The Davis residence Paris Missouri

I am staying on the second floor of this 19th century home owned by Lois Davis who inherited it from her parents. Its a stately home located at the confluence of Monroe and Seminary streets in Paris Missouri the county seat of Monroe County.

I plan on speaking to the adult Sunday school class at the First Baptist Church on Sunday after their previously scheduled class topic.

Lois will introduce me to the class.

Cleaning out Lois's tool shed today.

My foot is healing up very nicely. Will be ready to march onto Madison MO Monday morning. Will miss Lois and her son Mike very much when I leave.

Day 33- At Lois Davis residence Paris MO

Staying at Lois Davis's home in Paris until Monday. I may have contracted a second episode of cellulitis in my left foot. The first episode occurred 8 months ago. It was more serious then.

Its not painful or bothersome. But, I get a fever and cold shakes during the night. But its a mild case.

I hoed the garden today. Tomorrow I will clean out the tool shed.

Lois and I talked the balance of the day about her family history both extended and immediate. She and her husband owned and operated a variety store in Paris from 1984 to 2002. They raised 3 boys Charles, Paul and Mike. Her husband, Charles senior passed away in 2008. So, Mike decided to move in with his mom to help her out. Mike is a correctional officer.

My stay here has been very nice, peaceful and relaxing. I have the entire second floor to myself.

Lois has a very fine collection of books which I am perusing daily. She is 79 and suffers from arthritis very badly. She has had surgery already and will be scheduled soon for more.

I am very glad I can help her out a little.

I am staying longer to get healed up and to attend church at Lois's church the First Baptist Church of Paris. I may be able to speak at the adult Sunday school about my travels and the reasons behind it.

Somewhere between Mark Twain Park and Paris MO

I was not in a very good mood here. I just found 3 ticks attached to sundry parts of my body and they were very difficult to get off. I cannot afford to get Lyme disease or other infections out on the road. I wear long sleeve shirts and pants so I thought that would protect me. Oh well.

Cellulitis raises its ugly head (foot) again

I had cellulitis 8 months ago which infects the skin. It can develope rapidly into flesh eating bacteria if not treated.

I think I have it again. Very fatigued. Red rash on left foot. Swollen left foot. I had a fever and cold shakes all last night. Today its fatigue.

I stayed overnight in the home of Lois Davis in Paris. I was leaving today but didn't feel well enough to hike 12 miles into Madison. I was going to leave tomorrow but won't now. Plus Lois needs someone to help her around the house and I volunteered. So I will see what tomorrow will bring.

Day 32 comes to an end. Still in Paris

The First Baptist Church in Paris connected me with Lois Davis a very spry widow of 79 years so I could stay overnight. Have a room in the second floor with A/C!

Mike her son lives with Lois to help her out ever since her husband died 4 years ago. Mike is a Correctional Officer.

I'm not feeling very good could be heat exhaustion. Lois thinks I should stay a second night tomorrow. Told I would know in the morning.

Good night one and all!

Thanks to Sue Mattingly of Paris

Thanks Sue for letting me speak to the Coffee Club the other day! I had a lot of fun with and the ladies of the club! See you when on my return!

Thanks Regina from First Baptist Church Paris, MO

Thanks Regina for listening patiently to a guy who just drops into your office outta nowhere! Thanks for contributing your own money so I could eat lunch/dinner tonite and breakfast tomorrow! You are very kind! Thanks too for connecting me with Lois Davis from the church so I have a place to stay my last night here in Paris!

And thanks too to Pastor Wesley Hammond of First Baptist for approving the arrangement and driving me over to Lois's to meet her.

And thanks Lois a bunch for having me on such short notice! You are a godsend!

Thanks to Celeste from Paris, MO

Thanks Celeste for your kind words and for your interest in my prospective book! I really enjoyed meeting you and your mom Jan yesterday.

Thanks again and see you when I return back this way in a year or so.

Power is out over the whole town of Paris

The power company is changing out some equipment so all of the power is out for a few hours. I left my tent and moseyed on downtown. Had a nice conversation with a Monroe County Deputy Sheriff. Will go back to my tent soon to get some sleep. The only light on in the entire town is at the courthouse fountain. All the street lights and house lights are off. Very eerie. Reminds me of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina which I worked as an adjuster in 2005. The whole city was pitch black at night. The Sheriff told me I could sit there at the fountain if I have wanted to.

