A few years ago I decided to slowly wind my way accross the US by staying with friends who lived in various states.

I decided to to stay for a week with a childhood friend who lived in rural Missouri.

Now you know how cramped up you get from driving, and how much travel can disrupt your exercise routine. So I decided to take a nice walk.

My frind looked at me strange. "A WALK? you're crazy" yes, a WALK. I meandered long the country roads. It was beautiful. But boy I felt strange. It was HOT. During my walk THREE cars passed me and all three pulled over to ask "Are you ok Miss? Do you need me to drive you somewere?" When I told them I was just out for a walk, they looked at me strange and shook their heads and got back into their cars.

I must have walked for only five or six miles, but when I retuned to my friends house I stumbled through the door. Exhausted. Dehydrated. Covered with ticks. Covered with chigger bites.

My friend just laughed at me, helped me get the ticks off, gave me some water and said to me. "Now you know why I said you're crazy?"