Lifejackets, $$$$, and apple pie….
Well Day 8 has come to a clsoe and I am in Hermiston, OR. Left the comforting sight of the Columbia River GForge yesterday and the topography has changed dramatically from rainforest type landscape to wide open rolling agricultural hills. Yesterday had the wonderful pleasure of running with my partner Peggy who even made the long drive with a delicous apple pie!! What a treat!! Spent the night in the Roosevelt Grade School and dinner was provided by my friend Daniel (host) mother…It has been interesting learning what has made and broke these communities. A town such as Goldendale loses an aluminum factory, Roosevelt has mainly vineyard and fruit workers. Hermiston mainly agricultural. The find of the day yesterday was a red PFD and today 8 cents, which brings my current total to $1.03, along with 42 bridges crossed and 2.5 gallons of chocolate milk consumed. Life is good on the road. The highlights of the week have been to numerous….Wonderful smooth roads through this beautiful, wet green of Western Oregon and then Washington. Hosts so welcoming and warm. Over 600 students lining the sidewalks in front of Prairie High School in Battleground, WA as I passed by and placed a flag for one of their alumni. The genuine sincerity of everyone has been truly amazing…I relish the though of ice on my feet and chocolate milk at the end of the day and the quiet moments to look around each mile. Today being Mothers Day was particularly moving….somewhere a mother was thinking of her son or daughter and I hope that somewhere from above he or she is smiling down. To all who have sent encouragement I thank you sincerely and deeply…the journey moves on!!!!!