Day 81 - To Mineola

Thursday, November 18, 2010

My camping spot last night was really good......and I love the new tent stakes. The ground is now soft, and the tent more secure when the wind blows. I was pretty close to a train track, and they run all night. When they come by, the ground would shake, but it was still a good place. I woke up around 445, and glad I had a little time before getting up. The sleeping bag was warm, and the next time I looked at the time it was 615. No cell service here, so no morning wake-up call from home. I quickly packed up, and headed out toward Fruitvale. The goal for today.......just walking east, no specific destination.

Fruitvale, TX, is larger than Elmo, but not by much. It has a gas station/store, and a few other businesses. I stopped in the store for breakfast, and sat down in one of the booths. You don't come into these small places without being noticed, so soon I was explaining my trip to the locals, then they would explain to others who came into the store. In the picture, L-R, is Karen, John, Louise, and Gerald. John's son owns the store, Louise is John's wife, Karen's is John's daughter-in-law, and Gerald is a customer and story teller. Gerald tells a story about John, that goes something like this: John lives in Grand Saline, and always bought his coffee there. But he figured out one day that it was cheaper to drive the 4 miles to Fruitvale and get free coffee, than it was to buy a cup. So, now he drinks his coffee in Fruitvale at his son and daughter-in-law's store. John is retired from the oil business, and most likely can afford a cup of coffee, but this is what they tell.

Karen told another story about a local woman who killed a deer with a stick. I didn't get all the details, but seems the woman's dog started chasing the deer, the woman grabbed a stick and joined the chase, and before long the woman had meat in her freezer. Karen said the woman had a few "battle scars", but got her deer. So, I guess now we have the following deer seasons: bow, black powder, rifle, and stick. Karen, if you're out there and read this, please add more details. I could have stayed here much longer, but had to get back to walking. Next town is Grand Saline, 6-7 miles east on 80.

Highway 80 giveth, and 80 taketh away........one minute I have a 12' shoulder to walk on, the next it's less than 3'. The good news is there is not much traffic, and most people try to move over for me. If an oncoming car gets within about 50yds and hasn't started moving over, I get off the road. Today was a beautiful day........clear sky and mild temperatures. As I headed east I passed the Bailiteal Farm Retreat. It's an interesting place for "crafters" and others just wanting a weekend getaway. Before long I was entering Grand Saline. Unknown to me, they were waiting. One of the people from the store in Fruitvale had called and told them I was on the way. The local paper, the Grand Saline Sun, had called the merchants along main street and told them to be on the lookout for a stranger coming into town, walking and pushing a cart. Before long, the publisher, Veta Weaver, received a call from the flower shop that I had just passed by there. So she jumped in her car, and before long we were talking about the walk. Veta took notes in shorthand.....how many of you even know what that is, much less can do it? An almost lost art, except maybe in small towns like Grand Saline, TX.

On my way out of town a guy came out of the Mallory's Propane Gas building and gave me a can of Blu-Frog energy drink. Said his wife worked for the paper and told him I was coming, and the drink would help me when I got tired later in the day. I thanked him, put it in the cooler, and headed east. After a couple of hours I stopped to rest alongside the German Bed and Breakfast. They also have horse stables and were out working the horses, so I walked over to chat a while. I met Stephanie Schall, who was working a beautiful Appaloosa. We talked a while about her work, my walk, and her horses. (I think that's my next thing, buying a horse.) Stephanie is very serious about riding across America someday. She had to get back to work, I had to get back walking.

The road to Mineola was rolling, more so than the past couple of days. When I got to town, it was time for lunch so I stopped and ate a sandwich. Inquired about somewhere I could get wireless Internet, and was directed to the local library. So I went there and read my email and worked on the blog. One email was from a woman, Allene Deuson. She owns a house in Mineola, and if I'm coming through there, would like for me to stay there. Well, here I am in the Mineola Library, 2 blocks from the house, so it was a no brainer. I called Allene, and she contacted her brother to bring a key to the library. Her brother Patrick Bogan soon showed up at the library with the key, we talked a while, took a few pictures, and he had to leave. Patrick told me he just turned 80, and played a little guitar. His father, Henry Bogan, was a member of the East Texas Serandnaders, a local band.

Before long I was taking the short walk to the house, and soon after that was enjoying a bath, and heat, and a soft bed. I'll tell you, Texas is really being good to me.