My fifth night here at Tim & Julie's, time seems to be flying by more quickly here than it has anywhere else. Time also feels a bit warped. It not only feels as if I've just arrived here, it's also difficult to imagine a point in time in which I didn't know them.

The Chariot has been resting comfortably in the garage--easily accessed up the steps from where I'm staying.

The kids' spacious downstairs recreation room / family storage room has been my HQ for days.

In the back of the rec room/family storage room, I've placed the guest mattress. Easy for me to stay out of the way of anything else they may have going on here through the course of this week...

Yes, Cosmo has continued to keep me GREAT company-- throughout the property!!

Nine-year-old Carson introduced Dobbie to me. Shy but curious cat, Dobbie finally approached me on his own today.

Julie's morning masterpiece. BEAUTIFUL!!

Family Traffic in the Powdersville Kitchen

As she too is interested in creating a blog, ninth-grade Jade sits down for a brief interview with the new microphone equipment I've just received for the Walk. (I'm hoping to add audio blogs to the miles ahead. This will translate to a LOT of extra work, so no premature promises!)

Dinner with Tim, Julie, Jade and Carson. Wonderful Family!! Julie is such an awesome cook!! WONDERFUL!!!

Julie & her daughters. I have yet to meet Elexa (left), who's currently in California.

Julie, Jade, Carson & Jade's Best Friend (whose name I'm not remembering at the moment!)

Tim & Jade

Cosmo, their nine-year-old schnauzer, is the friendliest of his breed that I've ever meet. He's been spending a lot of time with me since I arrived. He reminds me a lot of my dog Huey-- I LOVE that!!

Julie, an art teacher, works on her latest project...

After a wet morning, a ten-mile day begins from the very point at which I'd last left off on quiet Fire Station Road, in Pendleton.

A very sociable roadside jackass wishes me good morning!

A rare treat, over 80% of my day was spent on QUIET rural roads, such as this one.

The first church I passed today, this was an excellent location to stop, sit on the front steps, close my eyes, and spend at least a half hour meditating. To me, proper meditation is the #1 ingredient to a successful Walk and a successful life!

Andrew St. John, running for U.S. Congress, stops to say hello as I pass by.

Traveling at turtle speed allows the joy of being rained on by thousands of leaves spinning their way down to earth.

About a mile from day's end, I meet Moe. 99% of the dogs who rush up to me as I walk by are aggressively defending their turf. Not Moe. He just wanted to say hello, and wanted to play. It didn't take long to see that Moe was an escapee, as he was aimlessly wandering around, dangerously cutting off cars, etc.

I saw a phone # on Moe's tag, and though I could only leave a voice message on the #, I didn't know what to do about Moe. I couldn't sit in the middle of the field and wait with him indefinitely for a return call that might or might not come to pass. I also didn't want for him to get hit and hurt on the road. Then it clicked: my little sports belt of my pants could function as a short, makeshift leash! I walked this strong, active 35-lb dog home with me. I was called just before arriving. The owners were out of town, and the neighbors were being dispatched to retrieve Moe.

Happy ending for Moe, as he's being picked up and taken home by his neighbors

Gearing up for 20k on the road today, Rocio duct tapes her feet to prevent blisters in the most vulnerable places.

Less than a mile into the day, a family native to the area comes to greet us as we pass by their property. The two men working on their truck first saw us and waved hello. Before we knew it, an entire delegation of family came out to introduce themselves, and make us feel abundantly welcome to the area!

Beatle and Buggy Babes! (Yes, Rocio!!)

Heather & Mechelle, her mother, stopped to say hello and offer their support to the Walk. Heather drew a happy-smiley face on the front sign!!

Five Forks Road. Luckily, most of the day's 20k was on not-so-busy, beautiful country roads.

Rocio's sweet road spirit shines brightly!

Out on Five Forks Road, miles from any other commercial establishment, sits 5 Forks and a Spoon Cafe, a local "meat & three" --what locals refer to as a restaurant that gives you the option of any meat dish with your choice of three sides. Locals had told us about this place for miles, and though we were walking past, at first we were simply going to do no more than snap a couple of pics. However, loyal locals exiting the restaurant upon our arrival lobbied successfully to get us into the front door.

