Texas (Don't Mess)

Those still listening,

We are still here. I will ask you to keep in mind that I am tired and will more than likely need to add to/update this in the very near future.

Deciding this picture would look best from a seated position I dropped down onto the grass where I managed to find an ant hill and a dozen large angry looking burrs which found a home all along my back.

Yes we've made it to the Lone Star state -- a short ride into Wichita Falls. We're staying with another Couch Surfer - Daniel (yes yes I know) who has been fantastic just like our last Couch Surfing host. We're off through Texas for what looks to be the better part of the week - sparse, flat, and windy... at least it is flat. We're looking forward to seeing what Texas is about and also (hopefully) not getting shot/beaten/run over.

Flat, I love flat.

I've realized as we travel that the outcome of the day depends largely on the conduct of complete strangers. Every day we're asking for directions, help, and favors. Often we travel on roads with little or no shoulder and with every car that passes we rely on them to give us the little extra distance we need; Let alone the fact that we're counting on them to not just plain run us over. We've had a full range of experiences so far... good, bad, alright, and bad that was intended as good (and vice versa). I've been spat at, swerved at, honked at, yelled at, and engine braked in front of by a big black truck covered in Monster energy drink bumper stickers (EXTREME!). We've been given wrong directions, bad directions, and blank stares. Most importantly however (and this is coming from me remember) is the good.

Bird's nest - sunset.

Most of the nights we've had we've not payed a cent for a place to sleep. Sometimes it is because we're sneaky, but mostly it is because people have been generous or perhaps empathetic (It is becoming increasingly hard for me to be misanthropic.) One of our most effective strategies is just calling or stopping by a police station and asking if we can pitch our tent somewhere. This strategy has yet to be turned down and usually results in a nice city park with a covered area, water, and often power outlets. We've been caught camping in places we're not supposed to or haven't payed for and we've not yet been yelled at (one park official even gave us a free map). These have been helpful and have surprised me, but not nearly as much as the help and hospitality of those who have taken us into their homes.

Maigan, who we met through Couch Surfing, was amazing. She spoiled us completely and we found it extremely easy to talk ourselves into staying an extra day with her in Stillwater, OK. She made and purchased meals for us, got us snacks, showed us around town, and put us up for two nights. (Her coconut-banana-chocolate chip-waffles were oh-my-god-yum. ( I have a picture of her and these amazing waffles but I can not upload it right now... stay tuned!))

After being so spoiled and taking what had to be a combined total of 4 hours of showers (mostly Jesse) we headed off toward El Reno, OK. About 60 or 70 miles into our day we reached a town called kingfisher, which some of you may recognize as the birth place of Sam Walton of Walmart. The town it's self was oddly empty and somewhat creepy... but we managed to find signs of life and on our way out of the city ran in to two bikers who were just out for a ride around the town. They talked to us a bit and when they found out that we had no idea where we were going to sleep that night they offered to let us pitch our tent on their property and maybe grill out. We considered it but figured we'd use our last hour or so of light to make it to El Reno. It got dark fast and we were soon biking along the highway in complete black towards a city of moderate size which we hoped would have a campground or something, anything, any place we could sleep. After an hour or so we saw a casino, the only thing that looked open and moving in the 20 some miles we'd traveled since Kingfisher. We went in and found out that there wasn't any place to camp near by except maybe down by a river which no one seemed sure how to get to. Hungry, tired, and still without a clue as to where we would sleep, we got on our bikes and got ready to ride on. Just as we were about to bike off a man walked past and said "Good! you made it. I was worried about you guys." As we talked to him we found out that he'd passed us twice earlier in the day on his errands and when he learned that we were homeless for the night he offered to put us up in his house. He followed us into the city and helped us put our bikes in his garage; then he took us out to eat, talked to us about routes and told us his story. His name was Dr. Fred House... yes... Dr. House. Unlike the snarky TV personality however this Dr. House was exceedingly kind. A retired chiropractor, Fred moved to El Reno from Tulsa to help his sick Mother in Law who soon passed away, followed shortly by his own wife of some years. A bachelor now, he moved into a new place five months ago and spends his time with his grand children, volunteering, and playing slots at the casinos. Despite his recent tragedies he seemed positive and was amazingly generous. He insisted on giving us 100$ which he claimed was less than he would have lost if he'd gone into the casino and not seen us first. He gave us several maps, breakfast, health tips, and two large bags of multi-vitamins. Keeping in mind that this was not a couch surfer... just a man who wanted to help. In the morning he asked me if I was filled with dread or excitement. I said a little of both. "You don't look ready" he said. I told him that I never do, and we headed south and west toward Texas.

The sunset in between Stillwater and El Reno

As I write this I am in Daniel's house here in Wichita Falls. He's cooked for us, put us up, given us snacks and supplies and has done all of this in between his busy schedule as an Air Force Pilot in training. He's also taken in a stray dog he found a short while ago which he's removed 150+ ticks from and is trying to find a home for. The dog, duke, and I have been fighting over the couch all night.

Jesse and I have both been moved by all of this kindness from complete strangers -- we're not in mortal danger or without options, but still people are willing to make so many personal sacrifices to help us on our vacation. Unreal. I think we'll both be making some changes when we return.

Never did find out what this was

There are so many more stories to tell and things for me to meanderingly complain about. Alas, I must be up in a few hours. I promise to tell you soon of Steve the craziest man we've met and other wonderful selections. Stay on the edges of your seat, I'll write again soon.

But I can't leave without a list:

• Times dogs have chased us into the street:22
• Times I've considered using karate on a dog:9
• Times I've actually used karate on a dog:0 (I'm hoping this number holds here as I am not sure how susceptible dogs are to karate... also I don't actually know karate.)
• Danny's flat tires:3
• Jesse's flat tires:0
• Free maps: 5
• Good full 8 hour nights of sleep:0
• Nights where Jesse's hasn't moaned in his sleep:0 (not related to above)
• Incidents involving audible gunfire: 3
• Times we've been asked if we're missionaries: 2
• Danny's worst meal: Raw hot dogs and partially frozen energy bar.
• Jesse's worst meal: Bread with water on it ("You mash it together - sprinkle water on it - and then you slam it")
• Times we've left our soap behind: 2
• Favorite Location Name: Cookietown (Yes, it is real and it is in Oklahoma. No, no cookies appeared to be for sale)
  
• Fall count holding at 3 and 5!

Those asking about why Jesse is in so many of the photos should know that the only camera we have is mine and I will therefore be taking the majority of the photographs. He is not begging me for photos all day.

and just to clear up Jesse's last post...
It was 18 miles in the wrong direction... which meant another 18 miles to get back. Not bitter... just striving for journalistic integrity.

Enjoys long walks at sunset

Thanks to everyone who has signed up and followed our blog! We appreciate the support and all that.

-Danny