Walking In Circles

16.2 Miles to Lamberts Meadow

Here's someone who had a nice day at the meadow.

And for someone who didn't have a nice day:

As I was walking, a motorcyclist was staring at me and missed that his light had turned red- oops!!  He t-boned the front passenger door of a Honda Accord, and the bike whipsawed around to the back door and threw his back flat against the door.  He slid down to the pavement like something out of an old Warner Brothers cartoon.  But he got up and picked up his bike.  The Accord drove out of the intersection (looking much worse for the wear) and two elderly women got out.  When I left, they were fussing over him like nobody's business.  If he plays his cards right I think they might take him home for milk and cookies.

6.5 Miles to the Audie Murphy Monument

The monument marks the location of the civilian plane crash that killed the most decorated soldier of World War II.

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A Tale of Two Left-turners

Earlier this week, a guy pulled out into the cross-walk and stopped.  This is what the DOT would call a "protected" left turn (can only turn with a left turn light), so there is absolutely no need for this.  I give the driver, puffing a cigar, my "you are a two year old" look.  The next driver has left a car length for him to back up out of traffic.  He grandly waves his cigar across the front of his car, indicating that I should just walk in traffic.  Hey folks, give me a prize, I did not give him the finger!

The next day, same left turn, a guy just a few inches into the crosswalk.  He backs up and apologies.  This is new- the second cross-walk crowder apologizer in the last few weeks!  I said, "Hey, no problem!  Have a good day!!"  I so wanted to tell him about the other guy!

14.0 Miles to Walker Gap

A few springs in the area; interesting.

It was a strange walk.  Rained most of the time.  Part of the walk I wasn't really sure where I was going, though it was very pretty.  And then at the very end near a road a couple made a u-turn and pulled up next to me.  They looked like the sort that ask for directions.  The woman rolled down the passenger side window and said, "I just wanted to say that I see you walking every morning and you are such an inspiration.  You are looking great!"  THANK YOU, I said.  My feet quit hurting and it was an easy walk the final couple of miles!

And then a guy pulled a car directly in front of where I was walking.  I gave him my "you are a misbehaving two-year-old" look.  He rolled down the window and I was expecting a "Hey baby, you wanna get in my truck?" but instead he said, "I'm sorry I cut you off."  HUH?!  I didn't know what to say; no one has ever apologized.  "Um, thank you."

By the way, the paper said there are "hundreds" of streetwalkers where I walk.  I have to question that since I see all of 10, max, humans on the sidewalks on any given day and rarely is there a likelihood that any of them are streetwalkers.  But I'm sure the paper has a bunch of guy's hopes up now.

By the Numbers

Coffee and tea count:
Starbucks: 5
Caribou: 4
Third Place: 3
Whole Foods: 1

Food count:
Sports Beans: 79
PurFit Bar: 5
Whole Foods Brunch: 3
Slim Jims: 4
Packages Beef Jerky: 3
Lifesaver Gummies: 1
Ice cream: 1
Gatorade (2.5 serving bottles): 2

Shoe count: 3
Sticks Body Glide: 2

Miles completed/remaining: 514.0 / 1,662.2
Average number of miles/day remaining: 7.07

6.5 Miles to Deep Gap

Lots of road crossings.  Almost enough to cause me to write a long screed to a writer at the Raleigh News and Observer.

13.1 Miles Over Bald Mountain

Bald Mountain is truly beautiful, overlooking several lakes.  The weather has been nice, if slightly cool, but tomorrow the rain is supposed to roll in.  Again.  For several days.  Again.

Appalachian Trail experts suggest not starting too early in the season, because the rain can be disheartening and lead thru hikers to quit.  I can see why.

Sister joined me for three miles, carrying her new baby- woot!

And, while we were walking, elsewhere in Raleigh a pedestrian was hit and killed by a car.

13.1 Miles Outta This Place

On Wednesday, when I didn't walk, a pedestrian was killed a few "spokes" (Raleigh is a belt-lines and spokes city) up from the spoke that I walk on.  The sidewalk was closed and he was hit walking in the street.  Our city requires sidewalks (sidewalks are owned by the property owner, not the city), but does not have any laws limiting the amount of time they can be closed.  Right now I walk past two areas of construction: one has always kept the sidewalks open, the other fenced off the sidewalks more than a week before construction began (guess who hopped the fence).

Today, the other direction, a child was hit by a car.  The spot is considered dangerous for school children, although all cars must stop for buses so the driver had to be totally fruitloops.

This is the way they are though. On my morning walk I glared at a guy as he plowed through my crosswalk on a red light and he looked genuinely confused as to what the problem might be.  There is a lot going on, but mainly it seems to be a class thing.  In the west, if you aren't a walker/runner, your boss may well be.  In Raleigh, the perception is only your maid uses the sidewalk.  If I carry a Starbucks cup in my hand, all this nonsense instantly stops.

But it's all good because I'm not in North Carolina anymore!  I'm in Tennessee!!

I walked out of the national park, crossed I-40, and ended up at Snowbird Mountain right on the state border.