Trail of Hope

Yesterday I woke up in my cabin and looked outside. There, with the mountains and the river, was a thick yet beautiful fog surrounding the area. It was quite a scene. I had my cup of water outside the cabin so I could enjoy the view for a bit. I started my day at around 5am in an attempt to walk as much as possible without the heavy heat. I have to make more frequent stops along the way due to the heat, so my days are getting longer and longer. I start early and end late.

As I walked along the woods throughout most of the way, I noticed I was getting bitten by a variety of insects. Also, I find I have to remove a few ticks from my body each night before I go to bed. This is just another element of nature!

As usual, there was nothing to eat along the journey. When I arrived in Ellington, it was my first chance to get some food. It was a small little town and there were only about one or two restaurants but they were closed. The only place that was open was one of those dollar stores. I went inside and was able to buy a can of beef stroganoff, microwavable instant pasta and a can of beans.

When I got to my motel, I was lucky to have a microwave in my room. I heated up my noodles and the beef stroganoff and mixed beans with the beef to make it heartier. It was a great feast and I was very thankful that I was able to enjoy a solid meal!

Today I’m headed towards Eminence where I’ll rest for the night.

(Please share your thoughts and this blog. Sharing is Caring!)

Your Dimension Of Greatness

No one can know the potential,
Of a life that is committed to win;
With courage – the challenge it faces,
To achieve great success in the end!

So, explore the Dimension of Greatness,
And believe that the world CAN be won;
By a mind that is fully committed,
KNOWING the task can be done!

Your world has no place for the skeptic,
No room for the DOUBTER to stand;
To weaken your firm resolution
That you CAN EXCEL in this land!

We must have VISION TO SEE our potential,
And FAITH TO BELIEVE that we can;
Then COURAGE TO ACT with conviction,
To become what GOD MEANT us to be!

So, possess the strength and the courage,
To conquer WHATEVER you choose;
It’s the person WHO NEVER GETS STARTED,
That is destined FOREVER to lose!

    ~ Author Unknown ~

  ( Please share your thoughts and this blog.  Sharing is Caring!)

It seems that I went from the heat in the plains to the heat and mountains of Missouri. Yesterday I walked through the seemingly untouched land. I saw a lot of deer and birds along the journey. Everything around me was green except for the road. There were not a lot of cars and absolutely no houses in sight.  It is just me, the road, and nature all around.

As the day started to come to a close, I managed to find lodging for the evening. In the middle of nowhere, I scored a great deal on a log cabin for the evening. Unfortunately there weren’t any places to get food nearby. After walking all day in the heat, I was very hungry.

The cabin was located in a wooded area near the crystal clear Black River. As I was standing outside, overlooking the river, I happened to look up at the sky. Due to its isolation from the hustle and bustle of neighborhoods or cities, the sky presented a brilliant display of stars. I found that being surrounded by the breathtaking displays of nature, I could temporarily forget about my hunger and exhaustion.   

I rested for the evening, know that they following day would be another long and hungry day. I had a few granola bars to munch on but I’m starting to get sick of those little bars. At one point on the Trail, I remember missing good home cooked meals. At this point, I’ll take any kind of meal!  I also miss the simple joy of cold water. For the past month it seems my water will heat up to boiling before noon each day!

I’m still headed in the direction of Springfield. The weather over the next few days is supposed to be close to 100 degrees and humid. I’m hoping for the best.

(Please share your thoughts and this blog. Sharing is Caring!)

Exactly 35 years a go, a young man from Poland accompanied by his friend, decided to move to the United States of America. The pair was looking for adventure in an unknown land. They wanted to explore the rich land of promise and opportunity and see first hand what life in America was like.

I was one of those young men. In 1976 I arrived in the United States on the brink of America’s bicentennial. As a youngster, I was excited to come to America but I didn’t know what to expect. Here I am, 35 years later on the Trail of Hope, paying tribute to the Lenni-Lenape Indians as I walk 2,000 miles through six states.

It feels amazing to be embarking on this unique adventure. It is a journey like this which energizes me and reminds me of one of the many reasons I came to America. I’ve enjoyed learning and sharing the history of this country along the way.

For the longest time the principals of Love, Peace and Amity have been a part of my heart and soul. This tribute to the Lenni-Lenape Indians, as well as all the Indians who traveled along the Trail of Tears, stems from the importance and high regard I have for these principals.

As I walk though the “virgin” forests of Missouri, I can recall from historical lessons and memories of what life might have been like not 35 years but 300 years ago. Today in these beautiful forests there are no barb wire fences or public posting signs. Everything remains free of obstructions, open and untouched.

It is moments like this, when I feel a strong connection not only to nature but to the history which has been laid out on the very ground I walk on, where I feel great joy. It is an honor and a privilege to share and spread Love, Peace and Amity, 35 years later.

(Please share your thoughts and this blog. Sharing is Caring!)

