DAY 101~12/24/21

I walked a total of 15.6 miles today. Another milestone was hit today as I reached the ocean waters of the gulf in Port Lavaca. I actually freaking did it. I walked to a coastal ocean/ body of water!

Joan walked this morning and the segment before the long bridge over to Port Lavaca, walking 11.8 miles. It was a gorgeous sunny day in the high 70s. It was very windy but that kept me cool all day.

As we turned on Highway 35 towards Port LaVaca a police officer turned on his lights and pulled over to the shoulder where we were walking. He got out of his vehicle and said where are y’all going? We told him the story, he rolled his eyes and said whoa that’s crazy. He told us to be careful because the town of Port LaVaca turns from a 1000 population town to 6000 population during the week because the plastic plant that’s just outside of the town employs 5000 people. He said during rush hour the drivers will run people over because they are going 80 miles an hour in a 55 mile speed zone. He wished us well and told us to be safe and careful. Thank goodness we’re not walking during the workday. And it’s Christmas Eve so traffic is really light.

About a mile further down the road, that same officer, Brett Zable badge #603, approached us again. He said he called into the chief and got permission to be a police escort as we walked across the bridge! I couldn’t believe it. Joan decided that she did not want to walk across the bridge with the high winds. With the police escort we were able to walk on the road in the right hand lane with a police car behind us with 41 lights flashing. Without that we would’ve had to have walked on a raised narrow strip of cement to the right of the lane.

Greg joined me for the 2.4 miles on the bridge. That was just so special!! We saw many seagulls flying near and a pelican flew right over us! We knew our mother was with us! Watching the pelicans was one of her favorite things she did in Port Aransas once she was diagnosed.

I was asked twice today if I needed a ride or I was OK. A sweet faced man in a nice new red truck stopped on the highway and backed up to us to asked if we were OK. We waved and said yes we’re OK and Merry Christmas. He pulled away with a big smile. Another gentleman stopped and asked if I needed a ride. The kindness continues!

We went to Walmart to get groceries this afternoon before they closed for Christmas Eve. We found no restaurants open tonight or tomorrow. We enjoyed a rotisserie chicken and some potato salad tonight. I have a day off tomorrow so the feet are definitely going to be up and we are going to celebrate the Christmas spirit!

Merry Christmas everyone!