Karma was a real trooper on the trip. She ran next to me for approximately 8 miles. It makes for a slow journey, assuring she doesn't get too tired, but it is really nice having her with me. We went into the Kent Mercantile to take a break and rest for the night. I ambled in the store with my adorable sidekick, Karma which melted the heart of the woman working there. I asked about camping for the night and she assured me it was very acceptable to camp behind the store. However, after scouting out the surroundings, I chose to camp behind the above ground gas and diesel tanks further behind the store and next to the storage building.
I asked if there was a place where I could charge my cell phone and computer. The woman allowed me to unplug a minute Christmas tree, the only decoration in the store, to charge my electronics. Karma kept warm by the space heater on the floor – effectively taking over the store as the “mascot” nodding at patrons of this shop in the middle of nowhere. With two bean and cheese burritos lovingly heated in the microwave, I began to eat, charge my gear and chat with the woman.
These conversations are really why I love my journey. We are worlds apart politically and geographically, but we certainly got along famously. (In fact, the following morning as I was packing up to leave, she showed up at the store with her sister-in-law to get some supplies for their morning breakfast. She made a point of telling me that she really enjoyed speaking with me because I made her afternoon go by just that much quicker.) We talked about our children, our experiences and what things are important. She spoke with supreme pride when she stated that she and her husband have no debt. Oh, how I was envious of her.
I told her what I pay monthly in after tax alimony and child support payments. She nearly had a stroke. She said, “That is more than my husband and I make per month combined. And we are happy.” I assured her that my wife had advised my children that the amount given was insufficient. She asked how they would know. With a smirk, a knowing glance and a hand gesture indicating an opening and closing mouth, she suddenly stopped her questioning. She was appalled that children would know such details of a divorce. So am I, frankly. Such is my existence.
After some lengthy discussions, she needed to close the store, and I needed to get my tent set up for my canine companion. With a bit of a cell phone signal, and Internet access, I chatted with friends, told family and friend I loved them. And cried myself to sleep, thinking of my children after texting them. However, as fate would have it, the store and gas tanks were no more than 75 feet from a well traversed railroad track. With diesel engines running through the night, Karma and I were arisen by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (one of Buffett's many investments) trains. By the 4
th time, Karma was accustomed to the whistle, the rumble, and the roar of the pushing engine, final car.
We arose on Christmas morning and took our time getting ready. And just at the moment I was ready to roll, I realized I had a flat tire, again. Sigh. Fortunately, this didn't take very long. I'm beginning to be like an Indy pit crew when it comes to changing tires.
We headed out with a goal of 52 miles for the day. A seemingly easy distance considering the time we left and the time of sunset. But alas, as John Lennon said in one of my favorite song,
Beautiful Boy, “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” Karma could not be convinced to ride in the trailer on this ridiculously untraveled farm road. In 28 miles, we were passed by 6 cars. So for the most part, with the exception of a few long descents, Karma kept the pace. We didn't make 52 miles, but we did have fun.
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| Moon setting in the western Texas sky. |
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| A ranch entrance with wreaths |
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Karma resting
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| Karma providing love |
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| Relaxing |
Along the way, I heard a rustling in some brush to our right. I stopped and Karma and I noted 8 peccaries scampering up a steep embankment like mountain goats might. There was a very young peccary in the herd, and for an instant, I thought of the movie Babe and expected the piglet to shout, “La, la, la, LAAAAAA!” So much for fantasies.
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| Like Where's Waldo - this and the following picture it's Where's the Peccary |
A hawk later teased Karma. I'm convinced the hawk knew what it was doing. The hawk, of which type I am completely unaware, took off from a fence post in front of us. Karma began a pursuit as quickly as she could. The hawk took its time to take off, and gain altitude. It knew it was in a superior position and had played this game previously. It flew just above the shoulder of the road for a few hundred yards with Karma in hot pursuit. Then when the hawk tired of the charade, it ascended into the skies. Karma stopped. She turned and looked at me as I continued pedaling toward her. She stared at me as my bicycle approached her as if to say, “How did I not catch that bird?”
Beside the road, unbeknownst to me, there was a carcass that I passed. Karma didn't miss it. After a few moments of subdued then silenced jingling from her collar tags, I stopped, knowing Karma had stopped behind me. I looked back and saw her sniffing something on the ground. I called her to come but she wouldn't. I became a bit concerned about what she might be doing when I saw her rolling in something. I pedaled back to where she was. She was rolling in the skeleton of what must have been a deer. Sigh. This is what dogs do I suppose.
A bit later, I saw a carcass of a deer that was much more recently killed on the roadside. I forced Karma to the other side of the road, but her olfactory nerves were attuned to the delightful smell. We had an argument about the carcass. Fortunately, I won, but only after some literal dancing that occurred with both of us trying to get what we wanted.
Further down the road, I heard a consistent flapping sound that I could not immediately identify. It was unfortunately another flat, but this time on the trailer. A few minutes elapsed and we were on our way again, but not before taking a few photos of the surroundings.
We were climbing a rather long hill when I stopped to take a breather. Just at this time, a pickup truck was coming the opposite direction and stopped to ask if everything was OK with us. I assured them we were fine, and just taking a break. They offered me some cold water and I stated, “I've learned to never say no to water.” They asked about our journey and wished us well and a happy holiday. I found that part a bit unusual for a pickup driving Texan.
At one point on one of the climbs, both Karma and I hear some sort of a howl. We weren't certain what it was (Much later in the evening, we heard a similar but louder howl and was definitively closer. My best guess is that it was a small pack of wolves.).
We stopped abruptly on the road as Karma was running because a cattle grate was present. The grate was too much for Karma to leap or consider leaping. I am not training her to leap just to get through Texas. That's all there is to it. I picked her up and carried her across the grate to the other side. She wagged her tail in thanks. We proceeded on to a picnic area along the route and made it our home for the evening.
There was a hushed quiet to the air. With just a “caw” from crows hundred of feet in the air. Karma and I looked skyward, two crows went south and the other went north. The solo crows wings could be heard flapping against the air, even from a few hundred feet. It was a quiet spiritual moment.
I strolled to a nearby creek right behind the campsite. There was some water in it, however, it was frozen. Not a good sign for the night.
52 miles were the goal for the day. 28 happened. They were great all around. My knee hurts. My back hurts, but Karma. She ran for nearly 20 miles, though many times I stopped and offered her a break in the trailer and other times I insisted she go in the trailer. Love that girl.
So in our tent we cuddle, hearing howls of animals and a soft zephyr to put us to sleep. Oh, wait, the runner is already asleep, warming my hip as I write. I think I'll join her.
Much love to you all. I miss you.
Further down the road, I heard a consistent flapping sound that I could not immediately identify. It was unfortunately another flat, but this time on the trailer. A few minutes elapsed and we were on our way again, but not before taking a few photos of the surroundings.
At one point on one of the climbs, both Karma and I hear some sort of a howl. We weren't certain what it was (Much later in the evening, we heard a similar but louder howl and was definitively closer. My best guess is that it was a small pack of wolves.).
you are right about the children knowing to much about the divorce. It is a shame. No child should ever have to be so involved in their mothers problems as those poor children are.
ReplyDeleteThe dog pictures are just so lovely.