables back in their place where I keep them under the tool box in the floor compartment and finally wash my hair.
It is because the seat cover fits well that I will purchase a second one for the passenger seat tomorrow. I then drive to the d-mart and it is still before sunset when I arrive so I get out the computer to finish writing today′s journal entry.
Upon becoming horizontal, I hear the light drops beginning to hit the roof and wonder if it will be as warm tomorrow as it was today.
(Day 833 JO) 61°F. 6:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awaking with a backache I go back to sleep under the overcast sky. Upon arising, I drive the w-mart for coffee and then start another day of key pounding.
The pounding stops at eight pm, the aching left around noon after about the third cup of hot. Usually, I drink two tall cups with caffeine and then additional cups without by just drinking hot water, but today there apparently was need for more caffeine so as to relieve the pain. I am not sure how or why the day began with the backache but drinking hot liquids does help me.
I have salad again tonight with parsnip cut in and some raw beets and celery on the side. I read for some because the day ends very warm and it is hard to rest tonight, it being late before acquiring sleep.
(Day 834 JO) 55°F. 7:02 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
It never seems to fail after a late evening that my eyes open very early, this morning at just past five am. It is a bit cooler so I turn over, cover my head and sleep into the morning. When I do arise, I drive to the w-mart, purchase coffee and soon a refill to keep me going.
At six pm, I stop, pack out and drive into downtown Waterville and have super at a Mexican restaurant, one with seemingly no workers of Spanish origin. The food is good with large portions, however and the price not too bad. I return to the d-mart and turn the air conditioner on to cool off the inside of the jammer. Methinks that I will be glad when the next cool front comes through and will not complain if it brings with it rain showers.
At seven-thirty pm, my legs are aching so I prepare for the night but once again it is a warm night which makes it hard to obtain sleep and I just lie atop the bedding and read. Then, I hear the solitary clank of a drop of rain upon the roof of the jammer followed soon after by the mesmerizing roar of a downpour and as the temperature drops, I drift off to sleep.
(Day 835 JO) 58°F. 6:45 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
The sun is already near two hands above the horizon when I awake and pull down the curtains. Arising, I drive to the w-mart for coffee but before going inside, grab my jammer hand towel and quickly wipet down the outside of the jammer to remove the amassed water drops and clean the surface of the pollen that has collected. Then I go inside for my cup of hot and to begin work on the photo gallery.
(Day 836 JO) 56°F. 6:01 am,
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon getting up, I drive to the f-mart to fill my insulated cup and to check my com. Then, I drive to the hall to prepare for the meeting. Arriving before seven, I leave the engine running to charge my batteries and to run the air conditioner as I begin doing my Bible study. Afterwards, I get out my shampoo (the extra bottle that I am keeping in the rear side pouch until it is empty) to wash and then comb my hair. Next, I wash my upper body and also my feet. Finally, I get out my ditty bag to brush my teeth and find that the shampoo bottle inside the bag has leaked, however, the bag has contained the leaked soap. I retrieve a gallon of water, my wash bucket and proceed with washing the ditty bag, a task that has long been needed anyway. Finally, I put away the washing gear, hang the ditty bag to dry, stow it′s contents in a temporary bag, brush my teeth and begin getting dressed. It is shortly after nine this morning when I climb back into the jammer and methinks that I am glad that I did my Bible study first.
When the friends begin to arrive, I too, walk inside and take my put my meeting bag on a seat on the left side near the front. One of the brothers calls me by my last name and I am surprised because I have only been here once before, last Sunday. After the meeting, I walk out to the jammer, change clothes and drive to the w-mart to eat lunch. Sitting in the jammer, I eat what was left of the veggies from last night′s supper and I clean the inside up some. Lastly, I go in, step up my computer and then buy a cup of hot before the pounding of the keys begin. During the last few days, I have uploaded several new photos to the galleries and plan to continue today and tomorrow.
At seven-fifty, the barista informs everyone that the store will be closing at eight. I pack out and leave but instead of going to the d-mart here in Waterville, I drive south on interstate 95 to Augusta, Maine so that I will be closer to the hg-mart in Porland so that I can purchase more sprouted foods before I travel north to Skowhegon.
At ten pm, I pull into the d-mart in Augusta and like each of the d-marts that I now visit, go inside to see if they have another tie like the one purchased last month, the first tie I have owned that others have complemented. I find two in this store and buy both. Also, for one dollar, I purchase a key ring id tag to replace my recently broken one, both of which are plastic and normally lasts a year or less. I have long wondered if there is a better quality id tag and remind myself that I have long since searched for one without success.
Then, I return to the jammer and put up the curtains. It is after ten pm when I assume the horizontal.
(Day 837 JO) 55°F. 7:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake at early sunglow, look out the window and see a beautiful display on the horizon but because I know the city surrounding the area doesn′t make for good photography, I close the curtain and return to sleep. Upon arising, I go into the d-mart for my morning visit to the men′s room and walk past a dog id engraving kiosk. Suddenly, it all becomes clear that this metal id is the solution to the short lived plastic ones. One of those available allows four lines of engraving which would be perfect for my id information. I spend the six dollars and soon have a longer life id tag but for it to be cost effective, it will need to last six years which I do not doubt.
However, what may not last six years is the information on the id, but I well know that such is life in this old system. On my way out of the store, I stop to take my blood pressure and the machine tells me that it is "fair" of which I am happy but what excites me most is that my weight has dropped to two hundred fifty-five pounds.
I then continue my drive, south on interstate 95 and arrive in Portland at the hg-mart by nine-thirty where I load up on sprouted foods and alkaline water. Then, I go deeper into this city to see the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow but it is an old house surrounded by downtown businesses and looks to me to be none other than a turkey shoot and just drive past. I then head out of town on US highway 302 driving north to Bridgton, Maine where I turn north on state highway 117 to Norway, Maine, then north on state highway 26 to Bethel and finally west on US highway 2 across the state line into New Hampshire stopping at the Appalachian Trail crossing and then south on state highway 16 into the White Mountains National Forest only to find out that the Whites are fogged over. I then return to Gorham, New Hampshire and stop at a f-mart to uploads my journal entry.
Afterwards, I return to the westward drive along the Androscoggin River on US highway 2 back into Maine past Bethel, through Rumford which has a huge waterfall and then leaving the Androscoggin, through Farmington to Norridgewock on the Kennebec River and follow the Kennebec to Skowhegan where I drive to the d-mart and arrive by eight pm, where I spend some time stowing my groceries in the panty.
Finally, I finish my journal entry for the day and then get horizontal.
(Day 838 JO) 53°F. 5:35 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Since I was asleep by nine last even, I arise earlier today than I have been of late and then drive to the f-mart across the highway for coffee and to check my com. At nine this morning, I am driving north on US highway 201 some seven miles to the hall, don my suit and meet with the friends for the ministry. I work with Johnson and Sumner for the morning in the door to door work having some success with those we meet but all too soon, we are back at the hall and I head into town to work some on my web pages but I stop at the f-mart and have a burger and shake which puts me into a high caloric sleep induced coma and I sleep for most of the afternoon. Upon getting up, I drive the seven miles north on US highway 210 to the hall, get dressed and go in for the meeting.
Before the meeting starts, I talk with the circuit overseer about his suggestion as to where there is a need for kingdom publishers and his immediate reply is "I don′t know, maybe right here, but I will have to think about it." The meeting is very encouraging and afterwards return to the d-mart in town for the evening but do not get horizontal until ten-thirty pm.
(Day 839 JO) 55°F. 5:21 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
I awake, drive south across the island and purchase gasoline, then return to the f-mart for coffee, check the temperature and my com. At seven forty-five am, I drive to the hall to do my morning walk, get dressed for the ministry meeting and work with Doug and two other sisters. When we return, we have lunch in the hall and watch videos from JW.org broadcasting.
Afterwards, I drive into town and park at the Island Dairy Treat in the shade and take a nap. At five, I drive to the f-mart and work on the computer, after which I drive to the d-mart and cook my repast using only sprouted grains. The advantage of using sprouted grains over whole grains, beside the nutrition issue is that sprouted grains cook in about ten minutes and so much fuel is saved over whole grains. Methinks that I have found the solution to the look cooking problem that I was trying to solve some time ago.
After cooking, I climb into the jammer and work on the recipe appendix while eating, keeping the engine running to charge batteries and to run the air conditioner. Afterwards, I climb into the back of the jammer and read until I become sleepy.
(Day 840 JO) 54°F. 6:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Arise and open the rear of the jammer to get out the stove and make a cup of hot. I make coffee because I want to use up the remaining Cafe du Monde left in the container so that I will then be drinking my Tea Tree Tea. I know, I could be drink the tea now but I really like Cafe du Monde and not having any would encourage me to drink the more healthier tea tree drink that I really wish to do. Also, I upload the new photos of the Missouri state park that I visited earlier in May of this year. I still have many more photos yet to upload but they will all come with time.
As eight am arrives and with coffee in hand, I leave the f-mart, drive to the hall and ready myself for today′s ministry. Working with Johnson and two other brothers, we work in the territory northwest of Skowhegan, and as we drive about, I see signs for the Carrabassett River and ask if this is the same one that goes up to Sugarloaf Mountain. Johnson tells me that it is the same. We drive be the rapids in North Anson near the confluence with the Kennebec River and it appears to have many swimming holes so I make plans to return right after the ministry.
Like yesterday, when we return to the hall, everyone eats their lunch while we watch videos from JW.org, and there are so many great videos to watch. Then, following the afternoon meeting, I leave out from the hall heading to locate a location where I can take a bath. I drive to Madison on state route 43 and cross the Kennebec River, turn right on US 201A north to North Anson where I take state route 16 west which mostly follows the Carrabassett River upstream but every where I look, there is not access to the river. It is when I leave highway 16 briefly and follow state route 146 west through New Portland that I see a sign that reads "Wire Bridge" and follow the road to where it crosses the Carrabassett River on a suspension bridge, the only one of it′s kind in Maine. As I cross the wire (cable) and wood bridge, I see many people playing under the bridge in the water and rocks. I know then that I have found the place for my bath. After parking, I walk to the water with my soap and bucket in hand and commence to wash my body. The water is not too cold, just right for bathing or even swimming, the sun is out and the air temperature is in the seventies. After a long time soaking in the water, methinks, it is good once again to be thoroughly clean.
Next, I drive further up the Carrabassett River and stop briefly at Sugarloaf Mountain noticing that The Bag restaurant is still in business at the base lodge. Then, I drive the short way up the Carrabassett Valley to where the Appalachian Trail crosses Maine highway 16 and the Carrabassett Valley. Stopping at the trailhead parking, I get out with my camera to take photos of the trail and talk with a couple walking their dog. Finally, I set the GPS and head back into Skowhegan, first to upload my journal and then to park at the d-mart for the evening.
(Day 841 JO) 52°F. 6:10 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
After waking and seeing that it has been raining, I drive to the f-mart for my coffee and sit in the jammer charging batteries while working on my computer. The time here goes quickly and soon it is time to drive to the hall, walk, then don my clothes for another morning in the ministry. I am assigned to work with Doug, Michelle and Casidy. Doug stops by his home and shows me his raised beds and I meet their dog happy.
Upon returning to the hall, I change clothes and drive to Waterville and stop at the w-mart so that I can go inside, plug in and work on the computer. I crop and upload quite a number of photos from the spring tour. At eight pm, I drive over to the d-mart, purchase salad fixings, eat supper and then read the latest magazines before going to sleep. However, something keeps me awake for over an hour but finally I am able to nod off.
(Day 842 JO) 49°F. 6:00 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
I had set my alarm for six this morning so when I woke up at five am, saw that the sun was just below the horizon, I went back to sleep to wait for the alarm to go off. Then I drive to the Skowhegan f-mart for coffee and to upload my journal entry. The after getting a refill, I head for the hall to do my morning walk and get prepared for the morning ministry.
Two brothers, both elders ask to talk with me and they ask my why I did not inform the elders that I had restrictions on me. I tell them that I am not staying here, I just stopped to ask the circuit overseer where there is a place where there is need for Kingdom publishers and he told me that he had to think about it. So, I have been waiting for him to answer my question. The one elder implied that I was trying to hide the fact that I have restrictions by quoting Psalms 26:7, "I do not associate with deceitful men, And I avoid those who hide what they are." I tell the elders that from the beginning, I have understood that I don′t need to tell every elder body about my restrictions but when I get to the congregation where I will be staying for some time, then I will need to disclose that information. The elder tells me that wherever I stop at a congregation and go out into the ministry, I need to let the coordinating elder know about my restrictions. This is new directions from what I have previously been told.
Again, I repeat "I did not understand that was the case." I even ask a question about the direction he gives me but he does not give me an answer. This seems to be typical of what I have been dealing with during this time. There has been confusing direction on the part of some of the elders and then I bear the blunt of the guilt when I don′t understand their directions. The elders assume that I am just not following the direction of the organization but I want nothing else but to do what pleases Jehovah. I will try my best to make this correction of the directions given by the organization.
