THE REDNECK FROM RAGE COUNTY
Today there was a very strong headwind and along with two long stops I made slow progress to Auburn. I went into a fast food joint and met a woman that says she is in charge of the city parks. I asked her if it was possible to camp there so she called the police department who gave me the okay. Never-the-less I got a visit from a friendly cop in the middle of the night. He got the full circus show and all the usual questioned answered. He ran a full background check before I was allowed to go back asleep under a picnic shelter. It’s always great when I can find a shelter and not have to put up a tent as this saves half an hour in the evening and morning. Also its much easier to get motivated in the morning as many a morning I have laid there for over an hour dreading the big pack up.
Next day I was very tired out on the road. A woman stopped me on the road just before my finish and asked me did the newspaper know I was here. I told her no and wanted to keep it that way! I ran on till I came to a motel. After producing my magic letter I got a room for $20. The lady didn’t seem sure if she should rent one to me. She specified it had to be for one night as a construction crew was coming on Monday. They were working in the nuclear plant. When I got into the room I saw it hadn’t been cleaned out. The bed wasn’t even made. I pulled out my sleeping bag to sleep in. There was even a sandwich and two bottles of water in the refrigerator. I am sure later into this journey this will be luxury!
I got the impression that the room was rented out long term and the renter was gone home for the weekend.
A knock at my door and an elderly female reporter had tracked me down! I really wasn’t up to it as I wanted an early night but hadn’t the heart to refuse as she had a sharp pen, notebook and camera around her neck. She said the woman on the highway had phoned and said I would be willing to do an interview! When I asked how she knew I was here she said she had driven up and down the road and when she hadn’t seen me figured I checked into the motel.
I have observed that Nebraskans are a very reserved and suspicious species. They seem to keep to themselves and not take too kindly to strangers. What happened the next day actually astonished me, I would add paranoid into the mix.
I ran into Gage County. Forevermore I will call it Rage County.
About an hours run before Beatrice I decided I had run far enough for the day so I approached a farm and asked the lady there if I could sleep in the barn. With a very sad look in her eye she said she knew her husband would not approve of it. No worries. A second attempt at the next farm. No luck. When I arrived at the third farm a lady was just pulling up in her car. I gave her a copy of some information of my website which I always do along with flashing the MAGIC LETTER. She refused. As I say I never have any problem with a refusal as that is their prerogative. She still wanted all the questions of my run answered and I obliged as after all they are giving me their time.
So onto a 4th farm and a shake of the head from the man that answered. He also seemed interested and could see I was on a serious expedition as he looked over at Nirvana.
So I went on to another farm and it was 5th time ‘ lucky. ‘
A lady that that answered the door said sure I could stay in the garage.
I pushed my way past a couple of massive bags of empty beverage cans ready for the recycle. There were tools and farm engine parts everywhere.
I proceeded to settle down for the night. It was around 5.30 so I blew up my air mattress, found a spot on the floor for it. Rolled out my sleeping bag, sat down and turned on my computer to check my blog.
Just then the door opens and a sheriff walks in. So I said, thinking he lived there.
” Thank you for your hospitality. ”
” You can’t stay here tonight because the homeowner has called me to ask you to leave! ”
With that a big guy who I will call Redneck comes in. It seems he had overruled his wife.
Well that’s their business. My problem with redneck was he called the sheriff and then came in for the show!
So Redneck asks.. ” Where did you start? How many pairs of shoes? How did you get across the ocean? ”
I’m thinking is he for real. He called the sheriff and then acts like it’s no big deal for him to hassled me by doing this. He pinches Nirvana’s tyres and asks.
” How many punctures? ”
Followed up by. ” How many miles a day? ”
I am amazed. I wondered did he realize he made a mistake and was sorry for calling the sheriff so I give him an out and say.
” Surely you can see I am no danger. All I need is a place to lay my sleeping bag. I even got my own food and a thermos of hot water. I will be gone early in the morning. ”
So Redneck says… ” Oh no… There is too much crime around here. ”
Then he turns to the sheriff and says. ” I will tell you one thing sheriff it will get worse before it gets better in these parts! ”
So I shake my head and tell them I have come all the way from Newfoundland into Maine and across the northern USA where many areas have been deprived and have had their share of social problems. I tell them this is the first time I have experienced such a paranoid attitude and especially towards a traveller who has his website stamped all over himself and is tracked by a tracking device.
On the way out to the farm yard Redneck continues by asking. ” Where have you been to? Where you going to now? ” By now I am ignoring him.
The sheriff runs my background check. He is very friendly. His name is Andy. He tells me he has a friend who is a triathlete who would probably love to put me up. Just then his radio sounds and the sheriffs dept say they have a voucher for me for the Econo Lodge motel in Beatrice. I shake his hand and don’t offer it to Redneck.
He tells me that amazingly THREE of the five farms I went to phoned his office. I am shocked and tell him that is a first. He finds this hard to believe.
As I mentioned I left my website details with these people. Why didn’t they check this out before making their mean spirited phonecalls? Surely people can see I am harmless?
It’s 4 miles to town. Andy goes back to his office and meets me on the highway with the voucher. He also gives me a dinner that the dispatcher gave him for me. Apparently every Sunday they take it in turns to cook a dinner in the office. Today it was corn beef and cabbage and some brownies for desert.
