tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15297833641717756092024-03-13T07:29:50.437-07:00One Earth Walk-project - BlogSetsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-40031885016078063832023-05-15T12:08:00.001-07:002023-05-15T12:08:40.391-07:00Greetings from central Indiana!<p>Wow, a lot of time has crept in between last post and this one, as well as three more intervening states. But I have been journaling faithfully. During this time I have been blessed to have many great reunions With previous benefactors, and and made lots of wine offerings, among various other types. Very gratifying and right in the spirit of this venture. And speaking of 'spirit' -- it's really felt as if I am being properly looked after, through forces great and small. THANK YOU! -- A sentiment I notice feeling daily, if not hourly at times.</p><p>The last entry came at the start of the plains, and it's been agribusiness ever since... Animal agriculture especially continues to be the very troubling norm. Have the feed lots expanded? And is the land devoted to growing animal feed (and ethanol) vaster than ever? There seems to be growing awareness of plant-based food choices, but as mentioned already, a growing population - both in size and numbers - may be canceling out the gains in nutrition consciousness! </p><p>One can find surprisingly good produce and 'vegan-ish' products in obscure places. Many folks I've met share a concern about the future of the planet and of humanity. Can I hold concern (sometimes bordering on despair) and gratitude, together at the same time? Apparently so. The other day I woke up to birdsong and a morning cup of tea in a beautiful camping spot at the Indiana Dunes Nat'l Park. And thought - can't I just be grateful for what we still have? Instead of obsessing about what is being lost? Both are important, no doubt. </p><p>I find myself thinking, somewhat cynically, as I observe acres of construction happening in some places (commercial, residential and highway infrastructure) - well, burgeoning humanity has to have <i>something</i> to do! Sadly, there are also many depressed areas falling to bits... The farther east I get, the older the average age of many structures. It's interesting and kind of sad to see the contrast between ones that are tidy and beautifully restored, and the ones with peeling paint and hanging shutters (shutters?). Deferred maintenance! What about salvaging some boards from those buildings that are listing precariously and ready to fall? This sort of question may have to pass to the next generation... But I can see lots of potential for the salvage industry.</p><p>Better quit now; I'm rambling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fLQeA6MQhA0AcB_QeQwsqzNVx-AIA0TxPp5PYBtpcGwlg2GygXIgbJKgO3hvP7foOrB2SL2DGP8RpPMEYRBXUUXEvindrYeMbH8NKfCMmsMVOcI7bnrXyio5q9PLW1gdRUioxj7I0ZX0WlRjl95-iX09rNGKmcSo7jdos8YWl1CT0pCluD65G_l1eA/s3088/5B1951B4-B608-41FB-AD53-AA2D994231D4.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fLQeA6MQhA0AcB_QeQwsqzNVx-AIA0TxPp5PYBtpcGwlg2GygXIgbJKgO3hvP7foOrB2SL2DGP8RpPMEYRBXUUXEvindrYeMbH8NKfCMmsMVOcI7bnrXyio5q9PLW1gdRUioxj7I0ZX0WlRjl95-iX09rNGKmcSo7jdos8YWl1CT0pCluD65G_l1eA/s320/5B1951B4-B608-41FB-AD53-AA2D994231D4.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiti4n-ke7h7z1cq92juez0O-rOo2y0gBljBcxhVQvUQewYa5VwYfAuQ8mWIo2xgi8KJ8zB7959X22Qqvba_c6Jeyhw04hO7OFi8tYmnmePJkEcp44AnRCkxaBMt4DTSdBeCFYl1K0yr0gyVAdpZrxS5Sw_Q4fsP94O6pblcoMopz1-bwR78zhIdNwCBA/s4032/IMG_0387.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiti4n-ke7h7z1cq92juez0O-rOo2y0gBljBcxhVQvUQewYa5VwYfAuQ8mWIo2xgi8KJ8zB7959X22Qqvba_c6Jeyhw04hO7OFi8tYmnmePJkEcp44AnRCkxaBMt4DTSdBeCFYl1K0yr0gyVAdpZrxS5Sw_Q4fsP94O6pblcoMopz1-bwR78zhIdNwCBA/s320/IMG_0387.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH4_Z1-xpoJgk9fLwIVXdLzBktmtXM9Iy0XQeilnqNG_Z0MSNPHw4Y-MYAwS929Q0TPZ2nFfB6IQjkewd6HN-rASQ6EHpC3ZkeIVOT-9XYLesst_V4K9Zeid5SA900ThbSB8Ucz6MBQj9qFe0qNmtVHp_Yy6xGylvkRk5OQW6XHiYR4dQsm5DjcOmKA/s4032/IMG_0382.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH4_Z1-xpoJgk9fLwIVXdLzBktmtXM9Iy0XQeilnqNG_Z0MSNPHw4Y-MYAwS929Q0TPZ2nFfB6IQjkewd6HN-rASQ6EHpC3ZkeIVOT-9XYLesst_V4K9Zeid5SA900ThbSB8Ucz6MBQj9qFe0qNmtVHp_Yy6xGylvkRk5OQW6XHiYR4dQsm5DjcOmKA/s320/IMG_0382.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhSLPqynIgL3E8qWU4ETXsMUmA7tjbIP91XrFMBAfAnusvP7I0QxQx2qbE3n4GxoLbEW2VjpRcVHEcs9B3x8a92Ic8GsmZ7l-Awn9wdy9QX6iF1rb585AFg33GT4-9Jjfq_cabcDADrW2ade3NEXETyhCe5lVT-CK3Fw_kmYPv2BdDV4OVYx40P-qTw/s4032/IMG_0374.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhSLPqynIgL3E8qWU4ETXsMUmA7tjbIP91XrFMBAfAnusvP7I0QxQx2qbE3n4GxoLbEW2VjpRcVHEcs9B3x8a92Ic8GsmZ7l-Awn9wdy9QX6iF1rb585AFg33GT4-9Jjfq_cabcDADrW2ade3NEXETyhCe5lVT-CK3Fw_kmYPv2BdDV4OVYx40P-qTw/s320/IMG_0374.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-26144845363262972902023-04-23T11:40:00.000-07:002023-04-23T11:40:41.656-07:00Post Earth Day notes<p> Did I forget to mention that I'm driving this time?? Maybe so, but you've figured that out, of course. This is a trip that I've been planning for some years now. It took time to acquire funds, vehicle, camper top, and pull the thing together. At this point, the blog is just for me. I have progressed on a loose plan to publish a transcription of my walk notes, whenever I can figure out how to include photos - with captions(!). The entries from this year will serve as a last chapter, or postscript. </p><p>Wild camping near Moab, UT, and an awe inspiring drive along the Colorado River canyon. Had another couple of great reunions with friends near SLC and later in Glenwood Canyon. Made it over the high mountain passes (Vail and Loveland) after a day's pause with the GC couple in their very cool house at a few thousand feet higher up. Took a break visiting a hot spring spa, which I did <i>again </i>in Idaho Springs on the way down from the mountains. I must say that the Interstate highway has really taken a beating from a long winter's weather and maintenance that hasn't begun. Some of those holes were so deep that I felt I might be bounced into the next lane!</p><p>Earth Day was yesterday! I am feeling various regrets about the state of the Earth, and the awareness that this week I'll depart from Ft. Collins, CO and be driving through beef stockyard country, and onward to the agri-business plains of eastern Colorado and points beyond. Have heard/seen various recent media reports about the connection between animal agriculture and bird flu type viruses. Also the hope that we might partially mitigate the damage we are causing on the planet by adopting plant-based eating. Do I see reasons for encouragement?? Sure, there are pockets of awareness everywhere, but there is also so much more humanity, that it feels like a very uphill struggle! Nevertheless, she persisted... Maybe I can (cautiously) advance the VHEMT philosophy here and there! I don't kid myself that this trip is meant to elevate that climate conversation in any way. It is so far addressing my curiosity, as well as giving me a chance to express gratitude to/for the many generous folks I met last time, and am meeting now for the first time! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbOQGuBFgFLo1LPCQz98W90GnMZafiyvlCAj_7newbDdFU74YCkN4ul5jqnV0zGbYhCxHC-ykG0wATdxuJ-IhxWAGMbRenvgZ5_drExoDwgG_5FrIniQqGN9TcO-2NDx7UBkbzxYRGxZOFvX1aaJeEqONdJKOm0MmqYsi53dmGPK3j3YGLtrgGVMpIg/s4032/IMG_0308.