The Ten Toe Express: A Daily Journal Of A 5,000 Mile Hike 1z5o5c

The Ten Toe Express

Daily Journal of a 5,000 Mile Hike

Matt Gregory

Copyright © 2021 by Matt Gregory

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

Author’s Note

1. Washington

2. Oregon

3. California

4. Arizona

5. New Mexico

6. Texas

7. Louisiana

8. Mississippi

9. Alabama

10. Florida

Author’s Note

This book is the unedited journal I kept on the hike. Sometimes I went days without seeing a computer and wrote them in a notebook. Once I finally saw a computer, it was usually a mad dash to update each journal entry in a fixed amount of time at libraries, internet cafes, and people’s houses. I made one fixing a few spelling errors but decided to keep everything else as is. To me, it keeps the essence of the journal alive. Most journal entries were written in a hurry while I was tired and pressed for time. Thank you for taking the time out to give this a read. I will finish the memoir soon.

1

Washington

September 1st, 2006. I'm beginning my trip today and will post comments to this blog page as I travel. Please feel free to visit to follow my postings. I'll also set this up to accept comments from visitors...

DAY 1

I walked nine miles down Chuckanut Dr. I stopped at a spot where my friend Ryan and I had planned to meet. I took a nap on a rock. Later I noticed a needle on it. It was near my head. That's a little scary. Ryan came out with some pizza. Not bad for my first night. My friend Spencer also came out. He brought some sapwood. While we were at out campsite, we heard a car radio blaring. Ryan and Spencer went to investigate. It was some random guy. He walked through our campsite. He came back about a half hour later asking if we had a lighter. He, Dustin, asked if he could say. He stayed. We didn't set our tents up. We slept on our sleeping pads.

DAY 2

Dustin left first in the morning. Spencer and Ryan left at the same time. We took a funny picture with our legs sticking out as we sat on a rock. I walked the last mile or so of Chuckanut. I got into the flat farmlands of the Skagit Valley. I

walked to Bow. I stopped and charged my phone and camera battery for a while. Then I walked down Bow Hill Rd. walking through Edison. Population, not a lot. On my way to Bayview Park Peggy Johnson stopped me. She was biking. She gave me pole trekking lessons. I finally made it to the park. While I was resting on the park bench a lady asked if I wanted to try flying the kite. Her name was Wilma. I took my hand at flying the two-string kite. Toward the end I started to get the hang of it. I still wasn't all that good. I kept on walking. I walked the Padilla Shore Trail. On this trail I saw Peggy Johnson again. She was riding bikes guys who are riding from Jasper to San Diego. I called my uncle Scot to see if his friend Jack that lives in Anacortes would mind if I pitched my tent at his place. Jack wasn't going to be home till late. He told my uncle of a spot. Take a left by the golf course. Walk past the golf course. There was a grassy field next to an old cannery. It was right next to the bay. The beach had a bunch of driftwood. I set my tent up for the first time. Spencer came out again to stay with me. While we used my camera, it detected dew. It wouldn't work the rest of the night. I've never seen the camera do it.

DAY 3

Spencer stayed. He left around 6. I left my campsite around 7:45. It was a pretty cool spot. It was a maintained grassy field next to a couple of canneries. The canneries were small. The field was ten feet from the water. The beach had a lot of driftwood. The tide was out in the morning. I walked along a backroad that had a bunch of nice houses. Once I was on highway 20, I walked until I saw the Deception Cafe & Grill. I told the waiter what I was doing. I asked if I could charge my cell phone and camera battery. I had a good breakfast. Biscuits and Gravy with two eggs. Daniel, the waiter, told me that breakfast was on him. I also filled my water bladder there. I walked until I got to Deception State Park. It is on two Islands. Fidalgo and Whidbey. On the north, Fidalgo side, I don't think that there is camping. I walked across the Deception bridge. The bridge is high. It has an awesome view of the water, islands, and beaches. There is an Island below the middle of the bridge.

I ended up camping at Deception . It was a little farther on the otherside of the bridge. I walked around 6-8 miles today. My friends Ryan and Krystal met up with me. They brought a cooler with food in it. We met a couple of from Bellingham. Danny and Jason are on a bike ride from the Canadian/U.S. border down to Mexico. Ryan gave me a smaller stove. It is easier to use and much smaller. I made my pack a little lighter. I packed it better to. I adjusted some straps.

DAY 4

I left Deception around 9:30. I had to hike out of the campsite. That was around a mile. I wanted a chance to visit with Ryan and Krystal before I left. I ended up getting onto the highway around 10. Another mile down the road Danny and Jason biked me. I hiked down the highway to Oak Harbor. That was around nine miles. I took for Ft. Nugent road to West Beach Rd. West Beach went alongside the Islands western beach line. It was nice. As I was walking by one house. A lady saw me. I told her of my walk. Carol invited me down for a Dt. Coke. I went down. She drew a map of a possible trail for me to take. She gave a banana and some grapes. Also, before I left, she gave me a bag of beef jerky. Further down the road I saw a sign for the Lavender Wind Farm. It also d Lavender Ice Cream. I had to try it. That is when I met Sarah. She runs the place. I ended up getting a blackberry lavender ice cream bar. It was good. It didn't have that strong of a lavender taste. She a had a lavender labyrinth. It was cool. The lavender isn't tall, but it was till neat. I kept walking on the road until I got to Libby road. I took a right. I walked down that road and took a left. That left took me right to Ebey State park. I got a campsite. It was ten dollars. After setting up my campsite I hiked down to the bluff trail. It was windy and there were a handful people at with their kites. This was my first solo night. I haven't used my stove yet. I ate two bags of jerky and wasn't that hungry. I made some calls and wrote in my journal.

DAY 5

I left Ebey around 8 a.m. I took the Kettles trail. It started right next to my campsite. I walked that for a ways. I took a wrong left turn. Then I got back onto to Kettles trail. It went through a wooded area. There was moss all over. That came out to highway 20. However, the Kettles trail continued as a paved trail running along the highway. How sweet. I then took a backroad called Sherman road. Three or four backroads and around 11am I found myself at the Keystone ferry terminal. I caught the ferry just as it was going to leave. I made some call while I was on the ferry. I called Bonnie and Greg letting them that I was on the ferry. They met me at the ferry terminal. We rode to their house. Tomorrow they'll drop me off in the same spot that they picked me up at. We went to their house. Then we went on a drive plotting my route for tomorrow. It'll be a long day. I need a couple of big days to get to Port Angeles. It's 44 miles away. Went to a Mexican restaurant downtown and had lunch. Now we are going to go to the store get dinner and I'll get some provisions.

DAY 6

I wanted a chance to visit with Bonnie and Greg in the morning. I ended up resuming my walk around 10:30 a.m. They dropped me off in the parking lot of the U.S. Bank, the same spot where they picked me up at. I walked through the small Victorian town and out highway 20. Thanks to Superfeet my feet are doing pretty good. I haven't any blisters yet. I walked 12 miles down highway 20. The last six miles of were awesome. The road didn't have much shoulder room. Luckily, there was six different types of construction going on. Traffic traveled only one lane at a time. Much of the walk

there was no traffic going by. It was peaceful. I was more observant of the road construction than I have ever been. I never even pay attention. Today I was curious and interested. At the same time, I made a good pace. I walked those 12 miles in four hours. Highway 20 connects to highway 101. There was a burger t at the end of 20 that I wanted to check out. It's called Fat Smitty's. It was 2:40 p.m. and they weren't open. I heard they were good, but I guess I'll never know. I stopped at a little store a mile down the road. I filled up my water supply. My Gregory Backpack (thanks to Dave Egan and Gregory Backpacks) has been feeling good on my back. It has a nice snug fit around my hip and has good suspension. My friends have been in impressed with it. Once I reached around 14 miles of total walking for the day. I stopped and hung out off the road in the woods. My friend Adam Logan just got off 15 minutes away. He came by and hung out. He took me out for a burger at a Cafe. Then he dropped me off back where I was hanging out, so that I could resume my walk. Throughout my walk I'll be pausing the walk to go on side adventures. When that happens, I'll resume the walk from the same spot that I stopped. That was something that I didn't think of beforehand. I was going to camp in the trees off the highway, but I got a bad feeling. I decided to keep walking down the highway. I walked to the tiny town of Gardiner. There is a lavender farm, church, and community hall on the highway. I walked by the Gardiner Community Church. I people a room in the bottom of the building. I knocked on the door and went in. I told them about my walk and asked if I could pitch my tent on their lawn for the night. They were really nice. That pastor, Greg, said that it was alright. I put my head lamp on and began setting up my tent. I got my headlamp at REI before I left. It is a good fit and is bright. REI was great at helping me a light pack together. Also, the two person half dome tent I got from them, for free, is awesome. It sets up nicely. It has double doors. A rainfly that gives a lot of good ventilation. Greg came out after the bible study. We chatted about I was doing. He told me when I walked through Forks to talk to Stan at the pharmacy. The two of them are hiking/climbing buddies. I went inside to fill up my water bladder. Someone suggested that I have a prayer. We got in a circle, held hands, and someone prayed. Then a really nice woman gave me twenty dollars. Thanks to the nice people of the Gardiner Community Church for a place to camp.

DAY 7

I woke up around 7:30 a.m. I was packed up and ready to go by 8. I started making my way down highway 101 on my way to Sequim. The interesting thing about Sequim is they are in a rain shadow and don't get much rain. However, I've been to Sequim once before in my life and it was raining. I walked for about 5 or 6 miles. That is when I started walking on the Olympic Discovery Trail. I stopped at a nice wood bench to rest up and write in my journal. It happened to be around noon. My friend Adam Logan was on lunch and working a half mile away. He came by and hung out on lunch. I met a couple of older couple while sitting on the bench. I told them I was doing. They were excited and curious. I walked the trail into town and caught Washington St. I stopped at Tailgate Pizza for some all you can eat lunch buffet. I had some time to kill. I walked through their downtown. I wanted to do some filming, but my camera battery was dead. I stopped by an auto part store and charged the battery. I wrote on a bench while it charged. I went to the Sequim Bay Merchant shop and bought a postcard to send to my friend Jennilyn. I ended telling the lady working at the shop what I was doing. She ended up giving me a free chocolate bar. I walked down Washington St. and took a left at a round-a-bout. That put me on River Rd. One more right and a mile and half later and I was waiting for Adam at the Sequim little field. Adam picked me up fifteen minutes later. He took me out for a beer. Then we headed back to his brother's house for dinner. I met his brother's wife Beth and two sons-Ben and Charlie. I met his brother Jeff once he came home after work. They were nice. Dinner was good. A nice bed to sleep in. I slept well that night. It was around a 12-mile day.

DAY 8

Adam dropped me off back at the Sequim little league field where my walk was halted. I started walking around 7:45. I walked into Sequim and took the Olympic Discovery Trail all the way to Port Angeles. The trail was paved most

of the way. It had some cool bridges to walk over. It was 14 miles to Port Angeles. The trail wonders through residential areas and farm areas. It finished with the last four miles along the water. It was foggy early off. I like it walking in the fog. Five ladies ed me on their bikes. I ed them when they were taking a break. Someone how in conversation what I'm doing came up. They were the Squeaky Bikes from Victoria, Canada. They gave 15 dollars for cancer research. They were really nice. I was walking along and both sides were surrounded by trees. There wasn't much sunlight. That's when I saw two mirrors on the right side. Then I noticed a clock. To left there were two bikes for sale. This trail must get a lot of action. Then there was a sun chair with a Taz sitting on it. Then I look up toward the fence and see a bunch of smaller Taz dolls. The mirrors were rectangular. They were set in some bushes. The fence had a door. This trail goes by many housed. Many have walkways connected. Earlier I saw pears for sale. It was tough to get a good look at the weird house. Looked like a manufactured home with some random structures. A couple tarp structures and small wooded shed. There were some other random things around the trail Infront of their yard. Example- fake frog and cat. The best part was at the end. The trail moved to the waterline. I could see the Port Angeles waterfront, Vancouver Island, and Ediz Hook. Ediz Hook is like a spit. The little piece of land that sticks out like a finger. Adam and his brother picked me up at the Hollywood Beach. That is where my walk is paused and it will begin from there either Saturday or Sunday. I'm staying with Adam at his parents’ house in Port Angeles tonight. I walked around 16 miles today. I might try a different format in my next blog.

DAY 9

I planned today as a rest today. Plans to go to Lake Ozette...but it didn't work out. Instead, Adam and I piled into his brother Mark's truck and went to Port Townsend. Mark hiked the Pacific Crest Trail four years ago. We stayed up last

night and he told me stories of her journey from Mexico to Canada. Anyways, we went to Port Townsend for the Wooden Boat Festival. The water was littered with sail boats. There were all sorts of wooden boats. The craftmanship in the different boats was awesome. Mark was more into boats. He helped build one of the boats there ten years ago. This is the first time that I've been to the festival. I built and bought a harmonica for two dollars. I also got a free lesson. I can play 'twinkle, twinkle' on it. It is really light which is a big plus. Tomorrow I begin my journey toward Forks. It's around 60 miles. I'm hoping to make it in three days. I'm rested and ready to go. The Logan family has been great. I've stayed with Adam and his family for three days now. His father, Dave, works for the local paper. He took my press release and picture for the paper. Hopefully it might make it in the paper Monday or Tuesday.

DAY 10 miles walked: 19-22

I got up around 7 a.m. I had a bowl of cereal. Both of Adam's parents and Adam had a pray for me outside before I left. Adam gave me a ride down to Hollywood Beach, so that I could resume my walk where I left off. I started walking around 8 a.m. Thank you to Adam for coming up with three nights of stay. Thank you to the Logan family for their hospitality. Funny sidenote. I've seen Pirates R Us at two venues: Wal-Mart and My house. Kind of funny. Anyways, back to the trip. I walked up Lincoln St. and stopped by Safeway on the way out of town. I got some provisions. I couldn't get my water bladder to work. No water was coming out. I called Adam. Sometimes air can be trapped in

there. I tried sucking the air out. No luck. I wanted to make some progress, so I kept walking. I stopped at a car wash and unloaded my bag. Everything except my tent. I still couldn't get my water to work. I kept walking. On my way out of town I walked within a couple blocks of the Logan's house. I made a couple of turns and walked Edgewood Rd. out of town. There wasn't much traffic, and it was a nice walk. It was probably five or six miles before I was out of town. I ended up taking highway 112 out of town. There was a stretch of the road where there wasn't much shoulder room. I survived. I walked 10-12 miles to Joyce. Not a big place. Not a whole lot there, but there is the Joyce General Store. Adam and his brother told me I should stop by. I did. They have a little of everything. From hardware things to random knickknacks. I bought and mailed a couple of postcards at the store. I walked further down the highway. A half mile or so. I turned down the JoycePedmont Rd. As I was walking down the road my butt started to get wet. I thought 'What the Heck?' I checked my water bottle. It was full. I stopped. I unpacked my bag. It was my water bladder. A tiny scratch sprung a leak in the bladder. Luckily, my first aid kit was two steps ahead of me. I haven't ed to get duct tape, but the first aid kit had some. I patched up the bladder. Even though it was simple I still felt like MacGyver. I walked four miles down the Joyce-Pedmont road and came to the Log Cabin Resort. The resort is on Lake Crescent. A beautiful lake with the Olympics in the background. I told them what I was doing, and they let me stay there for free. I thew my tent up. Got a shower. Wrote in my journal. Hung out at the lodge a bit. Then I called it a night. I walked around 19-22 miles today.

DAY 11 miles walked: 9-10

I got up around 8 a.m. I got my water bladder out of my bag. I don't have the slip

that it goes into for my bag. I have it wire tied in. I cut the wire ties. Anyways after about an hour of messing around, I realized that there was a valve on the nozzle. It makes total sense, but I never even thought of it. It's funny that I didn't use it for a day because I didn't know it had a valve. Something else about the valve. I've always had it open and about dozen time I've set my bag down and had the bag pinch the nozzle, thus, allowing water to run free. It can make a mess and deplete the water supply. I got on the trail around 9:30 a.m. I walked about a mile to the Spruce Railroad Trail. It was an awesome trail. I saw cougar warnings on a before I got on the trail. For the first mile I was paranoid of cougars. Right off the bat I walked up and saw a deer. The doe was feeding. We stared at each other. She didn't care. Eventually she turned her back and began feeding. I banged my trekking poles down. It made a little noise. She didn't even care. Then I started walking up the trail and a fawn was right in the middle feeding on some leaves. I stopped. I don't like being in-between a mother and her offspring. I stepped forward and the fawn jumped out of my way. I get walking down the trail which was surrounded by forest. The trail ended up coming out along the edge of the water. Lake Crescent is blue. The water is really clear. There was a cool bridge I walked over. After the trail I came out on Camp David Jr. Rd. This was about four miles. This took me to Fairholm. I wanted to go to the store. I got on highway 101 and walked the wrong direction. Then I hiked back down to the store. I looked in the Peninsula Daily News and saw my picture and a blurb about what I was doing. Awesome! They said my father ed away from cancer in 1999, but it was my mother. Anyway, I went down to the store. I got some supplies. I went to the campsite that wasn’t even a mile away. I got an awesome spot. It was right on the water. It wasn't that private. There were two guys a few campsites away. They weren't that friendly. I said 'hi' a couple of times. Different strokes for different folks. I was still camping on Lake Crescent. It's a pretty awesome lake. While I was on the trail my imagination was running wild. I was excited for a short day so I could write. After a few words my pen wouldn't work. I went up to the store and bought a pen. It worked for a few more words and then it wouldn't work. I was sad. I couldn't write. I went up to the store again and was asking the bearded man who is in charge of the boats about Bigfoot. He told me some stories. There is also myth about Cressie, the creature in Lake Crescent. Finally, while I was in my tent around 8:30 p.m. the pen I bought at the store decided to start working. I could finally write. I don't know what the deal was. I

talked with Austin on the phone and went to bed.

DAY 12 miles walked: 30

That's right. I had my first 30-mile day today. I walked from Fairholm to Forks. I wasn't planning on it, but I was going along pretty good today. It was some good uphill right off the bat, but after that it was fine. A lot of forest. Sections of only trees on both sides. I thought a lot about a story I'm working on entitled, "The C.A.T.: Carl Allen Timson." Sometimes it is hard to concentrate with traffic speeding by. I left my campsite around 8 a.m. The lake was very peaceful. I love walking in the morning. It's peaceful and it's awesome having the whole day ahead. I walked highway 101 all day today. It was a quarter mile from my campsite to highway. I crossed the Sol Duc river five times today. At first, I thought I was trapped in an episode of the twilight zone, but then I realized it bends a lot. A whole heck of a lot. It was foggy and overcast early. I like the fog. The fog was higher up. Not on the ground. After about 15 miles of walking, I stumbled onto the Hungry Bear Cafe. By this point I decided that I was going to make a run at Forks. If that was going to happen, I needed a good lunch. Once inside I asked the waitress if I could charge my cell phone and camera battery. She showed me where to. Some of the people in the place became interested. They asked some questions. I answered. Steve Thompson, of Sydney, came over and gave me 15 Canadian dollars. He was with his wife and two kids. He took down my website. He said that he's going put it on his website that gets a bunch of hits. Then, Annette and Bud Dattulo came over at gave me $20. They are from Chicago. I came out to find that they paid for my meal awesome. Thank you! I stopped for some lunch and all of this happened. I never know what's going to happen. Greg, the pastor of the Gardiner Community Church, told me to stop by and see

Stan in Forks. He said Stan ran the pharmacy. I called Stan when I was about 5 miles from Forks. I ed the road that he lived on. He offered me the chance to stay at his house. I was set on going into town. I wanted to hit the 30-mile mark. About a mile away from Forks a car pulled off to the side of the road. It was Jim and Diane Edwards. They asked if I was the guy from the newspaper. Jim had seen the article. Also, Jim saw me along the road either coming or going to Port Angeles today. They gave me 10 dollars. They asked if I'd like to be taken to dinner. I walked into to town, and we met at a Chinese restaurant. It was good. More than enough food to feel me. We talked about my trip a lot. They told me about their son. We had some good conversation. They offered me a room at their house. I left Fairholm this morning not knowing where I was going to stay. I was going to spring for a hotel as a reward for my first 30-mile day. It is difficult to turn down a free room. I accepted. Diane filmed me outside the restaurant. I document when I pause my walk, and then document when I resume it. I hopped in with them. They have a nice place about 8 miles north of town toward the beach. Thank you, Jim and Diane, for a meal and a place to stay. My body is holding up well. My calves are usually tight, but I stretch them. My feet are doing good. Thanks to Superfeet and Fairhaven runners for that. I have no blisters. I had a couple that started to come in, but they left. My feet haven't had much pain all trip.

DAY 13 MILES WALKED: 15-17 STARTED at: Forks FINISHED at: Hoh River Resort

I woke up around 7:30. Jim let his dog into the room. I had orange juice with peanut butter toast for breakfast. Diane was getting ready to go to work. It was cool that the Edwards let me stay. Diane, a cancer survivor, gave me a marble to through somewhere. She throws a marble somewhere everywhere weekend. I'm going to throw the marble off the Astoria bridge into the mouth of the Columbia River. Last night I used the last space on my last tape for my camera. I needed a new tape. Jim took me into town. We took his old Ford with a Camper on the back. I threw my bag into the camper. We drove into town. Jim took me to Thriftway. The store in Forks that has about everything. No luck. No tape. Jim dropped me off where I stopped walking the day before- South North Garden Chinese Restaurant. I thought the pharmacy might have one of the tapes. The pharmacy opened at 9 a.m. No luck there either, but someone told me the computer store might. I went by the computer store. It didn't open until 10:30. I was looking at a 5-day hike to Aberdeen. I needed a tape. I went to the Forks Coffee Shop to kill some time. I did some writing in my journal. They were really nice and gave me the breakfast for free. Thank you! A mother and son were setting next to me. The mother, Helen, gave me 20 dollars. She happened to be from Bellingham. Her son was named Mike. I get to the computer store at 10:45. The store sold out of their last MiniDV tapes. I thought I was going to leave Forks with no tape. I start walking out of town. I decided to stop by the Forks Forum. The town's small newspaper. Diane mentioned that I should stop by there. I did. I told the lady working what I am doing. I met Marsha who is on the Forks Chamber of Commerce. She drove me around trying to find a computer store that she thought was still in business. No luck. Last ditch effort. We stopped by the high school. She called Sally Milici, the film & art teacher. I ended up buying one off her for two bucks. I scored a tape. I'm back in business. Finally, I'm on my way out of town. I stop by the store and buy some provisions. Mainly trail mix and bars. I get on the highway. The nice lady whose card I lost from the Forks Forum stopped me. She jotted down some information and took my picture. Something should appear in the paper. I walk highway 101 all the way out to the Hoh River Resort.

I had to cross the Hoh River. The bridge had no shoulder. I mean no shoulder. I ran across it. The nice people at the Hoh River Resort let me throw my tent up for free. I bought a something at the little store. I needed a pocketknife. I lost mine at Lake Crescent. There were two men camped out at the Hoh River Resort. One is a fishing guide who camps there in September. The other was Stan. Stan works in Olympia on the weekend. He works to 16-hour days. The rest of the week he spends down by the Hoh River. I chatted with Stan for about an hour and half then went to bed. They were forecasting rain for tomorrow. I had the rainfly on my tent. I was prepared.

DAY 14 MILES WALKED:18-20 STARTED at: Hoh River Resort Finished at: South Beach

I was packed up and ready to go around 8:45 a.m. There were a few clouds with blue skies. I kept walking on the highway. I was walking through the rainforest. Mainly trees on both sides. That's been the story since I left Lake Crescent. I slowly worked my way toward the beach. After about 8-10 miles I hit the coast. I stopped and got some pictures. The Pacific Ocean. A beautiful site. I saw Destruction Island with the lighthouse on it. I walked on a road that mainly stayed on the bluff until Kalaloch. That was the first good beach access. I stopped at the Kalaloch Lodge. I was starving. I just made lunch. A few minutes before 5 p.m. I charged my cell phone and camera battery. There was an outlet next to my table. My waiter saw me walking on his way to work. They were really nice. They ended up giving my meal for free. I got a few things from the store next door. Filled up my water bladder. I walked three more miles to South Beach. The campground was closed. I walked 20 miles and was planning there. The campground was thirty yards up from the

beach. I pitched my tent. A few people walked down to check the view. I didn't make a fire. I didn't want anyone to see me. I made a couple of calls and wrote in my journal. Then I went to bed. Being that close to the beach felt like home. Highway 101 follows the coastline for about a 11-mile stretch. It has a lot of the yellow caution signs warning of pedestrians and bicycles. I noticed that they have three different signs. One with pedestrians on top and bicycles on bottom. Another one with bicycles in on top and pedestrians is on bottom. The third one is the most interesting. It had PEDESTRIAN on top and bicycles on bottom. This was the first one I noticed. Why didn't they have the plural form of PEDESTRIAN. The sign was right. I was the only one walking. The sign only warned of one person walking. The signs would be different for each direction of traffic sometimes.

DAY 15 MILES WALKED: 29-30 STARTED at: South Beach Finished at: Quinault

Here I am. I'm at an internet cafe in Quinault/Amanda Park area. Not sure where I'm staying. I left the campsite a few minutes after 8 am. I walked three miles to Queets. I got some jerky from a store. I wouldn't be seeing anything for about twenty-five miles. Those miles were beautiful. Surrounded by trees. The weather was nice to start. Some clouds with blue skies. Then a slight drizzle came down. For the first time on the trip, I busted out my rain poncho. The rain stopped and I took the poncho off. Then about a half hour later the rain was back. Just a slight drizzle, then, it started coming down hard. My feet got wet quick. I thought- should I set my tent up. I kept walking. Finally, I went down a logging road. I walked under a tree with long branches. It was basically dry underneath the protection of the tree. Just some drops. With the poncho on it was nothing. I waited out the rain. I

resumed my walk. I kept on trucking and finally made it to Amanda Park. I stopped at little store and got some crispitos. I ate those quickly. I need to charge my cell phone and dry my feet. Not sure where I'm staying yet. After I'm done with the internet it'll be dark. There is an inn right next to me. I might look into that. That'll I'll try and make it to a campsite that is a couple of miles of the highway. I'll keep you posted. There was a long stretch of not much. I wanted to get by that today. My feet are wet and tired. Tomorrow I'm hoping to get to Humptulips. Sunday I should be in Aberdeen. I'll be staying with my cousin John.

DAY 16 MILES WALKED: 26 From: Amanda Park/Quinault To: My Cousin Dan's house (10 miles past Humptulips)

Last night I ended up staying behind the internet cafe. Roz, the nice lady that owned the cafe, also owned a house next to the cafe and property behind the cafe. I charged my cell phone inside the cafe. I woke up and got my cell phone a little after 7 a.m. I filled my water bladder inside before I left. I left a little after 8 a.m. I stopped by the convenience store that was next door. A man in line asked what I was up to. I told him. The lady behind the counter, Becky Hansen, gave me twenty dollars. Like many people her life has been touched by cancer. The man in front of me in line bought my two items and gave me twenty bucks. I'm always blown away by how generous people are. It really motivates me. I got on highway 101 and started heading toward Aberdeen. I wouldn't make it today, but I'd make it to my cousin Dan's house. About a quarter mile down the road, I was crossing a bridge. I turned to my left and got an awesome view of Lake Quinault. It was good weather. Some clouds with some blue skies. I kept on truckin''.

About twelve miles or so down the road I ran into some rain. I busted out my rain poncho. At first it was slight drizzle, then, it started to pour. I found that getting under a tree with low long branches and branches all the way to the top was the best spot for shelter. I waited for about twenty minutes. It started to die down and I resumed walking. I made it to the Promised Land Park. The rain started coming down hard again. I went to the covered picnic area. It had a wood stove for cooking and a bunch of firewood. I was going to build a fire, but the weather quickly broke, and I was on the road again. Before I knew it, I was walking into Humptulips. I stopped at their little store and got some supplies. There was a tiny black cat hanging out at the store. My cousin John called me and told me that his brother Dan would have a sign out signaling me up to Dan's house. There was also a husky dog hanging out at the store. Once I left, he followed me. He tailed me for about a quarter mile, then, his owner came and got him. The dog was very resistant. I thought Dan's house was just going to be little further down the road, but it ended up being about ten miles past the store. I talked with a reporter, Jordan, from The Daily World. The reporter from the Aberdeen newspaper asked me some questions about my trip. I knew Dan's house was after Youmans Rd. The thought it was the first left. The first gravel driveway had an orange cone. My feet hurt and I walked further than I thought I would have today. I was excited that I found Dan's house. I walked up the gravel driveway that had clear cuts on both sides. A couple hundred yards and I ran into three young girls and four dogs. I thought I would be welcomed, but they were asking who I was. I asked if Dan lived there. They said, "No." They said that Harold lived there. I called John and he told me that Dan's house was the next left down the road. I walked back down the gravel driveway. I got back on the highway. I walked up to the next left and there was a sign that said, "Matt" with and arrow pointing to the left. I walked up the gravel road and it was the first house on the left. I walked up and Dan and his buddy John were in the shop playing pool. I was glad to be done for the day. I took my pack off and sat on the tailgate of a truck. Dan and John asked me about my journey. I had a nice dinner delivered to me outside. Dan has three daughters, and his new wife has three daughters. A lot of estrogen in the air. Dan works at the fish hatchery in Humptulips. After dinner I didn't do much. I did my video journal and basically went to bed. I slept in a bed. The nice thing about staying at someone's house is that I don't have to pack up in the morning.

DAY 17 MILES WALKED: 16 or 17 FROM: My cousin Dan's house (10 miles past Humptulips) TO: Aberdeen (My cousin John's house)

After a huge breakfast and shower I left a little after 8:30 a.m. I thanked the Evan family for their hospitality. I told Dan that I'll keep in touch with John, and that John can update him of my progress. It was drizzling outside, and I started with my rain poncho. Despite the rain I left in high spirits. I was excited about finishing the last leg of my five day walk from Forks to Aberdeen. I break my trip down into minadventures. From Port Angeles to Forks was a three-day trip. From Forks to Aberdeen was a five-day trip. It helps me to think in those rather than always thinking about the overall trip from Bellingham to Miami Beach. Every night so far on my trek I've had cell phone reception. Having a phone helps me feel less alone. It's nice to always hear a friendly voice. Plus, I can keep my friends and family posted. It rained all the way until I got to Hoquiam. That was about a twelve-mile walk. I was walking along, and I saw a Statue of Liberty in someone's yard. Before I got there a sketchy looking lady crossed the street. She was carrying something. She went to a car parked across the street. Once I got close to the Statue, I took a picture. I didn't get the whole thing in the first picture, so I took another one. The lady asked me as I was walking away if I was a surveyor. Caught off guard I said, "no." Then she asked If I knew anything about the neighborhood. Again, I said, "No." I had a feeling that she was involved in drugs, but I'm not Columbo. My friend Austin told me that The Daily World had a blurb about me. That would be the third newspaper that my story has been in. I tried getting a hold of the reporter today. I thought they might want to snap a picture of me. I couldn't

get a hold of anyone. I stopped by the newspaper on my way through. Only one lady was there. It seemed like she was cleaning the place. A couple of miles and one bridge over Grays Harbor and I was at my Cousin John's house. I was greeted by John and my uncle Ernest. I went in and hung out with them and three of John's kid. I talk about my trip a lot with the people that I hang out with. Ernest left after a while. He has a long beard he tucks into his flannel. John and I caught up on old times. Around 10:30 John and I hopped on one of his four wheelers and took off. We were going to a logging road on a hill that overlooked Aberdeen/Hoquiam. He fired up the four-wheeler. We went down the street and cut across the middle school. After a couple more streets we hit some trails. We went down a maze of trails and logging roads and eventually popped out on the hill. It was awesome. You could see the lights on both sides of Grays Harbor. After about ten minutes it started to rain. I had both my cameras and we thought we should take off. On the way back we took some different trails. John has been on these trails since he was a kid. He explained what changed and told me some stories he had. The first place he learned to swim and a place and where he broke his leg. We tried to get out of the trails twice, but people put up some bars that stuck out of the ground about a foot. We had to turn around. Finally, we were out of the trails on the road that went by were his Grandparents use to leave. The four-wheeler began to sputter. It was running out of gas. He steered it to the right underneath a car port. He knew the people. The only person there was the daughter who was in high school. John called her mom. She was driving from Spokane and was supposed to be at the house anytime. Both John and I were wet. I caught a sore throat. Not sure where from. Maybe from someone. Maybe from being cold. Anyways, it was a long time before the mom showed up. It took about three hours to get some gas. John and I didn't get back to his house until 2:30 a.m. I was wiped out. I did a brief journal before I went to bed. I said the wrong day. I said the 19th instead of the 17th. Plus, I accidentally recorded over some footage. Oh well.

DAY 18 MILES WALKED: 0

FROM: n/a TO: n/a

I decided to take today off. I needed the rest and I have a sore throat. I slept in until about 11 a.m. I was really tired. My friend Austin came over to Aberdeen and picked me up. He took me to Elma. Elma is about twenty miles east of Aberdeen. I saw his brother Travis who I haven't seen in years. I also saw my buddy Joe Keith and his two kids. His son is 2 years old and can swing the baseball out. Not sure what I got planned. I might stay with Austin in Elma tonight. He'll probably take me over to John's house tomorrow. I'll resume my walk from John's house where it stopped. Four more walking days and I'm out of the state. My next journey is from Aberdeen to South Bend. My uncle Alvin lives in South Bend.

DAY 19 MILES WALKED: 0 From: n/a To: n/a

I stayed with my friend Austin in Elma. My sore throat transformed into a cold/flu. I wanted to hang out with Austin and rest up some more. Austin and I ride around his car quite a bit. We went on a chocolate milk run out to Matlock. It was about a thirty-mile trip. We stopped at the little store in Matlock and got some snacks. No, we didn't get any chocolate milk. On the way back we stopped at Schaffer State Park. We

didn't do much. Austin threw some rocks. We filmed a little bit. Nothing to really write home about. After that we went out toward the Nuke Sites. About ten miles outside of Elma are two huge Nuclear Cooling Towers. Like the one that you see on The Simpsons. They've never been used. Now there are some random mill type places out there. We stopped by the river. Austin threw some more rocks. We joked around and talked about vector calculus. Okay we didn't. We talked about life. After that we drove back to Aberdeen. We went down to the South Shore Mall. The mall used to thrive but not there about ten shops that are closed and hardly anyone in it. I stopped by the bookstore. One of the girls working also worked in the little store in Humptulips. She recognized me. Austin and I saw a movie. After the movie he dropped me off back at my cousin John's house. That's were my walk stopped. I hung out there with my cousin John. I watched a movie and went to bed.

DAY 20 MILES WALKED: 0 From: n/a To: n/a

I got up around 7:30 a.m. and was planning on leaving, but I felt worse. It was raining pretty steady outside. I didn't think that it'd be a good idea to go out in the weather while I was sick. So I didn't. I took some NyQuil and went out to John's 5th wheel camper trailer and slept four more hours. Janelle, John's wife set the temp. at 70 degrees. My Uncle Ernest came in and turned it up all the way. I slept about four more hours. I got up feeling a little bit better. I spent the rest of the day hanging out writing in

my journal. Ate and went to bed. I took a heavy dose of NyQuil and went out the trailer.

DAY 21 MILES WALKED: 28 FROM: Aberdeen (Cousin John's house) TO: South Bend (My Uncle Alvin's house)

I felt a little better today, but I'm still sick. I was itching to get on the road again. They forecasted that today was supposed to be better than yesterday. It wasn't raining and I saw a little blue sky. I geared up and headed out. I left a little after 8 a.m. I thanked John for letting me stay. Janelle gave forty bucks before I left. Thank you!!! I had a real nice visit at John's house. I haven't stayed in touch as much I should have. I got to know his four kids: Taylor, Johnathon, Ally, and Colton. Well, it was time to get on the road again. It felt good. I walked a block out to the highway and started heading South. I was looking at a lot of hills today. As I was walking through Cosmopolis and saw a couple of drifters. Once I hit the first hill I left in the dust. I wasn't sure, but I thought they might try messing with me. I walked about 6 or 7 miles and reached the tiny dot on the map called Artic. There is a restaurant called Clarke's. My Uncle Al told me that there were some dogs to be aware of. Luckily, I never encountered them. I saw a lot of forest today. I had a couple sprinkles on me. Nothing bad. The weather was nice. It was kind of windy. I'm glad it didn't rain. Being sick the hills tested me. About nine miles away from Raymond my uncle Al drove by. He was heading up to Aberdeen to work. We had a nice little chat for about ten minutes. He gave me a soda and apple. After that I had two more hills and one flatland, and I would be in Raymond. Not all full strength the hills tested me. Today tested me emotionally and physically. I had a good cry. I got to thinking and I don't think

I've ever had a bad cry. I always feel better. Anyways, I pushed myself and I made it to Raymond. Now I was looking at six or seven miles from the bridge in Raymond to my Uncle's house. I stopped at the library in Raymond and checked my email. I saw that the gang from Sound Beverage are following. That felt good. It helped push me the rest of the way. Raymond and South Bend are dying logging towns along the Willapa Harbor. About another mile and I caught a paved trail from Raymond to the edge of South Bend. I walked on the trail for about three and half miles. I stopped and had a girl film me. It's difficult making a documentary about yourself. I'm learning as I go. After the trail I got back on the highway and walked a couple miles to my Uncle's house. Boy, was I glad to see his house. I was greeted by my Aunt Dinah. I took my shoes and pack off. I chatted with Dinah for a bit. Then she called my Uncle Ducky. He leaves about a block away. Ducky and his wife Ella came down and visited. I'm looking at possible roadblock. Pedestrians aren't allowed on the Astoria bridge. I'm going to see what I can do about that. I'm went up to my Uncle Ducky's house to get online. Tomorrow I have some plans before I leave town. One, I feel worse now. Two, my mom's grave site is a few miles away from Raymond in Menlo. I'm going to get some flowers and go clean off her space. She was a good woman and is greatly missed. Anyways, how about the Yankees. Enough of the sad talk. I'm going to hit the sack. I need some rest.

DAY 22 MILES WALKED: 0

The trip down from Aberdeen took all my energy. I still wasn't a hundred percent. Last night the flu hit me. I spent today in cold shivers or overheating/sweats. There was some vomiting also. I was in bed all day long. I

couldn't hold any food down.

DAY 23 MILES WALKED: 0

I felt better than yesterday, but still sick. Spent most of the day watching movies. I watched all of the Harry Potter movies. Still staying at my Uncle Al's house. Took a bunch of Theraflu. Starting to get better.

DAY 24 MILES WALKED: 0

Feeling much better. Felt that I should take today off for good measure. I learned my lesson. I left Aberdeen before I should. Making the 28-mile hike at while I was still sick took a lot out of me. I don't think that my body could fight the flu as well considering all the energy the walk took. At least I had a warm bed and family to stay with. I realized that I can't overdo it and I need to take my health in consideration. Today my Uncle Al and I went out to my mother's gravesite. It's always sad for me. I don't make it out there that often. I took some silk flowers out there. I cleaned off her gravesite. Besides that, I went down to the waterfront and wrote. I wrote at my uncle's house also. My Aunt Jessie and Uncle Don stopped by. They were out riding Don's Yamaha 1200. It's a heck of a bike. I've only walked one day this last week. I ran into a roadblock called the flu. I'm feeling better now and I'm hitting the road in the morning.

DAY 25 MILES WALKED: 18-20 FROM: South Bend TO: Nemah Community Center

I woke up around 7:30 a.m. I packed up. My uncle Al took me down to the store and I got some supplies. When I got back Dinah made me some breakfast. Eggs, bacon, and toast. Around 9 a.m. I started heading out of town. My uncle Al was going to walk me to the edge of the town. I stopped by and got a post card at the store. It was a postcard of some statues in Raymond. Toward the edge of town Al saw that Joanne was at the library. He thought that she might no of a place to stay. We walked over to the South Bend Public Library. It was closed but Joanne let us in. She wanted to meet me. Once inside we chatted for awhile. Joanne made some calls. The end result was that I was going to stay at the Nemah Community Center and a hot plate of food was going to get delivered to me. Also, while I was at the library, we made me a sign for my backpack. It said, "Walk for Cancer" with my website on it. We went outside and took some pictures. After that I was on the road again. Uncle AL walked me to the edge of town. We said our goodbyes. I hit the road. I was looking around 20 miles. It was almost 10 a.m. The shoulder was really nice all the way out. Nice and big. I don't , but I was a ways out of town when a lady from the Willapa Herald came out. Al got a hold of her. She snapped some pictures and jotted down some information. A little further down the road and my Uncle Al came out. He came out to see if the lady from the paper came out. We said our goodbye again. Today was mostly flat with a few smaller hills. I had some great views of Willapa Harbor. The weather was warm and sunny. I had a good sweat going. The kick back from a big truck knocked my hat off. That was the only the second time that has happened. The was a wicked white spider in the hat that I had to knock off. The hat flew into some

sticker bushes and I had to dig it out. I walked by a lot of slough areas. I walked around one corner and there was a good size river. The way the sun hit the water was awesome. I was walking along when Larry Weld, my best friend Austin's stepdad, stopped his truck. He had a big Ford truck full of a logging crew. He gave me some grapes and shortly thereafter was off. A little further down the road I bumped into Dejan from Slovenia who was biking across the World. Currently he was heading from Alaska to Argentina. He told me he met a lady walking across the world and a guy walking from Alaska to Mexico. We chatted and snapped a picture. Then he was on his way. It was probably five miles down the road and I was at mile post 35. I was at the Nemah Community Center. Nancy met me there. Nancy Robinson made me pork chops and macaroni & cheese. It was awesome. Thank you, Nancy. Shortly after Nancy left, Andi, the lady in charge of the community center came out and unlocked the center. I got to stay inside. It was an old school and an old church. Now they use it for chili feeds and stuff. It had two big rooms. One with tables and chairs. The other was open with some old church pews, piano, and books. About twenty minutes after Andi left my Uncle Al and Aunt Dinah came out. They wanted to make sure I made it alright. They brought me a Gatorade and capri sun. I put my sleeping pad on a table. I grabbed a book and started reading it. Later that night a bat was flying around. I didn't want to deal with a bat, and I set my tent up. In my tent I read till about midnight. It was book entitled, "Floates." A book set in San Diego harbor. About crime and the America Cup.

DAY 26 MILES WALKED: 23 FROM: Nemah Community Center TO: Astoria, Oregon

I woke up around 8 a.m. I was packed and ready to go by 8:30. I hit the highway. I was planning on camping on the Washington side by the Astoria bridge. I started walking. It was nice walking through the woods. I heard a chain saw roaring. I walked on highway 101 six miles to the junction of highway 4. As I was walking down the hill toward the junction I was going to film. Then my camera detected dew. It popped the tape out and wouldn't even let me put a tape back in. Once I was on 4, I was walking. I wasn't walking that fast at this point of the day. A mile or so down the road I saw a green Hyundai car drive by. It looked like my friend Austin's car. The car didn't stop so figured it wasn't him. I kept walking. Another mile or so down the road I glanced up to the left and saw someone sitting on the hill next to the trees. I looked for a gun and didn't see one. I thought- what the heck are they doing there. It seemed weird. It was my friend Austin. We both laughed. He drove three miles into Naselle and walked toward me. A little further than a mile I met Austin. We met and walked into Naselle and ate at the diner. I had a burger and fries with a big chocolate shake. Full from lunch, I wasn't ready to walk. I hopped into Austin's car and we drove toward Rosburg. We stopped at a store. I asked the guy if I could walk across the Astoria bridge. He didn't think so, but he called the state patrol. I talked to them. They said it was illegal. They were flexible because of my cause. Now I had to find a different plan of attack. We drove back into town and Austin dropped me off in Naselle where I stopped walking. I was looking at twelve more miles to the bridge. It was noon. I hit the road. After Naselle I had a huge hill to walk over. I took a couple small breaks on the walk. Walking over the hill was worth it. Once I hit the bottom, I saw the mighty Columbia and the Astoria bridge. I was excited and picked up some momentum. I had about five or six miles left. It was nice once I was walking right next to the water. From there I followed the Columbia right to the bridge. My plan now was to walk to the bridge. I'd walk until it prohibited pedestrians. I called my Uncle Ducky to see if a bus ran across the bridge. Now I was planning on going into Astoria and getting a hotel as my reward for walking across my first state. When I was about a mile away from the bridge resting at a rest area he called and said he'd come down and drive me across. I walked the last mile to the bridge and walked right up to the sign that prohibited walkers. The bridge is long. It's over four miles. Around 7 p.m. my Uncle Ducky and his wife Ella showed up. As we drove over the bridge, I threw the marble from

Diane Edwards right in the middle of the Columbia River. Dead even between the Washington and Oregon side. They took me and dropped off at the Dunes Hotel. My Dad and I stayed at the hotel when he bought a boat named, Washington. It's funny I stayed there tonight after I walked across the state of Washington. I got some food and walked down to the Cannery Cafe were I'm blogging. Now I'll go back and go in the pool and then hit the sack. I got a shower which was nice.

2

Oregon

DAY 27 MILES WALKED:19-20 FROM: Astoria TO: 3 or 4 miles south of Seaside

Well, the Washington chapter of my adventure is in the books. I had a lot of friends and family. It was awesome. I saw a lot of beautiful country. Some I've seen before and some I've never seen. Walking gave me a chance to soak in some of the details. I ran into a roadblock toward the end, but I still made it. I was kind of upset that I couldn't walk the bridge. That was one law I wasn't willing to break. I still walked the entire state of Washington from Bellingham. I got up around 7:30. I milled about. Around 8:30 a.m. I went to pool and went into the hot tub. My body needed to have some warm jetted water on it. It was awesome. I called The Daily Astorian and told them what I was doing. The reporter said she'd meet and snap some pictures. I packed up and was on the road around 9:30. I walked to the Astoria side of the bridge. I walked up to the sign that said no pedestrian past this point. That is where I resumed my walk. From there I headed on 101 toward Warrenton. I had to cross a bridge. It was pretty safe. Traffic was going fast, but there was a little rail that wasn't above the tiny shoulder. I felt pretty safe. Another mile or two after that bridge and I was in Warrenton. I got a 2.49 sub sandwich at Subway. I started earlier than I thought I didn't want to get too far before the reporter was ready to see me. I finished my sandwich and got back on the road.

Around 11:15 a.m. the reporter, Kara, said that her and the photographer were on their way. They drove up ahead of me. They took some pictures as I was walking toward them. Once I got to them, they I stopped, and we chatted. That'll be the fifth paper I've been. I got back on the road. I probably had five or six miles under my belt at that point. Then I had ten or eleven miles to get to the start of Seaside. I hit the road. I was walking along, and some guy was swerving. He was all over the shoulder. The shoulder was big too. He was looking at a map. He turned my smile upside down, then, I quickly turned the frown upside down. I've seen glimpses of the ocean but haven't walked along it. Right now, I'm a couple of miles deep into Seaside at an internet cafe. After this I'm hitting the road toward my campsite. It should be three or four miles down the road. I found a pair of sunglasses yesterday. I lost the first pair given to me. Sorry Bonnie and Greg. I happened to be on the right side of the road resting in the shade when I saw them. They are dorky and called Solar Shield. Well, I should get going. This place is going close. I'll let you know if anything cool happens during the rest of my day.

