As I walked past, Gary yelled up to me from the parking lot. He was waiting outside while his wife was in the doctor's office. He was really excited about my walk and wished me the best of luck.
Almost all of my direct interactions with other people on this trip have been positive, like this one. If you've been reading this blog, you know that.
But I do sense a lot of suspicion and unfriendliness from people as well. People glaring at me, not returning my waves. The thing is, none of this is worth reporting; the negative stuff tends to be non-events. And, of course, I could be wrong about these people. Maybe they didn't wave back because they didn't see me, or maybe they did and I didn't see them, or maybe they were just really focused on driving and not hitting me. I'll never know for sure.
Kind people tend to be outward-reaching, while the suspicious ones withdraw themselves. Thus the kind people will always be over-represented on this blog, because they're the ones engaging with me and giving me something to talk about. And making my trip as wonderful as it has been so far.
My first night in the Buckeye State was a great one. As I was setting up in the back yard, Darlene made me dinner and brought it out to me. She also did my laundry and let me take a shower. Chad and Brandon (pictured) thought my trip was "awesome!" (Their sister Ashley was a lovely young lady, but wasn't around when I snapped the photo.) And this morning when I was heading out, Darlene made a donation to my walk, which I playfully like to call the Get-As-Far-Away-From-Here-As-Possible Fund.
My favorite trio of names so far: Moadus-Fuda-Flask. It just rolls right off the tongue!
I don't know if you can see it in this photo, but the fine print at the bottom of the sign indicates this guy's name is Eugne Lucci (sadly, it's actually Eugene).
Center of the World? That's nothing. I'm from the Center of the Universe!
