Judi's Trek Blog

October 20, 2006

The day began well with a warm motel room and a hot shower. That was a refreshing change from the breezy camper canvas and the cold face wash poured from the 5 gallon water jug. We can’t have a motel room often, but when we do, we truly delight in the luxury. The alarm went off at 5:15. We heard Gary at the car talking with someone who had a dog that was barking around 5:45. I opened our motel room door and Gary said he guessed the reporter wasn’t going to show for the 6:15 interview. I told Gary it was 5:45. He checked his watch, confirmed that it really was 5:45 then departed for his room to await the arrival of the reporter. Mom and I finished our morning routines and packed the car with the day’s supplies. We walked for a short while around the motel area then went to Gary’s room to confirm that the reporter had arrived. We discussed our morning plan and arranged for a time to begin walking with Andy Delisle from the Clovis News Journal.

Gary and Andy joined us by the car and we began walking. Gary and I had an enjoyable conversation with Andy. We talked about our motivation and the many changes Gary has experienced over the past two months. Andy said his goodbyes and walked back to the motel. Gary and I continued walking. We walked at our individual pace after Andy finished walking with us. I walked to the Texas-New Mexico border on the east side of Texico then called Mom to meet me at the New Spur Restaurant for a cup of coffee. We called Gary and asked him to stop into the restaurant when he arrived in Texico so we could visit with the staff and take some pictures in the restaurant and at the Texas border. Mom and I visited with Nora, one of the servers, for a few minutes. We talked about the walk from LA, Gary’s journey and his weight loss success and about Fast-5. Gary joined us for an expansion of that conversation. We said our goodbyes and walked on to the state line. We took some pictures to commemorate the crossing of another border. It was fun. I liked entering Texas for nostalgic reasons. It feels a little bit like home because Bert and I have so much history in Texas. I finished my 20 miles then called Mom to pick me up.

We drove to Friona, Texas and found an RV park. There was no obvious office in which to pay for the service, so I called City Hall based on a point of contact we had received during our queries about the RV park. I spoke with Donice who said the first two days at the RV Park were no charge then subsequent days had a fee. I told her we would only be staying two days. She said, “I guess we won’t be seeing you here in City Hall then.” I told her we were still interested in meeting her and telling her about our upcoming walk through Friona town on Sunday. She gave me the address, then Mom and I drove to City Hall. We talked with Donice, Genie and Eddie at some length. We talked about the walk and about our agenda. We discussed the details of Fast-5 and gave them each a book noting that the author is a Texan. We talked about other Herrings who live in Friona and about Texas relationships. We all shared stories of our kids including academic activities, veterinary medicine school and medical school. It was great to connect with friendly people in a welcoming city. Mom and I drove to the RV Park and set-up the pop-up camper. It was good to get it opened. The rain on the day we went to the motel was still on the canvas. It will be good to let it dry well to minimize any risk of mildew.

Gary called for Mom to pick him up at the 20 mile mark. I talked with Bert and the kids while Mom was gone. I have a strong Sprint signal and that is a welcome change. It allowed the conversation to flow with less concern for roaming charges and frequent disconnects that we have had over the past couple of weeks. I took the opportunity to check email and was thrilled to have some pictures from home. The time away is hard on everyone, but the mission is important and we all remain dedicated to doing it well.

Gary and Mom arrived at the campsite. Gary set-up his tent and explored the pond and park a little bit. He talked with Cheryl and relaxed. Mom fixed a break-fast meal using a bunch of leftovers. It was really good and included a hodge-podge of boiled cabbage and pork, egg salad, and chicken. Gary also had bologna to finish it off. We had planned to all break-fast together at a picnic table, but the mosquitoes had another idea. Mom and I ate in our bunks and Gary ate in the car. Tomorrow Mom and I can go to the market here in town and restock our supplies after I finish my 20 miles. Mom has been finding some good bargains at the grocery stores in some of these small towns. The good news is that the three of us are pretty flexible when it comes to food choices. Mom has put together a surprising variety of meals despite the limitations of food availability, refrigeration via cooler and a frugal budget. Gary sometimes calls her “Cookie” and I call her a magician.

She seems to turn a collection of Ziplock bag items in the cooler into an appealing meal every night – sometimes over a propane lantern with an aluminum-foil fashioned vessel as a “cooking pot”.We have been a little bit surprised and a lot pleased because we expected prices to be closer to convenience store prices. As it has turned out, some items have been real bargains, so that has driven the menu to some degree.

We finished break-fast and our evening routines. Gary got into his tent. We made some last bits of conversation by calling brief questions and answers through the nylon/canvas walls of the tent and the camper. We said our goodnights then it sounded like Gary may have watched a movie or part of one on his computer in his tent. Mom and I talked for a while, longer than we had planned. Mom crawled into her bunk and pretended to sleep so I would type in my journal instead of talking with her. I know that because I talked to her with silence in return then asked, “Are you sound asleep or ignoring me?” She said, “I’m not doing either. I am trying to keep my promise to myself to give you some time before it is very late so you can get some work done. I’m laying here trying to stay warm.” I thanked her for her help today and every day and for her effort to facilitate our communication with those who follow this journey. I do enjoy talking with Mom very much. It is a privilege we both recognize and value as a bonus that has come out of this grand adventure. Mom has a lot of things she is juggling including relationships with extended family members, her commitment to this journey and her sense of duty to be available to those who have escalating challenges of life and health. We talk about contingency plans and practical solutions. I feel for her ambivalence and wish to offer her resolution. Resolution it seems is in the hands of time, not in our hands. We will use our time on this journey as efficiently as possible to share our message widely. We are intent upon redefining a healthy diet. Tomorrow we will begin again. We will work to communicate our message clearly, boldly and bravely.

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