Day 8 - Jan 2

I have some unfortunate news to share with any who were following this blog. Because of medical issues with my right foot arch (Plantar Fasciitis) and previous ankle injuries included a fracture in my right ankle, I am unable to continue to walk.

The situation in which we must find a ride to the place we last ended our walk is a difficult and unpredictable one, which will conclude in a much longer walk than anticipated and difficulty in trying to find parking spots. However, I believe that I could work with that, but the injuries to my right foot and right ankle have proven to be not be fixable at the time.

I feel much regret and felt like forces beyond my control were at work. Although there is no blame. That's just the way things are at the moment. Perhaps, when my daughter has gone off to college and if I correct the medical condition and finances permit, I will attempt this walk at that time.

I like this insight from Viktor Frankl -

Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to chose how you will respond to the situation. You cannot control what happens in your life, but you can always control what you will feel and do about what happens to you.

Day 7 - January 1

Today when we woke up at McDonald's we accidentally locked the keys in the car. While we were looking dumbfounded beside the car, a gentleman named Tom Hemmer asked us what happened. He offered to go to his business down the road and see if he could find a wire clothes hanger. He came back with two of them after having looked at a few different places. Thank you, Tom. I hope the good karma you showed on the New Year comes back to you.

Attempting to get a ride from one side of town to the other which was 4.7 miles would have proven futile, so we decided to just walk to where we had ended the walk on Day 6 and then walk back to the car.

4.7 productive miles + 4.7 backtrack miles = 9.4 total miles today

Day 6

After we awoke this morning, we drove to the south part of Temecula, and found a street to park the car. Unfortunately the McDonalds near old town Temecula near the street we actually parked at wouldn't let us park there. Rainbow, where my last ending place was was only 7.3 miles away from where we parked my car today. Because of the highway in the city, I concluded that we would not likely get a ride to Rainbow so that we could walk the legitimate 7.3 miles. We walked all the way to Rainbow, and all the way back to my car. So we did double mileage today, with the walk to Rainbow not even counting. But hey, whatta ya gonna do, eh?

Before leaving the from the car we met a man named Steve who inquired about the nature of our walk. We talked for a while, and when we started to leave he said "nice shoes". We had the same pair of hikers on. Is that cool or what?

On the way back to the car (only about 1.5 miles from it) we spoke with a nice lady named Anna Rude. Don't let the name fool you; she was the antithesis of rude. She was very nice to talk with. I gave her one of my home made cards, and she said she would spread the word about our walk. Thanks, Anna! It was a pleasure meeting you!

So, tomorrow the plan is to get through the city of Temecula. We will probably have to walk back to today's ending point and back to the car, here at McDonald's on the north end of town. They graciously are letting us sleep in their lot and letting us leave our car parked there tomorrow.

Why are we taking a whole day to get through one city? For one, getting through all the crosswalks will take more time. Two, we still will not probably get a ride from one side of the city to the other. If I had a bus schedule it might be different.

Justin did well on his first walk today. His feet are really sore, and of course my feet and ankles are very sore.

Overall, even though we only netted 7.3 miles, the day was a good one.

7.3 productive miles + 7.3 backtrack miles = 14.6 total miles today

Happy New Year!

Day 5 - Rest Day

My brother, Justin, arrived via Greyhound around 3:00 pm this afternoon. I didn't want to start walking and not be able to pick him up on time so I decided to make today another rest day. I've iced my right ankle and took Naproxen for the inflammation and pain. I feel fairly ready to move on tomorrow, brother in tow.

Thanks go to Al,of LA fitness for letting us take a shower and shave, or at least, I shaved. Then we went to a laundromat to wash some clothes. We helped this lovely lady out to her car with three loads of laundry. We talked for a while and explained to her what we were doing, and she was so excited for us. She asked that we share a prayer together, so we held hands and she delivered an excellent prayer for a great and safe journey. Thank you, Natasha! It was a delight meeting you. Be well.

Tonight, we are staying at the 7-11 that I stayed at last night. In the morning, my brother and I begin our journey together.

Day 4 - Rest Day

Today we had a winter storm so I decided to rest. My feet and ankles thanked me. I seem to be having the most trouble with my right ankle. Inner thigh chaffing is no picnic either.

I had two breakfast burritos at McDonalds then later went to walmart to get some mix activated cold compress. I'm not too impressed with them. I also got a warmer microfiber blanket, more Desiten, and paper towels and a few other small items. Then I went to the 99 cent store and bought $37 worth of food plus a can opener. I think we'll be set for a while.

My brother, Justin is arriving via Greyhound tomorrow mid-afternoon. I have to make room in my car for all of our stuff and still have room to recline in the seats to sleep.

I think the biggest obstacle in this endeavor is securing a ride from the place we slept at to the place we last walked to the day before. I don't want to "double-walk", but will if we have to.

