Happy New Year everyone still following  this page.  2008 sure went fast and now we look forward to 2009.

Article Photos

 

John and Karen Wallace stop for a rest in Macon, Miss., showing off their jogger, which carried supplies and camping equipment over their 1,400-mile run. (Scott Boyd photo)

MARQUETTE — An Ishpeming couple was honored recently for accomplishing an unusual journey: a 1,400-mile run from the shores of Lake Superior to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.


John and Karen Wallace made the trip on foot in 82 days last summer to bring awareness to the Alzheimer’s Association and to raise funds for Marquette County’s Lifetracker project. The project provides an electronic tracking system for Alzheimer’s patients, especially those who wander.


The couple became involved in Alzheimer’s efforts through their jobs; Karen has spent many years working with elderly patients at a nursing home and John retired after 26 years in law enforcement, when he also encountered Alzheimer’s sufferers. 


John Wallace said the couple — in their mid-50s — also made the trip for another reason.


“We wanted to run just to tell people they can do the things they want to do in life,” he said.


And it was an impressive demonstration, averaging 13 to 16 miles a day. The longest they ran in one day was 26¢ miles, he said.


“Thirteen miles doesn’t sound so bad the first day, or the second day, but when you’re looking at the second month ...” John Wallace said.


Still, the Wallaces were met with support and encouragement along the way, often from complete strangers.


“We loved doing it, the people we met and the places we got to go,” he said.


Along the way they raised about $1,000 for the Lifetracker program.


Coordinators of the Lifetracker program honored the couple at a meeting last week.


Marquette County Sheriff Mike Lovelace’s office runs the program, and Lovelace said the system is similar to wildlife radio tracking, except the transmitter is in a small bracelet resembling a watchband. It emits a signal every few seconds and if a person wearing the transmitter is reported to have wandered away, the sheriff’s office can find them with a directional signal. The signal is trackable on the ground for about 5 miles and in the air for about 10 miles, Lovelace said.


The program’s been in place for two years, Lovelace said, but only 13 people in Marquette County currently wear the transmitters.


“We have 50 transmitters, so we could take another 37 clients,” he said.


He said the impetus for the program was a case of a woman who was lost near Witch Lake. The sheriff’s office and other agencies spent two weeks looking for her before calling off the search. Two months later, her body was found 5 miles from the search area.


“I said, there has got to be some technology that can help us,” Lovelace said.


So he looked into it and found the Lifetracker bracelets. 


Before that, he said, it was not unusual to be searching for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.


“We’ve had probably 10 individuals in the past 30 years, who walk off and not be found alive, or be found at all,” Lovelace said.


To see more photos, read the Wallaces’ blog or donate to their efforts, visitwww.togetherwerun.com. The couple also can be reached atTogetherWeRun@wildblue.net.

UP couple runs to Gulf of Mexico

It was all to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer's.

Posted: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 3:13 p.m.

ISHPEMING -- In an effort to raise awareness and money for the Alzheimer's Association, as well as to inspire others, a couple from Ishpeming ran from Lake Superior to the Gulf of Mexico.

Tuesday, at the Marquette County Lifetracker meeting, John and Karen Wallace were honored for their 1,400 mile trek in which they raised well over a thousand dollars.

They averaged anywhere between 13 and 26 miles each day.  They camped alongside the road and stayed with several people they met on their way.

"Once you're out on the road, you become part of nature," says Karen.  "You become part of the journey and really it's fascinating how well you can adapt and you can go if that's really what you want to do."

It took Karen and her husband over two years to plan their journey, and only 82 days to run from Marquette to Biloxi, Mississippi.

HELLO To everyone reading this.   I just told John that I didn't know what to write. Funny ... 

