The Mercy Run

Day 168
I awoke on the ground by the Sovereign Grace Bible Church in Phoenix, Arizona. The sun was about to rise.

I broke camp and repacked the buggy.

I hit town. The sun rose.

I went to a Walmart and waited for it to open. A man came by and gave me a banana! At a Mcdonalds inside they had a great breakfast special on sausage mcmuffins. It was good! 

I killed some time at Walmart. I had some time before Mass. I took a little nap outside.

I made it to the Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude!

I passed through the Holy Door of Mercy.

And attended Mass.
After Mass, I started heading west. I needed to find a safe place to get some rest.

And I did! At a park in Glendale, the next town west of Phoenix. I set up my hammock in some decent shade. Just before 11 a.m., I fell asleep!

Time passed.

At 3 p.m., I awoke. I rejoined the sidewalk and headed west.

Northwest.

I filled up my 3 gallon at a water machine outside a dollar store. I had finished it off early that morning. 3 gallons in one day! Rested and hydrated, I felt great!

I made it to a Circle K in Glendale. I bought a burritto and a coconut water. I sat outside and ate.
And then a man pulled up to the gas station. He tried handing me a pack of cigarettes. I thanked him, but told him I didn’t smoke and kindly refused. But he told me to look inside. Wow!

And then a woman came out of the store, she handed me some money and told me to get something to drink!

And immediately afterwards, a woman pulled up, got out of her car, and asked me, “Sir, are you thirsty?” She bought me a huge cup of powerade! She was so polite, kind, and sweet!
I was pretty dumbfounded. These three different people all helped me out in the span of a few minutes. None of them knew each other, or saw the other person help me either. It was pretty moving. It had been a rough 24 hours. I don’t think they knew how much they helped me!

Feeling a resurgence of motivation, I started moving.

Chipping away at the miles:

I made it to Sun City just passed sundown! 

The police stopped to check on me. They had gotten a call about someone pushing a stroller, and just wanted to make sure I was ok. They were pretty amazed after they asked me where I was coming from!

Sun City was beautiful. 

A thunder storm to the south.
I had recieved an “anonymous donation” from someone! I headed to Taco Bell and sat down for some much needed calories. I rejoined the road.

And then the storm blew in! It was pretty crazy, lightening and all. I found a DQ and got a small blizzard.

I  I watched the storm from the patio. 

It passed. I started moving.

I joined Highway 60 was wide, and traffic was minimal. There was construction going on too, so all the cars were going slow. I decked reflective gear and a head lamp. I kept moving.

Into Suprise! 

I made it to a 24 hour Walmart. I decided to stock up on some things I would need for the journey west.
I bought: a coconut water, pop tarts, new sandals, chef boyardee, pringles, new gallons of water, and a few other things. 

I knew I was probably forgetting something, and didn’t want to leave town unprepared. So I camped out behind the store. There was a great little forested area behind the back loading docks. I set up my hammock. Phoenix was well behind me. It was quiet and safe.

Day 167
I slept in! I checked out of the motel and entered out into the sun.

I met Howard and Ana! I offered them some food but they had enough. They asked me a few questions about my travels. Ana just wanted to talk to someone. She told me on the street, most of the homeless are hard to converse with. She thought I was a journalist! We parted ways.
I made it to a little spanish market, and bought a 3 gallon container of water! 
Roger had emailed me a military study on hydration and I learned a few things. In hot environments, I would have to drink nearly 3 gallons a day to maintain hydration! Wow!

With the buggy loaded, I made my way north.

On a little detour! To Our Lady Queen of Peace cemetery in Mess, AZ. A good friend on mine named Dan’s grandparents were buried there:

And then a crazy dust storm blew in! I actually had to seek shelter in a little alcove near the mausoleums. It was crazy, wind blowing, dust kicking, and a brown sky. 

And then it passed.
And the sky cleared.

I started moving west.

Along Baseline road. Through the outskirts of Phoenix and along the mountains:

I met Daniel! He was heading to the bus stop. He looked beat! I offered him a powerade and the rest of the snacks Kevin had given me back in the reservation. He accepted! I hope he made it to his bus.
I made it to Laveen just as the sun set. It was beautiful all around, even in the city:

I decided to start heading north. I had hoped to find somewhere safe to sleep until morning. Only thing is, after a few miles, I found myself in another rough area. I kept moving.

