Date: 2005-05-17
To: Greyhound bus
Miles today: 0.0

Wow. My adventure has started. Today Burl and I went to the bus depot. we were going to go to the South Dallas station, but both of us on our own really thought that might not be a great place to start out. so we drove to the next stop in Garland Tx, we go there and had Mexican food at a place in the little shopping mall where the bus picked up the yuppies. we both felt much better at a smaller station. I was a bit concerned about my decision to even ride the bus. I had to promise Mimi that I would not go to the bathroom at any of the stations. So I went once on the bus and held it. The ride it self was fine. The people were very nice and a bit interesting. Many had some very wild stories. One guy, who some of the other riders adopted, was blind and he and his guide dog were on their way to Grand Rapids to meet a lady that they had gotten to know on the internet. At one stop a lady ran over to the KFC and brought back chicken for him and some of the other riders, no Mimi I did not eat the chicken.. LOL. :>The lady that I sat next to also was going to Michigan. She would be on the bus for over 24 hours straight when she got there. The people who ride the bus most of the time were also very understanding of the many, and I do mean many, stops. In the first hour we stoped four times. After those times we kind of got in to the route and did not stop again unitl Little Rock at about 1:30 am. One lady had all kinds of "stuff" to make the trip more comfortable. She had blankets, pillow and even a small floding chair for her feet. Note to self the chair and blankets are great ideas.. The bus chairs were nice, but pretty hard to really fall asleep in. I semi slept for a bit from Little Rock to Memphis, about 2hrs. The Memphis station was wild.. Even at 3:30 am!!! Many very interesting people. I had to change buses and was a bit afraid that my duffel bag would not make it to the right place. Which was a good thing because it was headed to parts unknown until I grabbed it and got in going in the right direction. Many women with several kids were trying to get from one bus to the station and then in the right line for their transfer. I got my bags and went into the station just long enough to get in line for my Nashville transfer. We stood in line for about 30 min. We were a few min late because the first bus driver stopped to let the guy and his dog use the only grass before the bus station. The bus was very full each time. I did get a double seat from Memphis to my self. I guess I looked like someone you didn't want to sit with. :> I tryed to look tough.. I do think that Burls old army duffel came in very handly for my backpack. Dungan met me at the station in Nashville and we went down the street to her work. We got breakfast and then I went back to her car and crashed. I felt like I had gotten hit by a bus.. Get it hit by a bus... LOLTomorrow I will do the final prep work, finally... and then on Friday Dungan and I will head to springer ga. It seems like these last two weeks have taken forever and have flown by at the same time. I do feel like everything is staring to come together. I have to do the final packing and pack my bouce box and get it into the mail and then off to the trail area. yea!!!!I went for a long walk today in my boots. The forcast says warm, but rain for sat. I guess I will get to experince the weather right from the start. I am glad that I have good, I hope rain gear and that i can keep semi dry and warm. I think that i will miss our New Mexico, dry heat.. I think my clothes are still wet from this afternoon's walk.. I will try to update more soon. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.DeAnn aka Things that I'm thankful for:Burl The greyhound bus driverHaving a seat close to the front of the busMy safe trip DunganAll my friends and family sending good thoughts and prayers my way.