Durham to Delavan; Distance = 37 Miles; People Met = 12+
We encountered another two days of very high winds. We learned from Anita Wedel in Lyons (not related to Wendell Wedel in Durham) that Kansas meant people of the south wind. The highest winds of over 40 mph came from the south, though as we approached Delavan on the second day they shifted gradually to the northwest, bringing increasing clouds and chill to the air.
One thing that has hit home is the dramatic effect trees have on breaking the wind. During a cross wind we would be leaning sideways when a line of trees along the road suddenly would produce absolute calm. There are a few more trees out here on the plains than on the Utah desert, but we could use a few more. Fortunately, we will have more trees by the time we hit winter.
We met Pastor Kurt of the First Baptist Church that first morning, shortly before we left the church. While a chaplain in the military he had done a fair amount of walking over in Germany. Unfortunately, knees and hips were causing him a problem now.
Pastor Kurt of the First Baptist Church
We were told to visit Amber Peterson at the Tampa Cafe in Tampa (the other Tampa as a sign for the town says) about community efforts to put up a playground. She talked to us about Tampa Pride and various ways that the community comes together. She mentioned how when they first moved into town people came over right away to make them feel welcome. Amber did not want her picture taken so I took one of Nicole, a waitress at the cafe who was very interested in our journey.
Nicole at the Tampa Cafe
In between this two day stretch we stayed in Herington for the night. Ky was directed towards making contact with two morticians, Karen and Vance Donahue. As members of the United Methodist Church in town they enabled us to spend the night in their church. They also took us out to a Mexican Restaurant for dinner. Morticians run in the Donahue family, and an extended family of Donahues lives near the funeral home. Karen and Vance love to travel to celebrate each fifth year of their anniversary. We encouraged them to come to Connecticut when their fortieth anniversary arrives in a couple years. They encouraged us to contact a mortician in any town when we need something because morticians know everyone.
Stephanie Berry, reporter for the Herrington Times, interviewed us while we were at the church. This was another case of people interviewing each other, as she talked freely about living in different places—Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana—and how she appreciates the small town atmosphere of Herington. Having worked with a daily in Illinois, she much preferred working for a weekly where she could be involved with all elements of the story. She came out the next day to take our picture while we hiked, and we chatted some more. We chatted so much that at the end we gave each other hugs goodbye.
Stephanie Barry with cool shades
Other Photos
Running with the wind
This cow has it figured out
Lee Floyd came to chat before .....
.... joining guests from Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas up for bird hunting season.
Are these folks planning too far ahead?.