DAY 28 MILES WALKED:20-22 FROM: Circle Creek (3 miles south of Seaside) TO: Nehalem Bay State Park (Between Mazanita & Nehalem)

Last night I ended up staying at Circle Creek. It was about three miles outside of Seaside. Today I got about around 7:30 a.m. I ended up getting packed up and ready to go around 9. I walked a mile or so to a junction. I didn't take a junction, but from the junction it was five miles to Cannon Beach. Right off when I started it was foggy. It was

heavy fog, so I started with my rain poncho. The fog didn't break but it rose. I took off the poncho. I had a decent hill to walk before I got to Cannon Beach. Once I got to Cannon Beach the fog broke. Cannon Beach is beautiful. Unlike most towns on highway 101, the highway doesn't run through the town. I took the first exit because I had to go to the bathroom. I went to a city park. After I used the restroom, I walked over to the beach. I saw a truck. On the truck was someone's address on a piece of paper and taped to the front of the truck. Never seen that before. I snapped some pictures and hit the road. I walked through Cannon Beach. I stopped by the Chamber of Commerce to see if there was a spot to check my email. They told me about a copy/fax place. I went there. It was three dollars for fifteen minutes. I hopped on really quick and didn't hardly have time to do anything. After that I walked back to the freeway. I stopped at the last Cannon Beach exit at Tolovana State Park. There was a Mo's restaurant next to it. I went and got a burger and fries to go. I wrote by the beach. It was a pretty beach. I could see the big rocks that are on the beach. After lunch I hit the road. There was a big hill heading out of town. I was sort of struggling today. Not really making that great of time but moving forward. I looked in someone’s Astorian newspaper box to see if my article was in it. It was a front pager with my picture on it. The article finished on page 12. Yeah! I stopped by the Arch Point Deli & Grocery to pick up a paper. I told the girl, Marselles, who was working about it. She was kind and gave me a free plate of lasagna and five dollars out of her tip jar. Jammed full of food I hit the road. The fog was back. I had uphill most of the rest of the day. I little ways up the hill and I saw that'd be walking through my first tunnel. I thought- oh great. However, it was well lit with a good sidewalk. There was a button to push for bikers that flashes lights to let cars to know to slow down. I hit that button. The cars were really loud. It was a good tunnel experience. The last big hill on my way to Nehalem Bay State Park went on a high bluff that overlooked the ocean. The fog had broken again, and it was beautiful. The shoulder wasn't as cool. At times it was about two inches. I stopped at a viewpoint near the top. A man approached me. He asked what I was doing. He saw me walking yesterday on his drive to Cannon Beach and he saw me again today. I told him. He fainted. Just kidding. After that I had a little more of the hill to climb then a couple of miles left. The campsite was a solid mile and half off

the highway. Maybe even more. I got there around 7:30 p.m. I camped next to Josh and Jay. A couple of med students from Mass. who are biking from Portland, Oregon down to California. It was nice to chat will someone and they were cool. The spot for bikers and hikers had little sand boxes to put the tent on. I was worn out and didn't make it to the beach. Another guy stumbled later in the night. He just slept in his sleeping bag. I saw earlier. He rode his bike past me. He must have turned around to come back to the site. I don't know. He was asleep when I woke up.

DAY 29 MILES WALKED: 13-15 FROM: Nehalem Bay State Park TO: Barview Jetty County Park

I woke up around 7:30 a.m. My left calve was really tight this morning. I stretched it out. It was still pretty tight. I said goodbye to Jay and Josh as I headed out around 8:30a.m. I had a solid mile and half if not more just to get back out to Highway 101. Once I hit the highway it was a mile to Nehalem. I stopped at a little restaurant there. I charged my cell phone and got some biscuits and gravy. Then I hit the road. I had a few miles and the Nehalem to cross, and I was in Wheeler. This little town of a couple hundred people has a street named Gregory. I had to stop and snap some pictures. On the way out of Wheeler they were doing some road construction. The first flagger in the road construction crew usually radios ahead so that everybody knows about me. I was walking through and Tarol Gallway, one of the flaggers, gave me ten dollars. She read the article in the Daily Astorian yesterday. Another guy on the crew read the article. I chatted with him for a couple of minutes.

Today was a gorgeous day. I walked around the Nehalem Bay. Today I wasn't making that good of time. I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. I felt like I was walking three or four miles and it'd only be one. Finally, I made it to the beach. I stopped at Manhattan Beach. I used the restroom and walked out to the beach. Then I took a trail back to the highway. It wasn't far, maybe a half mile. Another mile down the road and I found myself in Rockaway Beach. The small town is right along the beach. It has a backdrop of fully forested hills. I stopped at the library and got online and put yesterday’s journal on there. The town was three or four miles long and stretched along the beach. I stopped by the U.S. Bank and put some money in the bank. Money from selling my truck that I've been carrying with me the whole time. I was surprised that this town had a U.S. Bank. A few miles past Rockaway and I was at Barview Jetty County Park. My final resting place for the day. It was five dollars to pitch my tent. The campground was along a jetty. I set my tent up and got a crime novel from a store nearby. I hiked around a little on the jetty. There was some fog. There were some guys out there fishing. It was really windy, and I was still stuffed up. I didn't want to spend too much time in the wind. I took a shower and rested up.

DAY 30- September 30, 2006 MILES WALKED: 22-25 FROM: Barview Jetty County Park TO: Campers Cove (12 miles south of Tillamook)

Woke up around 8 a.m. I heard a lot of diesel trucks that were heading out to the fishing grounds. I got some water from the store for my water bladder. I didn't tighten the lid all the way and water spilled out. I tightened the lid and then all the water came out the bottom of the bladder. I unpacked my bag and cut the bladder out. I took it over and filled it up with water. I saw no leaks. I put it back in my pack and it didn't leak anymore. It could have been my patch job, but it didn't make sense that it didn't leak again. It was around 9:15 when I actually hit

the road. I had a nice walk around Tillamook Bay. The shoulder was big, and the weather was nice. It was about a 12-15 mile walk into Tillamook. Before I got to Tillamook, I stopped by the cheese factory. I got some samples and took the selfguided tour. Not much of the machinery was operating. There were lots of tourists in the area. There were ice cream stands and lots of cheese. I took some footage that I later found to be corrupted because dew got into the tape. Oh well. I trekked on into Tillamook. I made on stop at a bookstore and got a Jack Kerouac book. I walked through the town and headed out. Just past the town is a huge airplane hangar. Written on it is- AIR MUSUEM. I kept on walking. There is a lot of farms. Mostly farms lands in the valley. Many of them have signs that show they produce for the Tillamook County Creamery Association. A four miles out of town I stopped at the South Prairie Store. I got a green Powerade and read some of The Dharma Bums. The lady at the store told me of Campers Cove. That were I headed. It was about twelve miles south of Tillamook. On the way to the campground, I had five dogs run at me barking. One happened to be a three-legged Dalmatian. I nudge one with my walking stick and they kept barking but kept their distance. I got there around 6:30 p.m. It had R.V’s on one side of the highway and then tents on the other side. I set my tent up. It was close to dark. I went up to a store a quarter mile away and got something to drink. I was going to do some laundry, but it closed at dusk. I huddled in my sleeping bag and dove into my new book. Camper Cove was in a little forest. I had left the farmland. Well today was the last day of September and was the end of my first month of walking. I've had a pretty good month. I got a little sick, but I've still managed to make decent progress. Plus, only three days of rain with a month of walking across the northwest. That ain't half bad.

DAY 31- October 1, 2006 MILES WALKED: 20 FROM: Campers Cove (12 miles south of Tillamook)

TO: Neskowin

Well, I needed to do laundry badly and it didn't open until 9 a.m. So, I slept in until 8:30. I had to get some quarters from the park host. A nice man that was interested in what I was doing. He ended up giving me some Hershey kisses and some tuna. While I did laundry, I wrote in my journal and read my book. It was a pleasant morning. It was around 10:30 a.m. before I hit the road. I walked a couple of miles to Beaver, a two-store town, and stopped at one of the stores. I got some chicken strips. I read a little more of Kerouac's book. Now I had four miles to Hebo. An even smaller little town. On the way to Hebo I saw a bend in the river that I wanted to hike down to. I took my back off and sat it down. It was on a slope and it rolled down hill into some sticker bushes. When I retrieved it, I got scratched up. My right calve has two long scratches that run parallel that are six inches long. I have a little mark on my left leg. Nothing real serious. Most of the day I was walking on a tiny shoulder. I made it to Hebo, a one store town, and stopped for something to drink. I read some of my book. I had two miles until I got to Cloverdale. Cloverdale had about five hundred people. To my surprise it had a U.S. Bank. Rockaway had a U.S. Bank also. I stopped at the latter. I stopped at the North Coast Coffee in Cloverdale. Deborah was really nice and gave me ten dollars. She was stoked on what I was doing. I got a cookie. I read a little more of my book. I was looking at 10 miles to Neskowin. Deborah said that there was an R.V. park just past Neskowin. Off I headed. Most of today was flat. The last five miles of my day and I finally had a shoulder to walk on. I kept walking through more farmland. Before I got to Neskowin I climbed a decent sized hill. At the top was a viewpoint that overlooked the ocean. It was beautiful. I walked down the hill into the small place. A bunch of nice houses, a golf course, a store, and two inns, and that's it. A quarter mile past that and I was at Neskowin R.V. Resort. I was the only tent. It was nice. It had a lodge, pool, tennis court, volleyball, and a swing. Dean and Rachel Richardson the operators let me throw up my tent for free. I saw a bobcat as I walked in. He was sitting just outside some bushed. I walked toward him. He back tracked into the bushes. He watched me the whole time while I was sitting up my tent. Since Barview Highway 101 has headed

inland. Not until Lincoln City will I be back on the beach. I went in the lodge and watched the Seahawk football game. I wrote and read. I ended up talking on the phone until 1 a.m.

DAY 32 MILES WALKED: 15-16? FROM: Neskowin TO: Lincoln City

I got up around 8 a.m. I packed up and grabbed some snacks out of my bag. I hit the road around 9:30. I read some this morning in my tent. A quarter mile into my walk and I hit a good size hill. It went from sea level to 752 feet. I was looking at around 14 miles on my way to Lincoln City. I walked up hill for a couple of miles. I flew into Lincoln City. By 12:30 I was in the beach town. As you head into Lincoln City you past a sign that points out the 45th parallel. I stopped a 60's diner for a burger. I needed a good meal. Then I went next door to a copy/fax/fed-ex place that has a computer. One of my roommates from college, Denny Campbell, is going to come over and meet me here. We’re going to camp out in Lincoln City. I haven't found my campsite, but there will be somewhere to stay. Well, I add to this next time I'm on the computer. I walked through tourist town. I saw that the state park, Devils Park, was full. I went to investigate. Most state parks have a hiker/biker section that is rarely full. However, the park was closed from Oct. 2-5. I walked further down to D river. The smallest river in the world at 120 feet. It is right on the beach. By now it was windy and overcast. It became cold. I sat on a bench and read until Denny came. I hopped in with Denny and we headed back to Monmouth. About 55 miles east and the town that I went to College in. Denny would drop me back off at the D river the next morning so I could resume my walk. Denny picked me up a little before 5 p.m. At his place I showered and did laundry. He ordered a pizza. We ate that and

then another buddy Mallow came over. Mallow stayed over for a while chatting. I first met Mallow while I was in Bandon caddying, then, he went up to Western Oregon University also. I was pretty tired and went to bed around eleven.

DAY 33 MILES WALKED: 27 FROM: Lincoln City TO: Newport

Woke up in Monmouth around 7 a.m. I packed up my pack and Denny and I were off. We got some biscuits and gravy to go. Denny stopped by the ATM and gave me 60 dollars. Thanks Denny. We left the flat farmland of Polk County and made the drive over to Lincoln City. I took a nap most of the way. I was still a little tired. Denny and I said our goodbyes at D river. I started walking around 8:45 a.m. I walked out the rest of the way of Lincoln City. I ed a lot of little tourist stores. Then I had a nice walk around Siletz Bay and across the Siletz River. It was overcast and I thought some rain might be on its way. A few miles out of town I stopped at the Salishan shop area. There is a gold course there and they have a bunch of different shops in a certain location. I grabbed a sandwich and post card, and I was on my way. I was looking at 20 miles to Newport. Another Six miles or so and I was in Depoe Bay. Another beautiful coastal town. I took some pictures and filmed some. I stopped by the Post Office to mail some postcards to a friend. From Depoe Bay I was looking around 13 miles to Newport. I left Depoe Bay around 1:30. There was even some blue skies mixed in with the clouds now. I had a lot of good thoughts and ocean views on my way to Newport. I didn't know where I was going to camp tonight. I assumed there would be a bunch of places to camp. I stopped at a park and a beach to do some reading along the way. It's difficult. I want to stop all the time because so many nice beaches. I kept walking. Finally pulled into Newport sometime around 5-

ish. I stopped at Taco Bell. One of the guys told me that there was a place to camp a half mile down the road. That half mile was actually over four miles. I had to walk through Newport and over the bridge. When I went over the bridge, I got a nice pink sunset. It was nice. It was dusk and I had my red-light flashing. I walked over the bridge and saw an RV park. By the time I got there it was dark and started to rain. I saw that they didn't allow tents. To get out of the rain I ducked off into the Rogue Brewery which was nearby. I had a drink and wrote in my journal. I met Todd and Kyle. They haven't really had a place the last couple of months. They camp out around the area. They were talking about going to the South Jetty. I hopped in with Todd. It was about three quarters of a mile away from the bottom of the bridge. In the morning I'd walk to the bottom of the bridge and hop on the highway and retrace my steps for a couple hundred yards, then, I would be back on uncharted gourd. We went out to the store and got some firewood and met Kyle out there. It worked out well. We had a nice bonfire. I set up my rainfly and footprint. We sat around a nice campfire and chatted. Todd's lady friend, whose name I've forgotten, came out to us. She works on the Lady Washington, the replica ship. I said goodbye and went to bed around 11 p.m. Those guys slept in their cars.

DAY 34--October 4, 2006 STATE: Oregon MILES WALKED: 18-19 FROM: Newport (south jetty) TO: Beachside State Park (South Waldport and North of Yachats) WEATHER: Partly cloudy with blue skies. No rain. YEAY! Fog rolling in and out all day.

Woke up in the beautiful dunes surrounded by sand and beach grass. I woke up

around 7:30 a.m. I packed up my rain fly and footprint and other supplies into my bag. My morning camping ritual. I walked out of the dunes to the gravel road and headed the three quarters of a mile toward the base of the bridge. I was right back where I was at the night before. Last night I was ducking out of rain after a long day of walking. This morning I was enjoying the beauty and the prospects at another day. I took a picture of the brewery. I climbed up the stairs to the base of the bridge. I had to retrace a couple of yards on the highway, and I was back on unchartered day. For the record I plan on walking every step of the country. My side adventures are one thing, but I have a route across the country. When I get to places friends or family will say that they'll take me a couple of miles, but I can't except. My route isn't always the highways, but it is mostly. Overall, I'll have a line that I've walked that is the entire distance. The Astoria bridge was a section that I couldn’t, but I have plans. Once a year there is a day you can walk it. I'm going to try and do that next year. Back to my day. I stopped by the South Beach Store on the way out of town. Got a polish sausage and some water. I was on the road. Heading for a state campground past Waldport. I stopped at Seal Rock, which I'm not even sure is a town, and read and got a hot dog. I stopped a couple of times at random beaches and sat on driftwood to read and write. About fourteen miles into my day, I stopped at the Beach Store. It had the internet. I had to pay but I got a chance to put up yesterday’s blog. After I left the store, I had a half mile downhill, and I was walking over a cool bridge over the Alsea Bay. The tide was out, and sand bars could be seen. Waldport is a small tourist town that has a little downtown on the other side of the bridge that is a quarter mile or so. When I was walking through town, I met Bryan and Denise Bates. They are a couple from California that are staying in Yachats and are touring the coast. They've seen me walking the last couple of days. Bryan inquired on what I was doing. I told them. They were stoked. I told them my website. I'm going to get some cards made in Coos Bay. After I brief chat, I was back on the way toward Beachside. A few miles outside of Waldport and I saw a black Honda pull out. It was Bryan and Denise. The late thirties/early forties couple stopped off and gave me ten dollars to get something to eat with. Thank you, guys. I kept on trekking. I pulled into the campsite around 5:45. I went to the hiker/biker camp. Most state

and county parks have a specific section for people powered modes of transportation. I set up my tent, rainfly, and footprint. I took a free shower. Most places you have to use quarters to take showers. I paid four dollars for the site. I took a nice warm shower. After that I busted out my stove and boiled some water. I ate my last freeze-dried meal. Spaghetti and meat sauce. It was awesome. My campsite was in some trees and brush. There were a couple trails down to the beach. By the time I was done showering and eating it was dark. I got in my tent to read and write. I made a couple of calls and hit the sack. I had a peaceful sleep with the roar of the ocean in the background.

DAY 35-- Oct. 5, 2006 MILES WALKED:25 STATE: Oregon FROM: Beachside State Park (Four plus miles north of Yachats) TO: Derek Well's House (five miles north of Florence) WEATHER: Mostly blue skies with a few clouds. SIDENOTE OF THE DAY: Walked through my 2nd tunnel.

My body if feeling good. My shoulders are fine. Most of the weight rides along my hips. I got up around 7:30. That's about when I usually get up. I took my pack and set in on the picnic table. I clear all the items in my tent onto the table. Headlamp, book, sleeping pad, sleeping bag (already inside its own carrying bag), mummy liner, some clothes, and water bottle. I filled up my water bladder nearby. Then break my tent down and pack all three of the sections, tent, rainfly, and footprint into the bottom of my bag. Then I put my sleeping bag in the bottom section above that and pack the rest in. I took off around 8:17 a.m. I knew I had a solid day of walking ahead. I walked around five miles into Yachats. I stopped at the store to get some supplies and

food. The town has one store and a few tourist sights. The Oregon coast has a lot of art galleries one will . Sometimes seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Heading out of Yachats and you cross a small bridge. On the walkway across the bridge a man was sleeping in his sleeping bag. I was going to film him, but my camera detected dew. I kept on walking. I'm going to try get my pictures on here when I get to Coos Bay. I have a bunch of pictures. Over 250 that I've taken so far. I've ran into problems a couple of times trying to get them on. The stretch from Yachats to Florence was the most dangerous I've walked. A mile or so past the bridge and I began my upward descent on a windy road with little to no shoulder. I mean no shoulder. Logs trucks and R.V.'s drive this section. I use my outside lane walking theory here. Big trucks seem to hug the inside of the corner. I take the biggest shoulder and usually the outside lane on corners. I was heading out to Cape Perpetua. You walk on another point that is just north and you look back at Perpetua. The road up is tough, but the view one gets is awesome. At on a Cape at the edge of the continent with the vast Pacific and pretty coastline is worth the danger. Finally, after the last viewpoint I was back downhill. Then about fourteen or fifteen miles away from Florence I run into Heceta Head and the famous Heceta Head Lighthouse. My next most challenging and beautiful section. This lighthouse is in all sorts of postcards and calendars. Before I got the viewpoint, I went over a bridge that went over Cape Creek. The bridge had a nice walkway. Then, I came to tunnel. This one wouldn't be as kind as the last tunnel. No shoulder. I should have put my headlamp. I hit the button to alert traffic of a bike. Bikes travel much quicker. The light doesn't last for my whole walk through it. A couple cars came as I walked with no shoulder. However, I survived the little shoulder and no sidewalk tunnel. Another half mile or so of no shoulder road and I was at an awesome viewpoint with the Lighthouse behind me on Heceta Head. I had some people take a picture of me and shoot a little video. Further down the road was Sea Lion Caves. Shortly after Sea Lion Caves I head inland and then began my downward decent toward Florence. A sweet view of the long beach and all of the waves breaking in on the beach. I got down to the flat section with just another little hill. Not much of one. Then I'd be at Derek's street. Jake, my roommate from college met me. was going to meet me. It was around 5:00. He took my camera and filmed me some. Then he met me at Levage St. Right off 101. I walked until the street off 101 that goes to Derek, Jake's brothers house. It was off my route. I would

start at right Infront of the street sign the next morning. Jake and I went to Derek's house chatted. I dropped off my bag and Derek started some laundry. Jake and I went to his buddy’s house. His buddy had a nice cabin. Jake got a kickstand for his rifle. Then he took me to dinner at Chinese restaurant. After that we went to the mouth of the Siuslaw River at the Jetty. Took some pictures and footage. It was getting dark. Went back to Derek's house. Derek, Jake, Ben (A near seven-footer) and I played cards deep into the night.

DAY 36--Oct. 6, 2006 MILES WALKED: 11-13 FROM: Derek Wells' house (5 miles north of Florence, Oregon) TO: Duke Wells' house (6 or 7 miles south and east of Florence, Oregon) Weather: Overcast with steady drizzle from time to time.) News of the day: Duke got a laminated sign made for me. It reads: Matt Gregory/walking across U.S. for Cancer Research/my website.

Jake, my roommate from college, woke me up a little after work. He was heading out to work. Jake is less of a roommate and more like a brother. He and I are like brothers. That's how I know all of his family. His brother Derek and his parents; Duke and Tricia. Jake said goodbye and headed off to work. I went back to sleep. The last half an hour of sleep was awesome. We stayed up late last night playing cards. Derek, Jake's brother, won. I was more focused on my journal than playing. I got up around 8 a.m. Derek got up at that time too. Derek is an avid outdoorsman. He has a pile of deer and elk horns he finds. He likes to hunt, but he also likes to hike around and find horns that deer and elk shed. We chatted.

Derek had to help Ben Wilson, the near seven-foot fisherman, do something in the morning. Then, Derek planned to stop and get my camera as I walked into town and film me some. As I was into town a little way. Florence is around 7,000 people. Like many towns along 101, it's long and stretched along the highway. I walked out to the Highway 101 from Derek's house. It was overcast and wet outside. I started the day with my poncho on. It was over a mile. I paused my walk there yesterday. I filmed myself where I paused it the day before. I didn’t realize until later today, but I filmed over some footage from the day before. Oh well. Before I got to town, I saw Derek at another friend's place. I chatted with him. Then, I kept on walking. I was going to Jake and Derek's parents’ shop. They have a place called, "The Old Cedar Tree" right off 101. They make custom word furniture. It's cool stuff. Derek met up with me. He was in his big green Chevy truck. He got my camera and filmed. Sometimes I wouldn't notice him at first. He'd drive ahead of me and park. He caught some random things. Once I noticed him, I couldn't stop smiling. Not that's a bad thing. I met Derek at his parent's shop. That's when I saw Duke and Tricia. It was nice to see them. Duke and Tricia have been making the wood furniture for over twenty years. Duke is an ex-logger who almost got killed by a log. Now he's doing what he loves. They work hard, vacation hard, and party hard. After we chatted for a while. Derek had to take off. I walked a couple blocks over to the Florence library. I had an hour. I had to rush to get two days’ worth of blogs on there. That's my problem. I'm crunched for computer time. Duke and Tricia met me at the library. I ended getting a ride back to the shop, where my pack was, and resuming my walk. From their shop I would walk out to Duke and Tricia's house. I started walking. At the edge of Florence, I ran into some steady drizzle. No problem. I knew I didn't have far to go. It was a nice walk. I was about to walk past the last bit of stores and shops before I would go to the Wells' house when my buddy Jeff Stolz gave me a call. He was about five minutes south of where I was out, and he was heading my direction. I waited at the store for him. He showed up. Both smiling we were glad to see each other. Jeff is from Bandon, Oregon. I met him when I caddied at the golf course. He's a laid-back guy around 21 or 22. He's worked on fishing boats and tugs. Well, it was raining. I paused my walk at the gas station. I hopped in with Jeff. We drove around talking and catching up. We drove to a nearby lake. After we were done hanging out, he dropped me back off at the

store. He took some video footage and pictures of me. I got a picture of him getting into his truck. I was walking and Jeff was driving away. I was back on my road to the Wells' house. I walked a mile further on 101 and took a left on Canary Rd. I crossed three little bridges and went up a little hill. I took a right on a street which I forgot. Then a right on Huckleberry and a left on Woahink. A couple miles from the Highway 101. When I got to Woahink a couple of dogs followed me. Once was a golden retriever. I don't what kind the other one was. For a second, they were prancing around in front of me, and I felt they were saying, "This guy is with us." Once I got to the house. Tricia was there starting diner. I relaxed and took a shower. The house is a nice cozy rustic house. Duke has made nice rock fireplaces and used him wood craftsmanship to build a fine house. The best is the newly remodeled garage. Now Rhett, the youngest of the three boys, has the room. It had wood floor and walls. A nice rock fireplace in the corner. A loft for the bed. Duke did some carvings of mountains and a forest. Basically, the room I'd want if I could draw one up. After a nice diner and chatting with Duke for a while I went to the room. Rhett, a senior in high school, went to the football game. I had the room to myself. Tricia came in and gave me 150 dollars and a 350-minute phone card from Duke and her. I listened to Johnny Cash and wrote. It was an awesome night. I'm having the time of my life on the trip. My friend Austin from Washington was down in Oregon hanging out with his friend Tricia. He thought about coming to Florence, but they stopped in Newport. I went to bed around midnight.

DAY 37-- October 7 th, 2006 MILES WALKED: 17 or 18 FROM: Duke Wells' house (6 or 7 miles south and east of Florence) TO: Milepost 211 (half mile north of Reedsport) WEATHER: Blue skies. SIDENOTE OF THE DAY: I saw my friend Austin for the third time on the

trip today.

Around 7:15 Duke came in and said goodbye. I slept in until around 8a.m. I got up and started getting all my stuff into my pack. Tricia was up and outside having a smoke. I chatted with here. We hugged and said our goodbyes. It always sad but it makes the hellos pretty awesome. I was on my way right around 9 a.m. The same two dogs from the day before were following me this morning. At first it was no big deal. Until I got onto Canary Rd. A road that cars drive fast down. The dogs weren't used to that fast of traffic. They also wandered down the middle of the road. Cars had to stop. People must have thought they were mine, but they weren't. Finally, I had to put an end to it. It was sad because deep down I wanted the dogs to come with me. They'd have to lose the habit of walking in the middle of the road. Before I knew it, I walked a couple of miles and I was back on Highway 101. I was planning on walking to Winchester Bay. That is about three or four miles south of Reedsport. I talked to my buddy Austin earlier. He stayed the night in Salem and was planning on coming down to visit me today. Derek was also planning on coming out to film me again. I've been used to the cars flying by me for some time. My mind is free to wander in thought. It spends much time thinking on my stories. I plan on writing two versions of the trip. One, a journal or what actually happened. Two, a fictional version of a walk across America. I think about the trip. What lies ahead? What happened yesterday or five minutes ago. About five miles down the road. I walked by Lake Woahink and past Dunes City and I saw a car. It was behind me on the opposite shoulder. I could see someone was videotaping me. I didn't recognize the white Toyota. It was Derek in his girlfriend's car. He drove up and got my camera. Then he went a little way ahead and filmed me walking across a small bridge. We met up on the other side. He gave me my camera back and we chatted for a while. Goodbye again. Austin called and he was in Reedsport and he was on his way. I ended up seeing Austin about a mile down the road. He was going to walk with me and then come back to his car, but the shoulder was narrow, and we'd have to walk single file. Wouldn't be able to talk much. He decided to go to the dunes and then to Florence. I forgot to mention that the awesome sand dunes of Oregon start in Florence and go down to Coos Bay. Mountains of sand. I kept walking. I had about six miles or so of hills to climb on my way to

Reedsport. I trekked on. I had a big day ahead and I needed to get going. It was a grind it out day. Had to push it and it didn't seem I was going all that fast. Climbing the hills took a lot out of many. Sometimes when the walking is tough sometimes, I focus on the walk and I don't really think about much. My feet, thanks to my Superfeet insoles, are well. They get sore by the end of the day and have a blister here and there. But they never give me much guff until the end of the day. Austin and I made plans to meet up in Winchester Bay. I kept walking. I climbed my hills. From the time when I saw Austin, I was looking at 12 miles or a little over to get to Reedsport. Finally at the top of the last big hill I climbed I looked over and saw a road. Sparrow Pk Rd. I thought it stood for Sparrow Peak Road. It was the last road on the hill. I got some views of the bay from the hill through the trees. I made some stops along the way to eat some bars. I figured that I wouldn't make it Winchester Bay until around 7 p.m. and I wanted to hang out with Austin. My best friend from Washington is all the way down in Oregon. What the heck am I doing walking? I called him and told him my plan. I was out of cell phone range all day. I just got back into range. We were going to me in Reedsport and find a place to camp. He left Florence. I walked down the hill and into Gardiner. A no store town. From Gardiner to Reedsport is two miles. After Gardiner I stopped for a little brake. Austin was driving by. He stopped and we joked around a bit. You get us together and some laughing is going to get done. He was going to drive into town and check on some camping spots. I started walking and he started driving. I made over the first bridge and was almost going to cross the Umpqua River and into Reedsport when Austin drove up. He said the guy said go back through Gardiner and go to the top of the hill and take the left on Sparrow Park Road. Austin, being the thoughtful guy that he is, bought me a couple of cheeseburgers, and I paused my walk at mile marker 211. Right before the bridge that one crosses to get into Reedsport. I hopped in with Austin. It was funny that in the matter of minutes we drove right through the area that just took me almost two hours to walk. Once we took the Sparrow Rd. It was about six miles down logging roads and we popped out at the beach. The spot looked good to us. We went back into town. We went to the store and got hot dogs and chips. We went to McDonald's drive thru to get some ketchup and mustard packets. It cost us 15 cents. We were almost in Gardiner and we realized we better get some firewood. We went to a different grocery store. We got some firewood. They charged 11 cents more on the first batch we bought. Austin pointed it out and asked for another one for free. They gave it to him. We went back out to the beach. We had a nice bonfire. I set my tent up. We gathered driftwood every hour or so to keep the fire going. We had the hot dogs.

Austin and I had a great night. We talked and joked around. I showed Austin the one of the articles I had in a newspaper. He took it and showed it to lady cooking next to her car. She was from Eugene and was there for the weekend. She asked me questions about my trip. I gave her my website. Austin didn't have a sleeping bag. We both started off in my tent. My sleeping bag is light and not that big. Be opened it up like a blanket. I was inside my mummy liner. After an hour or so Austin went to sleep in his car. I hopped in my sleeping bag and had a great night of sleep. It was an awesome night and we both had fun. What could be better than a couple of best buds camped out on the beach chatting around a campfire all night? Not much.

DAY 38-- October 8 th, 2006 MILES WALKED:24 FROM: Milepost 11 (half mile north of Reedsport) TO: The north edge of North Bend WEATHER: Awesome GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: My video camera stopped working.

Austin came over to the tent and woke me up around 8 a.m. He was going to build the fire, but I popped up and helped him. We had a nice little fire. We stood around and chatted. I packed up my tent and sleeping bag. Around 9 we put the fire out and headed out. It was nice morning. Not real cold and not much of a breeze yet. It was peaceful. Before we left, I realized that my camera wouldn't work. It would turn on. Record for 6 second and then say hit the reset button. Then it would say-- needs to be serviced. I started to get some tunnel vision. I almost forgot my sleeping bag. Luckily, Austin saved my butt and reminded me. We got in the car and started driving. I realized that the camera would work or won't work. I'd have to live with it and deal with it in Coos Bay. It must have been around 9:30 when Austin was going to drop me off at milepost 211. Then he offered to drive me into town before I started my walk to try and find

someone who might be able to help. We went to 7-11 and asked if they had a computer store in Reedsport. They do but it's closed on Sunday. The lady working there made some phone calls. She talked to Bill's wife. Bill was down at the Foursquare Church about to go to Sunday School. The lady said we might be able to catch him. Not that he could do much. He might have known a trick. We drove to the church. We asked someone if they knew Bill. The big gray-haired man did. He took us inside and got Bill for us. Bill came out and took a look. My camera battery was about to die. I went to Austin's car to get the cords. I came back inside, and Bill was gone. He was in a room with some others praying. Austin and I waited. He came out. There wasn't much he could do. He said sorry. Austin and I were off. We drove back to milepost 211. This would be our farewell. I packed everything back into my bag. We said goodbye and parted. Austin headed north and as for myself I headed south. I crossed the bridge, and I was in Reedsport. I walked through Reedsport and climbed a little hill and a couple miles later I was in Winchester Bay. I had a big hill to climb after Winchester Bay. If I thought about my camera, it was only positive. Focusing on possible solutions. I'll try to clean it first. Then, I have someone in Coos Bay look at it. Last ditch, buy a less expensive camera. After the big hill it would be mostly downhill to the North Bend/Coos Bay area. My dad lives near the border of the two towns. The town are right next to each other. Sometimes one could not even know which town one is in. I was planning on walking across the North Bend bridge and having my dad pick me up. Then the next morning he could pick me up and I could have a sort walking day of walking through North Bend and Coos Bay. Then take a day or two off. The signs that I got made lasted a day and a half. I lost the sign today. FOR THE RECORD: I might lose anything you give me. Sorry, but I'm giving it to you straight. I walked by lots of cool dunes on the way to the Oregon Bay Area. The engines of ATV's could be heard most of the day. Right before I crossed the bridge, I got the idea of using my digital camera for some footage. It can take small video clips. I should have thought of it earlier, but then I realized I was glad to have thought of it. Before I got to the bridge I talked to my Dad and they were going to meet me on the other side. It was a nice walk over the bridge. It's a cool bridge and had a nice sidewalk. I got over the bridge and walked a half mile or so and I saw the car drive by with my brother Joel's smiling face. I walked back a little way to this ATV shop. That's where I'd pause my walk for the day. I was greeted by; my father (Dave Gregory), brother (Joel), stepmom (Anabel), and step-

grandma (Melina). I went back to the house. I chatted with the gang. Joel and I went on a walk looking for a cleaner for my camera. We weren't successful. Sleep is calling and I'm off to bed.

DAY 39-- October 9 th, 2006 MILES WALKED: 4-6 FROM: North Bend (Mo's Bike Shop) TO: Coos Bay (Fred Meyers)

I woke up around 8 a.m. I was lying in bed when a reporter from The World, the local newspaper, called and asked me some questions. I told him that I'd start walking around 10 a.m. in North Bend. I got up and a couple bowls of cereal. My dad was going to drop my brother off at school at 10. My brother gets home schooled in the morning and then goes to school in the late morning. My father, the fishermen turned inventor, dropped me off at Mo's Bike Shop in North Bend around 9:30. That's where they picked me up last night. I started walking. It was a nice sunny day. I knew that today was basically an off day. I was making the walk so that once I leave the Coos Bay/North Bend area that I can leave from Coos Bay. I walked through North Bend. I walked along the bay. I ed the Mill Casino. I got a little ways into Coos Bay and was right by the Toyota dealership when the photographer from the newspaper came out. She snapped some pictures of me, then, we chatted as she jotted down some information. I kept walking. I had a nice walk through the rest of Coos Bay. I went to Fred Meyer to get a cleaning kit for my camera. I wanted to try that and see if it'd work. It didn't. I called the local video equipment fix it guy. My dad picked me at Fred Meyers. We went and dropped my camera off at the repair shop. They told me to come back in an hour or so. My dad and I went home. My dad got into commercial fishing a year or two out

of high school. He did that for twenty years and decided to get out. It was too difficult to have family and be gone that much. He did some odd jobs. His experience with fishing nets got him some work putting up a net inside the batting cage of the local community college. This steam rolled into my dad building some baseball equipment. He stumbled onto to a good product called the Coach's Backsaver. It had a net and three poles. It holds the balls higher than a bucket. That way coaches don't have to bend over. The Jugs company based out of Oregon, which is a big name in baseball equipment, bought it from my dad. He gets paid so much for every unit they sell. He always has ideas. He's some basketball carts and a free throw return net that is by an NBA team or two. I'm not sure if he'd want me to talk about his new invention. I talk to him and get back to you. A couple of hours later we went down to the computer shop. They estimated 250-350 dollars to repair the camera. Something about the tape drive not working. If it was the whole tape drive rather than a couple of parts, it could be more expensive. Also, it'd take up to a couple of weeks. I don't have that kind of time. Looking like I'm going to have to buy a new camera. I'm still weighing my options. Once I leave Coos Bay, I'll be caddying at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in two days. I need the camera for that. Hung out with my brother and his dog Sombra. Did some reading and writing and went to bed.

DAY 40--Oct. 10, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0 NEWS OF THE DAY: My most recent news article. Check it out.

Click Here to Read Article My dad left for a Portland trip. He got his first porotype of his new product. Also, he was dropping his volleyball cart off at a couple of s. Besides that, I just wrote and ate food. I went on a couple of walks. One with Sombra. I

went and got a newspaper. I got some pictures on the net. It takes a while to , and my brother pushed me off the computer. I'll put the rest on tomorrow.

DAY 41-- October 11 th, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

PICTURES. I got a bunch more pictures in the scrapbook. I spent most of my day writing. Primarily wrote around my father's house. I walked over to the community college. One, to check out the new buildings and improvements on campus. I stopped by to see a friend-- Ron Olson. He works as an ant at the college. Every time I'm on campus I stop by and see him. I haven't seen him in a while, so I stopped by. The first time I walked by his office a lady was in there talking to him. I went to the bookstore and bought a notebook and pen. It was a real nice morning and great for writing. I wrote for a while at a table. Then I caught Ron in his office. Ron is his fifties. My dad, Ron, and I use to always place tennis. He is always in a good mood and one of the nicest people I've ever met. I told about my trek. He was interested and some questions. He ended up giving me 20 dollars. Thanks Ron. I played basketball with Joel. We played the board game Clue for about an hour. My dad would be coming back from Portland. He took his Seakase, his new invention, up to luggage companies and a catalog company. Also, he took some of his volleyball carts that some schools bought. The Seatkase is a carry-on suitcase that is designed to sit on. The top has a little pillow type thing on it. Then you can flip that up and have a laptop station or eat food off it. He took his first prototype from China up there. They are interested in having them in their stores. That's exciting. It was a very good trip. My dad got back around 7:30 p.m. I put the rest of the pictures that I wanted on the site up today. It took a little

while to load them all. It was fun. I looked around at cameras at the local stores. Not that I know what to do, but I've tried to see if I can fix my camera. My uncle Jim sent me my caddy uniform and name tag. There was a quote in there. "Everywhere is within walking distance if you have time." ComedianSteven Wright. I found the quote to be very fitting for what I'm doing.

DAY 42—October 12 th, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

I looked at some more cameras today. The camera I have has a lot of good features for a small video camera. The cameras in the 250–350-dollar range won't be as good, but I need something. I went and looked at Fred Meyers this morning. My dad dropped me off at the mall in North Bend. The one store there that I thought my have cameras didn't have any. Instead, I ended up writing for a while. Then I walked home and stopped by Radio Shack on the way back. They didn't really have what I was looking for. I went back over to the college to write some more. After dinner I had my dad take me down to Fred Meyers. I bought a Canon video camera. It was a little under 300 dollars. I brought back to the house and put the battery and was getting going. I joked around that now that I bought that camera that my old one would work. And work it did. Not good enough, but it could record. Which it hasn't been able to do since it stopped working. Also, it would switch on to VCR mode, another first since it stopped working. However, it wouldn't capture audio which is a big downer and some of the footage doesn't play back. Just the fact that it began to record and that it would rewind, and fast forward tapes is a sign of progress. I don't know why it works better now. I got excited at first. I thought maybe I could take the new camera back. There is still hope and the problem might not be as bad as I thought. I'm going to keep my old camera here at my dad's house and he'll see if he can get it going. A back-up camera on a trip like this is good. Hiking across the country can take its toll on a camera.

I called Ken the caddy manager at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort again today. I called him before I left Bellingham and again on Monday. I'm going to go out there and work on Saturday. It'll be awesome. It's a beautiful spot and it'll be a little cash. I'm going to walk from Coos Bay to Bandon tomorrow. I think I might be staying with my buddy Jeff Stolz. His parents live on cranberry bogs. Jeff's dad is a Columbia Bar pilot, so the family has a house in Astoria, Oregon. Ironically, Jeff was also in Astoria the night I stayed in the hotel. I thought about getting a hold of him, but I didn't have his cell phone number. I finished reading "Dharma Bums" and now I'm onto another Jack Kerouac book entitled, "On the Road." I'm excited about getting on the road. I've gotten accustom to being on the move. It was a nice visit with my family. I wasn't in a big rush. One, my dad was gone for two day. Two, after Bandon I'm not going to be seeing a known friend until around San Francisco. It'll be cool. I'll be making some new friends.

DAY 43--October 13, 2006 MILES WALKED: 22 FROM: Coos Bay (Fred Meyers) TO: North Bend (Subway) Weather: foggy in the morning. Overcast most of the day. Blue skies and partial clouds later.

I woke up around 7 a.m. I got some cereal and packed my bag up. I said goodbye to Melina an Anabel. My dad and Joel were going to drop me off at Fred Meyers. My dad gave me 200 dollars. He said if I made from Bellingham to Coos Bay without hitchhiking that he'd give me a couple hundred dollars. Joel and my dad dropped me off around 8:30 a.m. By the time that we were done taking pictures and saying goodbyes it was around 8:45. I was off. Back on the road. It was nice to get back on the walk. I was looking at a twenty-two miles walk. I walked down Highway 101 for about four or five miles, then, 101 goes

right and if you go straight, it become Highway 42. Once I veered right, I had four or five miles and then I was looking at two big hills through the forest. I've been thinking a lot about another possible walk. It'd be cool to walk from the tip of Scotland to the bottom of English. I also thought about the cabin I'd like to build. I don't need much to be happy. Just need to get a little piece of land. I planned on meeting my buddy, Jeff Stolz. His cell phone died. I couldn't get a hold of him all day. I know another guy, Jay Ferrell, a caddy out at the course. We roomed together my second summer caddying. He's a cool guy that got a history degree from Eastern Oregon and played college baseball. He grew up in Montana. He's an avid golfer and been caddy full time. Going south in the winter and coming to Oregon for spring and summer. I haven't been able to get a hold of home. I tried his parents’ house in Montana. After the second big hills there was another little hill and I was on a downhill stretch toward Bandon, Oregon. About four or five miles I walked by two Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. I'll working out there tomorrow caddying. I asked one caddy if he knew Jay a.k.a. Blue Jay. Many caddies have nicknames. When I first started sometimes the caddy managers might only know a guy by his nickname. At this point I didn't know where I was going to stay. A mile or so before Bandon I crossed the Coquille River. The bridge had a tiny sidewalk. There was a catwalk that went the first third of the bridge. I felt like James Bond when I was walking on there. Another mile after the bridge I was at Bandon. I went to the grocery store looking for a caddy. I saw Doc. An older caddy that has caddied on some pro tours and various course around the U.S. He's caddied for a number of years at Bandon Dunes. He called out to the caddy shack for Jay's number. It was one of Jay's number and I couldn't get a hold of Jay. I went to Subway to get something to eat. I ended up giving Stolz's parents’ house a call. His mom said he was in town. I thought he might be going to eastern Oregon to go hunting. He texted me yesterday saying that he'd be around. A little before 5 p.m. he got a hold of me. He came over and picked me up at Subway. We went to a couple of old houses he's lived in over the last couple years. Then we went to Robot's house. Rob is a caddy. He was sick. He's getting ready to go caddy in Vegas. He's trying to feel better so he can get some more work before he leaves.

We went back to Stolz's place. He leaves a guy name Leon than probably won't be home tonight. I Showered and set my tent up. I wanted to let it dry out. The wind blew it around. Jeff picked up some Thai food for dinner. I got a pizza to cook in the oven. I made the mistake of putting it on a round plastic tray that melted and got stuck to the rack. It was kind of funny. Some of it drooped down all the way to the bottom of the oven. The oven is clean, but the racks are a mess. I'm over Jeff's parents’ house getting online and chatting about my trek. Probably go back and watch a movie and hit the sack. Probably go shoot clay pigeons tomorrow after I work. Jeff's working on his parent's cranberry bogs. It is harvest time.

DAY 44 MILES WALKED: 0 WEATHER: overcast

I woke up around 6:15. Today I'm heading out to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Stolz let me borrow his truck to drive out to the golf course. I warmed up his Chevy truck. I shaved and cleaned up. I shaved for the second time. The first time I forgot to mention was on DAY 38. It was dark when I left Stolz's place. I told Ken Brooks, the caddie manager, that I would be out there the first thing in the morning. I got out to the course a little after 7 a.m. I signed in on the free agent list. The caddy shack went from two little trailers to a nice building with some nice chairs, big screen, cafeteria, locker room, and caddie service offices. They spent a good amount of money in the new building. A lot of the faces I didn't recognize but I saw some that I knew. I was keeping an eye out for Jay or Blue Jay. I figured he'd be at the course. I signed in and talked to the caddie supervisor on duty. I never saw Ken. I don't think he was coming in today. I hung out until 10 a.m. For three hours. Sometimes one can set around the caddy shack if they don't have a preassigned loop.

I saw Amos, a caddy I knew, at the shack. He came in an hour before his loop. I said and we chatted briefly. He is tall caddy that played basketball in Europe. He's an avid golfer and cardplayer. I chatted with Kelly Wilson, heck of a basketball player himself, at the caddy shack about my adventure. He thought it was cool. He said he'd be too scared to do it. He gave me ten dollars to help the cause. After a while of waiting, I didn't know how long it would be. I was next up on the list. Eventually I saw Jay. He was surprised to me. He had a loop around 9:30 and was there early and grabbing a bite to eat. I told him what I was doing. We talked about that for a minute and then I asked what he's been up to. He caddied in New Zealand last year. Besides caddying at Bandon, he's caddied at a course or two down south in California. He's getting ready to take a trip to Argentina in a month or so. Soon he got called to his round. I was hanging out in the shack. When over the intercom I heard, "Matt Gregory, Bandon Dunes, get on the caddy shuttle." I was caught off guard. Next thing I was on the shuttle and on my way to Bandon Dunes. The shuttle driver saw my article in the paper and when I told him what I was doing. He responded with, "Oh, you’re the guy." It was overcast and I hopped out of the shuttle and scurrying my way toward the first tee box. I didn't know what the situation was. My golfer was on the tee box. He just tee'd off. I was caddying for Tom Zupan. He was from Portland, Oregon and does capital investment for. It was an awesome round. One of my best rounds ever. It was cool just walking around with the one golfer around the course. It wasn't a nice sunny day, but the wind wasn't that bad. I took me a couple of holes to get in a caddy frame of mind. It was just after 10 a.m. when he tee'd off. We had a nice relaxed behind us. No one behind us and the guys in front of us kept a good pace. Walking through sand dunes and standing on a hundred-foot bluff looking out over the Pacific is pretty sweet. Tom even snapped some pictures and captured some video on the course. We had a nice round and finished up around 2:30 p.m. Tom and I snapped a picture together. He gave me $25 and then there was also a prepaid 100 dollars. That added up to 125 dollars I made on the round. Sometimes if a group comes in, they prepay everyone's caddies and then the golfers tip is an extra little bonus. Tom and I had some good conversation. I told him what I was doing on the first hole. I went back to the caddy shack. I was really excited and happy. The golf bag compared to my bag felt like nothing. The walk around the course was awesome. I was really excited and hyper after I got off my round. I hopped in Stolz truck and went back into town. I went and changed my clothes.

I called Blue Jay and asked what he was up to. He was at a buddy’s house watching football and about to order a pizza. He said was cool if I came over. I cruised over. I still had a couple of hours before Stolz would be done working on the bogs. I went over. I parked at the house. I knocked on the door. No one answered but Jay's car was out front. They were upstairs and the house and seemed communal. Like a dorm room or something. I went upstairs and met three or four caddies. I didn't names, but I the faces. Among the caddies at Bandon Dunes, many come from all over the country. One of the guys I met and chatted with about my adventure was from Toronto Canada. Jay and another buddy went and got the pizza. I hung out. I hung out for a couple of hours. Then I needed to get Stolz's truck back to him. I drove back to his place. He's staying with a friend named Leon. Leon works cutting trees. He's a native of the Bandon area. We hung out for a while. We hung out. We went over to Stolz's parents’ house to get some dinner. Later, when we got back home Leon was there but in bed. Jeff had to tell him about the stove and how I put the plastic tray in there. We'd tell him in the morning. We went back to Jeff's house. We chatted and watched a movie. I fell asleep during the movie.

