4/7/2015
The day started with a hot salt bath and a breakfast of scrambled eggs and waffles. I knew I had a short mileage day on the itinerary so I took the time to pamper my body. While my body luxuriated in the steaming tub, my intuition told me to check my emails. As the water eventually cooled, I remained reluctant to move. Of course I was glad I did. I was greeted by an email from Tom Woemer, the reporter from the day before. He sent me a digital copy of the story he wrote. He informed me that I had made the front page.
After Crystal and I read the piece we smiled, laughed, and gave each other a high five. The article looked like it covered the entire front page. There I was, running across an intersection in neon clothing. We both agreed that we had to drive backwards to pick up a few copies. We figured that the late sunsets allowed us a couple extra hours of work or lounging each day.
I purchased a few copies of the paper at a gas station located next to a Subway restaurant. I made sure to hand the newspapers to the cashier face up. She didn’t notice my picture and I didn’t bother to point it out. The positive vibrations in the air created more opportunity and good will. The Subway donated a veggie patty sandwich. We sat in the air conditioned restaurant, savored our food, and read the article.
The task at hand (or at foot) was to get to Raleigh where I would enjoy a day off. After a few thousand miles on the road the spring in my step had recently been less springy. But today was different. I felt good and I wanted to let my body to do what it does naturally. I ran. There were more hills but I tackled those with ease. I have been accused of being a person that lets his feelings dictate his actions. My happy state definitely had me running like my younger self. The light sprinkles stayed with me the entire length of the run but they didn’t hamper my stride. I ran until we reached the Royal India Restaurant. Oh I had missed eating Indian food over the course of this trip. I prayed that the place would donate a meal since we didn’t have the budget for such a nice restaurant. This was a place where every president in office since 1990 had dined. The moment we walked in I could smell the delicious curry and coriander spices in the air. The owner Raj seemed busy with his family. Despite being preoccupied, he went to the kitchen and whipped up a to go platter for Crystal and me.
The Palak Paneer was made a little differently than the one at our favorite Indian place in Orange County. I enjoyed the fact that this one was spicy and that the Nan bread was very soft. It came apart like a pastry. The portion was perfect for the two of us. The perfect day was topped off with a rare visit to the cinema. The chance to rest without thinking was just what we needed.
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