What a day in Derby!

4-17-06

Start: Dexter, IN

Destination: Hwy 37, IN

Miles: 11.4

Weather: Cool and drizzly

I was awake for most of the storms last night. And it was one of those where it rained inside the tent. But once the ground-rumbling thunder stopped, I was out like a light. We didn't get any tornadoes, so that was a good thing.

Pam and Jim made coffee and breakfast for us this morning, and we even got a shower in their RV - how cool! We packed up our damp gear and hit the road toward the Derby Post Office for our mail drop pick-up. The Derby Post Office is actually one mile off the trail, so Jim and Pam drove us. When we got there it said it was closed until 12:30 - so we got dropped off in Dexter and got a few miles in.

We went to the Derby Tavern for lunch, and we finally got to meet Ed Whitcomb, the former governor. Richard from Aurora worked really hard to get us to meet up, and Ed and I didn't have much luck communicating - we kept missing each other. But Herb and Debbie, who know Ed well, knew he was at the tavern for coffee - so we met him there. We met Herb on the road earlier.

After lunch, Pam and Jim brought us back to the PO and we got our package. They got to watch us try to sort everything out evenly - so one of us didn't have more weight than the other. What a treat for them! :)

By the way, thanks to those who sent us goodies!

We hiked trails after leaving the Post Office and saying sad good-byes to our hometown visitors. And once out from the trail, Debbie came to pick us up and bring us to meet the governor. We had dinner with Ed, Evelyn, Roberta, and Jim. What a great group of people!

I was told that Ed is a very interesting man with many great stories. To name just a couple - he traveled the country at age 15 by way of hitchhiking and freight trains, and at 72 he sailed around the world - solo! He is now in the process of writing his third book. I know there are more stories, but unfortunately time ran out, and we had to hit the bed - this will certainly be a place we'd love to come back to visit.

Tomorrow we hope to get ourselves back on track with our routine - we're back in the central time zone, now, so we're a little messed up. But we gained an hour, so that's pretty cool.

posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 7:33 AM

Feedback

# re: What a day in Derby! 4/18/2006 10:03 AM Tricia B

You guys are amazing!! Please keep posting! I read all of them, sitting here at my desk pining to be out doing an adventure. I may just have to take a week off an join up with you!! (never really walked/hiked for more than an hour and a half so don't be looking for me!!!!)

God bless and be safe!!

# re: What a day in Derby! 4/18/2006 10:29 AM Shopping Buddy

Since you have not mentioned Poison Ivy rash I guess you did not get any more after worrying about that area where you thought it was everywhere. That is great.If you can find some Tecnu, it is great for decontaminating after poison ivy/oak contact. You guys just keep trucking on, doing great and racking up the miles. Keep checking for the ticks. Unfortunately they are going to get worse now the weather has warmed up. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

# re: What a day in Derby! 4/18/2006 4:54 PM Siri

I think you'd be surprised at how many people who are following your journey think of you like family. When you feel alone on the trail, know that there are a lot of people trekking along with you in spirit. Take care! Siri

# re: What a day in Derby! 4/18/2006 5:55 PM sept1c_tank

As promised, I have blogged about your expedition and our encounter. You can read it here: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-sjVEOaE_cqqJqF0k2MTik67uvFUN9Yw3rjE-?cq=1
I hope you enjoyed your first geocache; I'm sure there are plenty more along your route. If you would like, I can research a few of them you will be passing and post the coordinates here. I know you need practice using that Garmin etrex Vista, so just say yes and I'll go to work. Richard.

# re: What a day in Derby! 4/19/2006 3:33 AM Kandi

Thought about you two on Easter also-We were all there in spirit. Keep getting closer to St Louie-Love you-Kandi

# re: What a day in Derby! 4/19/2006 8:40 AM MM Seester

I bet it was good to see some folks from home. Can hardly wait to catch up with you myself. I have the socks & have checked out some shopping stops in the area - get your lists together & your Seesters will be at the ready. Being related to some of the greatest eaters/snackers on this earth I can hardly believe you did not have more food in your pack on Easter --- have your priorities changed??? :)- see you soon - with you in spirit.

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