Last night as I was heading down the road I saw a man on a riding mower. I walked over and asked if I could pitch my tent somewhere on his property. He (Dennis) and his wife Nancy turned out to be the kindest, most generous hosts you could imagine. They fed me dinner and a double-pie dessert, let me use their shower and washing machine, and sent me on my way this morning with breakfast and a little care package of goodies. Dennis even drew me the map you see above to show me a shortcut I could take.
By the way, I think my favorite thing I learned about them was that they met at a toga party in the 80s at a nearby bar. (That's not classified information, is it?)
Day 10
A night with Nancy and Dennis
April 5th, 2010
I think there’s some sort of karma going on- you’re meeting all the people and good and kind as you yourself are.
Man, these stories of yours make me want to hop on the road and just go! I’ll do Canada while you do America- Race you across the Continent!
This is officially where I come now for my daily dose of feel good. I can’t wait to see where your adventures take you next!
Steph (brought to you by Jason)
Isn’t it wonderful how open-hearted people can be? Just reading this gave me warm fuzzies and brought tears to my eyes. Enjoy your journey! Be well!
Love following your trip, Matt! Am happy that all those nice people have had a chance to meet you!
Meeting Matt was our pleasure, my husband and i cried as he was walking down the driveway. Hes a wonderful person, and we are proud we got to know him . We wish him a safe journey through Pennsylvania. We just hope he stops back some day to visit , We will be watching him on this web site through out his trip. PS MATT Kasey and Kally (our beagles) miss you much love Nancy & Dennis
Matt, I love reading your posts…I am totally with Steph. I come here for daily inspiration :-). Your trip sounds so incredible, and I’m so happy I can be a voyeur through this awesome journal. You go, gangsta!
Double pie dessert!
I, too, was enchanted by this notion.
Matt,
I am so moved by your photos, supporters, spirit, encounters, and adventures. And reading everyone’s comments is part of the experience too. Love the brotherly comments by Jonathan!
Sherry and I looks forward to meeting you both one of these days.
Meantime, I will share this spot with kindred spirits in my family.
With you all the way,
Gael
I am so envious! Wish I had had the opportunity to do something like this when I was young & fearless. You are so lucky, although you are making your own luck. I have lived in many cities, many towns in several different states–you are going to continue to meet amazing people right up until the end. This is such an amazing country–too bad the media plays up the bad (there’s plenty of that, granted) and no one ever shows the true heart of this country. God be with you on every step of your incredible journey.
Over/under on when Matt develops his Gump-like following: Twin Cities. Jason, I hope you signed up for the exponential bandwidth plan!
Keep rockin’, dude.
Matt:
Nancy Kibler told me about your trip at the post office. I am her next door neighbor. If I would have known you were camping last night, I would have gladly given you a box of matzoh!!! It is nice to hear that you are walking towards a goal and not away from a problem like so many do. Good luck and have a safe trip.
Wow, Pennsylvania is making a real name for itself…such excellent moments with kind people.
Amen, sister, and they have moved on and have spread that kindness wherever they have gone (as you will surely see).
David says he just had a double pie dessert.
ALSO PLEASE NOTE:
Nancy and Dennis are both names of pet cats that Matthew has insisted on.
Matt – I’m so glad that you are having such a great walk so far!!! I think that your luck in meeting so many nice people has a lot to do with karma…
:O)
(Beagles!?!?!?! Did you take a picture of Kasey and Kally?)
Thank you, Caroline! I demand more dog pictures.
Sadly, my phone camera isn’t able to capture non-blurry pictures of wiggly little puppies. Wiggly little balls of cuteness. So cute you wouldn’t believe it. You’d have to see a picture to believe it. Last night I had more canine companions: Boomer, an old yellow Lab, and Bandit, a Boggle (Boston terrier and beagle).
I believe every bit of cuteness and then some. Hooray for canine companions!
I just came from Nancy’s office and she told me about your stay with them. Wish I could have met you. Nancy is now worried sick about you making it all the way to Oregon. I live around the corner from Dennis and Nancy, yeah they are great folks! Best of luck.
I up to day 10 now and it keeps getting better. I used to run about 7miles per day until i had to have surgery for my back(disc problem)can only manage about 1mile now, but improving and now i walk almost everywhere if i can avoid taking the bus or train to get there.