* Ohio

The Grimes Family

I do not wish to digress into past personal history but feel it necessary to share just a bit about my childhood and my relationship with the Grimes family.

As a child, my father was the stable rock in our family and unfortunately for all - he died after a long struggle with a brain tumor. After his passing my twin sister and I were left adrift in what today would be called a severly dysfunctional family. Bud’s mother and father, with eight children of their own, took me under their wing and allowed me to become the ninth child. Looking back from an adult’s perspective, the generosity and love they shared is almost unbelievable and it is a debt I can never repay. I love his family as my own and though I have lived in Oregon for 32 years - Bud and I have always stayed in contact. I feel this is important for the reader to understand as I stop to stay and share with my friend for now 46 years.

Arm Wrestling and Granted a Reprieve

Monday, November 15

The sun now sets much earlier and after appreciating a starry sky I went to bed feeling better about the day. The clearness of the evening ushered in the coldest night I have thus far experienced and I awoke to a frozen world. The tent was iced, the ground was white, and I was cold. In such a situation it is easy to linger in a warm sleeping bag but when nature calls - all must answer - and I reluctantly emerged from my warn cocoon. Standing there looking over the frost covered ground I saw it as another harbinger of the coming winter.

Moving slowly in the early darkness - I ate, packed, and with very cold feet - set out for Canton, Ohio. After several miles the sun broke over the horizon and with my feet now warmed - all former discomfort was forgotten.

My goal was to arrive in Canton by day's end and find a motel for the night. I have no particular need to “rough it” any more than is necessary and the thought of a warm room made perfect sense to me. As I walked along thinking this over my friend since childhood, Floyd Grimes, called me saying he was quite willing to drive to get me and would return me the following morning. This sounded like a perfect plan and I put an extra spring to my step and hurried toward our rendezvous at the intersection of Highway 30 and Route 43.

I had previously noticed on the map that Highway 30 is “limited access” as it nears Canton and continues in this manner for several miles. Limited access means that it is closed to pedestrian traffic but as it represented "the cat’s meow” for pushing my cart and also led directly to my immediate goal - I plowed ahead knowing that if the State Patrol stopped me it is always easier to say, “I’m sorry,” rather than, “May I?” Would they stop me?

They did indeed.

The first officer was a nice elderly gentleman who simply inquired as to what I was doing and said nothing about my being in a restricted access area - unfortunately - the next officer did. Pulled over now for a second time within an hour, this younger officer told me someone “had called” and that I would need to exit the highway and travel a much less favorable route to my destination. This change represented a major snafu and I therefore used every persuasive argument I could think of. After displaying my lights, my orange vest, my bright orange triangle, pleading, begging, and cajoling - he made a call to "headquarters" and arranged special permission for me to continue to my rendezvous undisturbed. I could not thank him enough and happily set forth looking for my good friend, Floyd Grimes, or "Bud", as he is known to close friends and family.

Back To the Great Outdoors

My toughest days are the ones following companionship and Sunday, November 14, I felt particularly lonely as my friend drove away leaving me alone on Route 30. It may have been the cold, it may have been the wind, it may have been the the grayness of the day, but I felt a depression creep over me that I have not experienced in quite some time. Looking around at the stubbled fields and the now naked trees - I leaned into the wind and began again my trek across Central Ohio.

As feelings come - feelings also go and in time the sun came out and I began to feel better about crossing the remainder of Ohio. I would be soon meeting my best friend from childhood and spending several days visiting with him and his wife as I reacquainted myself with the area of my youth.

I was nearing Wooster, Ohio when I spied a perfect place to camp over the highway embankment and though I could have walked another hour or so - I decided to take advantage of the presented situation and make camp for the night. It was a grassy area near a small stream just out of sight of the passing traffic. It felt good to pitch the tent after the luxury of indoor sleeping for nearly a week.

Love, Appreciation, and Fond Farewells

Saturday, November 13

With mixed emotions I will say goodbye to Crestline, Ohio. On one hand - it has been good to rest and recuperate, rekindle old friendships, and to have the opportunity to speak in the public schools. On the other hand - it is always sad to say goodbye. I am particularly thankful to Mike and Kathy Anatra for hosting my stay and trying their best to "fatten me up" for the road yet ahead. To the many others I also owe appreciation - I say, "Thank you for welcoming and wishing me well."

As previously stated, I grew up in Ohio and as such have relatives that live in the Buckeye State. This afternoon approximately 20 family members came from far and near to show their love for me and support for my endeavors. We had a wonderful reunion and luncheon, and for me - it was emotionally moving. To all I say - "Thank you and know that I love each and every one of you."

Having expressed my appreciation and fond farewells, I will begin east tomorrow for Jefferson County, Ohio - an area of rolling hills along the upper Ohio River. It is here that I spent my childhood and it will be good to visit and reunite with others before the final stretch toward the Atlantic.

Final Flag Quiz #13

Unlike the previous flags presented - neither of these flags were flown over United States territory as independent sovereigns, neither flag existed until the 20th Century, yet both flags represent groups of people that have made great sacrifice and contributions to the United States history. Any idea?

Answer to previous flag quiz - The Kingdom of Hawaii

At Last - In the Schools

Wednesday, November 10; Thursday, November 11

I was at Crestline High School yesterday and Ontario Middle School today. We had an enjoyable time discussing my trip, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the importance of studying our nation's history.

It was good to be back in the classroom.