Nice lady. Sharon. One mile out of town she asked if I needed a ride. Said sure. Took me to the grocery store in Utica so I could get some water and Powerade. I drank up my water with 3 miles to go.
Will call Pastor Dunbar now and set up my tent in his yard. He offered me the use if his shower too.
Called Pastor John Dunbar(not to be confused with John Dunbar of Dancing With Wolves movie) LOL.
He invited me to his home for tonight! First Pastor to do so. Very nice man! He is the Pastor of St John Lutheran Church in Utica NE.
Pics are of sky looking up from the ground under Pine tree.
Where there is no vision, the people perish but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18
Leaving Seward and walking to Utica, NE this morning a walk of 15 miles on Rt 34 which is just north of I-80.
A bit tired but otherwise I'm OK. Apprehensive. 15 miles a good long hike. Going to have to tape up my feet with duct tape when I take my first break. Blisters will be an issue today. Can already feel it coming on and I have only walked .7 miles. I walked from my motel to McDonalds.
A nice lady came up to me at McDonalds this morning and asked about my trip. She is an insurance agent in Seward here. Her daughter and son who work with her at the agency accompanied her. Told her about my career as a CAT adjuster.
Had a great conversation with Mark Mahnken last night. We both agreed that God allowed our paths to intersect for different purposes unique to each other.
Susie will get a hold of her brother who lives in Aurora. I plan on getting to Aurora by Friday. May camp at the City Park one of the few city parks in America that allow camping. And its free.
Woke up at 6am today. Robt Nickos of Omaha was my host overnight. We had breakfast at Denny's and he drove me to the Holy Family Shrine in Gretna. Mike and Kristine Bickhaus who I met in Quincy, IL highly recommended that I visit the shrine especially since it was right on my way.
This is a Catholic church/shrine constructed of huge pre-engineered wood trusses and glass walls. The shrine sits on a bluff high up overlooking I-80. It's very serene and beautiful. People can come in and pray there. Moving.
Then we drove to Robt's girlfriend, Elaine's, house in Lincoln. Afterward, we drove to his farm outside Raymond NE and took a tour. Beautiful rolling hills. Robt and Elaine will be building a house there and will buy a few head of cattle.
Robt is retired after 40 some odd years as an insurance adjuster. He was my supervisor during catastrophe operations I was involved with due to Hurricane Ike in Houston 2008-2009. He taught me a lot about multi million dollar commercial claims.
Then he dropped me off in Seward NE where I interviewed with the local newspaper. Spoke with Amanda one of the reporters for around an hour.
Then checked in a motel as church offices were closed today as per usual on Mondays.
Will walk the 14 miles to Utica tomorrow.
Both Robt and Mark/Susie made contributions to my walk. Also, Mike and Kristine Bickhaus sent me two Walmart gift cards. They were very generous! Thanks to the Bickhauss', Mahnkens and Robt Nickos!!!
Pics are of the shrine and Robt's farmland. Robt is also portrayed praying in the Holy Family Shrine.