Already our day has been filled with excitement. We have been blessed by the people in our small group and also by everyone else who have followed us south. Everyone has made this journey the success if is.
We are now enroute with our rental car looking for the nearest Greyhound Station. Some may think, "No Problem". Some may find out that in this area things are not as they seem to be. Some signs remain, some buildings do not. Some businesses are here, but not in the same place they once existed. The first Bus Station is a bust... NO CAN DO !! So we drive off with the cart still in the trunk. "OH NO !!
We arrive at the Treasure Bay Casino which has been generous enough to offer us lodging and a great discount for friends and family. Our room is awesome looking over the waters of the Gulf. We are not far from our group. We enjoy well wishes and gifts from all over.
We look around and cannot again believe our good fortune. Photos to take as we sit on the balcony and look at the beauty surrounding this area.
After taking advantage of the shower and changing into civilian clothes that have arrived with the kids, we are ready to go downstairs. After all we are in a Casino.
John and J3 are already plotting ways to get rid of the cart. Off they go in search of other avenues and ways of sending it off to Oregon. What was once our home away from home carrying everything we owned, now must go back to its original owner. Anyway we could get it there.
No luck yet as they once again return back.
The coast is still rebuilding and so many many things are gone that once kept the place lively and exciting. Some have rebuilt, but far more is still barren. As you drive along the once busy roadways there is evidence of this and more.
We all pile into the car and head down to one of the newer places, the Hard Rock Casino to have dinner. We eat and play a bit. We are not there very long and head back to Treasure Bay.
No winnings from anywhere yet.
The main concern for us during the final moments in Biloxi is getting the cart shipped out.
We finally found another Greyhound Station in Gulf Port that took it and oh what a relief that was.
I am still very sore. The miles have caught up with me and remind me about every step I took.
Relaxing and eating some delicious food. We enjoy our time together with everyone.
One more interview to do with the TV station. We probably won't see this one either.
Mike will be staying one more night and flying out of Gulf Port. We will leave and drive to Jackson to fly out of there to Seattle.
Packing up once more, we look at the scenery around us. We still quite can't believe that this is over.
We are looking forward to spending time with Michelle, John and Heidi and of course meeting our 'grand-dog Taurus' in Seattle.

John and I have been more than amazed at the amount of people we have met along this journey that now mean so much to us. We were already amazed at those who we had known who had made it so memorable.
Each and everyday was another adventure for us, a new experience and it never disappointed us. We would wake up each morning and wonder how we would be blessed. It was a new day and we rejoiced and were glad of it.
If it means anything to anyone, each jesture small or large was appreciated and we thank you.
Getting the support from the home front and jobs made it possible for us to plan and then to put in motion our great endeavor. We were very thankful each and every day for that gift.
Getting smiles and nods, honks and waves we were happy.
Ice and water and cold drinks were often times just what we needed to keep going.
Offers of lodging and tent sites made the nights rest peaceful.
Contact with family and friends kept our spirits high and the energy up to continue on the road south.
Meetings with people and talking about the Alzheimers Disease made us more aware of just how widespread it is. It is out there everywhere and affecting those involved the same no matter where they might be living. It touched us deeply as we spoke and listened to all of the families and friends. Bless each and everyone one of you.
No matter who it was who did the least thing to help us out, we felt humbled and special. No kindness was forgotten.
To have been able to go out onto the roads of this country and experience what we did, is something John and I will carry with us forever.
So we say Thank You from the bottom of our hearts. We want everyone to always remember that going out to inspire, to encourage, to give people ideas and especially support will most likely come back to you. Getting to meet everyone and experiencing what we have, we have been inspired and then some.
Please dream those dreams and do your best to fulfill them.
Some people have asked us "so what's next?" Who knows? But whatever it may be, we hope to be as successful at it as this one was.
Bless everyone and take care. Sincerely J&K