I then go into the hall for the ministry meeting and work with an elder and a pioneer couple and we drive to a town called Harmony, Maine and work both sides of the road up to the county line and back to town. We find many home and find a hearing ear at several homes. By the time we arrive back in Harmony, we need to head back to the hall.
Afterwards, I drive back to Waterville and stop at the w-mart. It is because I can sit inside and air conditioned restaurant at a table, plug in and work on my computer that makes this location so desirable to me. When I was at the f-mart in Skowhegan, there were no outlets anywhere to plug in so I would have to sit in my car with the engine running to keep the computer battery charged. Plus, it is so hot in the afternoon that I usually retreat to a shady spot and take a nap. The drive is twenty-two miles but takes less then half and hour and then I have six or seven hours to work before the need is for me to stop to eat supper and prepare for the evening rest.
Just after sunset, I drive to the d-mart, park in my usual spot, and begin reading until I close my eyes.
(Day 843 JO) 53°F. 5:45 am
Summer Solstice
Overnighting in a parking lot
Rain greets me this morning when my eyes open, it having begun during the night and most likely will continue all day as the storm, named Bill, which hit Houston last week now pushes through New England. I drive across the street to the w-mart and while sitting in the jammer connect to the internet. Then at eight am, I begin the drive up to the Skowhegan hall for the meeting.
Sitting in the jammer, I finish my study for the meeting today, go inside to visit and then listen to the talks by the circuit overseer. The notes from both of his talks are now in my convention journal. After the meeting, I approach the overseer and ask him for his suggestion and he says "Except for the coast, you can go anywhere in Maine and be where there is a need for kingdom publishers."
He also tells me "However, with your circumstances, you should go back to your home congregation." I tell him "That is not possible." I am not sure why the circuit overseer will not be more direct. Then, I walk up to each of the two elders who counseled me yesterday separately and thank them for helping me. Even though at first, their council was hard for me to take, after subsequent meditation and prayer, I came to conclude that what they did and said may have just saved my life. My appreciation and love for the brotherhood grows daily, and this is more so for the elders. This truly is the best way of life.
Leaving Skowhegan, I dive back to Waterville where I park at the w-mart, go inside and work until I am tired. Then, I go out to the jammer, drive it to the d-mart and have my supper while I read the Bible and get caught up on reading the current magazines. At sunset, I get horizontal but something keeps me awake until late.
(Day 844 JO) 58°F. 7:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Rain was coming down earlier during the night but when I arise, it has stopped. I drive back to the w-mart, grab my sweatshirt and go inside for coffee and the internet. Upon entering, I notice that it is uncommonly warm inside, a nice warm but I know that soon, the air conditioners will come on driving the temperature down into the chill zone like normal in this mart. (Methinks that since this is a coffee shop, their idea is to keep people cold so they will buy more coffee.)
Much is accomplished in the way of learning about nutrition today. At seven pm, I head to the g-mart for some veggies and after eating read until late. Sleep comes slow tonight due to the warm evening.
(Day 845 JO) 59°F. 7:05 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, and after dumping my garbage in the receptacle at the d-mart, drive to the w-mart for coffee and internet. One thing that I have noticed about Maine is that garbage receptacles are not abundant, instead they are actually scarce and yet, I do not see much roadside trash. All of the roadside rest stops neer have a receptacle but each do have a sign stating "Pack it Out." Methinks that this works here quite well, this state wide policy of taking care of your own garbage instead of dumping it in a receptacle that requires someone else to empty. The d-marts in Maine follow suit and do not put trash receptacles at all of the shopping basket return areas but only have one at each entrance to the store. For a wayfarer who has always used the abundant trash receptacles to dispose of trash from the jammer, this does not cause a problem, it only makes unloading the trash from the jammer a little more challenging.
It is not raining when I arise but shortly after it begins to pour down which persists into the afternoon. I have noticed that most of the locals don large rain parkas in this inclement weather which would indicate to me that it rains often in Maine. Methinks, this is as bad as the Texas coast and that I will move further inland. At two pm, I check the location of halls and I leave heading north on state highway 139 to Madison, then west on US highway 2 towards New Hampshire, stopping in Mexico when I see the hall located right on the highway. I check the schedule and it confirms a seven pm start so with more than two hours before the meeting, I drive into town looking for a Mexican restaurant but already I know there is not one here. I do stop at a sandwich shop and have baked chicken with all the salad. Afterwards, while parked along the road way, witness an accident so I offer to stay and give my report when the officer arrives. After giving the office my name and phone number, she says she will call me if I am needed. I then drive to the waterfall park and take a few photos of the massive amount of water coming over the top.
Then at six pm, I drive back to the hall to get dress and then go in for the meeting. The friends in the congregation, about fifty in number are quite pleasant and warm toward visitors and I enjoy my time here, lingering afterwards. Later, I return to the jammer, change into my summer blues and being the last to leave the parking lot, drive to the d-mart just half a mile west on US highway 2. Going inside the d-mart for the men′s room, I also purchase nuts and fresh blueberries.
(Day 846 JO) 63°F. 7:09 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
The bright sun shining in through the cracks in my curtains awake me very early this morning, however, since I was up last evening until after ten pm, I choose to cover my eyes and sleep longer. When I do arise, I drive to the waterfalls park, position the jammer in the shade where I have a perfect view of the falls and use the WiFi provided to check my com and upload my journal and while online, I pay for another six months of my vehicle insurance and download to my computer a copy of the insurance card.
Then, just before noon, I leave the Rumford Falls, drive up the hill along the Androscoggin River and continue along the river until I arrive in Gorham, New Hampshire where I stop briefly at the d-mart to purchase salad fixings for supper tonight and a bag of ice for the cooler because of the heat wave that has hit since the rain subsided. Then I check my GPS for a w-mart, (the one with the tall blonds) finding the nearest one to be in Conway, thirty-three miles south on New Hampshire highway 16. I decide to drive there and while in Conway, I will be able to access the eastern half of NH state highway 112 which is called, the Kancamagus highway but is also designated the Kancamagus Scenic Byway.
Driving south on NH 16, I come to Pinkham Notch, a place where I have been before as the Appalachian Trail crosses the highway here. On 15 July 1979, I paid $14.00 to spend the night in the lodge including supper and breakfast, and when I check at the desk, now the same lodge, for the same room and meals is $106.00. I do purchase two patches, one for Lake of the Clouds Hut and the second is the 125th anniversary of the huts which happened in 2013. I continue south on NH 16 through a very populated area to Conway and stop at the w-mart by four pm.
With the w-mart closing in less than a half hour, I decide to retreat to the d-mart half a mile away and prepare supper. Spinach, kale, onions, garlic, ginger root, tomatoes, cucumber (without skins), and asparagus with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Not bad. The air is cool tonight with a slight breeze; the sky is mostly clear with s slight chance of
(Day 847 JO) 66°F. 7:21 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
First up at five am but go back to sleep again today. Then I drive to the w-mart and work on organizing photos on my computer until about five-thirty pm when I drive out of Conway and west on the
Kancamagus Highway stopping often to take photos and then up to the Kancamagus Pass arriving at seven pm. I begin making my supper from the vegetable left over from last night and eat supper at the pass while photographing the sunset. I meet another man who is there with his family who is also photographing the sunset and talk with him briefly. While waiting for the sunset and cloud layer begins to move in from he west and continues moving eastward. This cloud layer will prevent any aurora sighting tonight so I decide to drive back to the d-mart for the night.
One thing that I have noticed on the Kancamagus highway is that every road side stop has a pay station and a sign stating that cars stopping must have a park pass. Too, the road side stops are much more developed than they were the last time I was here, in fact, I don′s remember there being any road side stops, developed or not. Then at eight-thirty, I begin the drive back into Conway, stopping at the d-mart for the evening.
(Day 848 JO) 59°F. 5:39 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
I hear a slight tap of rain on the jammer when I arise, get up and drive the half mile to the w-mart but have to wait until they open at six, at which time I go in, purchase a tall blonde and set up to pound on the keys until noon when I pack out to drive back across the Kancamagus and hope for a clear sky tonight to make the sighting of the aurora possible. I arrive at the summit by four, cook my repast consisting of germinated rice, sprouted lentils, sprouted mung, sprouted quinoa, fresh onions, fresh garlic, TWS mix and some Parmesan.
Then upon seeing that the cloud cover has only gotten thicker, methinks that I will drive the rest of the Kancamagus highway on SH 112, cross IH 93 and continue on SH 112 to the Connecticut River and make several stops along the highway to take photos.
When I arrive at the where the Appalachian Trail crosses NH 112, I stop, park off the road and walk a distance south on Beaver Brook trail towards Mount Moosilaukee but when the trail becomes steep, my desire to be on it fades ever so quickly. When I read back over my journal in Episode One of the time when I walked these very same foot paths, the steepness never entered my mind and did not affect me then as it does now.
Oh, how I look forward to when my youthful vigor returns so I can return here and not loose the desire because of the steep climbs. Yes, and I will have to wait until then before I will have the desire much less the ability to walk these paths again.
Returning to the jammer, I continue west on NH 112 and immediately come to Beaver pond where the brook empties into and stop for a few minutes. Continuing west, I again come to the Swiftwater Covered Bridge and stop here again for a bath. Finally, I drive to the end of NH 112, turn left on US 302 and in a short ways, come to the d-mart for the evening. At eight pm, I put up the curtains and get horizontal for the night.
(Day 849 JO) 49°F. 5:49 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
The sun is already high in the sky, about a hand up from the horizon when I open the curtains this morning. I get up, put my jeans and sandals on, step outside and walk one lap around the parking lot. Then I return back to the jammer to head north on US 302 along the Ammonoosuc River and soon arrive at a f-mart in Littleton, NH for coffee.
Here, I make a cup of Daystart before returning to the north bound drive today but take NH 116 to follow the Ammonoosuc further upstream. I remember that it was the Wild Ammonoosuc River that I traveled along when I first took the bath by the covered bridge. Now, I am following the main river upstream but when it turns and goes south, I continue north on NH 116 until it connects with US highway 3 in Whitefield, NH and continue north on US 3 thinking that I need a park to stop at to make something to eat and would like to clean the jammer as it has gotten dirty from the previous rain.
Too, I really need to clean both the outside and inside of the windows. Still on US 3, I soon see John Wingate Week′s State Historical Park with a parking lot alongside the highway, turn into the lot and notice that there is a portable outhouse and think that this is perfect. It is about eight am when I arrive and the sign on the roadway stays the park gate opens at 10 am, the gate being at the other end of the parking lot.
Again, methinks Perfect! I park in the shade, use the outhouse, then get out a gallon of water, my bucket, two wash hand towels (one to wash and the second to dry) and begin washing the jammer. It takes me just over an hour and I only use one gallon to wash the entire outside and the inside of the windshield. I even clean the tires with my scrub brush. Yes, this is a personal record for me, one gallon is the least amount that I have ever used. Methinks that it is all about not using soap and keeping the wash towel rinsed out well.
As I am packing up, a vehicle drives up to the gate, removes the lock, swings the gate to the side and heads up the hill. Soon, I am ready and begin my drive to the top of
Mount Prospect and before arriving at the top, there is a pullout with a really good view of the White Mountains to the east with Mount Washington at the top of the ridgeline. I continue up to the summit and then climb the forty-nine steps to the top of the stone fire tower and see an even better view of the White Mountains, even as far back as Mount Moosilauke much farther to the south. Also, the 360 degree view on the valleys near by allow the viewer to see many of the local villages. At the top, I meet Nate who lives in Lancaster and is a college student but is working in the tower for the summer. I tell him my Nate the snake joke. We talk for quite a while; about many topics, sharing much with each other and I end up giving him my Wayfarer′s card and hope to hear from him again someday.
After leaving the state park, I continue north on US 3 through Lancaster and follow the Connecticut River to Groveton, NH where the Upper Ammonoosuc River comes in from the east and stop to take photos of a covered bridge. Then, I begin following the Upper Ammonoosuc River east on NH 110 to Stark, NH where I see another covered bridge across the Upper Ammonoosuc. Soon after, both the river and NH 110 turn south, but I turn east on NH 110A past Cedar Pond and continue through a mountain range to where NH 110A connects with NH 16. At this point NH 16 travels north and south along the Androscoggin River and here, I turn north and follow NH 16 until Errol, New Hampshire where I reverse directions and return to Gorham, NH, stop at the f-mart to use the internet and finally decide to drive the thirty-three mile further south on NH 16 to Conway where there is both a w-mart and d-mart.
