Day 64 : Finally in Snyder

Monday November 1st, 2010

A new month, how 'bout that?Last evening was another warm one. The place I picked to camp was OK, but not the greatest. It was close to the road, and exposed, but turned out OK because there wasn't much traffic. The stars were beautiful last evening.....Have you ever viewed the stars on a nice night from the plains of west Texas? Quite a site. It was light around 7:45 this morning, and I headed out. My goal today is to get to Snyder, hang out there for awhile,and then move on to Anson. If all goes as planned I'll take a rest day there, and then head out towards the Fort Worth/Dallas area. It's about time for a change of shoes, so I'll probably do that in Anson also. This will be my third pair.

As I started out there was a sign stating Snyder is 13 miles. Too much for one walk without a rest, but I figured I could still be there by noon or so. During the first part of the walk I passed the Windmill Ranch Preserve. After 3 hours, I rested awhile, and then headed out and reached Snyder about 12:30. Snyder is nice, and typical of small Texas towns. It's built around the courtyard square like so many others around here. I wanted to update the blog, so asked where the public library was....They usually have wireless connection, and allow non members to use it. I went there and stayed awhile, which also gave me the opportunity to charge up some stuff. After that I was ready for lunch, so asked a few locals were they suggested. The consensus was Skeet's Grill about 1/2 mile away.

I headed out and was soon passed by a man and woman driving those "Scooter chairs" you see advertised on TV. The man stopped, we talked awhile,and then they went on. I walked a block or so more and a car pulled up beside me. It was the same two people, and they asked if they could buy my lunch. I told them I was headed to Skeet's and would meet them there. They were waiting when I arrived and introduced themselves as John and Shirley Fuller (see picture above). We had a great time talking, and John was an interesting guy. In fact, he has been on the Judge Mathis show on TV, and the story behind that is really funny. I ordered Chicken Fried Steak (that's what you do in Texas), baked potato, and slaw, and the portions were monstrous. I've fed a whole family on less than my one plate of food.

After lunch John showed me a shortcut to get back to Hwy 180 without going back into town. I headed there and stopped at a store for ice, food, and some drinks. I wasn't sure if there was any stores between here and Anson. I was soon back on 180, heading out of town. I spotted 3 oil drilling rigs, and lots more cotton. Also, there is a large and enclosed wind farm southeast of Snyder with hundreds of giant windmills. It was getting late and I wanted to get to a rest area to camp. Texas has these very nice rest/picnic areas every so many miles along Hwy 180,but I just can never seem to be at one when it is time to stop for the day. But the next one on the map looked like a possibility, so I set out for that.

I walked and walked, and finally it was getting dark. So I stopped at a house and asked a guy who came to the door how much further. "2 or 3 more miles." I'd had enough and asked the guy if I could put the tent in his yard. He said fine, but before I put it up, he came out and invited me to stay inside (warm,bathroom, etc). I chose inside, and that's where I'll be tonight....Just like all of you normal people.

The deal with the campsite is a pain at times. I pass dozens of great sites each day, but never when I am ready to stop for the day. So then I have to take what I can find before it gets too dark. Then, more often than not, I get up the next morning, start out walking, and there is a great spot just down the road. Just something to deal with I guess.