We are actually seeing the Gulf of Mexico.. This very place that has been in our minds for many a long day. We are almost hesitant to keep going. This spot will physically end this Journey of a Lifetime. The adventure on the road will stop as soon as we touch water.
The smiling faces, waving arms and clapping hands urge us to keep our cart and feet moving a little more south. We are anxious to see what they have in store for us next.
The water is immense and calm and the day is so pretty.
"YEAH !!", keep going", everyone is yelling. Heidi has the video camera and her enthusiastic voice helps us continue. We can hear the boys voices as well behind their cameras. Donnie and Maureen from Meridian such good friends of John and Heidi and now us, are here waiting to see the end. They had heard about it so long ago. Barb and Sharon from the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimers Association have come to share the finish line group.
Heidi's mom Sue Geshel has arranged to have an awesom banner printed for our finish line. The picture is one of our favorites, it looks great and is just what was needed as we see the waters edge.
Coming off of the pavement onto the beach sand halts the cart. Too deep and too far to struggle pushing. It will stay at the edge as we plow on. We find running in the soft sand a challange and adjust ourselves. As we see the waters edge, the voices around become muted. Our focus is now on our finish together, just as we had started at the waters edge 82 days ago. We put our shoes into the water, just a bit, and consider the journey ended. Congratulations
It is hectic and amazing, unexplainably emotional. Did we really do all that together?
We take off our shoes and dip our feet in unbelievably warm water. We are tempted to jump in. The sun is very bright reflecting off it. We are grateful to be there to be witness to the calmness and beauty.
We are aware that other things are about to happen and stop to smile as more photos are taken.
Enjoying all of the congratulations and hugs, we savor the moment.
Barb has a present representing Mississippi and even better her private thoughts and feelings about our journey.
We are reminded that we are expected at a luncheon for the Alzheimer's Association at the Grand Casino and so we must prepare to leave.
The yellow building offer sno-cones during the height of tourist season, now closed, it offers us shade and a place to regroup.
Maureen and Donnie offer to take some of the gear from the cart and we will transport that precious piece in our trunk. We once again, take the time to get rid of some of those items we became used to and depended on during our run.
That well used brown tarp that had provided a place for us to sit during our breaks under the shade trees. It provided a dry place during some of those early rainy days. We used it to cover everything when we were stealth camping. Most of all it covered the cart each night and gave protection to everything else that may have gotten wet. It must go into the can, we have no more use for it. It feels sad.
The little white and blue cooler that was given to us so long ago, filled with ice, in the small town of Trenary. Thanks to Joy at the mini-mart, this little cooler saved our ice from melting so fast. All through the long, steaming hot, summer days, we were able to take the cover off and be refreshed. I felt so rich when we had ice. We thank everyone who helped us keep it filled. What memories that cooler gives us. We will donate that too.
The blue canvas bag given to us by our friends in the middle of the corn/bean fields of Illinois has served us well. It became our little pantry, keeping out the bugs and ants.
And so on and so on, these things will not come back on the plane.
We distribute everything into the cars and agree to meet soon at the Grand Casino for lunch.
We are riding in a car for a long distance and it feels fast and strange. We haven't had breakfast and so we are looking forward to the buffet that awaits us.
When we arrive at the Casino and walk the long distance to the meeting place, we see people dressed in various different ways. One of the first that I see, is the familiar color of the uniform I have seen at work for 12 years. It makes me smile when I see those who are in attendance.
The luncheon is delicious and we are asked to stand and have photos taken. We are asked to speak about our journey and how we are connected to the Alzheimers Cause.
We are so pleasantly surprised and honored when we are presented with a beautiful plaque in the shape of Mississippi. Thanks to our friends here, we feel special.
We end our time at the luncheon with a great hug from Barb and we know that during our brief time here, we have truly found a good friend. Good luck Mississippi with all of your hard work. You are the greatest.
We walk back to the car and start planning the rest of our stay here.
It has been a great start to a very special day and we are looking forward to the rest of the day and the rest of the stay.
Happy Birthday Dear John !!!!
Take care everyone.... Thanks for being there for us. K&J

