The End of the Beginning - N2N-TCP Comes to an End

The End of the Walk - Clinton, Iowa

If you’ve read Dad’s last post, you’ve probably sussed out the fact that we’ve come to the end of the walk.

I’m a little saddened to see this effort come to an end, but I’ve got nothing but gratitude for how things have turned out.

I’m grateful for a safe journey journey along the way. Apparently, the Universe really does look out for fools.

I’m grateful for the overwhelmingly positive support we’ve received from the people who have taken their time to share our adventure and their own experiences both virtually and actually. When the sun got hot, the rain pattered down, the packs got heavy, and the feet got raw, your words of encouragement and optimism helped us get up the next morning and take one more step, walk one more mile, and thoroughly enjoy your company. I wish we had made it the full way across, but know that we could not have gotten as far as we did without your support.

I’m grateful for the wonderful people we’ve met along the way. I think that sometimes it is tempting to give into cynicism and question the future of our communities. The news is full of tragedy and fear, but that’s not the story we saw as the people we met greeted us with generosity, friendship, and encouragement. From the friendly honk, a firm handshake or hug, or a place to stay for the evening, the good people who have crossed our path have proven that there is great reason for optimism. The near constant darkness that filters in through the airwaves doesn’t represent what’s really going on out here in the real world. Of course there are tragedies and challenges….some of them really quite daunting, but I’m convinced more than ever that the goodness outweighs the rough spots by a very wide margin. Our new friends and acquaintances have restored my sense of hope that we’ll be able to face the challenges before us together and prevail in the long run.

Finally, I’m grateful for the nearly uninterrupted five months I’ve gotten to spend with my Dad. I’m very proud of what we accomplished together, and I’ll be forever grateful for your help, support, and true friendship along the way. 

The end of the beginning is underway, and what happens next is anyone’s guess.  A bit like a Willie Nelson song, today, I left Dallas on an Amtrak headed south. I’ll be making my way back to Maryland by the long way round. 

As the N2N-TCP winds down, I want you all to know how much your participation in our pilgrimage has meant to us. As we plan the next chapter in our adventuring, I’ll stop back by here every now and then to give you an update. Until then, I hope to see you all “out on the road.”

n2n - TCP. coming to an end

Following my return to Texas for treatment of my foot injury, I rejoined my companion in Cedar Rapids, IA --traveling up in my Tacoma pick-up.  Continuing recovery of my foot necessitated changing our trek’ing approach to incorporate using the pick-up as a support vehicle. This facilitated continuing the trek westward.  As we advanced toward Newport Nebraska, I was advised of problems (4 ea) that, in aggregate necessitated another return to Texas for personal presence in resolution. One of those problems was continuing indication of a problem in the pick-up.  

An understanding of the necessity  for vehicle support as we advanced, and uncertainty of problem resolution delay, Newport, Nebraska became the west-bound termination point of our journey. 

Resolution of the problems, particularly repair of the pick-up, took until August 14.

I greatly desired to return to Yorkville, IL and walk to Cedar Rapids, IA -- this, in my mind, 
 would in some measure count toward us making the traverse Newport RI - to - Newport, NE (n2n-TCP Rev) a combined effort.  My companion concurred.

It was not to be !!

About half way (56 miles) to the Mississippi River at Clinton, IA, I began to develop blisters on the previously-injured foot.  By the time we had crossed the Mississippi and reached our Clinton, IA objective (an additional 50 miles), the blisters had spread across the ball of my foot, were growing, and were very difficult to walk on.   This was a situation/condition my doctor had strongly cautioned me (following the first injury) to not let occur.

Crossing the Mississippi River

Following a night’s recovery time, and agonizing deliberation, I concluded it was expedient for me to quit the effort.  My companion concurred. It was, and continues to be, a decision that 
brought/brings tears to my eyes !!

But, it was the correct decision.

In making this decision, there is some consolation:

1) We dreamed and dared greatly, and pursued our dream.

2)  Truncation of the trek was a consequence of injury -- not short-coming in my ability or willingness to fulfill the dream.

3) My companion walked every step of the 1,761 miles from Newport, RI - to - Newport NE.

4) I managed to walk 1,240 miles, from the Atlantic Ocean (Newport RI) to the west side of the Mississippi River (Clinton,IA).  Half-way across the United States.

5) I experienced achievement of  two of my principle N2N-TCP objectives, connecting with great people along the way and testing my capability to meet this kind of challenge. 

6) We  established a solid foundation of future adventures.

In summary:  IT WAS A GREAT AND FULFILLING ADVENTURE!!   

It was foundational to establishing a very positive, compatible and enduring relationship between my companion and me.   It has been a remarkable educational and developmental endeavor. It will also prove to have been foundational to future adventures.  

“Sometimes The Dragon Wins” -- and so it may appear to have been in this engagement.

BUT, DON’T SWITCH CHANNELS!!

WE EXPECT TO BE BACK AFTER A SHORT INTERMISSION!!

Mississippi River Crossing

Today was a milestone day as Dad completed his seventh state on the journey and crossed the Mississippi River from Fulton, Illinois to Clinton, Iowa. He covered just over seventeen miles putting his total since departing Yorkville, IL at just over one hundred miles walked in seven days. That’s an average of a half-marathon plus a mile every day for the last week. He’s got some old man toughness for sure!

Onward to Iowa

He’s also pretty smart. When I made the Mississippi River Crossing, I chose the bridge on US Highway 30 and didn’t make the trek north to Fulton. With about a twenty inch shoulder and nothing separating me from oncoming traffic but a chipped white painted line, I didn’t really enjoy that crossing very much. At the time, I didn’t want to add the extra distance it would have cost to cross on the more northern route from Fulton to Clinton. It turns out, that extra distance added up to a grand total of one point three miles. This crossing….well, it was a mixed use pedestrian and bike lane that kept the traffic at bay with a Jersey barrier and a handrail.

On the west side of the bridge, he even managed to find a diner for lunch. 

So basically he’s tough and smart, and still loves his diners.

I’m grateful that I was able to walk with him as he accomplished this milestone. It was also quite nice to be able to enjoy the scenery without worrying about being smashed by a car.

Barge Traffic on the Mississippi River - Clinton, IA

We’re taking a rest day tomorrow, and he tells me he has his own story to tell about this milestone, so I’ll leave the rest to him. Today was a very good day!