Upon arriving at the w-mart, I call Joe in Spring Hill, Tennessee and ask him about the coolant loss that I have been having from the radiator. After I told him that I saw the upper radiator hose collapsed, he told me that the radiator cap was bad and needed to be replaced. I told him that there was also water sprayed about near the top of the radiator and he again says "Replace the radiator cap." Afterwards, I go inside and write my journal entry for today, upload it and then head over to the d-mart arriving just at sunset and go inside for the men′s room but also stop in the pharmacy to check my blood pressure and weight. What I find really encourages me, my blood pressure is "Fine" and my weight is finally below the plateau of 250 pounds that has held me since last summer and is now down to 244 pounds. I return to the jammer and after reading for a brief time, I get horizontal.
(Day 850 JO) 58°F. 6:09 am,
Overnighting in a parking lot
As my morning begins, the rain is pounding on the roof of the jammer and has been doing so for over half the night, but I knew it was coming because of the forecast earlier this week. I drive to the w-mart, purchase coffee and sit down to do my study for today. Outside, the rain continues to pound, letting up only for brief moments as I check my com. At eight-thirty, I leave to locate the hall and attend the meeting while the rain continues unstopped outside. From my travels in the northeast, I′ve noticed that the rivers are already swollen and wonder how much flooding these showers will cause. Well, it is as I said to a sister at the hall, "It will stop soon enough." Yes, I accept these rainy days even though it causes me to spend much of my time inside between walls.
So, when I return to the w-mart the rain continues and with the wet, it brings the hoards of turkeys who from the lowlands have come here to the national forest intent on filling their weekend with recreation but instead escape the rain drenched forests to now flock into this w-mart in the unending tramp to the table for their cup filled with fat, salt and heaps of sugar. This has become nothing more than a national obsession, that of daily sucking down a large caramel swirled, sugar saturated, whip-cream topped, caffeinated beverage. I must stop now because I don′t want to get me started.
The sad results is that most of those of this nation, maybe even the entire world is not just overweight, but grossly obese or soon will be. Still, who am I to speak out against those being overweight, especially after I topped out at 320 pounds. I am just one who has struggled all my life for that magic bullet that would make me loose my excess weight, but like all the rest, never found it. Instead, I gave into that undiminished desire to satisfy my appetite all ways having to buy progressively larger clothes. Then, after acquiring a cane to help support myself to walk, I suddenly realized that the way I am living is only making my life shorter because my health was deteriorating as fast as my weight was increasing. If I did not take action soon, I could reach a point where I would not have the ability to turn it around. Now when I see those around me like I was becoming, I would only wish that I could share what I have learned. Methinks I will go back to pounding on the keys for now.
I look up from the key pounding and notice that the rain has slowed down considerably however, there remains a thick mist cloaking the mountains. Then at eight pm, I am back at the d-mart and ready for the evening.
(Day 851 JO) 59°F. 6:23 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon arising, I notice that the rain has stopped and the clouds have rose much higher into the sky. I get out my wash towel and wipe dry the outside surface of the jammer and in doing so wipe away the small amount of dirt that has accumulated along the bottom surfaces. Next, I take a short walk through the parking lot and then drive the jammer to the w-mart for a cup of hot while I begin pounding the keys.
After working all day uploading photos and updated galleries, I call it good at seven-thirty pm and pack out. Also, today, I took a look at the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness land in Maine just southeast of Baxter State Park, where Katahdin is located and found out there are no fees or reservation required in the wilderness area. After the meeting tomorrow evening, methinks I will head there for the coming weekend hoping to be alone in the woods with the wild animals. I leave the w-mart, go across the street for Mexican food, after which I drive to the d-mart for the evening.
(Day 852 JO) 60°F. 5:58 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up early, drive to the w-mart, pack my computer into the store, set up and buy coffee. With my coffee in hand, I begin another day of pounding the keys.
At five pm, I pack out, go out to the jammer to clean up both the jammer and myself. I wash my hair and wipe down much of my body with alcohol. After that, I close up the jammer and head to the hall arriving a six-fifteen pm and begin getting dressed. As I am putting on my tie, a brother drives up in a Chevy Volt which is a very small car. He gets out and greets me and as he begins to walk toward me, he says "Didn′t I meet you on the bus at the Portland convention?" I reply, "Yes, you did, my name is Thom, what was your name?" He tells me that his name is Sam and we talk for a bit more before going into the hall. A bit later, I see a sister come into the hall and take her seat and I recognize her, walk up to her and ask, "Do you work at the w-mart?" She answers, "Yes, why do you ask?" I then tell her that I am the one who has been sitting in the corner for the past week drinking a tall blond. She smiles and we talk for a short while until the meeting begins and I tell her that I will see her in the morning.
After the meeting, I talk briefly with Mike who I learn is French from northern Maine after telling him that is where I am heading to get away for he holiday weekend. Finally, I head out to the jammer, change my clothes and drive back to the d-mart for the evening.
(Day 853 JO) 61°F. 8:01 am,
Overnighting in a parking lot
At five-thirty am, I awake with a slight headache and because the rain resumed earlier during the night, I roll over and go back to sleep. When I do arise, I drive to the w-mart for coffee fully intending to drive to Maine but something just keeps me here pounding on the keys, most likely the rain. Finally, the rain tapers to a mist and I pack out to the jammer, drive up NH 16 and take a forest road east to the main border and then north on highway 113 which crosses back and forth New Hampshire and Maine through the White Mountains and the Cold River valley until finally it comes to US highway 2 on which I head east.
Some ways before I arrive in Rumford, steam begins coming from under the hood so I pull over in a driveway and open the hood and immediately notice an opening in the upper radiator hose. A man comes out and offers to help and I ask him where a parts store is to which he points east and says "Eleven miles." I ask him if he has any duct tape that I can borrow and he gets out a roll from his truck. After I take off the upper radiator hose and wrap it with duct take, I give him back his roll and thank him. Then, I begin putting the hose back on, fill the radiator with coolant and water, start the jammer and head east towards Rumford.
The first parts store does not have a hose and can′s get one for two days, but the clerk tells me that there is two more parts stores just a mile down the road. The next store does not have one either but can have one here by seven tomorrow morning. I tell the clerk that I will let him know if the next store doesn′t have the hose. I arrive a the one directly across from the d-mart, walk in and ask for the part, to which the clerk says, "It′s the only one I have for that model." and then just stands there as if waiting for me to say that I want it. I smile and tell her "What are you waiting for, go get it!" She smiles and walks to the back to get the hose. I purchase the hose, go out to the jammer, pull the old one off and compare the two. They are identical! After putting the new hose on, I go back into the store and ask the clerk if she also has the lower hose and after she checks the computer tells me "yes, I have that one too." I buy the bottom hose because I know that I have never replaced it.
Then, I drive across the street to the d-mart and buy another gallon of coolant, two gallons of distilled water, a radiator flush kit and a water hose. Next, I return to my drive east on US highway 2, arriving in Skowhegan at the d-mart just before sunset and get ready for the evening. I check the GPS for the distance to the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness and find out that the name of the town at the Abol River bridge, the one where the AT crosses the Abol River and then enters Baxter State Park, that town is called Rainbow. I love it! The distance, I find out is one hundred and fifty miles from where I am parked tonight, but of coarse, that is GPS miles which if I follow the route it would have me travel will have me take US highway 2 east and soon after connect to interstate 95 probably at exit 150, then have me drive north to exit 224 after crossing the Penobscot River and then take state highway 157 west to Millinocket and then connect to Golden Road and head up towards Baxter Park.
My path will not involve the interstate at all and the distance is only 120 miles because I will take ME 150 north out of Skowhegan to Guilford where I will turn east on ME 16 to Milo and then turn north on ME 11 which will connect me with Golden road without drive through Millinocket and from there drive to Rainbow Town. However, before that drive can happen, I must needs get some sleep so I climb into the back of the jammer and get horizontal.
(Day 854 JO) 61°F. 6:31 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake and move the jammer across the highway to fetch a cup of hot, upload my journal entry and then begin the drive north on ME 150 through Harmony, ME and right on ME 16 in Guilford, through Dover-Foxcroft and by nine-thirty arrive in Milo ME where right in town ME 11 turns north and immediately I recognize this road, it being when I last stopped to do my wash because the l-mart was such a good one to stop at on Day
825 JO, exactly one moon ago. So, I turn into the parking lot, grab my dirty clothes bag and my bedding and proceed again to do my wash. Also, this l-mart has WiFi so I update my journal while here. Then when all of my rags are clean, dry, folded and put in their place, I point the jammer north and head up ME highway 11 towards Baxter State Park. Some where about fifty miles south of the park, I begin to get glimpses of the Mightiest Mountain but only when I crest a hill.
Then after I stop in Millinocket for some fresh vegetables and a bag of ice, I choose to take Baxter Park road instead of Golden Road so that I can drive right up to the front gate of
Baxter State Park, the same gate where on 19 August 1978, I arrived but was denied entry into the park. So, I dropped my pack against a large rock, got out my sketch book to draw Katahdin and wait to see what would happen. After a couple of hours, a Scout troop arrived, a conversation with the Scoutmaster ensued, and then he invited me to join the troop at their campsite. Early the next morning, I was taking steps to the summit the Mightiest Mountain. Today, I stop at that same spot where the gate use to be and photograph Katahdin. Then, I head out Golden Road towards the
Debsconeag Lake Wilderness and only after looking for about a half an hour find an open campsite, park the jammer and pay the eight dollars camping fee.
After walking the short distance to the Penobscot River, I fill my bucket, return to the campsite and wash the jammer. Next, I strip down to my skivvies and take a bucket bath. Finally, I cut up my vegetables and after adding oil, vinegar and Parmesan eat my salad supper. Then at six-thirty, I turn on the jammer to cool off the inside and charge my batteries. Several other cars stop by looking for a camping spot for the weekend which makes me glad that I arrived here as early as I did and I just may stick around for second night here.
Friday, 03 July 2015, Debsconeag Lakes WA, ME.
(Day 85 JO) 58°F. 6:30 am
Eight Holer, campsite, CGR: 6.5.
Seated in the co-pilot chair with coffee in my Yeti cup at arms reach, I begin writing in my journal; the windows are all shut to keep the insects at bay and I plan of sitting here all day because it is so peaceful here. It is already eight-thirty this morning and two hours ago, I arose from my sleep, walked to the one-seater, after which, I returned to the jammer, washed my hands and began preparing coffee and pancakes from the picnic table. I cook on the fire pit, not my stove, and might I say, I′ve never lost this ability. However, at this time in my age and life, the convenience and cleanliness of a stove beats the soot and dirt involved in a fire pit any day. Still, I did it on a fire pit with relative cleanliness, but it did take quite a few w-mart napkins to get the job finished and clean. (But, that′s ok, they went into the fire pit also.) After washing the dishes and packing every thing back into the jammer, I assume the co-pilots position and begin pounding keys until the battery needs charging again. So, at ten-thirty this morning, I drive to the Abol campground store to change the twenty dollar bill I have to use for campsite payments.
Then, upon returning to Eight Holes, I pay for another night of camping here and resume pounding keys interspersed with short walks to check out the surrounding area. The channel directly behind the camp site that I taken photos of turns out to be a side sluice separating from the main part of the Penobscot River and creating a small island. On the opposite side of the island is a large set of rapids where the rafts from Abol campground set out to head downstream. About one hundred feet downstream of this camp is a large gravel beach that is a popular stop for many locals as well as weekend warriors. At three-thirty, I begin cooking my repast of sprouted grains, onions, garlic and tws. Too, I light a five in the pit to heat water to make a liter of mela tea, after which clean up my gear. Then, I climb into the jammer, turn on the engine for the air conditioner and eat supper.
For the most park, this is a primitive campsite; it does have an outhouse but there is no fresh water, only what you bring or take from the river and treat. There is a store about half a mile upstream but it is a camp store and the prices are horrendous. The only reason that this campground rated a 6.5 is because I gave it three points for Pristine Beauty, two points for Isolation of which both of these are true. Also, the campsite gets a point each for Picnic Table and Fire Place and half a point for drive in site which totals 7.5 points but then I deduct one point for having only river water available. This campsite will not become one of my favorites but unless I find something better, it may be one that I will use in the future upon returning to the area because of its proximity. Both of the rangers that I have spoken with have told me that this is the best one in the area but also informed me of a couple other locations, one of which I will check out tomorrow morning.
I sit up this evening pounding keys until well after ten pm with the sunglow still strong at ten-fifty when I retire and close my eyes. Except for the sunglow, I would not have to put up my curtains and as it is, I do put up the curtain on the rear window, the one directly above my head upon my rest. I have seen not one animal here, unless you count some of the weekend warriors and the birdsong is absent also. However, the one thing there is plenty off, beside the roar of the Penobscot, are the insects.
Saturday, 04 July 2015, Debsconeag Lakes WA, ME.