DAY 45 MILES WALKED:0 WEATHER: a lot of wind and rain.

Jeff mentioned how that if I wanted, I could probably help them out with the cranberry harvest. I've never seen a cranberry harvest and wanted to check it out. I decided to take today off to work a little out on the bogs. It'd be interesting and a little money. Jeff and I woke up around 8:00. We were going to start at 9 a.m. Leon woke up and came out. Him and Jeff caught up. Leon told me that he saw me on the crossing the bridge into North Bend. Leon trims trees. He works mostly in the Bandon area. We didn't chat for very long. He was off to Port Orford to maybe go fishing. Jeff and I headed out to the bogs. His parents sold

their house and 40 acres out there. They still have 40 acres, and they work those bogs. His dad has leased them out to a guy named Darren. Jeff's brother who is a senior in High School is also named Darren. Jeff's mom, Kim, and father, Wayne also were out at the bogs. Jeff and I started by booming one of the bogs. Jeff drove the tractor as I pulled off pieces of wood that were shaped like a short stocky T and threw them at the edge of the bog. The bogs have a dike all the way around them. To harvest them they fill the bog up with water. He throws the booms toward where the bank meets the water. I try to get them so that the next one is touching the one I threw down. After all the booms were thrown, we went around and hooked them together and planted stakes. The boom is designed to go around the bog so keeping all the berries inside the boom. The stakes keep the boom in place. After we did that, we went and took the sprinklers and stakes out of bogs one and two. Lunch was next. We went into town and ended up going over to his parents’ house for a good sandwich. After lunch we loaded the berries out. We used an elevator to put them in the back of a truck. Kim fed the elevator. Jeff, Darren (his brother), and I moved the boom. First, we took all the stakes out. Then we slowly started pulling of a few booms out and bringing the berries toward the elevator. The wind blew most of the berries toward the elevator already. I ate a couple of the berries. They were good but a bit sour. I was wearing a rain jacket and hip boots. Everyone told me not to walk so the water would go over my hips. Being the rookie that I am. I stepped into a ditch and the water went over my and into my boots. My legs and feet were wet. Luckily, they had an extra pair of socks, sweatpants and boots. I was dry again. It took us a couple of hours to get all the berries out. We loaded up the booms back into the trailer behind the tractor. Jeff and I finished booming that one bog that we boomed earlier. We didn't have enough booms earlier and needed a few more. It didn't take long. It rained with a decent amount of wind. Something I forgot. Darren. the guy leasing the bogs, drove a machine that beats the cranberries up to the surface. He did that most of the morning. We got all the berries in the truck and got all cleaned up around 3 p.m. Jeff and I who were both wet went back to his house. We showered and got into some dry clothes. His buddy Hebert came over. Hebert a hippie guy that I knew from my time in Bandon. He saw me when I was walking from Coos Bay to Bandon. He was interested in the journey. Jeff and I hung out and watched a movie on T.V. Then we went over to his

parent's house. His mom Kim made some really good tacos. The Stolz Family-Wayne, Kim, Darren, Kelsey, and Jeff gave me some for helping them on the bogs and some for me on my trip. TWO hundred dollars. Probably, forty or fifty for helping them and the rest to help me on my journey. My Bandon stay turned out to be a good one. I made money caddying and working on the bogs. Despite the rain I had fun working on the bogs. I also had a lot of fun caddying. It was nice working in the rain rather than walking. I knew I was going to have a warm bed at the end of the day. The last three days have been fun. Four more days and I should be able to get to Crescent City. Well, I'm going to head out tomorrow.

DAY 46-- October 16th, 2006 MILES WALKED:26 or 27 FROM: Bandon, Or (Subway Restaurant) TO: Port Orford, Or (Madrona and 101 R.V. Park)

I woke up around 7 a.m. and started packing my gear up. My tent was outside, so I had to pack that up. Stolz got up around 8. Around that time, I had all of my things packed. We chatted for about fifteen minutes. He was going to head out to the bogs to work. He dropped me off around 8:30 at the Subway Restaurant. That's where I paused my walk. We said goodbye. He filmed me a bit. Then, I was off. It was raining and I started with my rain poncho. I walked downtown trying to find Denny's girlfriend Carolyn's parents fudge shop. It was raining and I couldn't find it. I decided to keep walking. My feet, lower pant leg, and shirt sleeve got we but besides that I was drive. I called Denny. Denny said he'd try to have Carolyn drive out the package. It had jerky, fudge, and some DV tapes for my camera. I hit the road. Another mile or so and I was past the city limits of Bandon. It was a way before I got past the outskirts of Bandon. I stopped at the Langlois store. It was about 14 miles into my day. From there I was looking at 13 miles to Port

Orford. It rained steady until around 2:30. Then some blue skies appeared with a few clouds. I saw Jeff's dad driving the cranberries to Port Orford. I saw him a half an hour later. I also saw Leon, the guy who's house I stayed at because that is where Stolz is staying, driving back from work down by Brookings. Both Leon and Wayne Stolz honked. It was cooling having people I knew walk by. I noticed all the cranberry trucks driving around. I've been in Bandon before when harvesting was going on and was unaware of the activities. That wasn't the case today. I walked by Sixes River. Jeff, Jake Wells, and I use to go up there. Once to hunt birds. Another time we went tubing down the river. Many shallow places forced us to get out and carry our innertubes. We did find an awesome rope swing. It was getting around 5 p.m. by now and as I walked by the Sixes River, I started sizing up places for a place to stay. The little store in Sixes isn't open anymore. Was thinking about staying behind it. Earlier 18 miles into my day I ran into KOA. They wanted 25 bucks for me to camp. I couldn't do that, so I kept walking. Five or so miles to Port Orford and it goes uphill. Nothing bad. That is getting into Cape Blanco area. It's the furthest western point in Oregon. It's wild. It gets a lot of storms and a lot of wind. Just before six O’clock Carolyn called and said that she was going to come to drop the stuff off. A half an hour later she drove up and parked on the right side of the road. I crossed over. She was excited about what I'm doing. I took four or five DV tapes. She gave me the fudge and jerky. Both of which were awesome. Then she handed me an envelope with a hundred dollars inside it. We chatted for a couple of minutes then I walked on. I crossed the road. I turned my red bike light that is on the back of my pack on. It was dusk now. I pulled out my headlamp and put the light on flash and started walking toward town. Another mile or so down the road and I ran into the Madrona and 101 RV campground. Stolz and Leon told me about it. I set my tent up. I didn't see any night registration. The office was open. I set my tent up. The only tent in the place. The inside of my tent was wet, and I needed to let it dry out. I went to the Port and Starboard. It was a restaurant/lounge across the street. I met the owner, Frank, who told me to come in for breakfast on the house. I met some of the locals. They inquired about what I was doing. One couple saw me walking earlier and they gave me ten dollars for me to get something to eat. I talked to a couple of friends on the phone. When I got back to my tent it was dry. I went to sleep.

DAY 47-- Oct. 17, 2006 MILES WALKED:19 FROM: Port Orford, Oregon TO: Ophir State Park (9 miles north of Gold Beach, OR.)

Today was beautiful weather. Blue skies with a cloud here and there. The man who was in charge of the campsite came over talked to me in the morning. He was a nice older man. He said they wouldn't charge me. We chatted about my walk for a moment. I packed up my gear and was heading for breakfast a little before 9 a.m. I walked across the street and got the free breakfast. I had two eggs and bacon. One of the men having coffee told me about a lady that has four carts with about the same amount of stuff that my bag has. When she walks. She moves one of the carts up to the edge of where she can still her other carts. She does this one by one. Probably not the most efficient way of travel. After breakfast it was around 9:45. I walked through town. Highway 101 takes a left. Someone told me go straight and check out the view of the Port of Port Orford. I did. It was awesome. Great shot of some rocks in the ocean and the rugged coastline. Humbug Mt. was in site. There were some cool beaches to. I saw people walking around them. I saw a couple of locals as I was leaving town. They asked what I was up to. I told them. One was a fishing guide who got back from the Grand Canyon. They wished me luck and I was on my way. The walk from Port Orford to Gold Beach has some twisty roads with little shoulder. About five miles out of town I cut back inland and leave the scenic coast. I started the climb on Humbug Mt. Besides the small shoulder it was pretty. Lots of trees. Just as I got to Humbug Mtn. State Park, I saw the lady who carries all of stuff on four carts. She has them all together and was sitting on them. It looked like she was brushing her teeth. Some has nice yellow and orange leaves. I stopped at a Mytrlewood park along the way. After Humbug and I came back down through the forest to another vista. It wasn't sea level but hundred feet up or so. It was nice. Then again, I started to go uphill. The uphill wasn't bad. It was gradual. The next time I came down hill it

was at Arizona Beach. There was a campground that was on both sides of the highway. This was about 13 miles of the day. Seeing the oceanfront camping almost made me stop. A little further down the road is the Pre-Historic gardens. A thick forest with life sized dinosaurs in it. I saw two from the road. I really wanted to check this out. After an internal battle I kept walking. I walked up another little hill. Then when I came down hill. There was a turn off to go to a golf course. Then the highway goes along a dike. I was staring at the Pacific again. The shoulder was medium sized but being on a dike left no room beyond the paved shoulder. I ended up walking another five miles. I stopped at Ophir State Park. It's kind of like a rest stop. It was around 5:30 p.m. when I got there. It had a nice bathroom and a bunch of picnic tables. It was about fifteen-twenty feet to the beach. There were no signs that said, 'Day Use Only." Stolz was thinking about coming out with his girlfriend. She had class and things didn't really work out. I found a spot to put my tent that was hidden from the parking lot. I could look back and see Humbug Mtn. and Cape Blanco. It was windy and I staked my tent down very well. Wind hasn't been a problem before. I saw a hand full of 18-wheeler trucks come in. I saw one guy walk in. He seemed like he was from Spain or Portugal. He had a small backpack jammed full and another bag. He was in his fifties. I think he might have just slept down on the beach. I never saw him again. Before it got dark, I met a couple from Bend, Kara and Frank, who were touring the coast. We chatted about what I was doing for a while. Leon didn't see me today on his way home from work. I ducked off a couple of times. Once to eat and another to check out a possible campsite. I think he drove by when I was checking a possible campsite. After dark I wrote in my journal and went to bed.

DAY 48 FROM: Ophir State Park (9 miles north of Gold Beach, Or) TO: grassy butte a hundred feet up looking down the jagged coastline. (14 miles south of Gold Beach)

Woke up around 8 a.m. I was on the road around 9 a.m. It was another beautiful morning. Walking in the morning is always awesome. I kicked but. I walked the nine miles into Gold Beach and got there around 11:30 a.m. I had a little uphill that cut back inland. Then a long straight stretch with trees lining both sides and the Pacific visible in the distance. Once I started getting toward the ocean again, the trees on the right side turned into open land. I got a nice view of the mouth of the Rogue River and the bridge that crosses it. On the other side of the Rogue is Gold Beach. I wanted to stop and find somewhere to get online. A little way into town I saw a place advertising copies and faxes. I popped in and asked if I could use the rented out a computer for internet. They didn't. The nice lady working there told me of a couple of places in town. She asked why I needed the internet. I told her about my trip and website. She asked how long I'd be on. I said, "Probably an hour." She let me use their computer for free. The place worked with autistic or challenged kids. They were eating lunch when I showed up. It was neat. Toward the end of my session lunch was over and the kids roamed about a little more. They do various things besides copies and faxes. It was an enjoyable atmosphere. I thanked them after I was done posting the last two days’ worth of journals and took off. Now I needed to eat some lunch. It was about 1 p.m. now. I stopped and had a burger and fries at Dairy Queen. After lunch I stopped at the grocery store for some supplies, bars, jerky, and peanuts. Then I was on my way out of town. Between Port Orford and Brookings there are a lot of rocks on the coast. More so than anywhere else so far. Right out of Gold Beach there is a big rock and nice view area with beach access. I stopped and took some pictures. Every time I made it to a viewpoint everyone else would leave. I busted out the tripod and got some pictures. After that viewpoint, I had a big hill to climb. It was Cape Sebastian. It must have been three or four miles up hill. While I was climbing the hill, I saw Leon driving home from work again. I came down hill and then hit a semi long straight stretch where a bunch of guys were windsurfing. After that stretch I walked up another hill that cut inland and then down another straight stretch. It was getting close to 5:30. I saw a lot of cop cars drive by. City, County and State. Must have been a meeting in Brookings or something. There was a lot of dunes before I climbed another hill. Then I really started looking for places. I saw a grassy knoll with a little butte type tabletop down the coastline a

little way. I went there. There was a trail. It was a hundred feet up or so. There was a lower shelf that was closer to the water. There was some beach and a couple of big rocks. I set my tent up at dusk. I had an awesome view south of the jagged coastline with the mountains and rocks. This part of the coast is a series of Mountains. Usually going the inside age around the hills away from the water and then catching a view of the ocean. Tonight, will be my last night in Oregon. I think this might be the best site that I camped. The view was sweet. Every day I seem to enjoy myself a little more. I wrote a few poems today. I thought about my trip. I wondered where I'll camp tonight. My mind goes to many places throughout the day. It got a little windy as I went to bed. I went to sleep hearing sea lion chatter and waves crashing. Doesn't get much better than that.

DAY 49 MILES WALKED: 26 or 27 FROM: the grassy butte (15 miles north of Brookings, Oregon) TO: Ship Ashore Motel and Campground (3 miles north of Smith River, Ca)

It was a nice morning. No wind. My rain fly was bone dry which hasn't happened at all since I've been on the Oregon coast. There is usually some moisture. I hit the road. I was kind of sad that today was my last day in Oregon. I left my scenic camp spot around 9 a.m. I was gearing up for my walk into Brookings. On the way to Brookings, I went up hill and downhill. I crossed the Thomas Creek Bridge. It's 345 feet up. The highest bridge in Oregon. It had a nice view of the Ocean. I walked through the trees mostly while I hiked the hills. I rolled into Brookings around 1:30 p.m. I stopped at the first market/deli. I got a

burger and a Powerade. There was a tramp mopping the floor. A short wiry named Dennis. Behind the counter was a guy tall guy with a brown mullet and sunglasses. I went outside to eat my burger. Three more tramps showed up to buy some beer. One looked Italian. His clothes were cleaner than the other two. Another one was big with a beard and long hair graying hair. The third one was unshaven with his hood pulled over. He said he was from Medford and ran into some trouble with his old lady. I guess the Medford P.D. don't like homeless people. He moved out to Brookings. The cops are pretty laid back. According to Dennis there are 75-80 in the Brookings/Harbor area. After I left the store, I went to Fred Meyers for some supplies. I went to the bank to deposit some money. Then, I stopped at the Brookings Library for 45 minutes to put yesterday’s blog. I crossed the bridge over the Chetco River into Harbor. Brookings is on the north side of the river and Harbor on the south side. I saw a couple of tramps sleeping next to a guard rail. It was about 6 or 7 miles after Harbor, and I ran into the border. I was really excited that my second state was under my belt. My video camera battery started to die. A mile or so into California and I stopped at a Cocktail Lounge to ask where the camping park was. The maître de told me just before the Casino or just after the Casino. I charged my camera battery for a minute. I chatted with him about my trip. The sun was setting after I left the lounge. It was a fancy place and it felt awkward charging my camera. I saw a picnic area and didn't think it was the campground, but I guess it was. A little further when it was almost dark a couple from Portland who was eating in the restaurant overheard me talking to the maître de. Dennis and Elaine Woehlert gave me ten dollars. Thank you. By the time I got to the Casino gas station it was dark. The lady working in there told me that I ed the campsite. I really didn't won't to walk back. A man outside told me that about Ship Ashore motel and R.V. park down the road. It was about a mile. I paid ten dollars for a campsite. I had free showers and firewood. I met Ray who camped next to me. He was 48 and been staying there for a week. His van wasn't working. I saw him walking back from Brookings earlier in the day. Ray seemed to be on the move a lot. I was really excited to be in California. I made a bunch of calls. I got to bed around midnight. I had a nice bonfire and chatted with Ray some.

3

California

DAY 50—Oct. 20 th, 2006 MILES WALKED: 16 FROM: Ship Ashore Motel and RV park (3 miles north of Smith River, Ca) TO: Crescent City WEATHER: Perfect

I got up around 8 a.m. I wasn't in a big hurry to get going. I took a nice hot shower. Ray, the guy camping next to me, gave me some hot cocoa. I chatted with Ray some more. He has some problems with people in Crescent City. Sometimes I think if you hang out in certain groups, you'll have a better chance to bump into some bad people. Ray talked about making a phone call to try to get some money for another week of camping. I said goodbye to Ray and hit the road around 10. I walked three miles into Smith River. Basically, all there was a grocery store. I stopped and got some deli food. Some Jehovah's Witnesses gave me a magazine. They asked about my trip. It was two old couples. I chatted with them for a couple of minutes then took off. In the parking lot I asked a younger couple if they could snap my picture. They were visiting from Brooklyn. I was looking at 13 miles to Crescent City. I walked by mostly farmland and didn't get back to the Ocean until I got to Crescent City. 10 miles away from Crescent City there was a detour for bicycles and pedestrians. I got on Lake Earl Dr. and took that all the

way into Crescent City. I stopped in Fort Dick on the way at a little store. It was near the Pelican Bay State Prison and I saw about 15 guards come and go. I called The Daily Triplicate, the Crescent City Newspaper. I talked to the reporter who was excited about the article. It would be a front-page article the next day. However, it's not on their website. A little further past the store and I walked by the prison. I filmed it and one of the guards was driving home yelled, "You know you’re not supposed to film." I didn't know. A mile or so down the road from there and Karen, the writer from the paper, came out. She snapped some pictures and chatted. Then the photographer came out. We chatted for 45 minutes. They told me about the Coffee Corner Cafe and Deli for internet and Shoreline RV park. Once in town I went to the Coffee Corner and put yesterday's journal entry on. It was less than a mile to my campsite. It was next to a river and the beach. I set up camp a little after 6 p.m. The man working at the campground was a biker that toured 38 states. He had a big beard with the only part on his face that was shaved was his sideburn area. I wrote and got some food. I made a couple of calls. The cell phone helps me fight feeling lonely. I'm waiting to Arcata, CA to buy my second pair of shoes. I think the Superfeet have allowed these shoes to last longer. I have a three-book plan from this trip. First will be the journal. One I can't put everything on the blog. I forget or don't have time. The second will be a fictional of the walk across the country. Lastly, will be a book of poetry. Tomorrow I'll be walking around the Redwoods. I'll probably be camping at the Trees of Mystery.

DAY 51--Oct. 21, 2006 MILES WALKED:17 FROM: Crescent City, CA (Shoreline Park) TO: Klamath, CA (Mystic River Campground) Weather: Nice and sunny.

Today was a tough 17-mile day. I was packed up on the road by 8:38 a.m. I was back to the Coffee Corner Cafe and Deli to put yesterday’s blog and add some pictures. By the time that I finished that it was a little after 10 a.m. Now I was back on the road heading south. I was trying to make it to Trees of Mystery. I stopped by the Subway and got a six-inch sandwich. On the way out of town I had nice views of the marina and then the ocean. There was a bunch of guys out there surfing. About 4 miles out of town I saw a mustached middle aged man hitchhiking. He asked how far I was going, and I told him, "Miami Beach." I asked where he was going. He was hitchhiking down to Fort Bragg. His car was there, and he mentioned the drug crops that they have down there. I started uphill. This uphill lasted the better part of 8 miles. On my way up the beginning of the hill I saw a man carrying a tire down. He asked, "How far is Crescent City." I replied, "About five miles." I half mile up the road and I stopped at a vista point. I saw a little beat-up gray car with a flat tire. I don't know why he was carrying the tire. Must not have been a fun walk to Crescent City for him. There wasn't much shoulder room to walk on today. It was a stressful, beautiful through the Redwood forest. About four miles into the forest and I was starving. I took my pack off and dug my cook set out. I boiled some water and had one of my freeze-dried meals, Chicken and Rice. The forgot to take the little packet out before I put the water in. Oh well, the label says it isn't toxic. I guess I'll find out. Either way it was awesome. I kept on trekking. The Redwood forest made a warm day cool. The tall giant trees guarded me from the sun. It was refreshing walk among the ancient trees. The shoulder was tiny most of the day. There was a coastal trail, but I didn't know anything about it, and I don't have a com. After the 8 mile walk through the Redwoods, I had a steep downhill with a sweet ocean vista to my right. I had a couple miles of downhill and a half mile of walking along the ocean. There was a hostel across the highway from the beach. It didn't look like it was open. I stopped at the beach. It's nice to see the waves tumbling. I walked on and the road cut inland. I got to Trees of Mystery before I thought. It was around 5 p.m. The sky shuttle was done for the day and they were only open for another half an hour. There is a huge statue of Paul Bunyan and the Blue Ox. I asked the ladies working inside about camping. They said a half mile up the road was camping.

They saw my picture and story in the paper. Another guy in the shop asked where I started. I told him Bellingham. He went to Western Washington University in Bellingham. Now he lives in Smith River, CA. One of the ladies from the store took a picture of me Infront of the statues. Then I went across the road to the Forest Cafe and had a burger and fries. After eating I walked up another half mile and got a couple of things at a little market. Across the street was Mystic River Campground. Mainly RV's but they had tent areas also. They have a little playground. It had tetherball too. The tent sites were tucked in some trees. The lady working in the office saw my article in the paper and she gave me 6 dollars off my site. I set my tent up and then charged my video camera battery in the bathroom. Later that night when I was coming back from the bathroom, I met Nicole and Susie. They were on their way to San Francisco to she Nicole's uncle play in his band. Nicole was from Minnesota and Susie from Madison, Wisconsin. They heard about me from the lady running the campsite. I went back to my tent and read some more of "On the Road." My batteries in my head lamp were running low. It was a cold night. I was wrapped in my sleeping bag and mummy liner. I wanted to ask Susie or Nicole if they wanted to play a game of tetherball in the morning. I didn't.

DAY 52--Oct. 22, 2006 MILES WALKED: 15-16 FROM: Klamath, CA (Mystic River Campground) TO: Elk Prairie Campground (5 miles north of Orick, CA)

I woke up a little before 8 a.m. I had to charge my video camera battery some more. Susie and Nicole left before I did. It must have been 8:35 when I started my walk. I got a game of tetherball in before I left. It was my Napoleon Dynamite moment. It was cold brisk morning. I was almost at the highway when the lady from the office came out and asked if I wanted some coffee. I told her

that I don't drink coffee. I asked if there were any stores south. She said they might not be open. She mentioned that they had some snack stuff. I went into the office area. She made me some hot chocolate. They gave me some candy bars, peanuts, two apples and one banana. I talked with the husband about Sasquatch. He talked two people that had interesting theories. One thought that there was a huge underground network of tunnels that bigfoot lived in. Another guy thought that bigfoot lived in another dimension. He could walk into rocks or trees. He said that there is a lot of old timers that will talk to him about you in cafes. I got on the road around 9 a.m. I walked about 4 miles into Klamath. I stopped at the little store with a Subway. Subway wasn't open yet. I got a little snack and read some. I was going to do some laundry at the laundry mat, but there was no soap there. I lost my camp suds. At the laundry mat a Klamath River boat guide recognized me from the newspaper article. I chatted him a bit and I was on my way. I crossed the Klamath River on a straight flat bridge that has both sides guarded by statues of bears. On the other side was a new casino. It was the weirdest casino I've seen. It was a ways off the highway and I didn't walk over there. It was like a tent. It wasn't a real building structure. Three miles past the bridge and I got off 101 and took the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. This saved me from walking over 2 big hills. From there I had 7 miles to my campsite. There was a little hill at the start then it was flat. It was an awesome walk. Not much traffic and I walked through the Redwoods again. I stopped once to read some of my Kerouac book. It was an awesome walk. I walked among the tall giant trees again. As I was walking a SUV drove honked as they drove by and I saw two sets of hands waved out the sunroof. It felt cool. It was very peaceful. Toward the end of the forest, I walked off the road 500 yards to see the big tree. It was huge Redwood. An older couple from Oregon took my picture as I stood Infront of the tree. From there I didn't have long, and I popped out of the forest into a prairie. I was at Elk Prairie Campground. It was a half mile from the entrance to the hiker/biker camp. I went and set my tent up. It was around 5 p.m. I read some more in the book. I got a post card from the visitor center. I went back and a biker biked in. He looked at a map and filled up his water, then, he was off. I only had $ 2.23, so that is what I put in the envelope. There was no one else in the hiker/biker section. I was still out of cell phone reception. I lost it 4 or 5

miles outside of Crescent City. It started getting cold. I made my last freeze-dried meal. It was awesome. I didn't have much food left in my bag after that. I got in my tent and wrote and read. My head lamp went out on me after a while. Then I was left in the dark. All of my AA batteries were toast. This meant that my camera wouldn't be able to take pictures. Well, they made it across more than two states and that ain't half bad. Today I thought about life, writing, and poems. I sung as I went. Lyrics I've made up or parts of Mason Jennings' songs.

DAY 53--Oct. 23, 2006 MILES WALKED: 20 FROM: ELK PRAIRE CAMPGROUND (5 north of Orick) TO: PATRICK'S POINT (5 north of Trinidad)

I got up around 7:50. I did some jumping jacks in the morning to warm up. I was packed up and ready to go around 8:20. I had to walk back out to the highway. I stopped and called my dad on his 1-888 number. I wanted someone to know where I was out since I've been out of cell reception since Crescent City. We had a brief chat. It was cold morning. There was some fog. It was cold. I had to walk a mile to get back at to 101. From there I had 4 or 5 miles to Orick. On the way I had a pleasant surprise. I saw three brown houses. I glanced over and I saw a 6or 7-point elk setting against one. At first, I thought he might be fake. I whistled. He moved and I knew he was real. My camera didn't have batteries, so I had to only take video footage. Down the road I saw a vacation rental house. It was a three-story place that had a little fence with a horse roaming around inside it. I looked around and I saw 7 elk sitting in the grass. Another one was walking around. How cool? I was stoked. The elk were out this morning. I walked on with my fleece on for a couple of hours which is rare.

Before I knew it, I was in Orick. A town of about 600 people. I didn't have any food. When I got to town a mini van stopped. The girl asked if I knew I was in the paper. I said, "Yes." She asked where I was heading east. I told her I don't know but further south. Most of the houses and buildings are dilapidated. The nicest building in town was the State Parks building. It was their South Operation Center. I stopped at the store and got about 20 bucks worth of supplies. I crossed a river. On the other side of Orick there where a handful of places that did burl art. I saw an awesome castle. A ways past Orick and I was back on the ocean. It was nice. I walked along the ocean for a mile or so then walked inland past two lagoons. It had been overcast most of the morning. I went up hill a little before I got to the lagoons. After the lagoons I had a little flat land that went past an R.V. park and I hit another hill. Once I came down hill I was back to the Ocean. It was an awesome view. The sun had broken through. There was tiny sand bar that separated the ocean and the bay. The sun glistened off the water. It was rad. After that I went through a couple miles of curvy road that went through some forest. After that 101 turned into a 4-lane freeway. I went up hill a couple of miles and got off the freeway onto Patrick’s Point Dr. A half mile on that road and I was at Patrick's Point State Park. I paid 3 dollars for my campsite. I walked about a mile or maybe a little under to my campsite. It was around 5 p.m. I set up camp. I stayed at the Agate Beach campground inside the park. It was a nice campsite. I didn't make it down to the beach. I could hear. Sometimes that is all I need. I had to hike through the campground and then take a trail to the beach. I cooked up some top ramen to eat. I charged my video camera and cell phone in the bathroom. I spend a lot of time hanging out in the bathroom. Mostly today I thought about my "Off Day" screenplay. It revolves around a guy, Nin, who on his first day off in over a month is pestered all day long. I thought about the story line and budget. I wrote this script in 2004. It all takes place in one room. Nin's studio apartment and would be cheap to make it. I've rewritten it a bunch. At one point today my camera stopped working. Then a half an hour later it was working.

I had a little campfire with little twigs in my campsite. I would have got a bundle of wood, but the camp hosts weren't there. I had three brave racoons come through my campsite a couple of times. I'd spot them in my head lamp, and they'd freeze. Then, they'd walk around and not care about me.

DAY 54--Oct. 24, 2006 MILES WALKED: 21-22 FROM: Patrick's Point State Park (5 miles north of Trinidad, CA) TO: Arcata, Ca (Fairwinds Motel) Weather: Overcast to Blue Skies

I got up at 7:30 a.m. I left my campsite at 8:07 a.m. I walked through the park and got back on Patrick’s Point Drive. It was an awesome walk into Trinidad. It wasn't that cold. I went through forests with inns and R.V. parks on both sides. Half of the road had a sweet ocean view. I snapped some pictures and video. I got back into cell phone reception around 9:30 today. Yeah! It's been 3 days. Today I though mostly about my "Baseball 88' screenplays. It follows two buddies who quit their jobs and parade around the U.S. pretending to be baseball scouts. They both are seeking deeper meaning. One is searching for love, the other is trying to crack the riddle of time travel. It was a nice morning. I got excited about the idea of making this film. First make a trailer of it and then try to get some money to make it. I was planning on getting to Eureka today. I walked about 5 miles and got to Trinidad. I stopped at their grocery store. I got some chicken strips and dried apricots. I met a couple from Canada. They were in their younger 20's and were biking from Van. Island to Mexico City. If the bikes give out, they will find other

modes of transportation. I hit the freeway. I started walking toward McKinleyville. I took the Central Ave. exit. I saw that pedestrians were prohibited on the freeway. There was an awesome beach at this exit. I walked Central Ave. into McKinleyville. I walked around the Arcata Airport and into town. I popped into a gas station and figured my route to Arcata. I took a right of Central onto School Rd. I walked on that for about mile and a half and took a left on Fischer Rd. Which is Hammond Trail. This paved trail took meet to a bridge that crossed the river. I crossed some farms. I saw a bunch of cows. I was kind of upset that I couldn't walk on the freeway. I hit Mad River Rd. on the other side. I walked past farms for about three miles and hit Arcata around 3:15 p.m. I wanted to get online. I haven't been to get online since the morning I left Crescent City. I walked toward the center of town. A girl told me that I walked past the coffee shop. I had to walk back a half mile. It was free but many people use it. I got to post about a two days’ worth of my journals. I asked the man working there about camping in the area. He said not much until south of Eureka. I decided that I would use my hotel. I figure I get one hotel for walking across a state. I haven't used my hotel for walking across Oregon. I had two on the south side of town. The first one wouldn't give me any kind of break. The second knocked some off. I got room 104 at the Fairwinds Motel. I took a much-needed shower. I got a piece of pizza. I went to Kinkos to finish my blogging. Next, I'll go do some laundry I still have time. Last wash is 10:30. Arcata has Humboldt State College. There is a lot of people walking around. A lot of people biking. A lot of hippies. A lot of people with big backpacks. I'm going to get another sign made for my backpack. The second half of today turned out to be beautiful. It was nice getting off the freeway. I felt that it made my trip a little slower. However, I realized I'll go where the wind blows. The wind blew me to Arcata today. Maybe I'll meet some interesting people tonight.

DAY 55-- OCT. 25, 2006 MILES WALKED: 22-23

FROM: Arcata, CA (Fairwinds Motel) TO: behind some trees off the highway (3 north of Fortuna, CA)

Another beautiful day. I woke up around 7:30. I had everything out of my bag. I had to load everything back up and make sure I didn't miss anything. I had a sign made last night. It says, "Walk for Cancer", "Bellingham, WA to Miami Beach, FL", and "www.MyWalkingAdventure.com." I wanted to figure a way to get it on my bag before I left. I didn't have much to work with. I ended up putting some duct tape on it. My red light is clipped on the back of my pack. I slipped the sign with duct tape between the light and the bag. It works great. It was a tight fit and the stickiness of the tape and I was in business. It got tested out today. It held up. I took off right at 9. My feet were telling I needed some new shoes. The shoe store in Arcata didn't open until 10 and I wanted to get on the road. I couldn't walk on 101 so I asked about another way to Eureka. A guy at the gas station told me about Samoa Dr. I hopped on Samoa Dr. I had to wait at a couple of stop lights. After one a car pulled over. The man told me that he owned a restaurant in Eureka and that he'd give me lunch. He wrote down free lunch and his signature and the address of his restaurant. It was called Los Bagels. It was in old town Eureka. Now I'm trying to walk to Eureka for lunch. Samoa Drive was a two-lane highway, but it was a sweet walk. 101 went one side of the bay to Eureka. Samoa on the other hand takes the long way around the way. It was about 8 miles from the hotel into Eureka. Maybe even a little more. It went through a bunch of farms. Like yesterday. I'm glad I walked by all the farms yesterday. After about 3 miles I walked through Manila. It's a small town of 1,000 people nothing besides a few houses on the road. Before Manila I walked past a huge lumber mill. They had a giant stack of trees. 50-100 feet tall and three or four blocks long. If I would have kept going on Samoa drive, I would go to Samoa, instead I went over the bridges to Eureka. I really like walking by the coastal farms. To see dunes and farms it cool. It'd be a cool place to have a farm. The first of the three bridges was the biggest. It had a 'Pedestrians Prohibited' sign. I walked to far out of my way. I would lose the day if I would have gone back. I walked over the bridges. A Sherriff drove by once. He didn't stop or anything. I had an awesome view of the peninsula and the bay. I looked back across the bay to see Arcata. It was stunning. Once over the last

bridge I was in Eureka and back on 101. I was on 4th St. and Los Bagels was on 2 St. in old town. I walked down a few blocks and cut to 3rd St. I saw an awesome Victorian house. It was huge and different colors of green. It was now the Ingamor Club. I snapped a picture and kept walking. A few blocks later and I was eating lunch. I had a turkey bagel and orange juice. I charged my camera battery. Amy, one of the girls working there, gave me some walnuts, raisins, and an apple. The nearest campground was at the south edge of Fortuna. That was 20 plus miles from where I was at. After lunch it was around 1p.m. I hit the road. I started heading south again. I saw a Big 5. This was my chance to get some shoes. I went in. Most people saw my sign. I tried on and bought a pair of New Balances. In the end they cost 36 dollars. One man shopping in there saw my sign. He gave me 20 bucks and said this will get something to eat. He said, "More power to you." I filmed me throwing away my first pair of shoes. The Asics saw there last morning of action. I hit the road. I had over a mile to get out of Eureka. I met a couple of tramps on my way out of town. One was on bike and has been living the brush south of Eureka for a while. The other one was John, an Alabama man, who is trying to make it in Eureka. He's been here three months. Most of the tramps I've met don't want to be on camera. I walked 8 miles into Eureka. Two plus through Eureka and 12 miles south of Eureka. I stopped in Fields Landing to see if there was another road to Fortuna. The guy didn't know of one. I walked by the College of the Redwoods. Also had some awesome views of Humboldt Bay. It was pretty neat. Walking was prohibited again. I kept walking. Cops drove by but I don't think that they really care all that much. I was planning on making in to the R.V. park in Fortuna, but I didn't think it be safe to walk on the freeway at night. Around 5:30 I started thinking about finding somewhere to duck off. On the left side of the freeway was trees. Beyond fences were rolling hills with patches of trees here and there. The rights side were farms mainly. A little after 6 and I found my spot. I thought I was 6 miles from Fortuna but was only 3.5. There was a spot. There were enough trees for cover. There was a fence behind the trees. On the other side of the fence was rolling hills. There was a house but a mile or two away. It looked like maybe a Casino in the distance. I couldn't tell. I slowly set my tent up over

the course of a half hour. There was just enough room underneath the branches. It wasn't a place a tramp would sleep. No one could see me from the freeway unless they stopped and went out of their way. I felt like it'd be a good spot. I set up my tent and got in. I didn't use my head lamp much. I didn't want to have too much light. I was in cell phone range and chatted with some friends. It was a nice night. The one down fall was that the ground wasn't level. Oh well.

DAY 56--Oct. 26th, 2006 MILES WALKED: 15-17 FROM: Off the freeway in the brush north of Fortuna, CA TO: Stafford R.V. Park

I woke up and it was another sunny morning. Somewhat cold. I got up and backed up my things. I was on the round by 8:30 a.m. I stumbled on the road and walked a half mile then pasted the exit to Ferndale, CA. There is a Ferndale close to Bellingham. The California is a neat Victorian town from what I hear. I made the 3.5 mile walked into Fortuna in about three hours. I went to the cafe to get some food. I asked about the internet and the lady told me about the library. Next, I went to the post office. I had some things to mail. A lady saw my sign and wanted to pray for me. When I got up to the counter the clerk paid for my postage. She pulled a 10 out and paid for it and then gave me the change. From there I went to the library posted my day 55 blog and added some pictures. I got a little more than an hour to go online. From there I was going to find out about walking toward the Avenue of the Giants. I stopped at a gas station to ask for directions. The girls working there liked what I was doing. They pooled some money together to give me. They gave me a hot dog. Dayda and Heather. Dayda was telling everyone who came in about it. They said they would get people on the website. After that I was on the way out of town. I walked a couple miles, and I was out

of town. I had to walk back onto 101. A couple of miles past town and I talked to Dean from the Fred Hutchinson. I told him about what my link and asked about charting it. The phone ended up losing reception. I walked through Fields Landing. I stopped and asked at the little store about another rout toward Scotia. He said there wasn't. I walked past the College of The Redwoods and Humboldt Bay. My views of Humboldt Bay were good. I walked past another little town called Alton. A few more miles down the road I walked into Rio Dell. The Freeway has off ramps into towns. Crossing the river past Rio Dell brings me into Scotia. I saw a guy walking toward me on the shoulder in Rio Dell. It was a Gary. He saw my sign. He is in a sober house in Eureka. He asked if I had eaten lunch. I said, "No." He offered to buy me a sandwich. I walked back with him a quarter mile and went to the store. Gary found a truck mud flap on the ground. He was excited. He said he had three more. A lady outside the store gave me 5 dollars. Gary brought me the sandwich. Gary went his way, and I ate my sandwich and was off. I hit the highway heading toward Scotia and crossed the Eel River for the second time of the day. I got off the freeway in Scotia. My camera batteries went out. I had some sweet pictures of the River and then I went to take some more right as I got into Scotia and the batteries died. The clerk at the store in Scotia paid for the batteries. I walked through Scotia which is smaller than Rio Dell. It's a lumber town. Pacific Lumber has a huge mill and owns a lot of the land in the area. I took a wrong turn and went into log yard thinking it might be a log yard. A volunteer fire fighter saw me and told me that it wasn't a good place to be. Log trucks driving around. I saw an old man walking his dog. It was along the mill. He stopped. There were two deer bouncing around. One was a buck missing one side of his horns. I walked three more miles past Scotia to Stafford. There are a few houses and an RV park in Stafford. It was getting close to 6 p.m. It was somewhat run down. A couple of trailer homes up front. Couldn't tell where the office was. No real signs. I went and set my tent up. Finally saw the camp hosts. I was the only erby. Everyone else were workers in the area. The ones I talked to only spoke Spanish. I wished I spoke Spanish. I hung out by myself. I charged up my camera and cell phone. I read and wrote in my tent.

DAY 57--Oct. 27, 2006 MILES WALKED:15 FROM: Stafford, CA RV park TO: Burlington Campground (1 miles South of Weott, CA)

I was on the road a little before 9 a.m. I was heading toward the Avenue of the Giants. I was going to take the Pepperwood Exit. I got back on the road. Blue skies again. I've had an awesome run of weather. I walked a couple more miles on the freeway and then I was on the Avenue of the Giants. I walked through some forests and a couple miles later I popped out in Pepperwood. Population 50. A couple houses and a couple of farms. It was the first of the iceberg towns of the Avenue of The Giants. I spent the rest of the day weaving in and out of the forests. The river was on the left side of me. There was a turn off to go to Shively. It looked like a cool road that went along the river among the rock bed. Walking on the warm day in the forest is refreshing. It is cool under the shade of the giant trees. There isn't a bunch of traffic on the road. I came to the immortal tree. I forgot the exact age, but the tree has survived a lot. Floods and logging. It had a nice gift shop. It had a lot of wood art. Outside was a vending machine. I got jerky and trail mix. This was the only food source I ran into today. I thought I would hit a store. I didn't. I kept walking. I walked through a forest and popped out in the open area of Redcrest. It had a cafe but not store. A couple of miles before I got Weott, I crossed the river. It was cool bridge that went over the river and into the forest and instantly disappeared. The walk today was great. Walking among the ancient trees combine with views of the river and mountains is pretty sweet. A mile or so before Weott and I cross underneath Freeway 101 and was west of the highway. Weott has nothing really now. Along the Avenue are areas showing the water level during the great flood of 1964. It Weott it is 30 ft above the

ground. Some other places it might be 13 ft. There is a lot of history in that area. The flood of '64 wiped most of the towns out. I walked back into the forest after Weott. I came up to Burlington Campground. It was a nice campground in the middle of the state park. I got a camp site for 3 dollars. It was around 4 p.m. I set my tent up. A lot of old stumps that one can go inside. In general, there a good number of trees that have an open base. Most don't but I saw a lot that did. It gets dark earlier, and it gets cooler in the forest. I didn't have any food in my pack. I had a nice campfire going by the time it was dark. That is when I met Virginia and Bryan. A white truck pulled over today. A couple of guys from L.A. were driving around with their writer buddy, Ricardo. They stopped. Ricardo gave me ten dollars and his card. He's a writer and would like to write my story. They weren't sure if I was some rich kid or if I was heartfelt. It was Between Redcrest and Weott when they pulled over. I saw their truck a couple of times. It was cool meeting him. Little things like that motivate me to keep going. I didn't have any food. I didn't want to be hungry all night. I figured I'd see if anyone else would have extra food they'd be willing to sell. I approached them. They live 40 miles south of L.A and are cruising around California. She gave me a can of chili, cheese, flour tortilla, tomato, spring rolls, and nutria grain bars. I was set. I threw the can of chili in the fire. I made chili, cheese, and tomato wraps. It was awesome. I had a nice night of writing next to the warm fire with a full stomach.

DAY 58-- Oct. 28, 2006 MILES WALKED: 19-20 FROM: Burlington Campground (1 mile south of Weott) TO: Dean Creek (2 miles north of Redway, CA)

On the road by 8:45 this morning. It was cold this morning. I get moving as quick as I can. I walked the rest of the way out of the Avenue of the Giants today. I walked 4 miles into Myers Flat. I got some supplies at the store. The ladies there saw my sign and the store gave me $11.50 worth of goods. I saw Bryan and Virginia this morning at the store. Four Mori Market was great. I charged my camera up. I went back and went to the walk thru tree in town. It was cool. The guy let me walk in for free. It was cool walking thru the tree. I got a picture. They had a couple of tree houses. After that I was on the road. It was getting close to Noon. I got into the town around 10 a.m. or a little after. They were having a pumpkin carving later. Outside of town I went under the Freeway 101. I walked 6 miles into Miranda. After Miranda I walked through Phillipsville. It was another awesome day of walking. Little traffic and weaving in and out of forests. Phillipsville was the last town on the Avenue of the Giants. From the road is open and there and a nice view of the river. Not walking through forest. After Phillipsville I walked three miles out to the highway. I walked three on the highway to get to Dean Creek. That is where I camped for the night. It was hard dirt ground with leaves all over. I met a bunch of travelers camping next door. Two Jessies, Denise, Todd, and Sam. I met a couple of their friends. Many of them live on the road. They cooked fish and potatoes. After we ate most of the other went into Redway for a party. I ate with them and hung to about midnight. Sam went to sleep. Jessie and I chatted by the fire for a while. I went to bet. I heard the rest of the guys come back from the party. Jesse did a lot of fishing in Alaska and in Oregon.

DAY 59-- Oct. 29, 2006 MILES WALKED: 8.5-10 FROM: Dean Creek (2 miles of Redway, CA) TO: 4.5-5 miles south of Garberville, CA

Well today turned out to be one of the coolest days of my life. I learned not to judge a book by its cover and that anything can happen on this trip. After talking with a couple of the cool hippies that camped next door, I was off. I walked two miles into Redway on my way to Garberville. I don't the road, but the road from Dean Creek exit goes right to Garberville, small town with forested hills in the background, without getting back onto the freeway. Once in Garberville I misread the cover. I popped into a gas station to get a bottle of water and the lady there harked at me for not setting my backpack down. That is the first time that has happened. I guess San Francisco bought a bunch of homeless bus tickets to Garberville. Now Garberville is going to buy some tickets out of here. I walked through town trying to find internet. I couple of kids made some comments about what I was doing. I ignored them. I stopped at a cafe to grab a bite to eat. At the cafe I met a few people. A couple younger guys asked about my sign. I told them about my trip. They were stoked about it. They were Seal, from North Carolina, and Kenneth from Portland, Oregon. Later I came to find that they bought my meal. As I was going to pay the restaurant got flooded by old couples from a tour bus. The place got jam packed in the matter of minutes. I met a couple in their late thirties or early forties. Kathy and John were awesome. They gave me 20 dollars. Then, as I was going to leave the place, Kathy offered the use of a computer. Her daughter owned a beauty/hair place in town. John new I wouldn't being seeing a computer until Fort Bragg. I went over there and used the computer for more than an hour. I tried to make it an hour, but I had to do three days of journals and an email. I felt bad for being longer than I said, but it wasn't too much longer. After that I got some supplies at the grocery store and I was off. I hit Freeway 101 again. It is pretty country. Hills with forests with patches of yellow/brown grass. I walked into Benbow and the RV park didn't allow tent camping. I was back on the road. I walked the mile back to the freeway and

started south. I talked with my friend Austin a couple of times today. Once as I left Garberville. Again, right before I went to the Benbow RV place. The state park was closed. And I was talking to him again later as I walked past Benbow. I was about 4.5-5 miles past when I was talking to Austin. The phone cut out and I lost him. Then in the matter of minutes Austin showed up with his 95-year-old grandma, Margaret. I was blown away. My best friend showed up out of the blue. I ended up pausing my walk. I hopped in with Austin. I went back to Garberville. I ate dinner at the same restaurant. I stayed with Austin and his Grandma at the Garberville Motel. Wow what a day! My friend Austin drove 1012 hours over the course of 2 days to surprise me. I haven't seen a known face since Bandon, Oregon. It was an awesome surprise. We had a good night of chatting. It was great.

DAY 60-- Oct. 30, 2006 MILES WALKED: 15-16 FROM: 4.5-5 miles south of Garberville TO: Standish-Hickey State Park (2 miles north of Legget, CA)

Well today wasn't as eventful. Austin and I woke up around 7 a.m. and talked. Once his grandma was up, we packed everything into the car and left. We went through a coffee stand. Austin and his grandma got coffee. Austin's grandma and I got cinnamon rolls. We drove down the spot where Austin picked me up. It was around 9 a.m. I always have a landmark. It was the sign for Benbow State Park. It was the sign for the South Entrance which is a couple miles south of Benbow. Austin filmed me some as I stated that I'm starting my walk where it resumed, and we went our separate ways. I walked through Richardson Grove. The lady, Lisa, working at the store saw my sign and give me an ice cream. I kept walking. Walking through hills with forest and open areas. Next to the road would be steep banks of rock. It was a slow

walk up the Confusion Hill. It was beautiful looking at the South Fork of the Eel River and the forest. Signs of fall showed in the trees with leaves. Patches of yellow/orangish here and there. At times I found myself walking in the ditch to avoid traffic. By this time the Freeway had already turned back into a highway. It was somewhere around Richardson Grove that the changes occurred. Before or after I can't . At the top of Confusion Hill is a place with the tallest free-standing chain saw carving. It has some circus bears on it. They had a couple of neat things that I didn't have time to check out. I kept walking. Two miles north of Legget and I ran into the Standish-Hickey State Park. Across the street was the Peg House. A little store. I went in to grab a couple of things. They ended up making me a sandwich. After I ate, I went over and found a campsite. It was about an hour before dark. It was in the woods. Not far was a fence. On the other side of the fence was a huge drop off with the river down below. The park had more than one campground. I was in the only campground that was open. I was out of range and had a nice night at the campground.

