DAY 22 - Kuna, ID - 424 Miles from Home

[written on Day 24 - July 27]

Friday we walked from Caldwell to Kuna - a trek that reminded me of our very first day on the road, when we walked through Eugene, Springfield and into the McKenzie Valley. From full-on city to full-on country. But this was even more surreal, since a huge chunk of the walk was along a wide busy suburban sprawl street - with landmarks like Lowe's and Les Schwab.

As I took the second half, I snaked into the back streets of Nampa, walking along the railway. Union Pacific was a significant part of my day - and in fact has been a huge part of our lives these past several days (I'm writing these words parked, even now, by a railroad crossing, and even now a train whistle is blasting as some freight rumbles through right by me). So much STUFF still gets moved through our country on the rails - rattling through at 40-70 mph - despite the apparent instantaneity of Amazon. And as I sit here by the tracks on this Idaho morning, I'm finding myself wondering about the difference between hobo and pilgrim.

For me, the morning from Caldwell to Kuna started out a little bit rough. My quasi-motto these days is how many terrifying things can I do before breakfast? By "terrifying" I mean: navigating an RV in the dark on complicated city streets and interstates; I mean pumping gas (I'm from Oregon, y'all - land of "mini-serve" - plus I normally drive electric. Pump my own? wha'?)... I also mean figuring out where to dump my black water tank.

All of these morning tasks required a Krispy Kreme reward.

And then there was our arrival in Kuna. Our final rendezvous point was the Vizkaya Winery, where vintner Beau helped us decompress with some pinot gris and tempranillo (a specialty of the vineyard). We headed with our post-hike-wine glow to our hosts for the next two nights: Ginny and Ken Greger. Ginny is a leader at the Kuna United Methodist Church. Unfortunately, we never met Ken. He was in Alaska on a fishing trip. Ginny kept apologizing: Ken's the cook, not me... and then she just whipped up our first delicious meal at her home - sweet local corn, mashed potatotes and elk meatloaf (hunted of course by the Gregers, we're in Idaho, people! Hunt, hike, pack, swim, work the land!) I had seconds and sent a photo back to my husband, just to gloat.

Ginny and Ken's homestead: 10 acres, 28 llamas, something like 10 laying hens, and a mess of kitties (I lost count, they kept appearing... my favorites were the calicos and a really wee black one with white booties). Pretty much heaven. I slept, like a rock, in a bed. Took two showers. Washed my clothes. Reveled in ice cubes on demand.

And - I also had a panic when Libby's fridge stopped working. We don't mess around with Libby. I called Jarred. Inland Mobile RV Repair. He drove out from Nampa, and in one hour taught me more about my rig than I'd learned in 3 weeks on the road. He also (easily) fixed the fridge. And then he shared that he recently sky-dived with someone else walking across America: Coach Kyndal Ray, aka A Walking Testimony). Sky-dived? Another walker? The Idaho sky is huge (especially if you're jumping out an airplane) - but the world itself is actually quite small.

The Egg Factory in Nampa, Oregon. Didn't eat here - but said hello to the rooster.

"Sometimes all you need is a donut," Matias, age 7 - grandson of my Boise friend Sidney.

Really strong Latino presence in Nampa. A lot of folks working throughout this region. I wish my Spanish were not quite so Duolinguish.

Trains are a big part of this journey.

Beau at Vizkaya (he was right about the termpranillo.)

Ginny Geger and that amazing supper.

Just a couple of those long-lashed llamas. Ginny and Ken pack with them - 5 to 8 at a time - into the mountains.

Jarred Logan, Inland Mobile RV Repair.