Once inside the front door of this homegrown favorite, I quickly realized there was no turning back. The founding father of the restaurant was enthusiastic to feed us--and feed us well!

"Hull," nickname of the owner of restaurant, serves us up a piece of his delicious home-cooked pie after we finish our lunches.

All five members of 5 Forks and a Spoon Cafe! (Including husband, wife and daughter.)

Walking from Anderson to unincorporated Pendleton, I spot one of my very FAVORITE street signs!

Fun surprises around every corner!

Hello There!!

"Behind the abandoned store at the intersection of Five Forks Road & 6 and 20 Road, I'll leave the bag of toothbrushes and toiletries you forget as I'm on my way out of town, to North Carolina." Having completed most of the day's miles, Rocio & I reached the small abandoned store, and easily found our bag of hygiene products placed behind it by Dan Snipes, who'd hosted us Thursday night. Thanks, Dan!

As we approach the end of our 20K day, on a country road so little used that it didn't even have a dividing yellow stripe, we were surprised by the sudden appearance of a rodeo!

On his 22 acres, host Dan Snipes shows us just how fun a swing attached to a long, high rope can be!

Rocio & I both took a turn on the swing-- and both of us felt intimidatingly hesitant when it came to launching-- the super-swing is a backyard forest theme park ride!

By people I had yet to even meet, a complimentary night at the Hilton was arranged for EnjoyTheWalk.org! Though Dan picked us up yesterday at a miles-away sporting goods store, given that the roads between the store and the Hilton are anything but pedestrian friendly, I simply asked Dan to drop us off at the Hilton parking lot. From here, I'd arrange to return to the sporting goods store and walk back to the Hilton without my buggy-- connecting all the steps in the process.

Farron, niece of Eleacia (whom I've yet to meet), made the contacts within her branch of the Hilton to arrange for a complimentary night. I just met Farron upon my arrival to the Hilton today. Thanks, Everyone! What AWESOME people!!!

Farron's flawless organizing skills continue, as she links me with Ricky, head of maintenance at the Hilton, who kindly returned me to the sporting goods store parking lot, saving me from having to walk a complete loop (a handful of extra miles) just to connect all the steps to the Hilton. Thanks Guys!!

I walked a more circuitous path today to avoid what would have been the most dangerous of the bridges across the lake-- neither of which have sidewalks or any reasonable pedestrian space. The Liberty Hwy bridge was shorter, slower, and had about a foot of walk space, so going out of the way to walk it was well worth it. I'm so happy I didn't have to cross it with the Chariot

Though slower than the Clemson Blvd bridge, and with about a foot of walk space, the Liberty Hwy bridge still felt too dangerous, so I walked over the tops of these 25" siderail reinforcers. Even for a tall guy like me, I had to carefully step across each one. I'm glad I didn't trip or tear up my pants in the process! (Been there, done that!)

If I finish a day's walk at sunset, I'm almost never walking into brilliant colors of the setting sun (in the WESTERN sky). Tonight's circuitous path, however, pulls me straight into the setting sun for the final half hour

After three nights at Paul & Carol's lakeside home, I finally take their advice to take a walk down to Lake Secession.

On their small, cozy dock, a sweet morning meditation spot awaited me...

What a lovely place! Paul & Carol appeared about 45 minutes into my meditation; they just bought a pre-owned pontoon boat. They invited me onto what became an hour-long boat ride through Lake Secession. Loved it!

Carol at her downtown retail art space, as I prepare to pick up from where I've left off yesterday.

Rocio Returns!!! Rocio joins the Walk for this weekend's miles to Easley/Powdersville

After three sweet nights near Anderson, I say goodbye to lovely hosts Paul & Carol Cook. Thank You!!!

Anderson, South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina. Rocio & I walked just a handful of miles this afternoon, to the far side of Anderson. The sky treated us to a fantastic sunset-- part of which the camera actually caught!

Host Dan Snipes, who lives "out in the sticks," hosted Rocio & me tonight. Living far from town, he's transporting us back and forth from & to Anderson. Dan, 54, has lived his entire life in Anderson County, South Carolina. We love listening to his interesting stories of growing up in the area. Dan also has pictures of his ancestors, many of whom were Confederate Civil War veterans. Like many Southerners, Dan, a member of "Sons of the Confederacy," is very proud of his Confederate heritage.