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbOQGuBFgFLo1LPCQz98W90GnMZafiyvlCAj_7newbDdFU74YCkN4ul5jqnV0zGbYhCxHC-ykG0wATdxuJ-IhxWAGMbRenvgZ5_drExoDwgG_5FrIniQqGN9TcO-2NDx7UBkbzxYRGxZOFvX1aaJeEqONdJKOm0MmqYsi53dmGPK3j3YGLtrgGVMpIg/w349-h262/IMG_0308.HEIC" width="349" /></a></div><br /><p>Other photos will have to wait. But here's 'Bob'! (Enjoying sunset in one of our wild camping spots.)</p>Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-66607118720358119372023-04-14T15:13:00.000-07:002023-04-14T15:13:19.525-07:00Gratitude Mission -- And the Wildflowers are Rioting <p> Never expected to hear from me again? Neither did I! But here I am on a followup mission, retracing my walk route and calling on as many folks as I can who helped me navigate, sleep, eat etc. on my last trip through here and generally offered walk-sustaining moral support. Intention is to express thanks and make some small offerings. Am now in Spanish Fork, UT.</p><p>Challenges this time, as one would expect, are very different. But let me start in California... Awesome visits with my friends/sponsors on the ranch in the Central Valley, as well as another friend on the Coast and yet another in Kernville. So I saw some of the fallout from winter flooding inland and on the central coast, and also got to enjoy some ocean waves before starting inland. As mentioned above, many of the hillsides all along the way were totally carpeted with wildflowers, so much so that it could be seen from space in satellite view! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQfWCqG1CIrmrT3O1C0xlcUHLaxGZAxxWoe8gYofFw6NGYW36cPFXT1D2W8S482mir6dDQwC75rTc4_cxNc2OgLyOAp1s0WcUuQnkNJa0c3v29f4Gj0iso0GZk0sJuF8OVxJtegjp-bIB_XYEqroExmXzZMFRdakQBYMySI-pT8DP5CK_Yo1Gv9tbWA/s4032/IMG_0285.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQfWCqG1CIrmrT3O1C0xlcUHLaxGZAxxWoe8gYofFw6NGYW36cPFXT1D2W8S482mir6dDQwC75rTc4_cxNc2OgLyOAp1s0WcUuQnkNJa0c3v29f4Gj0iso0GZk0sJuF8OVxJtegjp-bIB_XYEqroExmXzZMFRdakQBYMySI-pT8DP5CK_Yo1Gv9tbWA/s320/IMG_0285.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD86zc71Ht5DJlOnNJ9-K7iD2i2ZIVKy2PDOWezTHa-tgFamcUK8uKGkGkq59DzMiPZpEBa6rVgXgbigGg03dMVlfZ2KVSA-sZbmNK2C51MCOgnVJYu8rzhDsBhHSNDZmt7yPDTUV3zetjN9tpyTD4cBSnM8xupfIjwaFtCmYqDW1UHRR9ZvZWe_fBA/s4032/IMG_0292.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD86zc71Ht5DJlOnNJ9-K7iD2i2ZIVKy2PDOWezTHa-tgFamcUK8uKGkGkq59DzMiPZpEBa6rVgXgbigGg03dMVlfZ2KVSA-sZbmNK2C51MCOgnVJYu8rzhDsBhHSNDZmt7yPDTUV3zetjN9tpyTD4cBSnM8xupfIjwaFtCmYqDW1UHRR9ZvZWe_fBA/s320/IMG_0292.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br />People were pulled off the road everywhere gawking and taking photos of the masses of yellow, orange blue. These photos hardly capture the drama of the expanses. After a ride up Route 395 on the east side of the Sierras I branched off to Route 6 after Bishop, CA. All of the passes over the Sierras were closed that far north, and the trailhead park for the PCT is not going to open until June(!), when they think they can clear all of the snow. <p></p><p>In the Nevada desert I was guided to a very remote hot spring that I <i>never </i>would have found without help. No signs at all. Got lucky, I guess. Heard later that the campsite can be overrun by herds of noisy and inconsiderate campers. But the one guy(Mike) I spoke with at any length was great. Then on to Tonopah where I had a reunion with Kevin and his family, who had sheltered me on the walk. And later met up with two Carols, also my gracious hosts on the remote stretch of Route 6.</p><p>Weather <u>very</u> changeable. In Tonopah I was in a T-shirt during the day. But that night the tempurature dropped into the 20's!! I barely stayed warm in my pop-up tent and didn't try to heat water in the AM. It was stingingly cold and I had some trouble just pulling down my tent top with stiffly painful fingers. The next day it continued cold enough that I stayed indoors overnight at the now-less-well-run Border Inn at the Utah state line. Which brings me to the relative, occasional poignance of this version of my last decade's walk - the graphic examples of the 'arising and passing away' of the stuff of our material world. While I am 'chuffed' to see some of the places where I camped or remembered for various reasons, there are also those places that have suffered closures/abandonment, either through attrition or the Covid years. Let alone the intense winter that seems to have been felt throughout the western states. The mountains are looking amazing and forbidding; snow is everywhere and at pretty low elevations. It'll be interesting (possibly scary?) to see what weather conditions I'll encounter along the way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFilRKb0YkVpUyfwHWMumg9gG4rUH4CjTpWWX6aZFp45fJjoB3rGdQym2F5FE1cV4-T35mfLCG7VzThxNwsTsaVUVHCRet0xWidwGpQwyhkFU1OGL8edbat3WiUTA5BualmwWJo-ir9WutCwrQkzL9xsLHAxNf0pnxA2ajxfne9e8ij15qL_n1oxRBA/s4032/IMG_0297.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFilRKb0YkVpUyfwHWMumg9gG4rUH4CjTpWWX6aZFp45fJjoB3rGdQym2F5FE1cV4-T35mfLCG7VzThxNwsTsaVUVHCRet0xWidwGpQwyhkFU1OGL8edbat3WiUTA5BualmwWJo-ir9WutCwrQkzL9xsLHAxNf0pnxA2ajxfne9e8ij15qL_n1oxRBA/s320/IMG_0297.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwg-SwyiX_YPNv8O70RcimV4tTm_JpI94VxQtBD1LzCZkwyyxbBIpuRJRnvqSWykZe-luY2qvpRH342adTvSb_9NcktyUfHBjRtFJ5aesAzvd3VSzkKTo4H2SOAHUYjoUai7df_fqQnxfsTYJNwOOpHJskxSPzI-The_8NMN2w5qtfM-fphgXK7hohw/s4032/IMG_0301.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwg-SwyiX_YPNv8O70RcimV4tTm_JpI94VxQtBD1LzCZkwyyxbBIpuRJRnvqSWykZe-luY2qvpRH342adTvSb_9NcktyUfHBjRtFJ5aesAzvd3VSzkKTo4H2SOAHUYjoUai7df_fqQnxfsTYJNwOOpHJskxSPzI-The_8NMN2w5qtfM-fphgXK7hohw/s320/IMG_0301.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-je5PVtoJZzESOX1jHhysr67olw8Jz3CrVDh_DFZgQADEiOijgEXZArDKMd2U1AtkWdEnFdyGZjxEEYUO6hOaQYRb1n45kmYcLEjvREolCih9pNF-QIwGGhdicYMTZX_YjraxN3_Tp1eU5TCmMASjcaeXlVYN9yopQV9jPwVe1tIFsxxuHcf8e6a8g/s4032/IMG_0306.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-je5PVtoJZzESOX1jHhysr67olw8Jz3CrVDh_DFZgQADEiOijgEXZArDKMd2U1AtkWdEnFdyGZjxEEYUO6hOaQYRb1n45kmYcLEjvREolCih9pNF-QIwGGhdicYMTZX_YjraxN3_Tp1eU5TCmMASjcaeXlVYN9yopQV9jPwVe1tIFsxxuHcf8e6a8g/s320/IMG_0306.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3dQ4k5qB73pPSy-5J1vcsqY-ZVjvcEZXq1SF4a8rqqnGm2iUqtVSdb6vXXiETmYTOLPre9LYK6pPj2kCp_daWtTGldTmFNT28Bx-3hNKsJZ6EJq0ROf8Ud9N_KeS95IlJuOpuA4KX_bayagzyvC0_qlqvpNbIKtLPtYZ2n5GT80UWlNh0QtXieiB4w/s4032/IMG_0314.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3dQ4k5qB73pPSy-5J1vcsqY-ZVjvcEZXq1SF4a8rqqnGm2iUqtVSdb6vXXiETmYTOLPre9LYK6pPj2kCp_daWtTGldTmFNT28Bx-3hNKsJZ6EJq0ROf8Ud9N_KeS95IlJuOpuA4KX_bayagzyvC0_qlqvpNbIKtLPtYZ2n5GT80UWlNh0QtXieiB4w/s320/IMG_0314.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>SAFE TRAVELS! as everyone says.</p><p> </p><p> </p>Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-21212632158356685242017-07-30T17:36:00.002-07:002017-09-09T10:39:32.623-07:00Lewes, Delaware -- on the Atlantic Coast! <br />
It hardly seems real, that this walk could be at an end, and that I would be done (for now) with the rituals around packing up the cart and heading down the road, or the trail, with or without predetermined destination for the day, and hoping for weather-mercy. But so it is.<br />
