WALKING ROUTE 66

When You Realize Life Is Only a Trip

Just keep on trucking with joy and ease.

Four years ago, I walked Route 66 — from Chicago to Santa Monica and blogged about it daily. Now, I am reflecting on the lessons learned along the way.

(Read from the start) The saga continues…

The stars were still shining bright when we gathered on the patio for breakfast.

The menu consisted of fresh fruit, chicken sausage, and freshly brewed coffee. Zella said that chicken sausage was something new they found and wanted to try out the two different kinds. Cat said, “We were being prepared for the guest we will be entertaining.” (I don’t eat pork sausage). I enjoyed strawberries and mango slices with my sausage. Have you ever eaten fresh ripe mangoes? It’s divine.

We talked and drank coffee until the sun came up. They shared their plans for moving to rural Arkansas amongst the Ozark mountains, and how much they love being in Nature. It reminds them that we are all connected. (NB: they have since moved to Conway, AR).

I told them about my experience of Spiritual Ecstacy. When I visited the Grand Canyon for the first time, I was awestruck with the vastness of the vista in front of me. It was blissful humility.

Travel leaves you speechless, then it turns you into a storyteller. ~ Ibn Batuta.

After breakfast, Jerry drove me over to Wal-Mart, where I bought two self-sealing inner tubes. I was ready to hit the road after I had replaced both the inner tubes. They drove me to the fire station, the farthest point I had walked.

Next stop, Wellston, Oklahoma. Oh, what a trip that was. It was like being on a roller without the high speed.

It was a Sunday morning, the sun was shining, and the going was easy. As I walked, I saw a lot of motorcycles on the road. People are always traveling up and down Route 66. That’s what I thought until I got to Warwick. They have a Motorcycle museum there, and an antique car show was on the agenda for the day.

I am not one of those people who can spend days and days in museums, but I would take a peek at places that have to do with travel. I had made a trip to Warwick a year earlier, but they were closed when I got there. So, I was thrilled that they were open on a Sunday.

Another three miles, and I was at the humongous C-store at the edge of Wellston. I went in to get some dinner. While I was eating my sandwich, some folks at the next table were curious about where I was headed. I shared my flier with them and asked if they can suggest a place where I might be able to spend the night.

An older gentleman made some calls and said that there is a shop at the bottom of the hill where I can spread out behind the office. The owner said he’d be on the lookout. That’s how I ended up at Greens Propane Shop.

As I think back and ponder.

In yesterday’s recap, I mentioned how a mother producing milk before the baby is born proves that the Universe is always prepared ahead of time. I find it funny that in my blog from four years ago, today’s entry included a comment from Jerry, my host, that their purchase of chicken sausage for the first time the day before was Universe preparing for my arrival.

I will say it again; we’re always taken care of.

Stay blessed and be happy, my friends.

Day 75: A Fun Day, A Peaceful Night (Original blog post).

Just for fun.

I invite you to tag along if you’re up to it. I am mentioning a few friends who may be interested in it. If you are tagged but don’t want to read my stories daily, let me know in the comments, and I will remove your name moving forward. If you are reading this and aren’t included in the list below, but you’d like to come along, let me know so that I can add you.

Michele Amy Trista Henery Timothy Tim P.G. Sherry Saloni Indra B. A. Linda Sharon Tree Linda Britni Desiree Elisabeth Simona Kristin Helen Julia Chris Rosennab Tom Truenorth Agnes Aurora LauraRaduenz Catherine Joe Stuart Gurpreet BFoundAPen Margie Bob NaNa’sworld Wolfie Rebecca Susannah Paul

As always, thank you for reading and responding.

Here are some of my other stories:

Rasheed Hooda is a published author who has contributed to many of Medium’s top Publications; The Startup, The Ascent, P.S. I Love You, Rogues’ Gallery, and ILLUMINATION, to name a few. He is also a Top Writer for several topics. If you like his work, buy him a cup of coffee, he drinks a lot of it.