I stopped at a little church I had stumbled upon. Their service was just getting out. I spoke with the Pastor asking for permission to maybe stay in the church. He was a really nice man, but he only rented the building. He and a lot of the congregation said a prayer for me. I kept moving.

It was a long night. I never really found anywhere safe to sleep. I ended up circumnavigating the downtown area, and made my way all the way to the Cathedral, 7 miles outside Phoenix.

It was a rough area. Especially by the highway. There were lots of people just roaming around, or hanging out. I was one of them. 
I had thought about all kinds of ways to sleep somewhere safe. The only way to do would be to sleep somewhere no one else could. I thought about climbing a tree and hanging my hammock way up in the branches. I really liked the idea, but I didn’t want to risk leaving the buggy down below unattended.

I found a dumpster by a bible church in the corner of the parking lot. It was by no means a stealthy spot, but I was so tired, I decided to risk it. It was well past midnight. I broke down the buggy and kept everything low to the ground behind a guardrail. I dozed off in my sleeping bag on the ground.

At some point in the early a.m., a garbage truck came and scooped up the dumpster! It was hard to process what was going on. I was half asleep! The driver clearly saw me, but went on about his way. I fell back asleep. 

Day 166
I awoke early in a dumpster corrall in a parking lot by Mcdonalds. I was in Chandler, AZ.

I watched the sunrise.

I headed over to Mcdonalds and grabbed a quick breakfast. It was good!

I hit the road:

I needed to catch up on journaling. So I did! I went to the Chandler Public Library. It was attached to a high school, so there was lots of students coming and going. It felt weird hearing the announcements and bells ringing throughout the day. Like I was back in class!

I was actually there for most of the day. I needed to transfer photographs on to a usb flash drive from my phone. It took forever! Just past 5 p.m. I finally caught up with all my work. I hit sidewalk.

Back outside, it was hot! I was glad to have spent most of the day in the AC. 

I kept moving through Chandler on sidewalk.

I stopped by St. Mary’s in town. There was an adoration chapel, but you needed a code to get in. It was difficult getting in touch with the priest there, so I said a little prayer and kept moving.

The sun set, and I found myself on the street just north of Chandler. I had originally planned to travel north to Mesa that day, but I had spent so much time at the library. I wasnt sure what the road ahead would look like, and I was already uneasy about my surroundings at dark. 

So I took the plunge and got a motel room! I was happy to have somewhere safe to sleep. I was also happy to be able to sleep in the AC. I think I had been combating heat exhaustion the past few days, and the day spent in the cool library had helped with my mental clarity. I drank a lot of water and passed out. I was tired!

Day 165

I awoke from a deep sleep. I took in my surroundings. I was on the Gila River Indian Reservation.

I broke camp and repacked the buggy.

I watched the sunrise.

I hit the road towards the next town. Sacaton was just 5 miles away:

I made it to St. Anthony’s Mission Church for Sunday Mass! I was early, so I found some shade and hung around outside through the morning.

Around 9:30 a.m., I headed in for Mass. Some parishioners were praying the rosary.

After Mass, the parish Chief introduced himself to me, he was so friendly! His name is Kevin. 

He gave me a bunch of bottles of water, and a big bag of snacks. He asked me a bit about the journey I am on, and told me a bit about the mission and its history. He also gave me directions to a park in town where I could siesta! 

The Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Memorial Park. I remember learning about them in school. I set up camp for a siesta.

Time passed. I slept on and off. I did a complete unpack, repack of the buggy. I’m trying to find the right weight distribution. The left wheel is a little wobbly. It will be interesting as I will need to carry more and more water going forward.

I headed over to a gas station, bought a couple corn dogs, some Doritos, and an Arizona iced tea. I loaded up on water.

At 4 p.m., I left town:

It was hot! I was tired. I wasn’t sure if I was dehydrated, or still fatigued from rationing water the day before. Probably both. I drank lots of fluids.

