Goodbye, Travis & Chika! It’s been great!!
Travis was able to join me for the first mile of my way out of town.
I know my type. Sort of. A man seeking work is making his way south. He seemed clean cut, so I have confidence he’ll find what he seeks…
The final sidewalk steps of Spartanburg
I’m so happy they stopped to say hello!
How could I not fall in love with a car like this..?? 
Rarely does the wild creature allow me close enough for a shot like this with a 55mm lens. I saw dozens of these critters throughout today’s miles.
…
Vestiges of America’s Textile Belt
…a look around…
This was a new strategy for me. On fast, open highways, I almost always seek some sort of shoulder space on which to walk. These miles of earthy shoulders were taking their toll on me, however, and when I reached a large hill, the shoulders evaporated completed. So, I decided on a new strategy: walk right down the center lane! I did so for at least a mile or so before the road flattened out enough that I felt fine with again walking the rough roadside shoulders.
Scars of America’s Textile Belt remain spread out across the Southern states…
Though it began as simply a conversation over finding a bathroom, a long and wealthy conversation ensued, and we’re now friends online too!!
Cowpens, en route to Gaffney
Mother & Daughter art gallery owners in Cowpens greet me with a warm hello…
Strolling across central Cowpens
Thanks for stopping by Cowpens!
Welcome to Gaffney!
I love it when passersby stop to say hello!
Thanks for all your help, Sean! (Sean is in the white hoodie)
~ This evening’s happy accommodation ~
Just a couple of days ago, about to leave Spartanburg, I had no idea if I’d be receiving any invitation in Gaffney, the next town up the road, or if I’d simply end up arriving to town and walking into the city police station. I’ve enjoyed a steady stream of hosting across South Carolina, through Spartanburg. The nearly 80 miles between Spartanburg and Charlotte, NC, are very rural, and not a single invitation awaited me through the entire stretch. Thanks to Sean Presley, today’s 20k ends with a very warm welcome to Gaffney. Sean, a sincere, shy 7th grader who heard me speak this past Friday at Spartanburg Day School, approached me after class and told me he might be able to arrange for hosting for me in Gaffney. I gave him my contact info, and asked him to take it home to his parents. Hours later, he called me and told me he thought he’d worked it all out. Well, the Presley family ended up going way above and beyond, putting me up at the local Jameson Inn for the night. They called the mayor and other local friends, and we all met at Gaffney’s beloved local Firehouse sandwich shop. Pictured here are the Presley and Tsiknias families, Mayor & Mrs. Jolly. (Sean Presley is wearing the white fleece jacket.) What a great community–and I have yet to even see Gaffney in the daylight!