The walking day began on a rural road, parallel to Hwy 29. Almost anytime I find a parallel, lonely rural road on my route, I take it. They're rare, but when they do appear, they're such a relief from the dangers and noise of the busy highways.

Today's destination: Anderson, SC-- the very first of a handful of cities I'll be reaching on foot within South Carolina!

By the time I reached these grain silos, about three miles into the day, I could tell that the day off that Paul & Carol hosted me to the day before brought a blaze to my path today. I was hot to trot, and on pace to finish the day's walk over an hour early. Before parting ways today, I told them it would take me at least 5.5 hours. In a very rare move, by the time I reached these silos I called to tell them that I'd probably arrive at least an hour early-- which is exactly how the day turned out.

About 80% of the day's walk up Hwy 29 was very rural-- and very beautiful!

I love some of the creative mailboxes I've seen across the miles. Occasionally, I'll find clusters of America where for miles, similarly creatively-themed mailboxes stretch into a sweet streetscape.

"God laughs in flowers!"

Just as I was approaching the "Welcome to Anderson" sign, I had to make a call to 911. After speaking with some local kids about the Walk, I was saying goodbye and returning to the road, when I suddenly heard a loud grinding on the pavement, a few hundred feet ahead of me. I looked up to see a motorcycle sliding down the highway. The passenger was left behind. I didn't even hesitate: IMMEDIATELY, I was on the phone to 911, explaining "what & where" to them. They wanted me to ask the driver if he wanted medical attention, which I almost did. The driver had gotten up and walked to the side of the road, and was hunkered down by a sign. I approached; his face was bloody and he appeared to be in serious pain. I then told the 911 dispatcher "Yes, he needs an ambulance." I was asked if the motorcyclist said so. "No. He didn't say so. His face is bloody and he's in a lot of pain. He may have broken bones. Send medical attention as soon as possible." I later found that a deer apparently had something to do with this. I know from experience that motorcycles can be really fun to ride. However, even if you're the best driver around, you cannot control the world around you, and when hazards appear--even when not your fault--you're the one in the most danger. I was on a motorcycle once when a dump truck illegally pulled out in front of me, as I was going 60 MPH. I hit the brakes and had to lay down the bike. I came just a car length from hitting it. I haven't riden much since... I hope the best for this driver. It appeared he'll be fine...

I reached my first major intersection in Anderson to find George's Restaurant on the corner. Unfortunately, there's nothing in "my" restaurant I'd be willing to eat.

Downtown Anderson. Stopping point for today. 14 of my fastest miles (just over 4 hours; I've never raced myself) complete, on one of the most beautiful, fair-weather walking days of all the miles!

Welcome-to-South-Carolina hosts Paul & Carol Cook-- great couple!!

My room is downstairs, in the art studio

If there's one thing I've learned across the miles, it's to be creative with whatever resources I have available to me. A wonderful restaurant in Hartwell provided me with a free place to stay Sunday night. I was simply going to remain in town for the rest of Sunday; however, Brad, who had walked into town with me, was enthusiastic about walking another 8 miles with me, to the other side of the South Carolina border. I loved the idea of both opportunities, and we found a way to make them work. Brad and family would bring me back to the Hartwell restaurant upon completing our Sunday miles across the South Carolina border, and Luther, an upstanding local youth pastor, would return me to the South Carolina border the following day, so that I could connect the steps from exactly where I'd left off. The plan worked out beautifully!!

After reaching the SC border the previous afternoon, and having immediately been brought back to Hartwell for an overnight stay, Road Angel Luther returns me to the exact spot at which I'd left off, the following day.

Thanks for your help, Luther! I'm fully connecting 100% of my steps from here!

As I had to cross the Savannah River to enter South Carolina, the first couple of miles of SC are uphill. Less than a mile into the day, I pass the official sign!

Border businesses. It's funny how next to state lines, you'll always find businesses that specialize in products that are difficult or impossible to obtain on the other side. For example, in Portland, Oregon, where there is no sales tax, large shopping complexes are set up just across the river from neighboring Washington State, whose sales tax is close to 8%. Washingtonians come across in droves to avoid paying sales taxes-- especially on large purchases. This border business in South Carolina has more relaxed liquor and fireworks laws than neighboring Georgia.