I was pleased to wake up without feeling any soreness from yesterday’s seven-mile march. Today, I knock off ten miles, walking from the southeast side of Des Moines to Pleasant Hill.

This week’s unseasonable heat is problematic. My route is mostly in the hot sun, and the long trek north on SE 14th Street is unpleasant. There’s a sidewalk, but it’s narrow, with very little buffer between it and the street.

I pass only four people on foot or bike along the three-mile stretch. One guy lugs several heavy bags of food and supplies with him. He tells me he’s on his way to the tent he’s pitched down by the river. I later regret that I didn’t offer to help him haul his load.

My overnight stay is with Chuck Hurley. Chuck’s a former lawmaker and a conservative evangelical Christian. We got along well when we served in the legislature, and were occasionally helpful to each other, both in the House and in “real life.” Continue Reading →