Saturday, August 9, 2014

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 was 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.


BNSF


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






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