Doing laundry...again

With only 1 set of clothes laundry is a constant duty out in the hills of Missouri!

Set up my tent again on the fairgrounds. My tent collapsed when I got up this morning...found out my two back stakes are completely missing. Checked several times. Strongly suspect local tweakers. I was warned about them!

I carry two extra stakes so its OK if it doesn't keep happening.

Got the name of a lady who owns the local cafe in Madison the town I am walking to tomorrow. Its 12 miles west on ole Route 24. She is Becky of Becky's Cafe. Dave Eales from Paris sent her a Facebook request for help in lining up a yard or couch or something for me tomorrow nite.

Sue the librarian knows Becky too. Will be working on accommodations for Moberly now. Will be working on lining up more speaking gigs now too.

Waiting at the local Subway Shop which is next door to the Laundromat. Charging up my phone too.

Dave wants me to drop by around 7am tomorrow to say bye as I head for Madison. Dave's article on me will be on the front page on the Monroe County Appeal! Guess its a slow news day. Haha.

Well goodnight Jim Bob. Good night John Boy. Good night Mary Ellen. Good night Mama. Good night Daddy!! Good night everyone!!

Floyd Lawson was the barber on the Andy Griffith Show in the mythical town of Mayberry. Paris is a town just like Mayberry!

Floyd's not the barber here in Paris MO but a well respected attorney.

Dinner at Jacs!! Thanks Juan and staff!!

Carne tacos tonight yum!!

Juan Ramos owner of Jacs Restaurant and the Paris Hardware Store

Juan owns the local hardware store and the Mexican restaurant. Juan also owns and operates a gym. He is a former Marine who fought in Gulf War 1 and 2 and in Afghanistan. He is 49 years old and is involved in many businesses here in Paris.

His parents immigrated here from Mexico. They were migrant workers who traveled all along I-10 harvesting all kinds of different fruit and vegetables. So, its obvious he gets his work ethic from them.

Politically speaking Juan says businesses are taking huge tax hits by the Obama Administration. Its the big corporations that are getting all the help.

Juan gave me a complementary dinner tonite at his restaurant! Thanks Juan!

At Paris Coffee Club

Went downtown to talk the Chamber and the surrounding businesses.

The library put me on the program at the Coffee Club held in the library basement to speak to the members. They included: Sue, Jan, Celeste, Joann, Judy and Amy. The ladies were very nice and asked a lot of great questions. It lasted over 2 hours! They even donated some money for the cause. Haha!

Mary Brown of Grandmas Attic let me store my backpack in her store for the day. She is the first person I met in Paris so thanks to Mary!

Paris is the Monroe County Seat

Courthouse in Paris. View of downtown Paris and the front of the Monroe County Appeal the newspaper.

Dave Eales Editor of The Monroe County Appeal Paris, MO

Dave graciously allowed me the use of his office and computer so I could make my next Morton Times column deadline.  He is perhaps the busiest man I have ever met. Operates two newspapers with only a skeletal crew. My hat's off to you Dave!

Fairgrounds where I camped last night Paris MO

Day 31-Paris MO-

Camped overnight in the fairgrounds in Paris. Got some badly needed sleep!

Dave Sales the editor of the local newspaper, The Appeal, arranged it with both the sheriff and the city.

Dave is from Montreal Canada originally then went to high school in New Jersey. He and his family have been all over the world. Dave spent many years in Germany. For a small town news editor he has many global connections.

Dave his wife, Sally, and their son, Jeffrey took me out to dinner at the local Mexican cafe. It was a great dinner and filling!

Dave and Sally became vegans 3 years ago and told me their health has never been better. Sally has a raised garden at home as well. Their daughter operates a market garden on the big island in Hawaii.

Jeffrey and I went over to the Subway shop and got a Coke. He talked about his 8 years in the Navy. He just mustered out recently.

Dave is allowing me to write up my articles for the Morton Times in his office this morning. I will then stay overnight in the fairgrounds tonight then walk to Madison tomorrow early am.

