A couple of days earlier than expected. More on that later.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to publicly thank a few people for their help in putting this whole thing together.
Jason Eppink: Site designer and vigilant webmaster
Roger Berg: Designer and generous donor of the Runabout stroller I'm using as my cart
Posterchild: Originator of the "imjustwalkin" website name
Bill Wetzel: Originator of the "We May Never Meet Again" sign on the front of my cart
Gary Hause: The man who convinced me I could do it
They spotted me walking up a big hill. I was anxious to make some progress and didn't want to stop for an interview, so they walked/ran along beside me talking with me and getting some footage. Athletic, tenacious reporters: I was impressed!
I was planning on heading up the Mississippi River from La Crosse for a couple of days before crossing into Minnesota, but when Eileen from the La Crescent Chamber of Commerce offered me a shower and a chance to do laundry (both of which I desperately needed), I decided to make a run for the border early, and I'm really glad I did. She and her son Brian were wonderful hosts, preparing a big summer feast for me. Eileen hung around the house a little later than usual yesterday morning to make me breakfast and see me off.
Eileen and Brian gave me this card (which Eileen made!) at breakfast yesterday.
As it turns out, my mom had emailed the La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to tell them I'd be in the area on my birthday, which is how Eileen found out about me. I also got a couple of nice offers for free food and beer from the owners of local businesses (Rudy's Drive-in and the Pearl Street Brewery). And a few people just stopped me in the street to wish me a happy birthday.
I also received almost 2000 emails yesterday, many very heartfelt and personal, after Martha's AP story started running in various news outlets. Thanks for all the kind words, everyone! It will take me a long, long time to read through all the emails, but I will read each one even if I can't reply to them all.
What a birthday!
A beautiful, isolated, precipitous dirt road running from the top of a bluff down to the Mississippi River
He seemed to have a deformed leg and was just sitting dead still looking at me.
Thanks to Sandy (second from left) for the lemonade and the $20!
He had read about me earlier in the day, and figured I must be somewhere in the area. He pulled over his motorcycle to talk when he saw me walking, and let me spend the night at his cabin, which happened to be right near where we met. It was a beautiful, serene place, right on the Mississippi, and the fridge was stocked with beer: a perfect, quiet end to a crazy birthday. This morning he came by to check on me and gave me money for a nice dinner tonight.
They're in town from Idaho because Lanny is acting in a Shakespeare festival in Winona. They just stopped to give me some moral and financial support (Ada has deep pockets).
No big green dinosaur statue, but they do, apparently, have frisbee golf frisbees.
The "Nurses of Winona County" were having a yard sale and gave me some homemade rhubarb bread!
And I accidentally left it at Eileen's house a couple of nights ago. So she and her husband Dave hopped in the car and drove it up to me today in Winona.
Last night we stayed up late talking over drinks and cookies (well, I ate most of the cookies). After breakfast this morning I hopped on the four-wheeler with Marv and he took me on a tour of their wooded, hilly farm (it was kind of surreal to see one of their cows wandering through the forest!). We went up to the top of a bluff on their property overlooking the Mississippi, where the views were absolutely stunning. They've hosted different groups and events on their property from time to time, including a peace festival in 1972 with more than 600 attendees!
I like assuming that all mistakes are caused by drunkenness.
You may be able to see the funny cup apparatus that was supporting the bottom rear fin.
Last night they invited me to share in a family weekend tradition: the bonfire! We sat around drinking age-appropriate beverages, and the kids, who were really funny, asked me all sorts of questions and told me all sorts of stories. This morning I got to partake in some more quality family time around the breakfast table before heading out for the day.
From left to right: Brian, Steve, Hunter, Carly, Gabe, Maya, Bradley (not pictured: other daughter Chloe)
France, India, Mauritius, USA, European Union, Costa Rica
Day 65
Bizarre billboard
May 30th, 2010
It spins in the wind, is located in a yard full of junked vehicles and scrap metal, and promotes a company located 50 miles away in a different state.
It's a tunnel leading to the other side of the street
Well, about half of the crew. They were having a cookout when I arrived and invited me to join in, fixing me a big plate of food and handing me a cold beer. After dinner we all hung out, talking and drinking together. When the party was over, August and I had a movie night on the porch. This morning they took me out to the Whistle Stop Cafe in Frontenac for breakfast before I hit the road.
Top row, left to right: Alyssa, April, Montana
Bottom row: Brett (holding Gracie), August, Kim
Kory, who was at the cookout last night, told me I better say something good about him on my blog, or there would be consequences. So here goes: Kory... seems like he'd be an excellent tuba player?