After just a couple miles. I came to the intersection of Sacaton Road and Highway 87. There was a church on the corner, and a small little pavilion. I sought shelter in the shade. I hung out and chatted with friends. I drank lots of water. I waited for sundown. 

I’ve been debating on when to go nocturnal. Up until just south of Phoenix, I’ve been able to get away with taking siestas mid day. Now even the afternoons are so hot! I looked at my phone, it was 108 degrees! 

An hour before sun set, I joined Highway 87, and started heading north:

A police officer pulled over. He offered me a ride to Chandler, the next town. I thought about it, but kindly refused. I really appreciated his offer. He understood and couldn’t believe I had come all the way from Jacksonville, Florida! 

He warned me about the reservation, and told me it was one of the most dangerous places in the country. He told me not to wander off the road, and that the police would be more than willing to help me with a ride if I called at any point in the night. I thanked him. We parted ways.

The sun set. I decked reflective gear and a head lamp. I kept moving:

After a couple hours, I left the reservation.

I made it to the outskirts of Chandler, officially part of the Phoenix Metropolis!

And all of a sudden, I was back in civilization. I stopped at a McDonald’s, ate a small meal, and hydrated.

Hydration. Part of me wanted to keep moving, but I decided to find a place and stealth camp. On this journey, I never know what things will look like even just a few blocks up the road. I’ll pass through anywhere during the day, but at night I am cautious. Especially in cities.

I found a great open parking lot just behind McDonald’s. There were a few dumpster corrals that were brand new with no dumpsters inside. I was able to set up my hammock! I fell fast asleep. It was warm, I didn’t even have to use my sleeping bag to sleep!

Day 164
I slept in a little, the sun had risen! 

I broke camp and repacked the buggy. I left the fromtage road and headed up highway 84 towards Eloy, AZ.
I made it to town.

A man pulled over and gave me a donation! Didn’t catch his name, but he told me to start the day off with something good. I think he meant a meal!

I met Ramon at a gas station in town! He was hungry, so I bought him a sweet roll. I ate one too, it was good! Ramon was born and raised in the Eloy area, and has never left. He asked me questions about Florida, I showed him some pictures. He was a really cool guy. We parted ways.

I stumbled upon St. Helen of the Cross in town. There weren’t any Masses that day. 

I took a little break and said a few prayers. It hit the road.

West out of townAnd then north. I chipped away at some miles.

At 11:00 a.m., I stopped for a siesta. There wasn’t much around except some shrubs, but I made a good shelter. It doesnt look like much, but it was cool under that tarp!

Time passed.

Just as I was breaking camp, a couple pulled over along the road. They gave me a big bag with teo frozen waters, another cold water, two ham and cheese sandwiches, and a sleeve of ritz crackers. Wow! They also offered me a ride, but I was fixing to walk. They were so nice to me, wish I got a photo and names.

Back on the road, another person pulled over and gave me an ice cold water! Didnt catch his name. I had left town without restocking on water. Good thing these people had helped me!

I headed north. Along all different kinds of country roads. At this point I know better than to follow ways my GPS sends me, but I do enjoy little detours and adventures every now and then. As long as I am safe and prepared:

I made it to a little gated community at the intersection of a east-west major road. I sat along the wall behind a bush in the shade. I was tired. 

I reached some agricultural fields. I downed a coconut water and kept moving.
I watched the sun go down. I got a phonecall from Doug back in Jacksonville. It was great touching base!

I kept moving.

I made it to the water source for the fields. There was rushing, flowing, cold water! It wasn’t drinkable, and I was low on water. I did have iodine tablets, but planned on saving them for a true emergency. I dipped my arms in the water to rush the cold through my bloodstream. I also cooled my skull.

As it grew dark, I made my way north out of the agricultural fields I had traveled through.

I passed some sort of dairy.

I came to the intersection of Highway 87. I took a few moments and contemplated my next move. The cars going by were going pretty fast, but there weren’t many of them. They came in pockets every few minutes. I usually don’t like to travel on main highways at night, but the shoulder was really big. Atleast 10 feet wide. I was also low on water. I decked reflective gear and a head lamp. I started chipping.