Yesterday I arrived in Arcadia, Missouri. It is a small town of about 600 or so inhabitants. Arcadia is one of three towns which are sort of clustered around one area. The second town is Ironton and to the north of that is Pilot Knob. While exploring these towns I happened to come upon this plaque which is dedicated to the pioneers who settled in the area many years ago.

 I found the plaque very interesting and it sparked my thoughts to consider the plight of people who came to this country 250 to 300 years ago. Many of these people were persecuted in Europe and had the hope that a better life lie across the ocean. These people had a lot of faith and perseverance. At times, we don’t really think or talk about the early pioneers that built a life for future generations. It is important to take a moment to remember their dedication and struggle.

On an unrelated note I encountered a very generous individual during my travels recently. A few days ago, I met a gentleman named Greg. I was resting under a tree near a church when he came over to me and offered me some fresh water.  We spoke for a brief time as I shared with him a little about the Trail. After our quick exchange, I continued my walk.

Yesterday as I was heading towards Arcadia, Greg found me along the Trail. He stopped and gave me water and some Powerbars for the journey. It is the generosity of strangers like Greg that keep me going each day. Their kindness is inspiring and I am so happy to share a part of the Trail with each person I encounter.

(Please share your thoughts and this blog. Sharing is Caring!)

            Today I’m resting in Arcadia. The weather forecast is threatening really severe storms. Tomorrow I’ll continue walking towards Springfield.

Yesterday I started walking early in the morning. By 9am I was soaking wet from head to toe. It was as if I had jumped into a swimming pool with all of my clothes on. As expected, the weather was very hot and extremely humid. While I had many trees to hide under when I needed a break from the sun, the humidity was inescapable.

A small relief arrived when a large thunderstorm rumbled through the area for about 30 minutes. I was lucky to find shelter under some trees. The thunderstorms in this area are like no other. They are loud, powerful and there can be a lot of rumbling thunder and spectacular lightening before a drop of rain hits the ground. It was very interesting watching the sky light up and listening to the massive booms as the storm went on.

The terrain reminds me a little bit of the western section of Pennsylvania with the rolling hills. However, as I walked through Pennsylvania it was snowing on and off. It has been interesting witnessing the seasons change. Another difference between the two areas is that there are not a lot of houses as I walk along the rolling hills of Missouri. There are 20 to 30 miles between small towns. This is problematic when there are no places to get some food or water throughout the entire length of the daily walk. Also, there isn’t much traffic on the roads I am traveling on.

Yesterday I walked about 30 miles and unfortunately was unable to have a lot of food. I finally reached a motel in Fredericktown around 9pm. While it was an exhausting day, I’m still just pushing though it with all the strength and energy I can muster. Today I’m headed towards Arcadia as I continue westward across Missouri.

(Please share your thoughts and this blog. Sharing is Caring!)

Our time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

Life’s circumstances are not always what you might wish them to be.The pattern of life does not necessarily go as you plan.Beyond any understanding , you may at times be led in different directions that you never imagined , dreamed,or designed.Yet if you have never put any effort into choosing a path , or tried to carry out your dream , then perhaps you would have no direction at all.
Rather than wondering about or questioning the direction your life has taken , accept the fact that there is a path before you now.

Shake off the ”why’s” and ”what if’s” ,and rid yourself of confusion.Whatever was- is in the past.Whatever is – is what’s important.
The past is a brief reflection.The future is yet to be realized.Today is here.Walk your path one step at a time – with courage , faith , and determination.Keep your head up , and cast your dreams to the stars.Soon your steps will become firm and your footing will be solid again.A path that you never imagined will become the most comfortable direction you could have ever hoped to follow.
Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, Injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create who you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.

If someone loves you, love them back, unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to little things.

Make  every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen.
Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high.

Hold  your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you.

( Please share your thoughts and this blog.  Sharing is Caring!)

It has officially been three full months on the Trail of Hope. While it hasn’t been an easy Trail, it has most certainly been an unforgettable experience. It has been great meeting different people along the way. I am very grateful for everyone who supports me, especially those who send me notes or comment on the blog with well wishes. It is these little tokens of good wishes that renew my spirit and build up a positive energy within my heart.

The Trail has been full of exciting encounters and challenging conditions. I should have expected the weather to be hot since it is the summer time. However, it is extremely hard to prepare physically and mentally in advance for such a journey. While sometimes I have my down days, I really can’t complain. I’m very happy that I took this mission upon myself. My greatest expectation was to share this experience with everyone I encounter.

One of the most surprising elements of the Trail has been the vastness of the Plains states. While I’ve seen the Plains in movies in the past, I never realized just how different they would appear in person. When you’re walking along a road in an area like this, everything seems so far away. It is one long stretch where the horizon appears to be the only concrete thing you can see. Yet as the days get longer and the heat rises to intense temperatures, the landscape seems to change and become larger and more and more immeasurable.

