Covered with Sweat Before Dawn

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Sweat covered my face by 6 AM, just minutes into my first mile. And it's just going to keep getting a whole lot hotter through the rest of today's 16 miles, to Valley. I'm hoping to arrive not long after noon, when temps will be in the 90s and rising. Days like these are those that build us most, eh?

Sweat covered my face by 6 AM, just minutes into my first mile. And it's just going to keep getting a whole lot hotter through the rest of today's 16 miles, to Valley. I'm hoping to arrive not long after noon, when temps will be in the 90s and rising. Days like these are those that build us most, eh?

August in Alabama is no joke. The sun's rays are too powerful to be played with. The high temperature of the day was about 95F, and it's always safe to add a few degrees while on the pavement. Leaving pre-dawn guaranteed that I could enjoy at least some less intense miles, and to my great fortune, parts of the late morning and afternoon provided passing stripes of solar relief, as seen here, taken from AL Hwy 29, about 7 miles outside of Valley, AL.

August in Alabama is no joke. The sun's rays are too powerful to be played with. The high temperature of the day was about 95F, and it's always safe to add a few degrees while on the pavement. Leaving pre-dawn guaranteed that I could enjoy at least some less intense miles, and to my great fortune, parts of the late morning and afternoon provided passing stripes of solar relief, as seen here, taken from AL Hwy 29, about 7 miles outside of Valley, AL.

Chris, Dylan and Casey, at the grocery store in Valley, AL. The three form part of a construction crew that is working on doubling the width of a bridge across a small river, half a block from the store. I had to narrowly squeeze by in the two open lanes of the bridge, and is generally the case while walking through road construction, workers see my matching traffic safety vest and stare at me. As is the case with all others, I'm also always enthusiastic to chat with those in matching vests. Casey and Chris each wanted to contribute a number of meals for me down the road, and did just that... Nice guys!

Chris, Dylan and Casey, at the grocery store in Valley, AL. The three form part of a construction crew that is working on doubling the width of a bridge across a small river, half a block from the store. I had to narrowly squeeze by in the two open lanes of the bridge, and is generally the case while walking through road construction, workers see my matching traffic safety vest and stare at me. As is the case with all others, I'm also always enthusiastic to chat with those in matching vests. Casey and Chris each wanted to contribute a number of meals for me down the road, and did just that... Nice guys!

After walking for 14 miles on busy Hwy 29, which had only a grassy shoulder at best, my last 2 miles of the day came on this calmer, prettier Fairfax Bypass Road, which carried me straight to the home of host Joey, in Valley.

After walking for 14 miles on busy Hwy 29, which had only a grassy shoulder at best, my last 2 miles of the day came on this calmer, prettier Fairfax Bypass Road, which carried me straight to the home of host Joey, in Valley.

After walking for 14 miles on busy Hwy 29, which had only a grassy shoulder at best, my last 2 miles of the day came on this calmer, prettier Fairfax Bypass Road, which carried me straight to the home of host Joey, in Valley.

After walking for 14 miles on busy Hwy 29, which had only a grassy shoulder at best, my last 2 miles of the day came on this calmer, prettier Fairfax Bypass Road, which carried me straight to the home of host Joey, in Valley.

After weeks of corresponding across the airwaves, I finally meet Joey. How our crossing of paths came to be is fascinating: Julie & I met while passing out lavender last summer; Julie directed me to stay with new friends of hers in Houston, Simplicity & Rashida Alisha. I met Rashida Alisha's friend Indica while in Houston, and Indica introduced me to her friend Cherri, in Louisiana. After meeting fellow cross-country walker Andrew Forsthoefel, who was walking in the opposite direction as I, I contacted Cherri to ask for assistance with hosting Andrew. Cherri put the word out on FB, and Joey responded. Joey was nowhere on Andrew's route ahead, but he was on mine. Joey & I made contact weeks ago, and finally met in person tonight. He's a wonderful man with fascinating and gripping stories...

After weeks of corresponding across the airwaves, I finally meet Joey. How our crossing of paths came to be is fascinating: Julie & I met while passing out lavender last summer; Julie directed me to stay with new friends of hers in Houston, Simplicity & Rashida Alisha. I met Rashida Alisha's friend Indica while in Houston, and Indica introduced me to her friend Cherri, in Louisiana. After meeting fellow cross-country walker Andrew Forsthoefel, who was walking in the opposite direction as I, I contacted Cherri to ask for assistance with hosting Andrew. Cherri put the word out on FB, and Joey responded. Joey was nowhere on Andrew's route ahead, but he was on mine. Joey & I made contact weeks ago, and finally met in person tonight. He's a wonderful man with fascinating and gripping stories...