DAY 61--Oct. 31, 2006 MILES WALKED:26-27 FROM: Standish-Hickey State Park (2 miles N. of Legget, CA) TO: Westport Union Landing State Park (3 miles N. of Westport, CA)

Today was a big day. I walked from 8 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. I had a lot of up and down over some big hills. The reward, getting to the Pacific Ocean in time for sunset. I walked the couple miles into Legget. I got a couple of things at the little store. I was on Highway 1 now. I had a long voyage on Highway turned Freeway 101. She took me a long way. I had a sad goodbye. Then I was on my way. I didn't know where I was going to camp. I saw the State park with camping and left.

The road from Legget to the coast was windy and had little shoulder. There wasn't much traffic. I would take the outside of the corner. I could hear traffic coming and could adjust accordingly. It was a peaceful walk. I thought about a song that I'm working on. Besides that, I thought a lot of my story called, "Calvin Alvin or the C.A.T." Even though I was on the highway when there was no traffic it was very peaceful. I could hear a huge bird flapping its wings. The hills weren't bad. A lot of uphill in the beginning. It leveled off and then was a series of uphill and downhill. There was a section in the middle that had a few houses on a section where it leveled out. It was mostly private property. The uphill outweighed the downhill. Then, it went downhill quick. I thought, YES. However, I had one more hill to climb before I would be at the ocean. I finally zigzagged my way through my last hill. On the way down. Bam! It was the Pacific Ocean saying, "HI." I was in time for the sunset. It was somewhat cloudy and there were two spots with reddish pink coloring. It was awesome. I came out by a cape. It was getting dark, and I had a nice 3 mile walk from the first run in with the ocean until my campsite. It was awesome. It was light enough to see and the ocean was calm. I had a view of the jagged coastline that lie Infront of me. Every now and then there would be a rock or two standing jetting out of the water. Finally, I had arrived at the Westport Union Landing Campsite. It is was mainly directed for RVs and 5th wheels, but I found a spot to pitch my tent. The picnic tables and fire pits are on one side of the fence. The RVs are parked on the other. I set my tent up in 12 minutes. I cooked some food and hopped in my tent. I was back in cell range. It wasn't good but I chatted with Austin a bit. He was in Susanville, Ca with his grandma. My last day of October and the end of my second month. I've found myself around or over 200 miles into California. Tomorrow I'd be heading into Fort Bragg, CA.

DAY 62-- Nov. 1, 2006 MILES WALKED: 20 FROM: Westport Union Landing State Park (3 miles N. of Westport) TO: Fort Bragg, CA (Harbor Lite Lodge)

My new month was ushered in by my first rain I've seen since being in California. Once it stopped it raining, I got up and packed my tent up. The ranger was in the park. I had everything packed into my bag and went to the bathroom. Went I got back to my bag he came flying over in his truck. He told me he saw that I didn't pay my fees. He then said he had the power to waive the fees. It didn't rain again until later than night. I walked three miles into Westport. I forgot to mention that my tent was on a bluff 50-75 feet above the beach with a nice view of the coastline. There is an RV/campground and a store and a handful of nice houses. I stopped at the store. I met Scott who gave me ten dollars and told me to call some Fort Bragg radio stations. I called the newspaper. I was off. I had about 15-16 miles into Fort Bragg. Along the way I met someone. Shawn Gore, a surveyor, working with Caltrans saw my sign. He pulled over and wanted to know more about it. He gave me five dollars and we chatted for about 15 minutes. He offered the use of the shower in his hotel room. He jotted down some of my info on a notepad. By this time, I had about 5 miles into Fort Bragg. My first mission once I was in Fort Bragg was to find internet. I went to the Chamber of Commerce. They told me about the library. I went to the temporary home of the library. No such luck. They told me about Seal of Approval. It was a coffee/restaurant with 4 computers. I haven't been online since Garberville and really needed to get online. I met Rodrigo. He asked about my trip and I told him. It took me about an hour and half. He asked if I had eaten. I hadn't. He whipped me up to tamales that were delicious. By the time that I was down it was dark. There were no campgrounds in the area. I wasn't' sure I had to duck off. I called Shawn and took him up on his offer to use the shower. I went over to his hotel. We hung and chatted for a while. He left to go out with some of the Caltrans guys. I took a shower, and I was off. It was starting to rain again. My Uncle Jim mentioned that he would buy a hotel room. It was tough to turn it down and this point. I went to hotels and asked if my uncle could pay for my

room over the phone. Neither would have anything to do with it. Jim went online and called someone. Thanks to Jim I stayed next to the bridge at the Harbor Light Lodge, room 226. They were okay with him paying over the phone. I stayed up later writing and watching a movie on T.V.

DAY 63--Nov. 2, 2006 MILES WALKED: 11-12 FROM: Ft. Bragg, CA (Harbor Lite Lodge) TO: Little river, CA (Van Damme State Park)

It was raining pretty good this morning. I wasn't in a big hurry to leave the hotel room. I ended up leaving the room around 10 a.m. I was leaving Fort Bragg heading toward Mendocino. It was about 10 miles from my room to Mendocino. It wasn't raining when I left. I didn't start with my rain poncho on. I had a couple of miles to walk to get out of Fort Bragg. A mile or so after Fort Bragg is started to rain a little. I pulled the rain poncho out. After that little bit of rain, it didn't rain until night. Most of the walk is a little inland from the When I got to Mendocino, which is off Highway 101, I saw Jamie. I met Jamie yesterday at the Fort Bragg makeshift library. He saw my sign. He has been on a biking adventure from Allentown, PA. He's going to be finishing in San Francisco this next week. He stopped riding his bike and walked with me. We walked past Mendocino over the bridge crossing the river. We walked back into Mendocino and we had lunch. He bought my lunch. We chatted about our trips. He also has caddied before. I could tell when he asked if I carried one bag or two and asked if I one loop. I told him about caddying at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. He has a website. crazyguyonabike.com/jamie He has also hiked the Appalachian Trail in two stints that took him about seven months. We had some take pictures of us, and we went our separate ways.

I walked two miles past Mendocino on the overcast day to Van Damme State Park. Across the street from the park is the beach. The beach is in a little cove. The park has moss covered trees and a lot of ferns. I set my tent up in the hike/bike area. The campsite was pretty much empty. There was the camp host and a fifth wheel next to him. then a white minivan came in. Those guys set up camp somewhat near where I was. Later, I went over and introduced myself. There were two brothers from the Bay Area. Shawn and Cole. Both early twenties and slender. Shawn's girlfriend's dad, Shannon was also there. They were going fishing for abalone tomorrow. Abalone is a shellfish that they will dive down underwater to get. It needs to be 7 inches to keep. They dive down and hold their breath. They don't have oxygen tanks. Shannon is an iron worker that lives 30 minutes east of San Fran. He's being coming up to the area for years. Cole now lives in the Sacramento area. Shawn is making a picture documentary of the abalone adventure this weekend. He's a film student at San Francisco State University. I ended up eating dinner with those guys. Steak, salmon, and potatoes. It was awesome. I finished off the steak for the guys. After that we played dominoes for about an hour. Then I went up to the Little River Market to make a call. I was out of cell phone range.

DAY 64-- Nov. 3, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0 LOCATION: Little river, CA (Van Damme State Park)

My first day off from since Bandon, Oregon. First day off in 18 days. I needed it. I got up around and left my campsite 8 a.m. I headed up to the Little River Market. On the way out of the campsite I saw Shannon. He went up to the golf course and got a cup of coffee. I took the trail out of the campsite. I had a breakfast burrito. I wrote and read the paper looking out the window at ocean on the overcast day. I got back to the campground. I grabbed my rain poncho and camera, and I was going to make the two-mile trek into Mendocino. I went to Shannon's campsite. Shawn was still in his tent. Cole was up. I told them I was

heading into town. When we were talking a branch about 150 yards away snapped. We got a glimpse of it falling. I was off to Mendocino. It rained on me on the way to Mendocino. I asked around about an internet cafe. I found Moody's. It had a bunch of computers. I went online for an hour. I put yesterday’s journal entry on. I got a hold of Deborah from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. She was the right person for me to talk to. I had the wrong . I guess I was supposed to sign a from before using their name. She's going to email me the form. It'll be a little difficult to track the funds. If people, make the donation in my mother's name then we'll be all right. I called to check on how much has trickled in. No rain on the way back. I carried my poncho. After my time at Moody’s, I headed back to my campsite. I stopped by the market on the way back and got a few things. Around dark Cole, Shawn, and Shannon showed up at their campsite. They had a nice fire going and it was nigh time. I went over to hand out and chat. hey, went out and didn't get any abalone today. We told stories. Shannon cut up a piece of rope for each of us. We tied the bowline knot first. Shannon and I knew how to tie them. Shawn and Cole didn't. Cole was waiting for his friend Kurk to show up. Kurk was driving up from Santa Barbara, CA after he got off work. Shannon went to bed after Kurk showed up. Kurk was supposed to be the abalone expert. He showed up around ten or so. He had a couple spear guns on the back seat of his car. Cole was excited to see Kurk. Kurk was interested my trip. He asked a lot of questions. He said he might try and help with some viral marketing if he can. The three of us stayed up telling stories. We also made a trip to my campsite. I showed those guys my tent and gear. They liked the tent. Kurk told us about his buddy Tyler who bear sprayed a guy once. Shawn went to bed. It was a near full moon. It lit up the forest. It was an awesome night. Cole cooked up some brawts earlier. By midnight I was ready for bed. I said goodbye to Cole and Kurk. I wrote down Kurk's number. I jumped up in my tent and went to sleep.

DAY 65-- Nov. 4, 2006 MILES WALKED: 27

FROM: Little river, CA (Van Damme State Park) TO: Manchester, CA (Manchester State Park)

It was wet out this morning, but it wasn't raining. Today was a long day. I walked from 8:30 until 6:30. It was overcast at the start and end of the day. In the middle was sunny blue skies. I had an awesome day of walking along the coast. Sometimes I would be near the bluff. Other times a farm would separate the highway from the bluff. On my left side would be farms. Rolling hills. Sometimes grassy; sometimes trees, and sometimes a combination. It was a windy road with little shoulder. Many sections of slight uphill or slight downhill. Many people bike this road. After I packed up in the bathroom, I was off. I saw Shannon on my way out of camp. The other guys were asleep. He told me to look him up if I'm in Danville. I walked through Albion, Elk, and Irish Beach on the way to Manchester. I think Irish Beach is just a community and not a town. The other two are tiny towns with not much. A store, a couple restaurants, and some shops. The sun broke between Albion and Elk. 9 miles separated those towns. In Elk I stopped at this store to use the ATM. The lady working saw my sign. She bought me a bowl of soup from the cafe next door. I went there and got a bowl of clam chowder and was on my way. I had about 15 miles left after Elk. Around 5 p.m. when it started getting dark, I put my headlamp on with the light flashing. I walked past the state park into the town of Manchester. I got some supplies to make sandwiches and walked back to the campsite. It was around 6:30 when I got there. I quickly set my tent up. I left the sandwich stuff outside and some raccoons got to it. Today I saw probably ten deer in three or four different viewings throughout the day and into the night. I saw three deer in the campsite at night.

DAY 66--Nov. 5, 2006 MILES WALKED: 13

FROM: Manchester, CA (Manchester State Park) TO: Tom's house. Mile post 7.25. 7 miles north of Gualala, CA

Today was nice and sunny. I was on the road a little after 8 a.m. I walked through Manchester and on my way into Point Arena. It was a five-mile walk. I had great view of Point Arena-- not the town, but the actual point itself. It has a nice lighthouse on it. I never got closer than two miles to the light house. I ed a bunch of coastal farmlands. I saw a lot of cows. A couple talked to me. A section of the road floods a lot. No water on it today. I saw a gate they use to block the road. I saw a marker to measure the water level. Both signs that it floods. I walked through Point Arena. I stopped at a market/cafe to see if they had a computer, but they didn't. I kept walking. I saw a man across the street by the theater preaching. To no one in particular. The population of the town was in the 400's. I met Tom. He was a taller man around 60 years old. He asked how far I was going. I walked through town. At the edge of town, I saw a red volve station wagon pull off to the side of the road. It was Tom. He said that if I wanted to, I could cut my day short and stay at his place. That sounded cool. He told me to go to mile post 7.25. Take a left. It would be the first left about a quarter mile up the hill. He left and said he'd meet me out there. I was looking at about 8 miles to get out there at this point. Right after he left, I walked a little further and stopped a tile shop. It was right off the highway and I went over there to check it out. I met Matt Matijczyk who owns and runs Point Arena Tileworks. We chatted for a minute. He works 7 days a week. If the surfing looks good, he'll take a day off. He has tile murals and other tiles. He has a website--tilemonster.net It was much longer down the road when a couple from Austria, Sabrina and Christian, stopped. First, they stopped in the road, but a car came. They pulled over to the nearest driveway. They are driving all over North America and I think they mentioned going to S. America. They wanted to know what I was up to. I didn't tell them. Okay I told them everything. They also have a site-www.elcamino.at -- The lady whose driveway we were in stopped. The Austrian couple, who brought their SUV over from Austria, told the lady where they were from. She turned her truck off. Her mother was born in Austria. We talked to the

lady for a minute. The old lady left. Then, I said goodbye to Sabrian and Christian. I kept on walking down this beautiful stretch of the California coast. Halfway to Tom's place and I heard someone ask how far I was going. I stopped. I couldn't see anyone. I backed up. That it when I met Steve and Gene Darsoom. We chatted. Steve gave me 5 bucks. He said he made it worth my time for stopping. They gave me a Gatorade and I was on my way. Before I knew it, I was at mile post 7.25. The mile posts are broken up by county. I have 7.25 miles left before I leave Mendocino County and go into Sonoma County. The sales taxes vary from county to county. I climbed the gravel road up to Tom's house. I saw his red Volvo and knew I had the right place. It was an awesome Cabin. It was surrounded by tall trees. There were some flowers around the house. A gazebo outside had shower that I used shortly after arriving. The small upstairs room had a desk and bed. Downstairs a room with bed, kitchen, and table. It was really cool. Tom had just arrived a couple of days. He's spent the last three winters here. Tom has biked across the country. The first time was back in 1976. He was the leader of a group of 10. He stays in with 8 of the people. He turned me onto a company that makes biking maps among other services. The have a set of maps from San Diego to Florida. It is called the Southern Tier. It has the route with towns, services, and camping. It will probably be my best bet for figuring out my route California to Florida. The company is Adventure Cycling based out of Montana. Tom cleaned the windows on his car. He's going to San Francisco tomorrow. After his shower and we went on a drive to Sea Ranch. Sea Ranch was about 8 miles south. Just on the other side of the river from Gualala. It is a planned community. No yards. No street lights. Cars aren't supposed to be seen. There supposed to be in a garage or something. The houses are supposed to be wood with no stain. At first, they used Redwood. None of the houses have gutters. The big thing is kept things in their natural state. The houses have similar designs and angles. We stopped The Sea Ranch Chapel. A non-denominational chapel open to anyone. www.TheSeaRanchChapel.org -The chapel is dedicated to the memory of a young man. It is a sculpture. It's hard to explain the design. When I can I'll put the picture on. It has rock floor with nice wood benches. There are some stain glass windows. The craftmanship is superb. It has a nice chandelier. It was designed by a San Diego man named James Hubbell.

After that we were headed north back to Point Arena. We were going to do some laundry and eat. First Tom took me out to the pier. Some fishermen just got back in with some sea urchins. On the walk to the end to the end of the pier. I stepped on something that went through my croc (plastic sandal shoe thing) and punctured my foot. We think it was a spine from a sea urchin. After dinner I put some anti-biotic stuff to try and prevent infection. Probably get it looked at tomorrow. It feels fine and doesn’t' hurt. After the pier Tom took me into a restaurant in the town and bought me dinner. We both had spaghetti. It was awesome. Afterwards we drove past his house into Anchor Bay. I got some Hydroperoxide. It turned out to be Hydroperoxide mouth wash. I used a band aid and cream out of my first aid kit. I'm on the computer and Tom is reading. I'll probably be hitting the sack earlier. Tom was going to take me to Bowling Ball Beach. At low tide on the beach a bunch of rocks that look like bowling balls. They are rounded off. Low tide was at 7:30 p.m. and it would have been too dark. Now it is getting close to bedtime. What a cool day. Met some people. Met Tom. Got to stay in a cabin that is pretty much my dream house. I don't want a big house. The shower outside was sweet. Tom had a lot of stories to tell. He's a had three different bike journeys on a tandem bike. He worked for General Motors and retired at 50. He works out jobs here and there. He has a lot of traveling experience on bike which is very helpful for me. The Southern Tier map with help me out a lot.

DAY 67--Nov. 6, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

I got up around 7 a.m. Tom and I went into Anchor Bay and I started a load of laundry. After that we went into Gualala and got some breakfast. He showed the medical center and a place to get online in Gualala. Tom mentioned that if I wanted to take today off, I could stay another day. I thought that it might be good to keep an eye on my foot. Yesterday and last night I had some itching. I didn't

think much of it. After laundry we ended up back at Tom's cabin. He packed and headed off to San Francisco around 11 a.m. I spent the rest of the day at the cabin. I mainly wrote and read. It was beautiful strolling around the property that is tucked in a little forest. The outhouse has a nice view of a forested ravine. There is a bathroom in the house. The house runs off solar power. Tom told me before he left that the meter which was at 13.3 probably will fall to 12.9 by the night. It is okay to let it get to 12, but I didn't want it to go below that. The itching never really got better. I didn't get a very good night sleep.

DAY 68-- Nov. 7, 2006 MILES WALKED: 6.5-7 FROM: Tom's cabin (6.5 miles north of Gualala.) TO: Gualala, CA (Jack's Gualala Pharmacy)

I talked to Harper Smith, Tom's friend that he was staying with in San Francisco, and she said that Tom said I could stay another day if I wanted to. The itching got worse. I thought I had poison oak/ivy. I called the medical center and made an appointment for 12:45. I was on my way shortly after 9. I planned on staying at Tom's again. I walked the 3.5 miles into Anchor Bay. I stopped and got something to drink. It was overcast today. It sprinkled once. Before I knew it, I walked the other three miles into Gualala. It was a beautiful walk. Both sides of the road usually had trees. Every now and then I could see the jagged bluffs of the coastline. I needed to get online to transfer money into the right . The place that Tom showed me had both of their internet connections down. The man working there told me that a place on the north side of town that internet. I walked up to Action Network. I got online. I got the funds transferred. I left and got to the medical clinic around 12:30 p.m. It was a quick visit. I got a tetanus shot. The foot wasn't a problem. The doctor phoned in a prescription into the pharmacy and told me to get some hydrocortisone cream.

I walked down to the Jack's Gualala Pharmacy. This is the furthest point south that I walked today. Thus, my walk was paused here. It took a while for the doctor to call it in. I went next door and got a slice of pizza. I went back and played 20 dollars for the cream and pills. On was on my way back to Tom's cabin. I saw a highway patrolman as I left Gualala. About a quarter mile from Tom's cabin, he asked how far I was walking. I told him milepost 7.25. I told him about my walk across the country. He said he would have given me a ride. Oh well. I didn't count the miles of me walking back to Tom's cabin. I got back to Tom's cabin around 4:30 p.m. I'm out of cell range. I used a calling card and made a few calls. Tom got back from San Francisco around 9:30 or 10 p.m. We stayed up chatting for a half hour or so. We had some sweet potato pie with whip cream. Tom was trying to get me prepared for the South. It was mighty tasty. I went upstairs to read and write. He went to sleep downstairs. I had an awesome itch free night of sleep. I took 6 pills for the poison oak and put the cream on. It seemed to work.

DAY 69--Nov. 8, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

Took another day off. The poison oak is looking better, but it's still there. I needed to do my laundry. Tom and I went into Anchor Bay and started my laundry. After that we went into Gualala to get the soap for poison oak. After the laundry was done, we went back to his place. I took a shower and hopped into some clean clothes. He read for a while and I wrote. After that we went to Sea Ranch. We went to Harper and Scott's house. I did the last of my laundry there. We put the load into the washer and took off. We drove down to the area around Fort Ross. We looked at possible camping spots. There is some land past a Russian Cemetery. A little further down the road was a campground. It'll be in the 25-mile range. Around 20 miles from Gualala

there was a private campground. On the way back we stopped at Fort Ross. It was a fort that was established by the Russian-American Company back in the early 1800's. It was neat. It has an awesome view of the ocean. It's a quarter mile from the edge of the bluff. There were people dressed up like Russians doing all sorts of things. One building had authentic items such as beds, supplies, gun, animal skins and such. Tom listened to the radio checking on the elections in his car while I discovered the fort. He's seen in a bunch of times. After that we went back into Gualala to get some pizza. We met a farmer from New Hampshire who is came to the Bay Area for some business. He's on a biking trip from San Jose north and then looping back to Santa Cruz. We sat down together. It was dark by this time. He biked to his campsite. We went back to Harper's house. Tom threw the laundry into the dryer. We played some dominos. We played three games. I won. I also got online and put some journals online. Then we came back home, and we were both ready for bed.

DAY 70-- Nov. 9, 2006 MILES WALKED: 20-22 FROM: Gualala, Ca (Jack's Pharmacy) TO: Ocean Cove, CA (Owen's House)

I got up and the poison was still there but not itching and looking a lot less red. The foot is fine and not even an issue anymore. I'm still taking a look at it. I got up around 7:30. I took a shower outside right off the bat in the morning. I was planning on taking off. I packed up my bag. I watched some of the documentary, "Why We Fight" while Tom got ready. Tom dropped me off in Gualala near the pharmacy where my walked was paused the other day. It was kind of sad to leave the cabin. It was a good little stay. First, I went to the store. I got some supplies. Tom bought me the book, "The Alchemist." Tom's friends Scott and Harper bought me three pairs of wool socks from REI. It was another sunny day, and I was on the road. It was around 10:30 a.m. when I started walking. I walked the mile or so out of Gualala and over the bridge into Sonoma County.

I walked past The Sea Ranch for the next ten miles or so. When I was walking through The Sea Ranch, the planned community that runs along both sides of the highway. I saw Douglas, a drifter, who I forgot that I met in Mendocino. He was hitching a ride. I saw a red Volvo pull up. It was Tom. I forgot my beanie and he brought it out to me. I ended up seeing him again after The Sea Ranch at Stewarts Point. They are raising the little store there. I got a little of him on video. After Sea Ranch there is mainly open ranch fields. In Sea Ranch there is some open areas but a fair bit of small trees. They don't get really tall there. My late start and I didn't know if I'd make it to Fort Ross. I walked through Salt Point State Park which has a few different coves, beaches, and a campground. Ocean Cove had a little store and a private campground that I was planning on staying at. I was a quarter mile from the campsite when I saw Patrick. He's an Irish fellow who was at Owen's gate. Owen was coming up to unlock the gate. Patrick lives two houses down. He asked how far I was going. I told him. I talked to both of them. Then I went with them down to the edge of Owen's property. We sat at a firepit on the bluff with the jagged coastline and the sunset in view. We sat there talking till it was dark. Owen wears a brown hair and beard. His dad also lives in Coos Bay, Oregon like my dad. He's lived in the Ocean Cove community for the last three years. He's an artist. Singer/Songwriter and a painter. At dark we went up to the garage, Owen's room, and he got tobacco for Patrick and himself. After that we made our way down to Patrick’s house. Patrick is from Ireland. He played soccer at the University of Washington. He has a company that puts on music festivals. At Patrick’s house, a nice one bedroom on the bottom level of his buddy’s house. He served us a drink and cooked up dinner. It was spicy and awesome. It was shrimp, macaroni and cheese, and broccoli. It was awesome. Normally I don't like shrimp but after walking over 20 miles and I like it just fine. A guy staying in a local hotel, Beau, came over. We hung for a while and then Patrick was going to bed. I was probably going to go to the campsite. Beau, Owen, and I all walked south. We ended up going to Beau's hotel room. I met his girlfriend. We talked about my walk. Owen told me that if I didn't want to deal with a campsite that I could stay at his house. We hung out at Beau's hotel for a little bit longer. We checked out the hot tub but didn't get in.

Owen and I went back to his place. We got to the gate. It has a four- or five-digit combination. He unlocked the gate, and we made our way to the garage. Owen made a fire. We stayed up chatting and listening to some Neil Young records. We had a couple of hot dogs. He had a guy who built a TP on his property. They thought the guy was cool at first. He wrote an article in a book about building tp's. However, I guess the guy wouldn't pay any rent. They live on two awesome acres and Owen said there wasn't enough room for another strange dude. I slept in my sleeping bag on the floor.

DAY 71-- Nov. 10, 2006 MILES WALKED: A deceptive 12. FROM: Ocean Cove (Owen's House) TO: Fort Ross State Park (Reef Campground)

Well today was just one of those days. Sometimes when I stay at someone's house, I like to visit with them before I take off. I got up and packed up a little before 8 a.m. I woke up Owen to see if he wanted to hang out a little before I took off. He got up and we made our way down to the bluff. We went and looked at the rocks. We didn't do much climbing, but he told some of the things that he has explored and found. We both showed each other our songs on the guitar. I recorded on of his takes. A little after 10 a.m. and I was hitting the road. I walked by the Ocean Cove store and got a few things. I got about three miles down the road when I realized that I didn't have my plug to charge my video camera. I forgot to pack in. It was still at Owen's house. I laughed. Well, no way around it. I had to walk back. I walked backed to Owen's house. I walked up to the gate. I yelled Owen a couple of times. I told him that I left my camera charger. He brought it up to me. He walked down a quarter mile with me to the store. He went to the store I kept walking. I walk the first stretch of my day three times. Oh well. Now I was planning on staying at the Reef Campground. I

walked past the Fort Ross store. Then I went by Fort Ross. I've already been there. I went there with Tom when I was scouting this area a couple of days ago. I started reading, "The Alchemist." and was getting into it. Another awesome day of walking down the coast. Lots of big ranches with cows roaming around. I stopped and sat on a rock and read. Some of the land seems like Ireland, but a little warmer. I walked by the old Russian Fort Ross. Then I walked past a Russian Cemetery. They have no names and the Russian Orthodox cross. A little further and I was at the Reef Campground. From the highway the entrance head down hill and back toward Fort Ross. I got there around 3:30. There is no campsites between Reef Campground and Jenner. A year or so ago a Christian couple was camping on the beach at Jenner, and someone shot them. I've heard the story about three or four times. At the park entrance I talked to the lifeguard. He is like the ranger. He told me that I didn't really need to pay. I found a spot in the open. The clouds were coming in and it looked like it was going to rain tonight. I went to the beach that was nearby. It was in a little cove. I sat a piece of driftwood and read some of my book. I wrote in my journal at the table in the dark with my headlamp. Matt and Ella, who were camping across the way, invited me over for some tacos. It was awesome. Matt is a hiker, climber, and adventurer. He knows about life on the road when you're solo. They were on their way to Portland. Matt mentioned that he might be in Joshua Tree in the middle of December. He said he would bring me some water maybe. I hung out and chatted. Matt has been around the Sierra Mountains. We talked about Matterhorn. One of the mountains that Jack Kerouac and Gary Snyder climbed. He commented on how many things have changed. I went back to my tent and read. In the middle of the night, it became pretty stormy. The stormiest night I've seen. Windy and rainy. My rainfly came unstaked a couple of times. Each side once. I fixed them and they were fine for the rest of the night. It got a little wet in my tent, but it wasn't that bad.

DAY 72-- Nov. 11, 2006 MILES WALKED:21-22

FROM: Reef Campground (Fort Ross) TO: Bodega Bay, CA (Bodega Dunes State Park) WEATHER: Nice and sunny.

I finished 'The Alchemist' this morning and left in on Matt's truck in case him or Ella wanted to read it. A couple of miles into my day and I met Shelby and Kristy from Gualala, CA. They stopped gave me a breakfast cookie and a juice. We chatted for a second and then they drove off. They turned around and came back and gave me a hundred dollars. They headed off toward Petaluma. I walked into Jenner. It is at the mouth of the Russian River. It's another small town. People warned me about staying on the beach there. I stopped at the tiny store and got a couple of hot dogs. It was a beautiful walk to get to Jenner. The road followed the coastal bluffs with rolling foothills to the left of the highway. It was really bright today. Awesome views of the coastline the numerous points that stick out. I saw Douglas on the bridge crossing the Russian River. He's a drifter that I've seen four times now. I heard someone in the little store saying how a person was saying they were a room inspector and went barging into a room. When I crossed the bridge and Douglas saw me, he came over. He wanted someone to talk to. He said that the cop said he was pretending to be a room inspector. After a brief chat we went our separate ways. There was beach after beach leading up to Bodega Bay. I got into Bodega Bay and walked past the Bodega Dunes State Park which was full. There is usually room in the hiker/biker section. I went to the Roadhouse Coffee shop. I asked about renting out a computer in the town. Jim, the owner, told me a business center, but he gave me his laptop. He's got a long gray beard. A few years ago, he biked across the country. He's the one that runs the place. He gave me a toasted piece of bread with humus and pesto. It was tasty. I put days 70 and 71 on the blog page. It was near dark after I was done at the coffee shop. I walked over to the campsite. Found the hiker section and set my tent up in the sand. I was back in cell range and made a few calls.

DAY 73-- Nov. 12, 2006 MILES WALKED:17-19 FROM: Bodega Bay, CA (Bodega Dunes State Park) TO: Milepost 42.25 in some grass between a tree and some brush (3 miles south of Tomales, CA) WEATHER: Mostly cloudy. A couple of sprinkles. I put on my rain poncho once.

I walked through Bodega Bay today. It isn't very big. It's a small fishing community. I saw the harbor with the boats and the bay. Before I knew it, I was walking in a valley with the hills close on both sides. I walked through the valley to Valley Ford. Mainly dairy ranches are along the highway. It's a little town. There was a store there. I stopped to get something to eat. I got a couple of hotdogs. A mile or so past Valley Ford and I was at the edge of Sonoma County and heading into Marin County. Highway 1 took a right turn. Going straight would take one to Petaluma. I walked over a couple of the small hills. It's farm country. The hills were slow and gradual. Seven miles past Valley Ford and I was in Tomales. I didn't know where I was going to stay. I stopped at the little store. The lady said that Dillion Beach, which was 3 miles away, but in the wrong direction was the nearest campsite. I figured I take my chances. She mentioned the Walker Creek bridge. I walked by the bridge. It didn't look that appealing. I ended up walking past Tomales 4 miles or so. It had been dark for about an hour when I found my spot. I followed along the river or creek until it hit the bay. I camped just off the highway. It was between some brush and a tree. It wasn't really visible from the road. There was no fence. It has a lot of heather but the spot that I set up in the grass was matted down. It made me wonder if a creature or something lived there. I set my tent up and climbed into it. I heard some sounds in the bushes. I

slammed my hand down and yelled. It scurried off. I could make out the view of the Tomales Bay and Point Reyes. Tomales Bay is a long narrow Bay. Point Reyes is a long point that runs parallel to the mainland. I saw tonight what I'd be instore for tomorrow. It was a nice walk down the river as the sun set. The sky turned pink. I was surrounded by rolling hills. What was left of the skyline turned a violent pink. It got rainy and windy in the night but nothing really that bad.

DAY 74-- Nov. 13, 2006 MILES WALKED: 15-16 FROM: Milepost 42.25 off the road between some bushes and a tree (3 miles south of Tomales, CA) TO: Olema, CA (Next to the visitor’s information building) WEATHER: Rain. It progressively got worse throughout the day.

I left my awesome campsite that overlooked Tomales Bay and the long finger of land that runs parallel with the mainland. It wasn't raining much, but a sprinkle here and there. I started with my rain poncho. I walked four miles to Marshal. From my campsite to almost Point Reyes Station the road follows the bay. Marshal is a tiny town with a couple oyster companies. There is a lot of sail boats in the water. Most all of the houses are along the bank. Half of them are built over the water. The rain started to pick up between Marshal and Point Reyes Station. A man stopped to give me a ride. I told him that I'm walking. He gave me a bottle of water. Finally made it to Point Reyes Station. I went to the diner and got some lunch. A burger and fries. I walked a block over to the library. I got online for an hour. I put the last two days journal entries online. My three mile walk between Point

Reyes Station and Olema was wet. I was somewhat dry after my time in Point Reyes. I heard that there was a youth hostel somewhere in the area. I never made it there. It was on the Ocean. I saw a restaurant and bar in Olema. I was hungry and ducked off into there. It was called the Olema Farmhouse. I talked with the people that worked there. They told me that I could probably pitch my tent at the visitor’s center. The private campground in Olema shutdown a week ago. A couple ended up picking up my tab. That was nice of Sharon and Daniel. Another man, John Moor, gave me 5 dollars for cancer research. Then one of the servers, Nick, gave me 30 dollars. We chatted about what I'm doing. He lives in Petaluma which is a 30-minute drive to Olema. The bartender, Tim, gave me 5 dollars. After dark when the rain settled down, I took off. I walked back down Highway 1 and took a left on Bear Valley rd. I walked about 3/4 of a mile. I walked past a ranger station and came up to a barn type structure. That was the visitors center. I pitched my tent on the side of the building. It rained a little bit through the night. However, it was the windiest I've seen it. It blew my rainfly off. I didn't have it fastened down because it didn't seem windy. I heard a horse stomping around in the night. It looked like a fence and some livestock roaming around.

DAY 75-- Nov. 14, 2006 MILES WALKED: 27-28 FROM: Olema, Ca (Visitors Center) TO: Fort Barry Hostel (3.5 miles away from Golden Gate Bridge on North side of S.F. Bay) WEATHER: awesome!!

I was really planning on making it to San Francisco tonight. If trip has taught me that I don't really know what is happening. I got up at 6:15 a.m. and was walking by 6:45. It was a beautiful morning walking in the Olema Valley. Dense forest on

the long hill to the right. It seemed like one big hill. The hills on the right weren't as forested. The highway went in and out of a couple of forests. The morning after a rain when it's nice and sunny is really cool to walk through some forests. I saw a lot of spider webs. I don't know if the dew had something to do with that or not. I walked through Dogtown. It had a few houses and a wood art place that was closed. The town sign was nailed to a tree. It must have been 9 miles to Dogtown. I haven't seen anybody of water since a few miles before I got to Point Reyes Station. After Dogtown all the sudden I walked up to a big bay. The highway went along the edge of the bay. I walked up and saw a highway patrol car blocking the right lane. The office hopped out of the car. He told me that there was a film crew making a Toyota commercial. I got held up there a little bit. Then he told me I could walk up to turn around area for the crew. He radioed to the film crew that I was coming. I walked the quarter mile to the turn around. There was a Toyota Tundra that was a gray. A couple SUV's and two land cruisers. One of the cars had a big crane on it with a camera. Then a big moving truck with equipment. I asked if I could walk through. I might have been in the background of a shot or two. Before I knew it a bunch of the crew were asking questions about my trip. One of the guys said that they should get me a hotel room. I got 165 dollars from the crew. A park ranger helping out gave me 20. That was 185 dollars out of nowhere. One lady, maybe the producer, gave me 85. They took off with their crew and drove and filmed another segment. They have two cars drive ahead and clear the way and make sure nothing is in the way. They went back and forth a couple of times as I went. They had a red truck pulling a boat also. They also had some guys on a second camera that was off the road in some grass toward the bay. The crew finished before I got to Stinson Beach, they ed me. Stinson Beach was 5 or 6 miles from Dogtown. A white van stopped. It had a New Mexico plates. A lady with blonde curly hair pops out. She is the craft service lady for the L.A. production company. The producer of the commercial said that she should give me some food. I drank down a water. I grabbed a couple Clif bars and an orange. We chatted for a minute and then I off. I walked into Stinson Beach. I stopped at the store and got a piece a chicken and filled up my water bladder in my backpack. I talked to my Uncle Jim. He's at my grandma's house near Santa Cruz. He made the 3 hour drive up and we planned on meeting. After Stinson Beach I began climbing the mountains. It gave a sweet

view back toward Stinson Beach and Bolinas. It was uphill but awesome views of both North and South coastlines. I walked to the Muir Beach Overlook that was milepost 7 on Highway 1. I started today around 27.73. I hit the twenty-mile mark. My uncle Jim was at the Muir Beach Overlook. We chatted and hiked around. He mentioned that I should take the coastal trail. Highway 101 at this point doesn't have much shoulder. I left the overlook with my mind not made. I walked down the Muir Beach. Jim droves down. Some guy gave me an idea how to take the coastal trail. I was thinking about staying at a hostel this side of the golden gate bridge. I didn't want to cross the bridge at dark and then try find a place to stay in San Francisco. Jim walked with me part of the way of the first ridge. We made plans to meet at the Hostel. It was an old military building, Fort Barry. It was around 3:30 p.m. when Jim walked back. I made the hostel around 6 p.m. It was an awesome walk. The first trail was a fire road. There was part of the coastal trail that was closed. Taking the fire road made it a little longer. Oh well. When I got to the top of the first ridge it was awesome. I could see much of the bay area. I had a couple big hills block San Fran. I could see South San Fran. Between the two mountains I could see some of the tall San Fran buildings popping up. Then to the left I could see the rest of the bay. I don't all the names of the places I was seeing. I kept walking. I started heading down toward the Tennessee Valley. I saw some kind of a cat running around. Not sure what kind of animal. I saw a bunch of dear. There is really only sage brush on the mountains. Once I was in the valley, I walked to Tennessee beach. From there I took a more primitive trail. It was more physical. A lot rocks. The clay type soil was muddy from last night’s rain. I got to the top and I saw some old military bunkers. One was a little tiny one. It was on a different hill than I. I saw one Infront of me. Then another one higher up on the hill. There were remnants of a road. chunks of pavement all over. I got to the downside of the ridge and I could see buildings and lights. That was the headlands. I knew one of the buildings I was looking at was the hostel. The sun had set, and it was beginning to get dark. I saw a road. I went through the brush to it. A deer did the same moments before I did. A little way down the road I glanced right, and I saw tunnel. I kept walking. I put my headlamp on. I walked to the end of the road. Jim was on the other side. From there he drove to the hostel and I walked. it was a mile and a half. There is a center for arts next to the hostel. The Hostel is an old army barracks. Jim was there.

Jim got us a private room that had two bunk beds. We went into Saulsito to get something to eat. Jim already ate so I got some food. We headed back. I had a pretty tiring day. the last 6-8 miles of the day were awesome. Being on the top of a mountain with no one else around watching the sunset and San Francisco bay insight was cool. Today was an awesome day. From meeting the crew shooting the commercial to seeing my uncle and then finishing with the awesome walk on the coastal trail over a few ridges.

DAY 76-- Nov. 15, 2006 MILES WALKED: 7-8 FROM: Fort Barry Hostel (3.5 miles from north side of Golden Gate Bridge) TO: San Francisco, CA (Hosteling International City Center)

I left the Fort Barry a little after 11 a.m. It was another nice sunny day. I was looking at 3.5 miles to the bridge. I walked down the road out of the hostel. I had one hill to climb over. I walked a mile and a half or so and then I climbed the hill. I was going to meet my uncle Jim at the bridge. He was planning on walking with me. Once I started climbing the hill all the way until the bridge, I saw a lot of bicyclers. Once I got over the top of the hill, I had an awesome view of the Golden Gate bridge and San Francisco. There were a couple of lookouts that I stopped to snap some pictures at. I met Jim at one of the lookouts, then, he drove down to the parking lot by the bridge. I walked down. I had an awesome view of the bay area. All of the cities that sprawl along the bay. Angel Island and Alcatraz were both in sight. I took a trail the last quarter mile. Jim and I made the trek across the bridge. Jim snapped a lot of pictures of me. There are a lot of people walking on the bridge and a lot of people biking across the bridge. Some of the people go pretty darn fast. A couple people saw my sign and told me to keep it up. Halfway across the bridge I wanted to film Alcatraz

some. I set my trekking poles down without thinking. One was in a precarious position. Wind or gravity got the better of it and it fell off the bridge into San Francisco Bay. I watched it as it floated in the air and made its way to the bay. I have to it it is kind of funny. I'm down to one trekking pole now. Jim and I made it to the other side of the bay. Jim went into the gift shop. We parted as I walked down to the little hotdog stand below and got some lunch. It was almost 2 p.m. and I walked the waterfront through the park and past Fort Mason. There was a hostel near Fort Mason. I heard that it wasn't very good. I stopped a couple of guys on the bike. I asked them if they knew where an REI store was. They weren't from the U.S. and they didn't know. I looked back toward the Golden Gate with the golden undeveloped mountains in the background was beautiful. Jim walked back to his car and he was going to meet up with me in the city. I didn't know where I was going to stay. I was thinking that maybe a hostel would be a good bet. I hung out at the San Francisco Maritime Park. It was awesome. I could people watch in San Francisco forever. I was right by fishermen's wharf. The Hyde St. cable cars started there. There was long line of people waiting for the cars. A musician was playing music. I stopped at a hot dog stand. The guy working there gave me a deal. He saw my sign and said half of his family has died from cancer. Jim called me. He drove over and went to an Irish Pub. I had chicken strips. Jim headed south after dinner. I started walking down Hyde St. I found a hostel to stay at. There is three in San Francisco. It would be 26 dollars for the room. I had to walk down Hyde St. to Ellis. It was around 20 city blocks. I walked over Russian Hill. It was pretty steep, but then the rest of the walk was mostly downhill or flat. I walked past the section of road the is really windy. It is famous. Cars have to idle almost. Once I hit Ellis St. I had to take a right and walk a most of another block and the hostel was on the left side of the St. I went in and got a room. I met Linda. Her and roommate work there. I don't his name. They saw what I was doing and said that I could crash at their place tomorrow. I went to my room. It had two bunk beds. I shared the room with Rene and old fishermen. Rene was from Switzerland. He came in after I did. He was on the plane for 15 hours and went to bed. I didn't see the old fishermen until the morning. He was out most of the night. I guess I was in the tenderloin section of San Francisco. I went to the Edinburgh Castle. A pub about three blocks away. It was around 9:30 by this time. I wanted to hear some music. I ended up seeing a two-guy

band. There must have been twenty maybe thirty people there. One guy played the guitar. The second guy played the banjo mainly. He switched to a couple other stringed instruments for different songs. A guitar and some other instrument I didn't know the name of. I ended up getting back to the hostel around 12:30 a.m. I wrote quite a bit at the pub also. I was tired and slept well. I needed the rest. Well, I made San Francisco. This is the first city I've walked through. I got bounced around the local newspapers.

DAY 77--Nov. 16, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

Today I did walk around San Francisco. Yesterday I called Ricardo, the writer I met about two weeks ago when I was walking through the Avenue of Giants, and we made plans to hang out today. First thing in the morning I did some laundry down at the corner laundromat. I got done with that a little after 9 a.m. I put my bag in storage at the hostel and checked. Now I was going to search for lunch. I talked with Linda, the girl working at the hostel, and made plans to meet her at Brainwash at 7 p.m. She was working last night when I checked in and she said that I could stay at her house. Her roommate, Regan, also worked at the hostel. After I left the hostel in search of lunch, I saw that I missed Ricardo's call. He was on the other side of the bay. I walked to a BART station. The civic center one. I've never taken an underground transportation system. At first it was confusing. I asked a lady working there which train to take to the MacArthur station. She said the Pittsburg or Richmond train. I went to the machine and put my money in and got my ticket. I took the escalator down and got a train toward Pittsburg. I got off on the MacArthur and met Ricardo. I was in Oakland. We drove over to a crisis center that was having a Thanksgiving dinner. He knew the chef and we got plenty of eat. Ham, roast beef, turkey, stuffing, etc. After that Ricardo dropped me back off at the BART station I went back under the bay to San Fran. I walked to Haight St. after that. I went to the lower Haight which is less expensive. I hung out in a coffee shop and wrote for a little bit. I

thought I saw one of the hippies that from the Dean Creek campsite drive by. He had some distinctive buck teeth. I'm pretty sure it was him. After that I walked to San Francisco library. It was getting close to 7 and I walked over to the Brainwash. It was a cafe/laundromat. It was open mic comedy night. Linda would be going. I got there early and got something to eat. Linda showed up a little before 7. We chatted for a bit and then people began to sign up. About 30 went. We didn't say for everyone. They ranged from funny to not. Some were pretty far out there. A few were really good. After that we walked back to the hostel and I got my backpack. We walked from the hostel to Van Ness St. and got the 49 bus to Mission St. where Linda and Regan live with three or four other people. Her roommate John works at REI. We stayed up chatting and listening to music for a while. Then I went out to the couch and hopped into one of John's sleeping bags. Regan came home around 2 a.m.

DAY 78--Nov. 17, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

I woke up and started walking back toward the hostel. A way into the walk I hopped on the 49 bus and went back to the hostel. I talked to Linda for a bit and then got some breakfast. After that I walked down to the REI. I showed them the letter and told them about losing my trekking pole on the bridge. The manager looked in the back and they didn't have anything good. I ended up getting a new set at cost. The manager, Kurt, had a family member that use to work at the Fred Hutch in Seattle. I met a homeless man named Mivin after that. He was a talker. It was basically a half an hour monologue of his talking. He followed me a bit. He had to go to court because he had all of his tuff stolen yesterday. I spent a couple of hours at the library today.

I went back and got a room in the hostel for the night. I walked around a bit more. Then I needed to charge my cell and camera. I spent most of the rest of the night in the hostel. I made some calls on my phone.

DAY 79-- Nov. 18, 2006 MILES WALKED: 15-16 FROM: San Francisco, CA (City Center Hostel) TO: Pacifica, CA (on some random bluff)

I got up and put the last two days’ worth of journals online. I also post my journals on a Myspace.com . I couldn't do that at the hostel. That means I had to wait until the public library opened at 10 a.m. I showered up and packed up. I said goodbye to Linda, and I was off. Today would be my last day in San Francisco. I had some time to kill, so I went and wrote in in the park between the Library and City Hall. It was another beautiful day. Nice and sunny. A huge line began forming at the entrance of the library as 10 approached. I waited in line for a computer and then I got my fifteen minutes. After that I was on my wait out of San Francisco. I didn't really have it mapped out. I was going to start walking toward the ocean. I walked a few blocks to Market St. I walked past banks and shops. Before I knew it, I was stomping around a more residential area. That's when I started climbing. I climbed a couple hills. Then heading south and then I started making my way west. My friend Ryan from Bellingham called me. He got on google and started navigating me part of the way toward the coast. I told him was street I was on and he told me to take a left on Shoreline Dr. I was starting to near the ocean once on Shoreline. Not long and I walked past Lake Merced. I stopped. I could look back and see San Francisco. Downtown was blocked by hills. I walked further up and hiked trails for a half mile at Fort Funston. I had some nice views looking back toward the Marin Headlands north of the Golden Gate Bridge and

the southern coastline. Not much further and I walked by the Olympic Country Club. It is a pretty elite golf course. It has a huge waiting list. Only some of the course was between the road and the ocean. I walked through Daly City. All of the houses look the same. Okay. There is two or three different type of houses. All the same houses. An endless slew of them on both sides of the road. A little hill. I made it to the edge of Daly City and the beginning of Pacifica today. It was around 4 p.m. I was along the bluffs on the water. I began looking for a spot to throw my tent up. The first bluff didn't look to appealing. I walked a little north. There was an area where cars were parked. There was a gate. The fence where cars would drive was closed. It said no tresing after sunset. People were hiking down. It had a gravel road that went down to the water. It had a couple flat landings. It looked like hang gliders or people that parachute sail might use the area. I ended up settling on old road that was covered with grass. I set my tent up and had a nice sunset. It turned into a violent red sunset. I was on a bluff looking at the ocean and some jagged rocks jetting up from the water. Doesn't get much better than that. I was in cell range and talked to a couple of friends.