(Day 856 JO) 53°F. 6:00 am
Eight Holer Campsite
The time is six-forty am and I sit in the co-pilot seat with both coffee and a cup of Daystart on the bench top beside me as I begin pounding keys. I will remain here for a while longer before I leave to travel further west on Golden Road. At eight-thirty, the computer battery warning flashes so I pack out to begin driving and charge the battery. Driving west on Golden Road which now is entirely hard surface gravel for a distance of about eight miles before I come upon the Horserace Pond Trail head, turn left (south) and drive to the end which has a small parking area by the trail to the pond. The trail crosses Horserace brook on a wooden foot bridge and then follows the brook for about two miles to get to the camping areas at the pond. I have asked a ranger if I could park my car here overnight and was told that it is allowed. If my path returns me to the area, this could be an alternate parking spot if the Eight Holer campsite is not available.
Next, I drive back along Golden Road, stop at the Appalachian Trail and talk with two south bounders on their way to Springer Mountain. Mike tells me that there is a "whole bubble of south bounders" which have recently begun. What a novel idea, arriving at Baxter State Park in June, climbing Katahdin and then begin walking south in Maine towards Georgia. Five months, or 153 day from 01 June is 01 November and without taking any vacations from the trail, and not many zero days, methinks that one should be able to do the 2100 miles before November. Don′t get any ideas, Thom, you have a meeting to go to tomorrow morning. I get back into the jammer, drive across the Penobscot River bridge turn left on Baxter Park road and then drive to Togue Pond Beach for a swim. The water is shallow with a white sand bottom allowing the sun to warms it nicely from cold to not so cold. After acquiring my wet, I towel off, get dressed and drive out of the park heading towards Millinocket where I stop at the f-mart to go online and locate a hall with both a w-mart and d-mart nearby. One hour later, I am sitting at a table in the Bangor, ME w-mart with my computer plugged in and I resume pounding keys.
When I notice the light of day beginning to diminish outside, I call it good and retreat to the jammer, drive to the d-mart and set up for the evening. I see that there is a large contingency of overnighters in a dark corner of the parking lot.
(Day 857 JO) 60°F. 6:20 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
At four-twenty, I awake and see that the sunglow is well along but resume the horizontal and continue to sleep for two more hours. Upon arising, I go into the d-mart to brush my teeth and purchase a bag of ice to put in the cooler to replace the bag of water now there. Then, I drive to the w-mart for a cup of coffee and to do my Bible study for this morning. At eight am, I finish my study, pack out and leave to locate the hall which is in Orono, Maine,
1 eight miles north on US highway 2 arriving in about ten minutes.
I pull into the parking lot of the hall and drive to the very back to where there is at least a little shade and while I dress for the meeting, my mind begins to calculate when I last traveled along this highway and determine that it was almost thirty-seven years ago on 18 August 1978. Then the whole story flashes through my mind once again: "Day 108, 07 August 1978, I have been on the Appalachian Trail for about four months and methinks, that since the seasonal weather is fast coming to an end, that since I still have six hundred and eighty miles left to complete my end to end journey, that my money and food stores are nearly depleted, and that I must needs devise a plan. Thus, I determine to leave Connecticut, hitch to Katahdin and after climbing the Mightiest Mountain, walk south from there for as long as my money and food supplies hold out.
"Leaving Kent, Connecticut, I traveling north US highway 7 through Massachusetts, into Vermont and up to Burlington where I connect to US highway 2 and head east, a road trip of over six hundred miles. Later during this road hitch, I enter Maine and on 18 August, 1978 during the heat of the day, I have just footslogged all the way through Skowhegan, Maine and then upon arriving at the outskirts of town, step off of the highway to sit a spell and rest upon a large rock partially concealed from view of the roadway. Then, after only a short time passes and unprompted by my thumb, a gentlewoman stops to offer a ride. As she drives us to Orono, Maine she discloses as if in explanation for the reason she offered the ride, that her youngest son also has a great love for backpacking. When getting out of her car, I graciously thank her for providing such a fine ride and enjoyable companionship. Unexpectedly, she volunteers to give me a few dollars for my journey.
"Normally, I would never accept money from her but I do this time because except for the food supplies box I had just received at the post office in Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut and one more box expected upon my arrival in Monson, Maine, I have nothing else to keep me on the Appalachian trail and then by the end of August 1978, both my money and my food stores are exhausted. Despite having over five hundred miles left for me to complete my end to end journey, when I arrive at the Kennebec River, I do not ford the river but stop at the roadway which travels along the east side of the river and begin walking south on my return trip to Texas for a winter hiatus."
Abruptly jerking me from my muse, I hear a voice calling to me. Looking up, I see a woman driving up in her vehicle and she tells me that she saw a van parked at the back of the parking lot and wondered who I was. I tell her that I am here for the meeting after which she greets me and tells me that her name is Donna. "Mine name is Thom, nice to meet you." I finish putting on my tie and go inside.
After such a very encouraging meeting, I am so glad that I decided to leave the wilderness area to come here for the meeting today and methinks that I will work even harder at not missing any future meetings, especially since we are so close to entering the promised paradise. I drive back to the w-mart, carry my computer inside, set up at the same corner table as before and begin pounding the keys. Then, as the sun begins to cast long shadows, I pack out, drive to the d-mart, park in the rv section, prepare a salad for my supper and stay up until it becomes dark.
(Day 858 JO) 62°F. 6:10 am,
Aphelion
Overnighting in a parking lot
At the Aphelion, the Earth is about 94,509,100 miles (152,097,700 kilometers) from the Sun. At the Perihelion, the Earth is about 91,402,500 miles (147,098,070 kilometers) from the Sun.
Up an hour earlier but opt to sleep more, then arise and drive to the w-mart, which here opens a five am each day. I retain the same location, plug in and begin working on the computer, endeavoring to complete as many park galleries as I can do today. I work on the national park shorelines and complete many of them. Then, in the afternoon, I have an idea and create a new gallery in the Tennessee state park section. I call it the
Monte Creek Bridge Restoration and by creating this gallery, collect all of the photos into one place for showing all the work done at Monte Creek, Tennessee. I finish uploading the gallery and all the photos by seven pm, pack out and drive to the d-mart to make my supper.
Tonight, I finish the last of the vegetables, those that I purchase in Millinocket, Maine on 02 July, right before I traveled into the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness. It only took two bags of ice to keep it fresh so that none of it spoiled. I will have to shop for more vegetables soon and with it purchase another bag of ice to keep it during the hot Maine mid days. After the sun sets, I get into the back of the jammer to read a few more chapters in the Bible.
(Day 859 JO) 62°F. 6:19 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
An entirely different group of overnighter were in the rv parking lot last night, it changes daily as to who is in the area but this is my third morning waking up here and have developed somewhat of a routine, even the barista now knows to put my coffee in a ceramic cup. I park the jammer directly outside the window at which I sit so that I can leave one of the sliding windows open to keep it from being so hot in the van. I take my position and resume pounding keys.
At six pm, I leave the w-mart, drive to the hall in Orono, Maine and attend the meeting. Afterwards, I get back into my blues and then drive back to the w-mart and must needs run the air conditioner to cool of the jammer enough to sleep.
(Day 860 JO) 63°F. 6:55 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Again, when I arise, there are different overnighters surrounding me in the rv parking. I drive to the w-mart and continue in the same routine I have established. Much is being done in the way of key pounding each day.
I return to the d-mart in the evening, eat, read and sleep.
(Day 861 JO) 55°F. 7:05 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
It was very last night late into the evening, not hot but enough warm to keep me out of my sleeping bag until some time in the morning and so I sleep later this morning and when I arise, the lower temperature is a welcome change. I will not complain because the jammer runs well enough for me to use the air conditioning on warm days and the heater when it becomes colder. I know, I am suppose to put more clothes on when it is cold and take off more when it is hot. I do that but for the most part this summer, I have been spending a lot of time in my blue shorts and still run the air conditioner.
Today is a repeat of the routine except that I stop before sunset to go shopping for groceries. I don′t buy much else most days because I look at the item and remind myself about my desire to reach need level by asking my self "Do I need it?" and if I have even a half full one, I answer, "Nope! I will wait until I really need to buy it."
After buying vegetables and a bag of ice, I return to the jammer, cut up the veggies and pack what is left into the cooler. Then, I sit in the jammer with the air conditioning on and write journal entries for both today and yesterday. Finally, at about eight pm, I shut down the jammer and get out my Bible to read before going to sleep.
(Day 862 JO) 59°F. 5:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Getting to bed early in the evening gets me up likewise in the morning. I dump my garbage bag and then drive to the w-mart and notice the waxing crescent moon high in the sky. Then I go inside for coffee and begin pounding keys.
The sun is one hand high when I leave the keys to prepare a salad for my super and when it is ready, I turn on the jammer to cool of the inside for the little while that the remaining gasoline will keep the engine running without draining the take too low. It is another warm evening but I will still try to sleep early after reading a couple of chapters. In 2 Chronicles, I have been reading about the kings of Judah and Israel, how some would do what is right and others would not. It is a very simple lesson, do what is right according to Jehovah′s righteousness and he will blest you, otherwise, your life will not have his blessings.
(Day 863 JO) 57°F. 5:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
The day has begun but the sun has yet to rise above the treeline in the distance. However, the moon, waning crescent is high in a clear sky. I rise, drive to the w-mart for a cup of hot and begin keying.
At six pm, I leave the w-mart to go out for a meal in a Mexican restaurant near by. This will be the first time at La Palamas for me. I have the fish plate with tortillas and really enjoy the meal but and usual I am stuffed when I finish. I leave and drive to the d-mart, park and watch the sun towards the horizon. At about seven-thirty, it begins to display some color and shortly after that I must needs bring out the camera for some photos. At eight pm, it is done, most of the color gone so I get into the jammer, open the windows to cool it off and finish my journal entry for the day before getting into the horizontal position at eight-twenty pm to read before sleep.
(Day 864 JO) 65°F. 6:03 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake later today because of it being such a warm night and not getting to sleep right away and we have not even begun the dog days yet. I drive to the nearby f-mart for my cup of hot this morning because I am not staying but going to the meeting this morning. I do begin and then upload today′s journal entry but do not do much more by way of pounding the keys.
At eight am, I drive to the hall in Bangor to begin getting dressed for the meeting and go early because I want to wash my hair upper body and legs this morning also. I am clean, dressed and sitting in the jammer with the air conditioner turned on pounding away at the keys for half an hour before the friends begin showing up. Bangor is a large congregation with many older ones and I meet several. After the meeting, I return to the casual attire and soon am on my way back to the w-mart to plug in. I have looked elsewhere for a place to sit and plug in but as yet, there are none other than the w-mart. The f-mart has boxes but there is only a cover plate in each and not one receptacle. I continue my work on updating the appendixes until about six pm when I go for a salad and soup. Finally, I drive to the d-mart and retire for the evening; it is eight-forty when I get horizontal but I still let the jammer run with the air on until about nine pm before shutting it down.
(Day 865 JO) 61°F. 6:39 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
After another warm evening, I drive to the w-mart more for the air conditioning than for anything else, but I do purchase a cup of hot, even two and after several hours in the cold air conditioned w-mart, I begin drinking hot water to keep warm and soon after must needs retrieve my sweatshirt from the jammer. This has been how I have been dealing with the heat wave that reached the state of Maine this month.
Then at six pm, I am ready again to brave the outside with all that it has in the way of hot but instead, I open a game app and begin playing solitaire and the next time I minimize the app to look at the time, it is a few minutes after seven pm. I shut down, pack out and drive to the d-mart to park. I step out of the jammer and notice that there is a cool wind blowing and then get out my stove to cook my repast.
While the water in the stainless steel pot begins to boil, methinks, this repast, which like most food that I prepare has changed over the years in two ways. First, nutrition has become ever more important to me, especially now since technology has changed so incredibly. Nearly forty years when I began afoot on the AT, there was a need for the food in my burden to provide strength to my step while rising upon the mountain and for it to keep me taking step far from those fast food peddlers replete on the streets in the valleys below. Now, knowledge about nutrition is imperative because what is served up in this world by these same streets peddlers as nutritional food has gone from being inferior to toxic. Second, I love to eat, who doesn′t, and so, the taste of my food is very important to me. Thus, the taste of the meal that I now call my repast is so much better than those repasts eaten during those days rising upon the mountain. In fact, the taste of my repast now is much better than it was over five years ago when the journey on resumed.
The steam rising from the pot indicates that my repast is ready, so I pack away the kitchen and move to the cockpit to have my evening meal. After doing dishes, I retire to the horizontal and read about Uzziah and his son Jotham before closing my eyes. The wind that began earlier has cooled the heat that was the day allowing me to obtain sleep quickly.
