Nebraska, Here I AM

Arrived in Bridgeport, NE, around 11:00 am. Although I have walked a lot of miles, the trek has been speeded up a number of times thanks to drivers who stop and offer me rides. I have generally decided to accept.

I walked from Guernsey to Fort Laramie, WY, a few days ago. Slept under a tree in a park. Got up on Sunday and made my way to the Saloon run by Brandon and Matt. They gave me water and sodas and sent me on my way.

Several miles down the road, the Fitzgeralds of Guernsey picked me up and carried me to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska - a boost of 30-40 miles. I walked through Scotts Bluff and Terrytown and Gering, intending to walk into the evening to the east.

I encountered Teri Genua at the Fresh Foods Store. Before long, I was invited to spend a few hours at her home. After long conversations and a night camped on the living room floor, Teri made me breakfast. Then, we went to the Public Library where I gave her email, internet and Microsoft Word tips. My method was to help Teri get some of her ideas and writing out of notebooks and into computer format so as to be someday printable and publishable.

Thereafter, we drove into the Scotts Bluff National Monument, walked along one of its paths, and viewed the landscape which on a clear day can stretch 90 miles.

After watermelon, Teri went back to work and I headed out from Fresh Foods at 4:00 pm toward Bridgeport. I had been out an hour or so when Curt who works at the hospital picked me up and carried me to Melbeta. I put my bag at the "wrong spot" next to the Rock Shop which apparently disturbed the owner. Matt, a Minatare policeman, came by and offered me a ride to the edge of the county.

Instead, I chose McGrew which is shy of the border by a few miles. McGrew boasts the Pink Palace Saloon which Teri said "you have to see."

I saw it and walked into the dark. Morrill County police officer, Steve Lattin, said Hello from his cruiser at around 8:00 pm. He offered me a dozen-mile ride into Bridgeport, but I chose to walk into the Moon for a few hours.

Eventually tiring, I found a sign-post next to the highway to lean my backpack against and proceeded to rest from about 11:00 to 7:00 am. After cleanup, I walked a few brisk miles when Albert Hanoch volunteered a ride to Bridgeport.

I took myself to the Bakery and then the Library when I write this note.

The road has been kind and so have the people of Wyoming and Nebraska. I am convinced that given the opportunity, most people act with kindness and goodwill. My Walk offers some of those opportunities.

There are many ways to give and share so as make this a better world.

In Amity Unity and Imagination.

Robert

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Miles Down the Road

Ahoy, Friends and Neighbors.


I have a few minutes at the Public Library in Guernsey Wyoming. It is a small building packed with books and a few computers which are in demand on this Saturday morning. Sheila Oliver, the librarian, is chasing around trying to accommodate people. Giving up her computer so a customer can get his project done.


I have had an eventful week. Seen a lot of Wyoming. Met fine people. Slept under the stars. Withstood the elements, which have changed and changed and changed.


Got caught in a hail storm a few days ago. The poncho and a tree (fortunately available where 99.9 percent of the time there are none) didn't keep me and my gear from getting mostly soaked. Drying took most of a day.


Beginning August 1, I have had a number of benefactors on the journey: Friend Charlotte dropped me off outside of Cody. While the wind and clouds subsided, I began walking. Within a mile, I had a ride offer. But couldn't quite accept. Then did take a ride from Joe a few miles later - on the way to the Casino at Riverton - we had a great visit and he dropped me at Shoshoni.


I slept under the stars next to cacti and dirt and sage and sandstone bluffs. Continued to Moneta where next to nothing exists. Dennis and Gracye Keller rescued me. Put me up in their warehouse for a few hours, then I head east.


Dr. Travis Marshall picked me up and carried me to Casper. Travis is a podiatrist, but he most  interested in politics and his LDS Church. After a sandwich, I headed to Glenrock, sleeping in an almost grassy area beside the highway.


I found that Wyoming is doing well financially because of the oil and natural gas boom. Lots of jobs, money, construction. On to Douglas, meeting Coates and Toman, police officers, and Gypsy, a wanderer from LA. Slept under a great tree near a park on the edge of town. Rained just a bit, but no mosquitoes and a sweet sleep.


Did the Interstate the next day, which has advantages and disadvantages. Too much traffic, but a wide shoulder for walking. Randy Lund, a contract mail hauler for the USPS, stopped his big rig and handed me a sandwich that morning. Visited with some Garden Clubbers at the Orin Rest Area. Used my tent for a tent instead of a pillow for the first night. Big rainstorm, but kept dry mostly.