DAY 80-- Nov. 19, 2006 MILES WALKED: 20-21 FROM: Pacifica, CA (on some random bluff) TO: Half Moon Bay, CA (Half Moon Bay State Park--Francis Beach)

I packed up my tent and left my awesome view in the morning. I couldn't walk on Freeway 1, so I walked the road that went along the water until I hit a semimain road in Pacifica. I did walk along the beach and then along the golf course. Then shortly after the golf course Freeway 1 turns back into a highway. It was another sweet day. The sun was a shining. At the edge of Pacifica, I came to Rockaway Beach. It was littered with surfers. I mean littered. It looked like a ton

of sea lions were out there. It goes up hill from there. It was about six miles to get all the way through Pacifica. I saw that there wasn't any shoulder. I've walked no shoulder before, but it didn't have as much traffic, and often would have many curves and traffic didn't travel nearly as fast. I saw a bike route sign that went right toward the ocean. I took it. I ended up climbing a big hill going through streets lined with houses. Most streets would die off and not be through streets. I ended up going in a loop that brought me back to where I started. The first side street I took when I saw the bike route sign. I walked back to the highway. I really didn't want to walk the highway. I saw what looked like a paved trail on the other side of the road. I thought that might be my ticket. I crossed the road and took the path. There were two women ahead of me walking. I figured I might be in the right direction. The path was big enough for a car to drive on. I saw road signs off to the side. It looked as if it was an alternative route if the highway got closed. Soon it popped out in a residential area. I kept following the girls straight. Walked by a school. Then the road veered left. Straight was a road being it wasn't a through street. I kept following the girls. I was getting further and further away from the highway. I'm looking at bunch of big mountains wondering where the heck I'm going. Finally, after following the girls, I saw a man in his yard and asked him about ways to the kept the highway further south. He said there was a fire road but if I didn't know it, I shouldn't try it. He said the highway was about it. I started walking back to the highway. The one street that I saw that wasn't a through street, well, I saw a bunch of bicycles going both ways. I figured something was up. I walked down the road to the Shamrock Ranch. It was a kennel, animal shelter, and training facility. It has a pretty big campus. I went in and asked the lady working. She told me follow the road straight and I'll go through two blocks of residents and I'll come to a gate. The gate will be closed, and the fire road is open for bike or hike and that will take me to Montara. In the process I'll avoid the Devil's Slide, which is a spot will no shoulder on either side. NO SHOULDER. I left the Shamrock Ranch and walked straight. It asked a couple of mountain bikers if the fire road led to Montara. The lady at the Ranch never went on the way. Didn't want to get up there and get lost. The bikers said it would. I saw them a little before I hit the fire road. The fire road was awesome. It was the Old Pedro Mtn. Rd. It went up and over the mountains with awesome vistas. It was mainly paved. Due to small landslides at times, there was only enough room for

a bike. At one point I was a on a walking a wide dirt trail. I ran into a snake in the middle of the trail. It was black with a red stripe. I used my trekking poles to shew him back into the bushes. There was a lot of people biking the trail. I could see Montara on the way down. The trail I took popped me out just a little north of Montara. I met Mike and Patti. They gave me ten dollars for something to eat that night. We chatted and I kept walking. I was planning on getting to Half Moon Bay. There was a state park there I could camp at. I stopped in Montara and got a couple of Lunchables. 40 grams of protein for four bucks isn’t half bad. I had seven miles after Montara. I walked through Moss Beach and El Granada on the way to Half Moon Bay. El Granada is right at the jetty and marina. It was about there, and I hit the Half Moon Bay city limits. I went down to the water. There was a paved trail. I sat at a bench and wrote. I met a young couple. A-ron and Summer. They each gave me ten dollars. I kept walking along the paved trail. There were a bunch of state beaches. There were also some dirt trails for horses to the east of the path. I walked to Francis Beach where the campground was. It was a couple hundred yards from the beach. I paid my 3 dollars and set my tent up under a tree. There was a little wind but nothing bad. Around dark I went in search for some food. I walked north and didn't see anything in sight. I headed back south and found a McDonalds and loaded up on double cheeseburgers. Some cheap protein. I went back to my campsite and made some calls. Then I climbed into my tent. Read some then I hit the hay.

DAY 81-- Nov. 20, 2006 MILES WALKED: 21 FROM: Half Moon Bay, CA (Half Moon Bay State Park--Francis Beach) TO: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel

Once again, another nice day. I was up and out of the campsite around 8 a.m. I

didn't walk through any towns today. I walked a mile through the rest of Half Moon Bay. There were two small towns off the road 1 mile and 2 miles. First San Gregorio and then Pescadero. I walked by pumpkin patches after Half Moon Bay. One of the pumpkin patches had the pumpkin in a big circle with a wood gorilla behind them. There is a golf course at the edge of the city. A lot of ranches. Hills on the east side. Some flat land and bluffs on the west side of the road. I walked by a bunch of beaches; San Gregorio, Pescadero, Pebble Beach, and Bean Hollow. San Gregorio was in a little valley. It had a nice little driftwood structure. A little before 4:30 p.m. and I was at the Pigeon Point Light House. There was hostel there. I went to the office of the hostel. That is when I met Jordan. He's an avid outdoorsman. One needs a photo ID to get a bed. I couldn't find mine, which is always in my pocket. I started unpacking my bag. I checked my jacket and wind breaker. No luck. Jordan would still have given me the room. However, on trip like this I really need my ID. I looked about everywhere. I unpacked my sleeping bag out if its carry case and sure enough there it was, inside my sleeping bag. Jordan has done a lot of hiking. He was originally from Washington D.C. area. At fifteen he backpacked across Europe. He told me to come by for some dinner. I went to my cabin. It was the Dolphin cabin. It had to rooms with six beds and one private room. It had a kitchen and front room. There was a couple from Capitola staying in the private room. Joan and her daughter Amy were there. Amy was nine. Joan has been on bike tours. She told stories of her adventures in Europe. A Scottish couple from a room in the office building came over to cook dinner. The office building only had a staff only kitchen. Well, the wife is from Switzerland. I was going to go in the hot tub, but it never got fixed. Oh well. I went over and Jordan whipped up some food for me. Enchiladas and some bread and cheese. I had some Odwalla. It looked gross. It was a dark green, but it was awesome. I went back to my cabin. I chatted with the other people and read some. Joan

gave me ten dollars for research. I love hearing the Scottish accent. Later a couple of women in their early twenties came over. I stayed up to 11 p.m. then I retired.

DAY 82-- Nov. 21, 2006 MILES WALKED: 16 FROM: Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel TO: Davenport, CA (in front of the Bakery and Gas Station)

I was on the road a little 7:30 a.m. I left the lighthouse and made my way south. I grabbed some things to snack on the way out from the office. They couldn't break a twenty, so I got the stuff for free. I'll make up for it if I stay at another hostel. I saw the Scottish couple. They drove gave me a honk as they drove by. I had a lot of nice views today. It was overcast most of the day. Toward the end of the day, it became windy and blue skies were revealed. The road would be on bluffs along the water and then cut inland some. The left had the usual hills of some ranch. It was cool once I got into Santa Cruz County. To the left was the Waddell Bluffs. A hundred feet or more of cliffs. A barrier went along the road most all the way for slides. I could see that a big slide was just a good rain away. There was a crew working on a section. There wasn't slide on the road. They were taking some dirt out and putting on the ocean side of the road. To my right was the ocean. I slowly worked my way to sea level. It was only a quarter mile stretch or so with the big bluffs on the left. There were a handful of surfers out. After the beach I crossed Waddell Creek and went up hill. There was a lumber mill. It felt out of place. It had an awesome view. I saw a worker taking lunch on a stack of wood with a sweet ocean view. I decided that I'd walk into Davenport today. I'd pause my walk there. It was 11

miles north of Santa Cruz. My grandma would pick me. Then I could send press releases to the paper. Then on Thursday or Friday my grandma will drop me back off in Davenport and I'll finish the 16 miles leg into her house. Davenport has a cement plant that I could see from a few miles away. I stopped at Davenport and got a burger at the Bakery, which is also a bar and grill. There was a bus load of Canadians from Ontario. They were all wearing black and looked nerdy. I wasn't sure if they were Star Trek fans or something. They weren't. They were a black light theatre group who was doing shoes all over. After I ate, I went across the highway to the bluff. I read some of one of the books I'm reading, "1984." I had a great view of the bluffs north and south. It started to get windy. I walked back. There was a valley with a train track between the bluff and where the cars parked. I found a natural rock stairway that was out of the wind. I met a man who was walking his dog. He lives in the area. He gave six dollars for research. I was chatting with him when my Grandma showed up. It was nice to see her. We drove into town and then once in Santa Cruz went to the waterfront and drove the route that I'll be walking. It'll be a nice walk past a lighthouse and the Santa Cruz boardwalk. It was dark by the time we got back to her house in Capitola that overlooks the village.

DAY 83-- Nov. 22, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

I spent the better part of today putting many of my pictures on the site. I went for a walk in down through Capitola village. There are some nice restaurants and shops. Then the beach is there with many beaches lined along the sidewalk. A pier jets out into the bay. Around 2 p.m. my aunt Ginger and twin cousins Katie and Sarah showed up. We had an early Thanksgiving dinner today. My Grandma made an awesome ham dinner. It was nice to see Ginger and the twins. It's been a few years. I think the last time was at the family reunion in Santa Fe, NM in 2002. Ginger lives in Napa. Katie is down at Newport Beach; CA. Sarah is going to college in Santa

Cruz. Around 4:30 or so Grandma's boyfriend Rich got home from work and we ate. We ate at the dining room table in my grandmother's awesome Victorian house. She rents out the upstairs and the garage. Dinner and desert filled us up. After a while of chatting Ginger and the twins left for Napa. I read. Grandma and Rich watched T.V.

DAY 84-- Nov. 23, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

I put the rest of my pictures online today. I met the neighbor's Bob and Katelyn. A young couple that lives in the lower level of the garage. They had some friends visiting from Catalina Island, Kate, Heather, Wylie, and Janelle. I hung out and chatted. Bob had three of his surf boards in the house. They all knew each other from the Island. Caitlyn has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and knows a thing or two about hiking. On the island they teach youngster outdoor activities. They go hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, etc. I went over there a couple of times. Ginny, my grandma, and I went and saw the Borat movie. Later I went back to Bob and Caitlyn's house. We hung out and watched 'The Big Lebowski.' I went to bed after the movie.

DAY 85-- Nov. 24, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

Went for a couple walks through Capitola village today. I went down to Toot's Coffee and wrote for a bit. Ginny and I went around town some. Her new dog ruined my cell phone charger cord. First, we went to the store. I deposited a check she gave me into the bank. We got some groceries. Then, we went to the Cingular store to get the cord. We went to another store, Trader Joe's to get a few more things. Our last stop on the way home was at a bookstore. I got a magazine, and she got a book. I went hung next door some. Played some cards. It was a game I've never played before and I already forgot the name. It was good fun. I popped in next door a few times. Ginny and I had a nice pork chop and green bean dinner. I went back next door and watched part of 'I Heart Huckabee’s.' Afterwards I hung out with them. The gang from the Island are heading up to San Francisco tomorrow. Now I'm going to go have fun dreaming. Maybe I'll fly. I've flown in dreams twice. It was really cool.

DAY 86-- Nov. 25, 2006 MILES WALKED: 18-19 FROM: Davenport, CA TO: Capitola, CA

My Grandma Ginny dropped me off in Davenport a little after 8 a.m. It was a beautiful day. Blue skies. Not too warm, not too cold. I bought some peanuts from the store in Davenport. That is when Cynthia saw my sign. She made a 40dollar donation for cancer research. A few minutes later and I was on my way. There were a lot of people biking on this Saturday morning. It was 9-10 miles into Santa Cruz. It went by some dunes and much of the highway wasn't along the bluff. Looking across a field I could see the ocean. Once I got into Santa Cruz, I took a right on Swift St. and this took me to the waterfront. From there it

was an awesome walk. From here on out half the walk was on paved walking/biking trail. There were a lot of people out today. I imagine many people were trying to burn off some of the food that they ate on the holiday. Not me, I'm trying to fatten up. The first section of waterfront followed some bluffs that weren't all that highway. Maybe twenty feet. There were a handful of jagged points sticking out. Then I walked by a lighthouse. I believe it was also a surfing museum. As I turned the corner the famous Boardwalk and Wharf were in site. People were playing volleyball. Guys with their shirts off. Girls in bikinis. I'm truly in California now. I walked through the boardwalk. A couple of rides might have been open, but the big rides weren't going. After the boardwalk there was a train trestle. On the other side were a handful of homeless men. One was playing the guitar while the others sang and drank. This is when the batteries in my camera died. I got my head lamp out and those batteries also had no juice. Oh well. I kept walking. I walked past a beach. It looked in inviting. The beach not the water. I walked by their little harbor. It is full of sailboats. The sailboats also looked inviting. Rich has a sailboat down there. I walked past another lighthouse after the harbor. It was further than I thought from the north edge of Santa Cruz to my Grandma's house in Capitola. I walked past another beach after the harbor. That'd be the last beach I strolled by until Capitola. I walked inland at times and along the bluff the rest of the way. I ended up arriving at the house in Capitola a little before 3 p.m. I chatted with a few people along the way who saw my sign and who were interested in what I was doing. Not that many people inquired into what I was doing. My aunt Ginger was back down. She dropped Katie off at the airport in San Jose and was back down to drop Sarah at the college in Santa Cruz. I was pretty wiped out today from walking. Sometimes I'm not, but today I was. We had nice hanging out on the front porch eating dinner and chatting. Ginger and Ginny played some cards.

DAY 87-- Nov. 26, 2006

MILES WALKED: 0

Today was overcast. It started raining around noon and never really stopped. I heard that Bellingham had a snowstorm. Makes the rain not seem so bad. I read more of my book, '1984.' I finished it today. Rich got back this morning. He went down south to help his brother from Texas that was working in Santa Barbara. Ginger was going to take off in the early the afternoon. Ginger and I cooked up breakfast. I cooked the eggs. She made the toast and sliced up the cheese. I was thinking about getting a new water bladder. Bob and Caitlin brought came over to bring Ginny some desert type thing for her birthday. They were going to go to an outdoor store. They asked if I would need anything. I said that I needed a water bladder. I gave them twenty bucks in case there was one. Later I went over to their place to see if they found one. They did. However, they bought for me. That was totally cool. I hung out a bit. Caitlin was doing sudoku puzzles. We watched a football game and chatted. Everyone went to bet rather early tonight.

DAY 88-- Nov. 27, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

Today Ginny and I went to the store and bank. We went to Ross. She got a couple of picture frames and I got two pair of socks. We looked at other things in the store. Then we went to the bank and store. We got supplies to make chili dogs for dinner. On the way back we went to Paula's. It a breakfast place. They have surf boards and pictures all over. The basic breakfast is 1.99. That's two eggs, potatoes, and bread. Pretty good deal.

I spent much of the day writing. I went for a couple walks down to the beach and to the end of the wharf. I hung out for a while over at Bob and Caitlin's house. I did some laundry. I'll pack my bag up in the morning. Tomorrow I'll be heading out.

DAY 89-- Nov. 28, 2006 MILES WALKED:20-24 FROM: Capitola, CA (Ginny's house) TO: Moss Landing, CA (Zmudowski State Beach)

Today I walked through nice neighborhoods, on the beach, by giant farms, and ended up pitching my tent in the dunes. Ginny cooked me up some breakfast. Eggs and toast. I was heading out a little after 8 a.m. when Ike, my grandmother's neighbor, who was watering his lawn came over to talk. He mentioned that he should take a picture of Ginny and I together. We went around to the front of the house and he snapped some pictures of both of us. I walked with Ike as we walked back toward his house. He's in his seventies. He still goes swimming. Ever since I've known him, he's had a place in San Francisco and Capitola. He splits time between both. We used to talk baseball a lot when I came down in the summers. I said goodbye to Ike, and I was on my way. I had a nice stay in Capitola. It was sad to leave, but the road was calling. I headed off on my golden birthday. I turned 28 and the 28th. I walked down Central Ave. to the main street. Then I caught Park Ave. I was heading south. Highway 1 doesn't allow bikers or hikers on this section of the Freeway. At times on Park Ave. I had nice vistas through trees of the beach and ocean. I went by some really nice houses. Right before Park comes back to the highway, I took a right on McGregor St. This was by the New Brighton beach. I took that into Sea Cliff. I took a right toward the ocean. I asked someone who

suggested I take Soquel drive toward Watsonville. I crossed the freeway and took Soquel drive. This took me through Aptos. Aptos had a little downtown and was mostly spread-out. I took this to Freedom Blvd. That took me back over the freeway and onto Bonita Rd. I took a left and walked until I caught San Andreas Rd. This went toward the ocean. I stopped at the Manresa State Beach. It was another beautiful day. Nice and sunny. It was fairly cold. I guess Bellingham got a lot of snow. I have it easy. I decided to go down to the beach and walk along the beach. Walking in sand can be difficult. I walked on the wet sand that is firmer. I walked a way and decided to get back on the road. I climbed up a flight of stairs. Now San Andreas Rd. is inland more. I had had to walk north and then a long straight stretch to get back out to the road. It was an awesome walk. It adds a little extra milage. I walked by some farms with nice houses on them. From now on I spent the rest of the day walking by farm fields. I've never walked by these kinds of operations. Most farms I've seen have been dairy. I did see some pumpkin farms. I some strawberries and artichokes. A lot of the fields were being prepped for seeding. The farms would have three port-o-potties on a trailer. Makes sense. It seemed like endless and endless road farm fields. It wasn't. I was on farms with rolling hills, then, it went to flat lands. I can't if San Andreas curved left or if I turned left. Either way I went left for a quarter mile. Then I took a right on Thurwichter Rd. and caught Bluff Rd. I went up on a bluff that overlooked the ocean some. It was nice. One more road and after I was on Jensen then I was on my way back toward Highway 1. It was back to a walkable section. There was a produce store to my left. I went over and got a banana and some chips. Now I was on my way to Moss Landing. I crossed the Moss Landing sign. I saw a sign for Zmudowski Beach. It was getting close to 4:30 and I figured I'd better head out to the beach and set up camp. There was a little store right off the road. I got some supplies and headed toward the beach. I took several roads that took me past more farmlands. I popped at the ocean and on the dunes. The sun had already set, and darkness was beginning to set in. I didn't know earlier where I was going to stay but I figured I'd there would be somewhere on the beach. I saw a truck in the parking area. I never saw anyone. I saw a driftwood structure. I wanted to set my tent to help with the coldness some. I sat and waited for total darkness. Then I found a flat spot in the dunes that had some humps around it that would probably block me from someone's sight. I sat up my tent and hopped inside. I called my Grandma Ginny to let her know where I was at. I got in my sleeping bag and mummy liner. I stayed warm tonight. I thought I heard a couple of trucks driving down

the beach in the middle of the night. Today was good. I walked most all of the day. It was really nice. A beautiful day for a walk in the park. My thoughts ranged from life to creative writing to the trip. Debating whether I want to walk through L.A.

DAY 90-- Nov. 29, 2006 MILES WALKED:20 FROM: Moss Landing, CA (Zmudowski State Beach) TO: Seaside, CA (Howard Johnson Express Inn)

Another beautiful day. I woke up and it was pretty chilly. I like sleeping near the beach. The sun was rising in the east. It was a nice morning. I packed my gear up in the dunes and was back on my way toward town part of Moss Landing. It was three miles or so until I got to the snack shop. I got a donut and milk. I met Charlene. She saw my sign and chatted for a minute. She gave me nine dollars for food or whatever I need it for. She had to get to work and left. I asked if she had a safety pin. I needed something to pin down the bottom of my sign on my pack. She looked through her truck. She didn't have one. She had a bunch of random things. An old T.V. remote that doesn't work and little nick knacks to name a few. I asked if I need to walk back to the highway or if the street that we were on would meet up with the highway. She said it would meet up again. I walked through the Moss Landing shops and businesses that weren't open. I stopped at the store along the highway. I found a safety pin there. I got onto the highway. I met Ricardo. He's hiking and hitching up north. Three or four miles down the road and I was walking by Castroville. The town is off the highway. The highway then turns back into a freeway. I walked to the first exit. It had signs that bicycles and peds were prohibited. I walked left off the highway. I didn't know how to connect from city to city. I saw a bike route signa and took my first right which was on Monte Blvd. It ran along the freeway. I came up to a Del Monte. Blvd. this would go straight into the city of Marina which is around 25-30 thousand people. I saw a taco truck. There were a bunch of truckers

grabbing some lunch. I stopped for a burrito. From there I followed a paved a bike trail all the way for the rest of the day. Monterrey County section of the trail. It had a yellow line down the middle. I walked through Marina. I stopped at the Wal-Mart. I had a shopping given to me. I picked up some freeze-dried meals and batteries. I haven't seen a Wal-Mart since Coos Bay, Oregon. After Marina I was looking at 6 miles to get to Seaside. Next to Seaside was Sand City. They had the fancy sings for the cities next to each other. They must have been twenty feet apart. I've never seen that before. I saw a lot of tents and tarp structures off the trail. I can tell that there was a decent amount of homeless people here. I met a couple of them. I walked by some dunes in Seaside that looked like a good spot to throw a tent. I saw a para glider that said that was about it for spots to throw tents. I saw a McDonalds and went for some cheap protein. I met a man who started talking to me. He said he's been sleeping over there lately. He said they wasn't any bad people. It was around 4:30 and the sun would be setting soon. Ginny offered to get me a room. It seemed like the one spot to duck off had too many sketchy people over there. I ended up staying on Freemont Blvd. at the Howard Johnson. I watched 'Scarface' and wrote most of the rest of the night. I took two baths. Seaside was a little larger than Marina.

DAYS 91-- Nov. 30, 2006 MILES WALKED: 14-15 FROM: Seaside, CA TO: 4-6 miles south of Carmel, CA around milepost 67.27

I walked into Monterrey looking for internet this morning. Today I wouldn't walk as far since I needed to get online. I knew that it would be a while until I saw the internet again. I had no idea where to find a computer. At the edge of Seaside, I asked someone at a Starbucks. She told me about a Kinko's. Once I crossed the street from the Starbucks, I was back on the bike trail. I took that

past a Naval post graduate school to Fishermen's Wharf. I asked some city workers where Kinko's was. They said it was a few more miles away. I asked if they knew anywhere else that might rent out a computer. They told me about Bay Coffee, which was only a couple of blocks away. I went there and spent over an hour putting on the last two days’ worth of blog entries. After that I went back to the harbor, then, I was heading to Carmel. I couldn't walk on the Highway 1, so I needed to find another route. I knew the general direction that I needed to go. I stopped and asked a parking officer. She told me that there was a bike route on the other side of the freeway that would take me to Carmel. I walked through a park and kept heading south. I found a street that went left to the freeway. I crossed over the freeway. The bike route sign pointed left, which was direction. I ignored it and took a right. I walked a half mile on a road and then hit the bike trail. I walked this until I got to the Pebble Beach/17mile exit. Then I got back on Highway 1. I walked through Carmel. I stopped at the new Safeway and got some food out of the deli. After Carmel there was Carmel Highlands. I walked by a bunch of really nice houses. I walked past Carmel Beach and Point Lobos Refuge. It was time to start looking for a place to throw up my tent. I kept walking. I saw a spot. A semi steep climb on the left side of the road. I climbed up to the top. One house was clearly visible, and I could make another out behind a bunch of trees. I hid behind a tree. I figured if no one saw me I could go check out the patch of trees and see if there was room to pitch my tent. It was on the bluff in time to catch the sunset. I went into the trees. There was enough room for my tent. I waited to set my tent to make sure that no one saw me or cared. Many of these houses seem vacant. Maybe only summer homes. The one house that was visible earlier was not from inside the trees. It must have been a good 300 yards away. I set my tent up and hopped inside. I noticed that I lost something today. It was the silk rose that I got at Honor Day. The Native Americans who put the day on gave it to me for my journey. The rose part poked out of one of my pockets. I checked all around the tent and the rest of the bluff. No luck. The night took a turn for the worse when at 1:30 a.m. I woke up and vomited. I somehow got food poisoning. I vomited about every half hour or so for the next 12 hours. I didn't sleep much this night.

DAY 92-- Dec. 1, 2006 MILES WALKED: 1/4 of a mile FROM: 4-6 miles south of Carmel. Around milepost 67.27 TO: a quarter mile down the road

I was hurting in the morning. I got no sleep and kept throwing up. I was weak. It took me three hours to pack up my tent. That task takes me usually 20-30 minutes. I finally got packed up. I climbed down and made it a way down the road. I had little energy. I drank all my water last night. I was planning on getting to Big Sur today. I stopped and called my Grandma Ginny. She was going to drive down an hour to bring me supplies and A. pick me up, B. get me a hotel, or C. drop off the supplies. My grandma picked me up. Once I'm better she'll drop me off at the exact point in which she picked me up. I went back to her house and spent the rest of the day in bed. I didn't get much better the rest of the day. Toward the night I stopped my vomiting.

DAY 93-- Dec. 2, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

I had a bad headache from not eating yesterday. My stomach was still skittish, but not rejecting food. I also found out that I fan into more poison oak. Hung out around the house. Feeling better but not a hundred percent.

DAY 94-- Dec. 3, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

Feel about the same as yesterday. Thinking maybe one more day of rest before my grandma returns me to where my walk is paused. I need to be healthy, and I have a long trip. Watched some football on the T.V. Went for a mini walk into the Capitola village

DAY 95-- Dec. 4, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

Today my stomach felt a lot better. I still have some poison oak and I took a bath and shower using the TECNU soap. My Uncle Jim and I went out for breakfast. We went to the surfer hangout, Paula's. They have a $ 1.99 basic breakfast. Two eggs, toast, and potatoes. They have surfboards and a bunch of pictures of Capitola in the 20's and the 30's. I went for a couple walks down the wharf in Capitola. THE FIND OF THE DAY: A videotape of 1988 on my first trip to Bellingham. My dad and I went to visit my Uncle Jim. I was 9 years old in the video. It was a young blonde dorky Matt. I'm about the same except my hair is darker. That is the same house that lived in when I spent the last two years in Bellingham. However, in the years between 1988 and 2004 Jim has done much remodeling. I even did some camera work. I ate at the A&W restaurant which is not a burger t called Boomers. My dad and Jim were much younger. Bellingham has been a good spot for me. I moved up there the summer after graduating college. I fell in love with the area. With talking with friends from up there about this last

storm, California is looking pretty good. At sunset Ginny and Jim were busy taking pictures. I snapped a few also. We had a nice ham and beans dinner. We ate on the front porch catching the tail end of the sunset. I'm itching to get back on the road, but I need to make sure I'm a 100 percent before I leave. Miami Beach isn't going anywhere.

DAY 96-- Dec. 5, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

I still had some pretty good itching. I went and bought two more bottles of the Tecnu soap. It didn't seem to make much of a difference. Jim and I went to Paula's restaurant again. Jim and I stopped at Big 5. I bought a pedometer, so that I can make more accurate guesses as to how far I'm walking. I'm usually pretty close when I guess. Some counties in California decide that they don't want to have miles markers on their highways. I spent a lot of time writing and walking around Capitola. I wanted to leave, but I can't leave until the itching has resided. I took three showers using the soap. It was another nice sunset. We sat on the porch and watched an awesome sunset. I had a hamburger for dinner. Ginny and Jim had crab. Yeah, I'm weird. I don't like crab. I try it from time to time. Sometimes my taste buds change their minds. Otherwise, they can be stubborn. I thought that I should get some of the medicine that I had before. It worked.

DAY 97-- Dec. 6, 2006 MILES WALKED: 0

I called the clinic in Gualala today to have the doctor call another prescription in for me. I went to that clinic the first time that I got poison oak the first time on this trip. The medicine seemed to work for me. I had to call the clinics a couple of times. I picked up the medicine, prednisone. I took it with some lunch. When I got back I took another shower using the tecnu soap. Hopefully I'll be on the road tomorrow.

DAY 98-- Dec. 7, 2006 MILES WALKED: 18.08 FROM: Carmel Highlands, CA TO: Andrew Molera State Park (3 miles north of Big Sur, CA.) BIG NEWS OF THE DAY: First appearance on T.V.

Last night I went down to Zelda's bar and restaurant. I had a drink. I met Adriana, who happen to be a reporter for Univision 67 in Monterey. We exchanged info and I emailed her my press release. My uncle Jim was going to drop me back where my walk left which was just past milepost 67.27 south of Carmel Highlands. On the way we stopped at the Carmel Highlands General Store. I got a call from Adriana. Being only in Monterey, she was going to come down and do an interview with me. To make it easy for her and the

cameraman to find me, Jim left me at the store. I'd have to back track a couple of miles, but it'd be worth the interview. When they showed up, they wanted to go to the first turn off south of the store. It made for a better back drop. It took about an hour. It was fun. She interviewed me. They took shots of me walking and resting. Also, me getting things out of my pack. She talked with my bag and picked it up to show how heavy it is. My voice will be dubbed over in Spanish. I'm having a copy sent to Bellingham. I be able to add it to the documentary. Adrianna gave me twenty dollars for food or whatever I need it for. I've made with a man whose walking from east to west for cancer research as well. We are going to try and meet up. He's in Texas right now. He's a British man in his 40's who started in New York. It's cool that two people randomly came up with about the same idea and will cross paths. His site is: www.nytola.org. After the interview it was around 11:30 and I was on the road. I ended up walking 18 miles to Andrew Molera State Park. In between were many awesome views of the coast. The mountains to the left. Mainly they were covered with brush and bushes. The coastline was mainly bluffs. Lot of nice vistas looking both north and south with the coastal bluffs jetting out and the mountains also in the picture. I ran across 4 bridges today. They didn't have much room and I wanted to spend as little time as possible on them. The last one wore me out. It was slightly up hill and longer than the others. Before the state park there was a light house on a rock. There were some other buildings on the huge rock. It would have been an island, but it is a huge rock on the beach. It looked like there was a house up there and a couple of other things. There was some kind of naval base or something around. And the El Sur Ranch had a lot of property. The sun was starting to set. After that a blanket of fog rolled in and visibility wasn't much. Then before I knew it was dark when I got shortly thereafter, I was at the park entrance. I called a private campground in Big Sur. The man suggested I stay at the park; it would be less expensive. It was a hike in camp. I walked through the parking lot and found site number 2. I set my tent up. I cooked up a freeze-dried meal. I was in cell range and made some calls. Reception wasn't all that well. Toward Big Sur there is more trees than I've been around most of the

day. A different landscape. Some have nice big orange leaves. The full moon came out and I saw moon rise. It was great. It came over the horizon and lit up my campsite. I forget about moonrise sometimes. Ginny really enjoys moonrises. It made me to check it out. It was nice. I heard a bunch of racoons scurrying around in the bushes. I heard some coyote or cats yelping in the distance. It must have a been a good night for all the nocturnal animals.

DAY 99-- Dec. 8, 2006 MILES WALKED: 15.29 FROM: Andrew Molera State Park (3 miles north of Big Sur, CA) TO: A tunnel, a quarter mile off the road, just past milepost 38. KNOWN DONATIONS TO FHCRC: 301

I woke up this morning. I had a chance to see the park in the light. Well, sunlight that is. It was in a forest near the beach. There were trees with big orange leaves. I didn't walk back through the parking lot. I took a road that went straight to the highway. I made an awesome walk into Big Sur. It was an awesome walk. It was warm this morning. Little traffic walking into the forest town. I went and had breakfast at the cafe. I walked past the Big Sur library on the way. It was covered in ivy. It didn't open until 10. I had some time to kill so I walked back to the River Inn Store. I got to the library at 10:15 a.m. I had to wait until 10:30 for a computer. That was cool, I just wrote for fifteen minutes. I spent a half hour putting yesterday's blog on. After that I'm on my way out. A couple miles down the road and the skies become all gray, I get to the Deli. The last little store in town. I'm not sure if I'll have potable water at my next stop. I fill up my water. A little further past the

deli is gas station and an art center type place. They had a bunch of cacti out front. They had a bunch of cool art. They were putting their art away because it was going to rain. A couple from Houston stopped. The wife got out of the car and ran across to my side of the road. She gave me 5 dollars for cancer research. It wasn't long before I had my rain poncho on. On my way to the Henry Miller Library. I got pretty wet. I stopped in the library. It was past a wood gate that was open and past some wild art. One was a cross made out of computers with a figure made out of computer cords on the cross. The library had books. A lot of Henry Miller. They had some other famous authors. It was a small store. I asked about the internet. The man said he'd have to set it up. I had to wipe a table off. He got three towels for me. I wiped off the table and then set and mac computer. Usually, the computer is outside. I had to go outside in the rain and get the power cord. I had the computer set up on the tiny computer. I just made one email. It took forever. It gave me a chance to stay out of there. I walked two or three miles after that maybe. It rained on and off. Awesome scenery. I was walking and I looked in the ravine toward the ocean. I spotted a tunnel down there. There was a fire road down. I walked further around the huge curve and took the fire road .3 miles down to the bottom of the ravine. I crossed a wooden bridge over a creek. There tunnel went through a rock to the other side coming out near the ocean. A path took you to a bench that was at the edge of the rocks. I looked back toward the tunnel and saw a small rock beach. The rain started to die down a little before I got to the tunnel. It was a nice night. Being to hear to the waves thrashing into the night. The rocks never budge but the ocean never stops. A set my tent up in the tunnel and didn't even bother with my rainfly. A nice breeze strolled through my tent. It was a great spot of the rain. I was planning on going to the park two miles down the road, but I couldn't up the tunnel.

DAY 100-- Dec. 9, 2006 MILES WALKED: 18.66 FROM: The tunnel, a quarter mile off the road, just past milepost 38. TO: Kirk Creek Campground--Los Padres National Forest

KNOW DONATIONS FOR FHCRC: 301

Today was wet and windy. However, I didn't have that bad of day. I walked 14.54 miles into Lucia. It would rain hard for 10-20 minutes and then give up. The biggest struggle today would be getting my rain poncho on in the wind. The wind blows so hard that by the time I get my back on it would have blown off. Finally, I tucked parts of the poncho in between some straps. I kept in good spirits. There was even a time when I had my poncho off. When I started this morning, I had to hike back up to the road. It was decent up hill. It wasn't raining. I took some pictures of the tunnel. I saw a stream of water shooting up at the road. I only saw if from a distance. I didn't see any water lines. Maybe though. I walked by three people walking before I ed the Esalen Institute. The first was a girl and then three older guys. It was weird. There was maybe a house every now and then. Then once I walked past Esalen then it didn't seem as weird. Not many people living in this area. The man at the store in Lucia, said maybe 20 people live there. I saw a cool old rest spot off the road. There was an old fountain. A path that went up some steps underneath a street. Rocks arranged out front and a rock bench. It was pretty cool. I stopped at Lucia and got a burger and fries. The waitress asked me what I was up to. We chatted about it for a while. She gave me three dollars for whatever I need in my trip. After lunch I went next door. I got some supplies at the store next door. I was going to camp at the Limekiln State Park. The man working at the store told me to go to Kirk Creek. He said that they'd have hiker/biker and it's on a bluff. Likekiln is down in a damp valley. I went to Kirk Creek. It was a four-mile hike. There would be Caltrans trucks going back and forth with plows getting rocks off the road. To my left on this walk is many rocky edges. Many rocks are waiting for their own moment. Some don't seem so far away. It rained on me some more. I left the store with my rain poncho on. I had four miles to Kirk Creek. When I got to the campground the park host met when I paid the fee. He told me that I should put my tent underneath the big trees past the 23 E

campsite. I did. It wasn't long before it was raining, and I had to set my tent up in a pinch. It was a nice area. On a bluff overlooking the ocean. Maybe thirty feet up. I walked to the edge. It was pretty steep. I had my tent set up under the tall trees. I went into my tent now to escape the rain. I wrote and read for the rest of the night.

DAY 101-- Dec. 10. 2006 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a KNOW DONATIONS FOR FHCRC: 331

By 7:30 it started raining and didn't seem to let up until 1:00. I finished reading Jack Kerouac's book, Big Sur. It seemed to be steady. I heard that it was supposed to blew through on Sunday. I felt that I should not walk. I decided to stay at the site under the tall trees. Even below the protection of the trees I still got assaulted by an army of raindrops. A little after 1 p.m. and it was blue skies over the water and fairly warm, with clouds/fog hanging over the mountains. I was planning on getting some food in Gorda. I wanted to camp beyond on Gorda. I already paid another five dollars to stay in the park. I needed some food and was going to walk into Lucia. I made it 3 out of the 4 miles when I sat a bunch of Cal Trans guys working on the side of the road. They saw me yesterday. They told me that the store in Lucia closed for the day. I took a brisk walk for six miles. It was awesome.

I had a drab dreary morning, then went for an awesome six-mile walk. I was hungry. My trail mix wouldn't cut it for the rest of the night. I had five dollars in my pocket. I thought I'd see if someone in the campsite might have some food they might want to sell. There was only the camp host and one other trailer. I knocked on the camp host and there was no answer. I walked to the other spot. That's when I met Bob and Mike. Ray was also there. Mike is from Santa Cruz and visiting. Bob gave me two cans of chili, cup o noodles, and a soda. I went back to my campsite and scarfed down the food. I pulled my stove out and cooked up the chili. I drank the soda. I was full now. Now it was time to write. I sat on the picnic table and watched the waves crashing on one rock. Mike told me to come over at dark because they have a bonfire. I did. Shortly after setting down around the bonfire, Bob wanted to see my website. It was really surprising that he had the internet. I'm at this tiny campground in-between Big Sur and San Luis Obispo. He pulled up the site and then asked if I wanted to put on my journal. It was awesome because I didn't know when the next time I'd be around a computer. Bob's friend Ray made some dinner. Chicken and some stir fry with not many veggies. After I leave here, I'll head back to the tent and write some more.

DAY 102-- Dec. 11, 2006 MILES WALKED: 22.94 FROM: Kirk Creek Campground (9 north of Gorda, CA) TO: Ragged Point (off the side of the road--in between highway and ocean) KNOW DONATIONS TO FHCRC: 331

Today turned out to be a magnificent day, but I need to feel you in about last night. I'm not sure if I mentioned it, but Bob gave me 30 dollars for cancer

research. At 1:30 a.m. I was woke up by a cougar that was getting some lunch. I heard another animal, maybe a raccoon in the brush. The cougar was making some crazy noises. He had two kills or fights near my tent and another one off in the distance. I wasn't scared but I was alert. I knew that he had food and he wouldn't mess with me. Back to today. I walked the rest of Monterey County. It was more scenic views of walking through Big Sur. The San Lucia Mountains on the left and the ocean on the right. The mountains are fairly steep. In the ravines there is usually some forest. For the most part the hills just have shrubs and bushes. Toward the end of the county, it becomes more up and down. I headed down into a few valleys and back up the next mountain. It was nice and sunny most of the day. It became overcast toward the end of the day. Before I left, I dropped off the book 'Big Sur' with Tony, Bob's friend. Bob was heading out to work. From Kirk Creek I walked about 9 miles into Gorda. In between there I ed through Pacific Valley. There was a school there. It only had a little resort with about 20 people that live there. The little store was really expensive, but I didn't have any other choice. I got some food and relaxed for a moment. From here I had ten miles to the end of the county. I really enjoy walking along the edge of the earth. A couple miles into San Luis Obispo County before I got to Ragged Point. It is another resort with around 20 people and a couple of houses around. I got ed by two guys on bikes right before I got to the little store. I ended up meeting them and getting a picture. They were Ed and Rudy from San Diego. They are a couple of college students that are biking from San Francisco to San Diego. We had a nice chat, and they were off. They were planning on getting to Morro Bay. I was only going to a little further. It was nearing 4 p.m. About a quarter mile to a half mile and I found my resting place. It was off the side of the road. Something caught my eye. IT was a little open area about the size of a studio apartment. It was blocked north and south by trees. It was on a bluff overlooking the ocean. It was blocked from the road by one tree and a mound that was covered with bushes. I set my tent up and I had my home for the night. My body is holding up. Every now and then I'll have a little ache or pain. Say maybe my knee or shoulder. My feet have been fine. I had a couple of blisters in the beginning, but they never bothered me when I walked. Now they are callused

up. My body is used to walking on the road.

DAY 103-- Dec. 12, 2006 MILES WALKED: 20.40 FROM: Ragged Point (off the side of the road-- in between highway and ocean) TO: San Simeon State Park (San Simeon, CA) KNOW DONATIONS TO FHCRC: 331

I had what I thought was a scab on my left hip this morning. Quite often I bump up against a rock or something and scratch myself. I picked out it. When it came out, I saw some legs kicking around. Great I thought. I got a tick in me. I dropped it. I was out of cell range and never had a tick before. I walked back to the Ragged Point Resort to use the pay phone. My father has a 1-800 number. I called it. He looked somethings up online. I think I got the head out even though I thought I was picking at a scab. I walked over 20 miles today. I walked past the edge of Big Sur. After Ragged Point the road flattens out and it the scenery changes from the steep mountains that come right up to the ocean to rolling hills with cattle roaming around. It started lightly raining when I was leaving Ragged Point. This would be the story of the day. Light drizzle. At times I didn't have my rain poncho on. There isn't anything after Ragged Point until Peidras Blancas. There was a motel there that was closed for renovations. Then a short distance after that there is a lighthouse. Most of the last east of the Highway is rolling hills that is owned by the Hearst Corporation. Then I went by some Elephant Seal lookouts. I got some footage of some wrestling around. Some of them looked like they might be dead. I was back on the road. It was overcast and fog/moisture hanging around in the hills. I could start to make out the Hearst Castle. It poked up from forest on the top of a hill in the distance. There was a road for it a little north of San Simeon.

There is a little loop in San Simeon that goes by a historic store and the Hearst State Park which has a nice pier. The rest of the town is a couple of miles south. I finally got back into cell phone range today. I got something to eat in San Simeon. Then I walked a mile or so past the town to San Simeon State Park. It was pretty much empty. It had some nice trees, but the campsites weren't very private, but that didn't matter since I was about the only person there. I couldn’t' find an electrical outlet. Bathrooms usually have them at parks. No luck. I ended up finding one at the amphitheater. I saw a couple of deer bouncing around. I charged up my phone and camera. I wasn't in cell range in the campground. I walked back into town. I called about everyone in my phone. I was excited to be back in cell range and I was a chatty guy. I misplaced one of my trekking poles. At 2 a.m. I went hunting for it. I found it at the amphitheater. When I got back to my tent my batteries in my head lamp died. I guess it was good timing. I'll be walking to Morro Bay tomorrow and be walking thru Cambria. It didn't really much more after I set my tent up. I don't think the tick was a problem. I might have even got the head out. I walked over 20 miles after removing it. Also, I don't think the ones in California don't have lime disease.

DAY 104-- Dec. 13, 2006 MILES WALKED: 27.88 FROM: San Simeon State Park (San Simeon, CA) TO: Morro Bay State Park (Morro Bay, CA) DONATIONS TO FHCRC: 341

Got a nice free lukewarm shower in the morning before I left. I packed up before I took the shower. I was on the road by 7:40 a.m. I had a couple of miles to walk

into Cambria. Once I got past north Cambria I began moving away from the ocean and began walking into a forest. I stopped at the Cambria Cappuccino and got online and put the last two days’ worth of journals online. My from the Fred Hutch said the total was 341 dollars. That was 10 dollars more than I knew about. After using the computer, I walked up and checked out Nitt Witt Ridge. It is a house that a guy built out of garbage and secondhand materials. It is pretty elaborate. The next tour wasn't for a house, so I moved on. He was an eccentric man. The weather was great today. Warm and sunny. After Cambria I walked through a valley of rolling hills on both sides with cattle on both sides. It was a nice walk. I walked past Harmony, population 18. Not a whole lot there. Then just north of Cayucos the rolling hills on the ocean side of me turns into the coastline. I was back next to the ocean. Then at Cayucos the highway turns into a freeway which doesn't allow pedestrians. I got off on North Ocean Ave. and walked through Cayucos. I got back onto the freeway. At the end of Cayucos, it turns back into a highway. I could see Morro Bay even before I got to Cayucos. I could see around the bay. It had some fog hanging around offshore. There is a huge rock, a weird rock off the beach in Morro Bay. They have a power plant or something there too. I stopped at the north side of Morro Strand State Beach. I thought there was camping-- there wasn't. I walked the beach for a couple hundred yards then got back on the highway. I had a few more miles into Morro Bay. The sun began setting. As I was walking into Morro Bay the sun was beginning to set. At the north end of Morro Bay, I got off the highway and got onto a frontage road, Main St. I walked this past residential areas, business, hotels, and restaurants. I made my way under the highway. It was about dark. I saw some cop cars doing a Christmas parade. I kept on Main St. It was dark when I got to the downtown area. There was nice restaurants and shops. There were a bunch of four way stops. I asked some kid to told me to get to Morro Bay State Park to walk back toward the highway which by this time is a little way away. Then I stopped at an Am/PM near the highway and asked someone. They told me to go back to Main St. and that will take me to go back to Main St. and that will take me straight to the park. I did.

I went back to Main St. It was about a mile and a half. I reached the waterfront. Across the street from the park was the marina. I found the hiker/biker section and set up my tent. It was under tall trees. There was no brush around. The tree branches were toward the top of the trees. The stars were out, and the evening was nice. I didn't put the rain fly on. It was awesome looking up thru the trees at the stars. I charged up my cell phone battery in the bathroom. I hung out in the shower and wrote while it charged. At 3:30 a.m. some people came into camp and started setting their tents up. It woke me up. Today was a long day. Almost 28 miles and fairly warm day. I was exhausted and slept well. In Cayucos I talked to some one from the newspaper in San Luis Obispo Tribune.

DAY 105-- Dec. 14, 2006 MILES WALKED: 19.96 FROM: Morro Bay State Park (Morro Bay, CA) TO: San Luis Obispo, CA (Matt and Jody’s house) DONATIONS TO FHCRC: 360

So far today I've walked from Morro Bay to San Luis Obispo. I was woke up at 6:30 a.m. by hawks or some big birds flying around the tops of the trees. There must have been twenty of them. I walked out on the road that was between the marina and the park. I caught South Bay Blvd. and that took me to Los Osos. I had some nice views of the bay on the way. In Los Osos I stopped at a grocery store. Three people gave me a total of ten dollars. Two people working and one customer. I'm going to keep walking. I took Los Osos Valley Rd. to San Luis Obispo. It was warm and sunny. I walked around 12-14 miles to get to S.L.O. It was nice walking in the valley with all the foothills surrounding. In S.L.O. I took Madonna St. and that took me north and over the Freeway 101 toward downtown. I was looking for the library to get online. It was a healthy walk from

the edge of S.L.O to Downton. There is Caly Poly college in S.L.O. It is nice with the brown foothills as a backdrop. I'm crunched for time, but the newspaper put me on their website. Check it out-http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/16240144.htm Check back and read day 105 again in a day or two. I'll write all that happened. Now I'm going to leave the library and head south. Maybe make it to Avila Beach. Well, right after before I left the library, I checked my email. Matt Thibodeau emailed me. He invited me over for dinner and if it fit into my plans, to stay. I emailed him back with my phone number. Outside the library I met Allie. We talked about all sorts of things. My trip was one of them. She gave me five dollars for the cause. II went to 2Dogs' coffee shop. I went outside to talk on the phone. I went back in and someone tucked four dollars on the red light on my rucksack. I wondered around downtown S.L.O. I popped into the Black Sheep for a drink. The bartender was interested in what I was doing. He gave me some ribs and fries. Jared lives in Oceano which is 15 miles south of San Luis. I have to walk around about route, and it'll probably take me more than 15 miles. When it was getting around 5:30 I knew Matt was going to be getting off work. I wondered around and stumbled on to King St. I was near his place and talking to a local when Jody, Matt's wife, saw me and then showed me to their place. Matt is 34 and Jody 33. Matt's parents biked across the country last year. They've lived out here for 7 months. They moved from upstate New York. They are both engineers. He works at company that does stuff with refrigeration systems and she works on bicycles. They were really nice. We sat around and chatted for a while. Then we went to Thai-rrific and had some dinner. We came back chatted for a while and then we all went to bed. We looked at some maps earlier. Today I got a total of 19 dollars for cancer research. Yeah.

