MAY 20TH 2010 DAY EIGHTEEN

Today was an extremely long day but a very productive one. I not only logged some positive miles, but became more acclimated to this ridiculously hot weather. I also came up with a better way to negotiate this weather and miles of nothingness. This next stretch will be challenging because there is nothing and I do mean nothing, for thirty miles. No gas stations, structures or shade the entire leg. I learned last night that it wasn't bad as I walked into darkness. I will walk my next leg in the afternoon, evening and night to escape some of this heat. The wind was strong but helpful on this leg, but will be absent on the next leg and the temperature is expected to increase. Today I was turned around at a Marine base gate and told I had to walk all the way back around. As I got to the freeway I decided the hell with this and began to walk up the on ramp. I continued on to the freeway and kicked it in to high gear. As I walked, I was worried about getting stopped by the California Highway Patrol for being on THEIR highway. Halfway through my short time on the freeway, I was passed by some lost bicyclist, whom by the way, was all outfitted in his Tour De France garb and seemed to be on the wrong continent and a month early. As he passed by me, I couldn't help but think, that I was going to be okay because if he was on here, I can be on here. Just as I began to feel more comfortable, officer Pauncherello rolls up on me and pulls me over, or whatever you want to call it. He asked if I was okay and wanted to know if I was out for a walk. I replied with, "I guess you could say that," and ended up explaining my situation. In a three minute conversation with him, he used the word 'desolate' with me on three different occasions and asked how much water I had on me three more times. I appreciated and understood his concern for me, and he eventually holstered his weapon, took his foot off the back of my neck, uncuffed me and allowed me to stand up. Only kidding, he was professional and sympathetic and allowed me to stay on the freeway until the next off ramp. He wished me well, and I told him how much I loved his TV show. Once I reached the off ramp, I found a trail and pushed on. I wish there were fun or interesting facts to write about but it is just what you might imagine, an unbearable heat filled route with nothing in sight for miles. I get to look forward of days of the same. I will try and stir up some trouble or kick a bees nest, so I have something more to write about. It is miserable walking, but the desert has a beautiful landscape and I am happy to be here. Thanks for being a part of day eighteen.

*Mackenzie learned on her travel to Germany and Spain what Nutella was. She fell in love immediately. I remember when a security member at the airport told her she could not bring her open jar on the aircraft and that she would have to throw it in his trash can. The look she gave me was one of pure shock. You would have thought that he had just told her she wasn't allowed to leave the country, which I actually thought might end up happening before she would part with her jar. The only way I got her on the aircraft was by assuring her that Nutella is now available in the U.S. The bottom line is Kenzie loved Nutella... straight out of the jar.