There were 20 miles to Ogallala when the 'blizzard' hit... such advanced warnings, such turmoil and discussion... bah, that was no blizzard! A tad of blowing snow in the morning, turning to slush when it hit the ground... all rather pedestrian, a strong northerly wind, ok, but the sun was out by mid-afternoon... the kids off from school hadn't a chance to even make a snowball before it all evaporated away. Yawn. Everyone was of course very kind to me, insisting on giving me a ride - which I did for two short distances just to get off the road and not be a hazard.
I'm having a grand time walking eastward - the corn harvest is full on with giant machines and haulers in the fields, mice scurrying everywhere and hawks swooping without noticing me at all. I'm trying to stay on the little roads, mostly north of the South Platte and south of the North Platte. Despite the one morning of snow, the weather's been nice for autumn walking, though a bit on the warm side, keeping my pack full and at the weighty ready for real winter weather.
I'm still happily engaged with the folky history indicators - on the Mormon Trail, the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express Trail... - and meeting loads of people everyday, many of whom have never heard of a pilgrim before. I'm happy to educate them =D In a delightful village named Paxton, several different people implored me to stop in Sutherland where there is a local newspaper, to give them the opportunity to write a little story about why a little woman carrying snowshoes is walking across their communities... alas, the office was closed when I walked through, so I wrote a little note as I sat for a rest on their autumn-decorated bench out front - a pilgrim passed by, heading east, thanks for the resting place!
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3 comments:
Good to hear you are well. I see Interstate 80 is close by: you must hear the humming of traffic day and night. At least following the river gets you off the right angles and straight shots of the grid layout of roads. It will be a welcome sight to see hills and woods again. I don't envy you entering the Cathedral in Lincoln: from what I see on their website it is one of those abstract modern monstrosities. May the Lord continue to sustain you with His grace. Pilgrim George
Well I am looking forward to reading your comments about the Cathedral of the Risen Christ. They seem to have beautiful stain glass and really beauty is subjective. Also it all depends on the parish itself, the priests and parishioners. I believe there is beauty that you can see in everything and anything, you just have to be attentive to it. Even in the tragic and horrid events in Lebanon and Paris this week. It has brought together so many people from all over, a solidarity amongst people to show ISIL that we won't back down, that there is good and beauty in the world. I believe that is what will eventually defeat them, not all the bombs we are dropping on them.
I'm glad you got a little snow, a taste of what's to come. All the people you're meeting-- what a joy for them and for you. I'm sure you're on track for your Thanksgiving rendezvous. We will be helping with a homeless Thanksgiving dinner at Civic Center Park (7° and snow -- brrr), then to friends to warm up and celebrate. We are enjoying the Spanish meetup. Thank you so much.
Paso a paso aggrega a tu Camino. Buen Camino. Jan
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