Typing this a week later I have met some really decent Nebraskans and have had some wonderful experiences. I am torn between not wanting to offend my friends and giving a true account of my experiences here. Those that I have become friends with just laugh and agree with me and say things like that they have lived there for over twenty years and still feel like a stranger. It’s true, Nebraska is a very conservative state but I am sure I will have a good time here, I just got off to a bad start.
That day I ran just over 53km / 33 miles to Beatrice.
March 23rd, 2011 at 11:48 am
Say you were raging at the redneck from Rage County by the sounds of it Ann
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Yes Ann it was an over the top reaction by those people and it did dampen my view of the state giving me a very bad first impression.
I have since met some wonderful people and will write about them in my next update.
March 23rd, 2011 at 3:27 pm
another great read tony!!!
i’m thinking tomorrow you’ll be in “rocky mtn high” country in colorado??
keep up the awesome work..
your friends in newfoundland canada
stewart and bernie, katheryn cochrane
March 23rd, 2011 at 4:22 pm
hey tony! ive been following your progress for some time now and i just wanted to drop by to let you know that im pulling for you! unfortunately durng your run through illinois i was plagued with ITBS (grrr!) so i couldnt join you but i have been on my toes reading your blog every week and watching your little bubble move across the map.
im glad to see you have such a good attitude towards everyone, even if they are a little irrational at times. remember the people who you are helping, hopefully you will find like minded people to accept you on your fantastic voyage. ill be in touch!
March 23rd, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Sorry to hear about the rednecks Tony! But it sounds like it worked out with the law enforcement people which is good. Jack and Joey have been tracking you since you left Indiana. Keep up the running and writing my friend..
Craig
March 23rd, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Sorry, Tony some people just are hard heads! They will have their rewards! Sure hope u can find friends for tonight. Wish I had a magic wand and could preform miracles for you with it. Gods speed be with you!
March 23rd, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Reading this I am reminded of something from the bible, Tony, from the book of Hebrews.
Heb 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
I trust those that you mean as you go along your journey will also be mindful of this and do what they can to help you on your way.
March 24th, 2011 at 1:46 am
We are all following you and wish we could do more for you from IL.
Guess you had to work for your supper and that isn’t always easy…Sorry…
Hopefully, you will see more good ‘ole American hospitality as you continue your journey!!
March 24th, 2011 at 11:11 am
Hi Tony,
Firstly greetings from the Emerald Isle… I’m totally blown away at the amazing journey your trying to acheive as I’ve only just found your website from a link on a http://www.boards.ie (which I’ve now bookmarked), currently in work as its my second last day so motivation here isn’t at its highest and l’m catching up with all the your previous blogs.
I’d say your first impressions of Nebraska was’nt great is an understatement… how did you remain calm?? Any way best of luck with the next leg of your run.. ) Keep the Irish flag flyin..
Regards,
Ralph
March 24th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Way to go Tony!
Looks as if you’re almost to the Colorado border at 1:30 NL time! Sounds like you had another interesting experience finding a place to lay your head. Hope Colorado treats you well, enjoy it!
: )
Keep onnn keeping on. !
Katheryn
March 24th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Hi Tony,
Just watching your spot tracker and your not far away from Colorado now. You must be on a high to be so close. Enjoy and I hope you enjoy Colorado as much as you are hoping to Ann
March 24th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
thanks everyone. Yes I believe in Karma!
Yes Ann I am on a Rocky Mountain High!! With a spring in my step. Am having lunch in a cafe now in haigler and when I start running again it will be about an hour and a half. I may stop short at the line as I will have to stop a vehicle for the photos
March 24th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Thank you Ralph. Sorry about the job I hope things work out for the better for you like they did for me when i lost my job last summer I am happy to have you along for the journey. Yes I got off to a bad start and if you guys think that is bad wait for the suggestion by a Red Cloud reporter about where I should spend St. Patricks night! I will have that in the next update. I am very luck with my tempermanent as I have not gotten upset or angry since before the start of the world run and that helps as there is enough to be worrying about!Tony
March 24th, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Thank you Craig and also for my help up in In. You were tops 2 days commutting me long distances and 3 nights in your home. Best wishes to Jack and Joey. Tony
March 24th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
thank you Roy. i just want to stress to everyone that I do not expect anything from anyone when I approach their farm. I just expect them to see that i am on a unique mission and it is obvious because of this I am a zero threat. I would not get far if i was a theif etc with my tracking etc. I also expect them to be intelligent enough to realize this and not to call a cop! If i was a drifter with a backpack I could half understand but not with Nirvana sitting right in front of their noses and me providing details of my website and sometimes flashing the Magic letter!
I ALWAYS have a good relationship with people I have met using this method and always have a wonderful experience. These people tell me so too and to use the words of many of them… ” Of all the doors in the world we are lucky you knocked on ours! ” Many of these wonderful people comment on this blog. As I make my final run to the Colorado state line. I bid my thanks to the many wonderful Nebraskans I have met that have been so generous with their help. You have dragged my mind from a terrible dislike to a great fondness for your wonderful state.
March 24th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Hey Tony, just read that in about an hour and a half after your break you should be at one of the highlight destinations of your trip! COLORADO!!! Keep up the good work, you’re playing a blinder!
Serena xx
March 24th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Hey Tony,
Your certainly meeting some different people on the road! Had DebDeWilliams come through Canberra the last couple of days! She is keeping good spirits and only 36 days till she finishes her lap of OZ!
March 24th, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Hi Tony, glad you arrived in Colorado. Well done. Mark, Ann John Gary Serena and sheila