Today was another good day for the team, but a hot one. Even though they got an early start, it was already 71 degrees! Andy and Durkin began the day with the pants on, but they quickly moved to join Ken with shorts. It was also considerably windy, as it has been for the past couple days. The guys traveled 10 miles to Rule, TX where they stopped for breakfast. The town was very small, but luckily there was a diner for them to get some grub. Durkin said the breakfast was excellent, but the place did not have orange juice. He really was looking forward to some OJ, and was sad when he could not have some. After breakfast, they got back on the road.
Ten miles later, the trio wandered into Old Glory, TX. Durkin said it was nice to have towns every 10 miles, since there was really nothing between those towns. They attempted to get some Gatorade and water at a gas station, but after a little confusion found out it was not open for 2 more weeks. They drank some of the very warm Gatorade they had on them, took a break on some picnic tables in the shade for about a half hour, then moved on.
Moving toward Aspermont, TX (the ending point for the day), the guys saw a sign that said 11 miles to Aspermont. Only a minute or two later there was a sign that said 9 miles to Aspermont. Durkin said it was quite the time travel, and they must have set a world record! The day continued to get hotter, and the wind seemed to be relentless. A little while later, they came across a Moe's Liquor and Beer store. Luckily for the team, the store had ice cold water, that Durkin said tasted incredible! After slamming some water to quench their thirst, they wished they had savored it a bit more, but it was still well worth it. They also found a pair of sunglasses that Durkin said were "pimp!" and Andy wore them for the rest of the run.
Speaking of Andy, back on Day 20 they had heard of a pond where one could get a shark tooth. Ever since then, he has wanted a shark or animal tooth. Today he came very close to getting one from a coyote, but could not finish the deed. We wish you all luck in obtaining a tooth in the future! The day was hot and windy, and Durkin said it was tough in the hottest day they had yet on the road, but the three guys made it through another 30 plus mileage day.
When they rolled into Aspermont, they could hear some cheering and a PA system being used in a small stadium not too far away. Andy said he figured it was a track meet. They called Jeff, who was their contact for the night. Greg and Angie had helped them out finding them a place for tonight, and it would be with Jeff. When Jeff picked them up, he asked if it would be okay with them if he went over to the high school track meet to meet up with his wife and get the key to the house they would be staying in tonight. The guys agreed, and loaded up Jeff's vehicle. When they got to the meet, they were instant celebrities. They met so many people, including Lisa Meador who generously donated to the travel fund. Thanks Lisa! They also met Superintendent Cliff Gilmore, who graciously offered to buy the team lunch at the meet. Thank you! The guys took some pictures for the paper, and met a few more people. A few minutes later, the PA system announcer told everyone about the guys and their journey. They were welcomed on to the track surface with applause! What a great welcoming to Aspermont! One more thing about the high school that is very interesting is that it used to be a fallout shelter. It is an underground high school that is also used for a tornado shelter. Andy said they got a chance to go in and check it out, and it was pretty neat. About a 100m in length, and only one hallway. He had never seen such a thing, and thought it was definitely blog worthy.
After the meet, the guys went with Jeff to the house they would be staying in for the night. It was a house owned by the church that was being renovated. The church does not have a full time minister at this time, but once they do he will live in this house. For now, the Nation Run guys live in the 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house. It also has a laundry room, which they are taking full advantage of. Jeff then took them on a tour of Aspermont and to dinner. Andy and Durkin both said it was very cool because they were traveling around a lot of the backcountry they would not have seen on the road they are traveling. At dinner, Durkin said he had his first chicken fried steak. He really enjoyed it, and was glad he had a chance to experience it. He also said that it was easily twice the size of Andy and Ken's meal. I said to him that it seems as if there is a Food War brewing on this trip as to who can eat the most. Durkin laughed and then told me that I was right, and that he had really been going big the past couple of weeks.
After dinner Jeff took them on a little tour of Aspermont. One thing that Andy and Durkin both told me was that it was amazing how much land people own out in that area. One person could own miles of land in either direction! At one point, the group saw a herd of about 40 wild boar in the fields! Jeff admitted that this was one of the largest he had ever seen. They also went to see the only mountain in sight. Andy said that the traveling has been extremely flat, and that this mountain seemed to come out of nowhere. During the day's travel, the guys could see this mountain in the distance and guessed it was about 50 miles away. After running 30 miles to Aspermont, Jeff said the mountain was about 10-20 miles away. Ken and Durkin's guess was right on the money! They went to the mountain, and then headed back to the house.
Tomorrow should be another great day. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, and its a shorter 24 mile day. Along with that, they have another great contact to put them up for the night. Check back to see how it all goes! And as always...
Keep movin'!
- Rick
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