April 30, 2014

Arrived in Banner , IL this afternoon. On the way here Brett Pullins, an old friend from Morton Junior and Morton Senior High was stopped off the side of Rt 24 between Kingston Mines, IL and Glasford, IL. I had noticed this white car off the side of the road thought it was a cop shooting radar; anyway, Brett gets out as I was passing him walking on the shoulder and says do I know you? I couldn't believe it! Hadn't seen Brett in years! We had a great talk and then he hands me some cash and told me that I should get a motel room in Banner. He knew from reading the blog from yesterday I would be on 24. So after hours of trudging at about 2 miles per hour I got into Banner. Got a room at the motel and a great meal of brisket, chicken and pulled pork at Boss Hogs. Unbelievable food! My hats off to Mike Arnold(Boss Hog) and his wife along with Annie Lynn(manager), Nick Hines(server/host)! Mike grew up in Mason City and knows virtually everyone from Mason City to Hopedale! The food was every bit as good as I have had in Texas on storm duty.

Annie has been managing restaurants since she was 18. She boards her 3 horses and rides a motorcycle. They are the best bunch of people I have met. Salt of the earth! Mike warned about the narrow shoulders on 24 from here to Lewiston. He gave me the name of the owners of a winery around where Dickson Mounds Road intersects with 24 where I might be able to camp tomorrow nite.

I took an hour long hotter than blazes shower and got into some clean clothes. Took a nap for 3 hrs. I am so burned out/tired/weak from carrying that back pack! Threw away additional things including my tomahawk some clothes and food...you know unessesary things like that! My shoulders and back are so sore! I'm so stiff I can't even bend down even without the backpack on. I fell asleep about 100 feet off the shoulder in the woods at Banner Marsh after laying down. It was cold about 44 degrees and windy with rain spitting at me from the west.

Got talking to Boss and his staff all note till closing. They are so generous they gave me a rack of smoked ribs, corn bread muffins, water and Pepsi for tomorrow! I'm blown away from how people are reacting to what I'm doing out here...and God keeps providing! Don't even need to ask Him.

Last night was horrible, it was raining, wind was howling and the tent collapsed at 2am sending rain inside. Ground was freezing and I my body would not stop shivering!

However, an amazing thing happened before I went to bed...Larry Dailey from the Mapelton Church drove over with my supper! Then Mary Milam her husband, Greg and 2 of their grandchildren drove by and we reminsed for an hour about old times. I worked with Mary at State Farm for 12 years and she was reading my blog and knew where I was staying last note...haven't seen her in years! Got to go and get some sleep before heading to Lewiston. Good night my friends!