Day 20 - 71.9 miles - Segovia, TX

I noticed two things today. One, I must be out of the west because the humidity is in full force. Two, I am actually looking at green trees instead of cactus. The green trees are a welcome site but the humidity can stay away. Today was the most interesting day of my trip to date. The day started with wet roads and overcast skies. One of the few rains that have happened since I've been on the road. I had strong cross winds early, followed by a slight tailwind. So of course, what happens? I blow a front tire. I don't get upset. Now I am on the side of I-10 with bike parts all over the shoulder. I looked up and see the Sheriff getting out of his cruiser, lights flashing. Great, here we go I thought. I bet I'am not allowed on the Interstate. The Sheriff gets out of his vehicle, hand on his weapon and walks towards me. "Howdy Partner, you have blow out"  he said. Phew, maybe this is ok, I was thinking. "Yeah, I rode over a spike" I said. He went on to let me know that he will be patrolling this area all day and if I need anything, to just flag him down. Wow, thank you so much. Have a good day and he was off and I went back to fixing my tire. Back on the road enjoying a somewhat tailwind for the first time in weeks and you guessed it. Another flat in the same tire. It wasn't totally flat, so I thought maybe my patch didn't take and it's leaking. At this point I was only 6 miles to the town of Junction, so I just pumped it up and rode into town. By the time I reached town it was flat again and in need of attention. In a gas station, I took off the front wheel again to see the problem. Low and behold, another spike in my tire. This is nuts. Texas is killing me. I only have one brand new tube and I want to keep it for an absolute emergency. So I put my 4 or 5 patch on the existing tube. Hoping it holds. I need to buy more tubes in the next town with a bike shop. My original plan was to call it a day in Junction but it was only a little after noon. I decided on a Dairy Queen lunch and to push forward a little with my fingers crossed that my tires stay inflated. Well, it was a major climb leaving Junction and the winds back in my face. I fought for 10 miles and pulled in to the Truck Stop in Segovia, TX just off the Interstate. I saw a sign for a truckers dive motel for $30! I'll take it! Believe me, these dive motels are bad, no question about it. I really do have to start camping. This is getting crazy. I go in to the Truck Stop and check in. As I am doing that, I notice a thin man with all white hair and a huge white beard headed for the bathroom. That's Nimblewill Nomad! I have been looking for him since I was told he was walking across the country a few days ago. I can't believe I have found him. I waited by the bathroom door for Nimblewill to come out. I am so excited, a dream come true for me. I have known about him for years, read his book and followed his adventures. This is crazy. He comes out of the bathroom and I introduce myself and let him know that I am a huge fan of his. He seems all embarrassed, like he has no achievements at all. Nimblewill is probably the most accomplished backpacker in the world. His backpacking resume is over 18,000 miles long. That's a lot of miles hiking. Needless to say, we hit it off right away. He invites me to his booth in the restaurant and we just talk for hours. I am like a kid in a candy store. I have so many questions for him and he fires a few questions back at me. He was impressed that Bonnie and I hiked the AT in 2011. Then he filled me in that he has hiked the IAT (International Appalachian Trail) which is from Key West, Florida to Gros Morne, Newfoundland, TWICE! Are you kidding, that's about 4,500 miles a piece. He hiked it north, and he hiked it south. I think he was in shock that I knew so much about him. Just last year I read one of his books, Ten Million Steps. Nimblewill filled me in on a side road to take tomorrow that will get me off the Interstate for good. He also is taking it. I asked Nimblewill if he wanted to stay with me tonight, as I just bought in to that dive truckers motel right next to this restaurant. He thought hard about it and thanked me for the offer, but he wanted to walk more today to get him closer to the town of Harper for tomorrow. He only carries 2 small water bottles and next to no food. The weight is to much for him, he told me. He is 75 years old! I am nervous for him. He did have a few close calls a few days back with long mileages between service stations. We go outside and take photos together and he was off. I hopped on my bike and wanted to see what the road surface looked like for tomorrow, so I biked by him and saw that the surface looks good enough. I plan on taking this country road also, so I say goodbye to Nimblewill for today. I should pass him again in the morning. M. J. Eberhart is his name, but everyone knows him by his trail name Nimblewill Nomad. He gave himself that trail name years ago because he lived for 5 years in Nimblewill Gap, GA which is at the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Just before Nimblewill headed off, he left me with a poem I will never forget. Nimblewill wrote it in 1999 and its called "Land Of The Free"

Land Of The Free

By: Nimblewill Nomad

Here's to all hearts of that cold, lonesome track,

To the life of the wanderlust...free.

To all who have gone and have never come back,

Here's a tribute to you and to me.

With our feet in the dirt we're the grit of the earth,

Heads-a-ridin' the heavens o'erhead.

And they won't find a nickel of value or worth,

When our fortunes are tallied and read.

But no richer clan has there ever been known,

Since the times of all ruin and wrack;

Than those of us lost to the dust outward blown,

Who have gone and have never come back.

Nimblewill, you have inspired me greatly. I got strength and energy by being in your presence. Thank you for giving me so much of your time, while sharing many of your adventures with me. It is an honor to have met you and a day that I will always remember. I wish you well and safe travels as you make your way to the northern end of the Florida Trail, thus completing a walking circumnavigation of the lower 48 States. A truly incredible feat, and one I can't even imagine doing.

Just before you walked away, you gave me a second poem that I will keep to myself, but those 2 angels will be on my shoulders all the way to St Augustine! God Bless You, my friend, God Bless You!

Photos: Scenery is changing, wild flowers and trees - I-10 east of Sonora - More greenery - First flat tire of today, the Sheriff just left - There's water in the river beds - Myself and Nimblewill - Nimblewill and my bicycle - Nimblewill walking down the country road, happy to be off I-10 after hundreds of miles - Population of Segovia, TX - Segovia's truck stop and motel