Day 66 of the run across the USA 2025

The Walmart parking lot was a very decent overnight spot. I fell asleep to the sound of July 4th fireworks.  

Day 66 got underway just after 0600 on the outskirts of Garden City, Kansas. It was overcast and cool at the start but it didn’t last. 

I made it to Holcomb and passed a swimming pool. If only! There were a few rabbits roaming around including this domestic looking one. 

At mile 9 I found myself surrounded by hundreds of flies. I dumped my walking poles and sent a message to the team regarding their location. I then picked up the pace considerably. It worked. The flies couldn’t keep up. 

I met the team at the 14 mile point. They were at an RV park called Deerfield Beach campground. I had a quick wrap and was on my way again. 

As I left the park, owners Dianne and Tim arrived in their car. I told them about my journey and they offered free use of the facilities. They went on to see Thomas and Deb. It was such a bonus to be able to dump waste and refill the water. 

It was just after the 14.5 mile point where I made a navigation choice which was going to add 4 miles to the route. Obviously, I didn’t know that at the time. 

I ended up on a stoney road. Not only that but it turned into an under maintained road. Further analysis by the team plus Thomas asking a passing car, revealed that that way involved crossing the Arkansas river. The alternative was to continue on the stoney road and then do a large U shaped route. I was on stones for 5 miles. 

I had to call the team back to get my tracksuit bottoms. I was being eaten alive by flies. On the plus side, the miles until they got to me were some of the quickest of the day. 

I reached the road and could see a storm approaching. There was a rumble of thunder almost immediately. I wasn’t concerned and pushed on.   

I went past what I think was a farm. I looked around and a dog approached me. It joined me on the road. Its tongue was hanging out and it looked parched. I gave it some of my water. I think it was just after a bit of attention and affection. I started to stroke its head just like I would to Órlaith back home. To have that connection with a dog again felt very special. I half jokingly said “are you coming to California with me?”. 

It didn’t return to its home. It was just me and her (as I half guessed) on the road for now. 

I kept asking her to “go home”. It continued to follow me. 

The thunder was rumbling by now and it started to rain. The dog was on the road with me and I had to gesture to numerous cars to slow down. Being the big softie that I am, I found the situation distressing. At the same time, I was enjoying the company of man’s best friend. That was short lived as we were now on a busy road to Lakin. She simply led the way, almost as if she knew my route. 

The tears were streaming down my face as I kept telling her “you need to go home”. That’s a phrase that I could have been telling myself under the circumstances. 

As luck would have it, I flagged down a passing police car. I told the lovely police officer, Sheila, about my journey and the current predicament with the dog. Officer Sheila was absolutely lovely. She radioed for assistance because the dog could not go in the police car. 

We talked some more and officer Sheila responded to the dogs request for a belly rub. 

“I wonder what her name is?” I asked. Officer Sheila named her “Brownie” right there and then. When I was happy that Brownie was in good hands, I continued on the road to Lakin. 

I sobbed buckets. Despite the briefest of encounters I will miss Brownie. It’s got a lot to do with the fact I’m missing Órlaith back home. Also, those eyes staring up at me, just wanting some love and affection. That’s an image that will stay in my mind for a long time. 

I saw the team in Lakin at the 26 mile point talking to the lovely police officer and her wife. They reassured me that Brownie had been taken back to her farm. 

As the sun dipped in the sky, I headed due west from Lakin and climbed a few more hundred feet in the process. 

There were plenty more tears during those last 7 miles. There was also a moment of laughter when I realised that my costly navigation error had led me to have a brief encounter with a lovely dog. I’ve ran almost 5000 miles across the USA (2011 and now). This was the best experience I’d had with a dog. I’ve spent many a time running away from them. 

I’ve got to admit, today has made me feel homesick for the first time. In 2016 and 2018 while running across Europe, it hit me really bad. Knowing that I’d be in the USA for a decent spell, I’ve worked on it over recent years. It helps that I speak to Donna every day too. We’ve had it under control really well on this tour. 

Today’s 33 mile effort was really pleasing. Thomas, Deb and I have found a good formula and schedule. As I said on day 63’s blog “I simply must find a way to dig even deeper”. Trust me. I am. And there’s more of that to come. 

TUNE OF THE DAY: I will always love you- Dolly Parton 

If you think my efforts over the last 66 days are worthy of a donation, please visit my JustGiving page: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025

Day 65 of the run across the USA 2025

There was a fantastic breeze at the overnight spot. The Cimarron golf club was on a hill and we benefited greatly from the elevated position. 

At 0300 things got very breezy. I also got a good soaking because my window was open. The rain stopped almost immediately. On closer inspection, Deb discovered that it wasn’t actually rain. We were parked next to the 18th green. It was a sprinkler!! Deb moved the RV elsewhere in the car park. However, the breeze was still blowing the water into the RV. One final move and all was ok. About an hour later a distant train sounded its horn. The sound carried in the wind and was loud and distorted. So after 5.5 hours sleep the alarm went off and it was time for porridge. 

We drove the short distance to the start point. I’d drawn an image in the sand at the roadside where I finished yesterday. I set off from the exact point as per the previous 64 days. There was complete cloud cover and just a slight breeze as I, once again, made my way along Highway 50.

I got a fly bite within the first mile. That’s never good for morale. 

A little further down the road was Ingalls Feed Yard. To my untrained eyes it looked like an industrial sized last stop before the abattoir for thousands upon thousands of cattle. The stench was unreal. There was a massive pile of grain which the cows looked to be enjoying in their respective troughs.  