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A ride through some rather hazardous road construction cut a day off my walk across the peninsula between the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. There were several thunder/rain storms I avoided overnight by sleeping in motels, and even a tornado on Kent Island overnight on the day I left Annapolis. It did considerable damage in an area where my friend Breck and I had walked less than 24 hours before. The day prior to my arrival day in Lewes (on the coast) I was soaked to the skin as it rained all morning, and then got a sunburn in the afternoon. I spent that final night on the edge of a cornfield, a peaceful and fitting last night on the road.<br />
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My welcome in Lewes made me feel like royalty. Am being hosted by more of D.C. Andrea's friends(!) in a beautiful home on the edge of the wetlands of Cape Henlopen State Park. I've been honored to meet many of the town's literati, activists and other interesting folks. Tomorrow I will have a visit with a journalist with the local paper, who took some photos of the 'closing ceremony' we had at the ocean-side beach on Friday. After a 'risky' forecast for that day, the weather turned out to be ideal. And to my great joy, along with some new friends from here in Lewes, a couple of Zen friends (Arlene Lueck and Andrea Way) were present for the event, to help me chant a verse called the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo. <br />
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This was the final dedication:<br />
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<b><i>This chant is an invocation of Kannon, the Bodhisattve of Compassion. I'd like to dedicate any merit arising from our recitation and actually, the effort of this entire pilgrimage to Gaia, Planet Earth, and all of its inhabitants, especially those that ae endangered or facing extinction now. May we humans come together and evolve toward peace, toward a more skillful stewardship of this fragile place we can still call home -- for now! And may we evolve toward the end of suffering for all beings.</i></b><br />
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<b><i>My gratitude is inexpressible, for the innumerable kindnesses I have been offered on this journey. And for all I have seen, learned and shared. May I find ways of putting it to use in the service of those beings who have no voices of their own, or whose voices we cannot hear.</i></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the coastal plain. No more hills!</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-49053132296378667412017-07-22T17:20:00.001-07:002017-07-22T17:20:40.016-07:00Ink? (Or what?)'Ink' -- as in 'press coverage'. And here is another surprise! Again with thanks to my DC friend Andrea, this journey has now been celebrated in a style beyond my imagining, in the Washington Post, of all places!<br />
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The whole issue of media interest continues to be an evolving story. Given my reticence around all forms of social media, I had felt a little squeamish, at the outset, about the prospect of publicity. Pretty early on, though, it became clear that the mission was more important than my personal sensibilities, and somewhere along the way I began welcoming opportunities to speak to the press. There were not too many. Some few articles that came out in small town papers were embarrassing, with many inaccuracies and little to do with the spirit of pilgrimage (at least as I saw it). A few others were well done and seemed encouraging - environment may not be a regular topic of discussion in some of the places I visited! In any case, this year I've been 'on my own' for the most part. Until Washington D.C.! This article is also a little embarrassing, but I did think the journalist captured the spirit of the walk. Her name is Mary Hui. Here is the link:<br />
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2017/07/20/this-zen-priest-continued-her-cross-country-trek-against-climate-change-even-after-it-resulted-in-a-rare-disease/?utm_term%3D.923c52609231&source=gmail&ust=1500840818181000&usg=AFQjCNEnox2EdX9FMSgWcQ7ThzJsWA17iw" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2017/07/20/this-zen-priest-continued-her-cross-country-trek-against-climate-change-even-after-it-resulted-in-a-rare-disease/?utm_term=.923c52609231" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;" target="_blank">https://www.washingtonpost.<wbr></wbr>com/news/inspired-life/wp/<wbr></wbr>2017/07/20/this-zen-priest-<wbr></wbr>continued-her-cross-country-<wbr></wbr>trek-against-climate-change-<wbr></wbr>even-after-it-resulted-in-a-<wbr></wbr>rare-disease/?utm_term=.<wbr></wbr>923c52609231</a><br />
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Been having a 'weather break' in Annapolis, many thanks to another long-time friend and 'road angel', Breck. Tomorrow I'll be crossing the Chesapeake Bay and embarking on what most likely will be my last week of walking to the Atlantic coast!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Hirshhhorn Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ai Wei Wei exhibit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This part of the exhibit was part of the installation on Alcatraz a few years ago.</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-55814708096340810142017-07-15T13:13:00.000-07:002017-07-15T16:21:58.786-07:00Holy milestones, Batman -- Washington D.C.!!Well! This was something -- arriving in our nation's Capitol, sweating and bug-bitten, to be welcomed by my good friend Andrea. Who, among other things, instigated a very interesting meeting for me, with my elected representative, Congress-person Jackie Speier! Without Andrea's encouragement I probably would have been satisfied with parading around the Capitol, my Climate Flag flying (avoiding the White House, in the end, due to the appalling nature - to me - of its current resident!) Why I hadn't thought of this already (calling on our elected officials), I don't know. But it may be because there has been so little media interest in this pilgrimage (at least in relation to the distances covered!) that I had begun to feel it was more a mission I'd been carrying out just for my own integrity's sake, out of reverence for the earth, and for the many amazing contacts I have made with an equally amazing and diverse group of people, so many of whom DO care about the environment... If not for the same reasons, or in the same ways as I do...<br />
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BTW, I did end up staying for a night in one of the lock houses I mentioned last post. It was fascinatingly rustic and so hot overnight that it was hard to sleep. But then, my last several days on the C&O Canal were extra hot (90's) and humid. I keep having to re-remember that in an eastern North American summer, it is so green and leafy that you can't see the terrain unless you come to a field or wide body of water, or are climbing/descending a hill yourself. The Potomac was often visible, but not always. Much interesting flora and river/canal fauna.<br />
