Hope the Keys Got Returned

Monday, July 5

Off to a slow start after a hearty Oasis Cafe breakfast, packing up, and working on my right trailer brake figuring I'll give it one last chance.

About four miles out of Juntura I realized I had two unreturned room keys in my pocket. Not wanting to walk the four miles back (which would equal an extra eight miles) I flagged down a passing van hoping the driver would return them as a favor. As a young man tentatively lowered his window this became a "Cheech and Chong" moment as I was greeted with pot smoke, incense, and the blaring of rock and roll. These young friends were returning from a camping weekend and I had a hard time getting the communication through, but I figured they couldn't miss the place - or could they?

Just as Dave and Dean Clark had told me, there was a natural spring to fill my water jugs at twenty-three miles east of Juntura. On the side of the highway ice cold water bubbles out of a fountain. They both deserve a thanks for the local tip.

After walking 24 miles I made camp in a most desirable location. Another one of those, "Where am I going to camp?" and bingo - there it is! It was an abandoned road just off of the highway surrounded by the most beautiful canyon rock. I felt quite lucky for another day of sunshine and good health.

P.S. I must add that I finally removed the trailer brake. Removing it reminded me of a story I once read of a Brazilian farmer who shot off his toe because it had been hurting him. Unlike his toe, I can put the brake on again if necessary.

Juntura, Oregon July 4th

Earlier in the Day

I was up at 5:00 and made coffee and breakfast. This is now my routine (every thing is falling into "routine" as each day starts to blend with the next) - Starbucks instant coffee followed by a double packet of instant oatmeal. Roll up and stow away the gear and down the road I go. Its starting to feel good - the walking down the road part of it. At the beginning of this journey there was perhaps a bit of unease as I searched for the comfort of rhythm and stride rather like a sailor acquiring his legs as he first sets to sea. This is my twentieth day of walking and I seem to be on schedule. I estimated that I would be at the Idaho border on or around July 7.

I'm having a little trouble with the brakes on my trailer. Unfortunately, by design they do not do so well and I have had trouble from the start. Every time I apply the brakes they turn ever so slightly due to the torque and then often rub or drag needing to be readjusted. My right brake rubs a little always which I eventually must do something about. This gizmo is hard enough to push without adding the equivalent of extra weight due to brake drag. I am considering taking it off completely and just using one. We'll see.

I arrived at the Oasis Cafe around 11:30 or rather 12:30 due to the switch to Rocky Mountain Time Zone. I asked if they had a place for me to pitch my tent and they told me that they had an available room if I wanted one. The only drawback is that they are having a neighborhood 4th of July party (which they invited me to attend) on the lawn behind the restaurant and hoped it wouldn't bother me. I assured them it would not and after a gargantuan meal at the Oasis, I sit here in an air-conditioned room while it bakes outside my door. The restaurant closed early for the day at 1:00 due to it being the 4th of July and the planned party.

The Evening of the Fourth

What a wonderful time I had. With the party going on outside my door what could I do but join in? I simply walked up to the food line and fell right in with the neighborhood folks like I belonged here. A nice couple, Dave and Dean Clark, engaged me in conversation and when they found out I was walking across America they instantly said,"Oh, your the one. We've heard about you." In fact, Dave said he had passed me in his pickup as I was walking toward Brothers. Anyway, after talking to several people and telling them about my goals, he and his wife assured me that everyone would appreciate me donning my outfit and doing a presentation. A little coaxing was all I needed so I returned to my room and returned in my "Son of Liberty" outfit. It feels a bit like the old Superman comics when Clark Kent would step into a phone booth and step out as Superman. I actually do change a bit psychologically when in outfit - a little more emboldened perhaps.

After everyone had gathered round, I gave a presentation on the history of the Declaration of Independence and its various editions. I concluded with a small lecture about the rattlesnake as an American symbol and why it is associated with the Revolution. About 40 people stood or sat listening, all were appreciative of both my presentation and my cross-country mission. Afterwards I distributed copies of the Bill of Rights to all who wanted one.

For quite some time I sat and conversed with a couple, in particular the husband, listening and sharing political views and discussions. He and I were not always in agreement but we had a great conversation for probably an hour and a half. We parted company having made new friends. It was another great day and I turned in for the night.

