I had once planned to leave in November of the previous year, then planned for December, then March of the same year, then May, then July, then September...eventually deciding with determination to leave the day after my mother's birthday in October. That day came and went and I was still not prepared, so I pushed the plan back another week. Still not ready. Four days later, preparations complete, I still hadn't left in the morning as planned. It was somewhere around 3:30, I believe.
So with reluctance and yet gratitude I accepted a ride from my father in his pickup to this beginning point:
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Took a stretch and food break just behind and to the left of the building in the center:
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Camped just north of the "B" marker here:
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Google Maps reads 26.5 miles, but the distance covered was a little more than that, because I retraced my path here and there in De Smet until a lady pulled over in her truck full of children and told me where city park was after I answered "yes" to her question of whether I was even looking for it. I enjoyed her helpful/friendly attitude. I was thankful.
