RunAcrossTheUSA.com

[Matt]

Today started by waking up in our suite at the Oskaloosa WalMart. We tore down our camping equipment in the rain before seeking shelter and breakfast at the WalMart Subway. My first steak, egg, and cheese sandwich started on fire--so I got that one free. The second one was good, too.

After breakfast we braved the storm and set out on the road. We were quickly soaked but managed to get in 16 miles before stopping at a Hyvee supermarket. After picking up some supplies, we headed to the nearby Pizza Hut and their lunch buffet. With our bodies filled with pizza and breadsticks, we emerged to find it sunny and hot again.

Brandon had another strange encounter with a motorist today. Some guy went noticably over the white lane as he passed Brandon who was pushing the stroller. As he passed, he held his hand down on his car horn for one continuous long honk. We really weren't sure what that was all about; however, he seemed to be trying to scare Brandon.

A few miles down the road I was pushing the stroller over a road when I suddenly heard a snap from the stroller. The axle on the front tire had broken. Thankfully it broke near mile 20, and we were able to rig it up for a short time in an attempt to get to the next town. The tire kept falling off as we made our way down the road. Eventually we stopped for a bathroom break at a Subway near Monroe. It was there that the threading on the front axle bolt stripped away making the front wheel totally unusable.

We decided to head for Monroe with the hope that there was a hardware store open at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday. On the way to Monroe, Brandon tilted the stroller so that it was traveling only on the back two wheels. I walked down the road carrying the front tire. Still, the whole time we were not nervous as we knew the Lord would somehow provide.

In Monroe we found the hardware store already closed. We decided to go to the only store that was still open--Ralph's Reruns--which incidentally is open after 5 o'clock one night a week--on Tuesdays. We explained our problem and situation to the woman named Ralphi Munson who was working there. She said she might have someone to help us. Her husband Lee was working two doors down and came to talk to us after he was done working. After explaining our mechanical troubles, Lee said he could help and went to a parts store to get what he needed. A little while later we met him at an auto repair shop down the street where he was able to make us a new axle along with several spares. The new axle is far stronger than the original.

To our great pleasure, Lee then offered to let us stay at his home just down the street. Their Nascar-themed room and house are awesome. Lee and Ralphi also offered us beds and showers, and we eagerly accepted that offer. They fed us tasty grilled brats and burgers along with chips and salad tonight. Lee and Ralphi are fun to be with and have been very generous to us.

If you are ever in Monroe, check out the secondhand store called Ralph's Reruns and the Monroe Diner, which just opened yesterday.

We only got 31 miles in today, but it wasn't for lack of effort.

Brandon's father, mother, sisters and brothers are driving down to see us tomorrow. We are both excited to see them.