Encountered BNSF man early next day. John Bauder gave me water and a little boost up the road to Howard's Grill in Glendo. Had breakfast talking to the cook Amy who works 6 to 3 seven days a weeks, every day of the year except Easter, Thanksgiving, two Christmas holiday weeks. Wow.



Had good visits thereafter with Larry Sommers, Texas rancher, returning home after Sturgis Rally visit, and Ken and Bobby heading for Minneapolis.


Caught in the rain that eve. Drying out in the ditch. In the morning, I took myself into a property looking for some water and met Larry the Irrigation Man. He filled my bottle and talked and talked and talked about the Oregon Trail and how he is finding metal remnants with his detector. He intends to discover the $30,000 in gold that Jack Slade stole from the stage line 150 years ago. It will be worth 10,000,000 million dollars.


Ronda Osborn who is employed by Keyhole Highway Construction lifted me up the road a few miles through some recent road work and dropped me in front of the El Rancho Restaurant. A sweet spot, with good food and service. I rested under the trees, got under the restaurant porch before a deluge.


Visited with the waitress Kim and bartender Tiffany and Geno Davis, The Milk Man, who loves beer.


"Camped on the concrete" at the next Rest Area that night. Then, marched to Guernsey - 15 miles in the morning. I was proud of myself. Anthony Grubbs, another BNSFer, stopped to load me up with COLD WATER bottles.


I took a room at the Bunkhouse Motel, talked to Bruce Heimbuck, Community Developer, and stopped at the grocery store for provisions. Finished the night off with first TV in a week, watching a Dateline episode on the FLDS.


Heading on to Fort Laramie, Torrington, and NEBRASKA after an afternoon rest in the park.


All is well on the prairie. May it be well in your own worlds.


In Amity Unity and Imagination.


Robert


Send comments to theportableschool@gmail.com

I'm Back in the Saddle Again

Well, almost. And, the Saddle will be my Kelty backpack as I commence my 2014 Walkabout on or about 1 August. The Theme for this year's Trek is Amity, Unity and Imagination. We all can share more of those energies in our lives and worlds.

Along the way I will visit old friends in Kansas. And new ones I meet along the way. If you know anyone along the general route I ought to encounter, let me know.

After conferring with my Kansas friends, I may head to the Southwest. But, my travel itineraries often change. So, it is hard telling where the route will lead.

I will endeavor to stop at libraries along the way to do weekly blogs for those who may be interested.

So, along with Gene Autry ---

I'm back in the saddle again
Out where a friend is a friend
Where the longhorn cattle feed
On the lowly Jimson weed

Back in the saddle again

Ridin' the range once more
Totin' my new Fannie Flag.
Where you sleep out every night
And the only law is right
Back in the saddle again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEJWoGUxnxQ

Send comments to theportableschool@gmail.com.

In Amity, Unity and Imagination.

Robert

Healing Friends

I missed telling a couple stories from the Walk of 2013. So, here comes the first. Better late than never.

I was in Melstone, MT, for several days in July and determined to visit a friend from the first excursion in 2002. His name is Bud Hjelvik and you can review his story at a previous blog entitled This Bud's For You.

Bud

I walked out a couple miles east of Melstone one warm day and found Bud at his ranch home. He was smiling and happy to see me, remembering our meeting years back. Bud seemed to think it was but a few years ago when it had been all of eleven plus a few days.

We had a grand visit and passed stories back and forth. Plus questions about his life and my own.

There had been quite a bit of water under the bridge for Bud. Some medical and surgical problems as well as the death of his wife. None of those are all that uncommon for a man in his 80s.

Still, Bud's age hadn't slowed him down much at all. He continued in the thick of ranch chores with his son and grandson. But, Bud had had a fall several days past and was nursing a pained right shoulder and struggling with extra discomforts when trying to sleep at night. Mr. Hjelvik had been doctoring and thought he would have to get an MRI before long and whatever might follow that.

I told him before we parted that I knew just the man who could help him. I soon got on the phone and talked with my good friend, Adrian Min. I knew Adrie would lend a hand if there was any way we could get Bud and him together.

Adrie made it easy by volunteering to drive out to Melstone the next Saturday. He stopped to pick me up before noon and we headed out to see Bud. I had told him ahead of time of my plan.

Bud was delighted to meet "Mr. Holland," which name he decided was easier to say than Adrie or Min. Adrian spent much of his life in the Netherlands, coming to the USA over 20 years ago. He has been a US citizen for some years now.

Adrian went to work quickly, asking a few questions and putting Bud's arm through its present range of motion. Then, he did some of his very eclectic brand of physical therapy. He spaced those efforts with teaching simple exercises which Bud could do on his own.

