At the Center for Peace

It has been almost a week since I have been near a computer. Walking the roads and sleeping out under the skies. Had first shower in several days last night. Ahhhhh!

I had a great visit with Tom and Jodi Groneman near Blackfoot at their God's Grace Dairy Goat Farm. Watched them milk goats, had my share of goat milk and granola, and passed some time with Tom and family. Think Vitamin M a great gift from God, I was happy to spend time around the little creatures and their masters.

Jodi and Tom Groneman

Tough hiking for some days thereafter. One night after passing through Aberdeen and wondering where I would land for the night, a van of hispanic potato truck drivers going home for the night after 12-hour shifts did a Uturn on highway in the middle of traffic as the sun went down. They picked me up and did another Uturn and dropped me off on the beach at American Falls Lake. Sweet moment with Rudy, Hugo, Jose and Ken (white guy). Warm, comfy night near the beach.

Sagebrush for company for two days thereafter. Little water to dip my feet. Slept under sagebrush one night. A pretty good one, another night near Burley under a big tree between RR and highway. Didn't sleep well for some reason.

Kathy, Aaron, Leah

Made it to Twin Falls late yesterday pm. Aaron Witherspoon, formerly a Tennessee Walker trainer, picked me up, made me family, introduced me to his wife Leah, and drove me to the Eighth Street Center for Peace in Buhl where she teaches guitar classes on Thursday nights. The founder, Kathy Ruyts's friend Chuck took me to Subway while the others did some guitar. When we came back Chuck, Aaron and I sang in the choir for the guitarists.

Center for Peace deserves its own blog or story down the road. Kathy has done a wonderful job of turning an ancient Presbyterian church into a resource for the wider community.

I lost my second chapeau five miles out of town, Aaron gave me a Ted Williams cap as soon as I got in his car. But, the cap is named for a Tennessee Walker, not the ballplayer. I still like it. Will wear it to Nevada.

Present plan is to cap the trip at around 40 days in Carlin or Elko. Finish into California maybe next year.

All for now. Thanks for keeping in touch.

Robert

In the News

Hello Anyone and Everyone.

I apologize for lack of photos. I usually just get a few minutes on a library computer as today. When I get to Twin Falls in a week I should be able to throw up some of my favorite pictures.

I left off in Rexburg. I sat across the way at Oles in Sugar City about five miles north of Rexburg a couple days ago. The patrons at the next table of the not-busy cafe turned out to be Richard Woodland, Mayor of Rexburg, and his wife Laurie. We took up conversation. They invited me to ride with them to Rexburg after the meal. To that point, I had only taken two rides of less than a mile each.

But, I gave in and was glad I did. Mrs. Woodland did the driving and gave me a tour of Rexburg, home of Brigham Young University - Idaho. Laurie was once basketball coach there. The school became four year university about 10 years ago. No intercollegiate athletics. Lots and lots of ball teams though for anybody ijnterested. Sounds like a good idea.

The Woodlands took me to the Super 8, I was ready for a break after 5-6 nights jumping the fence and sleeping near the highway. The Mayor took out his credit card and paid for the room, invited me to visit City Hall next day. After a short time there, he sent me to the Rexburg Standard where Joseph Law did a long interview, walked me to Broulims Grocery and then to the edge of town. Had a good visit and really liked Mr. Law. He has six kids, modest for a Mormon there.

Next day, to be brief, a young fellow named Pat Sutphin, intern from Chicago, found me at a rest stop on the edge of Idaho Falls and did an interview for the Post Register.

I fotgot to say, I took an hour or so to visit the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls to see the 111-piece King Tut exhibit. Pretty neat, took photos, but my brain-mind was not able to digest much of the exhibit.

In Blackfoot, ID, now at the library. Heading west from here. Twin Falls beckoning. More about that later.

Thanks to all for thoughts, comments, etc.

Three Amigas

Nearing 300 miles on the Walk, I am in Rexburg, ID. I have stories to tell about getting to this city yesterday. But will save them for later.

I want to make mention of three friends who have much to do with this whole venture.

Ginger Peace Arnold in New York City was key in getting me pointed to the first trek to the Lady Liberty in 2002. She is now posting and posting on Facebook about this effort. Thanks Peace, old buddy, old friend.

Tracy Deliman in northern California challenged me to an Adventure and so it happened that I picked up Fannie the Flag and started walking Montana to California. Tracy is contact person for the trip. Thank you Tracy for the push and help.

Meryl Ann Butler has pulled things together, written articles and press releases, and is energizing the whole PR process from Norfolk, VA. For an overview of the Walk read her article posted early into the trip. Link below. Meryl Ann deserves many thanks.