Met Mike Sheffield his dad Mike and his wife Tierra at the RV campgrounds at Elk Fork before you get to Paris. I dropped in on my way to Paris to get some water and to rest up. Mike II is an avid and long time hunter especially around Mark Twain Lake. He has a keen interest in Bigfoot as do I. He took me down to the lake near his campground and showed me how something pulled up trees by their roots and leaned them across the path going down to the lake as if it didn't want people to go down to the lake. It happened overnight and there was no storms at that time.

You could see a lot of tree branches and saplings broken off. Not storm damage I can assure you.

Mike is a very interesting man. His knowledge of the woods is impeccable. His wife, Tierra, also recounted how their dog goes to the door and growls many times. Very unusual.

Anyway, I broke camp just now and cleaned up at the fair grounds restroom and am ready to head to Dave's office.

Its hot and muggy like yesterday but at least I won't be walking today!

Day 30-Crossing Mark Twain Lake

Day 30- its been a month now! Can't believe...actually feels like it has been a year!

Camping alone tonight at Mark Twain State Pk/Lake

Lightning storm hitting my campsite right now. Evacuated myself to the showers/bathrooms down the road. I am only one of two or three campers here tonite.

It gets soooo dark out here in these deep woods. Lots of hoot owls and such. My little pup tent not up to big storms.

Tomorrow am marching onto Paris where I have an interview with the news editor at "The Appeal" which is the Paris newspaper. I do not yet know where I am sleeping tomorrow night. Oh well, that's what this trip is all about...trusting...and conquering fears.

Until tomorrow!

Mary Brown Grandmas Attic Paris MO

Mary is helping me out finding me s place to stay in Paris. Mark took me to Paris to check on accommodations.

She has been very helpful!

How I am supposed to lose weight!

Making supper at Buzzards Roost Mark Twain State Park

Chicken and upside down pineapple cake is on the menu boys!

Mark is the master chef today and is using his dutch ovens to cook and bake-shake and bake!!

Meandering down Ole Rt 24 by BR Schoenbein

Come, and gently hold my swollen hand, while we meander down to the turquoise sea on Ole Route 24.

Come, speak with me,
of far away days when skies were always blue.

Come, run with me,
As we cower from the cold torrents of an afternoon storm in an long forgotten barn snuggled away in a velvety meadow.

Come, lay with me,
over there on that cottony green shoulder by the old sycamore,
As we rest our weary and worn frames.

Now, come, and meander with me as we disappear into the shimmering distant fiery horizons along Ole Rt 24.

©- copyright 2014- BR Schoenbein

Overview of past few days

Staying at the Haerr's and Sutters were the highlights of the past few days in Missouri. When leaving the Sutters yesterday they stepped out of the house on the porch to say goodbye. Then they handed me something and it turned out to be money for my trip. Thanked Caleb, Mercedes and Riley for everything and the money.

I am so grateful to God for putting these wonderful people in my path across the country! God's promise to provide of course proves to be true and now predictable. My level of trusting the Lord is increasing while my anxiety for the necessities is vastly decreasing.

I do realize there will be days when the Lord will test my trust and resolve. Hopefully I will pass these tests. I am beginning to think that this life is supposed to be for training and education for the next life. So its of matter of how we react to the vicssitudes of life.

So when something tragic happens to you or your loved ones remember you have essentially two choices: either you can become bitter and rebel against God blaming him or you recognize that you are being tested and you can draw closer to God. Its all in our control as to how we react to bad things.

Bill Miles Caleb Sutter's grandfather.

Stayed with Bill Miles of Monroe City MO last night. Bill took me out to Hardee's for breakfast this morning. Bill lives alone and used to be the principal at the high school and the superintendent for the district.

Going to go back to Hardee's at lunch time to wait for Mark to pick me up to camp out at Mark Twain Lake this afternoon.

Chillin at junction of 61 and 24 six miles southwest of Palmyra

Took shoes and socks off to dry out. Put medicated powder on my feet and drank some Gatorade.