As I type this posting, some local youths are setting off fireworks hooting and hollering so I stepped out to take a picture. I am also including a photo of special Juntura man, Dave Clark, with whom I am grateful for the welcome provided me and the conversation, too.

July 3 - Let it Be Done

Between the late morning start and an early evening storm, yesterday ended up being my shortest day yet having covered only 15 to 16 miles. Therefore today I tried to compensate a bit by trekking 31 miles. By going this extra distance I will get to Juntura earlier in the day tomorrow. At my wife's suggestion, I will ask again and maybe I can get a room.

Not much to report except it was hot (what else is new) and my walk ended with a 2 1/2 mile steep incline at the very end. Having already put in a very long day, it was an effort to complete, but I wanted to camp at the top of the hill.

Ahhh... the view.

July 2 - Shelter from the Storm

Leaving Burns I figured I could cover the 59 miles to Juntura, Oregon in three easy days and arrive on the 4th of July. At least in Juntura I would be "somewhere" on the Fourth and not just out along the highway with the ground squirrels. After a quick stop at Safeway, it was straight away into another perfect day. Wetlands paralleling the road provided a cacophony of sounds in the early morning as I walked along listening and watching the many varieties of birds and ducks. Marshmallow clouds allayed the heat and all was well until 4:00 when I looked to the southwest and saw dark clouds approaching. I have rain gear for obviously - the rain, but this was a situation that if I could find a place for shelter I would call it a day. If not, I would put on my rain gear and continue forward finding a place to camp somewhere ahead. With the wind picking up and storm quickly approaching I mulled my situation over and suddenly, "crack," a bolt of lightening decided all. At that moment, as luck would have it, I spied a large hay shed which to me looked like a Hilton Hotel. It was virtually empty except for few bales and a large industrial hay fork. Wasting no time and asking no question I trekked on over and made the place my own. In the old days, this was called, "squatters rights," and today we call it trespassing. On this trip, I call it - opportunity! I am becoming a bit more bold for opportunity doesn't always present itself twice. Therefore, I pitched my tent under a shed roof protected from the rain, lightening, and wind blowing all around me.

It was a most delightful sleep.

On the Road Again

Thursday Evening, July 1

Tomorrow morning I am on the road again. It was nice to stop in Burns to do laundry and regroup after four nights and three nights camped out. It will be three days of walking to my next civilized outpost - Juntura, Oregon. I should arrive there July 4. It has only one motel which I telephoned earlier to reserve a room and was told, "Sorry, we're full." Can you believe that? They said they have a RV park in which I could place my tent. Hopefully they will have a shower I can use. It seems strange that I do not have a 4th of July performance. Last year I performed to a crowd in Springfield but this year I'll be camped between RV's in the middle of nowhere. The motel also runs the only restaurant. Maybe I will put on my "Son of Liberty" outfit and wow the patrons whoever they may be. Who knows, trust in the unknown.

Anyway, I'll be out of Burns in the morning but my smell will not. After only 300 miles my shoes are beginning to ripen. My olfactory senses take me back to those earlier years as a teenage boy. I can still hear dear old mom,"Leave those damn shoes outside!"

Sorry, I hope the maid leaves the door open awhile

The Flag and the Constitution

Two hundred thirty-six years ago, 56 men staked their lives on the idea that no government may lay claim to that which is granted by our Creator - that all men are born inherently free.

Our Declaration of Independence states that the purpose of government is to facilitate the people, equally born, in the pursuit of their individual and collective happiness. The Preamble to the Constitution further charges our government with the responsibility of protecting and promoting the lives of its citizens while securing the blessings of liberty - for Americans of that generation - as well as for the generations yet unborn.

In adopting our Constitution, many of the founders remained unsatisfied, for “power and liberty are often at odds” and the oppressive nature of government is to erode the rights of the people. Therefore, they created our great Bill of Rights to serve all citizens as a shield of perpetual protection against the weight of government and the potential tyranny of the majority.

It is this belief in personal sovereignty that makes Americans unique. What is an American? I answer that Americans are a diverse group of people drawn from all parts of the world. We have no official religion, no national party, not inherited titles. To know an American, one must know our Constitution, for therein lies the foundation of our government, our evolution as a people and the bedrock of what we have become today. This Fourth of July, fly the flag - but wave the Constitution!

Civil War Drawings

These Civil War drawings are the last art works by my students. As we think about the true meaning of the Fourth of July I hope they will add to your day.