I met the team for food at mile 7. Thankfully they’d parked away from the feed yard. 

 

The route continued to be lined with sunflowers. They are the state flower of Kansas as well as St. Benedict’s Hospice. 

Other than long straight roads, there wasn’t an awful lot to see. There were plenty of cows grazing in fields. Obviously, that’s what they must do before going to the feed yard. 

A police car pulled over at mile 15 to check if I was ok. When I explained what my journey was, he gave me a sticker (to add to my ever growing collection). Thank you to Officer Josh for checking in on me.  

I continued on my way with a spring in my step. Which was just as well as I’d felt very tired up to that point. 

I met the team at Garden City airport for something to eat and a tactical snooze at the 20.5 mile point. The snooze was counter productive due to the RV being so warm. I felt very groggy when I woke up. 

I made it to the outskirts of Garden City after 27 miles. I spotted some of the wind farm components on some wagons. I’ve seen a lot of these on Highway 50 this last week. 

The shoulder into Garden City was terrible. It was full of small stones. The pain in my right foot was getting worse as a result. 

I made it to a bus stop at the 31 mile point. I waited for the team to pick me up after restocking at Walmart in Garden City. I had hoped for a couple of more miles but the pain was unbearable. The good news is that my tolerance / perseverance for that one spot on my right foot is increasing. The days of low miles are over. 

I’m typing this blog from the Garden City Walmart car park. while a lighting storm rages outside. 

The main immediate issue we now face is when Thomas leaves the team next week. We will be near La Junta, Colorado with no obvious transit options to Denver (where Thomas flies out of on Friday morning). The big question is - how can we get him there without causing too much disruption to the run. That’s tonight’s dreams sorted out! 

TUNE OF THE DAY: Make it on your own - Stereophonics 

Continued thanks for the donations and words of encouragement. If you think my efforts over the last 65 days are worthy of a donation, please visit my JustGiving page: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025

Day 64 of the run across the USA 2025

The overnight spot was an RV park in Dodge City. It was quiet and there was a nice cool breeze. The 6.5 hours sleep was most welcome. After some porridge, I carried out some maintenance on the problem area of my right foot. 

We drove to the start point to the east of Dodge City. I set off along Highway 50 shortly after 0600. 

It was quite windy so thankfully there were no flies around. It was the same when I ran across Australia in 2013. I love a bit of wind. 

The first spot of the day on the bingo card was a passing train. Tick. 

In a grain silo I spotted a man connected to a safety rope opening the top of one of the rail cars. I assume it was in preparation for the grain to be emptied in.  

I met the team at the 10.5 mile point. They were parked near the airport runway on the outskirts of Dodge City. They had been doing some chores during my first session of the day. 

Thomas made a toasted wrap. It was tremendous and much needed. I may have mentioned this before but he’s got me eating more than I ever have on this tour. He’s figuring out what I like best. It’s working really well. More on that later. 

I got back out and I crossed the road to take a photo of the Dodge City sign. 

I found a bit of a trail. It was a concrete path and made a nice change from Highway 50. I really don’t know how much time I’ve spent on it. I’m guessing around 350 miles. 

I made it out of Dodge City after 16 miles. I was back on the long straight highway and could see for miles ahead. 

I met the team again at the 20.5 mile point. I was hungry again and Thomas had made some bagels that tasted like pancakes. It was a kind of French toast with syrup. It was delicious. 

I had a 30 minute tactical snooze. It consisted of 15 minutes of snooze and 15 minutes of checking my watch to see how much time I had left. 

I had some porridge and a banana before setting off again along Highway 50. 

In preparation for the late afternoon sun I applied the sun block that Donna had sent over. 

I spotted a load of cattle to my right in a ranch. It looked like they were about to be shipped off somewhere to be slaughtered. I had noticed a huge amount of wagons used to transport them during the day. 

There was another massive silo. They are rarely out of sight in Kansas. You can see them in most directions for miles. No wonder they call Kansas the “breadbasket of America”. 

At mile 24 I could see the RV meeting point in the distance. It was roughly 6 miles away! 

I saw what I thought at first was some statues of horses on a hill. They hardly moved. When I got closer I could see they were real. 

A deer crossed the road avoiding the traffic thankfully. It positioned itself in some bushes before having a good look at me. 

I met the team again at mile 30.5. Thomas came out to meet me, take my backpack and tell me what was on the menu. This is the last big meal of the day which means I’m not eating late at night. That impacts my sleep. 

I had another wrap and what is quickly becoming my favourite thing - seasoned wedges. 

I got back out onto Highway 50 and said that I’d go until 2045. I made my way though the small town of Cimarron and out of the other side. 

Kansas looked spectacular as the sun was setting. 

The team turned up at 2045 just as I’d clocked up 34.7 miles. A new tour best. Just! 

We drove to an overnight stop that Deb had found. We have permission to stay at a golf club in Cimarron. It’s on a hill and there’s a tremendous breeze blowing into the RV. It’s not near a railroad either. Bonus!  

Thank you to Katrien and Leo for some good wishes via video message today. That was much appreciated. 

TUNE OF THE DAY: Sam Walker’s Desert Diaries podcast. This got me through mile 20 right to the end. It’s possibly the best podcast I’ve ever listened to. The good thing is that there are loads of episodes. This could be a secret weapon that I could use to tackle those late in the day miles. 

The charity fund is moving ever so close to the next milestone of £23,000. Continued thanks to those that have stopped by by JustGiving page and made a donation. If you haven't yet had the opportunity - here is the link: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025.