Stories, Smiles, and Small-Town Charm
Daily miles: 23.04 | Total miles: 8,048.35
I woke up, had my cold coffee, and packed up my things. Yesterday, the hotel had given me a beautifully wrapped breakfast plate, so I prepared some toast sandwiches for the road and drank a small milk before heading out.
The plan right now is simple: just walk for a few days and see what happens. I knew I’d be walking about six hours today to reach Minnipa, a small town with one hotel. The day started warm, and I had a big smile on my face.
At mile 18, I met Troy and Shawn, two cyclists heading the opposite direction after just crossing the Nullarbor. It was great to chat with them and ask a few questions. They expect to be back home in Sydney in about two weeks. I haven’t seen any transcontinental travelers in a while, so I really enjoyed the encounter. Troy even gave me some protein bars — thanks, mate! It’s nice to know who’s coming my way next; it makes the road ahead feel a little less empty.
The sun was hot and felt good on my skin. When I took the right turn toward Minnipa, the road was completely empty, and the old, weathered buildings gave the town a quiet, almost timeless atmosphere. I saw one young man collecting wood — later I learned that was Chris, the son of Helen, the hotel owner.
The hotel is a little bit of everything: restaurant, bar, motel, pokies (gaming). Helen gave me a discount and a nice room with Wi-Fi and a shared bathroom — which tonight is all mine. Later, I went back to see Helen, who was sitting on a sofa near the bar, and we had a wonderful chat. She’s an RN too, and I loved listening to her life and family stories. I always realize how much I love these random encounters — every person has a story to tell, and they’re often fascinating.
Later, Kate the cook joined us, along with two regulars, Fat Cat and Guzi. It was the perfect end to a warm, sunny day. Now I’m finishing my socials and getting ready for a vegetarian dinner.
Tomorrow promises to be equally calm and steady.
Good night from Minnipa. Andrea