My thanks go out to my Three Amigas.

Walk Softly and Carry a Big Flag: MD Follows His Heart on 900-Mile Trek

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Walk-Softly-and-Carry-a-Bi-by-Meryl-Ann-Butler-120901-860.html

Over the Continental Divide

I have just a few minutes at the Library in the town with a 39-mile-long main street - Highway 20 - Island Park, Idaho.

Crossed the Continental Divide yesterday. Good pull but not as hard as Norris Hill Pass.

Had private cello concert from Rachel Linn yesterday at Driftwaters Lodge.

Met a young woman named Amity driving her bike and her dog from Glennwood Springs CO to Seattle WA.

Decided to give the Flag and Walk the motto of Amity and Unity.

Cold nights. Feet like them for walking, will take some adjusting to walking some at night as well as day.

Thanks for all the Facebook posts, emails, prayers and thoughts.

I get lots of hoots - or Fannie the Flag does - as we walk the highway - now 20 - heading for Ashton, St Anthony and Rexburg in next few days.

Many Good Wishes to All Gods Creatures.

Robert

Heading for Idaho

Ben Trotter

KBZK - Bozeman, MT

Not sure where i left off, but passed out of Bozeman, got interviewed twice for CBS Bozeman TV station by a fine young man named Ben Trotter. Numerous people remarked they saw the piece or me trudging the highway.

Stopped at Norris Hot Springs - 60s in the 00s. Highly recommended.

Then hiked the Norris Pass. Steep, windy and hard. Michael Middlebrook, housepainter, put me up for the night at McAllister, made me pancake breakfast.

Then to Ennis, treated like a king when walked into town - gatorade, water, then offer of room at Fan Mountain Inn. Joel and Sherri Shows. Great people. Interview with Madisonian by another Ben. Share (name) treated me to breakfast at the Ennis Cafe this am. Had a great confab with Bill and Jerry - from Eugene - leaving motel this am.

Idaho is about 50 miles away now. Smoke from western forest fires fills the air evening and morning. Clears in day.

Back to the road now. People resonate to the idea of Unity, Goodness, and Caring for others. They have been showing much of the latter to me.

Thanks for all the notes, prayers, thoughts.

Time to Roll. Robert

100 miles to next real town, so won't post for maybe a week.

First Hundred Miles

Kolby, Anita and Karen Kolman

When the visited me en route near Big Timber

Howdy,

Have arrived in Bozeman. Accepting the hospitality of Karen and Anita Kolman, Duane Kolman's sisters, for a few hours. Meryl Ann Butler's friend Kathy in ID Falls has invited me to stop there.

The Flagman has his clothes in the washer.

Note he broke his flagpole en route and needs a replacement.

Brief blog, more later. Trip goes well. Cold night last above the Interstate and Railroad traffic midway between Livingston and Bozeman. Covering territory, things developing.

Feel like I am in a city here in Bozeman.

You might consider joining the Walk by purchasing a TShirt with Logo from Ty Franks at Montana Rugged Wear (Harlowton) - formerly Passage Creek Designs. Am sure Ty can help if you have questions or want to vary something on a shirt.

http://montanarugged.com/mtrugged/pages/drbob.html

Keep those cards, letters, emails, prayers coming in.

Robert

Harlo to Livingston

Billy Howard

New Livingston Friend

A Travelling Man Himself

Hello Friends, Neighbors and Travelers.

I am at the public library in Livingston MT. Four plus days on the road, around 80 miles.

Mostly encountering nature, warm windy days and cool nights. A spot of rain the first night.

A few critters here and there, one coyote, many deer, a few pronghorn, lots of beauty in land, water, air, mountains. Trees esp juniper are my good friends.

People have been generous and friendly. Two breakfasts paid for, Brother John from St. John's University in MN I met before Melville and the McCauleys (I think Kevin and Marie) outside the Country Skillet in Big Timber.

Loren Haarr and Duane and Audrey Kolman and Karen and Anita Kolman have helped me down the road in many ways especially stops for water refills.

Scott a Livingston outfitter filled me up with Gatorade and candy bars after I had done the hardest part of Convicts Grade Road from Springdale to Livingston.

Had a great and glorious view of the Yellowstone River on that road as they ran very close together yesterday. Now, on to Bozeman. 25 miles away.

Thanks for all the good thoughts, prayers, etc.

Keep the Faith, Be Well, and Help your Neighbor here there and everywhere.

Robert

PS I am not editing. Excuse mistakes.