Adrie and I spent over an hour with Bud during the therapy session and visit. Bud obviously could use his arm with greater facility and comfort by the time "Holland" was done. Adrian attended Bud as if he was family, friend and patient all at the same time.

Adrie and Bud

Hjelvik decided he should buy lunch and invited us to meet him at the Melstone Cafe. We spent some more time together, had a meal at the only spot in town, and took some parting photos.

I wish I could say that Bud followed the exercise regimen that Adrian lined out for him. I kind of doubt that he spent much time following instructions.

Regardless, Bud improved enough to play guitar at the Jersey Lily Bar in Ingomar a few days later. When I called him a couple weeks down the road, he said he was sleeping a lot better and his arm was working "pretty well." Bud was still ranching, drilling wells, and hadn't done the MRI.

It didn't sound like he was in quite perfect shape, but Bud was pleased with the results of Adrie Min's House Call.

House Calls are hardly common these days. Nor are people like Adrie Min. He is a talented, compassionate, hands-on medical professional who has helped many, many people with a variety of medical and surgical and orthopedic complaints. I feel confident in saying that, "I believe Mr. Min is more of a healer than all but a very few physicians and therapists in the medical business. He touches people and patients in many

Adrie does great work in and out of the hospital. You should get to know him.
http://rockymountainastrologer.com/EverybodysBusiness/LightTouch.html

Walking in Another Man's Shoes

My 2013 Walk was made much easier by a simple change of footware. In 2002 and 2012, I relied on frequent stops to douse my feet in streams, lakes, ponds, ditches or puddles. To rest and cool them, and my whole being.

Each trip, I was wearing boots - most of the time. I thought they carried me quite well. Nonetheless, my feet got tired, hot, and sweaty. Cool water or any water helped. And, I made many stops to water my feet

One of the reasons, I decided to push a Buggy on the 2013 trip was that I could carry extra water to drink in case of dry spots heading toward Arizona. I also imagined carrying enough water to rinse my feet in case the ditches and puddles disappeared, as they did a number of times on the road.

But, that scenario never materialized because new footware came to the rescue. Actually, my then next-door neighbor Lorenzo Haarr came to rescue.

Lorenzo

A few days before my journey was to begin, Mr. Haarr invited me to his house for a Walking Party to send me off on the next excursion. The Elwoods and the Kolmans and the Haarrs convened for cookies and lemonade and a good visit. People asked about my intended route (which changed almost before I got out of town) and I queried everyone about their plans for the summer.

Somewhere during the party, Lorenzo asked about footware for the trip. Not waiting for the whole answer, he divested himself of his Tevas and said, "Give these a try. If they fit and you like them, wear them on your journey."

I wasn't sure about wearing "sandals" on such a trip, but I did give them a try. They fit perfectly and felt great. I tested them out several times in the next few days. And, I wore them all the way to the Black Hills. When they began to wear through at the heels and balls of my feet, I traded off with my boots especially in the morning.

The Tevas worked wonderfully. They were comfortable, airy, and easy. And to top the whole deal off, I managed sometimes whole days without needing to put my feet in water. That was good because there were a number of days in eastern Montana and western Nebraska when no streams or ditches in walking range appeared during the day's travel.

So, how did it feel to Walk in Another Man's Shoes? It felt terrific. I am hooked on those walking sandals. The Tevas lasted until my first stop along the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota. I decided that Mystic, SD (just a spot on the trail - once the location of a mine) was an appropriately named place to deposit the worn-out Tevas and put on the new Keens which my brother had bought for me in Deadwood.

I can't say enough for the Tevas and the Keens. I am keen on both of them. I recommend them highly, at least the kind I got. (See photo below).

And, I can't recommend my friend Lorenzo enough. He is a wonderful neighbor in Harlowton, a community and family man, a former Peace Corps volunteer, rafter and traveler, and - I dare not forget - an avid and accomplished golfer.

I don't remember any psychic or sympathetic revelations from walking 450 miles in another man's shoes. But, I did learn the value of modern walking sandals thanks to another man named Lorenzo. I also call him on occasion, Mr. Sympatico.

These are Keens, I wore socks.

Living on the Edge

View from the edge of Melstone, MT - July 2013

"If you're not living on the Edge, 
you're taking up too much Space."

Anonymous

I think walking less-traveled highways off and on over two months fits the idea of Living on the Edge. (You can catch up on the end of my recent journey by reading previous blog called Back from the Edge.)

