Days 53-55: “Kayoo!”

ELLENBORO, WV —

May 16-18, 2024

Days 53-55:

My final night at the Weekley residence involved a tour of their 200-acre farm from Paul, which was a nice change of pace from the perils of norovirus; my insides are now on the mend.

Paul had us hop on a little ATV designed to navigate the farmland’s hilly terrain. We made our way over clover-covered fields to their 63 cows and one bull in a pasture.

As soon as we entered it, we were entirely surrounded by the herd and greeted like rockstars. When Paul shows up, these girls know there are greener pastures ahead, and they follow the ATV accordingly.

“They just know to follow you?” I asked.

Paul laughed.

“They just think the next pasture is always going to be greener,” he said.

“Kayoo!” he yelled over and over, as they trailed us.

When I asked him what that word meant, he said it doesn’t matter. As long as you use the same word each time, they will follow.

We left them on a new hillside to chow down on the freshly grown clover. This pasture was indeed greener. They could trust the guidance of a Weekley, as could I, as I’ve come to find out in full.

The next morning, Sharon dropped me back off on the trail, exactly where she found me lying in the grass four days before. After one last big hug, I was back to the rhythm of walking.

The North Bend Rail Trail has since taken me through some tunnels and quaint small towns. My last two days on it have been light, about 10 miles a piece. So far, my stomach has held up well, although my strength and energy levels are still in need of improvement from being out for so long.

Today, I talked to Greg on the phone.

Out of the blue, he asked, “Zach, what have you learned about breathing?”

I told him I’ve learned to breathe more slowly, deeply, and intentionally. When I was sick, I noticed my breathing was rapid, shallow, and mindless.

“We know how to breathe a little bit when we’re young, but we forget,” he said.

“Same with curiosity,” I replied.

“That’s right.”

Our call dropped shortly thereafter, but before the cell signal went flat, Greg told me he was proud of me for using my capabilities.

That is my “kayoo.”