After waking up, I enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with Donn and Barb. We talked a lot about their travels, including a recent bus tour of the Southwestern United States. They were thinking a bus tour that included a tour of the Columbia River Gorge and Portland may be on the agenda for next summer. During this talk I realized that taking a trip to Washington DC would be a lot closer than one to Portland, OR.
I hit the road determined to make up at least part of the distance I had skimped out on over the past couple of days. I stopped into Osmond, the town I wanted to reach the day before, for a lunch of gas station pizza. I also stopped for a similar meal in the next town of Randolph.
As I was leaving Randolph, I noticed the tallest building I had seen since Chadron on the east end of town off of the highway. I walked up to the base of St. Frances Catholic Church and admired the beautiful structure for awhile. Sandy was leaving the church and let me take a look inside at the amazing chapel that recently had several paintings done by a well renowned artist from Norfolk. She wished me well on my travels and let me know that the cafe in Belden was worth a stop.
I finished the eight miles into Belden and set up shop in the city park. Not more than five minutes after getting there Jody, the member of the town's council in charge of parks, showed up in his pickup and said "you must be the runner." Wondering how he knew, he said the owners of the bar had called him to get the showers at the local pool set up for me. The owners knew of my presence thanks to Sandy from the church who had offered to cover my meal for the evening. Jody didn't want to get the showers set up so he offered me a shower and dinner with his family.
After a great dinner with Jody, his wife Melissa and three young daughters Jaden, Madyson, and Cameron, we took a little walking tour of the town. We walked to the pool, abandoned school building and talked for awhile with their neighbor who had seen me on the road earlier that day. At bedtime I head back to the city park to camp under the picnic shelter. Remembering my lesson from Orchard, I pitched a tent this time around. I was very fortunate to meet such a great family who offered great hospitality.
I hit the road determined to make up at least part of the distance I had skimped out on over the past couple of days. I stopped into Osmond, the town I wanted to reach the day before, for a lunch of gas station pizza. I also stopped for a similar meal in the next town of Randolph.
As I was leaving Randolph, I noticed the tallest building I had seen since Chadron on the east end of town off of the highway. I walked up to the base of St. Frances Catholic Church and admired the beautiful structure for awhile. Sandy was leaving the church and let me take a look inside at the amazing chapel that recently had several paintings done by a well renowned artist from Norfolk. She wished me well on my travels and let me know that the cafe in Belden was worth a stop.
I finished the eight miles into Belden and set up shop in the city park. Not more than five minutes after getting there Jody, the member of the town's council in charge of parks, showed up in his pickup and said "you must be the runner." Wondering how he knew, he said the owners of the bar had called him to get the showers at the local pool set up for me. The owners knew of my presence thanks to Sandy from the church who had offered to cover my meal for the evening. Jody didn't want to get the showers set up so he offered me a shower and dinner with his family.
After a great dinner with Jody, his wife Melissa and three young daughters Jaden, Madyson, and Cameron, we took a little walking tour of the town. We walked to the pool, abandoned school building and talked for awhile with their neighbor who had seen me on the road earlier that day. At bedtime I head back to the city park to camp under the picnic shelter. Remembering my lesson from Orchard, I pitched a tent this time around. I was very fortunate to meet such a great family who offered great hospitality.
Inside of St. Frances Church
Thanks Holden. It was very nice to meet you and the girls keep asking when you are going to stop again. They talk about you a lot still. Jody says next time we will have good burgers not cajun (burnt) ones. We wish you well on the rest of your journey and a safe trip home.
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