We always say 'Guess who's Birthday is it?" Well the number one running partner ever is celebrating his today. What a celebration we have coming up for him and more.
We dozed off and on during the night in anticipation of the big event. We have plans to leave here @ approximately 8:30 a.m. and finish by 10:30-11:00.
It wouldn't be right if we didn't have to finish with a start uphill and to add to the excitement 'A BRIDGE" :)
We had a few more calls last night from J3 and company letting us know what was happening along the way.
We were going through all of the items we have hauled from north to south. What may have been essential and providing the very thing to keep us alive, well, now it was time to purge and clean up and toss out.
We wanted to keep the integrity of the cart as much as possible or we could have just packed up everything and ran without it. But some of those things like extra water bottles and such.....well not needed for the few miles we would travel today. We are taking some of our precious items right to the end because they did start out with us.
The 882's last used as the 'wet' running shoes, the green vinyl poncho that kept me dry as well as warm during those rainstorms. I used some orange flourescent tape to keep it closed as the wind blew. Out they go with more to go yet.
J3 calls and tells us that they are soon on their way, so trying to keep our eyes open we wait for the knock on the door.
OH WHAT A SURPRISE !!!! knocking on the door and jumping in as only he could was our youngest son Mike. He had flown into Gulf Port!! His brother and sister-in-law had been waiting for him to come in and went out to pick him up after they had flown in themselves, to Jackson. Seeing John and Heidi make us smile so. I cannot resist to touch our newest addition to the family and Heidi is good spirited. Eli is growing and her belly shows how much. How much bigger she will be, 3 more months to go.
Our family has perfected the Surprise Category.
We always wish everyone could be together, Our children will tell you I say that all of the time. Getting any or all of us together is a happy day for all.
We visited, discussing where we were meeting in the morning and the final plans for the ending spot down by the lighthouse. It didn't seem to sink in that this was the night before the last day of running. Everyone has had a full day already and must get some rest, as tomorrow will be even fuller. We say good night.
What had been planned for so long ago had now been achieved and was soon ending.
When we open the door to greet the new day, the sun is shining and the sky is very blue. We have been given a wonderful gift to finish in the same weather that we started in so 82 days ago. I had so hoped we wouldn't have to finish in the rain. Well who would??
J3 and Mike arrive to see what we have packed up and gotten ready for the final run. We show them the pile of things not going and the cart that is tidy and ready to roll. Photos and more photos and then some.
We are ready to go, out the door we go. There is a police car down there, but not to escort us across the bridge this time. There is a minor situation going on and we are not a priority.
We have to get to the finish at a certain time, so it is almost as if we are running this last leg as a road race. We have given ourselves plenty of time, so there won't be much hurrying.
As we head toward the bridge, we are discussing what we should expect on the bridge itself. The pedestrian walkway (runway) is located on the outside. The interesting thing is that on our side of the bridge the highway will be on our right and the Bay of Biloxi on the left. The highway side is completely fenced with barriers so no one can climb over and get onto the highway. The Bay side has a simple iron railing waist height giving a good view to a vista that is unbelievable. The drop down there is approximately 100-150 feet. But the surface has been paved and I won't have to avoid looking down and run on grates.
Photo opportunities are awaiting us as we cross and we are pleased to see the smiling faces of our sons waiting for us. They will assist their dad and lift up the heavy cart to put it on the other side of the cement barrier.
I sing Happy Birthday to You along the way.
Michelle has called to wish her dad a Happy Day and the boys have already presented the card that talks.....letting you know in a Forrest Gump voice, the many ways you can eat and serve shrimp.
The breeze is comfortable and we know that once we cross we barely have a couple of miles to go.
Did I mention that the bridge is also a draw bridge so it has the ability to move and shift. FUN TIMES
There are boats about and people fishing. Everything looks so normal and inviting until you see entire bridges that only pieces exist jutting out of the water. Then you know that something bigger than you has visited this area not too long ago.
I tell John we have to move along a little faster, the boys are on the other side waiting to move the cart onto the road. We see them in the distance and of course, it is a photo opportunity. We have an option of going down stairs or going up and over. Up and over we go.
They leave and are going to the finish to wait for us.
We are getting to the final destination and making pretty good time of it.
We see Katrina damage mixed alongside homes in various stages of repair. The area is attempting to bring itself back bigger and better than ever. It is apparent, but it is a long and slow process.
We turn onto a street that has a playground on it and cannot resist the chance to take photos and swing for a bit. :) Across the street sits a fenced in lot that holds a big beautiful swimming pool with pool furniture and a ball floating on top of the water. The house that was once part of this picture is no longer there. Huge machinery and trucks must have been there one day scooping up materials and memories.
And so we run. J3 calls and says we can pick it up a notch if we want to. We are on Porter St. which will bring us right down to where we want to be. Over the RR tracks we can see a yellow building in the distance near the waters edge with some people moving about and waving. Can it be we are there??