I stumbled onto the Gila River Indian Reservation! I wasn’t sure the laws on the reservation, but I kept moving through the night:

A drill site. The milky way above me and a crescent moon hanging low on the horizon. Mountain walls and silhouetted cacti.The glow of a metropolis off on the distance. I kept moving.

Just before 11 p.m., I found a drainage culvert. I set up my hammock down beneath the road. I fell asleep thinking about the land I now found myself in. I slept great!

Day 163
I awoke at 5:30 a.m., just before sun rise. I broke camp and repacked the buggy. I started moving.

I watched the sun rise.

I made it to a Mcdonalds and ate a Mcgriddle and drank powerade. I hung out for a little bit. I was waiting for the Family Dollar to open down the road. I needed to stock up on food for the road north.

So I did! I bought a a few more liters of water, a pack of powerades, a few cans of chef boyardee, pop tarts, and some oreos. Family dollar isnt exactly the best place to go food shopping, but it was the only place in town.

I hit the road. Frontage road. The only problem was, there were two roads on each side of the interstate. I took the wrong one. I ended up reaching a dead end after a few miles. : (

It was a tough blow. I thought about crossing through the cattle guard and over the interstate, but there was just too much traffic. I doubled back to town. It cost me about 5 miles, and an hour and a half of time. It was late in the morning. 

By the time I made it back to town it was hot! I crossed under the interstate and found the right road. Plenty of shade. I started chipping.

Just past 11 a.m., I stopped for a siesta. I set up my hammock between some thinly shaded trees. I used a tarp to reinforce the shade. It worked great!

Time passed.

Just passed 2 p.m., I hit the road. It was cloudy. The shade was nice.

It started to storm just up the road! Fortunately, it was ahead of me, and was headed northwest at a much faster pace than me. I watched the lightening and the dust clouds from a safe distance. I kept moving.

It cleared, and I kept chipping away:

I made it to a truck stop and and watched the sun set. It looked beautiful all around:

I ate a sandwich at a DQ and drank some lemonade. 

Fueled up, I headed off into the night.

Around 11:30 p.m., I found a couple of trees 50 yards or so off the frontage road. I set up camp. Mosquitos woke me up off and on throughout the night. There must have been an irrigation channel or something around.
The milky way was above me! I haven’t seen it much since western Texas. I was just far enough from both Tucson and Phoenix to get a great view.

Day 162
I slept in! I met up with Roger and we checked out of the hotel. We made our way to the Cathedral of St. Augustine for mid-day Mass.

We arrived a little early, and passed through the Holy Door of Mercy together. There was a funeral going on inside. Roger had to make a few phone calls outside, I decided to attend the rest of the funeral Mass. I sat in the back.

After the funeral, I spoke to the priest and went to confession! I wandered around, said some prayers, and took a few pictures. 

Roger and I attended Mass at noon! 

And then, we parted ways. Roger had helped me out so much! Food, shelter, clothing, and donations! He headed off to the airport, and I headed northbound.

I met Willie by the bus station! He was hungry, and I was able to give him some leftovers from dinner the night before, and a bag of peanuts. We chatted for a few minutes. Willie used to be a bus driver for 30 years or so. We parted ways.

I followed sidewalk through the north side of town. 

I met Eric and Tesa! They had a little homeless camp, and were having a yard sale! I bought an umbrella from them. I figured it might come in handy for UV protection in an emergency. They were really nice and thankful. I was also able to help them out with a little more money.

I stopped at a Jack in the Box and ate a burger. I hit the road.

Frontage road! Right along the interstate. But thankfully, the frontage road led north for miles and miles. I wouldnt have to step foot on I-10!

I kept moving.

And watched the sun set.

There wasn’t much traffic at all along the frontage roads. I kept moving through the dark. I chipped away at the miles:

Just before 11 p.m., I found a grove of trees right along the frontage road. I was just inside Marana, AZ. 

I set up my hammock and fell fast asleep.

Day 161
Day of Rest

Roger and I got breakfast early that morning. His boss Ken gave me a portable charger for my phone! It was really nice, and would help me keep my phone charged if it was cloudy, or through vast distances. What a great guy!