DAY 106-- Dec. 15, 2006

MILES WALKED: 27.79 FROM: San Luis Obispo, CA (Matt and Jody's house) TO: Nipomo, CA (Stephanie's house) DONATIONS TO FHCRC: $ 396

I walked from San Luis Obispo down to Nipomo. I walked a little out of my way to get to my final resting place for the day. Today had a couple crazy twists. Before I dive further into today. Yesterday my Uncle Jim switched my cell number to his and paid my last bill. That was awesome of him because his sponsorship on the cell phone is huge and helps me keep going with a safety net and a way to keep in touch with the world. Christmas came early. Matt and Jody my nice hosts got up around 5:30 a.m. Jody went for a jog and Matt bent for a bike ride. I got up around 7:00 a.m. Matt was getting ready to go to work. I had two bowls of cereal. I looked at some maps figuring out my route to Pismo Beach. Matt left for work. I was minutes behind him. I walked back to Downton and went to 2Dogs' Coffee and put what happened yesterday. It was a smidge over a mile. Then I was off. I would take Broad St. which turns into Highway 227. I'd take that to Price Canyon Rd. which would lead to Pismo Beach. On the edge of San Luis Obispo, a group of a biking club rode by. It was mainly of the senior division. One man came back to talk to me. His name was Stewart, and he is from Bellingham, Washington. He gave me five dollars for cancer research. What a small world. Later on, they the bike group stopped on their way back just as I was past S.L.O. The whole group stopped. They pooled together another twenty-one dollars for cancer research. They fired questions at me. One lady, Ginny, gave me her friend's number and name in Lompoc, CA. Now I got a place to stay down south. Today I had vague notions of staying with Jared the bartender from the Black Sheep who lives in Oceano, CA. I also met a few other people while I was at the Black Sheep

yesterday. After I chatted with the bike group for a while I left. I headed south in the valley. San Luis Obispo is inland off the water. I kept walking on 227 through the Edna Valley into the tiny town of Edna. It had a four way stop and an antique shop that was closed. The weather was nice today. Warm and sunny. In Edna I took the Price Canyon Rd. At first the road didn't have any shoulder. Then it had a nice bike lane. It had a lot of trees alongside the road. The hills had quite a few trees. I walked past place that seemed to be a small oil field. There were a few machines with their arms bobbing up and down. A few miles later or so and I popped out in Pismo Beach. I was back on the waterfront for the first time since Morro Bay. I phoned Jared about seeing if I could stay at his house. He said that he had to work and forget that he had plans with his girlfriend. Now I was thinking about staying at the Oceano County Campground. I walked to the beach and snapped some pictures of the pier in Pismo. It was nice with the coastal foothills as a backdrop. I kept walking. Highway 1 by this time has separated from 101 and runs kind of through Pismo. South was Grover Beach. I was walking along and thought I'd get a burger. In Grover Beach all those types of things were east of the highway. I walked along and saw a cafe, O'Reilys. I was walking up, and I heard someone say, "Matt." I was shocked. I stopped. It was Stephanie, a late twenties girl, whom I met her at the Black Sheep yesterday. She was excited to see me. She asked if I was going to stay in Oceano. I told her that Jared had other plans. She said that I could stay at her place. It was south of Oceano and east of the highway about 4 miles in Nipomo. I accepted. She didn't have a cell phone. Only a house phone with no answering machine. I gave her my number and took down hers. She drew me a map of how to get to her house and told me if I get there first that it's unlocked and to let me in. She planned to cooked dinner for me and was glad they by chance we happened to bump into each other. At this point I had walked close to 15 miles. She had some things to do, and I decided to keep walking. We departed around 3 p.m.

I walked back to the Highway which is speed limit 40 right now. South of Grover Beach is Oceano. I walked past Oceano. I ended up talking to my friend Adam Logan who is going to try and get me on the Price Is Right when I'm near L.A. I kept walking. After Oceano I started walking inland away from the ocean past agricultural areas with farming fields with crops. I came to a four-way light. I stopped at the Mesa View Market. I called Stephanie's house and got no answer. It was getting close to dark. As I left the store a man saw my sign on my pack and gave me ten dollars. That made today a 36-dollar day for cancer research. It was around 5 p.m. I kept walking to her house. I kept walking. I tried calling her house once more. No one there. She had to pick up her kids and I know how things can take a while. Finally, I got to Willow Rd. I turned left off the highway. It's been dark for over an hour by now. I walked a ways and turned on Via Concha Rd. Then a left on Via Verde. That dirt road turned into another street. Walked that a ways and then right on Evergreen. She lived at 1031 A. She said that it was a guest house. I saw the mailbox. I had to move a slide gate/fence and walk past. The apartment wasn't lettered. I walked past it and saw a shop. I called the phone and heard it ringing in the apartment. I opened the door, and no one was there. I had walked almost 28 miles and I'm exhausted. It was a messy one bedroom. There was a bunk bed and crib. A couch and T.V. in the other room. and a kitchen that omitted a horrible smell. Two weeks’ worth of dishes were piled up in the sink. Many things like clothes, toys, and packaging were scattered all over the floor. I dropped my pack and laid down on the couch. I figured that getting her kids and groceries took a while. I got to her place around 7:30. Before I knew it was 9:30 and she wasn't there. The phone rang a couple of times. I thought that maybe she lost my cell number and maybe she was calling to tell me that something came up. At 10:30 the phone rang. I thought it might be her. I answered it. It was her aunt from Pennsylvania. She asked if I knew what happened to Stephanie and who I was. She said that Stephanie was in jail. Now I'm staying at someone's house who is in jail. It's 10:30 and where am I going to gone. I'm tired after a long day. I go back to the couch and hop in my sleeping bag. It wasn't that great of night of sleep. It was kind of awkward, but I made the best and got some sleep.

It was random chance that I even saw Stephanie in Grover Beach and then to make it to her house and then find out that she got put in jail, and then to stay out her house by myself was just flat out weird. Welcome to the life of Matt Gregory.

DAY 107-- Dec. 16, 2006 MILES WALKED: 20.62 FROM: Nipomo, CA (Stephanie’s house) TO: Orcutt, CA (Jane's (Joe's) house) DONATIONS TO FHCRC: $ 406

I got up around 7:30 and left at 8 a.m. No sign of anyone all night. It was overcast out, so I kept my rain poncho at the top of my bag. I walked the almost four mils back to Highway 1 and started heading south. I was going through farmland. Before I went down a small hill, I saw sand dunes at the ocean. They weren't close. Then along in the distance straight ahead were a mountain range. I ed numerous flat fields as I walked into Guadalupe, CA. I got there around 11:00 a.m. I stopped at a Mexican restaurant and got some lunch. It was a pork type soup and was great. After I got filled up, I kept on walking. I stopped and filled up my water with one of those machines outside a store where it is only 20 cents. After the small mainly Spanish speaking town I kept heading south. For the rest of the day, I walked past farm fields. Mainly broccoli. I guess it's the broccoli capital of the world. I moved somewhat east and parallel the mountain range. It was overcast but hasn't rained on me yet.

In Guadalupe I called the couple from Lompoc and talked to Dianne. She said I could stay in their yurt. She gave me some directions to her house. I wouldn't be there until tomorrow, but I wanted to call and make sure it would be alright with her. I saw a coyote that bolted from the bushes on side of the highway to the other side of the road. That was pretty cool. After about 10 miles past Guadalupe I walked to Orcutt. I had to get off the highway and walk a quarter mile. I was outside a store when a lady saw my sign and asked what I was doing. Wanda and her daughter Kimberly bought me a sandwich and chips at the store. I didn’t' know where I was going to stay tonight. I planned to walk a little south of Orcutt and then just find a spot to pitch my tent. A routine that I've done many times before. It started to rain on me for the first time today. I popped into Elmer's which was next door. I had a drink. A bunch of the people in there saw my rucksack and asked about my journey. Joe, a young 41, asked if I wanted to stay at his place. He wanted to go home and check my website first. Sure. A bed and shower are always nicer than a random spot off the side of the road. Debbi gave me ten dollars for cancer research while I was at Elmer's. Joe came back after looking at my site. We chatted a bit and then went back to his house. That'll make my third night in a row of places to stay. If I stay in the yurt tomorrow, it'll make it four. Anyways, we walked over a half mile back to Joe's house. That's when I met Jane and Spook. Jane is a pit mix and I forgot what mix Spook is. Jane is very helpful when you want to do something. Spook, he's really nice. They were smelling my rucksack and me up and down. Must have a thousand smells there. I took a shower and started some laundry. Joe ordered up some pizzas. I had the entire Canadian Bacon/Pineapple pizza. It was great. Joe and I stayed up late chatting about all sorts of things. Joe works for government at the Air Force base

that is south. He's lived in this house for about 6 years. We chatted about philosophy, music, and film. Joe has a bunch of cd's and was eager to show me many people that I haven't heard. After while I got bombarded with too much. Then we slowed down and listened to The Clash, Johnny Cash, etc. That was cool that Joe decided to take me in. I was pretty tired after walking and not getting all that much sleep last night. Around 1 a.m. I went to bed. Both of his dogs hopped in bed with me. In the early morning I didn't have that much room on the bed.

DAY 108-- Dec. 17, 2006 MILES WALKED: 24.40 FROM: Orcutt, CA (Joe, Spook, and Jane's House) TO: Lompoc, CA (Diane and Mike's House) DONATIONS TO FHCRC: $ 406

It rained right at the end of yesterday, but that wasn't the case today. It was sunny. At times the wind was chilly. I walked past Vandenburg Air Force Base and through Vandenburg Village and ended up in Lompoc, CA. I wasn't inside the city limits but on the outside edge. I stayed with Mike and Diane Atturio. They are friend of Ginny, who was part of the San Luis Obispo biking club that I saw. Mike and Diane have a yurt on their ten acres that I'm camped out in. I woke this morning and finished the last two days’ worth of blog. Around 8 a.m. Joe, Jane, and Spook walked me down to the corner store. I said goodbye and then I walked another mile or so and I was on the highway heading south. The weather was great. I had about 11 miles or so to Vandenburg Airforce base. Right off the bat I ed hills with a few trees. Then some vineyards on my left. Then Highway 1 went right and the highway I was on went straight. Right

before I made the turn, I met a guy biking from San Diego to San Francisco. He had dreads and seemed laid back. I had a little hill climb after I made the turn. Then the hills there had more trees and I could see a mountain range Infront of me. The trees were about 15-20 feet tall and look like a bush. As I approached the mountain range I the land is officially part of the Air Force Base. I had to climb part of the mountain range, but the grade of the road wasn't bad. A couple miles later and I was at the base. Highway 1 makes a left turn and if one goes straight then one would go into the base. From there I had five or six miles into Vandenburg Village. Along the way I ed some military housing. South I could see the San Indez Mountain Range. Most of the land is part of the base. 4 miles down the road is a road that is a truck and R.V entrance to the base. I stopped in Vandenburg Village to grab a bite to eat. From there I walked into Lompoc city limits. I didn't walk into the town itself. I hopped on the road to Buellton, Purisma Rd. I ed some farm fields and the La Purisma Mission. Then I caught Highway 246. I walked that for a couple of miles and ed the golf course. I dropped my cell phone earlier. The flip out part broke off. Someone how right before I got to the Tularosa Rd. it worked. Someone called me. That was good because once I got on the Tularosa Rd. I didn't Mike and Diane's address. I called and she told me 2120. A mile or so I saw their cool house that sat on a hill and ten acres. I met Diane and Mike. We sat down and I had a chat. They moved out here in 2003. They lived in the yurt for 13 months when the house got built. They used to live in Ventura. Mike was a civilian engineer that worked on underwater hydraulics equipment for the Navy. Mike and Diane have three kids. They range between 26 and 30. Ironically enough their neighbors' names are also Mike and Diane. I met the other Diane. I had two dinners. A chili dinner and a roast beef dinner. I showered in the yurt. The yurt has a window in the center of the ceiling. It has a bathroom and shower. Pretty nifty. I'm about to hit the sack.

DAYS 109-- Dec. 18, 2006 MILES WALKED: 27.52

FROM: Lompoc, CA (Mike and Diane's house) TO: Gaviota, CA (Gaviota State Park) $ to FHCRC: 426

Last night it dropped to around freezing or even a couple degrees colder than that. The yurt was cool. I was tired last night and slept good. I didn't get cold in my sleeping bag. I woke up and in went to the house to have a great breakfast. Mike made some homemade whole wheat biscuits. He also scrambled some eggs. Diane loaded me up with some sandwiches, and after a picture I was on the road shortly after 8 a.m. I had a nice time visiting with Mike and Diane. They gave me 20 dollars and I put that on cancer research. Now I had a mile on Tularosa Rd. to get back to 246. Then I had little over four miles to get to the very south edge of Lompoc. There was Home Depot and a little further a Circle K. I had to walk past Highway 1 which would be my road to Gaviota. I went to Circle K and filled up my water. I walked back to the Highway and began my walk through the Lompoc Valley and around the Santa Ynez Mtn range. I misspelled the mountain range in my last journal entry. There wasn't much in-between Lompoc and Gaviota. Gaviota only has the State Park. It was a nice sunny day. I ed a handful of ranches. I saw patches of cattle here and there. I found seven quarters on the ground in about a quarter mile stretch. I found two at first. Then I'd walk a little further and see another. That was about 5 miles south of Lompoc. I went by a couple of slide areas. I cross the El Jaro river three or four times. The scenery was nice. The hills would have bushes and some trees. Every now and then I'd bump into a little lush forest. Highway 1 ends about four miles north of Gaviota. It runs into Highway 101. It was a nice reunion. It was getting the sun was setting. I could see the bigger mountains in the Santa Ynez Mtn. Range. The last two miles of Highway 1 leading up to 101 had a steep downgrade. The view of the Mtn. was pretty sweet. I had my head lamp and red flashing light on. I got onto Freeway 101 and started making my way to the coastline. I would be reunited with the coastline since I left Oceano. To get there I had to walk through my third tunnel. It was loud but

there was a nice sidewalk that made it fairly safe. I mile or two past the tunnel and I was at the State Park. It had been dark before I even got to the tunnel. The park was closed. I went over the gate. The park in the winter is only open on Friday and the weekend. I walked 27 miles to get there and that was I going to stay. I saw the camp host. I walked past the campsites to the beach. To get to the beach I walked under a huge train trestle. There was a lighted pier. I walked out there. Then I walked to a lifeguard tower. I climbed up. I pulled out my sleeping bag and slept on the tower. The stars were out, and I could hear the waves crashing into the beach. It was awesome. It didn't get as cold as last night. I had the food that Diane gave me and some that I bought at the store before I left, and I wasn't too hungry. I loaded clothes into the bottom of my sleeping bag to help keep me warm. I bundled up and had a nice night. I didn't feel alone with all of the stars shining down on me.

DAY 110-- Dec. 19, 2006 MILES WALKED: 25.96 FROM: Gaviota, CA (Gaviota, CA) TO: Goleta, CA (Best Western Hotel) $ to FHCRC: 426

I woke a little after 6 a.m. and sat up. I could see the horizon with a layer of reddish/pink, and I knew the sun was coming up. I looked out over the Islands. Two big ones; Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz. And the smaller San Miguel. I sat there as the sun slowly rose. I could see some structures out in the water. Four or five them. At first, I thought they were boats. As the day went on, I thought they might be science labs or something. Once the sun was up, I packed things up. This must have been a little after 7 a.m. Boy when I started walking did it get cold. The wind chill factor made the first hour or so of the morning chilly. Once

the sun got up a way, I was fine. It was another beautiful day. Sunny and warm after the brisk morning. I walked back out to Freeway 101 and started heading toward Goleta. I ed two state parks on the way. It was a nice walk. Santa Barbara Channel and the Islands off to the right. Hills to left. Sometimes close, sometimes far away. Then the bigger mountain range behind them. There wasn't much. A few houses and ranches. The first park I ed was Refugio State Park. I didn't stop. I kept walking. I found a frontage road shortly after. I had a dog follow me. Shortly thereafter I went by some people working for a gas company. They thought the dog was mine. It was a man and woman. The man ran marathons and identified with what I'm doing. He handed me a twenty-dollar bill and told me to get lunch with it. I did shortly thereafter. That frontage road led up to the next park. The park was on the ocean side of the road. The frontage road I was walking was on the other side of the highway. There was a private campground and cabin place. Then a small little resort with a market and deli. I popped into the deli and got a grilled cheese and some chips. Then once I got to the frontage road and kept heading south it turned into a bike path that took me to the next exit. I kept walking on the road that was after the path. It was a dead end. I got back on the Freeway and took that into Goleta. I got to the Goleta city limits around 2:30 p.m. My uncle Jim and Rich, my grandma's boyfriend, where down in Goleta a couple of weeks ago. They stayed at the Best Western. They told one of the ladies working there about me. She pulled up my website. They told her that'd stop by and they told me too. I did. At the north edge of Goleta, it's considered Ellwood. I got off the Freeway 101 on Hollister Ave. My Uncle Jim called and got online and gave me directions to the Best Western. I kept walking on Hollister, then I took a left on Fairview. To get to Fairview was about a two-mile walk. I ed research places, residents, and an airport. The whole time if I glanced left, I'd see the mountain range. Then I left the ocean side of the freeway and crossed back over. I got onto Calle Real and walked straight to the Best Western after ing plazas with food and stores. Someone called and told the Best Western that I was coming. Michelle the lady that my Uncle and Rich talked to wasn't working. However, they knew I was

coming because of the phone call. They had free soda and chips and dip. They told me to take off my pack and get some. I didn’t. It was around 4 p.m. when I arrived. Now it was getting close to dark, and temp. had dropped a lot. The girls at the counter asked about what I was doing. Their manager, a cancer survivor, overheard and offered me an awesome deal. The rooms are normally around 200 dollars. I thought they said 29 dollars, but I think they might have had said 49 dollars. Anyways I needed a shower and didn't anywhere to go. I low on cash, but I couldn't up the great offer. They had pool and hot tub. I took advantage of the hot tub. I took them up on the offer. I stayed in room 134. It had a huge bed. A couch in the room. I showered and went back for a soda. I met a man, Dale, who works for U.P.S. He's a regional man that is town for the big holiday rush. Yesterday was crazy since there was huge wreck on the freeway and held up most of the trucks. Dale thought what I was doing was amazing. I went to the bathroom. When I came back, he set a twenty on my table next to my notebooks. I asked if he wanted that to go to Hutch or me. He told me to get something to eat because I'll need it. I was planning on making Ventura tomorrow, but it'll be my tenth day in a row of walking, and I think Ventura is out of range. I'll make it to Carpinteria State Park. I stayed up late watching T.V.

DAY 111- Dec. 20, 2006 MILES WALKED: 23.88 FROM: Goleta, CA (The Best Western) TO: Carpinteria, CA (Carpinteria State Park) $ to FHCRC: 436

Today started off with my mind not in a good spot. By the end of the day two of the Santa Barbara newspapers sent photographers out and would have pieces on my cause. One of the ladies out the Santa Barbara Daily Sound gave me twenty

dollars to help me eat along the way. I feel that things will be provided for me along the trip. Another woman I met in Summerland on the way to my campsite gave me ten dollars. I didn't get to my campsite until around 9:30 p.m. It was another sunny day. I woke this morning and took advantage of the complimentary breakfast. Had a bunch of bowls of cereal. After that I went back to my room and packed up my bag. Around 8 a.m. I checked. I wasn't in a big hurry to leave the hotel room. It was a nice room. I wanted to hit the hot tub again, but it didn't open until 10. I needed to get on the road. I needed to put my last days journals on. I knew a Kinko's was a couple blocks north. I went there and spent an hour putting the last couple of days of journals entries on. I looked at my bank which was low. I started to get down. I didn't get down for long. After I left Kinko’s, I started heading North on Calle Real St. I walked that way and then crossed back over to the ocean side of the freeway. I then walked the rest of the way through Goleta. Then I got on to Modoc St. Along the way I phoned one of the papers. I decided to go back over to the other side of the freeway. I stopped at a corner store. I saw a copy of the Daily Sound. I phoned them. The lady I talked to was really nice, her name was Leslie. She was the one who gave me twenty dollars. The writer was out, but she said to call back. After I crossed the freeway, I kept walking not knowing where I was going. I was heading in the general direction of south and east. I asked a landscaper if he knew how to walk to downtown. He told me to keep walking down the street that I was on and then I'd hit State St. and that would take me Downton. That is what I did. I ed a park when I was on State St. Not much further past and I was out a coffee shop. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. By this time, I've talked to people from the Sound again and they would probably send someone over to snap some pictures. Janelle was on her way over and I waited. I ended talking to the reporter from the News-Press while I was waiting at the Coffee Shop. We chatted for a while. Then Janelle, an attractive girl in her early twenties, showed up. She jotted down some info and took some pictures. Toward the end of our photo shoot Rafael showed up. He's the photographer for the News-Press. Well Janelle gave me the twenty dollars from Leslie and then we said our goodbyes. I kept walking and Rafael drove ahead and took pictures as I walked. He made a couple stops. The last one he directed me around a bit. After we said our goodbyes, I saw him take some pictures once more.

I ed a lot of nice houses. Not giant houses, but nice houses. Santa Barbara is referenced to as the American Rivera. I got to Downton which had a lot of expensive shops and nice restaurants. Only one person asked me about what I was doing. There are a lot of homeless in the area and people attach a backpack to that. The one man that asked me what I was up to told me where the library was. I went there for about twenty minutes. It was getting around 3:30 and I still had ten or eleven miles left. I made one more stop. I could have spent much more time in Santa Barbara, but I wanted to make it to Ventura tomorrow. I stopped at a London style bar to charge up my cell phone. The bartender who holds a U.K port gave me a drink and donated ten dollars for cancer research. No one was in there. A couple of younger girls came in. I asked one to film me. She did. Then the bartender gave me some vegetable soup, rice, and bread. I got there around 4 p.m. and I must have left around 4:30. I walked down the rest of State St. which put me at the beach. It was nice. The sun was setting. There were the Channel Islands out there. The mountains as the backdrop behind the city. There were a lot of homeless on the beach. I didn't know I was going to get to Carpinteria. I couldn't walk on the freeway. I took a left on the beach and went along Cabrillo. I stopped a park bench and sucked down the food I had gotten earlier. Then it was near dark. I walked Cabrillo underneath the freeway and into Montecito. I stopped at a Baskin Robins and asked the young guy working about getting to 'Carp'. He pulled out a phone book. It was basically a frontage road that paralleled the freeway and change names a few times. I wrote down the street names. In Summerland I met a lady who was a cancer survivor. She saw the sign on my backpack and gave me ten dollars for camping fees. I walked into Carpinteria. I crossed over the freeway. I was on the oceanside again. I took Seventh St. to Linden. That goes straight to the water. Before the water I saw what looked like a campground. I walked across a field and hit the campground. I set up my tent and made some calls. I wrote a bit and then went to bed.

DAY 112- Dec. 21, 2006 MILES WALKED: 21.29 FROM: Carpinteria, CA (Carpinteria State Park) TO: Ventura, CA (Helle and Eric Todd's house) $ to FHCRC: 436

Before I too far into today two articles appeared in the Santa Barbara Newspapers. Check them out. The first article from the Santa Barbara Daily Sound. It'll be on the Dec. 21st if it doesn't appear on the top of the page. Just scroll down to the 21st of December and you'll be able to find it. http://www.dailysoundonline.com/ The other article appears from the Santa Barbara News-Press. One has to have an to view this article. It might be gone by the twenty second. http://www.newspress.com or http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp? Section=LOCAL&ID=564861725774577711

I woke up and around 6:30 a.m. I enjoyed the warmth of my sleeping back for another hour. I walked up to a corner store and got the paper articles that featured me. From there I needed to figure out how to get to Ventura. I had vague notions of walking the beach, but it was high tide, and the beach can be difficult to make time. I walked down Linden St. toward the Highway. A guy told me to take Carpinteria Av. I did. I kept walking straight. The street might have switched names. I car pulled over. Sarah who owns a company that makes lip gloss and other things saw the article. She gave me 40 dollars to help me along the way with food and living. We chatted and then drove off. I walked up further, and the road ran out. I took a trail that went down by the railroad tracks and then down to Rincon County Park. Rincon is a famous surf spot. From here I could walk on the highway. I got off the Highway at La Conchita for a burger. Behind the town is a steep mountain. I met Gregory and a man whose name I forget. Too much going on in my head today. The un-named man gave me 20 dollars for food. He said I had a long journey. Gregory is an artist that lived on the highest house in town before a slide in 2005 that killed 11 people. I had a burger and a gas station and chatted with them a bit. The unnamed man met Gregory a half an hour earlier and was interested in his art. I would be staying with Mike and Diane Arturo’s friends in Ventura. I would be staying with Helle and Eric Todd in Ventura. After I left La Conchita, I walked the tracks for a bit. Then I hopped on the Freeway a bit more. Then I got off at Sea Cliff and Highway 1 started back up. It was awesome. It was a half-overcast day. Highway one runs right along the water. At Sea Cliff there is a few houses. There two more sets of houses like this. The freeway is the left and on the other side of the freeway is the steep hill. I phoned channel three news and the Ventura newspaper to no avail. I also kept in touch with Helle. I followed the scenic Highway. Sometimes I would sing to myself thinking how cool life is. I'm lucky enough to be doing something really cool. I would glance out at the Channel and the islands. Very pretty. I ed many surfers. There were stick houses on the beach. Just north of Ventura Highway ends. I got on a bike path the stayed on the ocean side until Emma Wood State Park. Then I hit Main St. I ed downtown with thrift shops and restaurants. Helle told me to call her when I got to Seaward.

I kept walking down Main St. I met Brittani Strasser. She was chatting on the phone with a friend and saw my sign. She moved down earlier this year from Portland, Oregon. She was an attractive blonde I ed the high school. There were a couple small hills with some houses to the left. I got to Seaward. Helle told me to follow Main St. south and across from the mall take Lemon Grove Avenue to Pebble. Then it was 3219. The house was full of Hell's art. She is a Danish woman. Eric is an American. One of their three children, Chippy. A 21-year-old woman with sandy blonde hair and brown eyes that is back to stay until the end of Jan. She was born in Denmark and speaks Danish. She's an artist, a painter and has an accent. Helle does mosaics, welds, stain glass and other forms of art as well. Eric is a scientist. A marine biologist. A doctor in biology to be exact. We had a nice spaghetti dinner. We had apple slices with homemade apricot jam. It was great. I chatted and asked Helle about her art. She does public art. She showed me some pictures. They have a farm out town twenty minutes inland. Now I'm going to bed.

DAY 113- Dec. 22, 2006 MILES WALKED: 9.99 FROM: Ventura, CA (The Todd House) TO: Ventura, CA (The Todd house) $ to FHCRC: 441

I woke up and planned on being halfway to Malibu today, but plans changed. I woke up and Eric made me some oatmeal. Helle made me some hangs. Eric showed me where the radio station. I chatted for a bit then I said my goodbyes after snapping some pictures outside.

I few blocks from the house and I gave Patagonia Inc. a call. I talked with Chipper Bro and he told me to come over and get some food. Maybe they'd have something lying around for me, or maybe not. Something like a pair of underwear. I'd had to walk north a little over three miles to get back there. It was a nice morning. I had packed some food from the Todd's house, so my pack was close to full weight. Right before I got to Patagonia a man from Channel 3 called. He was going to come over and do an interview. The Patagonia campus has a store, daycare, corporate area, and cafeteria. I went to the store first. Then I went to the corporate area and met Chipper. He told me to get some food. I went and grabbed some snacks. After hanging out for a bit I saw the T.V. truck drive by. I went out to me the camera man, Shawn. He filmed me as I walked back to Patagonia. He filmed me talking and answering questions inside the Patagonia cafeteria. The news station has a clip of the segment. Not sure if it'll still be on, but if it is, here is the site: http://www.keyt.com A lady working the cafeteria knew someone who owned a restaurant in Newport Beach, CA. I waited around for that information then I left. I started walking back toward where I woke up this morning. It was around 12:30 when I was back near the mall. I went in to try and get a new cell phone. Well, a new to me cell phone. My after dropping it was in bad shape. There was a Cingular store and then one of those little areas in the middle of the mall. I went there and Ashley was really nice. She had an old fun that didn't work perfect but worked better than mine. She gave it to me. I had to buy a charger. Now I'm back in business. After walking back and forth and around the mall forever, and getting a 5-dollar donation for cancer research it was near 2 p.m. I wouldn't be able to make it far before dark. I gave Helle a call and asked if I could stay another night. She said it was okay. I went back and Chippy and Helle were at the house. Eric was at the far. I hung out and tore Chippy away from here book to ask her about a time travel question. Then, she had to bike downtown to get a book for a friend. She had her bike, and I was going to use her father's. The first problem we ran into was that there was a like around the spoke of one of the wheels and they didn't know the combination

to the lock. We had to use a bolt cutter. Eric, Chippy, and I all tried. Finally, using the ground as a leverage I broke. That brought us to the next problem. The seat needed to be lowered and wouldn't even budge. I ended up taking Helle's bike. It had a basket on the front where I could carry things. We biked to downtown Ventura. That'd be the second time that I would have been there today. She thought her friend may be at the store, so we went a block away. She gave me some money and I ran over and bought the book. I didn't see her friend. I got the book. After that we had some good laughs. Chippy has a really nice laugh, and she likes to use it often. After that we biked down to the waterfront as the sun was setting. As it was getting dark, we made it back to the house. We stopped for drinks. Once I hit a bump and my camera fell out of the cart. I dropped my camera probably about 8 times today. We hung out at the house. Eric cooked his one pot wonder of a dinner. He liked it. Helle had reservations. Chippy and I enjoyed the commentary on how good the meal was, or how things could have been different. It was pork, potatoes, and onions. We missed my segment on the 6 o’clock news, but we saw it without sound on the website. Chippy was going to one of her friend's house to make gingerbread houses. I've never made them. Sorry, but I forget all of her friend's names. Darn. Her friend picked us up. We stopped by the grocery store and got some candy. Frosty, gummy bears, gummy worms, and sour patch kids. There was around ten or twelve people at her friend's house. Nine gingerbread structures got built. At the end of the night there was a vote. A few who build houses left and some people who didn't build houses voted. Chippy thought hers was bad and I felt that mine was bad. One house had seven votes, but she left, and it felt apart as the guy said that that house had seven votes. Chippy and I tied with 5 votes. We had a blow off. I blew on her house and she blew on my house. She blew my house down before I blew her house down. She gave me the pillow type thing and kept the watercolor thing and the other stuff. People started slowly leaving. We a little after 11 p.m. The table in the house was a mess. We said goodbye. When we got home, Eric said he saw my segment on the 11 o’clock news and we just missed that. We were tired and went to bed.

DAY 114-- Dec. 23, 2006 MILES WALKED: 22.84 FROM: Ventura, CA (The Todd's house) TO: Point Mugu, CA (Concrete slab and rock on oceanside of highway) $ to FHCRC: 441

I woke up a little before 6 a.m. and put the last few days’ worth of blogs on. I finished around 6:45. I had a lot of fun hanging out with Chippy yesterday. I think she is real pretty. She has really nice eyes, smile, laugh, and face-- among other things. I wanted to write a poem. I didn't have enough time. So, I wrote a note telling her some of the compliments that I thought. I hid the note in the room I slept in. There was a shelf with a bunch of VHS tapes. I put it in the Jurassic Park box. Then, I hid a note in the Almost Famous movie box telling her to look in the Jurassic Park box. Lastly, I sent her an email telling her that there was a piece of paper for her in the almost famous movie box. After that I packed up. Eric and Helle made me breakfast. Eric made me fresh squeezed orange juice. I had eggs and toast. It was good. After breakfast I took off. I said goodbye to the Todd’s once again. I hugged Hele and Chippy. I shook Eric's hand. Helle said she wouldn't wash my linen in case I ended back up at the house. On this adventure one never knows. On I went underneath the tracks and walked on a bike path past a farm. Then I hit Harborside Rd. That I walked that for a ways. It went by some farms then it went into Oxnard and the harbor. It went by some pretty nice houses. I debated going back to the Todd's house. It was an interesting place, and it would have been fun to hang out with Chippy some more, but my feet walked me out of town. I have a country to walk across, and I need to get past the desert before winter is over.

From Harborside I took the Channel Island road and then the Ventura road and then the Port Hueneme road. The Port Hueneme Road went by a bunch of farms. Before that I was walking through plazas and past apartment buildings. I stopped at the library at Port Hueneme to send my press release to the Malibu paper. Port Hueneme Road brought back to Highway 1. Right before I got to the highway a couple who saw me on the news stopped and gave me 20 dollars for the cause. I hopped on the highway after that. There were mountains to left and an air force or navy base place to the right. I kept walking. The sun was beginning to set. On top of the Mountain were a bunch of white spheres. I figured it was some science equipment or something. I walked another five or six miles. I heard some voices in the hills to my left. I thought I heard someone say help. I stopped. The traffic whizzing by drowned at the voice. I thought I might have a chance to be a hero, until I walked another hundred yards and saw a parking area. The voices were hikers hiking to their cars. No hero time today. I walked past the big rock around Point Mugu. I knew a campground wasn't much further up, but it was dark, and traffic was whizzing by. I found a nice concrete slab to the right of the highway. There was a big x. I figured x marked the spot. I pulled out my sleeping pad and sleeping bag. No one could see me from the road. I didn't think there much shoulder for a car and so a car wouldn't stop. The next morning, I found out that there was. I made a couple of calls and glanced at the stars thinking about how awesome life is. I hatched a big plan tonight that will keep my thoughts busy for a few days. I decided to move to a rock that wasn't fit to sleep on. I slept there till 4 a.m. and then I went back to the concrete slab. I ate food today, but I don't feel like talking about it.

DAY 115-- Dec. 24, 2006

MILES WALKED:26.49 FROM: Point Mugu, CA (Concrete slab and rock on oceanside of highway) TO: Malibu, CA (Eric Todd's parents’ house) $ to FHCRC:441

Today was a textbook Matt Gregory day. I turned a twenty-mile day into 26-mile day, but it was a great day. I woke up a little after 6:15. I saw as the sun rose. It was beautiful, nice orange and pinkish color telling me the son is coming. I left a tad after 7 p.m. I walked up to a campsite on the beach. The concrete slab was twenty feet or much above the water. There were some small sand dunes along the way. The hills to the left. At some points it was fairly steep and a slide area. I stopped at the first campground and filled up my water. I stopped at a campground a little further down. It had some small dunes with some cool trees on it. It was called Sycamore Cove. It might have been a day use only. There was a ranger station there. I charged my cell phone a bit there. I wasn't too observant of my surroundings this morning because I was thinking about my BIG PLAN a lot. I ed a campsite called Leo Carillo. That had a few people camping in it. It was beautiful walk to get there. The highway follows along the water. I walked into Malibu. It's 27 miles of strip city. I ed Neptune’s a restaurant that was closed. I stopped in Zooma Beach and got something to eat. I met two surfers who asked what I was up to. They were up surfer from the L.A. area. I walked past Heathercliff which was my turn off about 3 miles. I ended up getting ahold of Janes Bayes and she directed me to the Todd House. I added about 6 miles or even more there. It was nearing dark. Instead of pressing 1952 into the code box I pressed 152. Jane's son Joe came to help me. My phone wasn't working. The reception was bad, and the battery was getting low. I went over with Joe to the Bayes' house to use the phone. Jane told me to shower up

and have dinner with them. It turned out to be a great dinner. The dinner was awesome. First course was spinach with cheese served with either crab or oyster out of shells. Second course was meat, peppers, mushrooms and many sauces. We cooked it Fondue style. There were two pots of boiling water. One side of the table used one of the pots. The other side of the table used the other side used the other pot. We had little things to put the food on and we cooked it our self. The third course was salad. And the best part of all. The fourth course that filled everyone up. It was desert. The ice cream was served out of orange peels. Some kind of berry ice cream out of a smaller was served from a smaller fruit. There were cookies also. Even the thin family cookie. Jane and Kyle Bayes lived in the house. I ended up showering at the Bayes and eating an elaborate 4 course meal before figuring out the code and returning to the Todd's to set my tent up in a greenhouse type area. Broken rock floor with an overhang with a greenhouse type thing for a roof. Kyle is a retired Chemist prof. from UCLA. Jane teaches political science at a university inland. I forgot which one. Their son's Steve and Joe were there. Steve lives in Berkeley. Joe was accompanied by his wife. They live in Santa Monica. Jane's sister came with her husband and son, Matt. We had two Matts. I guess the Bayes had Grizzly Man for Thanksgiving once. The other Matt lives in L.A. and works for Honda. He goes to the racing events and makes sure the motor is put in correctly and everything is working. The house was on a bluff that looked east overlooking the ocean and east toward L.A. and Santa Monica. In the day light one could see the tall building of L.A. the rest of Malibu and Catalina Island.

DAY 116-- Dec. 25, 2006 MILES WALKED: none FROM: Malibu, CA

TO: Malibu, CA $ to FHCRC: 441

I took today off. I slept in till about 8 a.m. I opened the one present I had. It was from the Todd's. It was a key chain light. It was light and bright. Perfect for a backup. I been packing that around for a couple of days trying to figure out what it was. I walked around Point Dume a bit today. I fought writer's block most of the day and did some writing. I heard someone yell Matt. It was a female voice. I thought, yes god, what do you want. I went to the gate and didn't see anyone. I went back to my area. A few minutes later I heard, Matt Gregory. I went back and then I saw Jane walking away. I opened the gate and caught up to her. She wanted to see if I wanted to come over for lunch. I did. Jane and Kyle were there. Steve, Joe, and his wife...who's name I forgot, were all having tamales for lunch. It was great. After that they would head over to Jane's sisters house for Christmas dinner. I ate and then hung out for a bit afterwards. Then I headed back to the Todd's house. That was around 3:30 p.m. I spent the rest of the day maneuvering around my imagination. I ate some food and then went to bed. I was going to call the Todd's and thank them for the present, but I fell asleep. I talked on the phone with my aunt and a couple of friends. I also did some planning for my big plan.

DAY 117-- Dec. 26, 2006 MILES WALKED: 21.49

FROM: Malibu, CA (The Todd house) TO: Santa Monica, CA (Youth Hostel)

I woke this morning a hair after six a.m. The clouds were dark pink from the morning sun who was showing up for work. So far, I've walking into the center of Malibu. I'm at the library updating my website. I haven't seen a computer since I left the Ventura area. I stopped at Port Hueneme, but that was on the 23rd and I emailed my press release to the Malibu papers. I probably be staying at the Santa Monica Hostel tonight. I walked past the Malibu community today. Many houses that are huge mansions and almost all have gates around them. Sometimes there was a lot of traffic and not much shoulder, but I managed. It is rare if they don't. It was overcast for most of the day. I stopped at the library in the heart of Malibu. Then after that I went and visited the Todd's friend Lena at her bookstore that isn't much further from the Library. After a short visit I was on my way. After I left the bookstore, I was a man on a mission. I didn't want to be walking at night in Santa Monica. Even though it wouldn't be that bad. I met a man at the library in Malibu that painted a gruesome picture of L.A. for me. I got kind of down for a little while this morning. I don't have much money and I'm going into this big city that can be unfriendly. I made my mind up that I'm going to keep up the smile all my face. I made it to Santa Monica. There is a huge expansive beach along Santa Monica that makes it way to the pier. I met a man who was biking. He told me how to get to the hostel. He suggested I called the Santa Monica Daily Press. I did. They called me back later today and will come out and chat with me tomorrow. I talked to the Santa Monica Police station on the pier. Asked about any tips of walking through the city. They didn't have much. Be alert to my surroundings. I walked down walked east from the pier. I caught 2nd St. and right before I got to Santa Monica Blvd. I got to the hostel. I paid my thirty -two dollars and got

room 303--bed 4. I took the stairs up the colorful hallway. Two sides yellow. One red and one blue. I found my room and put my pack in it. I was going to take a shower, but it was being cleaned. I decided to go up to the library to find a place to stay and update what else has happened today. I get to the newly remodeled library. Well, it was remodeled last Jan. I was about to walk up the flight up stair to the second floor to the internet, when I glanced out to a courtyard in the center with tables and a little coffee place. I saw Ike. Ike lives next to my Grandma in Capitola. That is right by Santa Cruz. I was blown away. Ike always has feathers jetting out of his hat. He wears a hat that it is between a hard hat and a fishing hat. I was shocked to see him. I know he goes to San Francisco a lot. For a second, I thought, wait I'm not in San Fran, that can't be Ike. Sure, enough it was. 76-year-old Ike wearing his red shirt, green tie, and his hat is sitting down with his brother, Sam. Sam is 83. He's a painter and lives in L.A. To wake up this morning and wander into this city and somehow, I see someone I know. Ike is in town for a couple days and is staying at a hotel. His brother dropped off us at Fritto Mistos, an Italian restaurant. Ike had a big lunch and didn't eat. He had coffee. He wanted to buy me dinner. I had the chicken marsala and chocolate caked for dessert. After dinner Ike walked me back to my hostel afterwards. We said our goodbyes and then I left. I dropped off my cake in the dark room. Yuki my Japanese roommate was asleep. He was in bed when I arrived. Now I head back to the library to update my site and work on a place to stay for tomorrow. The reporter, Melody, called me and I had to find a corner of the library to answer the call. She'll come out in the morning and talk some. If anything, noteworthy happens the rest of the night I'll let you know. The plan is to go to REI and see if they know anywhere to camp, and then maybe walk around 3rd Street some. Then go back and shower up.

DAY 118-- Dec. 27, 2006

MILES WALKED: 3.29 FROM: Santa Monica, CA (Hostel) TO: Santa Monica, CA (Hostel) $ to FHCRC: 441

I woke this morning around 7 a.m. I knew that Melody the reporter from the Santa Monica Daily Press would be calling around 9. I found a place to camp about 22 miles south in Redondo Beach. There is only one problem. They are closed on Wednesdays for irrigation. That meant that I couldn't go there today. A writer that I met between Leggett and Eureka and who I saw again in San Francisco, had a cousin. His cousin, Roger, lives in West Hollywood. I called Roger last night. He never got Ricardo's message and it was kind of awkward. I called and told him my story. He mentioned how I could possibly stay. He had to work at 3 p.m. It was off my walking route and I could take another means of transportation as long I resumed my walk where it left off. I checked out of the hostel around 9 a.m. I was walking to the library when I saw that I missed Melody's call. She called back. We decided to meet up at the pier. I got there right before she did. She snapped some pictures and she interviewed me. After that I walked back to the library. I gave Roger a call. He told me I could take a bus down to his place. I started thinking and I wanted to get an early start and I wouldn't want Roger to have get up early or worry about having to find some other means of transportation to where I resumed. I didn't know exactly how far away he was, and it was kind of late now, around 10:30 and it might have been out of walking range. Also, Redondo from his place would have been more milage. I decided to stay at the hostel again. In the meantime, I hung out and wrote in the library. I looked up and saw Joe. Joe Bayes who I met in Malibu. He a blonde hair and a beard. He was getting some books and videos. Around 2:30 pm I checked back into the hostel. I walked around the 3rd street promenade for a while and wondered around other parts of town. I saw one of the actors of Mad T.V. The tall lanky guy who plays the young boy sometimes. I

don't know the actor’s name. I went back to the hostel to do some laundry. Now I'm going back at the library doing my blog and adding some pictures to the site. I'll probably walk around a bit more when I'm done and then head back to write in my journal and work on a short story. Tomorrow I'll be heading down to Redondo Beach. I'll probably walk the beach down.

DAY 119-- DEC. 28, 2006 MILES WALKED: 25.07 FROM: Santa Monica, CA (Hostel) TO: Torrance, CA (Jessica's house) $ to FHCRC: 446

Today was sunny and windy. I walked most of the day along the waterfront. Like many other times I ended up staying somewhere other than I planned. The Daily Breeze, a Torrance, CA paper, did an article. Here's the link. http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/5035666.html I left the Santa Monica hostel right around 7 a.m. I started walking at a good pace. I walked down to the Santa Monica pier and got on the bike path. There isn't a whole lot on the beach in Santa Monica. When I got into Venice there were more buildings built right along the beach. Venice had a lot of shops and houses. There was muscle beach. An outdoor weight training facility. There was an unmarked cop car slowly crawling through doing there morning rounds.

Many homeless were up and settling in for the day. I wanted to get to Redondo Beach. They have a Wilderness Park there that almost none knows about. It is the only place on the L.A. coast to pitch a tent. After the Venice there is only nice places along the water in Marina Del Rey. Shortly after Venice the path stops as I walked into Marina Del Rey and I didn't want to walk on the sand. I cut to a street that paralleled the beach. And there is a harbor. It is fairly good sized. I stopped and called the Daily Breeze and left a message with a reporter, Kirsten. I had to walk around the harbor and caught a bike path on the south side of the harbor that went over a bike/walk bridge and brought me back to the beach and Dockweiler State beach. It was pretty windy now. Sections of the bike path had sand over it. I could see planes taking off. L.A.X. was to my left. I saw a couple big ships off the coastline. The reporter from the paper called me and we planned on meeting in Redondo. We planned for around 2 p.m. It was windy, but still a beautiful day. Toward the end of Dockweiler State Beach is El Segundo. There is a big steam plant there. I walked past Manhattan Beach, where there were houses again against the beach. In Hermosa Beach a man jogged up next to me. He mentioned how I was making good time. It was 12:30 or 1 and I had walked 17.50 miles. Mark was a nice guy. His mother ed on from cancer in November. He asked if I needed water or food. Food sounded good. Mark lived a block and a half off the strand. He jogged at my pace. We walked the block and a half to his apartment. His wife is the manager of that apartment complex and another complex. He had a room where he makes wine. He had his guitars in another room. He is Joe Strummer fan, so we talked some music. He whipped up a sandwich and soup. He gave me a sandwich, string cheese, and hard-boiled eggs for the road. We chatted for a bit and then I hit the road. Mark was in his thirties somewhere. Once I crossed the street, he lived on I'd be in Redondo Beach. He walked me down to the end of the block. We said our goodbyes and hit the road. I didn't walk back to the bike path, I walked down Harbor Dr. I saw Ruby's, a burger t, Kristin mentioned that place. I gave her a call and told her that I was there. About twenty minutes later she showed up. We sat down at a table outside. We chatted while we drank a soda. After twenty-thirty minutes of chatting the photographer showed up. After the check was settled, we walked over to the middle of Harbor Dr. The photographer, Sean, wanted to get the yellow line in

the shot. There was a wireless flash that Kristin held the flash on me. With all three of us out there as traffic went by made for a spectacle. I said goodbye to them and walked up Harbor. I didn't have far to go. The Wilderness Park is on the edge of Redondo and Torrance. I walked up Torrance Blvd. and took a right on Camino Real. That took me to the Alta Vista Racquet Center. That is where I had to go to pay for the camping spot. That is when I met Jessica. We chatted about what I was doing for a bit. She wasn't going to charge me the five dollars. She goes to school down in UC Irvine. I wrote down my website and phone number in case she happened to know someone south that I might be able to stay. She mentioned that I could shower up at her place. She didn't get off till nice. Before I left, he gave me forty dollars for food or whatever I needed. I left and walked the two blocks down Camino Real to the Wilderness Park. I went through the gate. In a little chunk of forest surrounded by city. It is free to use in the day. There are three areas to camp. Between the Racquet center and there I lost the paperwork. There is a combination to get in the gate. As I was going to set my tent up, I needed to walk back. On the walk back I missed a call from Jessica. I got back to the racquet center and talked to her. She talked to her roommate and they didn't mind if I crashed at their place. Jessica is twenty and grew up in the Redondo. Her parents moved down to San Diego after she graduated high school. I hung out with her till about 7:30. People came in and checked into the tennis courts. A person or two played racquet ball. She lived about 3 miles away in Torrance. I left when she had about an hour left of work so that I could walk to her and get there about the same time as when she drove over after work. We arrived around the same time. I only had a few streets to walk on. I took a left on Prospect, right on Torrance, and then a left on Aimee Av. She made some pesto and pasta. It was good. We walked down to the store that was four blocks away. Her roommates are a couple. The girl is in New Zealand and the boy never showed up. We stayed up to about 2a.m. watching Michel Gondry's music videos and listening to music. Earlier at the racquet center we tried finding place for me to stay tomorrow. No luck. The hostel in Huntington Beach got sold earlier this year. The only camping is R.V. Today was another example of planning on staying somewhere and something to

happen and having something else pop up. I don't know what my plan is for tomorrow is. There is a big gap between Torrance and Dana Point. I think once I get past Long Beach it'll be fine.

