Day 34 - Tuesday, June 22

The heat wave finally broke with big storms last night and we were treated to a crisp 50 degree morning with crystal clear sky. Our stay in the parking lot of Tiny Baptist Church of Guthrie KY was one of the best - quiet, pretty, nature painting a canvas 360 degrees around us with the open fields and we had water. I was so excited about the day I hit the road at 5:30am and was not disappointed with the weather or the scenery. Sadly i had to go it alone today as Lucky couldn’t eat his food and that is my marker for whether he is feeling good or not.

First up in the route from Guthrie to Hopkinsville was small town of Trenton where they were redoing many of the small buildings on Main Street and I dipped into a cafe that was very well decorated but empty - I was the only patron. The barista was a shy girl who told me they had a car show last week and it was very busy. I enjoyed my latte served in a metal mug with a heart of cream with a brownie to wash it down.

On to Pembroke where I met Chris & Lucky for quick fuel up and made my way feeling energetic to the final destination of Hopkinsville KY.

I take 2 prescriptions and I was running low - thankfully Mayo called them into the Walmart Pharmacy in Hopkinsville a few days ago and they were ready when I arrived!

On the Lucky front, I am spending a lot of time working on where I can find his next 2 weeks of treatment. I have called more than 20 vets in the area I think we will be in on June 28 and July 5 but there are no vets that do chemo in the rural areas. Short time ago I received a call from University of Missouri Veterinary and they may be able to do it. This will require travel from Anna IL and then again the following week from Northwye MO to get his treatment. First, I will need to make it to those towns and then we will need to take the day driving back and forth. Fingers crossed it works out.

Lucky is in good spirits none the less, he still gets up before me somehow knowing when I’m about to rise and waiting for our day to begin.

In Hopkinsville, I ran through town and fell into a storefront called Coffee Connection. People were hanging out in a casual environment and I was honored to meet retired detective Terri who was inspired to do more good than just sitting in church looking at the back of someone’s head as she puts it. She started Coffee Connection as a way to allow locals to come hang out in a safe environment and provide coffee and snacks. I went first by myself as I moved through town and then went back so they could meet Chris & Lucky. Both times the ambiance was great - music playing, art on the walls, dancing and happiness. She has funded this project by herself and she was kind enough to give us an interview.

My shin is definitely healing now and I am increasing the mileage from 140 last week to 151 and I will keep bumping slowly. Once I have no pain I will begin to add some running.

All for now, thank you for all your support!

Cheers,

David.

I turn on the light at 3:56am

5:15am peacefulness

Wheat & Corn

Grove of trees surrounding old farmhouse, perhaps it used to all be like this?

Great little cafe in Trenton KY