I hung around the hotel for most of the day. I napped by the pool, did laundry, and caught up on the rest of journaling.

Roger took me to an REI and bought me some things: a UV protective shirt, two water sacks, iodine tablets, and a hoo rag. Wow!

We also went out to eat at a local middle eastern restaurant. It was a fun time, we played backgammon! 

It had been a long time since I had a full day of rest. I fell asleep thankful, and ready for the road ahead. 

Day 160
I awoke in the desert in Tucson, TX. I was 10 miles from downtown.

I took in my surroundings.

Repacked the buggy, and hit the road.

Out past the boneyards and junkyards. It rained:

There was a woman walking along the road in the drizzling rain. She was kind of just wandering around. I asked her if she needed any food or water, and she did! I gave her some beef jerky and a gallon of water. 

By 9 a.m. i had made it to a really nice bike path. It would lead me all the way downtown.

I found and Mcdonalds and had a quick breakfast. I was really there to charge my phone, but they had no outlets for public use : (

I rejoined the bike trail.

I forget this guys name! I think it was Carl. He had a little homeless camp beneath an overpass and was trying to stay dry. He is from Guyana. I offered him some food and drink and he accepted! I gave him a can of chef boyardee and a powerade. He was really thankful. He asked me a few question about the journey, and wished me the best for the road ahead.

I was only a few miles from the Cathedral of St. Augustine, and then my phone died! I kept moving.
I hoped I was moving in the right direction. I actually ended up making a huge circle that cost me an hour or so. I missed Mass : (.
I found a Del Taco and decided to have lunch. I was also able to charge my phone. After some quick fueling, I was back on track.

I met Benjamin! He was walking by the Cathedral. I offered him a powerade and he accepted. He was looking for a friend who was supposed to bring him his walker. I hope he found it!

I made it to the Cathedral of St. Augustine! I passed through the Holy Door and said a few prayers. I was pretty wet, so I didn’t stay jnside long. I spoke with the staff briefly and headed back out on the street. I needed to catch up on journaling.

So I did! At the public library. They had some performer singing songs, it was a good time! I journaled.

Just before 4 p.m., I headed back out on the street. It had stopped raining!

I caught a bus, and headed south back to the airport. 

And met up with Roger! Roger is a great family friend. He lives in North Carolina, but it just so happens he was in Tucson for business! He offered for me to crash at his hotel for a night or two. I accepted!

We went out to eat at a great Mexican restaurant. The staff there was very nice. And we ate some really good guacemole! It was a great time, and I enjoyed catching up with Roger.

I was able to shower for the first time in a long time! It also felt good to be in an air conditioned room. I fell asleep feeling thankful.

Day 159
I awoke before dawn. A train was going by! I climbed up to the road above and took in my surroundings:

I was officially off the interstate! Marsh Station Road led all the way into Vail, AZ. No more miles on I-10 for the rest of the journey!

I repacked the buggy and walked a service road along the train tracks.

I stumbled into a R&R employee. I told him I got caught up in the storm, and was trying to find access to Marsh Station Rd. He pointed me in the right direction.

I joined the road. It misted. It was an adventure!:

Just before 12 noon, I made it to Vail! I hit a gas station and bought a couple slices of pizza. I also got an ice cream at DQ!

 I set up my hammock beneath a decently shaded tree for a siesta.

Time passed. A man named Israel came by and gave me a plate of chicken!
At quarter to 3 p.m, I bought a coconut water at a gas station and downed it. I rehydrated and hit the road.

Down through Vail, and northwest through the suburbs.

I reached Tucson city limits!

It felt so good to have made it to Tucson! I kept moving through the desert and on sidewalk (sometimes):

The sun set. It was beautiful all around:

At dark, I found myself by an airport just 10 miles south of downtown. I found a great place to set up my hammock along a wall bordering a property.

Unfortunately, a man came around flashing his flashlight. I got the message and broke camp. I kept moving.

I found some great open desert. I set up my hammock beneath a lone tree. I fell asleep listening to coyotes. Tucson!