Walking to Port Huron, MI and Arriving at Blue Water Hospice: September 29-30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A Day of Walking, A Night of Camping
Chris and Sandy Peraino took photos of me outside their house and sent me on my way before 7.30 am.
Past 13 Mile Road and out to Richmond I passed by estates of nice looking houses and through farmland. I'd planned to find a motel at Richmond, but there was no motel there.
As dark began to fall I started to look for a place to camp.
There was a roadside park at a place called Belle River. A car was parked there, so I walked on.
Just a bit further on was a gap amongst some trees and an earth bank.I walked up and over the small earth bank and into a small clearing with a trail that led down to a river. It was the perfect spot.
I began to put up the tent as the light began to fade. I changed into my sweater and thicker socks. I cleaned my teeth drank some water and tied my backpack to the tent. I climbed inside and was happy to lie down.
Not long after I got into the tent it began to rain. At least I was dry inside.The temperature fell to about 47 degrees Fahrenheit. I was just warm enough in the clothes I had on.
After 30 miles of walking, I slept, even though the tent was cramped.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A Very Early Start
It was 4 am and I had enough of the tent. That was the only saving grace of a tiny tent...after a few hours I'd always want to get going again. I was shivering as I unzipped the tent and put on my coat and shoes. The sky was not totally dark and I packed up quickly. Down the darkened road I walked, using my flashlight to check road names.
At about 6 am I came to a gas station called the Chippewa One Stop. I went inside and combed my hair using my reflection in one of the chilled cabinet doors.
I bought orange juice, chocolate milk, a York Peppermint Patty, a banana and two packets of peanut M&M's.
I talked to the store owner about the walk and watched as his attitude changed from one of thinking I was a homeless bum to one of respect in that I'd walked over 600 miles.
I sat on a bench in the cold outside and ate my calorie-loaded breakfast. As I sat there a man called Mark came up to me. He told me that his mother had been helped by hospice. I told him what had happened on the walk. He wished me luck and we shook hands.
On to Port Huron, Michigan
By 7 am the sky began to lighten. Port Huron was just a few hours walk away.
My left foot felt good. Whether this was because of the therapeutic touch or just chance I didn't know, but it was good that it had healed.
I passed signs for an airport and ahead was an interstate that marked the edge of Port Huron.
I was feeling low because I was tired and because I was worried about making connections with the hospices in Michigan.
I was glad when I walked under the interstate and found a Burger King. It was time for second breakfast.
I was supposed to reach Port Huron by about 6 pm but knew I would be hours earlier.
Gratiot ran close to the St. Clair River that separated the U.S. from Canada. The skies were clear and the water sparkled.
I took a photo of number 1 Gratiot Avenue. It was strange to think I'd been on the same road for over 50 miles.
Across the St. Clair River were petrochemical factories. A large ship sat in the river.
Gratiot became Military Street and I was headed for 1430 Military Street. From the 4000's I watched the numbers grow less.
Arriving at Blue Water Hospice
At last, around 1 pm, I stood opposite the Visiting Nurses Association building, which runs the Blue Water Hospice. A nurse came up to me and I introduced myself. We crossed the road together, rushing through a gap in the traffic.
When I returned to the hospice office I was feeling really tired.
Carole had arranged for me to stay at the Edison Inn in Port Huron for two nights. She drove me over to the hotel and it was great to have a bath, then get some sleep.
Dinner with Staff Members: A Contrast to a Night Alone
At 7 pm I met up with Carole, Brenda Clark who I had met back in 1988 and other staff members. We had dinner at the Edison Inn restaurant.
The contrast to the previous evening, when I had been alone in a tent in a clearing in the woods was amazing. I was still tired, though, and was glad when I could head back to my room for more sleep.