I would like to share with you a list of books that I have with me that I have either started reading or will have read (hopefully) by the end of this trip. It depends if I can get my Ritalin refilled. Yes, I have ADD, also. California won't accept the paper script my doctor wrote for me in Pennsylvania. Perhaps in Arizona.

Anyway, the list -

Fiction:
- "Confessions of a Crap Artist" by Philip K Dick
- "Nausea" by Jean-Paul Sartre

Non-Fiction:
- "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor E Frankl
- "Being and Nothingness" by Jean-Paul Sartre (This thing is HUGE)
- "Teachings of the Buddha" edited by Jack Kornfield
- "Peace is Every Step" by Thic Nhat Hanh
- "The Vision of the Buddha" by Tom Lowenstein
- "Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals" by Ian Osborn MD

And I have several magazines I'm reading: Popular Science, Writer's Digest, Analog - Science Fiction and Fact, Asimov's Science Fiction

This should keep me busy when not walking. I also want to read on breaks during the walk, when not engaged in conversation with Justin or anyone we may meet on the way.

I also have a Zen MP3 player with lecture material on several subjects.

I'm interested in doing a Bookclub if anyone would like to join. I'm almost finished with "Confessions of a Crap Artist" by Philip K Dick. The next one I'd like to read is Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning". Perhaps we could begin with that one?

It was suggested that I call LA Fitness to see if I could shower there. I did call the nearest one and they said that would be OK. I'm waiting till tomorrow until Justin arrives here in Temecula CA. I'm sure after 2-3 days on a bus, he would like to refresh himself with a shower and shave also.

Not sure where I'm sleeping tonight. I'll camp out in a lot somewhere.

Oh, by the way, if anyone would be able to make a Banner that would fit on the back of my backpack, and business cards, I would be in your debt.

Day 3

Would you believe that I got so cold last night that I started my car and cranked up the heater. Then off to slumber land. I woke up not too long after that and luckily the fuel gauge hadn't moved much. I'll try not to do that again. I woke up around 7:30 and walked into the McDonalds I was parked at and had two breakfast burritos. Then I drove the google walking directions and decided to see if I could get permission to park my car at the Rainbow Volunteer Fire Department. They were eager to help out and said "of course". We talked for a bit, and I told them my main reasons for the walk. Their names are Eric and Ricky. Thx guys. Upon leaving I said thanks and Ricky said something I'll never forget. He said "Thank you" to me. That inspired me so much. You guys got my day going really great.

It took me about 1.25 miles of walking before I was able to hitch a ride back to yesterday's ending point. It couldn't have been a nicer couple. Thank you Bill and Mary Lou Goodson. We had good conversation and before I knew it we were at McDonalds.

It was a beautiful walk, with two long hills I had to climb. I came across a branch formation that looked as if a carcass of a cow or horse had been hung over a stump. You have to see it to believe it. When I reached the fire station the guys let me in to chat for a bit and to refill some water bottles then another guy took a pic of us.

Oh yeah, I think I'm starting a book club. lol! I read a little bit of Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning". There were some quotes in the forward I'd like to share. It looks as if I'll have time tomorrow to blog about them. we have severe weather approaching. A winter storm, in Southern California! It's supposed to last from tonight and all day tomorrow. The following day looks promising, though.

I'm at Barnes and Noble typing this. Either today or tomorrow I may try to find a truck store where I can take a shower and shave.
I've been told the price is reasonable.

Thank you all for reading and I hope you continue to follow.

12.3 productive miles + 1.3 backtrack miles = 13.6 total miles today

Pic 1 - From left to right - Ricky, me, and Eric

Pic 2 - Tree system that looks like a carcass is draped over it

Pic 3 - I don't know this guy? No, just kidding, it's me

Day 2 - Rest Day

Even though my feet and ankles didn't hurt nearly as much as the other times I've walked I decided to take a day of rest. My car was such a cluttered mess. I suggested to one of my brothers that he adjoin me on this walk. Through the bloodline, he's my cousin. However, he and 5 other of his siblings became a part of my family in 1987, and they have been my siblings ever since.

I also had to clean and organize so he'll have a place to sleep and store his belongings in my car.

His name is Justin. Just a little over 3 months we lost a dear Brother. It was Justin's identical twin. We are all close, but they lived together at times and were homeless together at times. They argued, fussed, and fought as only siblings can, but they were very close. It was a devastating blow to all of us. It's still unbelievable. Justin has been having an especially difficult time, and I hope he can get from this walk what I expect to get. Some catharsis, some mental, emotional, and spiritual cleansing. That process is unique to each of us, but I believe it could be good for him.

I'm here in my car at the McDonald's parking lot. They are letting me stay over in my car again. I really appreciate that. Thank you to the staff of Bonsall McDonald's.

This post is dedicated to Jason, who will forever be in our hearts and memories. We miss you Brother.