Final Day Eve!! B-Day Eve!! OH what a night.
For the first 4 hours or so no less than two dozen dogs barked and in between that cows yes cows mooooooed. We could not believe it.
Who does not hear them? The owners? The neighbors?? First one would start and then the others would join.
We were camped under the car port daring it to rain. We had made it this far and felt happy. OH THE DOGS
A huge moon was out with the stars.
It quieted down enough at one point for us to fall asleep only to be awakened again by the howling. So we slept off and on, more off all night long.
We were up at our usual 6 a.m. and opted to stay in the tent during a brief period of silence. We finally woke at 7:30 and started the packing. We got rid of a few little things, but the rest was packed up and we were on the road by 9:30 a.m.
A bright sunny morning. Anxious to see the city and water. Ready to get out of the country and down Dasey Vestry Road.
Some are annoyed to see us. Most wave and smile. Well most cell phone users after they swerve and are surprised that anyone would be on foot on the side of the road.
Very warm as usual, we are ready for a cold drink. We see the Latimer Corner Grocery Store up ahead. It has been there for many a year, and is well stocked with groceries for the local folk. It is the first store we stopped at that didn't have hot food for sale. We had to look in the freezer section and use the microwave in the back.
We sat on the curb in front of the store and had our breakfast.
Up some hills, around some corners and pretty soon we see civilization. We are happy to, after being in the woods for many days.
We see the big highways and hear the traffic. We even see some of the huge Casinos standing tall in the distance.
There is growth and new businesses in this part. Life and energy is abound. New big cars and trucks. New houses and stores. People busy going to and from their work or pleasure spots.
We finally see a sign that says Biloxi. YEAH !!! we have to have a photo.

The sun is still shining and there are huge white clouds in the sky. It is friendly and we embrace it.

Our day is almost at its end and we only have to go a bit over 8 miles. A good way to gradually finish. It is barely 1:00 in the afternoon and we have booked a room in the Suburban.

Out of the sweaty clothes and into the shower. YES !!

J3 calls and said they had an opportunity to get a bump on their flight in Dallas and won't be in until 10:00 p.m. Good for those lucky bugs, they need to fly more in the future. :) They got a good deal for their time. We are anxious to see them.

We walk about 1/2 mile toward the bridge we will be crossing tomorrow. We are having our dinner at the Waffle House. It is a warm evening and the moon is big and orange.

We have said about as much as we can about our performance. We are happy with each other and proud of our accomplishment.

We cannot thank enough all of the people who have followed us and taken an interest in our adventure. To all of you we have been blessed by your words and good deeds. To have all of you travel with us during this journey south, well that has what made it.

Until tomorrow when we travel our few miles left to the Lighthouse. We Thank Everyone again. J&K

