Latest Update from Karla

9-17-01

Howdy Everyone!
After leaving Lamar last wk I walked 17 miles to Granada where I spent the night in the Methodist Church. I was amazed that a town as tiny as Granada has a gas station/quick shop that stays open 24 hrs.
While I was walking to Granada, Ron & Nevelyn Mastre, originally from Galva but now living in Center CO, drove by on their way to Kansas. They stopped and visited, and Nevelyn even walked a mile with me! It was really good to see them again.
On friday I pushed my cart 10 miles to Holly where I stayed at the Motel there for free.
Then on saturday I walked 21 miles to Syracuse Kansas. The owner of the motel in Holly hauled my cart there for me. Yep, I crossed over into Kansas, my 7th state and 3rd time-zone. At the Kansas line, I've now gone around 2,265 miles. In 3 wks I'll be in my hometown of McPherson.
While I was walking on saturday I did something really really stupid. Heeding natures call, I went down into the ditch which was full of tall brush and bramble. When I came out, I was covered with around ten thousand cockelburrs. The removal was painful and tedious and I didn't get anywhere NEAR all of them out. The remaining 14 miles or so was very scratchy, pokey and prickley, and I could hardly wait to get to a motel where I could tear my clothes off and throw them away. Modesty will not be quite so important next time.
Awhile after the prickley encounter, a farm truck hauling silage stopped and a fellow rolled down his window and asked me if I was walking across America. I said yes, and he said "I know you!" and pulled over. He jumped out of his truck and introduced himself as Henry Ensz from Inman. We visited for awhile and he gave me $20. After that I kept on going. I was glad to finally get to Syracuse.
I'll be here at the motel sat night and sun night. On monday I'll head for Kendall, then Lakin, then Deerfield, and then spend th & f in Garden City. If you want to call me here in Syracuse, the ph# is: 620-384-7411
Rm 202.
Y'all take care! KB

These pages provided by: