After a punishing day out of Pensacola, I deliberately organized a much shorter follow-up day: I was to walk only seven miles on Sunday, May 27th, to Milton. As was the case with Pace, no hosts had been organized for my arrival to Milton. I was ready to accept anything– including the next concrete slab slumber. If I were to sleep outside again, then I’d spend the blistering hot afternoon at some air-conditioned restaurant or other venue, catching up with personal communications. I wasn’t concerned. My smartphone’s map search told me there was a sandwich shop on the far side of Milton, next to the high school, and I went straight there. I was at first disappointed to find that this sandwich shop sat within a gas station, but still proceeded in the door, and only stood to benefit from my petro-poor expectations. The sandwich shop was about as good as any average lunch bar, including those you find far from poisonous fuel pumps. They also had great air conditioning, booths to sit in, and electrical outlets available for me to plug in. At once I was ready to spend hours here.

From Pace to Milton, May 26 & 27, 2012

I met a family at the gas station who became very interested in the Walk, and they invited me to their local church service later that morning. Beth, from PRA who’d joined me the day before, also recommended I contact the very same St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church that Mike, Laura and their kids were soon to leave the sandwich shop for. “They’ll probably find you a safe place to stay,” they all told me.
And they did. Not only did I enjoy an excellent morning service with Mike, Laura & kids during Pentecost, I met other marvelous souls as well, and Monsignor Bosso provided me with a room at the Emerald Sands Motel. This was way more than I could have asked for– but I accepted the luxury and soon scooted on over there.
After one of the most refreshing showers of all my miles, a nap, and a great night’s sleep later in the evening, I was well charged and ready to head out early to face Memorial Day’s 18 HOT miles to Penton Farms.