Judi's Trek Blog

August 30, 2006

Our day started well. I watched the sunrise over the mountains behind the Penns’ home. David and I briefly revisited an earlier discussion about a book he has enjoyed, Spiritual Classics, edited by Richard J. Foster and Emilie Griffin. I assured him that I could order a copy, but he kindly persuaded me to accept his copy. I sincerely thanked him and will welcome the resource as I continue on this journey.

Our walk today began along the National Trails Highway, east of Oro Grande, where we left off last night. I am always glad to see our flag in the mornings. I sometimes wonder if it is going to blow away or be of casual interest to a passerby. That thought may be a little absurd given the low probability that a passerby will exist in most of the places we are planting the flag. The area of our journey today was very sparsely populated.

The sun was beating down; the thermometer on the car read 123 degrees at the hottest point. Bert said that an official weather source reported the temperature to be 105 degrees. We assessed that the heat of the pavement likely accounted for the difference in the car’s thermometer and the official weather readings.

No matter what the actual temperature was, as our bodies moved through the air just above the pavement, we were certain that it felt hot. The air was pretty still in the morning, but the afternoon provided a bit of a breeze and kept the climate from feeling harshly oppressive. Gary and I took a break at Marigold Street. The street marker was a post in the ground with casually painted lettering. I called to invite Mom to join us. She parked the car at an angle to create a bit of shade, tossed the picnic blanket on the ground and settled in for a warm but pleasant pause.

Gary entertained the crowd (okay, just Mom and I) with a Sammy Sosa, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth rendition of “rock and water-bottle” baseball. We basked in our own amusement for a while then continued on our way.

Further east we happened upon a collection of abandoned rock and cement buildings. There was a covered awning-like area that provided unimaginable shade and a cool cement platform where Gary stretched out and rested his legs. Gary’s head was positioned close to the support car’s brakes; we talked at some length about brake pads and discs and managing car maintenance on a limited budget. I’m confident that I’ll have an extensive introduction to drill sergeant philosophy, car repair, truck driving and a bunch of other previously less familiar topics by the time we finish this walk. It was tempting to linger in the shade and wait for the sun to go down, but good sense won out and we traveled on.  

Our walk ended today at the intersection of National Trails Highway and Indian Highway about 18 miles southwest of Barstow. Mom waited patiently in the car as she has waited for 13 days now. This was walking day 13 and Gary’s Fast-5 day 12. We call Mom “Stealth Mama” because she always seems to be “just up ahead” about the time we want cold water or a word of encouragement. We planted the flag with a few words from Gary captured on videotape. Our distance walked was 12.1 miles. We headed back to the home of David and Ruth Penn where a hot meal was waiting once again.

We were joined by the DeCastro family and the Penn’s friend, Phil. It was an awesome meal. They have provided a delicious, hot “break-fast” and warm, affirming fellowship for 6 nights now. Words are inadequate to fully express our gratitude. Phil gave Gary a walking hat that will help minimize sun exposure in the hottest part of our desert trek. Gary modeled the hat revealing quite the appearance of adventurous flare. Gary thanked Phil and accepted the gift with a broad smile.

Before dinner, Gary weighed in at 298 pounds. David requested that Mom and Gary share the “Fast-5 /High-five dance,” a little routine that Gary put together while we were walking up the San Bernadino Mountains. They complied and we all laughed together. Gary is well on his way and is feeling good.

After dinner, Emerson DeCastro returned from outside and excused his family from the group saying, “we can’t join you now. We are busy outside with something for the walkers.” David invited me to look out of the window where I saw the DeCastro family washing the Fast-5 support car. I went out to take their picture and thank them. Their kind work returned the car to dark blue whereas minutes before it had been light brown with a heavy coat of dust.

Tomorrow we will start out looking fresh as we pull the camper to the property of the Barstow Church of the Nazarene. David will bring Gary to meet us at the flag where we will begin day 14 of our walk. I’m confident that we all are growing in many ways each day, but not in all ways. Gary is quick to remind me that he is growing and shrinking at the same time. We will each be transformed during this journey. The ways have yet to fully reveal themselves.

Tonight as I write, I hear the sound of coyotes singing together in the distance. It sounds mysterious. I’m drawn to ponder the road ahead. Two years ago I would not have imagined that I would embark on such a journey as this. It is my sincere dream that our nation will soon step onto the path to live lean, live long, and live well.    

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