(Day 866 JO) 55°F. 5:10 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
I arise, drive to the w-mart and begin my daily routine with a cup of hot and key pounding while the sun rises above the trees. In the afternoon, a woman and her older son arrive and take their seats at the table next to me and I can not help but to overhear their conversation. The son is an adult with a genetic disability who as he comments in reference to his disability, "That is the story of my life!" When she asks her son to go up to the counter and ask to borrow an ink pen, I speak up "I have one you can use." She turns around to face me, smiles and tells me "thank you." She introduces herself, I do likewise and when her son returns, she introduces her son to me.
He asks me what my name is and then tells me that his is James to which I tell him that in the Bible, James is the half-brother of Jesus. As the conversation continues, James asks me where I live and I point to the forest-green van parked just outside the window telling him "Right there for five years now." Then, they need to leave but I can tell that the way I live has piqued James′ interest. I return to my key pounding and complete three pages of appendix five.
After many hours in the air conditioned air of the w-mart, I once again leave to brave the outside hot, drive to the d-mart and prepare my salad supper. After eating, I turn on the engine and listen to the local talk show and find interesting all the political problems that continue to plague this country and for that matter, the entire world. Tonight just does not cool off like it did yesterday evening making sleep hard to obtain.
(Day 867 JO) 64°F. 6:00 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
It is raining now, just lightly as I work on the computer in the w-mart and work on appendix five and do not get it entirely completed but upload it anyway. The look of the recipe appendix is changing to include a separate pages for the recipes, but I have not yet decided what pages and how many there will be. There will be a new page just for living food with recipes that will include nutritional information. There will also be a classic recipe page with original recipes of the wayƒarer. Currently, it remains under construction as I continue working on the appendix.
At five pm, I stop work on the computer, drive to the hall, wash my hair, get dressed and go in for the meeting. Again, there are nice friends here in this congregation. Afterwards, I change back into my blues and then drive west on US highway 2 until after sunset and stop at the next d-mart for the evening. It is later than usual when I acquire the horizontal and it take a while for me to gain sleep.
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The Journey
West
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(Day 868 JO) 55°F. 6:59 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon arising, I dump my trash and then drive to the f-mart for coffee, check my com and to upload my web files but do not stay long because I have miles to go before I sleep. Leaving Newport, I continue west on US 2 along the same route that I had driven before, stopping briefly in Rumford at the falls overlook for a photo. On two previous visits to the falls, 15 June and 24 June, the falls were at flood stage but today, I find that the falls are dry with water only coming out from under the generating station. I was expecting some water over the falls, but no, the rocks were completely dry.
Leaving, Rumford, I continue west across the state line, leave Maine for this summer and drive into New Hampshire stopping in Gorham at the d-mart for groceries. While in the store, I see what I think is a thru hiker on the AT. I see him walking up to the checkout and recognize him as an hiker from several things. First, the way he was dressed got me thinking he was a hiker. Second, there was an odor about him that told me that he had been walking in the heat and sweating for some time without a shower. Third, everything he was buying was capable of being put into a backpack and carried without refrigeration for a couple days. When I arrived behind him at the checkout, I ask him if he is hiking the AT and he answers yes. Then, I ask him "Where did you start?" to which he said "Georgia."
I tell him "I finished the AT in 1979." He says "Wow, the trail has really changed since then. Like now, we know were everything is, the water, roads, shelters, towns, everything we need." "No, that hasn′t changed, we had the AT Data Book in the seventies which gave us all that information." "However, for he last two summers, I have been revisiting the trail in several places, talking with all those thru-hikers that I have met and what has changed from the time I hiked the AT and now is those who are hiking the trail." He looks at me and asks, "How have the thru-hikers changed?" "From my observation, it is all in their attitude, those that are hiking on the AT now are totally in it for what they get out of the experience for themselves and are not interested in what they can do for others, for the trail or for the mountain. My opinion is that nearly all of those hiking the trail that I have talked with, to put it in a word, are selfish."
Leaving Gorham, I continue to Lancanter, NH and stop at Mount Prospect again, climb the tower to see the Presidential range and say hello to Nate. Then, I walk down to the parking lot and greet the two men who are working on painting the deck rails for the museum. On of the men greets me and I take the opportunity to work the conversation into a witness about God′s Kingdom. The conversation continues for over an hour and I am able to give him our card which has the jw.org web address on it. Mark tells me that he will check out the site, I tell him that I enjoyed our conversation and say goodbye. Driving off the mountain, I head to the Connecticut River and take state highway 135 south along the river to Woodsville, NH and then up to the Wild Androscoggan to the Spirit Falls to take a bath in the now comfortable water. After cleaning up, I head back to Woodsville and stop at the d-mart, go inside to buy salad fixings and then eat my supper while writing my journal entry. At nine, after the sun sets, I climb into the back of the jammer to read and then sleep.
(Day 869 JO) 48°F. 6:50 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
A thick fog hangs in this river valley, I go into the d-mart for a bag of ice to keep my vegetables cold, pack the ice in the bottom of the cooler and then drive to the f-mart for coffee and upload my journal. Upon leaving town, I drive across the Connecticut river west on US 302 and into Vermont. After traversing the town of Wells River, I follow the river of the same name along US 302 to the town of Groton where I turn right on VT 232 into the Groton State Forest and continue to follow the river into an area with lakes and many homes.
Coming out of the forest, I see a detour sign stating "Bridge out on VT 15" and I take the detour sign leading me on VT 215 through Cabot, Vermont. There, I see a sign informing about creamery tours so I pull in, park and walk into the visitors center. Cabot creamery is farmer owned and makes all kinds of dairy products from the milk coming from the cows on more than 100 farms.
They provide free tasting of most of the cheese flavors and some of the dips, a tour of the facility for three dollars and a outlet store for all there dairy products. I am so glad that the bridge was out. Returning to the drive, I continue on SH 215 northeast and soon arrive at SH 15.
Then, I turn left and drive west on SH 15 which is called the "The Grand Army of the Republic Highway" About ten miles later, I see a covered bridge near the highway with a parking area so I pull in and walk to the bridge. Already there, Mark greets me and a conversation ensues. Steering the conversation to the Bible, I endeavor to give him a witness about the positive hope of the future but after some time I have to tell him that I enjoyed our conversation and wish him well. He also says that he enjoyed the conversation because I did not push religion down this throat like he was accustomed to from other preachers.
Finally, I disclose to him that I am one of Jehovah′s Witnesses and he asks me "Are you a fully practicing one with all the holidays?" to which I tell him, "Yes, I am a baptized witness and do not celebrate Christmas, birthdays, or other holidays." He comments, "those of a pagan origin like Halloween?" I reply, "Actually, that celebration′s origin is from demons."
We depart with a hand shake and I finish taking photos of the bridge which turns out to be a railroad bridge, a type of covered bridge that I have never seen before. The sign says that it is the Fisher Bridge in Wolcott, Vermont which is that last remaining railroad covered bridge, has a full-length cupola across the top providing a smoke escape and was scheduled for destruction in 1968 but was saved by preservation with both state and private funds.
The drive west on VT 15 continues until I arrive Morrisville were I turn south on VT 100 and drive as far south as the Long Trail Association headquarters to get two embroidered patch, the new Green Mountain Club patch and the new End to End rocker patch. Then, I head back north on VT 100 back through the very touristy Stowe, Vermont and west on VT 108 into Smugglers Notch State Park where I stop at the information booth and ask about a patch there. They do have one and it is only three dollars so I buy one. Also, I take several photos while in the notch and finally drive down the north side and reconnect to VT 15 on which I turn west again and drive to a suburb of Burlington, Vermont and stop at a w-mart to connect to the internet. Later, I drive to the d-mart, eat supper from the leftover salad and retire for the evening listening to the rain resonate on the roof.
(Day 870 JO) 67°F. 5:51 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake to a very wet city but the rain has stopped at present. I drive to the w-mart for coffee and begin pounding keys. As the day progresses, this city dries out nicely with the sun coming out to stay all day.
At eight pm, I leave the w-mart to drive to the harbor to see if the crescent moon will be visible tonight but as soon as I begin driving, I see that there is a large cloud mass over the western horizon making the possibility of seeing the moon nearly impossible. Instead of driving to the harbor, I take photos of the sunset from the d-mart parking lot. Then I eat my salad and get horizontal for sleep but realize that I have not read the Bible today, so I turn the light on and read a chapter about how Hezekiah sent runners throughout Israel to come celebrate the festival of Passover in Jerusalem. Many mocked the runners but there was a large number who returned to the God of their forefathers and rejoiced there in Jerusalem. This makes me think of how it is similar today, so many reject the message of the good news, yet there are now over eight million who have come to worship the most high God.
(Psalms 83: 18) I am glad that I turned the light back on for the few minutes that it took to read chapter thirty of second Chronicles.
(Day 871 JO) 70°F. 6:10 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Warm and muggy greets me this morning upon opening my eyes. I rise, clean the inside of the jammer, then drive to the w-mart for a cup of hot and study for the meeting today. At eight am, I go out to the jammer, drive to the hall wash my hair and get dressed for the meeting, but as the time approaches for the meeting, there is no one driving into the parking lot. Finally, three cars pull in and when I talk with one of the drivers, I am told that the English congregation is in Massachusetts this weekend for the convention. I return to the jammer and upon opening the back tailgate, one of the lifting gas-struts breaks off of the tailgate. I decide that I must needs buy a new one so drive to the closest ap-mart but they do not have the part, it is a special order. I go outside, sit in the jammer and begin calling other local ap-marts and get the same story. I walk back into the ap-mart and ask how long will it before it will arrive and the clerk tells me Tuesday afternoon. I purchase the gas-strut and drive back to the w-mart to work on my web site while awaiting for the strut to arrive. Meanwhile, I use the broom handle to prop open the tailgate whenever I need into the back.
After pounding on keys all day, I leave the w-mart at eight, drive to the g-mart to buy some veggies and then upon leaving the g-mart stop to take photos of the sunset. Then, I head to the d-mart, park, eat supper and run the air conditioner until late trying to stay cool but it is a warm night and when the air goes off, the sweat begins to flow.
(Day 872 JO) 67°F. 6:02 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Immediately upon awaking, methinks, I have only one more warm night here in the Burlington lowland awaiting for the part that I ordered before I can head over to the mountain. I wipe the water from the outside of the jammer by using a hand towel and keeping it rung out, and in the process clean any dirt from the outside. This is a practice that I have been doing for years to keep nice the appearance of the jammer.
Then, I drive to the w-mart, put the windshield shades up in the jammer and then go inside for a cup of hot and key pounding, working on a redesign of Quire Ten, The Quest for the Journey On. This is taking a lot of effort on my part as it not only involves redoing the separate pages of the quire, but also redesigning the associated photo galleries. It is after dark when I stop for the evening, drive to the d-mart to eat a salad, read my Bible and try to sleep. I use the words try to sleep because since arriving here in the Lake Champlain valley, it has been both warm and humid, especially at night, so getting to sleep is anything but easy to do. Still, the time spent in the prone position late in the evening is used reading, writing in my journal or just playing solitaire until which time I become too tired to stay up any longer.
(Day 873 JO) 70°F. 7:49 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
I sleep in until it become to hot to stay in the jammer, drive first to a h-mart and replenish some of my dwindling food stores. Then, I drive to the w-mart and go into the air conditioned shop and stay until about three pm when I dive pick up the gas-strut for the rear tailgate. Once I obtain the park, I drive to Battery Park in Burlington which overlooks the harbor area.
There I install the strut and then take a walk for some photos but do not stay long because on needing to drive to Colchester, Vermont for the meeting. I arrive at the hall at six pm, wash my hair and then get dressed. Soon, the friends arrive and I too go inside for the school and service meeting. Afterwards, I dive back to the d-mart, and get into the back of the jammer to sleep.
(Day 874 JO) 65°F. 6:26 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
When I arise this morning I first wipe the wet from the outside of the jammer and then drive to the w-mart for coffee. I work on the photo galleries until about three pm, when I pack out and drive north on Vermont 2A until I connect with US 2 on which I turn west up to the Champlain Island, cross them and enter the state of New York and head south on US 9 to Plattsburgh, New York, turn west on NY 3 where I stop at the d-mart and go in to finish my grocery shopping.
After shopping for groceries, I drive to the w-mart just two block east on NY 3 and play some online solitaire. Finally, I head back to the d-mart, eat a salad and then pound some keys until my tiredness again overcomes my warmness. It is after eleven pm when I finally turn of the overhead light and close my eyes and hear the light pounding of drops on the roof.
(Day 875 JO) 63°F. 6:57 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
This morning finds myself in another state, not one of my favorites and most likely so because of the large number of people that chooses to haunt locally. I will remain here today, maybe tomorrow to endeavor to finish the work on the Quest for The Journey On.
