DAY 22
October 26, 2006

Elizabeth from California joined us again this morning. She walked with us to Panguitch and then came back to walk a bit yesterday and today. I’d forgotten to pack the food that Doug bought for lunch and Elizabeth saved the day. She miraculously had the makings for sandwiches and we all ate well.

As we walked through Orderville, we saw a stray dog in the middle of the highway. A car stopped right in front of it and the driver gave us all a dirty look assuming that we were the owners. I guess after that, the dog assumed the same. He followed us for a couple of blocks until he ran out in the street again. This time, the car didn’t slow down fast enough and its bumper hit the dog on the head. I cringed thinking we were going to actually see the making of road kill, but the dog just ran off, shaking its head violently. I hope it wasn’t seriously injured.

A construction worker stopped us and asked us why we were walking. I told him that I’d just returned from Iraq and I was walking to get the troops home. I don’t know why I expect people to react negatively at this point, but I always do. Instead, he surprised me like so many other people have surprised me on this walk. He said that it was a good thing to do.

“I hope this thing stops before my kids are old enough to go over there,” he said.

Well put, I thought. It’s a different kind of thinking when you put it in terms that affect you.

We ended the day at Mt. Carmel Junction. I had a slice of rhubarb pie at a restaurant while we waited for Adam and Jack Greene to meet us. We’ll hike up to the gate of Zion National Park tomorrow. I can’t wait to see it again.