"Lord I’m one, Lord I’m two, Lord I’m three, Lord I’m four,
Lord I’m 500 miles from my home.
“500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles
Lord I’m five hundred miles from my home.”
- Hedy West
Day 139 - Wednesday, November 8, 1995 - We took a breather to collect ourselves while camped behind the Claude Hopper Inn, set by the side of the road leading into Claude, Texas.
Although it had been a cold night, it warmed up during the day. No one walked. We rested.
We found we had massive heaps of dirty laundry, and so most of us eventually headed off to the local laundromat, and spent several hours engaged with the washers and dryers.
The day of rest also gave us an opportunity to catch up on personal phone calls, and to do personal shopping at the local Wal-Mart.
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After a meal of sloppy-joe sandwiches prepared by Three Rivers and crew, Jack Spencer broke out his guitar to serenade us all.
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Amarillo road sign |
Jack did an admirable job singing renditions of The Yellow Rose of Texas, Gee But its Good to Be Back Home, Del Shannon's classic Runaway, and the all-time Hank Williams hit, Your Cheating Heart. Jack also gave baritone voice to that plaintive classic, 500 Miles Away from Home.
We sang along with him. So far from home, and having endured so many trials, many of us teared up as the chorus came round again and again.
When our Sunbow crew was altogether warmed up with food and song, Ned borrowed Jack's guitar, and got an earnest look in his eyes. He first sang the Sunbow song he received from Spirit while we were in the sweat lodge five months ago, the night before our walk began. Then he sang his big hit, Kashtin, and a Sunbow favorite, The House of the Rising Sun.
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Copyright 2006 by Steven McFadden
Read Day 140 -- Odyssey of the 8th Fire
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