Days 240-241 – 1/19-20/12 – On to Indiana

Shawneetown, IL to Mt. Vernon, IN; Distance = 32.7; People Met = 9+

We were only about a mile out of town when James Head pulled up to get our picture before we left.  Unfortunately, he could not get his camera to work; I took a picture of him with the young blonde instead (a joke of ours since Great Bend).  He does not have email; I won’t be able to send him the picture until after the trip ends.  I hope I don’t forget, particularly after he shared a story about a woman his wife gave $60 to for gas and they never heard from her again.

Cindy and James

Two more people stopped while we were in Illinois to see if we needed help or a ride.  I believe that makes Illinois the kindest state so far for people checking up on us.  Of course, hiking in January might have something to do with that.  What a contrast in the people who stopped.  The first was Adam Allen, fireman and EMT, doing only what comes natural for him.  The second was a woman with five empty Bud Light cans in the passenger seat, while holding another one in her hand.  Even if we needed a ride we would have passed on that one.  As we hiked on I was concerned about her.

Adam Allen

We crossed into Indiana on IL 141/IN 62, a road with very little shoulder for the bridge crossing the Wabash River which separates the two states.  Whenever a car approached I hiked with my arm up on the railing to create as much space as possible.  At least this stretch had the most road kill of any we’ve seen.  Yes, I know how warped that sounds, but I have special plans regarding pictures of road kill.

Barbie Road Kill

Once we entered Mt. Vernon, Indiana we were interviewed first by Jesse, an intern for the Evansville Courier Press, and then Angela, a reporter for the Mt. Vernon Democrat.  It’s good to get newspaper coverage here because, as we are discovering by calling ahead to churches, folks in Indiana have been the most cautious about us of any state we’ve been in yet.  As an intern Jesse seemed particularly enthused about doing a story on us; more reinforcement that I should be targeting college students.  I spaced out on getting pictures of the reporters, though I got one of the photographer.

Photographer Jason Clark of the Evansville Courier-Press

At least the good folks at the Order of Emmaus Pilgrims were willing to “take a risk” with us.  This is a semi-monastic order founded by Pastors Nancy Johnston and Cynthia Priem.  The purpose of the order is a UCC version of living in religious community by: maintaining a daily rhythm of work, prayer and nurture; spiritual support of each other; following a rule for living the spiritual life; and sharing of material goods.  They offer means for both residential and non-residential retreats, both short and long term.

Pastors Cynthia and Nancy

We stayed several evenings at what they call their Advent Community, providing us the opportunity to explore some of the good works happening in Mt. Vernon.  More on that later.

Other Photos

They must expect people to take big steps

Oil may be scarce, but this is rushing the process a bit