But, I have taken the Edge adage for my own and expressed it for many years regardless of walking expeditions. I believe more people should make it their own motto, or at least spend some time pondering on its possible meanings. It may be useful and important because more and more of us surely will be living on the edge in the coming months and years.

Like the Edge of

* Credit Limits
* Financial Stability
* Social Comfort
* Physical and Emotional Safety
* Western Superiority

Some are there already. But overall, thanks to a plethora of government generosity, most of us don't appear to have suffered too much. Still, it seems clear that government handouts - bailouts, stimulus programs, quantitative easing, welfare, grants - and many other gifts are about to run out or be reduced.

The recent government shutdown and impasse on raising the debt ceiling should be clear warnings of things to come. The whole scenario will be revisited in just a few weeks and remind us again that the days of living "high off the hog" are coming to an end. The "chickens are coming home to roost," as my old Mother used to say.

Many of us will have to learn to live much more frugally than we have since the Depression Days of the 30s. Anybody remember the 30s?

We also may have to learn to

* Cooperate and really work together - the era of rugged independence may be over, time for group effort may be upon us. The Age of Aquarius which is slowly evolving will be one of Group Consciousness.
* Share more freely - we are used to buying all we want and more than we need. When we run out of credit or the store shelves are depleted, we will be forced to share with friends and neighbors.
* Care for each other - mercenary days of paying for all kinds of so-called expert services will be replaced by DoItYourself options which will ultimately be for our betterment.

I find it interesting that the Richest Country in the World and All Known History worries so much about lack, poverty, and "not enough." How much is enough? Those who live in 21st century America have MORE than 99 percent of humans living on the planet past and present.

We are standing at the Edge of the unsustainable Past, worrying about living with less. But, the real abundance lies within waiting to be drawn forth. Within our world and nations, communities and families and our very selves.

We all can prepare a bit for the Trying Future ahead. Let's give a little more, share of our talents, and make the coming change not just more palatable, but also a real Adventure.

Get ready to Live on the Edge.

Comment below or send a note to theportableschool@gmail.com.

Visit http://theportableschool.com.

Amity and Unity to you, Robert

Back from the Edge

"What Edge?" you might be wondering.

Well, there are a number to recount, like -

* The Highway Shoulder might be thought of as the Edge. The Buggy, Flag and I covered nearly 700 miles of it. That was a lot of miles, though just a bit more than last year. Still, only half way to Arizona.

* The Borrow Pit might fit Edge as well. We spent several nights - not worth counting - resting in the highway borrow pits. The Buggy couldn't jump fences, so we generally just looked for a flat, maybe grassy place along the highway to rest at night as well as during the day.

Resting under a tree was a preference. But, highway planners have decided in many western places that trees in the right-of-way are too much trouble.

Miles and miles of western highways have no trees for miles. The sight of a tree along the highway was sometimes a real thrill.

* How about the Edge of Civilization? I have to say much of eastern Montana and western Nebraska are still pioneer country. Miles and miles of space - real big sky country. Lots of territory, sagebrush or grass, occasionally wheat or hay country.

Fortunately, we didn't meet the desert this time. Detouring to South Dakota kept us out of the worst of the heat. But, there was still plenty.

I might also make mention passing through a few ghost towns. Ardmore, SD, and Angora, NE, come to mind. Ardmore - on the extreme southwestern edge of SD - was once a busy spot on the railroad. Now, there are still many - dozens - houses and buildings standing - or leaning. Although there was traffic passing through the town, I didn't spy any residents. I was told later that there may be one of two occupied houses in the town. It was a bit scary.

* The Edge of Wellbeing. I gave up the Walk on my 65th birthday when I arrived in Bridgeport, NE. I thought I might keep going. My legs were fine, especially with my Keen walking sandals - which Brother T bought for me to replace the Tevas which Neighbor Loren gave me before starting the journey. Even now, I just put the Keens on my feet and my legs want to get moving and cover ground.

But while my muscles were still in running order, my bowels were running as well. And, I was getting tired of stopping often to hide behind a tree, bush, or hillock to "take care of business."

My intestines and solar plexus are still not quite settled. But, bleeding always stops and "it all comes out in the wash," as my good mother used to say.

I now trade one Edge for another which I will explain in the next blog. That will be based on a saying passed to me by an old friend - one that resonates:

"If you're not living on the Edge, 

you're taking up too much Space."

Dave and I shared a room at the Rainbow Motel in Alliance, NE.

Dave's been living on the Edge for most of his life.

If you want to know more about his story, ask me directly.

Thanks for reading. Post a comment below, or send a note via email to theportableschool@gmail.com if you like.

Robert