Day 35: Why So Hostel?

July 8, 2009

Well, there's nothing more fun than packing up camp in the rain.
I made my way west on route 2 until Bethel, where I stopped to record a video update.
Most people in town seem pretty 'put off' by the whole idea of my mission trip.
Interesting.
I finally come into contact with a local pastor, Chuck, from the Bethel Church of the Nazarene.
He takes me over and hooks me up with room #2 at the Bethel Hostel.
It made for an interesting evening, hanging out with the head of the hostel. He claimed no particular 'religious' beliefs, but being of the liberal, hippy mentality, he was quite bent on a very naturalistic, Buddhist lifestyle.
So, hopefully, God was able to use me to make a difference.

Day 34: First phone connection!

July 7, 2009

I started out the day with an AWESOME omelette in downtown Mexico.
Jay treated me to breakfast before he dropped me back at his store to continue on my trek.
I made my way west along route 2 until I got to the Visitor Center of Rumford and hung out with my good buddy, Paul Bunyan.
Then, I headed to Hanover and got some lunch at Gordie Howe's Restaurant? Nope, not THAT one.
This is the town where I had the unique opportunity of dropping into the Public Library and visit with a quilting group as they worked on their next project.
They offered me some hot chocolate as I sat with them discussing the mission trip and the reason for it.
At this point, I knew I was a bit too far away from the next town to get much further. So, I hiked about 1 or 2 more miles and found a cozy little spot in the trees just to the left of the road.
This is by far the closest I've ever slept to the road. The trees were SO THICK that I was barely 15 yards from the cars. But, there was NO WAY anyone was going to spot me in those woods.
Once I got camp set up, I pulled out my phone and to my amazement, I ACTUALLY HAVE A SIGNAL!! WOOHOOO!!!!
This is the absolute FIRST time on this whole trip that my phone (Sprint) has worked. So, needless to say, I spent the next couple of hours draining my battery as I called friends that I haven't talked to since before I began.
It was a good night. :)

Day 33: Mexico

July 6, 2009

Well, the big weekend of the 4th is finally over and it's time for me to get out of Dixfield.
Now, most of the time, when people ask me where I'm hiking to, I tell them Mexico.
Well, lo and behold, as I continue west on route 2, what do I find? Mexico, Maine. Yup.
I stop for a quick break at the Master's Plan Cafe & Bookstore, the first Christian Store I've encountered on this trip.
Inside, I meet the owner, Jay, and his family. And, after MUCH Bible discussion, the next thing I know, it's almost dark outside.
How in the world did that happen?
It's all good, though, because Jay invited me to come eat dinner with his family and stay the night at his house.
Their family fills up the house pretty well so I went ahead and set up my tent in the backyard and enjoyed a restful night's sleep.