Let’s see, I started this quest to walk form Barrow to Key West in the summer of 2006. Today, after walking a total of 6113 miles I cross out of Missouri into the great state of Arkansas. Now that is progress, I think!

No, I have not seen one baseball World Series game while I have been out here on the road. My daily itinerary is to rise at 5 AM, find desperately needed piping hot coffee by 5:30, fix my somewhat throbbing right foot, get to the daily start point and be on the road walking away just before the sun comes up. The day is spent then rolling up and down Missouri’s hills. But, in way side diners I do catch the Series highlights. Today is the final game. what will the morning bring? Go Giants!

The heavy rain pounded the little cabin where I had spent the night. I was worried that the downpour would last the whole day. Thankfully, when the sun was at its peak the rain stopped. Overcast and a breeze kept the day cool. Now, when I am just 28 miles north of the Arkansas border a cold front is on the way. When I say cold I am only comparing it to the pleasant fall weather. Temperatures will drop to the low 40’s. Is that really cold?

Van Buren is a resort town close to a river. I guess there are a lot of tourists in the summer now in fall, however, well the little place is dead. Now there were a few farmers discussing guns and at an auction up the road one farm had 28 different guns for sale. Oh yes, this is gun freedom in America and I support it!

Ellington, Missouri really is tiny. One Pizza shop, one gas station, one motel, two car washes and one bar. Well that would be the Tram Bar. My foot had been hurting somewhat significantly. It was the hammer toes on the right mostly. Frustrated, and warm as the temperature again neared 80 degrees, I was able to end the day early and thirsty. Well sir, I stumbled upon a run down shack called the Tram Bar. Cigarette smoke swirled in every corner of the dimly lit ols wood frame building. The only light came form a few soot clogged windows. Then an older gent said, “You can buy me a beer”. And so I did. I go to know Jim the life long lead miner. “They mine lead, silver, cadmium and sometimes gold all through these parts, way under ground”, he related. “Been out of the Navy for 46 years”. It was then I knew my new found friend was a Vietnam Veteran. We hugged. “Welcome home hero”, I shouted, proudly.

I pumped and panted up the hills around Ellington all morning. Then it being Sunday it was time for thanksgiving and church. That was a 49 mile ride to Piedmont, a little bigger town. As always the folks were pleasant but they sure are a long way from Miami and any big city. I am now on route 12 at the intersection with road HH, heading due south. Every day I contemplate finally reaching the Arkansas border. That is, if the sore right foot holds up.

Another pick-up stopped, a newer red one. This time a twenties something bearded man spoke as he stepped on to the road. “Do you mind if I shoot my gun?” “Go right ahead”, I replied. But please shoot on the other side of the road”. I smiled, picking up the walking pace, just as the shotgun fired, round after round.

Okay you should expect sun to help brighten the Autumn leaves at this time of the year. But temps above 80?, well that’s good too. Yet, along highway 49 and then south along highway 21 there were no services for twenty mile stretches. So I missed my frequent coffee. I ended the day eight miles outside of lovely Ellington.

The dilapidated black pick-up truck pulled slowly along side of me. A gruffly bearded but younger man spoke softly in a southern drawl “I’d be careful out here if I was you. We been shooting wild boar. They chased my father in- law up a tree. They run in vicious packs” With that warning I wasted no time, turned around, not running yet, and found a busier parallel road.

I woke up sad. It is just my way of paying tribute to my Vietnam War colleagues who never returned home. By 6:30 AM the sun was bright, the hills plentiful, and my outlook better. I plugged on for nearly 9 miles. Then, wanting a rest, I headed back to St. Louis to begin my flying journey on to Boston. Grandparents day is in a few days so the grand kids monopolize my thoughts. Well, not completely. I miss you brothers!