Dear Friends,

When I decided to do this March, I hadn’t planned on any days over 12 miles. Today’s 19-mile slog from Pleasant Hill to Clive is a tough one, especially given the heat.

I ran into Brenda Phillips, on the right, with her friend, whose name I didn’t catch.

Picking up on last night‘s conversation, Chuck joins me for the first hour of the day’s trek.

Near Drake University, I run into Thomas Burkhead. I haven’t seen him in years, but will remain forever grateful for the hospitality he and his mother provided at their home in Calhoun County during my Dakota Access Pipeline walk in 2015. I remind Thomas that he made me a delicious steak dinner, and he suggests we ought to do that again sometime.

Taking a break at the Dairy Queen in Windsor Heights, two women get out of a car and approach me. One says, “Jim?“ I say, “No, Ed.“

“Oh yeah, Ed Fallon. I volunteered for one of your campaigns decades ago. I’m Brenda Phillips.”

Wow! I sure do remember her, and apparently I’ve met her friend as well, who reminds me that she’s a member of Epworth United Methodist Church. She recalls me playing organ there many years ago. She tells me she used to be a Democrat, and now votes Republican. I wish I’d had more time to continue that conversation.

Walking along the Clive Greenbelt Trail, there’s ample shade, and even though the miles are piling on, it provides some relief from the heat. A man bicycling toward me yells, “Good luck with your walk.“ I have no idea who he is but I’m grateful for the encouragement.

I spend the night at the home of Susan Judkins and Jim Gossett. Susan and I go way back. As a lawmaker, one of my top priorities was legislation to control urban sprawl. Susan was a lobbyist for the Iowa League of Cities. We sparred on a regular basis, but our exchanges were always civil and respectful. I haven’t seen her in years, and she and Jim are gracious to welcome me into their home.

Tomorrow will be easier. Six miles. I sleep well.

— Ed Fallon