Day 40 Mile 519-536

Caldwell to Eagle Island State Park

Up and about early and in for a good omelet and hash-browns on my way out of town. Met Kyle and DJ walking around town. Kyle had seen me walking over the weekend on his way back from the coast. They seemed like nice kids even though they should have been in class;-) They enjoy the community and have built a club house and other fun stuff but they too mentioned that there are shooting and violence here. I asked if they like school and DJ explained how they have put him on meds so that he does better. I asked him what he was like without them and he said he hadn’t taken them today and that he was like he is now but just doesn’t do well learning. But he seemed bright and sharp... He thinks his meds should be reduced but thats what the psychologist has him on... he says the grams need to go down from 50 to like 30. But he has been told he needs them to learn and focus... I look forward to meeting more youngsters on my trip and exploring this phenomenon of medicating kids even before their bodies reach hormonal balance... my initial reaction is that we need to stop drugging our youth... but I will hold my tongue and reserve judgement. I feel that with time and attention we can instill a positive affirmative mentality, a can do attitude in our youth by letting them explore what brings them joy and gives them motivation without putting them in a box and limiting their potential. I invited them both to come and walk with me if they like this summer. Sometimes all it takes is a little moving meditation to show you that you can do anything! About seven miles outside of the state park I went into a service station to rest up. There I met Tonya and Jessica. They have been best friends (sisters) since high school. They told me about their adventures and car wrecks and shared their pizza with me. I pushed on to the Eagle Island State Park and set up my tent, enjoyed the evening, and worked on the computer.