Another long day of pounding keys until the sun begins to set, when I pack out, drive to the d-mart, buy a package of salad greens to mix with what I have in the cooler and then have my supper while running the air conditioner. There are a large number of overnighter′s here in the parking lot at this d-mart, most are from Quebec, Canada from the license plates just like in Burlington, Vermont. Too, I have heard many speaking French in the d-mart, w-mart and in the parking lot. The north end of Lake Champlain must serve as a retreat for the Québécois as there are many who cross the border. At nine, I shut down and climb into the rear of the jammer to read and then sleep.
(Day 876 JO) 59°F. 6:01 am,
Overnighting in a parking lot
Awake, get up and drive to the w-mart and begin another day of key pounding.
I speak to several French today while in the w-mart and find out that most speak very little English if any, probably much the way I speak very little French. Then, when in the d-mart to buy a bag of salad greens, I speak to a French couple for a little bit. Then, I return back to the jammer to eat supper, read the latest magazines and then hit the sack. It is cooler tonight, much better than it was when I was in Burlington.
(Day 877 JO) 53°F. 7:05 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Today is a repeat of yesterday except that I have completed the revision of Quire Ten by dividing the previous four pages into seven pages in order to reduce loading times. Further, I plan to upload it before I leave for the d-mart for the evening. I have been working on the connected photo galleries but have much to do before finishing them. Also, I will have to go over both the online journal and photo gallery to make sure all the connector links work correctly.
At seven thirty, I begin to see color on the western horizon despite it being very overcast today, and I have just uploaded the new journal entries for Quire Ten, call it good for today and head for the d-mart for the evening. After eating my salad, I play solitaire for a little while and then read some more in the latest magazines before going to sleep.
(Day 878 JO) 66°F. 7:09 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
I awake at early sunglow but return to sleep and rise later, having not obtained sleep until well after eleven pm last even. I first go into the d-mart for a bag of ice and pack it into the cooler, then drive to a f-mart for a cup of senior coffee and finally head to the hall for the meeting. I drive west on NY 3 for about five miles and find the hall, pull into the parking lot and prepare for a bucket bath. This type of bath got it′s name because I would fill up my plastic two gallon water bucket with water from a spigot and dip my sierra cup into the water and pour the water on my head. Now, however, I use one plastic gallon water bottle to serve the same purpose and I suppose I should now call this bath a bottle bath but in fact, that just doesn′t sound right.
I finish with my bottle bath, get dressed and then get into the jammer with the air conditioner running to finish my Bible study for the meeting today. The friends begin to show up at nine-thirty and being very friendly, stop to greet me as they go inside. I follow soon after for the meeting during which an announcement is made that this coming week will be the visit of the circuit overseer after which I decide to stick around until next Sunday to glean the benefits of the circuit overseer′s talks.
Afterwards, I head back to the w-mart, take up a position and begin pounding keys not stopping for the day until the horizon begins to illume with color. While at the w-mart, I call Susan and talk with her for a while before I leave for the d-mart to eat a salad and retire for the evening.
(Day 879 JO) 63°F. 6:02 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
After driving to the w-mart, I begin another day of key pounding. I bring in my sierra cup containing red seeded grapes, something that I have been eating regularly for a week or more.
When the western horizon begins to display color, I pack out, retreat to the evening parking area and prepare the remaining salad for my meal. Then, I retire to the rear of the jammer to read and then sleep.
(Day 880 JO) 65°F. 6:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
After sleeping past the first wake up, I drive to the w-mart and resume work on writing the opening paragraphs of each of the eight Chapters of
Quire Ten, of which this page is the last chapter. By three pm, I have all eight paragraphs completed and uploaded and then resume working on the associated photo pages. In the upcoming weeks, I will rewrite these eight opening paragraphs to enhance the story, something that I find is necessary in my story writing, of which first, I write the story, then I rewrite it, often several times until I feel the story is how I want it.
Then at six, while trying to complete the photo pages, I have to break away and drive to the hall for the meeting. Arrive at six-fifteen pm, there are several cars in the parking lot, probably because it being a circuit overseers visit. I park in the very back of the lot, don my meeting clothes and go inside. The talk has the same title as the one that I heard in Skowhegan, Maine but the presentation was quite different. Still, I enjoy the overseers talk and then talk briefly with him after the meeting. After returning to the jammer, changing back into the blues, I head for the d-mart and park for the evening. It has become very warm here.
(Day 881 JO) 69°F. 5:50 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
The warm morning awakes with a feeling of sweat on my body. Arising straightaway, drive to the d-mart and return to working on the photo galleries with the mind to complete them today. Then at two pm, after all the photos and galleries are uploaded, I can say it is done. Still, to each photo, there is need to add the captions and then of the galleries, there is need to insure all the links are working correctly. I walk outside to the jammer for something to eat and the temperature feels close to ninety degrees. Then upon coming back into the air conditioned w-mart, I check the internet and find it to be 86 degrees here. This is way too hot for me, but there is not too many places that I can go this time of the year and suppose that I will just have to deal with this heat wave. Too, according to the forecast, the heat wave here will slowly lessen during the upcoming week.
At seven pm, I leave the air conditioned coffee house, drive to the d-mart and go inside to buy tortillas and cheese. Upon returning to the jammer, I retrieve from the pantry, a can of refried beans, hot sauce and the last onion, dice it and then begin making burritos. Afterwards, I finish reading my last September dated magazine and then try to sleep but the temperature is still much too warm. Then, some time after midnight, I step outside to find that it is a bit cooler so I then open the rear lift gate to allow the cool air into the jammer. This seems to have worked because the next thing I am aware of is the sun shining in through the rear of the jammer.
(Day 882 JO) 68°F. 6:15 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Arising, I walk to the garbage receptacle and dump my bag of trash, then drive to the w-mart, walk in with my computer and set up. Then, before buying my cup of hot, I must needs go online and recharge the funds on my gold card. Soon, I am sitting at the keys pounding away with a cup of hot at hand.
With the sun setting, I open a can of bean and after eating,
(Day 883 JO) 62°F. 6:11 am
Blue Moon
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up at my second awaking, the cooler air allowed me to catch up on the sleep missed during the last few days of hot weather. I drive to the w-mart and begin pounding keys hoping to update all the links as the work continues.
By seven thirty pm, the bright orange display is fully across the western horizon and I pack out for the evening, drive to the d-mart to eat supper and set up for my last evening in Plattsburgh, New York. Then, I connect to the internet and access jw.org to watch the monthly program which keeps me up to after eleven pm. However, it is a well done video and glad that I stayed up to watch it.
(Day 884 JO) 61°F. 7:55 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon getting up, I walk to the garbage receptacle to dump my trash, then drive to the f-mart for a cup of coffee and soon after leave to drive west on SH 3 into the Adirondack Mountains. Soon, I turn east off of the highway on River Road in Bloomingdale and drive about ten miles to the base of Whiteface Mountain where there is a gatehouse and pay the eleven dollar fee to enter.
Then, I drive the five miles to the top, park the jammer and go into the castle visitors center at 4610 feet. After learning about this mountaintop roadway I then climb the rock path to the summit at elevation 4867 feet and photograph both the climb and the view.
Leaving Whiteface and returning to NY 3, I resume the westward crossing of the Adirondack Park arriving in Wartertown, New York after seven pm and locate the d-mart to rest for the evening. I begin my study for the meeting tomorrow but soon climb into the back of the jammer to sleep.
(Day 885 JO) 63°F. 6:05 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Upon arising, I wipe the dew from the jammer and then drive to the f-mart for coffee and to continues my study for the meeting. Then at eight am, I drive to the hall in the town of Black River, New York and begin getting ready for the meeting. At nine-thirty am, I go in and several of the friends come up to me to greet me. The public talk is about the many things that Satan uses in these last days so as to ensnare and I do so enjoy the talk.
After leaving the hall, I drive east a short ways on SH 3 and then turn south on SH 26 to Rome, New York where I stop at the
Fort Stanwix National Historical Monument, find a parking spance and then walk through the site.
From the fort, I drive south on SH 26, crossing the Erie Canal and soon connect with NY 5 where I turn right and head west generally following just south of the New York state thruway. Soon, I am traveling through the finger lakes region and continue on NY 5 through Saracuse, a city much larger than I really wish to drive through. Still, it does not take too long and I am back out on the rural route passing one lake and then another. At six pm, I arrive in Seneca Falls and stop at the Woman′s Rights National Historical Park but it has already closed for the day. I drive to a nearby d-mart, park and run the air conditioner while waiting for the evening to begin. I am tired and will be in the sack early tonight and just hope that it cools off enough for me to sleep.
(Day 886 JO) 70°F. 6:30 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Last evening, I do get to sleep but not right away as the warm weather persists. Awaking first at four-thirty, I return to sleep for two more hours and then rise. I go in to the d-mart to buy oil for the engine as it has been making noise for a time now but Joe doesn′t think that it is too bad. Still, the noise has increased in frequency and I know can only be ominous in nature. I continue west on NY 5 which joins with US 20 and travel across the state just above the finger lakes. Just before eight am, I stop at a w-mart in Canandaigua, New York for coffee and to upload my recent journal entries.
I decide stick around for most of the day and continue with Revision Seven and then drive to Lake Erie Lake later. Leaving before four pm, I drive west on US 20 until I get to the junction with US 20A and take it first south then west traveling through more hills, valleys and lakes until just past Leichester, New York where I turn left (west) on NY 39. Actually, I had put Fredonia, New York into my GPS and it came up with this New York state highway to take me to my destination and gladly, I choose the road less traveled arriving in Fredonia right before sunset and locate the d-mart, buy salad fixings and eat supper. Then I read for a while and finally get to sleep by ten pm.
(Day 887 JO) 68°F. 6:10 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
I awake and drive to a w-mart but it is located within a college and the parking is limited so I leave Fredonia and taking county road 113 drive north to reconnect to NY 5 were I turn left and head south along the lakeshore. There are a few views of the lake but most of the lakeshore is privately owned, still I continue on NY 5 to the Pennsylvania state line where I continue on PA 5 along the lakeshore, drive through the city of Erie and stay on PA 5 until just before the Ohio state line where PA 5 ends back onto US 20. The two state highway 5 is a nice route crossing many small villages but mostly rural farm land growing corn, hay and soy, but also there are a lot of wineries. When I cross into Ohio, I leave US 20 for a while on OH 531 and stop at one fishing dock to prepare a cup of Daystart and check engine fluids. Continuing on OH 531, I come to the town of Ashtabula, Ohio where OH 531 crosses a river of the same name on a drawbridge. Upon crossing the bridge, I notice a boat waiting in the water so I pull over to take photos of the drawbridge opening.
Next, I drive to another water park but the walk through the sand is much too far for my liking so I do not take a swim. Then OH 531 arrives at Geneva-on-the-Lake, a small tourist town with plenty of turkey traps. Finally, the state route returns to US 20 where I continue west until I arrive in Mentor, Ohio and stop at James A. Garfield National Historic Site and stop for the ranger led tour. Last October on
Day 589 JO, I had arrived here but at closing time and was not able to take the tour. I am really glad that I returned for the tour as this is really an interesting story.
Then after the tour, I drive east on US 20 about two miles to a w-mart, carry my computer inside, set up and begin pounding the keys. I watch the sun set, then drive across the street to the d-mart and prepare my supper with the salad fixing that are left from last night.
(Day 888 JO) 67°F. 6:19 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up and first wash my hair before driving across to the w-mart for a cup of hot. Then I set up my computer and begin pounding the keys. Organization and consistency is the goal of this web site and that takes much key pounding. At five pm, I over hear a woman on the phone give a comparison to two religions one that I am familiar most with, Jehovah&primes Witnesses, she wrongly describes. I wait until she turns off her photo and ask her where she learned that about the religions and she said that she got it from someone who came to her home. I explained to her what we really believe and she said that she believed that also. From there, we continue discussing Bible topics until I realize that I must needs leave for the evening. Still, we depart on friendly terms with Nisha telling me that she has a lot to think about.
I pack out, drive to the d-mart and for supper have a can of tuna and a can of vegetable before I start shutting down for the evening. Once prone, I read for a short while and finish the book of Second Chronicles and then close my eyes.
(Day 889 JO) 56°F. 7:33 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
After putting the Bible away last night, I stayed awake thinking about the witness I gave to Nisha and would remember the verses that I wanted to read her but could not find. I kept turning on the light, sitting up to grab my Bible and then locate the verse. This continued until almost midnight.
Upon arising, I go into the d-mart for a few things and find that there is a health machine, one that takes blood pressure and weight. I find out that both have improved, my weight is two hundred and thirty eight. It has not dropped by much, just a pound, but it has dropped and that is an improvement. I have noticed that ever since I have dropped to below two-fifty, the weight loss has slowed drastically, virtually a flat plateau for the past year. Still, I am resolute in my efforts to lower my body mass, to get my weight below two hundred pounds despite the goal that I set of 01 March 2016 being now less than seven months away. Just before going into the w-mart, I put on my blue jeans and when fastening the belt notice that if it is pulled a little tight, I can put the buckle into the seventh hole (there are eleven holes in my belt, the last five which I have drilled myself). I have been in the sixth hole for a very long time but it appears that the next hole is within sight.
