Amazing long distance "trail magic"...

Day 185
9-8-2006
Started: Near Pueblo, CO
Finished: Pueblo, CO
Today's Miles: 18.5
Total Miles: 2556.5

We seemed to be dragging our feet this morning and we weren't even hiking yet. The reasoning behind our slow movement was definitely due to the fact that Dad Wiest and Lynn were going to be dropping us back on trail and then heading for New Jersey. We have enjoyed the time that they have been here so much that it seems to have flown by. We were really sad to have to say goodbye and Sheri spent at least the first half mile of our hike today drying her tearing eyes. Family has been an extremely important aspect of this journey and we will never forget the overwhelming support that our families have given us. After our good-byes we made our way through Avondale and toward Pueblo. Because we wanted to prolong our time with Dad Wiest and Lynn we got a very late start to the hiking so we felt like we needed to set a good pace to reach our goal destination of Pueblo. Our bodies are definitely feeling the soreness of the last few days of hiking because we have tried to get in big miles in as short an amount of time as possible so we could spend quality time with family. The toughest thing about today's miles was the fact that Randy is only on his second day of a new pair of shoes. Big miles is definitely not the smartest way to break in new shoes and regardless of Randy's attempts to strategically place moleskin and blister pads on his feet's rub spots he paid the price. We almost faced a delay that would have been much more serious then the uncomfortable blisters. The railroad tracks for the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroads have been a fairly regular sight for us for many miles now. Today the action around the railroad was certainly not regular. As a train came up next to us we gave the guys in the engine the usual wave that we always give and like normal they waved back. Just after the exchange of waves the train came to a screeching halt. The guys in the engine looked just as surprised as we were when the train slammed to a stop. We knew something wasn't right but we couldn't see far enough back down the track to get a full understanding of the problem. We had just come around a curve and crossed a bridge over a river so we could only see about fifteen cars of the train. We didn't see the guys in the engine moving too fast so we didn't get overly concerned and we simply continued hiking. Within minutes emergency vehicles including fire trucks and State police HazMat trucks were zooming past us. A few miles later we came to an intersection where State Police Officers were stopping all traffic from continuing in the direction of the train. When we told the Officer that we were next to the train when it stopped his expression immediately looked concerned. He quickly said, "how close to the train?!", he then went on to say, "I need to know your exact location when the train stopped because you have just come through a 'hot zone' where a derailed train car is leaking an unidentified gas". When we explained that we were near the engine he showed relief that the two of us, and now even himself since he was in contact with us, would not have to go through any decontamination process. He told us that we fortunately wouldn't have to be held and that we were free to continue hiking. That was great news because we really wanted to reach Pueblo today. Reaching Pueblo meant that we would have the luxury of a wonderful indoor stay due to some amazing long distance "trail magic" from our Bowie, Maryland "trail angel's" John and Janet Parsons. They decided to surprise us with a soft bed and hot shower from all the way across the country. We totally enjoyed our time with them in Maryland and think that it is awesome that they are still following our journey. Their long distance "trail magic" is definitely an act of kindness that we will never forget! So, blisters and all, we made our way into Pueblo and are enjoying a fantastic night of relaxation thanks to the Parsons. Thanks so much John and Janet! We can only hope that the experiences that we are having while on this journey will in some way, shape, or form have a positive affect on others, the one thing we know for sure is that we are forever changed and forever grateful for the positive affect that "trail angels" like John and Janet have had on us!

Your Friends on the ADT,
Randy and Sheri
Follow our Journey at www.treckusa.com