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It looks as if there will be about seven more walk days to go until I reach the Atlantic coast - at Lewes area, Rehoboth Beach, Deleware. There is so much of interest to see and do here in D.C., that I could get immersed very easily. But 'duty calls', as they say - so in a couple of days I will head to Annapolis and another generous host there! I hear that there will be a post on Jackie Speier's FB site, about this trip(!) It should be view-able soon at FACEBOOK.COM/JACKIESPEIER. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A memorial at Antietum National Civil War Battleground site</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pedestrian bridge to Harper's Ferry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Lockhouse #22</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-85749183841417427072017-07-06T11:34:00.001-07:002017-07-06T11:42:35.645-07:00C&O Canal trail mile 100 -- Williamsport...And if there are particular themes to this stretch for me, they are mostly very green and rainy ones -- grabbing walk days in between thunder storms, sharing the trail with hundreds of cyclists and (again) scaling back my daily mileage expectations while sweating profusely in the amazing humidity! Camping areas (as well as the trail itself) along the Potomac tend to be beautiful and fairly buggy, including gazillions of fireflies after dark - dazzling! And of course, the area abounds with early U.S. historical battlefields and other significant places. For example, Williamsport was one of the sites considered by President Washington for the future Capitol city. <br />
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A interesting feature along the trail, the 3000' long Paw Paw Tunnel was closed for safety reasons, and there was a steep and rocky detour trail by-pass. Luckily for me, the awesome folks I stayed with in the town of Paw Paw shuttled me around the by-pass. I got to explore the tunnel entrance and enough of the by-pass route to know it would have been an act of penance, indeed, to drag my cart over that hill! There was also a 20-mile stretch of parallel Western Maryland Rail Trail (paved with asphalt!) running alongside the Canal trail. Needless to say, I switched to the converted rail path for some easier 'rolling' along that stretch. Ft. Frederick State Park has a very well restored 18th century fort to explore as well as an impressive nature center it would have been great to revisit for all of my flora and fauna questions! There are scores of building ruins along the Canal route, some of them restored to use as overnight bunkhouses furnished in period styles. The one bunkhouse I have experienced myself (so far) is attached to a bike shop in Hancock, sometimes affectionately called The Chicken Coop! <br />
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So. I am a possible 7 days from Washington D.C.(at my current reduced speed!). After which, it may be that a week or 10 walk-days could get me to the Atlantic! Will that be a 'wrap'? I can't imagine what that would feel like...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former mill site</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lock #50</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Paw Paw Tunnel by-pass trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paw Paw Tunnel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken by my walking companion of an afternoon. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paw paw tree. It has edible fruit later in the season.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8-spot butterfly</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The Chicken Coop' (C&O Bicycle Bunkhouse)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Fort Frederick barracks room; the barracks buildings were rebuilt in the 1970's, although the original fort was pre-Revolutionary War. </td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-49058488793254576312017-06-28T11:10:00.000-07:002017-06-28T14:25:56.379-07:00The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Trail -- 184 miles to Washington DC!Hello from Cumberland, MD, from where I will set out tomorrow on another famous trail route I've been hearing about for ages! This is also unpaved; we shall see how the trail surfaces compare with those on the North Bend Rail Trail... Today I spend a good while in the Visitors' Center, gathering some much needed maps and information on negotiating the various stretches.<br />
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First stop in Maryland was in Oakland, in the southwest corner. Wonders never cease. On a much needed rest day (meant to be uneventful) I met a elderly gent (Ariel) in the area's Historical Museum who, after a brief introductory conversation, proposed taking me out on a scenic tour into some of the more remote and beautiful mountains of West Virginia near Monongahela National Forest. This fellow, although a bit unsteady on his feet, was a superlative driver, and had a sporty car which he clearly loved showing off. Well. This turned into a 4-hour afternoon of gorgeous vistas including the mountain ridge named Dolly Sods, and a rock formation known as Seneca Rocks. I got an earful of local lore from this 2nd or 3rd generation resident of the area, was introduced to some new (to me) classical recordings, and we exchanged much interesting conversation in the process. The thing of it is - this countryside was some of what I missed when I opted to alter my route off of the American Discovery Trail for that stretch beyond Clarksburg, WV. Wonders never cease...<br />
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The terrain in these past days has continued steep, and sometimes treacherous on the wind-y parts of the commercial routes. As has often been the case, the road shoulders disappeared in spots, leaving me hugging guardrail and switching sides of the road for the best visibility to traffic. But now I will be on a trail all the way to the Capitol! Will I parade past the White House with my cart, flying the Climate Flag? 184 miles to go before I have to decide!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain ridge called Dolly Sods</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seneca Rocks - a well known rock climbing destination</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along Route 135, Maryland</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canal area of Cumberland, MD. The Episcopal Church, upper left, was former site of Ft. Cumberland, used by George Washington. Tunnels underneath were formerly part of the Underground Railroad.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cumberland County Courthouse</td></tr>
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Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-32356275646441066902017-06-23T13:34:00.001-07:002017-06-23T13:34:34.415-07:00Thank you, West Virginia; hello, Maryland!<br />
I can hardly believe it, but I crossed into Maryland yesterday. However, I'm not quite done with the wonders of West Virginia, which for me were mostly about amazing people and <i>steep</i>, leafy mountains! For a good part of the distance walking the North Bend Rail Trail I was taken under the wing of West Virginia's ADT coordinator Sharon, and the network of people she and her husband know along the route. After the aforementioned encounter with the couple in Salem it was pretty regular random acts of kindness as I covered the last three days to the Maryland state line.<br />
