Topeka Kansas

10/29/01 8:07:52 PM Pacific Standard Time

Howdy Everyone!
These last few days that I've been walking, I've been lucky enough to stay in peoples houses. Judy from Ogden KS contacted several people down the road for me, so I was able to stay with families in Manhattan, Wamego & St Marys, and will be staying with people in Topeka, Lawrence & KC.
Last saturday when I was walking along Hwy 24, the traffic was unbelievably busy. It was the day of the KU & K-State football game, and I was caught in the middle. I don't think I've ever seen so much traffic before.
While I was in Manhattan, I went to the zoo, saw an art museum, and attended a Rotary meeting.
Then when I was walking to Wamego, a lady stopped and asked me if I was ok. I said yes and that I was walking to Wash DC. "WHAT?!?" she said. I again told her what I was doing. She was in total disbelief. "You're WALKING?" (yes) "You WANT to be walking??" (yes) "WHY?!?" So I told her. "You're walking by yourself?" (yes) "Alone?"
(yes) "Aren't you afraid?" (no) "Aren't you cold?" (no) "Do you drink plenty of water?" (I drink plenty of Gatorade) "Gatorade's not good enough. You must drink water, and plenty of it. You need to listen ot me. I'm a nurse, and I know what I'm talking about." (ok) "Does your mother know you're out here?" (yes)
Anyhow, bless her heart, she kept jabbering on & on. Then she opened her purse, still talking non-stop. "I don't usually carry much cash, so I don't have much on me." (she gives me all she has: $1.00) "Here's a lottery ticket worth $2 that I haven't cashed in yet." (she hands it to me) So then I gave her a flyer and brochure about my walk and she was thrilled. "I'll make a donation. Really, I will!" (I believe it, too!) "I think this is great! You're really actually walking?!?" (yep.)
Anyhow, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with her. She was so nice and so concerned! My mother will be very pleased that that lady did her level best to chew me out and keep me in line!
I'm now in Topeka and will stay here until Nov 1st, when I'll head out to Perry. Y'all take care and have a great day! KB

TODAYS THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
We the willing, led by the unknowing, have been doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much for so long with so little that we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.