We heard some drops during the night, dew or rain ?? John also said he heard a couple of animals fighting in the woods. It was during this brief moment that I happened to be sleeping. In the distance there is barking, so there are some houses near in these woods.
The moon was out for awhile, but it gets overcast very fast. It wasn't as dark at night as I thought it was going to be.
We had everything packed and ready to go by 7:30 a.m. Taking the tarp off of the cart. Rearranging all of the things we lay on top and cover up. We take the tent bag and roll up the blue sleeping mats and put them in first. Then we put in the pillows and blankets. We have one heavier green blanket for top and a lighter blue on the top of the mats. All of the sleeping wear is pushed inside of the rolled up mats as well. On top of that we place the tent and fly. The ground cover is placed next. The tent poles goe on the side. During the major part of the trip, we would put our shoes for the next day in there so they would be easily accessible in the morning. You punch them all down to get the air out and roll the top and secure it tight with the clips. For all of the rain we have endured, these bags have been awesome. Nothing has been wet from the outside. Putting wet things inside keeps them wet.
The brown sandy gravel road wasn't too bad in the morning. Some ruts and areas with more water than others.
We were very very sweaty early on. We crossed quite a few bridges. I am sad to say that people who are dumpers live in all states. These bridges have had everything and anything tossed over the sides and into the bodies of waters. We see garbage and household items. Refrigerators and dishwashers. What a shame it is to see this in what is gorgeous land.
We finally get off of the dirt road and are now on a brand new road. The pavement is easier to run on and we enjoy that. No shoulders of course.
About 7 miles or so J3 calls to find us. Cell coverage has been bad these last few days. He says we are "ZIPPING" right along. We will have to watch our mileage or we will be done before the 26th.
We plan on staying in a motel tomorrow night and I look forward to that. Enough days in the wilderness in the south (Or I imagine anywhere) makes you want dryness and quiet.
We will only have a few miles to go on our final day, which will be good. I like the idea of finishing slowly and calmly. Without having to deal with miles and hours on the road. Thanks to my planners, I am happy!!
John and Heidi will be leaving Seattle this evening at 11:00 p.m. Last plane ride for Eli. Doctor says no more after this one. We are finally going to meet the little guy. Well with her permission pat the mama's belly.
We reach Jackson County and see a building nearby with a church across the street. We are near Larue MS.
We see the weather coming in and it is not pretty unless you are a storm watcher. It is menacing and coming in fast. We opt to stay right where we are and wait it out.
They have long eaves that protect us and the cart when it comes in a deluge of water. When it rains it is serious. Sitting on the cement steps, fighting with the red ants and trying to catch up on the journal.
Cars and trucks go by and no one is interested in us in the least. Not one person so much as rolled their window down and said "Hey what you doing!!"
It is rumbling and grumbling upstairs and we know there is more to come. The parking lot becomes a lake with a river flowing out the sides of it in an S formation. The grassy areas become little ponds and still the rain comes down. The first storm was steady down pour.
The second one that came through, you could see for miles. Big black angry clouds just a marching across the sky. This one came in with some wind to make it even more interesting. We had to cover everything even more.
The pavement just steams as the rain hits it. The temperature is still high and the rain doesn't cool anything. Just makes things damper.
When it looked like the sky was calming without the danger of more rain, we left. John went to the Church to fill our bottles. Thanks to the Larue Baptist Church we had full water bottles
A pretty 2 lane country road with no shoulders we ran along. Some of it is managed by timber companies. They cut and reforest and before too long they are cutting again. It grows much faster here in the south.
J3 calls to talk about the final plans. Final maps and changes. We didn't say it, but we all are excited about this adventure and the sucess of it.
It was hot and humid and we knew it. Drinking a lot to keep hydrated we sweat. We are headed into Latimer where we plan to find our last camping site. :( OH REALLY !!
John said there should be a church up here soon and we'll see what that brings. We are getting tired as we see the houses on top of the hill.
There are dogs galore as usual. Snarling and charging. Most of the houses have huge chain link fences surrounding them. Thankfully!! Not one of the animals jumped. :)
We see a church on top of the hill. THe Larue Assembly of God with one Pasto Mike Cauely. We find the phone number and John gives him a call and then one more. He said Sure you can stay there. In fact, we have an unoccupied house across from the church that has a carport and you feel free to set up under there. It has a table and chairs, electricity and water. If anyone bothers you just have them call me. Well, we thanked him and went across the expansive lawn of the church to our "LAST SITE"
We had tons of places to spread out all of our wet gear and try to dry some of them for morning. John was very busy plugging everything in and rearranging gear. I tried to tet some blogging done. Catching up.
It got darker and my eyes are older. Hard to see under a streetlight.
We set the tent up under the carport and dared it to rain.
There are mosquitos, ants, flies, salamanders, LARGE water bugs and who know what else.
It was our home for the night and we are happy for it.
J3 gets in touch with us and we FINALIZED some more running routes. Smiles on our faces we know the end is near.
We get our final bag of ice from a very kind gentleman who's name we didn't get. He was out to go to a football game and said he would drop the ice off on his way home. Thanks to him.
John woke up and got it about 10:30 and we settled down to sleep. Oh yeah K&J