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These were rather ambitious days, as it turned out. I'd been 'sheltered' from many of the hills while walking on a converted railway line, and although some real challenges were expected, I'd flattered myself that the Rocky Mountain crossing was pretty good training(!) Anyway, the most mountainous part of West Virginia is in the eastern part. From a conversation I had with a support person who was following a cross-country bicycle race (Race Across America), I learned that the slopes of the Appalachians include the most elevation gain per mile of any of the U.S. mountain ranges. We're not talking about elevations at all comparable with the height of those in the west. The highest point, Mt. Mitchell is 'only' about 6700', but I now have a new understanding of what Appalachian Trail walkers are dealing with. During the past three days of 'hill climbing' I ascended and descended more 8, 9, and 10% grades than I wanted to count, and today I am feeling the accumulated effort! Have made it here (to Oakland, MD) in time for a week-end of stormy weather (which actually started early, raining both evening and morning on the camping place I left yesterday!) And, BTW, I do know that I'm not finished with hill climbing yet...<br />
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There has been a real shift in my thinking in some ways, during the course of this endeavor. For example, abandoned/ruined buildings have always fascinated and drawn me with the impulse to explore. But now this attraction is mixed with a certain poignancy as I pass so many shuttered businesses, houses falling to rubble, trash-strewn properties with (I imagine) no one left to care for them. And I guess what's even sadder is that so many teetering buildings that look abandoned are, in fact, occupied. One listens to the rants of so many of our politicians and can only wonder, "What in the world are we thinking?"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool Springs Park. Interesting camping spot, with a water wheel, antique farm equipment and an assortment of animals across the creek.</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-85067864430906944022017-06-19T17:30:00.001-07:002017-06-19T17:30:40.170-07:00West Virginia and the North Bend Rail Trail<span style="font-family: inherit;">As you might have noticed from the last post, I was able to manage a visit to the Hopewell Nat'l Historical Park's Pre-Columbian mound site, which was breathtaking, as well as a detour to the Hocking Hills State Park area where I spent a happy day and a half hiking for the scenery(!) A moment's twinge of something like guilt for my 'indulgence' in tourism was short lived as I remembered that, after all, 'paying respect to land and cultures' is a primary motivating reason for this walk.</span><br />
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A few days later I had a lovely visit in Athens, a very interesting island of progressivism (sort of like Yellow Springs), in the midst of increasingly conservative Ohio. Now I am getting acquainted with the many different faces of West Virginia, an eye-opening and sometimes sobering experience. A proud tradition of hospitality holds sway, and people generally fend off compensatory gestures, offering to share whatever they have, which, in some cases, is heartbreakingly little. Trail (road) angels come in all economic conditions.</div>
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The North Bend Rail Trail runs roughly parallel to Route 50 between Parkersburg and Clarksburg. I walked 50 of the 72 mile stretch which was unpaved and, while fairly level, was sometimes challenging on the uneven grassy or gravel surfaces, which require a good deal more pulling (of my cart) than is usual on paved surfaces. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful stretch punctuated by cool, dark tunnels. I kept my headlamp handy!</div>
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As has been the case all along, I've enjoyed innumerable blessings on a near daily basis. But one incident has to be noted. The other day was my b-day, and I had been planning on camping that night. But weather looked ominous, so I decided to seek out some cover. In the town of Salem I was delivered to the home of an elderly couple, Suzie and Joe Davis, who keep a tiny apartment off of their garage, just for trekkers and transients! And I heard some interesting stories about a few of their guests. Well, if that weren't enough this devoutly religious couple provided dinner, breakfast, and upon learning that it was my bday, husband Joe went right out to the Dairy Queen and came back with a bday cake. I was overwhelmed...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great old hotel in downtown Parkersburg, WV - the Blennerhassett</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the North Bend Rail Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This trail has lots of tunnels - flashlights necessary!</td></tr>
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PS - I got interviewed by a reporter with an Athens, OH newspaper. Lots of inaccuracies, but here's the link, for anyone who wants to have a look. You'd probably have to copy/paste the whole line, as it won't work as a direct link... sorry.</div>
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<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.athensnews.com/news/local/san-francisco-woman-s-walk-to-save-planet-passes-through/article_77fbd5da-511f-11e7-97c3-f76d79840c97.html&source=gmail&ust=1497990223505000&usg=AFQjCNHbU-mEOHr_Bk4Q5PqVlUQS7kNwFg" href="https://www.athensnews.com/news/local/san-francisco-woman-s-walk-to-save-planet-passes-through/article_77fbd5da-511f-11e7-97c3-f76d79840c97.html" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color: #222222;">https://www.athensnews.com/<wbr></wbr></span>news/local/san-francisco-<wbr></wbr>woman-s-walk-to-save-planet-<wbr></wbr>passes-through/article_<wbr></wbr>77fbd5da-511f-11e7-97c3-<wbr></wbr>f76d79840c97.html</a></div>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-14239264741422635862017-06-09T18:33:00.001-07:002017-06-09T18:41:54.323-07:00Indulging in awesomeness...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mound site at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can climb this tower; nice view and the only phone access around!</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-84237192611870027662017-06-03T09:00:00.001-07:002017-06-03T09:00:09.623-07:00Yikes! Talk about complex a routing guide! And some more serious hills start here in Chillicothe!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> " ...Cross under US 35. Turn S on grassy bench and in 360' turn back toward corner of highway D50115 -82.8341 837
fence (no bench). At corner of fence, begin arc that leads to an opening in a pile of logs that
line the north edge of this grassy fill area with no established, marked trail. Do not climb over
highway fence. In 920', ford an intermittent stream in broad swale and begin long ascent on
benched trail with several switchbacks. In 3900', turn SE onto old skid road that undulates
and winds along a wooded ridge. In 2300' as skid road begins ascent, turn SW onto footpath
that returns to the skid road in a saddle in 780'. 560' SE past a fenced microwave tower is a
wonderful view of the Scioto R. valley from Hang Glider Hill. Trail joins service road and
descends W to saddle where road turns sharply S and descends more steeply. At the
bottom of the hill (2100'), service road turns NW parallel to CSX tracks. In 1500', service
road turns W across the CSX tracks and through gate.
