More Thoughts and Observations From the Road

In addition to learning some things out here, I’m averaging a little over 16 miles per day pounding pavement on this trip, which means that I’ve got a dangerous amount of time for thoughts to be percolating. In no particular order, these are some of the things I’ve learned and thought about lately:

We’ve hit quite a few McDonald’s on this trip, mostly because of the free WiFi. Almost every one of them appears to have somebody north of 300 pounds slinging burgers. Why would you work there if you’ve got an eating problem? This would be like Lindsay Lohan working as a bartender.

I remain afraid of our (gratuitous sponsor mention #1) Camping World RV. It’s a magnificent machine, but the size alone intimidates me. I would feel the same if I had a pet pit bull. I would know the dog was an ally, but I would have an uneasy sense that it might turn on me at any minute.

Last week, I wrote in less than glowing terms about (gratuitous sponsor mention #2) the AT&T iPhone app Pandora. Tried it again today and it worked beautifully, which leads me to conclude that the issues were Internet related, and in no way related to any malfeasance on the part of (gratuitous sponsor mention #3) AT&T. Unlike Roger Clemons, I can admit it when I’m wrong. Sorry (gratuitous sponsor mention #4) AT&T.

If I were an atheist, and somebody asked me why I didn’t believe in God, I would just say, “Karaoke”. If there was a God, and he was a merciful and just character, there’s no way he would inflict this upon society. That has nothing to do with this trip, but it’s been on my mind lately.

I would much rather walk in 95 degree heat that against a 20 MPH wind.

It takes ales about 5-10 days to ferment, while stouts require several weeks. I suppose you could learn that from a book, but my information on the subject comes from Dave the Brewer, a guy I met at a Labor Day party I was invited to near Columbus. Dave makes his own beer and wine (the stout was delicious, by the way) because, he says, it’s cheaper than buying it from the store. He also mentioned that he’s never owned a television. It wasn’t clear if he was aware that television existed.

I’m still using the same shoes I started the summer with. Add together the mileage I logged getting ready between April and August to the miles I’ve pulled up on this trip, and I’m over 1,000. Makes me wonder why some NBA players get rid of their shoes after one game.

Wednesday’s Journey: Clay City to Farmersburg

Mileage: 17.8 (The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the world’s oceans. If Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, were set in the deepest part of the Mariana Trench, there would be 6,811 feet of water left above it. Or, if I swam to the bottom of that part of the ocean, then all the way back to the surface, I would still have to go halfway back down to get to 17.8 miles. A rather length way of simply saying that I am a bad ass).

On the iPhone: The Rolling Stones Hot Rocks CD, The Dan LeBatard Show

Photos are available on my Facebook page (Mark Joseph Boyle).