DAY 120- DEC. 29, 2006 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: Torrance, CA (Jessica's house) TO: Torrance, CA (Jessica's house) $ to FHCRC: 446

I woke up around 8 this morning. I had a good night’s sleep on the couch. Shortly thereafter Jessica woke up. She went and got two copies of The Daily Breeze. I was planning on taking today off to see if maybe somehow someone would come through with a place to stay. I spent an hour and half putting Day 119 journal entry online. Jessica drove me around L.A. a bit. We drove to downtown, Hollywood, Beverley Hills, and then came back. We got some pizza in Torrance. We took it down to a park in Redondo Beach. It was windy. Fighter fighters and paramedics had an elderly woman on a stretcher. It didn't seem like anything serious. The best part of our drive came next. We drove out on the peninsula, Palos Verdes and then through San Pedro. We stopped a few vista points. It was a pretty clear day, and we could L.A. and downtown. A could view of the city. One had a flight of stairs down to a rocky beach that had some tide pools. First, we climbed in a tree that was at the top of the park, then we made the descent down to the tidepools. We saw some crabs carrying the shell and a slug type thing in shells. It wasn't low tide, so we couldn't walk that far out on the rocks. The sun was getting ready to drop behind the horizon. We got back to her car and went to a park further down. It is next to a hostel that is closed for the season. There is a big bell up there from Korean city. It has a nice structure that covers it. There

were some colorful flowers along the walkway leading to the bell. Like earlier, we could see Catalina Island. The sun set and the wind a blowing. After that we went back to Jessica's place. Jessica looks a lot like Jennifer Love Hewitt if you ask me. I did some laundry, and we got some dinner. After that we hung out chatting and such. Around midnight we both went to bed. I need to walk tomorrow. I might go to Bolsa Chica State Beach. They have a R.V. camping spot, but no tents. I might see if there is somewhere to sleep in my bag or not. From Malibu to Dana Point the Wilderness Park is all there is for camping.

DAY 121-- DEC. 30, 2006 MILES WALKED: 27.84 FROM: Torrance, CA Jessica's house) TO: Huntington Beach Area, CA (Bolsa Chica Refuge) $ to FRCRC: 496

Today went better than I imagined. However, I didn't realize they patrolled the beach so heavily at Bolsa Chica. It ended up alright after it was all said and done. I was about twenty-five miles to the state beach, but by the time I found a spot to sleep it was nearly a twenty-eight-mile day. The weather was warm and sunny. I got up around 6 a.m. and put yesterday's journal entry online. A little after 7 a.m. Jessica woke up. We had some cereal. Then she had to go to work, and I had to walk across the country. She walked me out to the street. We said our goodbyes and hugged. It's always saying goodbye to people on the trip. I walked down Aimee Ave. to Torrance Blvd. I got on Hawthorn and that took me back to PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). I ed a couple big hotels in Torrance. On the

way out of Torrance I ed a couple of nice car lots and shopping plazas. It wasn't long before I was going through an area that wasn't so good. It stayed that way until I got to the end of Long Beach. I don't know if the area was Carson or Wilmington. It can be tough to tell in L.A. when you go from one town to the next. Long Beach is a very busy port. I could see downtown for much of the day, but never made it over that way. One of the overes on the way went over a big rail yard. There was a huge stack of containers near the yard. Crossed a couple bridges on the way to Long Beach. There was an area with a good amount of oil activity. Right when I got to the Long Beach sign, a van was parked on left side. It was Matt McMullen and his son. Matt saw my article in the paper. He didn't read it, but just scanned it. He asked me some questions. He gave me four dollars for Gatorade or something. I saw a lot of Jack in the Box restaurants today. PCH for the most part had been lined with liquor stores, shops, and restaurants. Most of the budlings weren't in that good of shape. At Signal Hill in Long Beach, things became nicer. After the hill there was a huge roundabout. It wasn't pedestrian friendly. I slowly maneuvered my way to a sidewalk on the other side. It wasn't long that the sidewalk ended. Going with traffic there was a trail next to a golf course. At one point I was walking right alongside the fence. A man, Marty, asked me what I was doing. He was older gentleman riding his golf cart. We chatted for a minute. He pulled out his wallet and yanked a fifty-dollar bill. There were two fences between us. One was more of a net to keep the golf balls out and the other was a chain link. He got the fifty through the first net and then it fell to the ground. I recovered it. 50 dollars for cancer research. That was a nice boost for the cause and brought the total near 500 dollars. I kept walking. I ed another golf course on my left a way down the road. Then I walked past over another bridge with the harbor on my right, and one more bridge took me over the San Gabriel and out of L.A. county and into Seal Beach and Orange County. I walked through Seal Beach. It seemed like a nice area. Then I crossed the Anaheim Bay and was into Surfside and Sunset Beach. At the edge of Sunset Beach, I got to Bolsa Chica State Beach. It was around 3:30 p.m. when I got there. I gave Eric Todd's cousin a call. His cousin lives in Dana Point. I called down and talked to John's wife Marilyn. That part of the family knows Eric by Rick. She thought I said Todd’s also. Eric hadn't got a hold of them either, so it

made for an awkward conversation. I called Eric. He called them and the Grindley's were busy. Eric left a message saying that another cousin in Dana Point might like to put me up and that I should phone in the morning. I walked along the beach. There is an R.V campground. I plugged my cell phone in there. The battery was almost empty. I sat at the beach and watched the sunset. I had a great view of Catalina Island. There were a couple of oil rigs out there. I saw a MetLife blimp fly by. The beach was patrolled heavily by lifeguards and state park guys. I figured it'd be difficult to find a spot. The beach was busy. Across the highway was the Bolsa Chica State Refuge. I saw people hiking over there. There is bay over there. I also saw a bridge. It was across from the main entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach. After dark I decided that might be my best bet. No lights and no one over there. Figured their attention would be on the beach where all the people were out. There were some lifeguard towers, but to many people driving around. Around 6:30 a helicopter flied around with a light and it flew really close to the beach. You know the information signs that show the bay and what fish or birds are in it. Well, I hit under one of those for a while. Okay I need to back up. There was a wooden bridge that went from a parking lot across the bay/lake to the trails on the other side. It was only for pedestrians. I pulled out my sleeping bag and sleeping pad. I started underneath the information sign. Then I decided to sleep on the bridge. The bridge is fairly long and isn't straight. Then at 10:30 the helicopter was back. It’s kind of randomly flew around. I got my backpack and went underneath the bridge. It was sand under there. There wasn't much room under there. If I turned sideways, I might bump it. I spent the night under there. Now I can I say that I've slept under a bridge. It was a good bridge to sleep under.

DAY 122-- Dec. 31, 2006 MILES WALKED: 27.93 FROM: Huntington Beach Area, CA (Bolsa Chica Refuge)

TO: Dana Point, CA (John and Marjorie Haney) $ to FHCRC: 524

I got up and went back to sleeping on the bridge. It was around 5:45 a.m. At 6 a.m. people started pulling into the refuge parking lot. No one was walking down the bridge. By 6:15 I was walking out of there. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't all that chilly. I walked from Bolsa Chica to Dana Point. Walked from 6:15 till about 5:00 p.m. I had a piece on my backpack break. My shoulder strap has a clip. The clip goes into a plastic piece that has two different holes so that I can adjust it. The plastic piece broke. I walked the bike path this morning into Huntington Beach. At the pier there I got on the PCH and walked the sidewalk. Not much of Huntington Beach is on the beach. Some hotels and a few houses. A couple restaurants. There are some oil pump arms. Before I knew it, I was in Newport Beach. I was expecting to see more of Huntington Beach. In Newport Beach I stopped at the Newport Burger. I got some pancakes. A little girl who was eating with her mother and grandparents has cancer. The grandfather saw the sign on my backpack when they were outside after paying. He came in and gave me 5 dollars for cancer research. Moments later, the young girl, maybe 6, came in and came me three dollars. They left before I got name or more information. Seeing a little girl who had some cancer really brought home the value of what I'm doing. I went across the street to get some water. A man who was in the restaurant came over gave me 20 dollars for cancer research. Today was a 28-dollar day. Newport Beach was bigger than I thought. I walked by a harbor crossed a bridge and then walked with wooded hills to my left and mainly houses to my right. To my left I could see the tall buildings of downtown Newport. I stopped at park in Newport and took a little break. After Newport I was walking through Corona Del Mar. That is when the plastic piece on my backpack broke. However, I could still use it. There was still the shoulder strap, just he shoulders harness/pad thing was loose. I managed. After Corona Del Mar was the Crystal Cove State park. I walked the paved path through the park. It has sage brush and is on bluffs overlooking the ocean. Then I got back on the

highway and it went downhill to a nice beach and then uphill into Laguna Beach. Gated communities in the begging. Then back downhill to the main beach. It was packed with people. Walking on the beach and in the shops. I walked back up hill. Then there was a gap with less people and then at the next stoplight there were more people again. Then I walked through South Laguna and that left me with about 6 miles to Dana Point. Once in Dana Point, I turned left on Niguel and right on Stone Hill. When I was on Stone Hill John pulled over and saw me. I had about a mile left. Walked down Stone Hill. Left on Golden Lantern. Left on Acapulco. Right on Christine. I got there right about five. I met Marjorie, Blythe, and John--again. I took a shower. When I was done. Steve and Beth-Ann were over. Steve was an old deputy Sherriff in the area. John works between Dana Point and L.A. A linen wholesaler. He used to live in Glendale. Marjorie teaches at a Christian school that is nearby. Shortly thereafter, John and Marilyn Grindley showed up. That was the first place that Eric was going to see if I could stay at. John Grindley and Marjorie are siblings. John works in a fabrication shop up in L.A. Steve and John Grindley told stories off time past and trouble they got into. Steve was a character. After he got out of high school, he we worked his way around the work. Saved up money and went to Australia, and then save up money there and went to New Zealand. He got sick in India and ended up at a hospital in the U.K before coming home. Recently he went to China. I guess he has a list of things to do. It was an early night. Steve and Beth-Ann took off a little before 8. John and Marilyn just before 9 a.m. John, Marjorie, and I went to be around 10. I had a long day and couldn't stay awake any longer. I would be celebrating the New Year in sleep. I think I dreamt a good dream.

DAY 123-- Jan. 1, 2007 MILES WALKED:17.90 FROM: Dana Point, CA (The Haney House) TO: Lazy W Ranch Road (12 miles east of San Juan Capistrano)

$ to FHCRC: 524

I woke up and put the last two days’ worth of journals on my website. Today is the first day of my fifth month and I'll be turning east. After four months of walking, I'll be turning east. I didn't really have plans. I thought there might be a campground in San Juan Capistrano. My friend Tom from Bellingham flew down to San Diego with his girlfriend Yuko. They would be driving up to L.A. to watch the Rose Bowl today. Tom has a package from another friend. I called Tom. He planned on meeting me after the game was over. Marjorie told me that Capers Wilderness Park was only seven miles on the other side of San Juan. I was planning on going there. Around 10 a.m. John drove me down to the Pacific and I jumped in. I saved my jump into the Pacific for the furthest point south that I would be. It was a little chilly and I jumped in and out as John filmed me. Prior to taking me to the beach John gave me a little tour of Dana Point. Some land that is on a bluffed peninsula that is being developed now. John and Marjorie have lived in the area for 34 years. John has battle with cancer. It started as colon cancer, then a little spread to the kidney. He does chemo and still works fine. I think the colon cancer was taken care of. After my brief swim we went back to John's house. I dried my wet clothes and read a short story. After that I got everything together and took off. I left around noon. The plastic piece that broke on my pack is still broken. The piece has two slots for my shoulder strap to attach to. I could make do. John and Marjorie took a picture of me and I took a picture of them, and I was off. I walked back to Stone Hill and took a right and headed down toward the freeway. I stopped at the Albertson's and got some super glue. I got some of it on my fingers and it didn't work on the broken piece. I walked past a park of over a creek bed. Both sides of the creek have sloped concrete walls and bike/hike paths. I took a left there and that took me to San Juan. I asked around in San Juan and they gave me the directions to the Ortega Highway. I would be taking that east to Lake Elsinore. Lake Elsinore would be a two-day trip. The Dana Point/San Juan area has hills all over the place. I got on Ortega Highway. There was shoulder at first and then that run out as I walked past the residential area.

After that there wasn't much. The Rancho Mission Viejo. There was a ton of motorcycles traveling the road on the beautiful sunny day. The road didn't have much shoulder, but there was usually somewhere to walk to the side. It had a steady flow of traffic. It was pretty as I began to climb into the Ortega Mtns. I got to Casper Wilderness Park around 4:30. They wanted 27 dollars. 12 of that was for a first night processing fee. I explained what I was doing and even offered to pick up trash. That didn't matter. The man told me about the Lazy W Ranch road five miles up the road. I filled up my water bladder and took off. A little way down the road I called my 9-year-old brother and had him Google the phone number of the place so I could suggest they have a hiker/biker area. Shortly thereafter it got dark. I turned on my lights. I ed the Nicholas Institute. Not sure what they do there, but it's in the middle of nowhere. At the Lazy W Ranch road there is a sign for the Lazy W Ranch camp. There is San Juan National Forest Service Station right off the Highway there. I walked down the Lazy W road a ways. I was beginning to get out of cell range and Tom was going to track me down. I thought about going down to the ranch camp but ended off the side of the road. It was a nice flat spot about 20 feet above the road. Some stars were out and it nearly a full moon. A beautiful night. I had my tent set up around 7:30. Tom called before 8 and they would be about 1.5 to 2 hours. Yuko called me about 9:15 and they just got off I-5. Tom showed up with the package from my Bellingham friend Ryan. Ryan sent down plastic tips for my trekking poles. A reflective band and hand warmers were also included. Tom brought some food. Some ramen and cliffs bars. Also, some snack candy and chips. That wasn't by design, but they happened to have that with them. It was awesome seeing someone I knew, a buddy from Bellingham, on my first day east. They stayed at chatted with me. I showed them some of my things and told some stories. Tom was stoked on how far I've come. They left and I was all alone once again. My right shoulder was pretty sore. The piece has started to take its toll. It was a good night. It was pretty warm. On the walk earlier I got some really warm winds, and then one cold breeze.

DAY 124-- Jan 2, 2007 MILES WALKED:19.25 FROM: Lazy W Ranch Road (12 miles east of San Juan Capistrano) TO: Lake Elsinore, CA (Lake Elsinore City Campground) $ to FHCRC: 524

Today I danced down a dangerous road. The craziest thing that I've seen so far. No shoulder and a lot of curves. The river of traffic is what makes it bad. One man joked about a sign that would say: Used Car Parts next 22 miles. That kind of sums up that road. Many people drive it daily and there are a lot of accidents up there. One a week or something. I saw a lot of car debris. The treacherous walk was rewarded with a sweet view of an expansive valley with a foothill range behind and larger mountain ranges even further in the distance. My right shoulder was really sore this morning. I made my way back down the Lazy W road and got back on to the Ortega Highway and headed east. It wasn't long before I got into the Cleveland National Forest. It was slow go most the day and especially right off the bat. It went one mile the first hour. Then I had to cross small bridge that had no shoulder. The traffic coming toward were coming out of a corner. Traffic going with me had a little tiny straight stretch. I spent about ten minutes wondering how the heck I'm going to go across it. This road had a lot of traffic. I counted a string of 20 cars once that came toward me. Most of them were packs of 6 or 7. Finally I waited until it was quit. I ran across with traffic since they had more visibility. Once across I darted back to the outside of the corner and resumed walking into traffic. I made it across with no cars coming. That was amazing. This stretch of the Ortega is one that needs to be walked slowly. I would walk into traffic. This road had too much traffic to walk the outside corner. Too dangerous to cross the road. I would usually step to the other side of the guard rail when I car came. I had good visuals of what was coming at me. It was beautiful country. The mountains with rocks and brush. In the creek ravine there were some trees. Some had big orange leaves. There were trees with big orange leaves where I camped. Once I got into Riverside county

and left Orange county there were more trees along the road. I ed a National Forest campground. I forgot the name. Then I stumbled by the Ortega Country Candy Store. Next to it was the Ortega RV park and Campground. Across the road was the San Juan Trail Loop. I kept going. Today I climbed up to 2,600. It never fell that bad. I ed the 2,000 miles sign and made my way to El Carson Village. There was a little store and bar. A few houses and not much else. It was at the 2,600 elevation. It was real pretty. The mountains were poking up all over. They were covered with rocks and brush. I could look back and see mountains everywhere I turned. It was another warm and sunny day. I stopped at the store in El Cariso Village. The man working behind the counter was a short older man with some stubble. He joked around a lot. He joked about the sign of used car parts. After that I ed two more National Forest campground and a Forest Service fire station, then, I begin my six miles descent down into the valley toward Lake Elsinore. At first, I saw a town north of Elsinore and the foothills with the larger mountain range behind that. Then I went further and there was the huge valley with Lake Elsinore shining her beauty. I could see the large area that had a few valleys but seemed like one big overall valley. I could see where the park I would be staying was. The road goes down about 1,300 feet over the next 6 miles. The road follows the Mountain Range south climbing it way down and then starts to turn and make a sweeping circle and then it toward the very bottom the road heads north. I went to the Lake Elsinore City Campground. I pulled out my paper articles and showed Nile. Rocky Mountain Recreation Company runs the park. He let me throw up my tent for free and told me to mention them. I gladly agreed. I set up my tent around 4:30. It was a couple hundred yards from the lake. A chain link was between the lake and me. It was pretty. There were some palm trees and a couple of types of trees. Its full moon was out and lit up the night. I had a chance to charge my cell phone and what not. It was a good day. I lived. I was rewarded with a beautiful view toward the end of my day. I got to glance at the valley and the lake the last six miles down to the town. I got to throw my tent up for free. I made a couple calls and talked to some friends. Day two of my eastward voyage I'm by a lake with awesome weather and a near 20-mile day in the books.

DAY 125-- Jan 3, 2007 MILES WALKED:30.94 FROM: Lake Elsinore, CA (Lake Elsinore City Campground) TO: Temecula, CA (random spot) $ to FHCRC: 524

Today was a pretty cool day. For a moment a little hectic. Still don't know where I'm going to stay. Maybe a city park. Might be able to roll out the sleeping bag and go unseen to other people. I stopped by Gregory Backpacks and they fixed my pack. I met Wayne Gregory, the founder of Gregory Backpacks. I got a tour of their area. I met with Hope from the Press-Enterprise. I woke up this morning and planned on going to Temecula and trying to make a visit to Gregory. I didn't know where they were located. I have no idea where I'm going to sleep tonight. I walked through a couple of towns on the way to Temecula. I went back on the Ortega Highway and took Grand Ave. That took me to Lakeland Village, which some I guess consider Lake Elsinore. That took me into Wildamor and there I took Central Ave. to Palomar, which took me to the almost 100,000 town of Murrieta. Lakeland and Wildamor weren't nothing special. They were really that nice. Just some houses. Some road work going on. I stopped at a plaza between the two places and called The Press-Enterprise. Hope called me back right when I got onto Central Ave. She wanted to know what time that I would be getting into Temecula and when I'd be at Gregory Backpacks. I called my dad. I had him get the number for Gregory Backpacks. Dave Egan, the Northwest Rep. for Gregory, sent me an email. My dad checked my email. It was all kind of last minute. I called Gregory myself. They said they'd be able to fix it. I talked with Leah in customer service. She gave me Dave Egan's office number. I called and talked to Valerie. She called Gregory too to get some more info.

I ended up making a 4 o’clock appointment with Hope to meet at the Temecula Library. I walked through historic Murrieta with its old buildings. It wasn't very long, just a half mile or so. There were tumble weeds and the everything. The whole day I could look and see the mountains around. I took Ivy St. from Historic Murrieta to Jefferson St. Jefferson St. would deliver me to Gregory Backpacks. I missed a call from Valerie saying the person that sews at Gregory leaves at 3:30. I needed to b-line my way over. I made it to Gregory shortly after 2 p.m. Leah met in the reception area. She was going to carry my pack back, but it was too heavy. We went through the office area and walked through storage areas and repair areas to a back room where two ladies worked. I unloaded my bag and Maria went to work to fix the broken piece. First, she took the broken piece off. George, another member of the customer service called me. He printed off some background info on Gregory. He was a guy in his twenties. He showed me around and took me upstairs to Research and Design area. We also went by Wayne's office. He dropped me off at Mark Thibodeau’s office. He worked in Research and Design. He wanted to know what I what to know. I told him basically just a tour. He was happy to show me around. We dropped into Wayne's office. I was kind of hoping to meet Wayne. He hikes and had a buddy who walked from Washington D.C. to L.A over the course of 4 years. Then the friend walked from San Diego to Alaska. His buddy started offer to write weekly articles for papers for a small fee. Gregory gave me a water bladder, buckles, straps, and some rope. It was an awesome visit. Life is awesome. The people at Gregory were awesome and I got a heck of a pack that's back to a hundred percent. After that George gave me directions to the new library in Temecula. I made it just before 4 p.m. I was thinking about how awesome the timing was. Then about 4:15 Hope and asks where I was at. I guess there is two libraries, and she was thinking about the other one. Oh well. She came over to the new library and we sat down and had a nice interview. It was dark when she was done. Then I got online and used two one-hour guests es at the library. Even then I wasn't done. I walked over to Kinko's which is where I'm at and it was about 4 miles. It's now close to 9 p.m. I have nowhere to stay. There is no campground. I probably wander around until I find somewhere that seems okay. Probably a park. I'll pull out my sleeping bag and get a good night sleep. Well, I got my backpack fixed today. Met Wayne Gregory and saw where all the

magic happens. I really got lucky because I love my backpack. I wouldn't want another one. I got an interview with the paper. Now I get the adventure of finding a place to sleep. Maybe I'll go to the police station and see if they'll let me stay. I walked back toward the library. Between the library and the church was an area they cleared probably for a new building. That hill had some bushes and not much. I found a spot to set my tent up where no one could really see it. It was around 11:30 p.m. before I got things set up.

DAY 126-- Jan. 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 20.98 FROM: Temecula, CA TO: Aguanga, CA (Scott's house) $ to FHCRC: 526

Well, I was pretty tired from yesterday. The fog rolled in and blanketed Temecula. I got up early and started my walk. I had about three miles to walk to get to Highway 79. Then I would begin my journey from Temecula to Indio. I would be going over a mountain range. I left Temecula with no idea where I'd be staying, and I walked into the town of Aguanga, and a stranger took me in. The night finished with a late-night adventure for sage brush shortly before going to bed. It was a beautiful day for walking as the fog gave way to the sun. I got up and packed up my things while the fog rolled in. I started walking at 7 a.m. or somewhere around that time. I walked three miles east and south to get to the highway. Once on the highway I was eastward bound. I walked past new plazas and fast-food ts as I walked out of Temecula. It was a while before I got out of town. Then once out of town I begin to slowly climb uphill into the high country. I didn't much. A couple of artists retreats and ranches before Vail Lake. Around Vail Lake. The west side had a R.V. place and there was an east entrance to the lake. The mountains were in the view. A lot of brush and

such. I walked on a dirt bike trail that ran along the road for a while. Not much shoulder once I was past the city limits. As I climbed higher the hills had cool rocks on them. Big rocks. On my right were the higher mountains. There was a prairie or two, but many prairies around here. I stopped at a little store in Aguanga. It as the junction off 79 that has a road that goes to Hemet. I kept going straight. It was nearing 5 p.m. and that meant that darkness was lurking. I saw the Stagecoach. It was a restaurant/market/bar. I went in and people saw my sign. Some of the people in the town took me under their wing. They didn't want me going out and walking on that road after dark. They told me I should just pitch my tent behind the restaurant and over the fence. Bill, a man with long hair who must be in his forties, bought me a couple of drinks. He works down at the rock quarry. They can make cement there and they truck to all over the county. His son-in law, Jesse, was also there. Bill also gave me ten dollars to get breakfast the next day. It was a small community, and everyone knew everyone. Jerri, who was also a patron, bought me dinner. I had two tacos with beans and rice. It was awesome. Jerri didn't want me to find out that she bought the food, but I did. I hung and charged my cell phone and chatting with the locals. Scott came in later. He played pool with Jesse for a while, and he sat down. He had long brown hair in a ponytail. He wore a cowboy hat and boots. What I was doing came up. He thought that was cool. It started to rain outside. Which was just a light sprinkle. They don't get much precipitation in these necks of the woods. Scott said he had a van with a pull-out bed if I wanted to crash. I thought, heck yes, I would. Scott's buddy Darwin stopped by. Scott works setting tiles in Idyllwild. Idyllwild has snow now. Idyllwild is about 50 minutes away his house. Scott's an artist. He showed me some of his mosaics when we got back to his place. We left the Stagecoach around 7:30. Darwin had a song he wrote, and he sung some of the lyrics as we walked out. I walked from the Stagecoach to Scott's house. Darwin would drive up and wait for me. Once we there we hung out and chatted. Darwin is an artist. He does paintings and such. I guess he painted some murals of musicians. He had a lot of energy and had a lot of far out theories.

I got a much-needed shower at Scott's. I met his Dad, Ken, who saw me earlier in the day. He could tell that I was up to something. We hung talking and chatting. Darwin had his theories. I enjoyed them, even if I couldn't understand what he was talking about. Scott showed me a lot of his records. Scott is really into country music. He goes to a lot of shows. Around 10 p.m. Darwin wanted to go get some sage brush. It was just after the light rain. That is supposed to be the best time. I put my headlamp on. I left with Darwin with trekking pole in hand. We walked down some dirt roads behind the house. We saw some sage bushes. The best ones were higher up. Darwin and I went up and he picked a flower off. We heard some kind of noise. I didn't know what it was. I picked a flower from a bush that was closer to the road. We walked further down the road. We hear the noise again. We weren't sure if it was a snake telling us not to come any closer or what. On the way back we had to give something back for what we took. I had nothing. Darwin had nicotine gum. We figured that could replace tobacco. After that we wandered home. I slept on a futon pad. Darwin slept on the couch. I fell asleep to an instructional video on how to build dirt houses.

DAY 127-- Jan. 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22.57 FROM: Aguanga, CA (Scott's house) TO: Anza, CA (Tumbleweed Restaurant) $ to FHCRC: 551

Today I left Scott's place shortly after he left for work. It was up hill most all of the day as I climbed around 2,000 feet and found myself in Anza. I stopped into the Tumbleweed restaurant and Bar to get out of the wind. There was a blistering cold wind for most of the day. Once again, someone, Wendy, took me in. I

lucked out and didn't have to sleep out in my tent in the cold. Instead, I had to hang out at a house that where her brother Vance had a birthday party. I stayed up pretty late. I collected twenty-five dollars for cancer research today. In-between Aguanga and Anza is the Cahuilla Indian Reservation. From Scott's house I had around 3 or 4 miles left on Highway 79. Then I took a left on Highway 371. It was mostly uphill. The hills had lot of rocks all over them. It was pretty cool. Then it flattened out around Cahuilla. I stopped by the Casino. It was really windy. Cold wind. I used the money that Bill gave me for breakfast and used that for lunch. Around Cahuilla its level and there are prairies. Not as many rocks as when I was leaving Aguanga. The road was windy and had little shoulder. I'd have to step off to the side as cars would go by. In Anza I ed a 4,000-elevation sign. It was more uphill when I came to Anza. It a spread-out town and there is the Anza Valley. A lady who worked for National Park stopped and gave me five dollars. I think she phoned the paper also. A little further down the road Cindy Davis, a reporter, stopped. It was so windy that I sat inside her car as she interviewed me. She works for the Anza Valley Outlook. The paper also does the American Standard, which goes to all 50 states. It has nice prairies. At the north edge with four miles left of 371. I stopped in at the Tumbleweed. It was a restaurant and bar. People saw my sign and asked me about what I was doing. Richard Cessna an older man gave me twenty dollars. His buddy and him were going back to San Diego from Palm Springs. That is also when I met Wendy. She worked as a dishwasher in the restaurant. She bought me some dinner. I had a burger and fries. She said that I could stay at her place. She said it was her and her brother. He'd being turning 22 today. They moved over from Hemet. She wanted to walk to her friend’s house and get a ride to her place. I figured that I'd pause my walk at the restaurant. We walked a quarter mile to her friend's house. Then Tim in his black Ford pick-up gave a ride up the hill to Wendy's trailer. Wendy is 27 and likes the small town. She's nice but unconfident. She had some young friends come over. They were into rap. Not even that good of rap. Over the course of the night, I Wendy and I didn't seem to talk a whole lot. I chatted with her friends, but we didn't have much in common. Her brother showed up later. Then the younger group left for a while. Then some of Vance,

Wendy's brother, had some friends over. Chard (short of Richard) was one of them. He lives in Anza. His brother was with them. His brother was pretty drunk and wanted to destroy things. He had one girl punch him the face a couple of times. I talked with Chard. He was stoked on what I was doing. We exchanged numbers and he said he'd be going to Texas in a couple weeks. He'll give me a call and we'll meet up. There must have been about ten-fifteen people over. Things started dying out around 3. I must have fell asleep then or shortly thereafter. I had a long day of walking in cold wind. It was a long day and once again I was taken in by a stranger. It turned out to a birthday party night at the house. I met some people and had a warm place to stay. There was a lot of drama between the people. A lot of gossip. Had a tough time having a good conversation most of the night.

DAY 128-- Jan. 6, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15.29 FROM: Anza, CA (Tumbleweed Restaurant) TO: Pinyon Flats Campground $ to FHCRC: 551

Today I felt the late night. Today was nice and sunny. I wasn't going to make it to Indio, and I wanted to camp one night in the mountains. I cut my day short and stayed at the Pinyon Flats Campground in the National Forest. It was night. I slept a lot. It started getting chilly once darkness rolled around. Today was mostly uphill from Anza and I got a cool campsite. I got up around 8. I started walking by 8:30. I walked into town. I met Mike at the little store. I walked about a half mile down the hill to get to the Tumbleweed to resume the walk. I backtracked a little more and went to the little store. I met

Mike. We talked about my walk. He ended up giving me ten dollars for breakfast. It was uphill for much of the day. Made me think I was higher than 4,000 feet. I had four miles to the junction. I came up to Highway 74. I took a right. Then I had about 10-11 more miles. It was pretty. A lot of uphill. There were some more trees than there were before. I got up to Pinyon Flats and there were some pines trees. They aren't thick. A tree here and a tree there. I wouldn't be able to make Indio today. I ed the Pinyon Flats campground. I stopped at the restaurant just past it. Around this time, it was 2 p.m. I was out of cell phone range. I called John and Lynn Bowen who live in Indio. Their grand-daughter Sam moved into my apartment in Bellingham. John reads my journal all the time. I was planning on getting to Indio on Saturday, but plans have changed. I decided to make today a short day. I called to let them know that I wouldn't be getting there today. After lunch at the restaurant, I walked back to Pinyon Flats which is a little ways off the highway. It had a couple of pine trees and a various assortment of shrubs and bushes. I find this high desert country to be pretty. The dirt roads. The mountains. The different hues of bushes. There is one that is reddish. Then there is the cactus. I haven't seen the big ones yet. Smaller cactus plants. The ones that have circle pads. I set up my tent and fell asleep. I woke up an hour later and it was nearing dark. It was getting a little chilly. I had set my rainfly up to help with the cold. It was chilly, but it didn't get as bad as I thought. At 3 a.m. I woke up and I couldn't find my black book. I got it from Newport Burgers. It's a 2007 daily planner. I used it for my journal. It has a pen with it and slot for the pen to go into. I thought I left it at the store when I called John and Lynn. I got out of my tent. I had my bear spray and trekking pole. Then I checked a pocket that I usually never put the notebook in, and there it was. I hopped in my tent and finished the night sleeping. I did see a little snow on the ground. Just a couple tiny patches in the middle of the day. I wanted to camp in the tent on night as I went over the Mountain Range. I was pretty tired from the night before. I ended up catching up on my sleep.

DAY 129-- Jan. 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 26.83 FROM: Pinyon Flats Campground TO: Indio, CA (In-Out Burger) $ to FHCRC: 551

Today was nearly twenty-seven miles. It was all downhill the first half of the day. Flat the second half. I went from about 4,000 to 5,000 feet to sea level in the course of the walk. I saw Chard on the way down. John and Lynn who follow my journal are putting me up in Indio. I called them from the corner of Monroe and Highway 111. They came to get me. They were waiting on me for dinner. I got started walking around 8:30. It was all downhill today. Soon there were no trees. I had about 15 miles into Palm Desert. It was a beautiful walk. Not much shoulder. Not much traffic at the start. The last ten miles or so I could see the whole Palm Valley. Another baren mountain range on the other side of the valley. There were some cactus and shrubs on the hill as I went down. The road got really windy as it switched back and forth near the bottom. It felt like I was there, but it took forever. I saw a big red Dodge truck. They said something. Then I was in a big pull off area. The truck came back around. It was Chard. He went down to Palm Springs to drop his brother off at the airport. We chatted for a moment. I walked about 25 miles from the time I saw Chard last. Yesterday wasn't that big of day. He said he'd call me when he heads to Texas. He had a friend that I didn't meet in the enger seat. They headed off. Palm Desert and Highway 111 around 2 p.m. Palm Desert is around 220 feet. Indio is close to sea level. That means I went from 4,000 or 5,000 feet all the way down to see level. The mountain range wasn't that bad.

The first day to Aguanga wasn't that bad. A thousand feet climbed slowly. Then from Aguanga to Anza was a bit more of uphill. First to Cahuilla and then to Anza. The grade was never all that bad. It the highest I've been, but some of those coastal ranges can tire a guy out. Leaving Crescent City, CA going south on Highway 101 gets tiring. Between Aberdeen and South Bend, WA is a lot of hills. About 20 miles worth. Then some of the coastal ranges in Oregon seem to go forever and they seemed to have a steeper grade. Anyways, climbing these mountains seemed to be a slow gradual climb over the course of three days. Then a day of going downhill. From Palm Desert I had about 11 miles to Indio. There are a lot of green grass in Palm Desert. I've ran into the big, tall cactus now. A lot of palm trees. A lot of golf courses in the area. I walked on 111 through Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and into Indio. I called from the corner of Monroe and Highway 111. I didn't which way to turn. Since it was dark, and dinner was pretty much ready. John and Lynn wanted to come down. I met them at the In and Out Burger t. I've been talking with John and Lynn since I left Temecula. They have donated a hundred dollars to both to the Fred Hutchinson and to me. I paused my walk at the In and Out. I videotaped myself pausing my walk. They'll drop me back off at the In and Out to resume my walk. That way I have a continuous line that goes across the country. I figured that 6-10 percent of the time I have a team. That is when I stay with people. It doesn't happen that often, but every now and then I'm fortunate enough. I went to their place on the La Palms golf course. We went through the gate and went to their 3-bedroom house. I quickly took a shower. As much for their sake as mine. I chatted. We had ham and pasta for dinner. John is charge of the Kitchen. John graduated from Gonzaga University in 1951. He follows them a lot. John and Lynn had a business of selling bakery supplies. They started coming down to the Indio area a few years ago. After dinner I got on the computer for a while. John was pretty tired. The

computer is in there also. He was going to bed at 9. That worked out because I was tired and didn't want to spend all that much time Infront of the computer. I went to bed around 10 or 10:30.

DAY 130, Jan. 8, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC: 951

Well, I heard back from Deborah my at the Fred Hutchinson. 400 dollars poured that I didn't know about. That's awesome. Almost up to the thousand mark. I've raised around or a little over 7 dollars a day so far. That's the way I like to view that. I took today off. In the morning I finished putting my journal of the last four days online. I hung out with John and Lynn. We went over to Palm Springs for lunch. We checked out where the stars are the sidewalk are. Also, there is a statue of Sony Bono. We saw Bob Hope's old house. A couple corrections. It isn't the Palm Valley. It is the Coachella Valley. The golf course that John and Lynn live on is called Indian Palms instead of La Palms. This morning I was walking around the golf course and then some of the streets. I found this big pocketknife. I needed a big pocketknife. My third pair of shoes arrived today. Tom Whittaker had friend that had a shoe

store. His friend, Jay Campbell, at Out footers in Santa Barbara, CA had Tom send down a pair of Saucony shoes. This is my first pair of Saucony. All three pairs of my shoes on the trip have been different brands. Asics, New Balance, and now Saucony. They fit great and look great. Does anyone want my old pair of shoes? They went from Eureka, CA to Indio, CA. I got some free business cards today and I'm having them sent to my father's house in Coos Bay, OR. The area is surrounded by mountains will nothing on them. They use a lot of water in this area. A lot of watering to make lawns real green. It was warm and sunny. John cooked up some steaks for dinner. We watched the college football game. I walked around the golf course some. I did some writing and then went to bed.

DAY 131-- Jan. 9, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC: 951

Well, I took another day off and enjoyed Indio. I put more pictures on my website, swam in the pool, and chatted with John and Lynn. I'll probably take one more day off. This is the last people that I know for the rest of the country. I have a couple of links for you to check out. This one is from one of the people that I met on Christmas eve in Malibu. Terri has a site that gets a lot of views because she has a bunch of good photos. Here

is the link to my picture. http://www.flickr.com/photos/witchietaitai/334318569/ Here is another link to an article that my cousin David's wife, Sharlene wrote. If you search Sharlene Hoffman, my article will pop up. http://www.associatedcontent.com I found out about an interesting connection yesterday. When I was around five and six, I lived in Coffman Cove, Alaska. It is a small logging camp on the Prince of Wales Island. It is located in southeast Alaska. Well, John and Lynn's daughter Laura and Chris Hicks. They had a son who was born in Ketchikan. There is a good chance that I was in Coffman Cove at the same time as John and Lynn's daughter and son-in law were up there. My stepdad and Chris Hicks were both working for the Valentine Logging Company. Small world huh. I watched a movie on T.V. and wrote. It was a fairly early night. Went to bed around 10 p.m. I'm enjoying some rest. I'll probably take tomorrow off and hit the road on Thursday. I'll head down the east side of the Salton Sea. I walked nine days straight from Torrance to get to Indio. My longest stretch so far on the trip has been 18 days in a row. That was from Bandon, Oregon to Little River, CA (2 miles south of Mendocino, CA)

DAY 132-- Jan. 10, 2006 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a

$ to FHCRC: 951

Well today is my third and final rest day here in Indio. Sometimes on days when I don't walk, I can be more tired than after I walk 20 miles. I'll be leaving tomorrow with a full backpack. This morning John cooked up some biscuits and gravy that were great. I have slowly been putting pictures online. I phoned the valley newspaper. The lady gave the editor my info. I'll bug them again tomorrow. Lynn and I went shopping. We went to Wal-Mart. I got two freeze dried meals, some MiniDV tapes, a 5-dollar radio, and some candy. My friend Austin and I dressed up as Wal-Mart one year for Halloween. We got a giant cardboard box. We cut holes in the top. We painted the box to look like the store. Different shades of gray. We even put the little McDonalds' M, and tire lube express. Our heads stuck out the top and we each had an arm going out the side. Anyways, after Wal-Mart we went to Costco. I people watched as I pushed the cart. Nothing to write home about. The rest of the day was laid back. Chatting and doing some things on the internet was about it. Toss a nap and some writing in there and that was my day.

DAY 133-- Jan. 11, 2007 MILES WALKED:28.17 FROM: Indio, CA (In-Out Burger) TO: North Shore, CA (Salton Sea State Recreation Area)

$ to FHCRC: 951

Today after three days of rest I left Indio. John and Lynn have been great. It has been nice staying there. Another sad goodbye as I resumed my walk at the InOut Burger t. Today I began breaking in my new pair of shoes. My feet weren't happy at the end of this 28-mile day. I saw a dog get hit by a car for the first time in my life. I arrived my camping spot a little after 7 p.m. I was next to a body of salt water called the Salton Sea. John and Lynn gave me a hundred dollars for food or whatever I need. They are big fans of mine. John cooked up some oatmeal before I left. I posted yesterday’s journal and put some pictures of John and Lynn on the site. A little after 9 a.m. and they returned me to where my walk was paused...the In-Out Burger on the corner of Monroe and Highway 111. We said our goodbyes and I filmed myself resuming my walk. I got on Highway 111 which would take me to the Salton Sea and beyond. I walked through the rest of Indio. It turned into auto shops and mainly Spanish speaking people. Then after Indio I walked through Coachella. This is mainly a Spanish community. I guess Indio use to be that way too until Palm Desert spilled into the eastern communities of the valley. It was another beautiful day. I had two water bladders full. My back was heavier than normal. It was nice to get on the road. I'm glad I made the trip over to see John and Lynn. It'd be nice to visit them over in Spokane someday. It began to turn into a little more agricultural as the day progressed. Going through Coachella which is descent sized. It had a few shopping plazas. I got on Highway 86. I had to cut over and I did that on 7th street. After Coachella there was Thermal. Not much there I saw. A little store and some run-down buildings. The lady working in the store gave me the total in Spanish. I just handed over some money. This is when speaking Spanish would come in handy. I ed by Mecca later, but it was off the Highway. I walked by a lot of Date trees. One place was a farm of sorts. After I ed Mecca, my feet began to hurt.

Just before it was getting dark and I was nearing North Shore, CA a dog crossed from the opposite side of the highway to my side. I talked to him. He walked past me only a few feet away. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him start crossing the road. I truck was coming. It seemed like it would be close. I swiveled around and saw the truck smash the dog. The dog spun around and got ripped open and the truck lost part of the bumper. I hate cars. After walking in the dark for an hour and half I came to the Salton Sea Recreation Area. This section has a visitor center and a campground. I walked to the campground and set up my tent. It was a descent little walk from the entrance. My feet were killing me today. It was nice. The stars were out. I cooked a freeze-dried meal. The campsites had covered picnic tables. I considered just sleeping in my bag on the picnic table, but I set my tent up. I called John and Lynn to let them know that I made it all right. In case the ranger came over in the morning I decided to stay in my tent.

DAY 134-- Jan. 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17.71 FROM: North Shore, CA (Salton Sea State Rec. Area) TO: Bombay Beach, CA (Bombay Beach State Rec. Area) $ to FHCRC: 951

My feet weren't happy when I woke this morning. Today was one of the more difficult days. I had trouble walking more than a couple of miles without stopping because of my feet. I got a blister on the inside of left foot by my heel. It wasn't that long of day. I made it to Bombay Beach. A little community of a couple hundred people. I stopped at the cafe and got free dinner. I made my home at the beach. It was part the Bombay Beach section of the Salton Sea State Rec. Area. It was primitive. No campsites. Mainly just campers and R. V’s come

in there. I was at -226 feet by the end of the day. I woke up a little before 7 a.m. My feet weren't happy, and they were telling me. I packed up my tent and filled up my water. I met the man next to me. He was a man in his 60's from Silver City, NM and was interested in what I was doing. We chatted a bit. I wanted to get out of there before a ranger showed up. I wasn't on paying for my campsite. Instead of walking back down the road to the visitor center and going out the entrance, I cut across a section of desert plants to the highway. It wasn't that far and saved me from backing tracking. I went slow in case of snakes. However, I'm going through desert during winter and the snakes aren't out as much. It was a great morning, and I was off. There wasn't much between North Shore and Bombay Beach. Between me and the train track was mainly just dried dirt. There are a lot of wash areas. Little bridge type things, but no water. Most of the area is flash flood area. A Highway Patrol truck stopped and reversed on the shoulder all the way back until he got to me. I thought--oh great. He hopped out and asked if I needed some water. I didn't. There were some dark clouds today. They were mainly north of me. Some drifted above me. Some sprinkles came, but they weren't that many. Not even enough to make me get my rain poncho out. I had a view of Salton Sea all day. Across the sea lurked a mountain range. Another mountain range was east of me. Between the highway and the Sea ranged between dry dirt and sparse desert plants. Little brown and green shrub types of things that stand alone mostly and aren't very big. I finally made it Bombay Beach. I saw what appeared to be a restaurant. It wasn't clearly marked. It ended up being the Ski Inn. I was starving and I walked through the desert taking a short cut over. I popped in. It was open. Some were eating lunch. Others were having a drink. I got a double cheeseburger and fries. They have cheap food, and it is good. The owner, Jane Southboard, a woman who has lived there for 14 years and who is trying to save the place, gave me the meal. I charged my cell phone for a bit. I asked where the state park was. It was just a down the road toward the sea. I went over and set my tent up. It was right on the sea. It was dry desert dirt. No campsites. There was a couple of outhouses. One other person was there. James from Flagstaff, AZ. He had his trucker and camper. I asked him if he could watch my tent. I walked back to the Ski Inn so that I could charge my cell phone.

Bombay has a couple hundred people. Mainly trailers and they are all clumped together. It is not spread out. There is huge cell tower right in the middle of the town. I went back to the Ski Inn. I chatted and hung out with the locals. I talked with Jane more. She told me about the hassle with the people that were trying to buy the place. He was a felon, and they came and destroyed the fence once. The cops have to drive up from El Centro and it takes a while. They don't have a post office. The mail is brought up from Niland. A group of bird hunters came in. They were visiting from about 200 miles north. One of the guys gave me 20 bucks to help me out on the trip when he left. Everyone the place asked me about my trip. They have people from time-to-time stumble in on an adventure. Usually not for a cause. One man came I went back to my tent around 7:30. It was a little chilly but nothing really bad. I ended up cooking a freeze-dried meal. I talked to my friend Austin for over two hours. I had great reception thanks to the cell tower. The Salton Sea here had seagulls which made me feel like I was at the ocean. I wonder if the birds

DAY 135-- Jan. 13, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22.72 FROM: Bombay Beach, CA (Bombay Beach State Rec. Area) TO: Slab City, CA (Salvation Mountain) $ to FHCRC: 951

To my surprise my feet felt way better this morning. By the end of the day, they started to get a little pain. I had no idea where I was going to sleep. I made it to Niland, CA and ended up at Slab City. I pitched my tent next to Salvation Mtn.

