Subj: Lake
Village, Arkansas
Date: 3/3/2003 6:08:36 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: kbwalk@mymailstation.com
Howdy Everyone!
During the ice storm last week, I got one day behind on my
schedule. So over the weekend I sucked it in and cynched it in and did 44 miles,
20 on sat. and 24 on sun. On saturday I walked to McGehee and stayed at
the Best Western for free, and on Sunday I walked to Lake Village and am staying
at the Ramada for free. They say Lake Village is a little tourist town, so
I'm going to enjoy taking the day off today and exploring.
On wednesday I plan on crossing over into Louisiana, and I'm
finding out the farther south that I go that I have had quite a bit more contact
with black people. They have all been SO NICE to me. On saturday, at
least 10 vehicles stopped and offered me a ride. I'm really looking
forward to getting down into the deep south and being with them some more.
I love to listen to them talk! I can't understand a darn thing they say,
but I love to listen to them! My best description is to say they slur
their slang. First of all they take a perfectly good sentence and omit
every other word. Then they take the words they have left and chop those
ones in half. Then when they talk, they draw out those half-words real
slow and easy to make them sound twice as long. Add some drama and passion
to that, and you've got a great show! I love to listen to them, and I hope
I'll be able to talk like that before I get out of the area.
Sunday was kindof a funny-money day. I started out staying at
the Best Western for free. Then in the morning I stopped at the convenient
store to buy a sausage/egg biscuit, and they wouldn't let me pay.
About a mile out of town, I stopped at t Wal-Mart to make a phone call.
Just as I was hanging up, a man dressed in his sunday best came up beside me to
use the pop machine. He offered me a coke, and I declined, saying I had
just had breakfast. He offered me one for later. I said no
thanks. He said "God bless you" and left. So I continued
on and 6 miles later saw a truck stop. Being one who never passes up a
bathroom, I pulled in. I could see the guy behind the cash register
staring at me, and when I walked in he seemed pretty skeptical. Afterward,
I was looking at some stuff in the store, and saw 2 quarters sitting on the
shelf by some knick-knacks. I told the cashier about the fifty cents, and
picked out a refrigerator magnet that
says Arkansas. He gave me the magnet, and told me to go help myself to the
breakfast buffet. So I did. From that point on, I had 17 miles of
nothing -- no towns, no gas stations, no pit stops. So I continued on, and
only had to look for a tree once. I got into Lake Village and found the
Ramada Inn with McDonalds right next to it. I checked in to the motel,
then walked next door to eat. While I was still outside, a married couple
was walking out to their car when he said "we saw you walking clear back
near McGehee" and proceeded to hand me $10, saying lunch was on them.
I was hungry enough that that burger and fries tasted reeeaaaalllll good,
especially at that price.
It seemed like a really long day, especially since nobody stopped to check on me
while I was walking. Yet from all the contacts I had, they
all contained nuggets of gold and gestures of kindness. It was truly a
wonderful day indeed.
The weather's suppose to be up in the 70s now -- maybe I can chuck
those jeans after all. I'll be at the Ramada all day if you want to
call. Here's the number: 870-265-4545 Rm 102. Take care and
have a great day! KB
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