Talking about walking and enjoying it triggered a memory from my childhood. Warning-there are some 'bad' things in here-so if you want to skip, please do.

This was during my freshman year of high school. My mom was really starting her control issues. One of my chores was to sweep the kitchen floor after supper-if a piece of dirt, grit or anything was found on it, punishment was sweeping it 25 times before I was allowed to go to bed. For some reason there was always something found. I don't know how. Possibly because I hated sweeping after awhile. There were times when I was going to bed at 2 or 3 in the morning, because those 25 times had added up. If the family was going out, if company was coming over or if something else stopped me from sweeping the floor-or if more times were added on (this became my mother's favorite punishment for awhile) I could be sweeping the floor 300 or more times a night. The floor included the bathroom-taking out the rug, scale, hamper, etc. and the pantry, Moving the chairs, . After about 5 or 6 months, my body was tired. I was maintaining most of my 'A' grades-except for algebra. (different story). But I got too tired one morning. I didn't hear my alarm at 6. My mother came in and literally raised me out of my bed by my hair. I cried, but didn't fully wake up. She let go of my hair and I fell back to the bed. I couldn't wake up. I was called off of school.

This had to be after April, cause weather was warm. And I had pale purple and white jeans. And it was a Friday. The next day was a Saturday. My mother was working overtime. My dad always worked Saturdays. We (sis and I) had housework to do and landlady was home.

I had had it. I was tired of everything. I was leaving. I told my sister she could come or she could stay, but not to call. Well, she had been in trouble too and she had enough of being grounded. We left by the front door that was never used. The plan was to follow the Merimack river to the Atlantic Ocean and then go south. Pretty dumb, huh? Didn't hitch hike, didn't want to stay on highways. We walked by sideroads from Lawrence Ma. to Haverhill Ma. It was about 1pm when we found the public library there. Crossed in front of cops in traffic. Had taken about $20 from folks, (sorry about that) so we bought sandwiches and a drink and had change. Then rested in library for awhile. I was all for going onward. I think we were headed in the wrong direction though.

Sis got scared and tired. She wanted to go home. She kept on threatening to head off by herself. I couldn't let her do that. So we started walking back. Only this time we found the highway home. We both recognized 495, grew up right next to it. Knew the entrance from Haverhill to Lawrence and back. (family went there periodically for a certain restaurant and sis eye doctor). Then someone picked us up.

Don't know why we got in the car with him. Don't know why I knew we were safe but we were. Got a lecture all the way home. Turns out he was an off duty cop who had 2 girls of his own. Asked us where we were headed and I said home. He said ok. And he asked how we got where we were. I told him walked it. Then he said "Don't you ever get in a car with a stranger again." I told him that there were two of us and he only had 2 hands. I had a smart mouth and was really ignorant of the world and really lucky. He dropped us off at the exit that was 1/2 block from the house.

When we walked in the house my parents were shocked. MY aunt Annie and uncle Art were there. Hugs around and food. And questions. I think they kept my mother in line. I think that the question of why was asked by my aunt to me..and I told her I was tired. I didn't say anything more but the sweeping punishments changed a bit. My folks didn't believe we made it into Haverhill in front of cops etc. until I told them about going into the library.

Purpose of telling this story-if my sister wasn't with me, I would have continued walking. I wanted to. I could walk forever. Use to walk home from school-safer than the bus!

When I went into the Army, the marching and walking was the easiest thing, even with a 40lb pack on my back and an M-16 in my arms. It was fun. No blisters, no sore feet until the day I killed my arches.

So training for long hikes, is coming up. The first plan is to walk from my house toward work using the bus route. That is about 3 miles one way and it is downhill. I want to see how far I get before I poop out. (then I can get the bus home!)

Oh, by the way-when I entered basic the floors I swept were always perfect. When I went home on leave, mom always found something wrong! It wasn't me!!