Day Seven: Should I stay or should I go?

Leaving Columbus was kind of difficult.  I haven’t mentioned the eclectic personalities that greeted me at the RV Park.  Clay and Abby were essentially my hosts for the time.  Clay is busy running the place. Keep the water and electrics flowing and building Tiny Houses. 

Abby watches the desk and runs errands for Saundra the owner a bit of a recluse.  She drives in and out of the park, going somewhere while holding her lapdog high enough to stick his head out of the pickup truck window.  All were friendly. 

Clay was particularly interested in theological conversation but was kept busy working.  I rested well enough that I didn’t really want to leave.  But then Clay and Abby were just passing through seven months ago and they haven’t left.  It’s best that I left.

On the road again.  Same story, but this time I was mainly heading west.  This is the first day I wasn’t pedaling into a headwind.  I was on US 90 and a couple of county and FM (Farm to Market) roads the whole way.  The smaller roads were nice with a few steep climbs that ended in gentle down hills.  I like those best.

I arrived in Weimar and saw a beautiful gothic steeple above the store fronts of the “downtown” street.  The town felt like a ghost town.  Everyone must have slept in or gone to church-and gone home.  There was nary a car on the road.  It was great.  So I road in the direction of the steeple and found a beautiful gothic church named for St. Michael the Archangel.  I parked and snuck in the side door.  It was around noon and a baptism was going on.  It was a quiet little family service.  I sat in the back and listened.  The language was familiar to our liturgies and words.  They even said “Ah-men” as opposed to “A-men.”  I haven’t heard catholics say it properly like that in a while.

After the service I went outside to eat a turkey sandwich I purchased at Brookshire Brothers in Columbus.   Went back inside and the priest was playing at the organ.  I asked if I could get some water.  As in most old churches there’s no bathrooms or water fountains except in the sacristy.  So he showed me to the sacristy to fill up my water bottle.  We talked about my journey and its inspiration from the Camino de Santiago.  He mentioned he had been to Santiago recently but to walk the camino is still on his bucket list. He was very encouraging and offered a blessing which I gladly received.  I snapped a few pictures of the church and was on my way.

The final 8 miles to Schulenburg were good but tiring.  I had to get off and walk one climb just because I was tired of pedaling and feeling the burn.  Drivers as usual have been good to me.  And like I said, the county and FM roads were well surfaced.

I’m finally in Schulenburg.  I’ve pitched my tent and met my neighbors in the RV Park.  The Wades are an educator couple.  He coaches football in Weimar and she is an elementary school librarian.  I knew I’d like them because when I rode up to my site they have their Texas and American flags flying on the stumps of two old trees.  It’s 7:06 at the Dairy Queen.  I’m surprised they haven’t kicked me out yet.  It’s late.  Off to the showers, final things, compline, and sleep before a good day tomorrow.