I am so disappointed I can’t post any pictures or videos today. Our internet is just too slow out here in southern Iowa. Yep, that’s right, I’m in IOWA! Whew, one more state to go. Anway, I guess I’ll have to post pictures or videos tomorrow.  

Wanna know what happens after 8 straight weeks of walking 5-6 hours a day? Well, in a word…BOREDOM! No, I’m serious. It gets boring. I’ve never been a person that actually enjoys walking to begin with, but after so many straight days of it, I think I’m really going a little nuts. When I first got into the routine of ASM4P, I actually looked forward to my walking. It was almost like a type of meditation, and I had heard of some people actually using walking as a form of meditation before I started this journey. I have had a lot of time for planning, strategizing, lots of deep thinking, and self-reflection. I still have all of those thoughts, but before it also seemed like something new happened practically every day.  

Remember the video I posted where I got lost in northern Kansas? I was actually really upset at the time, and I was worried about taking the risk of walking 5 miles down the potentially wrong road. Now? Heck, I don’t even write all the directions down I need, in the hopes that I will get lost and have to figure my way out of it. Today was one of those instances, but I’ll post the video of that soon. My written word just doesn’t paint a good enough picture of the joy I was experiencing being lost on a deserted road with almost no water and no cell service. Did I mention I was going nuts out there?

   Dogs? Ha, I laugh in their face when they growl and charge towards me. I was actually on the phone with my brother as I was walking a few days ago, and he said he could hear the dogs barking and coming for me. I told him I hope they try and bite me for once. Then I’ll have a good story to tell. Hmmm, no such luck. Yeah, did I mention I was going nuts out there?  

Ok, all kidding aside, I just got done reading an amazing book called “Coppola: A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq” by Dr. Chris Coppola. If you want to read a compelling book about some of the true heroes and some of the tragic realities of this war, you have got to read this book. In the book, Dr. Coppola talks about several specific personal events and situations that took place when he served as an emergency trauma surgeon during his two tours in Iraq. I really don’t want to give anything away, but I think Coppola gives a very unbiased look at some of the tragic situations facing the people (and specifically the children) of Iraq.  

Of course, you will have to wait to get this book because it isn’t available for the public quite yet. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy. Yeah, that’s right…I know people who know people. Take a picture, write it down, do whatever you have to do to remember to pick up this book. I had a hard time putting the book down in the evening, even when I was dog-tired from walking all day! I’ll let you know when it is available for the general public. 

Good-bye for now. I’m TIRED!!!

- Gunnar