Miles Walked: 11 / 95 degrees F.

Area: Mentone to Yucaipa onward to Calimesa, CA

First Interview 

Eyes creak open 4:20 am…feel yesterday’s sunburn as first sensation…argue with self to “rise and shine” as the girl from Sunnybrook Farms always said on TV. It was a late night last night after moving my stuff from Grand Terrace to Desert Palms 65 miles further east. Fill up with food, drink lots of water, load up, and head to launch out on my day’s walk. Threw my gear on, took off, and pressed on toward my goal… Phone rings…photographer from local paper calling to locate me…phone rings again…reporter calling to see where we can catch up. After the gal photographer walked along and snapped a few shots…the man with the by-line came to walk along with me as our conversation ebbed and flowed. Both were great young people passionate about what they do. I was honored to meet them. Their paper represented my trek’s first interview…

Curiosity

By now, the heat is cooking and I lean in to crank my way over Sand Canyon grade gaining 800 + feet elevation. Finally, I hit the top and turn to catch a glimpse of the valley floor and city I had been in the heart of just the day before. Now, city turns more suburban as I enter the rolling hills east of town. On my way through the sprawling berg…looking to my left…I spot a car covered with Google decals and a large roof-mounted device. I simply could not stand it…so; I knocked on the door to find a gal within. I asked, “So, what’s the car about?” She replied, “I’m one of 16 people working for Google driving the roads to update their internet map images. We chatted briefly, I left my card, and on I walked. About 15 minutes later, I saw a van parked on a side street that had a radio station call numbers splashed across its side with the slogan, “The Positive Alternative.” Once again, my curiosity getting the best of my boyish nature…I rapped on the door to inquire, “Is this a Christian radio station?” He replied, “yes, but I’m involved in the administration side of more than 600 Christian stations across America known as Air1 and KLove.  

Knocking On Doors

Funny part is…I would have never met either of these interesting people had I not felt compelled to turn down a previously uncharted street. One simply never knows who he or she will meet or what the outcome of their interaction will be without mustering the courage to knock on a door, dig beneath life’s surface, and caring about the things around them. Interestingly…bringing love and value to people’s unknown lives works much the same way. Weary from the long hills…1 1/2 gallons water consumed…and to my day’s destination in Calimesa…I stopped into the local broasted chicken establishment, where I ordered dark meat and was honored to meet and talk with its owner and few locals. I was impressed by his food, friendly nature, and gesture of buying me an ice cold coke…