David, a Vietnam vet, has done about 150 "peace walks" since late 2002, carrying his sign three and a half miles along this rural stretch of US 14. We walked side by side for a while, chatting. A bunch of people waved to David or honked in support, but he said people used to throw things at him when he first started.
He is also the editor of the local paper and a painter (both canvas and mural).
This isn't the first time I've seen this version of Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima with firemen, but with the flag missing it just looks like they're having a fistfight.
While I was futilely trying to get a good photo of an emu, I looked down and saw this image on my phone screen.
My conversation with Steve, a man of infectiously unbridled enthusiasm, started something like this:
Steve: Where the hell are you going?!
Me: Oregon!
Steve: HOLY CRAPOLA! That's awesome!
Me: Thanks!
Steve: Where'd you start?
Me: New York City!
Steve: HOLY CRAPOLA! Well, welcome to southern Wisconsin!
I'd always wanted to know but been too embarrassed to ask.
These horrible monsters are all over southern Wisconsin right now. I bet I literally saw half a million of them smushed on the road today.
When I stayed in his RV back in Indiana, Bob gave me this sticker for my cart. I finally got around to filling it in today.
28 miles and 94 degrees.
This morning: free 6 AM wake-up call from the gentlemen mowing this park where I stayed last night.
There was no sign indicating otherwise, so that's what I'm going to believe.
I guess it's a bookstore, but again there was no sign.
Barb at the Westby Bakery & Coffee Shop gave me a bunch of delicious pastries for the road!
First, Christian and his dad pulled up beside me in their truck to give me some words of encouragement. A little while later, Christian tracked me down in his car to offer some financial support.
A little while after that, Christian's dad tracked me down again, this time to give me the food and beverages you see pictured. This was the first time I drank a beer while pushing the cart.
Also, LaCrosse Lager: the real Old Style?
I walked until later than usual last night, but they graciously accommodated me, letting me stay in their trailer to avoid the thunderstorms (which never actually materialized). This morning they sent me off with some goodies for the road, including homegrown (and handpicked by me!) lettuce, spinach, and rhubarb.
That's what the billboard says, along with the advertising company's name and phone number, and a generic lighthouse photo.
Mike spotted me from a nearby gas station and came over to give me 20 bucks and a bottle of water!