1.472..." </span><br />
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Well, this part is certainly meant for walkers (read that - backpackers!) Much of the guide reads something like this and although there are alternate routes for cyclists (or my cart) it is all given east to west, making it all but impossible for the 'directionally-challenged'! I will have to do my best on roads. They do get considerably more 'wind-y' from this point. And hillier, too! In about Frankfort (15 miles back) the terrain changed abruptly, from the flatter, glacially impacted southwestern part of Ohio, to the part that is sometimes referred to as the Appalachian foothills. I have poured over the American Discovery Trail instructions for hours and do not know how to rejoin it at this point, without giving myself a headache!<br />
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Yesterday was a good walk day on another converted rail line, mostly through woodlands fragrant with honeysuckle and other flora I couldn't identify, chattery with birdsong, and alongside a river for much of the way. I have paused here in Chillicothe to consider my route going forward and, at the moment, can't say that the way is at all clear! Offers of camping hospitality, showers and meals continue to blow me away. As do the amazing and kind people I am meeting: a farming family transitioning to sustainable practices; a hard-working and crusty campsite owner who 'gets it' - lone liberal among his Republican friends; and a Native horsewoman living on her late grandmother's land beside the (former rail line) trail. This area is a rich center of ancient Native American sites, with burial and astronomical mounds dating back several thousands of years. Certainly worth exploring, though, for logistical reasons, this is most likely not in the cards for me this trip.<br />
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And, for the record - almost to a person, the folks I've met DO care about the environment! Sustainability is not simply the preoccupation of a fringe of 'tree-hugging progressives'. Hey, even corporations are getting on board! Updates to follow...<br />
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-5166580842115887552017-05-28T11:50:00.000-07:002017-05-28T11:50:54.915-07:00Xenia, OH -- Routing is more complicated, and 'flatness' will soon be a relative term...Crossed into Ohio about a week ago. And as expected, route planning in this state is a little more challenging than it was in Illinois or Indiana, thanks to my trail-mapping coordinator/friends from those states! There <i>are</i> many good bike paths in Ohio; the trick is to find the ones that run in the right direction! As I'd also heard, there wasn't any assistance to be had from the Ohio ADT trail coordinator; sorry to say so, but there it is! So I am plotting an (approximate) west to east path, walking on bike paths where they exist, and roads when they don't, or I fail to discover them. Have been visiting Yellow Springs and Xenia - interesting 'happening' towns, and may rejoin the ADT in Chillicothe in a few days.<br />
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Richmond, IN was a major site on the Underground Railroad route, before and during the Civil War era. The town has many really old homes, some dating from the early 1800's and beautifully restored. There are many more that are (sadly) falling to rubble. (It is easy to forget, having lived in the west for so many years, that buildings are, for the most part, older in the east.) Richmond is about half the size of Muncie and appears somewhat depressed economically.<br />
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Stayed with 'rustically' loving host-angels (and a couple of enormous dogs) on the way to Richmond, after a random, serendipitous meeting, and with an interesting Couchsurfing contact once I got into town. My trailer towbelt arrived at the Post Office there. (Great relief!) And not for the first time, I sat out some storm days before crossing into Ohio. (What a wimp, right? Am doing the same thing here!) I am equipped to walk in the rain, as long as I have a dry destination at the end of the day. Also can tolerate some rain while camping, if it's not too prolonged or severe. Which is the problem. There have been waves of weather (serious rain and thunder/lightening storms) coming at intervals. Makes the walk strategy that much more tricky... The other night there was a tornado warning; I had to ask a neighbor for advise on procedure, but the weather was not moving in our direction. In 1974 this town (Xenia) was all but wiped out by an unusually large twister, and I've spoken with several people who remember!<br />
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First stop in Ohio was in a small town with a lovely, generous Lutheran pastor and his family. I was billeted in the church building, and got to hang out with the family. Also had a great, if brief visit with a Couchsurfing host a few days ago, who happened to be a recent pilgrim on the Spanish Camino Santiago , She, too, is surrounded by a large, hospitable family and extended family with whom I spent an enjoyable evening over meal prep, and general efforts to make myself useful!<br />
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Heading for Chillicothe tomorrow, a 3-4 day walk, I understand that much of the way will be along bike paths and that the weather outlook is better (fewer ominous-looking blips!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Old Richmond, IN</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-7699795826526651522017-05-15T18:51:00.000-07:002017-05-18T11:15:39.333-07:00About five more walk days to Ohio, but meanwhile I'm having a great time in Muncie, IN!One of the things I have learned about Hoosiers is that they're serious about their wide expanses of mowed green lawn - acres of it sometimes, in the more rural areas. Of course one must own a riding mower to cope with so many hours of lawn care. This also means that the elderly folks can still get out there and mow! I have seen lots of elders, (presumably) happily engaged in this sport. Sort of an eye-opener for someone from a 'drought-state' city with no grass to her name, at least not of the lawn type! <br />
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The walk since my last post has been largely pleasant, especially the stretches of bike/ped path called by various names, and stitched together with some back roads to comprise the ADT (American Discovery Trail.) I'll be on the Cardinal Greenway for about the rest of Indiana. Only one day was particularly challenging; this was spent almost entirely on narrow county roads, the pavement along the edges crumbling, shoulders nonexistent, and traffic surprisingly heavy. This is part of the recommended route and I think it would be equally hazardous for a bicycle! Not everyone wants to 'Share the Road'...<br />
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My replacement towbelt might be expected in Richmond, IN by the end of this week, if I am lucky. It will be about 2-3 days walk from here (Muncie), and I elected to spend a few days in this town rather then hurrying to Richmond and then waiting. Muncie is the home of Ball State Univerisity, the bequest of the Ball family of Ball Glass fame. There is a lot of interesting stuff going on on campus; today I visited the Owsley Museum of Art, the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, and also got to look in on a demo happening at the Glick Center for glass. <br />
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Have also met several wonderful hosts/trail angels, both via random connections and through the Couchsurfing app. Much lively and interesting conversation has ensued. Abundant causes for gratitude. There have also been some rainy nights in motels, as well as the most noisy camping place I've ever experienced (a tidy campground right alongside the Interstate!) Off again tomorrow, and hoping for merciful weather!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridges through the town of Marion</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Met another cross-country walker - with a very tiny backpack! He was headed west.</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-91315838081639285502017-05-07T17:08:00.000-07:002017-05-15T13:30:11.122-07:00Many blessings, and a dash of disaster!In the early 20th century the land within 30-50 miles of the Kankakee River in northern Indiana was one of the most visited wetlands recreation areas in the U.S. However, its agricultural potential won out in the end, and gradually the river course was altered, wetlands drained, and now cornfields prevail. The soil still looks amazingly rich, much of it nearly black when it is wet. It's been wet most of the time this season! Springtime planting is still waiting for warmer, drier weather.<br />
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A day's walk from LaCrosse I stayed with the last of my prearranged and generous host-angels in a lovely setting along side of the bike/ pedestrian trail. Most of the people who have taken me in as I start out this year are American Discovery Trail advocates/stewards/promoters. On this visit I had a rest day to wait out the weather.<br />
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The first part of the following day's walk was a stretch along the trail after which I followed a highway heading for Tippecanoe River State Park. Rain started after a few miles on the road, and a nice fellow in a truck offered me a ride to the park entrance. As I was preparing for the rest of the walk through the park to my rustic little cabin, I made the horrifying discovery that I no longer had my cart's towbelt(!) And it doesn't seem to be recoverable. Which is rather a problem. I have been variously pushing my load, and pulling via a rigged up rope and bungee system. It is doable but not ideal. So the solution must be to replace the belt whenever I can arrange this... certainly before I tackle any major hills!<br />
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After another day's walk I had made it to a tiny lakeside community, with a storm in the forecast and an invitation to stay until it had passed. Another timely and very generous offering! This time I was able to reciprocate with some 'housekeeping' and by baking a batch of cookies!<br />
