Topeka Part 2

Through 21 states I have seen a lot of cool things, really cool things. I’ve experienced some sad things, but things that happen in life, there’s no way around it. Those are sad, but nothing is as sad as this. Driving through a neighborhood and seeing the United States and Canadian flags upside down flying high and a big banner that says “God hates America.” I don’t like to draw attention to something like that, but it affects me on this trip. Through 21 states I have seen some amazing communities and generous people, people who love and respect their country. It has changed my idea of what it is to be an American on this trip, as well as being a human. It was the compound of Fred Phelps. Sad, sad, sad. But it’s amazing to see how cool this country is, and I can say that as a true testimony. Living with citizens across the entire country has given me new perspectives and knowledge of this big beautiful country.

I should be able to summarize a really good night pretty quick, and it’s all quite self explanatory. Shawshank Redemption, pizza, live music and a big chai tea at the Classic Bean, mint mint chocolate chocolate chip at Coldstone (my favorite!) and capped off by watching Indian Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. That makes a great night! Shawshank Redemption will always be a favorite movie, and there’s a quote from Red (Morgan Freeman) when he gets on the bus to Mexico. “I find I am so excited I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it is the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain…” It brought me right back to Sept. 8th when I left home. I have never known how to express it, but the mood, quote, and smile on his face in that scene is perfect, just different situations, but the same feeling.

With two educators I visited another National Park on my trip, the Brown vs. Board Historical Site. It’s the only National Park that went through the Supreme Court. We hear about so many of the National Parks, but this has more influence on me than any of them. So check it out when in Topeka and brush up on your history.

It felt like spring today! Beautiful! The temperature crawled into the 50s and all the recent snowfall was melting way. I’m ready for spring. I love winter, winter is my season. But winter is a lot harder to go through when you’re a traveling man and don’t have a regular home to go back to that’s your own. It’s harder to that have cozy warm feeling on the road in winter, which is one of the best parts. I can’t wait until spring!

Alright, that’s Topeka for now. But I have a bit of a dilemma. It’s been mentioned on the site a few times now. I NEED NEW SHOES! I went shopping for some today, but I just can’t find anything that I like. For one I want a pair of skateboard shoes, I’m a skateboarder at heart. But they’re just not what they used to be, they’re all the same now and boring! If I buy something other than skate shoes I know they’ll get torn up fast after just a day of skateboarding. So help me out…. What kind of shoes should I buy? What color? What style? What brand? I’m looking to you for help!