
Today was a 21 mile day and suppose to be rainy and nasty. However, it only sprinkled as I left Marian's house, and was cloudy and cool the rest of the day. Perfect walking weather.
The first half my day was great; I spent it on a beautiful bike path lined with ash and oaks changing to beautiful hues of yellow and orange, dotted with stag sumac shrubs in a brilliant show of scarlet red. I also got a great donation from the folks who take care of the power lines for the area... Sorry I can't remember the name of the company, but thank you!
The second half of my day was not so great. The weather was still nice but I had to get back on the highway with zero shoulder. Ugh. I was on and off, on and off the road trying get out of the way of cars and trucks. I had a cop stop and tell me that he had a call that someone (somehow) didn't see me and nearly got in a accident because of me. He asked me move to the other side of the road (walk WITH traffic, which if you know anything about running, you NEVER run or walk WITH traffic).
I told him no.
I said; okay, first, there was no near accident today, I would have noticed. Second, if they didn't see me, they were probably TEXTING. Third, I told him no to moving over. In any other state, it's actually illegal to walk with traffic and I know I am not disobeying any laws walking on this side of the road, on the road. He didn't disagree. He was actually a very nice man, and I don't think he knew what to do with me. I told him I would be more aware of traffic, and try to move over more often.
I finally got into Decorah around 4, and to Colleen's house around 4:30. I met her and her daughter, Mary, and after I showered, we went out to dinner at the local pizza place that has been around for 60 years, then out for some delicious ice cream. Now as I write this, I can hear a big storm rolling in! I glad, I didn't have to walk in it.
Did have to wake up and go into the basement for awhile because of a tornado warning. We stayed down there for 20 minutes or so. Nothing happened, but I must say that was a first for me.
The first half my day was great; I spent it on a beautiful bike path lined with ash and oaks changing to beautiful hues of yellow and orange, dotted with stag sumac shrubs in a brilliant show of scarlet red. I also got a great donation from the folks who take care of the power lines for the area... Sorry I can't remember the name of the company, but thank you!
The second half of my day was not so great. The weather was still nice but I had to get back on the highway with zero shoulder. Ugh. I was on and off, on and off the road trying get out of the way of cars and trucks. I had a cop stop and tell me that he had a call that someone (somehow) didn't see me and nearly got in a accident because of me. He asked me move to the other side of the road (walk WITH traffic, which if you know anything about running, you NEVER run or walk WITH traffic).
I told him no.
I said; okay, first, there was no near accident today, I would have noticed. Second, if they didn't see me, they were probably TEXTING. Third, I told him no to moving over. In any other state, it's actually illegal to walk with traffic and I know I am not disobeying any laws walking on this side of the road, on the road. He didn't disagree. He was actually a very nice man, and I don't think he knew what to do with me. I told him I would be more aware of traffic, and try to move over more often.
I finally got into Decorah around 4, and to Colleen's house around 4:30. I met her and her daughter, Mary, and after I showered, we went out to dinner at the local pizza place that has been around for 60 years, then out for some delicious ice cream. Now as I write this, I can hear a big storm rolling in! I glad, I didn't have to walk in it.
Did have to wake up and go into the basement for awhile because of a tornado warning. We stayed down there for 20 minutes or so. Nothing happened, but I must say that was a first for me.