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Am camping tonight near the town of Denver, IN, and hear that it may freeze overnight!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little rusty silo went down a few weeks ago in a 50mph windstorm!</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-42862857922669814382017-04-28T15:57:00.000-07:002017-04-28T15:57:19.803-07:00Hello from LaCrosse, Indiana!Many blessings to report already on this walk installment. Starting with mercy from the airline (American) over a baggage check-in question that could have resulted in a $150. extra charge(!) I have enjoyed hospitality in 4 different places so far, as I get on with the task at hand and try to reorient myself to consecutive days of walking a fair distance. The first walk day was only about 5 miles and I had thought that there would be a couple of 8 - 10 mile days after that. But I'd got it wrong, and instead have done 15+ miles in these last couple of days... Weather has been varied; Wednesday was hot, and then yesterday(especially) and today were cold, overcast and windy. Lots of rain expected tomorrow, and an opportunity to see if I've adequately rethought the wet weather walk strategy.<br />
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People have been awesome and generous. Road angels in the Chicago area, and then in Crown Point, Hebron and here in LaCrosse, Indiana. Sometimes people let me make an offering of my own, but mostly I'm on the receiving end - still learning how to say 'THANK YOU!' My appreciation is <i>yuuge</i>!<br />
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One note on flora; the lilacs here are immense, and growing everywhere. They're in bloom now and it's a very heady perfume downwind!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to cardinal country! (Sorry about the screen...)</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-14491266018021048222017-04-17T20:58:00.000-07:002017-04-17T20:58:58.247-07:00Counting down - again!This feels familiar -- one week out from 'lift-off', scurrying around to finish whatever must be done, or else put off for the next several months. And indulging in a little nostalgia in the form of a line from a poem, leftover from the days when I aspired to write such things!<br />
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'The faces of arrival and departure are winking at me<br />
from between the lines of my oral history...'<br />
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...written during a 'creative period' spent at Tassajara Zen monastery, during which every rock and twig seemed laden with inspirational potential. The 'oral history' was a talk every new student was asked to present, called a 'way-seeking mind' talk. Now here I am again, sharing my way-seeking mind with whomever may be inclined to tune in(!)<br />
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In the San Francisco Bay Area it is spring in spades - after a drenching winter local flora is greening up, leafing out and, as it continues to rain, celebrating the season in a riot of new growth (much of it needing to be trimmed!). I have connected with several generous Chicago and Indiana hosts to send me off as I begin the last 1000+ mile leg of this walking venture. It will be interesting to see if politics/national mood plays a part in my encounters with people this season; it has not done so very often in the past. News media falls so far short of reflecting the great diversity of opinion and concern across this country. Though I am very grateful for the presence of our '4th Estate', in <i>most</i> of its many forms!<br />
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Will post again from the trail - the American Discovery Trail!<br />
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-59402951894948735422017-02-20T20:27:00.000-08:002017-02-20T20:27:36.279-08:00'Unconditional' activismHere are a few more thoughts from last week; both seem important.<br />
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First of all, on the subject of activism - A friend and I were recently discussing the ever more urgent need to engage actively in standing up for our principles - and for liberties we have probably been taking for granted. In particular, how can we know that our efforts are having an impact, and, more to the point, I believe, is it necessary to see concrete 'results'? Lately it seems to me that such assurances (of results) are a luxury and that activism is simply our responsibility, whenever and however we can participate, and whether or not we are convinced of or can see its effects. Many of our actions will be 'fruitless' in practical terms, but we cannot let that fact silence our voices.<br />
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And <i>speaking</i> of taking things for granted - in my several seasons of pilgrimage so far, it has never been so clear to me as it is now, that I might not have the nerve to embark on this walk were I not a white person. That thought has certainly crossed my mind regularly in past seasons; it's just that in our present sociopolitical climate it becomes even more painfully obvious!<br />
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-766116319496112542017-02-11T16:50:00.000-08:002017-02-11T16:50:29.333-08:00Next steps: learning to go forward with an open mind, a positive attitude and a broken heart...Some responses to this question seem to be dawning on me as I meditate on the paradox of discovering equanimity, even optimism, and grief all together within the same activities.<br />
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After the 'presidential election' it occurred to me that I had come to feel 'curdled' by negativity and cynicism, was avoiding contact with fellow humans in groups larger than one or two, and withdrawing even further than usual into a bubble of apathy, or was it antipathy? This attitude is contrary to the essential purpose of my walk-journey, and so I resolved to take steps to turn it around. Among the various 'therapies' undertaken was a 10-day fast beginning on the Winter Solstice, incorporating meditation and contemplation with gentle walking, resting and reading. The fast also had a physiological purpose and, now that it's been over for a while I can say that the results were positive all around. <br />
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Otherwise, aside from whatever odd-job work is available, my attention has often been focussed on 'walk practice', and participating in those sorts of gatherings (more frequent these day) that involve marching with signs and yelling slogans! As to the subject mentioned above - time will tell how this year's walk (Stage III!) unfolds, but based on past experience it seems possible that, through meeting the challenge of engaging in openminded mutual inquiry with others, I will continue to encounter kind and generous people, which does wonders toward the maintenance of a positive attitude! My broken heart will go with me, and may help guide encounters with those who share my grief for the earth and its many dispossessed people and critters. This pilgrimage is less about a belief in human capability to stop or slow the massive, runaway train of global abuses, and more about appreciating our planet's many existing (and declining) life forms and meeting other people who care!<br />
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-20269645294432841362016-12-12T13:58:00.000-08:002016-12-12T13:58:53.418-08:00Speechless <br />
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...been having an ongoing struggle with speechlessness ever since my return from this protracted and oft-interrupted walk venture. First there were the weeks of post-jaw-fracture treatment to endure. (See last two posts.) Dental work from this ordeal is still in process, what with the additional weeks that elapsed as I readjusted to chewing and before I could open my mouth far enough to see a dentist. The 'bite' will probably never be the same, nor will my my yawn be as wide as before. But I can at least function with a degree of normalcy.<br />
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In the midst of this experience, and as soon as it was able(!), my jaw was dropping with the influx of election-related news that, to me, defied all reason. Clearly, the outcome was based more upon emotion than reason, and I know that my own emotions are running higher with each announcement of presidential cabinet picks. Horrified amazement predominates. Every day I am struck dumb all over again. And filled with dismay for the future of the non-human inhabitants of our fragile planet, as well as most of(!) the human ones. In light of the most recent devolution of our sociopolitical situation I am more determined than ever to resume walking this spring. What feels different now is that I am not sure how it will be possible to 'complete' the pilgrimage. What would that look like? When will it seem that I have walked far enough? Getting to the East Coast may not be the end of it, though it may be the end of me, stamina-wise! So - in the spring I shall embark upon OEWP-Phase 3, heading to my last year's stopping point in Indiana.<br />
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Meanwhile, waxing sentimental about the holiday season is a practice I must leave to others, though I <b><i>can</i></b> take a moment to enjoy the seasonal drifts of red and yellow leaves on our street, collecting in the gutters and creating havoc for the street sweeping trucks. Festive enough for me!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good luck to us all in the New Year!!</td></tr>
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Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-68215753242157786892016-08-02T08:59:00.000-07:002016-08-02T08:59:32.126-07:00Uncle...Home again! And within a day I'd had an appointment with a maxillofacial surgeon who 'wired' my jaw back into the approximately correct position, a situation to be endured for a possible 4 weeks. This is so far one of the most painful and unpleasant experiences I can remember, and one I had hoped to avoid altogether, but...<br />
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Last Wednesday A.M. I was gathered and ready to resume walking a rather short experimental day, and had a host arranged for that night as well as the next one. But upon waking in the morning I had a 'writing on the wall' moment, featuring physical discomfort, a touch of mental disorientation (beyond my usual AM fog), and the dawning realization that food was going to be a real issue as I tried to drink or slurp enough calories for the task at hand, and over the course of the following weeks or months! Eating had been consistently painful. And how did I know that my injuries would not have further ramifications to be discovered down the road (literally)? The way became clear at that point, and by noon I had a plane reservation and was rearranging gear for a flight back to San Francisco. Arrived early Thursday morning and the various medical appointments happened pretty fast once I got here.<br />
