I wrote a blog earlier in the day talking about how I didn’t know if I’d receive any invitation into any home over the coming weeks, as I walk 250+ miles into Las Cruces, New Mexico. I was aiming to camp at Colossal Cave Mountain Park– a 16+ mile walk for the day. However, I didn’t even make it halfway. Within just a couple of hours of leaving the house, I was receiving multiple invitations. I’m spending tonight with the Ragland family, who found me walking down Houghton Road. After stopping and giving me a bottle of water, they offered me a foot massage at a top-notch facility further down the road.
How could I not take them up on such an offer..??
The foot massage turned into a FULL body tune-up massage, an hour long, and left me feeling fantastic– both physically and mentally recharged. Kim Ragland then invited me to the sixteenth birthday of Mariah, the daughter of her great friend. By the time we were coming home from the party, it felt like we’d known each other for at least weeks, after only five hours had passed from talking to them on the side of the road. When talking to them, I enjoy occasionally referring to myself as: “the guy you picked up today off the side of the road.”
I spend tonight in the Ragland house. James & Kim are parents to three lovely children, all of whom are under age ten. Darcie, 9 years old, was so cute when she shyly approached me with a pad full of handwritten questions.
They’re trying to get a speaking appearance lined up for me at Darcie’s school– I surely hope it works out!!

Invitations may be in the works for Benson and Bowie as well, both of which await me within the next hundred miles or so…

I continue forward, prepared for the hardships and simultaneously accepting of the delights, as they come…