Latest Update from Karla

RAYMOND, WASHINGTON 3/12/01

The weather has been cloudy and overcast, although we've had very little rain. My blister is huge and hurting, although I do think it's getting better.. I've had it wrapped up in an ace bandage, and stuff it in my shoe and keep going.
As I was walking along, minding my own business, I walked past a house where some people were standing around outside checking out the fish they had just caught. They hollered at me and asked me if I was walking to California and I said yes. They showed me their 5-gallon bucket full of Smelt that they caught in the Cowlitz River, and I took a picture. They let me take a potty break, and as I was leaving she stuffed a ten dollar bill in my pocket and sent me on my way.
Farther along that same day, as I was walking along, MMOB, I walked past an RV/Campground. It was set far back off the road, and suddenly I heard someone holler. I turned around, didn't see anyone, and kept going. He hollered again. I turned around again. This time a man was running out to the road to check me out. He manages the campground, and wanted to find out about my mission -- where I came from, where I'm going to, and why. So I told him my story and he was impressed. He said I could stay at his camp for free, take a shower, eat, WHATEVER, he thought what I was doing was great. My foot was killing me and I really did want to stop, but I kept going. I knew my dad & sis were going to meet me in Raymond so I continued on. I caught up with Pop and Kris and soaked my foot in a bucket of water with epsom salt. Really, it is getting better..... it just hurts.
I got an email message from a lady who owns a motel down near Requa CA telling me that their newspaper ran a story about my walk and that when I got to that town that I could stay at her motel for free. I was amazed-- I guess all my letter-writing is paying off. Also, my dad was looking through a weekly newsprint here in this town and there was a story about me in it, too! So I guess the word is getting out.
I do enjoy being outside, and the cart isn't hard to push unless I'm going up a fairly steep grade. But just a moderate, slow, incline really isn't too bad. While Krista was here, we went through my stuff and eliminated quite a bit of junk, making the load quite a bit lighter. The cart seems to be holding up pretty well, although I do wish it would steer better.
Thanks for all the email messages I've been getting. I thoroughly enjoy receiving your messages and hope you'll keep it up. I'll try and keep my messages coming, too. Sometimes I just don't have access.
Take care! KB

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