Trail Stories

Well, first off, this week I made about $500 selling my DVDS, so that will keep me alive for a little longer.

I hope something happens to keep this going the whole way.  Keepin the faith alive---

From Sept 9th

A little description of the day. Hot.

Stopped into the Preserve office before leaving and informed them I had camped on their back yard area. I explained that I was in the river and it was late and there was no one here, but that Mrs. Nixon had given me permission, they didn’t mind and welcomed me.

It was cool, and they even let me fill my water bottles.
So I move on…hot.

I do this long road climb and I am looking forward to hitting the ‘Counterfeit house’, built in 1840. It overlooks the Ohio River and was once used as a trading ground for counterfeit bills. A signal was sent to Riverboat Captains when coins and bills were available.   The house has false rooms, trick locks, 4 chimneys and no fireplaces.

And it was closed. So I waited around a while and ate lunch hoping the owners would show up and allow me a tour. I had been looking forward to this place the last few days.

As I began to get cozy, a small Chow dog with a Mohawk begins barking at a distance, and then she comes closer. After a little investigation, some small talk, a sniff or two she was laying beside me allowing me to rub her belly. I called here Casey.

So, she goes away as I read the info for the coming town where I plan to get a ride up to Milford for the Trail Junction festival where I will be speaking and showing some clips from the trips.
I smell sewage, or that old algae pond and frog egg smell of a warm small pond on a hot summer day type stench and I look over and here comes Casey.

From her chest down all over she is covered with dark green wet goo. She runs to me with a big dog smile and her paws land right on my chest. The smell is atrocious.
I push her away and she leans her big head against my shoulder lovingly, rubbing this gift of odiferous nightmare all over my arms and legs.

I stand and begin to pack…she walks over and lays on my MSR thermarest…ugh.
Finally she rolls around in the grass and allows me to pack everything. Then she begins to follow me.

2 days, 2 dogs following me. I guess when you think that there are about 40 dogs per square mile in this area of trail it makes sense, and that brings me to something that broke my heart on this stretch.

I hate seeing dogs in cages, and when you see like five medium size hunting dogs stuck in a four by four cage that is lifted off the ground so their crap can go under them and they have to live in that all during the heat…it’s a sad sight. They cry and when you see they have one dog in there its bad, then you look and see the other three or four pushing for room its astonishing that they don’t die just being in those conditions. I’ve wanted to open ever gate and let them run, but I figure that’s a good way to get shot.
So, Casey and I walk up and down these service roads.

After a bit she turns back to home. Not like Yeller dog that followed me for three miles. But still, she came along happily for a bit and I enjoyed her company.

Today just seems to get hotter. I hear tell of next week is to be lots cooler, cant wait. Get to Bensonville later in the day and drink down a cold drink by the Horse Thief Monument, which sits in front of the oldest house in this town.

I down some water and make my way once again into the sun. After a few hours I realize I really really need water. I knock on a door in hopes of not offending and getting some water and Sherry Ranly answers.

She hands me water as well as cold Vitamin water. How nice. We chat about trail, hikers, heat, water etc…and then they invite me to camp up on the ridge behind their house.
Awesome, as I am tired and ready to rest until tomorrow as I try to get to Milford.

She makes me two Turkey sandwiches and some juice and takes me to the ridge. Its beautiful and clear above the farm. Perfect for a great nights rest.

Her husband Michael comes up a bit later and we chat of world travels, literature and of course, the never ending summer heat.
I want to thank them both for supplying a great nights rest and some really fantastic sandwiches!

I slept like a baby up there.
Mon yana, Milford!