Run the Cross

Following doctor’s orders is generally not an Ellis strength. However, in this case I am going to do that…..at least somewhat.

For the previous 2 days I have had significant blood (or muscle tissue) in my urine. My nephew Dr. Nathan Ellis expressed a great concern that my muscles were tearing down and I was risking severe damage to the kidneys.

So, I took an easy day today and walked a slow 11 miles until my gracious brother Wayne arrived; he was going to help me for a few days. Instead, I am going to take 2 days off and recover at Nicole and Jeremy’s house in Andover KS. Being with my 4 granddaughters will be tough work.😀😀😀😀

I have really enjoyed the comments and “likes.” It’s been fun trying to figure out some of the likes: where I met them, or whether a friend of a friend, or how they found out about this.

Don’t leave; Lord willing I will be back on the road Wednesday after a lot of food and liquids.

It was a mixed bag day. It started with Marcy and Rielly dropping me at my starting place and then heading to Oklahoma. It was a little sad seeing the car drive away.

The south wind was already blowing as I took off in my backpack. I quickly discovered the the overnight rain had muddied the shoulder of the road. It was a muddy challenge all day stepping on and off the pavement.

After a few moments of thinking of the negatives at the start, I thought “I need to think of my blessings.” Almost immediately Deputy Sheriff Logan Lawson slowed down and asked me if I needed help. When I told him what I was doing, he pulled over and wanted to hear more. We had a good visit and I went down the road with a brighter outlook.

The next town had this marquee below which said “count your blessings.” Other blessings of the day: Petersburg had a great park for a break and water; clouds rolled in with only a light rain, bringing a cool north tailwind. For the first time in several days, I didn’t have to fight a strong headwind.

And Marcy had made me a hotel reservation in Albion. I kept thinking “I’ll be in Albion tonight.” I thought it was catchy.

A 30.6 mile mixed bag of adventure!

A couple of literal milestones today: this morning I crossed over the Missouri River into Nebraska. One more state behind me. And early this afternoon I passed the 500 mile mark. Actually there wasn’t a mark, just trees. I ate a fig newton and had a drink of water to celebrate.

The terrain changed dramatically in one day: from vast open farmland to to rolling hills, more trees and pasture land. For the entire journey, the old homesteads, houses and barns have been really interesting - like the one below. That looks like a 50’s or 60’s car parked in the barn.

Thinking today - I am the most blessed person. My wife is so supportive of my craziness. She has been here since Sunday night and it is tiring work being the crew: finding and making hotel reservations (it’s been a lot harder than we thought); getting medicines, medications, braces, etc.; draining and doctoring blisters; taking care of the food and liquid needs; driving many, many miles to get me to the start, bring lunch, and picking me up at the end of the day.

Without her I would be in a lot worse shape and many miles back up the road. Thank you, honey!

Crossing the Missouri River, entering Nebraska. Dakotas done!!!

Who was the wise guy who planned a north to south journey in late summer, knowing the prevailing south wind? And who was the wise guy who said it’s a different heat, a dry heat with low humidity?

However, it was a productive day totaling 30.3 miles. I was able to run quite a bit of the first few miles until the wind cranked up. When the corn stalks start waving at me, running is not effective. Then when the corn stalks start bowing to me (not like Joseph in the Bible), even walking becomes a challenge.

Marcy and Rielly brought lunch at 18 miles and a nice gentlemen named Brent stopped 3 miles later and gave me a big bottle of Gatorade, helping me make it to the end.

I finished 4 miles west of Springfield. I am so close to Nebraska, I can smell it (no offense intended, though their football team could use some).

Marcy hit the jackpot; she got us 2 nights stay at this resort at the Lewis and Clark recreation area on the Missouri River near Yankton SD. This is the view out our front door.

It will take a little more driving to get me back and forth, but will be worth it!!