Start:
End:
Mileage: 284 miles
Route taken: Interstate 90 to
Interstate 29 to Interstate 80 exit at
My route turned southward because of a rain storm in the area
in the hopes of dodging the thunderstorms and I am the first to admit
my
displeasure of precipitation.
Living at a
The rain gear was put on and off I went down Interstate 29,
hugging the
After
The second scene was a group of horses grazing in a field
about 30 minutes down the highway.
The sight of horses is not uncoming and in Sturgis I had
bought carrots to feed them if I came across a group of the animals.
They were
near the road and I pulled the bike over. I walked through some tall
weeds and
grass to get closer and the horses started to walk away from me.
Slowly they came back, though more interested in what I was
holding than me. After sniffing the carrots, but declining to eat them,
they allowed
me to pet them. One horse didn’t want me to leave. She kept thrusting
her head
towards me every time I spent time with the other horses.
The soft dark brown eyes of this chestnut filly with the white
striped nose seemed to notice any movement I made and her eyes followed
me all
the way to the bike.
I was getting low on gas and the clouds were moving to the
east. Since I had the rain suit on, there was no chance of rain, at
least that
is the way it seems. If I don’t prepare for the rain I get soaked, but
the
minute I put the rain suit on and weatherproof the bags the skies clear
up.
With the storm moving east, so did I, careful to move slowly
so I didn’t catch up to the rain. About 81 miles from
A
lot of times a small town will say they have a gas station, but it
isn’t right
off the highway, but several miles down the road. It doesn’t make for
efficient
travel and I had enough to get to the next exit, so I was contemplating
continuing.
But I pulled off and had no real reason to do so, just hoping
the gas station wasn’t too far down the road.
As I exited the interstate I saw a man hitchhiking on the
other side of the road. That he was bumming a ride was not unusual,
that he was
wearing a shirt a tie was definitely different.
Thomas Currier had been in town for the last three days,
trying to get a ride to
Part of the problem was he had about 10 pieces of luggage
with him. In it carried his life. Clothes, books, writings, mementoes,
all were
luggage and plastic bags resting by his side.
Currier is a Pentecostal reverend and has been divorced for
the last six years. Since he left his wife and stepchildren in the
He works exclusively for Christian churches, but they don’t
solicit for his services, he just shows up, looking for work.
“The Lord directs me where to go,” Currier said. “The
churches have the need, but not the resources. I try and help them and
in turn
they help me.”
Currier has received food, money, clothing and shelter for
his services. Sometimes he stays for a week, sometimes a month,
sometimes longer.
Then there are days like this one where he can’t leave town
fast enough. No church required his service and the trip seemed to be a
waste.
The faith of the 55-year-old minister with the baby face, is
being tested. Currier’s black pants are tight around his rolly polly
belly and
the zipper is not fully up. His blue short sleeve shirt has a stain on
it and
his dark blue tie is loose. Currier has been on this road off and on
for the
last two days and hasn’t been able to get a ride.
He didn’t get any work in the town of
One of the workers behind the counter at the gas station said
she gave him some food and the motel gave him a room for the night.
“He seems like a nice enough man,” the woman at the counter
of the gas station said. “But there is only so much you can do to help
someone
out.”
Currier’s time had come to leave and the state police were
making certain it occurred. They visited Currier on the side of road
and told
him he had to leave. Currier was in the process of moving his stuff, 30
yards
at a time, up the street to get closer to the highway in the hopes of
improving
his chances.
“I told the officer to pull out his gun and shoot me because
I am about ready to step in front of a truck,” Currier said. “I am
really
frustrated.”
A semi did get one of Currier’s suitcases, backing over it
earlier in the week. The other pieces look like they have been worn as
well.
In one of the bags is Currier’s writings about the end of the
world. Currier believes in Revelations and has written a book about it.
In the bag is 12 yellow legal pads filled with his writing
and he said it was almost completed.
“The end of the world could come today, tomorrow, whenever,”
Currier said. “It will be fiery, not as moderate as some people think.”
I mentioned that would be the ultimate case of giving the
ending away to a book before it was done. Currier didn’t get the humor
and
continued to sift through another bag to show me his Bible.
“This is what keeps me going,” Currier said, pointing to a
passage in Proverbs. “It says ‘in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He
shall
direct thy path.’”
It is a faith, that though tested, remains strong.
“The Lord has always come through for me,” Currier said. “You
have to live in Hell before the blessing comes.”
Currier doesn’t preach unless asked. He was at a truck stop
once and had a conversation with a trucker and had the burly truck
driver
tearing up after the end of the talk, promising to get born again in
the next
town.
“From day to day to be able to witness people experience the
gift of the Lord is pretty special,” Currier said. “He was so grateful
to have
met me.”
So was I, though I didn’t bring up the fact I am a practicing
Buddhist. Currier had enough troubles as it was, without him expending
the
energy to tell me I was going to Hell.
Before I left, I gave him $25 and wished him well and hoped
he got a ride.
“I can’t see why I am having so much trouble,” Currier said.
“I look nice and I am not bothering anyone.”
As he was moving bags down the road, creeping closer towards
the west bound on ramp of Interstate 80, a man in a yellow truck pulled
up to
offer a ride.
“The day is getting better,” Currier said. “God Bless you.”