Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

That’s all it was. My wife and I had a fight. I left the house without telling her where I was going. I’ve done it before. I was angry. I did not want to be around her. Millions of people take walks every day. I try to get in 3,000 to 5,000 steps each day on my smartwatch.

That day, I logged over 23,000 steps. I headed south. Normally, I go to a walking trail north of our home. I went south and west. Remember that it comes into play later. I walked along a creek. I wandered for a couple of hours. This time I had my shoes on.

Once, when I got mad and took a walk, I forgot to put my shoes on. I walked for a couple of hours barefoot up that trail I mentioned. I had my phone with me at that time, and my wife had my daughter come over, and they came to find me. Michelle brought my shoes to me and tried to get me to return home with her and my wife.

That time, I refused to get in the car with them. I told her I would get in her car alone with her. They went back to the house to get her car. I laid my phone down and continued my walk. This time, I had discarded my phone earlier in the day. Once again, I will explain something that you need to know for later.

The argument started in the car. My wife was driving. She threatened to have me picked up by the police and put me in a mental hospital if I got out of the car. I opened the door and went out. There was no traffic coming on that side. I walked out of the flow of the road and tossed my phone in the grass along the side of the road.

That was to prevent being found before I wanted to be. As I walked through the woods following the creek, I saw a clearing underneath electrical lines. The walking was easier there, but without the stream to guide me, I began walking back to the east.

I came up a rise and realized I was returning in the direction I came from. I made the first sighting of my daughter’s car and turned around. I had no intention of returning home. I went to the west once again and used the compass on my watch to keep me on a southwest heading. I was tired and thirsty. I set my course for a local convenience store. I stayed in trees and behind buildings as much as I could. I encountered two dogs that let me know they thought I did not belong there. I faced them and scared them away twice.

The third time they came back, their owner was with them and reminded me I was on private property. The former CBC campus is near the fairgrounds. I told him I was taking a walk and just passing through. He walked with me, and I asked questions about the church that now owned the property.

I saw my destination ahead and watched traffic for those I knew were looking for me. I used the restroom for the purpose it was designed and purchased a large drink. I continued my trek towards the library station. I spent the next few hours there reading, working on the computer, and watching for anyone I might know. I’ll continue this story tomorrow.

©Copyright 2025 by Charles Kensinger