I am happy with my progress and have found that despite the challenges, I’ve been able to overcome obstacles with perseverance and a good heart. Once again I am eternally grateful for the support from everyone out there encouraging me along this mission. It is your kind and thoughtful words that help me to continue each day.

(Please share your thoughts and this blog.  Sharing is Caring!)

Nu na hi du na tlo hi lu I
Trail of Where They Cried
 
“One by one Indian people were removed to the West. The Delaware, the Ottawa, Shawnee, Pawnee and Potawatomi, the Sauk and Fox, Miami and Kickapoo, the Choctaw, Chicksaw, Creek and Seminole. In some 90,000 Indians were relocated. The Cherokee were among the last to go. Almost two thousand of them died along the route westward which they remembered as the Trail of Tears.”

During the roundup intimidation and acts of cruelty at the hands of the troops, along with the theft and destruction of property by local residents, further alienated the Cherokees. Finally, Chief Ross appealed to President Van Buren to permit the Cherokees to oversee their own removal. Van Buren consented, and Ross and his brother Lewis administered the effort. The Cherokees were divided into 16 detachments of about 1,000 each.

Three detachments of Cherokees, totaling about 2,800 persons, traveled by river to Indian Territory. The first of these groups left on June 6th by steamboat and barge from Ross’s Landing on the Tennessee River. They followed the Tennessee as it wound across northern Alabama, including a short railroad detour around the shoals between Decatur and Tuscumbia Landing. The route then headed north through central Tennessee and Kentucky to the Ohio River. The Ohio took them to the Mississippi River, which they followed to the mouth of the Arkansas River. The Arkansas led northwest to Indian Territory, and they arrived aboard a steamboat at the mouth of Salisaw Creek near Fort Coffee on June 19th.

The rest of the Principal People traveled to Indian Territory overland on existing roads. They were organized in detachments ranging in size from 700 to 1,600 with each detachment headed by a conductor and an assistant conductor appointed by John Ross.

The most commonly used overland route followed a northern alignment, while other detachments followed more southern routes. The northern route started at Tennessee, and crossed central Tennessee, southwestern Kentucky, and southern Illinois. After crossing the Mississippi River north of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, these detachments trekked across southern Missouri and the northwest corner of Arkansas.

Road conditions, illness, and the distress of winter, particularly in Southern Illinois while detachments waited to cross the ice-choked Mississippi, made death a daily occurrence. Mortality rates for the entire removal and its aftermath were substantial, totaling approximately 8,000.

“I saw the helpless Cherokees arrested and dragged from their homes, and driven at the bayonet point into the stockades. The trail of exiles was a trail of death. They had to sleep in wagons and on the ground without fire.” – Private John G. Burnette

In the Indian Territory problems quickly developed among the new arrivals and Cherokees who had already settled, especially as reprisals were taken against the contingent who had signed the Treaty of New Echota. As these problems were resolved, the Cherokees proceeded to adapt to their new homeland and they reestablished their own system of government, which was modeled on that of the United States.

“A common ancestry promotes understanding between Cherokee full bloods and mixed bloods. They are poles apart in many respects but, under the skin, are still brothers. For one thing, they have Cherokee traditions in common and no amount of white blood can dilute the remembrance of what happened in centuries past to the Cherokee people” – Grace Steele Woodward.

(Please share your thoughts and this blog. Sharing is Caring!)

Missouri’s landscape has changed completely from that of Illinois. Instead of the plain plains, I now encounter rolling hills and plenty of trees. The wonderful trees are extremely helpful on my walk so I can take breaks and hide from the sun. Back in Illinois, I felt as if I were walking on a hot frying pan for miles at a time.

The weather is very hard to predict. It can change dramatically in an instant. Just the other day, the sky was speckled with a few clouds until a huge gust of wind kicked up. Suddenly the sky became dark and lightening illuminated the sky. Fortunately I wasn’t far from a little creek so I hid under the bridge for about 20 minutes until the storm rolled on. Then that evening another storm came in, bringing power, fury, and hail along with it. I was grateful to have been safe in my hotel during that storm. As I walk I am always scanning the skies in an effort to learn the behavior of the clouds. This way, I can determine if I need to run for shelter or not.

While I am grateful for the abundance of trees, I am concerned about the distance between checkpoints along the Trail. You can walk for 20 miles and encounter no signs of life. The main roads are spread out so I have been taking country roads. I’m just a little worried about the hot weather and limited resources between places to sleep.

I’ve lost quite a bit of weight lately due to the excessive heat and my inability to consume large quantities of food. I carry extra water but it becomes boiling hot by midday. I also bring granola bars and trail mix to eat but oftentimes it is just not enough. I don’t want to carry more food than necessary since every little thing adds additional weight to my backpack; however I may need to make some compromises since my future consists of 20 mile stretches with nothing in between. Today I’m resting in a motel in Perryville, MO. When I begin walking again tomorrow, I’ll be heading westward towards Springfield, MO.

(Please share your thoughts and this blog. Sharing is Caring!)