Aurora to North Bend; Distance = 16 Miles; People Met = 7
This would be the coldest day of the hike to date, at least below 12,000 feet. We later learned that the temperature was in the teens for much of the day. We stayed relatively warm throughout and felt all the warmer when we stopped for lunch. Lots was going on at the First Baptist Church in Greendale; we figured they would not mind two hikers in an inconspicuous corner to eat lunch out of the cold. Inside there was a special type of basketball tournament going on for young kids, designed to build character according to the Gospels.
Well, of course we did not remain inconspicuous for long. Joy Rice made it her personal duty to make us feel right at home. She tracked down Pastor Steve Fagerburg and his wife Marcia in the building. While the Fagerburgs were introducing themselves to us Joy made us some hot tea.
Pastor Steve Fagerburg and Marcia
Marcia disappeared for awhile as Pastor Steve told us about Ed Casheen, an acquaintance who started the movement Hate Busters. If they learned of a hateful act, like a cross burning on someone’s yard, they send thousands of letters of support to the victim. What an excellent idea!
Check out the Hate Busters web site. Listen to the video that comes up and read what this group did in response to a hate group we already heard about during our walk. In summary, they pledged money on behalf of the haters to a cause they hated, with instructions for a thank you note to be sent. Beautiful! Thanks to Pastor Steve, Ed already has visited this site and commented. I’m hoping for an ongoing relationship between us.
Marcia reappeared with a bag full of food for us to take with us and we were on our way to Ohio. We entered around 2:35 p.m., though we don’t know precisely where because there was no landmark along our route. The best I could do to mark the new state was take a picture of Cindy by a sign with an Ohio area code. Each state seems to have something new to offer. After two states where street signs were often missing, we were pleased to see streets labeled both at and approaching the intersection.
Welcome to Ohio!
We also encountered our first drive-thru convenience store. Cars drove right through the center of the building, supplies lining either side. We asked to take a break from the wind and chill there. The attendant Ben had been instructed by the owner not to let any one loiter but he made an exception for us.
Our first drive thru convenience store, with attendant Ben
That evening we stayed at the United Methodist Church in Lawrenceburg. We were back in Indiana for one last evening, time enough to reflect on how great the state had been to us. There was so much kindness extended to us throughout the state it was almost exhausting. To top it off the theme song for this journey became set once we heard “Seasons of Love’ performed in a talent show at St. Marks UCC in New Albany.
Other Photos
We asked Carmen Lucas for directions
We asked Kyle Holmes for directions as well (and I'm a man!)
Has there ever been a Church of Christ, Muslim?
Nice idea, poor execution
Does it come with the saddle?
Must be the "Marie Antoinette" Shaker sect
