1999-10-18 But no where near ready to give up. Well I didn't make it into Indiana today, but according to my schedule, I shouldn't have anyway. It kind of bothers me that I'm right on schedule. I'd hope to be farther. But my legs aren't up to their full potential yet, although they're getting closer. I'm camped in a field somewhere between Lawrenceville and Mt. Carmel. There are still a lot of crickets down here, although with the temperature dropping into the lower 30s at night, I'm sure some of them are doing their death chirp. The trees down here also don't look near as pretty as ours in Wisonsin. Maybe in a few weeks that'll change. Talked to a guy today outside the courthouse in Paris as I was filling up my water jugs at a fountain. He was a lawyer that served all the sorrounding counties. He was a big guy with a Boss Hog accent. Apparently he had on his wedding/working coat because he gave me a bottle of bubbles that he was supposed to have used at a wedding yesterday. The bubbles were to replace rice. Now I have to figure out what to do with them. He asked me if I was tough for doing what I was doing. I didn't know what to say. I suppose an answer such as stuborn, crazy and a bit hopeful would have been better. There sure are a lot of critters outside my tent just having a good time in the leaves. And there are more barking dogs not too far off. Always with the barking. Actually, I usually put ear plugs in because all those little noises keep me alert and I can't fall asleep. Here's something I never knew: You can pump oil out of the ground around here. At least I assume it's oil. All over in corn fields are these rigs that look like giant ants going up and down. Most of them aren't moving, but some are. Who would have figured oil in Illinois? If they aren't oil pumps, please somebody educate me. Well, if tonight is anywhere near as cold as last night, then it will be really cold.