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During the preceding week, and thanks to my awesome and gracious Indiana host, I had learned a lot about the American Discovery Trail route through Indiana; the county roads and former rail lines look like beautiful walking and I am more than a little disappointed not to be seeing them this year. But it also must be said that it's good to be home, looked after by family and friends. And, cardinals and fireflies notwithstanding, I do generally prefer the summer weather in these parts!<br />
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So -- here's looking at a 3-part pilgrimage, rather than the one or two-year trip I had envisioned. Boundless gratitude to all the many folks who have offered food, shelter, financial encouragement, good wishes and prayers. If it is still in the cards, I hope to resume the trek next spring, perhaps with a heightened appreciation for the vulnerability of this fleshy vessel!! <br />
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-78631156959577720882016-07-25T15:50:00.000-07:002016-07-25T15:50:33.174-07:00Intro to Indiana. One mis-step and... stitches!!How can I put this in the briefest, gentlest way? Well, on Friday I was making pretty good time towards the Erie-Lackawanna Trail, a route that takes you in a direct line to the town of Crown Point, my destination for that day. The connecting road, Route 30, does not seem to be a good alternative route for this walk, as far as my short stretch of it would indicate. A busy interstate highway across the northern U.S., it felt a bit like Route 6 - not a nationally designated Interstate like Highway 80, but a heavily traveled secondary commercial route inhospitable for any sort of bicycle or pedestrian traffic.<br />
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There were no shoulders, no sidewalks, and no crosswalks east of the town of Dyer. After hurrying crossing the wide intersection with Route 41 in the town of Schererville a piece of road trash caught me by the ankle, and, momentum being what it is, I was 'down' before I could correct, landing mostly on my chin in the grit... Although I was bleeding profusely at at that moment, no one stopped to see if I was OK. I was <i>not</i> OK. But there was a Walgreens close by where I went to clean up and assess the damage. Before the day was out, I'd been to a hospital ED in Crown Point (thank you, Uber!!), had my chin stitched up and an Xray taken of my jaw. Friday afternoon none of my teeth would meet at all - talk about your serious 'malocclusion'! Today is Monday and I am situated in the home of the American Discovery Trail coordinator for the northern Indiana route (there is also a southern ADT route through the state.) He has generously offered his hospitality until I can get back on track! Based upon the past few days of recovery, that should be possible in the coming week.<br />
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Bottom line(s) will be to avoid infection and learn to be more creative with 'soft food' options, as this trek requires calories. Have gained a lot of ground already with tooth alignment; however the imaging suggests that I have small fractures on both sides of the lower jaw at the TMJ points (right in front of the ears), which means no actual chewing for 4-6 weeks(!) Of course the rest of my body has to recover from its shock, sore muscles and whatnot. I won't show you a photo of my face. It's not too bad - just a mess of blooming bruises on the lower half. I shudder to think how much worse that mis-step could have been!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The historic city hall in the town of Crown Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More wildflowers I can't identify</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-32462688044427092252016-07-20T18:52:00.000-07:002016-07-20T18:52:23.128-07:00Indiana, and thoughts about the American Discovery Trail<br />
In another couple of days I will be in Indiana! Temperatures are soaring; humidity is, too. The whole northeast seems to be sweltering in the same high-pressure zone just now. <br />
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OK - time to make a decision that I have been anticipating for a while. It has been really nice to be off of the highways, on the American Discovery Trail for part of the time through Illinois. And that trail has run parallel to Rt. 6 through the state. However, if I am to continue on the ADT (assuming I can find a decent map of the route!), the way will turn pretty radically southeast for a while at this point. Since Route 6 is heading for Massachusetts I have known that it would be necessary to make a 'directional adjustment' right about now, in order to aim for the latitude of Washington DC, or thereabouts. I will be meeting with the Indiana head of ADT tourism in a few days, and hope to resolve some of my questions about trail conditions, roadway alternatives and routing...<br />
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An unrelated question - why can't we have cardinals in California? (Right, the conditions are different...) I am so enjoying their varied, but always distinctive and entertaining songs, as well as the occasional flashes of bright red, that it makes me wish we could 'import' them to the west coast!<br />
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Below are some photos of the couple who 'adopted' me in the town of Ottawa, Illinois. Lou stopped to talk to me on the way home after his shift. I am not usually in the habit of 'naming names' when talking about the 'road angels' I'm meeting, but this is a case like mine(!), of 'going public for the cause' -- in their case, the public relations cause!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottawa hosts Lou and Karri Riva</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out this cool big bug that was on my tent in the AM the other day...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frankfort, Illinois</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'Plank Road Trail' cuts throught the center of Frankfort</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-17435071448207674972016-07-13T16:28:00.000-07:002016-07-13T16:38:46.836-07:00'Dotted line' trekking.Walking, stopping to wait for better weather, skipping ahead, and detouring on business... is what makes this feel like a walk on a dotted line at times. Still I continue to chalk up mileage in spite of myself. No longer keeping track; at the end it will just be a rough estimate of miles walked. I know - there is an app for that. But it involves keeping the phone switched on all the time, and it is more important to save power for the times when charging is not an option. Last year I netted between 1000 and 1100 miles. This year it looks like about 700 good miles so far, and many more to go.<br />
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Illinois has miles of trail following two different historic canals, the Hennepin and the I&M (Illinois and Michigan). These were built in the 19th century for commercial barge traffic; I think that both waterways were closed to commercial traffic around the 1950's. Where they are still passable, pleasure boats can use the waterways for touring and fishing. The pathways are in various states of repair; some of it is paved and kept mowed along the edges and in some places the path is dirt (sometimes muddy) and single track, and looking as if it could disappear around the next curve. Information about access and amenities (where applicable!) is not so easy to come by. I saw that there are actual camping places intermittently, but too late to factor them into my planning. One keeps hearing that the state of Illinois is broke and much of the trail maintenance bears that out. <br />
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There was a great private campground in Geneseo. I have also been blessing with more hospitality from randomly encountered folks (road angels!): cyclists who took me and my cart(!) to lunch and then delivered me to a stopping place close to an AT&T office, where I needed to take care of some vital 'communications business'; an overnight invitation from a couple in the next town, who live on 5 tree-full acres in a wonderful Victorian era farm house; and now I am visiting a city police officer and his family, and sitting out a day of occasional downpour. The next three days look walkable, though I may have to revert to a parallel roadway if the trail is to be inundated this evening and overnight. Which would be too bad as it is ever so nice to have some shade along the canal route. The heat and humidity can be very enervating! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hennepin Canal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would these be considered an invasive species? </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, though...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campground with all the amenities</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building in Geneseo</td></tr>
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529783364171775609.post-8627517247431922682016-07-03T20:08:00.000-07:002016-07-03T20:08:20.022-07:00Home for the holiday. That would the the July 4th holiday...A keen interest in taking better care of myself than I did last year has prompted a week long walk-break which, in this case, has meant a return to SF for the R&R and a couple of physical 'tune-up' issues. It's such a blessing to be able to make the trip home. And it's probably better than spending the red, white and blue holiday in the mid-west where American flags engender a near-religious fervor all year long.<br />
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On Thursday, the 7th I head back to my stopping point in Moline, Illinois. Some recent research supports a shift in route, to a walking path across Illinios that is part of the relatively newAmerican Discovery Trail, a semi-coordinated project connecting walking and biking pathways across the US. The piece I hope to intersect with in a few miles follows a couple of canal routes and a road formerly made of wooden planks(!) I am hoping that the way is adequately navigable for a cart like mine. Much as I appreciate the 2-lane highway, it isn't always so hospitable for my purposes, what with the unusable or absent shoulders. This has been more apparent as I have come further east.<br />
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While in San Francisco my intention is to spend as much time as possible near the Bay and/or Ocean Beach. For the sea breeze, negative ions and to watch the seabirds, especially my avian heroes, the brown pelicans!<br />
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<br />Setsurin McCarthyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04211379216232680467noreply@blogger.com4