At six-fifteen pm, I pack out and drive to the hall to get ready for the meeting. Then, after the meeting, I drive to the d-mart, eat a can of fish and then read in the Bible and again, it is a late night when I close my eyes.
(Day 890 JO) 57°F. 7:01 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
After a comfortable night, I arise, drive 100 feet to the af-mart to fill up with fuel and check the oil. Then, I drive to the w-mart for a cup of hot and the key pounding resumes.
When the sun sets, I drive to the d-mart, buy a can of beans, some veggies and then have supper. After that, I get into the back and read for a while.
(Day 891 JO) 69°F. 7:00 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Another comfortable but somewhat warmer night and upon arising, drive to the w-mart for a cup of coffee and when trying to connect to the WiFi, it is not working and I let the barista know about it, who says that she will reboot the modem. So, I go to work pounding keys while waiting to upload web pages.
At five pm, I begin talking with a man sitting next where I am and who in the conversation first mentions something about the scriptures. I then begin talking about God′s Kingdom and in the course of three hour or more, I have placed both a Bible Teach book and a Reasoning book with Fred who tells me that he will read them along with his Bible. I also give him my card and ask he to please keep in touch. Then, and eight-thirty, I return to the computer and after completing today′s journal entry pack out of the w-mart for the evening′s rest at the d-mart.
(Day 892 JO) 65°F. 6:45 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
After driving to and acquiring a cup of hot, I sit down at the table in the w-mart and begin to do my Bible study. Soon, Fred walks in, greets me and sits down near by. We talk for a short time, mostly about the Bible but then I return to my study. Shortly after eight pm, Fred tells me that it was nice to have met me and then leaves. Finishing my study, I too pack out soon after and head to the hall to get dressed for the meeting. When putting on my suit, I reach for the light brown one, a suit that has been just a little to tight for a long time and try the pants on. To my amazement they fit comfortable even though snug. I reach for my belt and it goes to the seventh notch but is somewhat snug; a smile comes to my face and methinks, now, my goal is that I must needs reach the next notch. I sit in the jammer with the air conditioner on to await for the friends to arrive and soon, they begin showing up. Turning off the jammer, I go it to the meeting.
Right after leaving the hall, I drive to a restaurant across from the w-mart, one which I have been looking at the whole time that I have been here. It has a salad bar and I have been wanting to try it so today, I go in for my mid day meal. When I leave, I am not stuffed but I am full and happy that I did not overeat. Returning to the jammer, I drive onto US 20 and drive east towards Cleveland but soon continue east on Interstate highway (IH) through Cleveland and then connect to OH 2 east all the way to Sandusky where I turn east on US 6 through Fremont to Napoleos. Then, I connect to US 24 and continue east into Indiana through a heavy rain, and remain on US 24 all the way through that state, crossing into central time and enter into Illinois where I drive on US 24 to Watseka, Illinois and stop at a d-mart. Too, I was able to drive right out of the rain today.
After eating my salad fixings left in the cooler from last night, I work on today′s journal entry until after sunset and then retire to the rear of the jammer to read and then sleep.
(Day 893 JO) 67°F. 5:15 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
Up before sunglow to the waning crescent moon hanging high in the sky, rise and and begin wiping down the outside of the jammer. Taking the driver′s seat, I continue through town and stop at a f-mart for coffee and to upload my journal entry before continuing east on US 24.
By mid morning, I cross the Illinois River at Peoria and continue west on IL 116 arriving near Burlington before noon, but do not cross the Mississippi River but drive north along an uninteresting river road to cross the Mississippi River on state highway 92 bridge into Muscatine, Iowa where I drive to a city park overlooking the river and highway 92 bridge to get a photo. I see a police officer parked and approach to ask about a good place to eat. The first thing that comes out of mouth, by way of a suggested is the Mexican restaurant I had just drove by. Thanking him, I drive there for lunch and it is very good. When I leave, methinks that I must needs return true to my diet. Too, as I travel further west, I am leaving the clouds, morning fog and wet behind me and the sky keeps getting clearer all day.
Returning to IA 92, I travel west and immediately cross the Cedar River at Fredonia, IA, continue west to Oskaloosa and turn north on US 63 and cross the Iowa River just before turning west on US 30 and immediately cross it again. Later, I cross the Demoines River near Ogden, IA and continue west until I turn right, north on US highway 59. As I begin north on this highway, methinks that I have traveled before on it, but in a different state. In fact, I have been traveling on this highway all my life beginning back as far as 1963 when I went on my first camp out with the Boy Scouts. Yes, US 59 enters Texas at Texarkana and travels through Houston down to Laredo on the Mexican border. The other direction, it goes all the way to the top of Minnesota and enters Manitoba, Canada and continues as highway 59 to the east side of Winnipeg. When I see this highway on the map, I decide right away that I want to travel a section of it that I have never before traveled. Heading north on US 59, I cross the Maple River in Ida Grove, IA and later the Little Sioux River in Cherokee, IA.
As I approach the Minnesota state line, I am looking for the high point in Iowa at 1670 feet in elevation, which, according to my road map, is Hawkeye Point on the immediate west side of US highway 59 about four miles from the state line. As I drive north on US 59, my GPS is showing that the highway has already reached 1645 feet and everything to the west is just corn fields. I take a photo of the sun setting over the corn fields in the area where Hawkeye point is suppose to be located, but I did not see anything that was much higher than US 59. Too, when the sun set, the sky was cloudless.
Finally, I drive the rest of the way to Worthington, Minnesota locate the d-mart, park the jammer but leave it running with the air conditioner on and eat a salad with composing today′s journal entry. It is about ten pm when I climb into the back of the jammer.
(Day 894 JO) 57°F. 4:40 am
Perseids Meteor Shower
Overnighting in a parking lot
My eyes open first before five am and I look at the horizon and do not see any light, so I return to the horizontal but do not return to sleep. Then at five am, I arise again and when looking to the east see the waning crescent moon less than two hands above the horizon which has the slightest bit of glow below about it. I drive to the f-mart, park in a spot for viewing the sunglow, go in to purchase a cup of hot and then return to the jammer to continue watching the moon rise into the ever increasing light of day. These early wake ups are in preparation of when I will be rising very early to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower that will begin in a small degree tonight but peak Wednesday evening and the following morning and may continue for another night or two. This year, with limiting light pollution from the moon light nonexistent as it goes into the new moon phase, the view will be the best it has been for many years. Too, with the sky now completely clear of clouds, each post midnight, I will be looking to the northeast for the best show until the sunglow.
At six this morning, the moon is two and a half hands up with the sun soon to follow. and I begin my travel north on US 59 towards the next national monument, soon to stop for photos of the suntouch. Arriving at Pipestone National Monument, I soon watch the video and learn about the Wakam, a native Sioux word which means family and that is also what the red stone is called, the same stone used primarily to make sacred pipes to smoke with. These are the same pipes that during this nations tumultuous past in dealing with the native American came to be known as peace pipes.
However, in my study of native Americans, particularly their ancestral roots, I have come to know that everything is spiritual to these people, but spirituality in the sense that is not from the God of Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob. No, just as Jesus said to the religious leaders in his day, methinks that his expressions will come true on these ones of today because they have not come to know the true God and to learn what his will is for all people today. Still, there is time to witness to them and there is always hope that they will listen to one of God′s people today.
(Luke 13: 28,
Matthew 7: 21,
22 and
23) Yes, all of their traditions are wrapped up with the teaching of their ancestors, much the same way Christendom is all about church tradition. In fact, one native American in trying to tell how her people feels about the red stone, the Wakam, she said "The way that the cross is to you (those of Christendom), it is the same way the red stone is to us, it is sacred." Her expression helped me to understand fully what this place represents for the native Americans.
After the video, I go out the back and begin steps on the trail through this place of the pipestone. Walk up the valley along a flooded Pipestone Creek along a well worn path, crossing the creek at a stone bridge adjacent the Winnewissa Falls, where I see a rainbow in the spray, stop and sketch the rainbow. Next, I walk along the obsidian cliffs and take several photographs of this very interesting place. Then, the trail crosses a small tallgrass prairie and leads to the quarry, where many native Americans spend countless hours of toil to gain access to the red stone so that they may work it into the art that has been handed down from their ancestors. Talking with several of these who would put in work so as to have the opportunity to make the pipes and other pieces, I say to them, "Digging out the stone and then working it until it is a piece of art, is way more work than I think that you doing for what you are asking for the finished products" Each one of them agree and I ask "Then, why do you do it?" and each one replies, "Because I just want to." or "Because I can." Truly, these people are dedicated to this work and they do it not for the profit as there is no profit with all the labor that is involved but rather it must be for the spiritual joy that they feel it brings them.
I leave this place saddened for these people, with the same sadness that I have for those who love being a part of Christendom′s churches. However, there is still a little time left to witness about the True God, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, to help them see how to do his will.
Leaving the place of the pipestone, I drive south on US highway 75 and once again, my mind travels back to days of long ago. This time, my thoughts take me back to when I was about six of seven, began riding my new Schwinn bicycle, a red one with a gas tank like attachment to the upper cross bar. I had already many times rode around the block, even around two blocks and now I was ready for a new adventure. Riding from my home which was located at 1115 Roper Street, the third house down from it′s intersection with Minnesota Street, in the city of in South Houston, Texas. One weekend, I ventured, on my bike, to the western most road in the subdivision over three blocks away and find that it ended on a side road of a very wide roadway. It was a sight to see for such a young and impressive boy. I remember being amazed at how fast the cars were driving on that wide roadway and though that I could never venture out onto it. Later, I came to learn that the wide roadway was in fact US highway 75 which extended from the middle of Houston all the way down to Galveston on the coast of Texas, each about fifty miles away from where I was living. Everything was so big back then and so far away. As I grew up and began driving, that highway became a means for me to reach many places as I ventured out into the unknown. Now, the roadway has gotten even larger and renamed to become Interstate 45 from Galveston to Dallas, Texas. US highway 75, however, continues all the way to the west side of Winnipeg, in Manitoba, Canada.
I follow US 75 down to Le Mans then west on Iowa state 3, cross into South Dakota and drive on SD 52 to Yankton, SD where I locate a place with a national park ranger. Once I find the ranger, then I receive maps and information about the parks and a place to camp for the night. Driving to Lake Yankton, I secure a place to camp for the night at Cottonwood Campsite on Lake Yankton, at Corp of Army Engineers Gavins Point Dam for the charge of eight dollars, half price because I have a National Parks Senior pass.
Besides the lake, the amenities include a hot shower, electric receptacles at each campsite and an aluminum picnic table. I have never used a table such as this, it is so easy to clean, and does not get dirty from deteriorating wood. Also, when it is hot out, you can lay down on it and the metal feels cool. I set up my campsite and begin cooking supper, a variation of my repast. After eating, I take a hot shower and then cool off with cold water. After, I lie down in the jammer and try to sleep but it is too hot even with the air conditioner on. Then as the sun sets, I lie down on the picnic table and it feels really good on my back. After some time, I get up to get my pillow and then return to the table and in a short time fall asleep until eleven pm when I awake chilled. After climbing into the jammer, I fall right asleep.
At two pm, I awake walk to the lake and sit on a bench to await to see the meteor shower but after a half hour have only seen a couple. I go back to bed thinking that it will have to be better tomorrow night.
(Day 895 JO) 61°F. 5:55 am
Perseids Meteor Shower
Cottonwood Campsite, CRS: 8.0
Arising, I go to the water spigot to fill my wash bucket and return to wash the jammer including the tires. Once that is done, I put away the wash gear, get my shower bag, some clean clothes and head to the shower house for another shower and even wash a set of shorts and underwear. Returning to the jammer, I put away my shower bag, pack away all my gear and head out across the dam further into Nebraska and stop first at the Lewis and Clark Visitors Center, an Corp of Army Engineers site and tour the displays. Then, I head west to the next national park, driving most of the day, stopping frequently along the river for photos and arrive at Niobrara National Scenic Riverway where I locate the visitors center in Valentine, Nebraska where I obtain my brochure, stamp imprint and patch.
Then, after buying some groceries, I drive over the river, stop to take some photos and then head south on US 83 towards North Platte, Nebraska where I stop for the evening. It is seven pm when I arrive in town and stop first at a w-mart to upload my journal entries. Once this is complete, I head to the d-mart and set up my place for the evening. I am really tired for some reason and after the sun sets, climb into the back to try to sleep.
(Day 896 JO) 67°F. 8:00 am
Perseids Meteor Shower
Overnighting in a parking lot
I awake and get up twice to look at the meteor shower but the light pollution conceals all but a few for me to see. Then, I sleep in until the warming sun awakes me, arise and drive to the w-mart. I stay here at the w-mart for the day so that I can go to the meeting tonight but when I check online, all the halls nearby had their meetings on Tuesday, with the nearest one a hundred miles to the east.