Mark Lockett from Quincy called. He said he like to come up over between Monroe City and Paris to camp out in the woods in the state park down there with me. Told him I would love to take Sunday off from walking and camp out and have some companionship!

It gets lonely out on the road with nothing but you and your thoughts.

Well, my break is about over. Its onto Monroe City. Need to get there before dark. Gonna be tough.

"Ma Joad's" house built in 1869

Ma Joad played Henry Fonda's mother in the film Grapes of Wrath. The book was authored by John Steinbeck. The film is about life in the Great Depression especially people from dust bowl areas like Oklahoma who lost their farms/homes and traveled to California to seek a better life. I always loved that film and the actress, Jane Darwell, who portrayed Ma Joad.

This house is a couple of blocks from the Sutters.

Breakfast-Day 27- Great!

Mercedes, Caleb and Riley Sutter

Day 27- 6:13am- Its back to duct tape on the feet!

Blisters appeared over night from yesterdays walk of 12 miles. So, its back to the magic of duct tape.

Today its onto Monroe City, MO which is 21 miles southwest. It will take 12 hours to walk this portion counting breaks. So should get there around 6:30p to 7p this evening.

Mercedes is working on breakfast right now. She is going to a lot of trouble!

Reconfigured the backpack-again. Broke my sunglasses yesterday.

Weather today is 80 degrees with a 30% chance of storms

Staying at Caleb's grandpa's house tomorrow at Monroe City

Caleb's grandpa came over earlier. Found out he lives over in the next town over Monroe City which is 21 miles southwest of Palmyra. I tried getting the Methodist Church to let me pitch my tent on their yard. I spoke to the secretary and she said she would refer the matter to the pastor. But the pastor never called me back.

So I will stay at Bill Miles home in Monroe City. Will have to leave at 6-630am tomorrow. Probably take me 11 hours counting breaks to get there. Yikes! Then the day after I have to walk another 21 miles to Paris! Wow!

Watching Rocky 3 right now then a cold shower then bed. Feeling and walking like a 98 year old man!

Strawberry shortcake at the Sutters

Wow!

Just had a great supper with Mercedes,Caleb and Riley Sutter

Supper was fantastic! Roast beef potatoes and carrots with biscuits. Strawberry shortcake is coming up later.

I think that when I get out of range of AC Churches I will then start losing weight...not before. Palmyra is the last AC Church until I get to Denver.

Mercedes,Caleb and I are watching the Card game. Riley is watching the film, Cloudy with a chance of meatballs.

Palymra has been conquered!!

6 hours after saying good bye to the Haerrs I arrived in Palmyra. However, after arriving and going down the main drag Joe Baker of Palmyra asked if I wanted a ride. Told him I could actually use a ride to the nearest gas station. I was really dehydrated. Already went thru almost a gallon of water but it wasn't enough. Joe told me I was close to the shell station downtown. So away we went in his pickup.

Joe asked where I was headed. Told him Caleb Sutter's home. Joe replied that he had to school with Caleb. Wow small world. Small town USA!

Said my goodbyes. Gave Joe my blog address so he can follow it if he wants.

Filling up with water then heading to the Sutters.

Joe Baker from Palymra MO

Kent Heimer Construction Taylor MO.

Kent Heimer is the Elder for the Taylor MO Apostolic Church. He owns and operates Heimer Construction a large contracting firm.

As you can see in the foreground he has placed 3 crosses with the sign He Is Risen. This is situated on a high hill with hundreds of vehicles maybe thousands passing by daily. Its a great witness.

Day 26- Leaving Taylor MO

Just left the Haerr household. Could not believe the breakfast! Eggs, bacon, orange juice and best of all crepes! or what my family would call German pancakes!

Shon and Parker left right after breakfast to begin their day working on the farm and Peg and I reminisced about the old days back in Morton... and why I was on this trek.

I then packed up and said my goodbyes and began my 12 mile march onto Palmyra in the south to meet up with Mercedes and Caleb Sutter where I will be staying tonight.

Its a beautiful day 70s and sunny. Great day to hike.

Photo of the Haerr family

The Haerrs and I having breakfast

Haerr Home Taylor MO

Pics of the living room and sun room. Beautiful home. Very inviting! Pics of the lake behind the house too.