When we looked out of the tent we did see a moon and stars, but thunder and lightening were not far behind. The weather moves faster here than anyone can imagine. We had the tent tarped up before too long and it started to rain and it rained all night long.
Not easy again, putting that wet gear on in the tent, but we did and got everything packed. It slowed up enough so that we could get out of our site.
Can't get away from the hills, so up we go.
We haven't seen rain clouds come in so fierce and mean looking. We had mist for awhile, but as we neared the Benndale Mart, it started.
We barely got inside the Air Conditioned building when the skies opened and the rain came down in sheets. It is an awesome thing to see on the inside, not so much running in it.
We were shivery from sweating and wet and the AC. But we were inside and safe. You can see the weather for miles and miles.
For a special treat John thought a gallon of milk would be good. He has had a craving for milk. So we had our usual southern biscuits and as much milk as anyone would or could drink. OH BOY !!
We enjoyed the local paper and watching the local people coming in for their needed Sunday papers and incidentals. Coming through the parking lots filled like lakes with rain.
We sat and waited until the skies cleared. Stocked up on a few fun things to eat and set out. It was blue out when we left.
We weren't on the road too long, when the weather caught up with us. The clouds started rolling in and the thunder was near and we felt the drops falling.
We were near a driveway with a sign on the end. We had enough time to rig up the big tarp around it like a teepee, get ourselves inside and tied the rest of the tarp around us. And it rained and blowed. We were sitting down waiting it out. This type of weather can exhaust you when you are out in it for awhile. We both fell asleep. One time John asked if I had. "Did you?" "Yeah, he said, I was dreaming" Excitement to say the least on this adventure of a lifetime.
About an hours worth of rain came and soon the ground doesn't accept anymore and it becomes a river of rushing water trying to get everywhere. We made little trenches and made sure the tarp was secure. Sitting for so long, cramps up our legs and we are sweaty from the running, but cold from the dampness of the rain.
It slowed down enough and sitting under a tarp does not get us any closer to the Gulf so up and at em we must.
We are trying to get to the Old Biloxi Road. Run Run Run Run on and on we went dry -wet- inside and out.
We are on secluded old roads with little movement. No cell coverage can make me a bit nervous.
We always have issues with dogs. Owners who have unchained multiple dogs charging, snarling and wanting to do great bodily harm to us.
So as the day comes to an end, we finally came to a point where we have to find shelter. We have reached Old Biloxi Road. On the right we turn and we find it is going to be 5 miles of unpaved dirt. This dirt has just had a nice long steady stream of rain pound down on it. Dirt and water equals mud. It is a bit mushy to say the least.
We start looking for a spot to set up and soon realize that there is a lot of acreage owned by private hunting clubs. We look at several nice places but they are not accessible because of the puddles and mud.
We ran over 2 miles more and finally find one that is. In we go to find a place that has been cleared a bit and some lumber has been dumped.
We set the tent up on a nice piece of plywood and arrange our campsite so in the event of more rain, we won't wash away.
taking our supper inside the tent to get away from the mosquitoes, yes they are here too.
We are dining on Saltine crackers and peanut butter and jelly, an apple, brownie and the last two cans of Dr. Pepper from Miss Carmen. Thank you.
No cell phone coverage again. Cars out on the road. No dogs barking.
Another full day of running. NO RAIN....NO RAIN..... K&J