Leaving the w-mart, I head to the d-mart just before sunset and see a storm approaching from the north which does some funny things with the sunglow display. In a short time the wind begins to blow really hard, and soon after it begins to rain, then hail while the wind continues through it all. When the hail begins to get bigger, I move to a place right behind a large tree but then begin to wonder what would happen if the tree broke so I moved to the area where the big trucks were parked and tucked in beside one of them to wait out the storm. Listening to the radio, I find out that if I had driven to the meeting in Kearney, Nebraska, then I would have been out of the path of the storm. Lesson learned, do not miss meetings! No matter how far you have to travel. Now, I sit here watching the lightning as it travels southward out of the area, all the lights having gone out in town.
At ten pm, I shut off the air conditioner, climb into the back and read for a while before closing my eyes.
(Day 897 JO) 60°F. 5:55 am
Perseids Meteor Shower
Overnighting in a parking lot
Arise long before the sunrise as the suntouch here is much later due to this location being just east of the next time zone line. The first thing I do when I leave North Platte this morning is to cross into Mountain time giving me an hour more for today′s travel. Leaving east on US 30 along the South Platte River, I drive to Ogallala where I turn right (northwest) on US 26 cross to the north side of the North Platte River and follow it westward. At Broadwater, Nebraska, I turn left on NE 92, cross to the south side of the river and continue following it westward. When I arrive at Gering, Nebraska, I follow Old Highway 92, now called Old Oregon Trail, to
Scotts Bluff National Monument and drive into the park. After getting a brochure and stamp but not a patch because I had acquired one on
Day 120 JO when I last stopped here, but had arrived late in the day and did not have time to drive to the top of Scotts Bluff. This time, I not only drive to the top but also walk two of the three trails to view spots and take photos (to be uploaded later).
Leaving the park, I turn right and continue west on NE 92 across the state line where it become WY 92 and I just keep going west to Huntly, Wyoming where I leave WY 92, continue on WY 161 to US 85 and turn left heading south towards Colorado. Soon, US 85 blends into Interstate 25 which I continue south into Colorado to US 34 and take it west knowing that US 34 goes right to Rocky Mountain National Park. However, I see a w-mart, take a quick right and pull in, park and go inside to use my free purchase, which I have a wrap and water. I also work on the journal entry for today. Then I call Robert to see where he is and find out that he is in Grand Lake which is next to the national park but on the west side. He invites me to stop by and I tell him that I will do that tomorrow after I visit the park. Finally, I head west on US 34 and pull into the d-mart a short distance away.
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The Soujourn in the Colorado
Rocky Mountains
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(Day 898 JO) 64°F. 5:59 am
Overnighting in a parking lot
With the sun is approaching suntouch, I begin driving west on US 34 towards the rocky mountains, and soon come to Estes Park. Methinks this is not the same place as the Estes Park that I visited in 1980 on June 03. We had just gone into the national park and found a campsite at Moraine Campground, after which we go into town for food and drink. At a motel-store, the owner asks if we want to work for an hour to receive a case of beer. "Yes sir!" and after an hour he tells us that we can cool off in the pool. The town as I recall it was a small village with a only few businesses along the US highway 34. Now, it is this huge turkey trap, complete with every sort of souvenir dump, high priced restaurants, brand name motels and the entire area packed thick with gobbling turkeys.
I don′t even stop but take US 36 into the park and stop at Beaver Creek visitors center. It too is packed with people but, amazingly I find a parking spot right next to the center. I go in, get a brochure, stamp it, find a park patch plus a 100 year anniversary park patch and buy both. The I begin the drive into the park, and at Deer Ridge Junction US 36 tees into US 34, I turn left and resume my westerly travel on US 34. This forty-eight mile section of US 34 in the park, an over the top road is called the Trail Ridge Road, begins at the elevation of 7840 feet near the Beaver Meadows visitors center on the east side, climbs to the high point at 12,183 feet, crosses the continental divide at Milner Pass (10,758 feet) and arrives at Kawuneeche visitors center (8,720 feet) on the west side.
Skipping many of the roadside pullouts because of them being totally packed with cars, I only stop at a couple of them for photos and at the Alpine visitors center for additional stamps. Then, I continue down the west side into the Kawuneeche Valley, (the upper Colorado River) and stop at the Kawuneeche visitors center for more stamps on my park brochure. Then, I drive past the entrance station and turn right, still in the national park into Columbine Lake residential community and drive to Robert and Ellen′s home right on Columbine Drive, a gravel road which encircles the lake.
Upon arriving, I find out no one is home, so I call Robert and he says that they have been out, have just stopped for pizza and will be here in fifteen minutes. Then Robert and Ellen, with her son Shawn and his wife Joy and their son Wyatt arrive donning hugs for Uncle Thom. We all go inside to have some pizza and beer. I have only two slices but no beer, as I am still fasting from alcohol and right after eating, give Wyatt his Uncle gift. I laugh because both Wyatt and I like lots of Parmesan on our pizza.
Robert, (Pops to Wyatt) myself (Uncle Thom to Wyatt) and Wyatt then set up his new race track and start racing the Hot Wheels. Then we go into his room and set up the loop track and play with that for a while. Finally we all come back into the living room to sit and talk. Shawn and Joy leave to do some work downstairs and later, I go see what they are doing. I find that they are blocking in a window that opens from a basement room into the garage. When I see how they are doing it, I offer a suggestion and then offer to help both of which they are happy to have because they really have never done this type of job. It does not take long before the hole is sealed, framed, insulated, sheet rocked and we even apply the first coat of mud to cover the screw holes. Then we hang out until time to go to out sleep births.
(Day 899 JO) 48°F. 5:30 am
Overnighting in a driveway
My eyes open and look out the back window to see that the sky is clear with the stars fading quickly with the increasing sunglow; it rained last night but this morning the sky is clear. Upon arising, I work for a little while on my journal entry but soon go inside of the garage and hear footsteps above. I walk up the steps and at the top knock on the door to hear Joy say come in. Then she asks if I want some coffee and I answer yes. She points to a K-cup machine which I know how to work and immediately make myself a cup of hot. Soon, Robert comes down for some coffee and I retrieve my computer from the jammer to go online and find the nearest hall. When I tell Robert that I am looking for the nearest hall, he says that it is in Hot Sulphur Springs on US 40, which I confirm with the meeting location lookup on jw.org.
Later, I pack out to the jammer and begin the drive south on US 34, then west on US 40 and arrive at the Kingdom Hall located on US 40 just east of town. This congregation is a small one and they have a huge territory, which includes the national park and north to Wyoming. After the meeting, I head back the same route that I came and see the Arapaho National Recreation Area, a division of the Forest Service with campsites for twenty two dollars a night, but with my senior discount that would be eleven dollars plus they have hot showers. I don′t plan on using the campground anytime soon, but it is nice to know about. I return to the lake camp, park the jammer and go in to check the sheet rock mud, sand it and then apply another coat. Then Robert invites me upstairs saying the food is ready. I go up and have a hot dog, a hamburger and a small piece of steak, things I have not eaten for many months, possibly a year, but once in a while does not hurt.
Afterwards, I go out to the jammer and work on flushing the radiator and after an hour the radiator is back to where it should be.
I connect the water hose to the hose connector that I installed in the heater hose earlier, take off the radiator cap and then turn the inside heater to the full heat position. Next, I turn on the water hose, start the engine and watch as first brown water comes out of the radiator, then lighter brown and finally clear, which takes about five minutes. Then, I turn off the engine, turn off and disconnect the water hose, leave both the hose connector cap and radiator cap off and restart the engine. Water then comes shooting out of the hose connector and I wait until I think about two gallons has sprayed out and with the engine still running, begin pouring the coolant into the radiator. I am able to get one and a half gallons in the radiator before the water spraying out of the hose connector becomes green, so I put the cap on the hose connector and continue putting coolant into the radiator until it becomes full. Then, I put the radiator cap back on and then watch the water temperature gauge to see were the needle rises to and it doesn′t rise above the r in normal, exactly where I want it to be.
That wasn′t so hard! With that complete, I begin a load of laundry and while waiting for it to be done, work on my journal entry for today, upload it to the web site, which when I finish, turn off everything and climb into the back to read in my Bible until I go to sleep.
(Day 900 JO) 44°F. 5:33 am
Overnighting in a driveway
Arising during the sunglow, everything is very quite except for the howl of coyotes in the distance. It rained again during the night but now the sky is clear. During the past two days, both fox and moose have been spotted near the lake but not by my eyes. This morning I go for a walk on the road around the lake, a one and a half mile path and bring my camera just in case I sight one of these animals. However, the only animals I see are a couple of young deer but I make it around the lake without too much pain. Arriving back at the lake camp, I boil a pot of water to make coffee and then sit in the jammer to work on my web site. After a while, both Shawn and Joy come outside and I step out of the jammer to greet Shawn goodbye and obtain his phone number. Then, I continue with what I was working on and when that is done, I go inside to take a shower, after which, I tell Joy and Wyatt goodbye.
Leaving the lake house, and immediately entering the park, I turn left on US 34 and begin my drive up and over the Rockies, stopping at several location for photos. The scenery is just as I remember it from years past, awe inspiring, expansive, and majestic. Too, the park today is no where near as busy as it was Saturday when I crossed it westward and there were few if any parking in most of the stops. Today, however, there is ample parking at all the stops and I take many more photos on this eastward trip across the park. When I get to Deer Ridge Junction, I do not continue straight on US 36, but turn left to continue on US 34 so that I can stop at the Fall River visitors center for the stamps and to check out the visitors center. Then, I drive out of the park, through Estes Park over the same route as Saturday and reenter at Beaver Creek on US 36 but this time turn left on Bear Lake Road and follow it on a route that I traveled many times during my visit in June of 1980. I stop first at the Moraine Park visitors center and then continue up to Bear Lake. Twice, I see signs flashing the words "Bear Lake parking lot is Full, Use the Park and Ride Shuttle!" but both times I ignore them because I already have seen that this national park is not overcrowded today. In fact, I expect I will find many parking spots open at Bear Lake. I continue driving up the Bear Lake road increasing in elevation all the way on the switched back road until finally reaching 9475 feet and upon driving into the parking lot, I indeed find several spots vacant, even one not too far from the trailhead.
I put on my walking shoes and grab my camera but not my day pack because I do not plan to hike to the lakes above Bear Lake, but instead will just walk the half mile loop trail around the lake which will bring my total to two mile of walking today. That should be enough! After beginning my walk, methinks, everything about this park has been enlarged, increased, and widened to support large numbers of visitors. Too, I notice that once the infrastructure has been constructed (the buildings, parking lots, pathways, roads, trails, etc.) then it seems that little if any maintenance is ever done after the fact, well, except when something critical breaks. The lake looks much as it did in 1980, however, the path around it has been changed from the narrow, winding dirt path I remember to a timber bordered, packed gravel, wheelchair accessible wide path, capable of supporting a thousand people an hour. Too, all the surrounding landscape, over trodden by visitors climbing the adjacent rocks and cliffs is trampled down into a barren and dusty realm. Then, about two thirds of the way around the lake, it begins to rain, next hail and then thunder begins booming overhead. Methinks that whenever I take to the footpath, I must needs bring my day pack which always supports my poncho. I pick up the pace and finish the remaining section of the lake trail and head back to the jammer. Upon arriving at the jammer at one pm, the rain stops and the sky begins to clears, so I open the tailgate, prepare a salad and sit down on my blue step stool to eat my lunch. While eating, I look around and notice that there are many others doing the same thing.
Afterwards, I return to US 36, drive out of the park, through Estes Park to CO highway 7 and head south along the border of the national park, stopping often for photos. This roadway remains near nine thousand feet in elevation and it skirts the east side of the high ridge of the Rocky Mountains and traverses National Forests lands with several campsites. I continue south until arriving at the junction of CO 72 and turn right heading south while CO 7 heads east. This route also traverses several small towns, which are replete with turkey shoots, both restaurants, gift shops and casinos, all outfitted to satisfy the desires of turkey travelers. Then when CO 72 turns east towards Denver, I continue south on CO 119 through without stopping in Black Hawk, Colorado, a large turkey shoot to turn west on US 6 through the Clear Creek gorge and connect with interstate 70 west, drive up the steep climb to the Eisenhower Tunnel and soon emerge on the western side of the continental divide where I began this morning. Methinks that I have really worked the jammer hard today, but the jammer makes it to Dillon without the engine temperature ever going above the a in normal on the temperature gauge. I drive directly to the d-mart at the south end of Dillon Reservoir in Frisco, Colorado, park and open two cans for my evening meal. Until my legs tell me that I must needs be horizontal, I work on today′s journal entry.
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This Page Last Updated: 11 January 2025
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