After Bombay there wasn't much. The railroad paralleled the highway all the way until Niland. When I was talking to my friend right just north of Niland, 6 trains ed during our conversation. Today was even more baren than yesterday until I got just north of Niland, then, things became very fruitful. There is the Imperial Wildlife Area (Wister Unit). It had trees and greener than I had seen. Much of the day there was only dried dirt of both sides of the highway. Sometimes the seaside of the highway would have some plants spread across. The plants are kind of like bushes. They aren't clumped together. They are spread out mostly. Sometimes they are clumped together. South of Bombay beach are some mineral hot springs area. A lot of Snowbirds (people who spend the winter in the desert) are there. There is about 4 of them near Bombay. They are off the highway and I didn't get a real close view. A few miles south I took a snack break. I went across the railroad tracks to take a leak. An unmarked white Ford truck came over. It was a border patrol guy checking me out. It didn't take long for him to know that I'm not from Mexico. About 7 miles south of Bombay Beach there is a northbound Border Patrol check. All the traffic is funneled through it. I saw one man who had to get out of his truck and go stand somewhere else. I wanted to take some pictures, but I knew that they wouldn't like that, so I walked on. Toward the end of the day my feet started to hurt. Before I got to Niland I wanted to put a nickel on the train tracks. A train was coming, and I set it on there. I sat down in a wash area and looked at my map. I thought that it should be getting close. I went to look, and it was stopped. I wasn't going to wait around so I hit the road. I saw a couple of Union Pacific trucks flying by. They went just past where I was and stopped. The train probably stopped a 1/4 mile away from the nickel. I wondered if the conductor saw me set it down, or if somehow, they could detect it...or maybe it was just a coincidence. Who knows? I didn't hang around to see. Finally, after about 19 miles of walking I made it to Niland. North of Niland there was more plant life. There was the Imperial Wildlife Refuge, the Wister Unit. Like I mentioned before it had trees and even a green field. I don't know if

it was a marshy field, but it had plant life. After seeing some much dry dirt it was really nice. At this time also I began getting further and further away from the Sea. In Niland I popped into Bobby D's and got a nine-inch pizza. I hate the whole things. An older couple with their daughter bought the meal for me. We didn't even chat really. The blonde daughter asked if I walked all the way from Bellingham and I told her that I did. I met two other couples. Jerry and Patty Phillips and Eileen and Bruno Goldschmidt. Patty took pictures of Leonard and Salvation Mountain. After I ate it was getting close to 4:30. I only had about an hour of dark left. She suggested that I go out and meet him. I agreed. It was three miles plus east of the town. Out there is Slab City. It is free live out there. No sewer or power. It was an old military space. There were slabs of concrete. People park their trailers and R. V’s out there. A great spot for Snowbirds that don't want to spend money. Leonard has been out there for 23 years and hasn't paid a dime. I walked out there. It was getting cold. I walked east for three miles as the sun began to set. I looked back toward the sea and the mountains in the background as the sun set. There was an orange color along the horizon. I thought about how cool life is. I kept walking. From the pictures that Patty showed me I knew which one of the vehicles that Leonard lived in. The mountain is big. Three stories tall and a quarter mile wide. It has a couple of rooms. Only art is in them. This is National Folk-Art place. There is tires, wood, hay, and paint scattered all over the place. I arrived at dark, and it was cold. I shouted for Leonard. Who has a camper like structure on the back of a non-working truck. A little door opened, and I heard his voice. I asked about a tour in the morning. He said okay. He said I could throw up my tent around there. I did. After I got my tent set up. I heard something running up and hooting like and owl. It was Brent. He was either mentally challenged or on some drugs. He asked if I wanted to buy his cellphone for ten dollars. He asked me three times if I knew anyone that wanted to buy it. I told him that I was walking through town and didn't know anyone. He asked what class I was. I told him '97. He asked how old I was. I told him 28. Then he guessed that I was class of 2000. He wanted me to help him look for his cell

phone. I was thinking about hopping in my sleeping bag. It was getting chilly, and my nose was starting to run. After a conversation that went in circles Brent left. All of the vehicles are adorned with art and slogans. God is love, Repent, different verses, and etc. On one of the coldest nights, I climbed into my sleeping bag. I talked to a couple of people, but my cell battery was getting low. I also met Peter from Canada. We chatted. He drives through Bellingham on his way home. He goes out through Lynden and Sumas, WA on his way to his home across the border.

DAY 136-- Jan. 14, 2007 MILES WALKED: 20.98 FROM: Slab City, CA (Salvation Mountain) TO: Wiest Lake (In between Calipatria and Brawley, CA) $ to FHCRC: 951

I woke this morning at Salvation morning. Leonard was gone. It was really chilly. I toured Salvation Mountain by myself. I then packed up my bag. I was taking video when Leonard showed up. He's a short wiry man in his 70's. He is nice and is very ionate about what he does. He paints the mountain and his vehicles. Which are stationary and don't move. He gave me tour. He was excited that I was filming him. He showed me his broken glass room. It is like an adobe igloo with broken glass he found on the road with pictures inside it. He showed me the section where is building a big museum. The roof isn't done. He's makes

trees out of car tires and big truck tires. I walked on the golden brick road to the top of the mountain which gave me a great view of Slab City. Leonard showed me books about his place. He is well known and gets many visitors. It amazing how one little man could build such a place. Here is a link to the mountain. http://www.salvationmountain-site.com After chatting with Leonard, I walked the three plus miles into Niland. I got some breakfast again at Bobby D's. Peter Vekroon from Abbotsford, Canada whom I met yesterday bought my breakfast. After thanking him I hit the highway. I was on a mission of trying to find the internet today. After 11 miles of walking, I made it to Calipatria, CA. I popped into the CaliMart. I got some water. I asked the kid, Vincent, who was working about a place in town to rent a computer. He said if I gave him ten bucks, I could use his computer. I haven't seen a computer since Indio and jumped at the chance. From here I'm planning on getting back on Highway 111 and heading toward Brawley and a county campground just north of it. I hope it has tent camping or will make arrangements. Some of the water in my water bottle was frozen this morning. I did get back on Highway 111. I met a man. I forgot his name. He lived in Calipatria. He drives a tanker up to Indio. He's been seeing me every day as I slowly walked down from Indio. We chatted for a bit. He was a short man with a long gray beard and belly from years of consuming beer. He had a tall buddy at

his house. He told me about a rest area a couple miles down the road. Today on the road from Niland to Calipatria there were agricultural fields. Most of the fields are brown. Maybe they grow hay. I did see something about a tomato festival. After Calipatria there were more fields that were green. There was also a huge cattle feeder. It had hundreds of cattle all fenced in. I've never seen anything like it. I've seen them fenced in with area to roam. They are packed in like sardines here. I stopped at the rest area. My cell battery was nearly dead and there were no power outlets. I kept walking to Wiest Lake. I kept going south on Highway 111. Took a left on Rutherford Rd. over the New River. The river had a bunch of suds. It was the sun was setting behind me. I was heading east now. I walked about 45 minutes in the dark. I took a left on Dietrich Rd. Wiest Lake County Campground was right off Rutherford. The lake is right next to the road. It got cold tonight. I set my tent up. The campsite was more geared toward campers and R. V’s. I found an outlet to charge my phone. I hopped into my sleeping bag. I fell asleep for a couple of hours. I saw that I missed a couple of calls. I chatted with my buddy Austin as he drove back to Salem, OR from Elma, WA. I got cold tonight. I got cold last night. Peter who bought my breakfast in Niland has been coming down here for ten years and says that he has never seen it this cold down here. Well, I was cold all night. Just sometimes here and there. It was a slight discomfort, but nothing that bad. It just meant that I didn't get that great of sleep.

DAY 137-- Jan. 15, 2007 MILES WALKED:11.07 FROM: Weist Lake County Campground (Between Calipatria and Brawley,

CA) TO: Brawley, CA (Travel Inn) $ to FHCRC: 951

It was a cold night last night. I wasn't in a big hurry to get out of my sleeping bag. Around 7:30 I managed to get out and start packing up gear. I saw that I was next to a green field. Maybe it was lettuce, but I couldn't tell. Munoz, the ranger, came over. He was making his morning rounds. He saw that I was hiking. He said they usually have a fee, but since I'm pushing out that he wouldn't charge me. I thanked him. I stopped on the way out to him. He chatted for a bit. He spent a year plus in Iraq. We chatted about life and god. I got on the road. I took Dietrich Rd. to Shank Rd. then a left on Best Rd which happened to be closed. Toward the end of the road there was construction. I ed the airport and some Ag. stores. I took a couple of more streets a right and a left and I was on Main St. in Brawley. I stopped at Brownie's Diner for some breakfast. On the way into Brawley, I ed a lot of farms. I saw some Ag. factory north of Brawley. Juanita asked if I was hiking went, I went to pay. I told her my story and she bought my meal. Imperial county has shown me a lot of hospitality. Free meals in Bombay Beach, two in Niland, 1 in Calipatria, and 1 in Brawley. After that I was going to walk up to the library. It was closed on Mondays. I kept walking west on Main St. I came into the east edge of Brawley. I kept walking and walking into Computer Guru. They rent out computers for a good rate. 4 bucks an hour. Kinkos in twenty cents a minute. I don't think I'll be able to make Holtville, and it looks to be cold for one more day. I'm in need of a shower. I might pop into a hotel. I need to catch a shower and it's been cold the last two nights. There are only farms the last around here

outside. Farm workers tend to get going early. In cold weather I don't tend to get going early. We'll see. I wander around seeing if anyone takes me in. Well, I ended up at the Travel Inn. The room was a good price at 45 dollars total. It isn't the nicest place. I shopped around a bit and it was the best one I found. It's a shower and a warm room for the night. I tried getting a hold of the Imperial Valley Press. I talked to a few people and left a couple of messages, but to no avail. Last week I sent a press release of what I'm doing to the Bellingham Herald. They never got back to me. I talked to the managing editor Debbie Townsend. She said that they get one or two people a day going on adventures like me. I doubt that they are undertaking the exact mission that I am. A 5,000 mile walk over the course of a year. Maybe there is. I lived up there for 2 years and didn't bump into anyone doing those things. A bike ride across the U.S. is different. Especially considering my route. Oh well. I'll keep bugging them for the rest of my journey. They haven't heard the last of me. There are some cool statues of a cowboy on the horse near the city hall in Brawley. Now I'm going to go enjoy the hotel room and head south past Holtville tomorrow. I'll try and making it to a campground in a dune area, then hopefully two days to Yuma.

DAY 138-- Jan. 16, 2007 MILES WALKED: 31.74b FROM: Brawley, CA (Travel Inn) TO: Heber Dunes SVRA south of Holtville, CA. $ to FHCRC: 951

Well, I got up at 6:30 and I was out of the door and on the road at 7 a.m. I was planning on getting to the Heber Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area today. Well, I walked east on Main St. which turns into Highway 78. I've spent most of the day walking through farm country. Once east of Brawley I was looking at

about 19 miles to Holtville. There were only farms in between. After walking on Highway for a ways I took a right on Butters Rd. which turns into Hort Rd. and also is known as Imperial County Road S32. I did a little store, B's Pit Stop. I chatted with some of the people. I also ed a couple of sheep farms. They didn't have any fur really. They would always get scared and run away. I saw the first one on Highway 78 and then another one or two on the S32. I ed a cow feeder area with all the beef cows packed in like sardines. It looks like one of the main crops was lettuce. Some of the fields are just brown grass. One was burnt. Another thing is that there are huge stacks of Hay. They are all of the place. A lot of times next to lettuce crops. I saw areas of where they had people working the crops. With this record freezing temps, growers are losing crops. I saw groups of workers picking the lettuce and putting on conveyer belts that sent it up to other people who boxed it. Other guys stacked the boxes. The people boxing it where on a trailer type thing that was pulled by a tractor type thing. On the Butters/Holt Rd. there wasn't much traffic. I also turned on my radio and had in my bag playing. I was listening to Real Country. I stopped at the store in Holtville. I got water and food for a couple of days. I got a loaf of bread, cheese, and bologna. I got some other things. I have both water bladders filled. Tomorrow I'll probably have to walk on Freeway 8. I'm planning on being in Yuma on Thursday. In Holtville I've stopped at the library where I'm typing this up. Tomorrow I'll be heading out of the Imperial Valley and leaving the fertile farmland and heading into a true desert. There are some campgrounds and rest areas between Holtville and Yuma. Well, I'm going to go down and find a spot to throw up my tent. It might be cold. I heard on the radio it might be around 31 degrees. Yesterday I heard it was warming up. Well after I left the library, I stopped the Holtville Tribune. They took my picture and some info. When I was further down the road, I was taking a picture of a Holtville mural next to the 7-11 and officer Jesus pulled up. He asked me some questions and we chatted for a bit. After that I took a roundabout way to Heber Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. I made a couple wrong turns. Went south on S32 and then went over 1-8.

Then it turned into highway 7. A four-lane divided highway. I got off on the Orchard Rd. Took King Rd. which took me west, then got on Mets road. It was dark by the time I got over I-8. I took Mets street and finally hit Heber Rd. I took a right because I saw a light. It turned out to be a house. I walked back the other way toward highway 7. I found it. I made a 6-7 mile walk into 9. I found Heber Dune Rd. Then I walked aways. I saw a sign for camp host. No fee area. Usually, parks have a light shining on what the place is. I saw a couple of campers by trees. I found my own spot. I set my tent up. The place had little sand humps called dunes. I ate supper and talked to my cousin John. It was chilly but nothing I couldn't handle.

DAY 139-- Jan 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 27.08 FROM: Heber Sand Dunes (6-7 miles south of Holtville, CA) TO: 25 miles West of Yuma, AZ (1 east of Brock Research Center Rd.) $ to FHCRC: 951

Well today left the fertile farmland of the Imperial Valley and headed off into the barren desert. Along the way I met a Man, Otto, who gave me 20 dollars for food or whatever. I went from lettuce fields to walking along Interstate 8. I ran into two Border Patrol men. Then at the end of the night I saw a Border Patrol shining lights in to bushes where I was out. I ended up finding my resting spot on the other side of a frontage road that paralleled I-8. It was a long day, and I was glad to go to bed. Today like all the other days have been warm. After I left the Heber Sand Dunes in the morning. I met the camp host. An older man from North Dakota. He has friends all over near Bellingham. He was making his rounds picking up beer cans. He said it was a quite night. I got onto Highway 7 and headed south. I walked to Highway 98 and started heading east. At that point I was 2 miles away from Mexico. I think it is the Calexico east

crossing. I walked by farmlands. I was walking when Man shouted, "How far you go a day." I told him. I wrote down my info for him. The man was Otto. He works for Mission Organics. He's down from Salinas, CA for a couple of days overseeing the romaine lettuce harvest. He said they lost a little from the freeze, but rather it slowed down the harvest. He asked how I was on money. He pulled out 20 and gave it to me. We said goodbye. I walked along the All-American Canal today. I ran into a Border Patrol on 98. He asked how I was doing. I told him fine. There are a couple of power plants along the canal. Soon after seeing Otto, I was past farmland and surrounded by sand and brush. Sometimes the desert brush was thick...other times sparse. The road was long and straight. I saw towers with cameras on them. I walked over 20 miles to get to the border. I got onto Interstate 8. It looked like there might be a frontage road, but I wasn't sure. I walked along the freeway in the hard sandy/rocky area. I called the Yuma Sun right before I got on the freeway. I talked with Jackie Leatherman, an editor, and we made plans to meet up on Friday. I didn't do a good job of rationing my food out today. I ate most of it. On 1-8 a border patrol guy stopped. He asked what I was doing. I told him. He asked if I needed water. I needed some. I finished off his jug of water filling up my Gregory water bladder. He said my next stop was Yuma. Now I'm expecting to see nothing. I walked up to the Brock Research Center RD. exit. I got off. On the road that paralleled the Freeway I sat down on the side. My feet were mad at me and yelling. An unmarked white Ford truck, a border patrol, came off the exit. He turned his lights off. He parked with his lights off. Then he did a U-turn and sped off with his lights off. The sun set and darkness was upon me. I decided to keep going. I wanted to get closer to Yuma. I wasn't sure if the frontage road was a frontage road. I got back on the Interstate. I was talking to Joel my 9-year-old brother having him look for places in Yuma for me to stay. I was walking along the freeway but as close to the fence as possible. I looked back once to see a border patrol driving on the frontage road and shining the light on both sides looking for me. They didn't search very far east on the road. Not even trying I was way east of their search area. I couldn't camp next to the freeway. The bushes were to sparse and not thick. Wouldn't keep the light off my tent. I was concerned the border patrol might spend all night looking for me. Eventually I went through the fence. It had a few lines of barb wire with plenty of room between them. I made my way across the frontage road and found a spot in the

sand dune that had sparse plants. I set my tent up. I ate a dry pack of Top Ramen and went to bed after writing in my journal. I went to the bed to the sound of traffic. It much colder tonight than last. Nothing I couldn't handle once again.

DAY 140-- Jan 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: 29.67 FROM: 25 miles West of Yuma, AZ (1 east of Brock Research Center Rd.) TO: Yuma, AZ (Red’s Birdcage) $ to FHCRC: 951

Day 140 and I'm in Arizona baby. I'm at the library and I haven't found a place. I'm thinking about popping into the Motel 6, but I'd rather not spend the money. We'll see where the night takes me. I know I could use the shower. Well, I woke up 25 miles west of Yuma, AZ. It took me 29 miles to get here. I'm a little way into Yuma. I got sidetracked a couple of times and like usual I have to take the scenic route. California is another notch in the belt. I ran out of food last night. I was surprised by Duner's Diner today. I walked by the Imperial Sand Dune Recreation Area. Boy where those dunes awesome. Mountains of sand. I woke up this morning to a Border Patrol plane circling above. It must have circled me about 50 times, maybe a hundred. I guess it takes a while to figure out that I'm not from Mexico. Well, I walked the Frontage road into Gordon's Well. Not a town, but rather a R.V. park. I popped in there and asked to fill my water. Well now my water was full, and I have no food. I had two bags of peanuts. By this time, I have already eaten them. Then I stumble onto Duner's Diner. It is a restaurant and little store. It gets a lot of ATV people. Just east begins the Imperial Sand Dunes. It looks like the place had a bar and stuff. I'm running out of time on the computer, and I'll be brief. I got some breakfast. Biscuits and Gravy. I got some stuff in the store. The nice lady gave me some of the items. I was on the road again.

Shortly thereafter the frontage started heading north. I got on the Freeway and walked that until the Ogilby Rd. exit. That was 14 miles east of Yuma. Between there were huge sand dunes that were awesome. Today was warm. I did walk in the sand a bit. Sometimes the area next to the Freeway became steep. The Freeway ed over the All-American Canal. I think I crossed that sucker three times today. The Canal that is. Right before I got to the Ogilby exit a Highway Patrolman pulled someone over. As I walked up, he told me that there is no Peds on the Freeway. He told me to stay on the other side of the fence. He said the next exit had a frontage road. I took the road. The "Center of the Universe Rd." to the town of Felicity, CA" Not much there. A place with a pyramid, an arm coming out of a rock, and a stairway to nowhere. The wrap around stairway came from the Eiffel Tower. There were some other things, but I had to get going. The frontage road ran out. I crossed the highway. Nothing on the other side. I went back to the north side of the Freeway. I walked on the side of the fence. Most of the time it was a hard sandy road. I came upon a place with trailers and old beat-up run-down buildings. I was waiting for a dog. Nothing. On the other side of the fence was a Border Station. Soon the sand road turned into a paved road. I popped out at the Andrade Exit. I saw a sign for the Quechan Indian Res. I think it might have been the Fort Yuma also. I walked that. There were areas with some trailers. There were some hills with nothing on them. I forgot to mention that even before Felicity on the right side(south) there was a lone mountain. In front of it were trailers. Anyways, back to where I was at. I took that road to Winterhaven. I ed the barren desert area with trailers here and there through fertile farmland. I called Jackie and I set up an appointment for 8 a.m. tomorrow. It'll be at the Circle K on 4th Ave. and 1st St. I ed lettuce farms with a plane dropping some chemical. It was dark when I got to Winterhaven. Stop and ate, then I crossed the river and went from California to Arizona, and I was in Yuma. I went to First St and took a left. I stumbled onto the makeshift library. They must have a new one on the way. Once I crossed the river it the Arizona sign was there. I was talking with my buddy Austin. Got to go. I'll let you know how I finish the night. It's the Lettuce Festival in Yuma, AZ. I need to find a spot to sleep. Later. Well, I went to Red's Birdcage, a pub. I needed to charge my cellphone and sometimes people take me

in. I met a few people. I met Ernest and Billy. Ernest has lived all over the U.S. He's 21 and has lives in Yuma with his mom. Billy is an industrial painter who moved out from Florida. He lived in Dade county near Tampa Bay. Ernest was stoked on what I was doing seeing how he's had family who he has lost to cancer. He said I could stay at his place. I paused my walk at the Birdcage, and I went on a side adventure with Billy and Ernest. We hopped in Billy's red Chevy and drove down 1st St. which is the first street I came to when I got into Yuma. He lived about 26 blocks past the Circle K. Billy left about 5 a.m. We got back to Ernest's house a little after midnight. His uncle was asleep on the couch. His mother and sister were asleep. We went to his neighbor’s house. She was in a wheelchair. She was nice. Then I went back to his house and showered up. He was up all night. I let borrow my cell phone. I didn't get to sleep. I was worried that he went to a friend’s house and might not come back until I left. I'd have to leave by 7:15 a.m. to get to Circle K in time to meet with the reporter from the Yuma Sun. I ended seeing him again around 5:30 a.m. I couldn't really sleep. I laid down on the couch after I showered. I'm not sure what Ernest was up to. I know he went somewhere with Billy. It was awesome that someone took me in. It was a rather cold night. That was awesome. I forgot to mention right when we got back, he had some dinner for us. It was some good Mexican food. Beans and rice. I ate it so quick that I don't even what else was there. I had a long day of walking into a town I've never been down I am road I've never traveled. I went from the California desert past awesome sand dunes and into Arizona and Yuma. The town swells during the winter. Growing sometimes almost double. I found a place to stay and met some nice people.

4

Arizona

DAY 141-- Jan. 19, 2007 MILES WALKED: 19.68 FROM: Yuma, AZ (Red's Birdcage) TO: Foothills section of Yuma, AZ (in some desert area.) $ to FHCRC: 951

Well, I left around 7:15 from Ernest's house and walked to Circle K. I would be meeting James Gilbert Maryland transplant who has stayed longer that he thought in Yuma. While I was waiting, I met a lot of cool people at Circle K. Luis a man his late 30's bought my breakfast. Another man, Rudy, who worked for the city gave me five dollars. Then, Renee, a girl in her late 20's bought me some food and got website so she could make a donation. James showed up. We went inside the store and he interviewed me. I told him that I needed to resume my walk where it left off at Red's Birdcage pub. He drove me over there. He was going to snap some pictures of me when his camera battery died. He took pictures of me with my camera and then we walked over to the library where I'm at and I emailed him the picture. We had to wait for fifteen minutes to get into the library. Now I'm going to find my way out of Yuma and head east. Since somethings came up today, it might be tomorrow when I get to Wellton, AZ. Well, I'm going to head out. Check out day 140. I put the rest of what happened. One cool think about this

area is all the Snowbirds from the Northwest. It makes me feel at home. I walked about. From the library I went and walked to the Birdcage and resumed my walk. After filming myself resuming my walk I walked back to 4th Ave. I saw the little tent stands for the Lettuce Festival getting going. I walked down 4th which turned into 32 and is the business 8. I walked that all day until it came into the South Frontage road. Along the way I met some people from Olympia, Washington. They were Judy and Ted Mills; and Vic and Cheryl Rasmussen and they gave me ten dollars. Today was partly sunny and partly overcast. I saw them outside the Del Sol grocery store. I saw the Washington plates and asked where they were from. They said Olympia and I told them about being from Bellingham. Also, I grew up in Elma, WA which is 30 miles away from Olympia. I walked past Yuma and the businesses and Plazas. Then I walked past the Marine Air Station. I saw some fighter planes land. I walked past the fairgrounds. I found my campsite at dark. Toward the Foothills section there isn't much. Just some R.V communities and some houses. Open country beyond those areas. They don't go far from the freeway. And between the exit 12 and 14 off I8 there was an open area. It looked like no one would be going over or around. Most of the people in the area are probably 55 and over. Not the type to race around the desert in trucks on Friday night. My feet hurt a little bit. My charger wouldn't work most of the day until I was at a Dairy Queen toward the end of the day. I set my tent up and I was tired, so I fell asleep quick. It wasn't all that cold today. Well today I started near the northwest edge of Yuma and walked to the eastern edge of Yuma near the Foothills section. I met with the Reporter from the Yuma Sun. While waiting I met a lot of nice people Infront of a Circle K. Then, I found my way out of town. It was a decent amount of walking. I walked two miles and got a ride part way to get back to the Birdcage to resume my walk. It was good day. I got down for a bit, but not for too long. It was chilly but I was warm in my sleeping bag.

DAY 142- Jan. 20, 2007

MILES WALKED: 19.31 FROM: Yuma, AZ (foothills section) TO: Wellton, AZ (Desert Motel) $ to FHCRC: 951

Well, I ran into a hospitality today. The Yuma Sun had an article on my walk. I got free breakfast and lunch. People gave me 35 dollars. The people wanted to help me along the way with food and sorts. I walked past the Yuma communities and over the mountains. I walked some rocky trails and then onto I-8 and then on Old U.S. 80 took me the rest of the way into Wellton, AZ. Here is the link to the article on. http://sun.yumasun.com/artman/publish/articles/story_29447.php Jessica, who found me myspace, has been awesome. She's been in with the Desert Motel. She makes calls to newspapers and checks for cheap rooms if I'm in need. I think she got the room in Wellton for me. The motel might have taken care of me. I'm not sure. My Grandma I forgot to mention put 200 dollars into my to keep me going. She has committed the most funds to help my walk. I got up and started walking around 8 a.m. I walked through the open desert and caught the frontage road. I stopped at Kountry Kitchen. I had two men buy my meal. They did it subtle. They bought it and slipped out. I sat by Lee Thompson of Springfield, Oregon. He took care of the tip. He's 78 and walks and climbs mountains. Rick from Laytonville, CA gave me 20 dollars for food or whatever on his way out. After breakfast I got back onto the frontage. Yesterday I cut my insoles a bit and that seemed to help. Two ladies from Wisconsin pulled over.

They each gave me five dollars. They were Mary Sweere and Gale Schneibner. After that I kept walking on the frontage road which turned into a rocky road. Then I climbed around on the rocky hills. Then seeing the mountains ahead. I realized it was time to hop on I-8. I took the Freeway which went over and down some rocky mountains and into the valley. First was Dome Valley. I saw some farmland in the distance. I saw a little R.V. community off an exit. I went up there. It was an area known as Ligurta. At Ligurta which had a cafe I was near 9 miles. I thought I had 4 or 5 miles into Wellton. Jessica was going to tell the motel that I'd arrive between 1-3 p.m. Sidenote. In the paper article, the actual paper article, James, the reporter, calls say I'm taking the "ten toe express" to Miami Beach, FL. I thought that was cool. Back to my walk. I stopped at the cafe. My cell died and I need to charge it. I was going to get a bite to eat. Then I realized Wellton was 9 miles and I felt I needed to get to motel by 3 p.m. The place started getting busy. I told the waiter that I needed to get going. I asked if they had anything ready to go. I didn't mean a burger, but rather an apple or something. He had a burger to go. He told me not to worry about it. I thanked him. The place was small and I kind of got in the way with my backpack. I hope I wasn't rude. I stomped my way from the cafe into Wellton. I was a man on a mission. I went by random houses and some farms here and there. Just a bit before 3 p.m. I made it int Wellton. I got a lot of honks and waves today. Many people saw the article. A couple of Washington Snowbirds who had a son who lived in Bellingham, WA. The son's name is Rob Nye. I got the last name. Richardson from Goldendale, WA. They gave me 5 dollars for food. I stopped at a Cafe and asked about the Desert Motel. I went there. Right when I went through the door, Mario, the older man in a wheelchair and an east coast accent said, "You're finally here." He asked my name and I told him Matt and he asked where I was from and I told him Bellingham. He told me that he put me in room 9. Room nice in the small hotel had 3 beds. I took a much-needed shower. The room is nicer than my Brawley room. After my shower I walked a few blocks to the library. Wellton, AZ has about 1,700, yearround population. It swells up to around 10,000 to 20,000 in the winter. The library was a newer adobe style building. Reminds me of the budlings in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was in Santa Fe in 2002 for a family reunion. I finished up

yesterday journal and then walked back to see what my mileage for the day was. Wellton is a small desert town with some cactus and palms trees. I'm going to do some laundry and get some food. I haven't had a day off since Indio, CA. That's ten days in a row. Well today I ran into a lot of nice people. I walked a good amount and have a nice place to stay. I climbed a mountain and I'm glad to be done for the day. Today was a good day. My feet hurt, but I walked it off.

DAY 143-- Jan. 21, 2007 MILES WALKED:12.95 FROM: Wellton, AZ (Desert Motel) TO: Tacna, AZ (Sean's R.V.) $ to FHCRC: 976

Like many days on my journey, I woke this morning not knowing where I was going to stay, and once again had a pleasant surprise. I met a lot of nice people today and they showed me some hospitality. The toughest part now on the walk is being stuck in my mind. From Wellton I stayed on the Old U.S. 80 Highway which serves as a frontage road to Interstate-8. I did my laundry at the store/laundromat before I left. I walked into a town that I never been to and stayed with someone that I've never met before. Pretty standard these days for me. I met some nice people while doing my laundry. An older round man told me stories. Stories of the gold in the mountains in the outlying areas. He told stories of how his friend a prospector who found a gold statue. He told a story of a piano that was in one cave. I believe he told some myths. Not all of the stories. Then after I was done with my laundry I was walking out, and an older lady

handed me ten dollars and said that she wanted me to get something to eat. After that I went to Circle K. I filled up my water and got some food. I walked Old U.S. 80 all the way into Tacna. In between wasn't a whole lot. I walked through the rest of Wellton. I ed a couple of stores and a Border Patrol station. After the town a ways it looked like a gravel or rock place. Then a cow feeder for the beef, which always smells. Then a house here and there. Then I bumped into Antelope. They have a high school off the highway and some houses. One of the mountains next to it has a big 'A' on it. Then I would the occasional house on my way into Tacna. Tacna is even a town. They have post office. Gas station. A Mexican restaurant that was closed and a Spanish restaurant/lounge that I stopped at. They had a few run-down buildings that were no longer being used. The story of late has been that my cell phone charger doesn't seem to work. My battery had died. I stopped at the Spanish Restaurant to charge it up. I already ate some food, so I went to the lounge. I played some music. I met some of the locals. The old man bartending had a walker and slowly moved back and forth. Farming is what most of the people do around here. I met George Auza who bought me a couple of drinks. His sister and her husband own the play. George talked of then they would take donkeys up to Flagstaff. They'd drive to Scottsdale, then walk them the rest of the way on a trail. He said that took 238 days or something. Another thing the locals talked of was how the town only has one shut valve for the water, which means that if a leak occurs the whole town loses the water. Another thing that came up was that if illegals come to one's house for water, then the person must give them water. It's a humanitarian law. I hung out and tried to charge my cell phone to no avail. It started to get dark. There were plenty of places in the desert to through a tent. A man named Chris gave me five dollars. He saw the sign on my pack. A guy and girl came in. They wanted to watch the New England vs. Indianapolis football game. They were Sean, 30-ish, and Stacy (27). They are from Michigan. The brother and sister were driving an R.V. to Yuma, AZ for delivery. They would drop it off tomorrow. They started chatting with me. Sean gave me five dollars for food. Then he mentioned how I could crash in the R.V. Right when the game was at 21-21. George's sister, the owner, came in and turned the

channel to the history channel. The bar cleared out. A couple of local young guys came in and wanted to watch the game. They couldn't convince the owner to change the channel. Sean and Stacy left. They told me to come over. I was going to leave when a lady from the dining area came over and talked to me. The was a group of Snowbirds from North Dakota and Minnesota. They pooled together 25 dollars for cancer research. They saw my article in the Yuma Sun and wanted to meet me. Then I was about to leave again when the bartender told me that Cindy, the cute waitress, wanted to buy me dinner. I ordered a burger and fries. My weapon of choice. I got the food after a few minutes. I walked over toward the Gas Station. There was a gravel parking lot where Sean had parked the R.V. It was a good sized R.V. With the sections that make it extend out it was surprising big. We listened to the rest of the game on the radio. Sean and Stacy are from the Grand Rapids area of Michigan. Sean is a professional driver. He gave me his info and told me to call him. He could be there in a couple of days. I'll look Sean up. It was awesome to meet him. His sister has a 7-year-old and 10-month-old. The blonde sister tagged along for the ride and missed her kids. They said they'd be back in Michigan on Wednesday. She showed me pictures of her kids and family. Also pictures of their trip. I showed them video footage of people I've met. Mainly Leonard Knight, the man behind Salvation Mountain in the Slab City section of Niland, CA. I was the first to fall asleep. Today was a good day. I battled my own mind for a good bit. It was windy but still sunny. I met some random people who happen to be in Tacna and had a place to stay and people to talk with.

DAY 144-- Jan. 22, 2007 MILES WALKED:18.47 FROM: Tacna, AZ (Sean's R.V.) TO:9 miles west of Dateland, AZ (random spot in the desert)

$ to FHCRC: 976

Today was a fairly uneventful day. Walked on the Old U.S. 80 until that road ran out and then got on a gravel frontage road. The big news of the day is that I lost my bear spray yesterday. I might have also lost ten dollars. The big event of the day was stopping at the rest area. I tried to get my cell phone to charge for a couple of hours. After packing up I realized my bear spray was nowhere in sight. Somehow Stacy managed to get my cell phone to charge last night. It was either at the restaurant or on the road between Tacna and Wellton. I was frazzled and confused this morning. I didn't know what to do. Sean and Stacy were getting the R.V. for the drop in Yuma. Sean said drop days are always hectic. Then they have to b-line to Oklahoma and pick up a truck. Well, I walked over to the restaurant. It wasn't open. Two men were in there. They come in on Mondays to clean. I walked over the Circle K and got something to drink and eat. I saw Sean and Stacy again. I didn't know if I should back track. The bottle of spray could be anywhere. It is nice to have it. I like to have it for reassurance. Well, I made my way back to the restaurant. The old man bartender was there. I slipped in and had a peak around. Nothing. It would be out in the open. Chances are it dropped out of my bag. I keep it in an exterior pocket. That way if I need it then it is handy. It could be like finding a needle in a haystack. Plus, I didn't want to re-walk the walk from Wellton to Tacna. I headed out. I kept walking Old U.S. 80 which I have taken from Ligurta all the way to the Mohawk Valley exit. From there I hopped on a gravel frontage road. Once I left Tacna, I didn't see much but desert. At first a house here or there. Then a I saw some signs for some ranches. One was a seed ranch. Then I came across a junkyard type place. Old trailers and cars. A bunch of dogs barking. One of the dogs. A little tiny one came running barking at me. This is when the spray is nice to have. I kept walking and the dog backed down. I was approaching a little mountain range. The Highway and Freeway go in-between the two mountains. After I went through the mountain, I was at the Mohawk Valley exit of Interstate-8 and I hopped on the gravel frontage road. Another mile or so and I

was at a rest area. It had some picnic areas. It has bathrooms, water, and vending machines. I tried charging my cell phone, but I had no luck. I tried every darn outlet at that place. I only got one to show the little green light, but it wouldn't stay there for a while. I met an older couple who told me After the rest area I hopped back on the frontage road. I saw a couple of houses. Besides that, it was open desert land. Mainly sandy dirt with green bushes and other little plants spread around. A tree here and there. I walked past the rest area and past the properties with fences and found a home. I set my tent up and cooked up some soup and noodles. After that I hopped in my tent and fell asleep. Sometimes it is difficult to be in my tent and not fall asleep.

DAY 145-- Jan. 23, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17.98b FROM: 9 miles west of Dateland, AZ (random spot in the desert) TO:1 mile east of Aztec, AZ (off in the desert) $ to FHCRC: 1,001

It was chilly this morning. I wasn't jumping out of my sleeping bag all that early. After packing up I walked into Dateland. It was a hair over 9 miles. I took the gravel frontage road. Some spots had a little pavement underneath. One man stopped and said I was hoofing it a long way. He asked if I wanted a ride. I told him I'm walking and thank you for the offer. As I walked on the frontage road the Interstate 8 was on my right, the empty desert on my left. A few people live out there. Another truck ed me. Then I had a Sherriff fly by me. And like yesterday I saw a border patrol truck on the road. In between where I camped and Dateland the border patrol had a checkpoint set up for East bound traffic. Traffic slowed to a single filed line that would move

car by car as the border patrol checked them. I could see some green trees and a cell tower. That was Dateland. In the desert I'll think that I'm close to somewhere, but it'll still be five six miles. Things can be very deceiving. In Dateland I stopped and got a burger and fries at the Cafe. I guess they have world famous Date Milkshakes. At the Dateland Elementary they have a section for the Yuma County Library. That is nice since I'm in the middle of nowhere with only nothing around me. The people at the school were really nice. I checked in at the office. I talked with the nice lady earlier and they were expecting me. Then I met the nice librarian. I spent a little over an hour banging away on the computer. Now I'm going to get some supplies at the store and head east. It looks like the gravel frontage road will continue. I needed to post my blog on my Myspace.com site. The library had filters. The superintendent let me use his computer. The power went out when I was done posting my blog. I left shortly after that. I got some supplies and then heading down the gravel frontage road. I made it to Aztec. Aztec is nothing. Remnants of four or five houses and remnants of a gas station. I walked about a mile past Aztec and pitched my tent behind some bushes off the Frontage road. I just found out that there was a donation of 25 dollars that I didn't know. I made donations of 52 dollars that I've been hanging on to for people. That means that we just cracked the 1,000 mark. Yeah!!!!

DAY 146-- Jan. 24, 2007 MILES WALKED:13.81 FROM: 1 east of Aztec, AZ TO: Sentinel, AZ (Ruben and Carmen Conde's house) $ to FHCRC: 1,001

Today I walked by some areas that weren't so flat. It was kind of like rolling humps in the ground. I cut my day short due to the hospitality of Ruben Conde. Not only did he give me twenty dollars, but he also offered me a place to stay and a shower. I stopped at a Rest Area and then walked a couple more miles into Sentinel. I chatted with Ruben and Carmen for an hour or so. It was nice to talk to someone. I stayed in the guest trailer and had a nice comfortable night. Today I walked either gravel or dirt frontage roads all day except the area north of the Rest Area to the area just south of the Rest Area. Leaving Aztec were the rolling humps. Then there were basketball sized rocks once I got on Interstate 8 north of the Rest Area. I went to the Rest Area on this sunny day. I spent an hour or so trying to charge my cell phone. No luck. The little green light. I grabbed some snacks from the vending machines. After the Rest Area I kept walking down Interstate 8. Either that or I walk in the dirt area. Sometimes they have dirt road type things, or I walk in the gravel next to the shoulder. Every now and then I walk on the shoulder. I saw a gravel road on the other side of the fence. I went underneath the fence. This took me the mile or two into Sentinel. Sentinel has a mini-mart and a grade school. Maybe 45 people live in the area. I wouldn't see anything from here till Gila Bend in the way of food or supplies. I stopped and loaded up. Ruben the nice man working there gave me twenty dollars. Daniel, a salesman for a beer company, asked where I was from. I told him. We chatted for a while. There was a map of the U.S. and I showed where I started my walk and my route. We chatted for a bit and then I ate lunch and filled up my water. I went back into to film Ruben. I ended up talking with him for about an hour or so. He's lived in the area all his life. He grew up north a ways out by Hyder. His grandfather homesteaded out there. He lived in Gila Bend for a while until it grew too big. We talked from things ranging to politics to illegal aliens. We chatted about the Children of Light. A cult or religion that lives out by Hyder. I was about to leave around 4 p.m. and head closer to Gila Bend and he said he had a guest trailer and that I could stay.

I took him up on the offer. He owned the property around, and he drove to his house and I walked. He showed me the trailer. He had a nice collection of cacti Infront of his one-story house. He had horns of deer and sheep. He has a deck above his back area where he can watch the sunset. He has a couple four wheelers and other trucks. He has a son that lives in Tacna, AZ who is some kind of law enforcement. I think looking over the vast state lands in Western Arizona. He had a little black and white dog that gets really excited. I showered up. I tried fixing my cell phone charger. Now I don't have a cell charger. I wrote and hung out in the trailer. My cell battery is died. There was no pay phone around to call anyone. That is about it for tonight.

DAY 147-- Jan. 25, 2007 MILES WALKED:35.21 FROM: Sentinel, AZ (Ruben and Carmen Conde's house) TO: Gila Bend, AZ (R.V. Resort) $ to FHCRC: 1,001

I had a long day today. 35 miles. Much of the day I was walking into strong winds. My digital camera hasn't worked the last couple of days and my cell battery is charged. Those are small roadblocks. I got into Gila Bend after dark. The town of a couple thousand on the junction between Interstate 8 and Highway 85. I saw five jack rabbits and didn't find my resting place until after midnight. I ran into a good bit of hospitality. Ranging from a guy met in McDonalds to a local pub. I walked over a couple little humps today. It was different scenery. Most of the land that I've walked the last week has been flat. Real flat. There have been sparse desert bushes with sand or hard dirt in-between. I saw a little rolling hump from Aztec to Sentinel, but today it was more pronounced. The frontage

road didn't last much past Sentinel. I walked a dirt road past a tilled-up field and then a more primitive road that ran out and then I walked on I-8 from there until I got exit 102 (Painted Rock Rd.) From there was a frontage road that took me all the way into Gila Bend. There was a grassy type thing that was yellow/light brown. It was like a twig though. It broke like a week branch. This at times made the subtle rolling humps look like prairies. I did walk past an area that had cattle grazing. I went over two little humps. After the second hump which was about 5 miles west of the 102 exits then it got back to flat land with bushes and other desert plants spread out. There was an area with a bunch of those big cactus. From the Painted Rock Rd. when I got on the frontage road it was farmland up until I got to Gila Bend. I saw tilled up land. I saw some green fields. I ed a little community in Paloma. It had some houses and a school. About 3 miles from Gila Bend and the sun sat and I had my lights flashing. My feet were getting sore. My feet feel good besides the soreness. That happens when I have big days. The feet have finally adjusted to the new pair of shoes and life is good again. I have no idea where I'm going to stay. I'm hungry and I've walked a long way today. I walk the frontage road until I hit a stop sign. There was a road that funneled traffic of I-8. I don't know if I'm on the business 8 or 85 right now. I head straight. I see McDonald's. I need some cheap protein. I got get some cheap burgers. Doug, slender man from Peoria, AZ, asked me about my journey. He wanted to help me out. I followed him out to his truck and trailer. His family and him are heading out to go camping. He filled up my water and gave me some raisins. We chatted about my trip, or I talked. It was nice to talk to someone. I gave him my website and left. I went over to the gas station looking for a payphone. There I met Billy. He's on the greyhound from Flagstaff to Yuma to see his girlfriend. He asks me about my walk. He pulls out ten dollars and gives it to me to help me out. I got on the phone and made some calls. I called my dad, uncle and best friend. After that it was after 9 p.m. and I needed a place to stay. I wandered around looking for a place that might be alright. I saw a building that wasn't open. I went behind it and saw a homeless man already perched out there for the night. I thought, what the heck am I doing. I had vague notions of getting a hotel room. Then as I walked, I saw Neto's Bar. I figured I'd go to my bread and butter for a place to stay. I needed to get off my feet.

I went in and instantly got befriended by some National Guardsmen from Wisconsin who are down here to work on the fence. Some are guards and others were building the road. They bought me a drink and then they gave me money. I didn't get any names. They were all nice and stoked about meeting me. One of the guys gave me five dollars for a new charger. None of them gave me names. Then Antonio, a local man, bought me a drink. He works at the Wal-Mart distribution 30 miles away in Buckeye. Gila Bend has a little work, but not a whole lot according to Antonio. I met his friend whose names I didn't have a chance to write them down. I played pool and met a man named Rick. Rick a man in his 40's lives in Tucson and Rocky Point, Mexico. He has a guide service down there. He got some teeth work done in San Luis and is on his way back to Tucson. He offered me to stay in his room. He said they gave him a double bedroom. After we left after pool. I wanted to walk there so that I could resume my walk there instead of Nesto's. However, I never made it there. It seemed too far to walk, and he didn't give real good instructions. It didn’t feel right either. I wandered around. I looked for some spots and the I saw the R.V. resort. It was a hair after midnight. People check in at the Shell station. I went in and showed the lady my Yuma news article. Sometimes they don't let tents into those places. She asked when I was leaving, and I told her in the morning. She told me that I didn't need to pay. I had a long day, and I was exhausted. It didn't even get that cold tonight.

DAY 148-- Jan. 26, 2007 MILES WALKED: 11.41b FROM: Gila Bend, AZ (R.V. Resort) TO:2-3 miles east of Gila Bend, AZ exit 119 $ to FHCRC: 1,001

Well, I woke up around as the sun was coming up around 7 a.m. I packed up and went over to the shell station. I met a lady Ofelia who was on her way to

Imperial Sand Dunes in California. She gave me twenty dollars. Then I went over to the Space Age Cafe and the Wuestoffs of Spokane bought my meal. They saw my article in the Yuma newspaper. I called the Gila Bend Newspaper and will try and meet up with them later today. I'm at the Gila Bend library. I'm going to buy a disposable camera and leave town. The man from the Gila Bend Sun came over and got my information. The ladies at the library were really awesome about letting me use the computer. They were nice giving me plenty of time. Seeing how I haven't seen a computer since Dateland, AZ and won't see one till Casa Grande. They photocopied my newspaper articles. Check back to see how today turns out. I'll be leaving town soon. Probably take me three or four days to find a computer again. This trip from Gila Bend to Casa Grande will be my most barren stretch yet. I found a charger for my phone at the Love's Truck Stop. That meant that I needed to hang around and charge it. I didn't leave until a little after 2 p.m. I walked across some open desert area that was fenced off and saw a homeless man naked. Then I got onto Interstate 8 around the 115 exit. I walked to the 119 exit. It had sign saying next services 60 miles. I stopped at the Exit West Cafe and they ended up giving me the meal on the house. From there I walked a couple more miles along the desert on the side of the interstate. I bumped into a man from L.A. fixing a flat. I walked a ways then I hopped then fence and walked a quarter mile and pitched my tent. The ground was hard and there were a few trees here and there. Not big ones. There were various types of cactus. I was glad to have my cell phone working.

DAY 149-- Jan. 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: FROM: 2-3 east of Gila Bend, AZ exit 119

TO: Mile Post 141 off Interstate 8 in the Sonoran Desert TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,001

Today I didn't see or meet anyone. Well, I saw a bunch of cars and trucks driving along the interstate. I saw a few jack rabbits. I saw a ton of Sonoran Cactuses. After I walked a couple of miles they were everywhere. I trekked most of the day in the desert on both sides of the fence. After not making much ground and with a up and down terrain I started walking along the Interstate. It has a huge shoulder and usually only one lane of traffic. It doesn't have all that much traffic. The cell phone and radio came in handy today. I chatted with my dad, cousin, and friend. At night I got to listen to the radio. That helped me stay sane after not seeing anyone. I went through mountains and ended up sleeping on this hill with a cell tower in sight and overlooking a valley and the interstate. I saw one exit all day. That was the Freeman RD. exit. The road went nowhere. It was awesome seeing all the Sonoran Cactuses, but it was a lonely jaunt through the desert. Luckily the snakes are sleeping. I haven't seen any spiders or scorpions either. I could see the straight stretch that lied ahead of me. For more detail on today you'll have to read the book. It was a grind it out twenty plus mile day with just the desert and freeway traffic to keep me company.

DAY 150-- Jan. 28, 2007 MILES WALKED:22.34 FROM: Mile Post 141 off Interstate 8 in the Sonoran Desert TO: Stanfield, AZ (open desert area across from the Circle K) TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,026

Today I thought I would have 24 miles to any services. I ran out of water and had almost no food. I wouldn't have died, but it would have been a hungry and thirsty walk. However, when I ed the rest area with no facilities, I saw some signs. Signs of a gas station. I saw a sign for an R.V. Park. I was stoked. That was ten miles into my day and was the exit 151 off of Interstate 8. After eating at the Tonala Station and charging my cell I took 84 all the way into Stanfield. Luis, the owner of the Tonala Station, just moved down from Phoenix to open the place. He is remodeling. He gave me a sandwich, 2 dollars, and an orange. He was really nice. I thought between Stanfield and Casa Grande would be all desert. I was wrong. Just like the sign leaving Gila Bend was wrong. It wasn't 60 miles to the next services. It was around 33 or so. Once I crossed Interstate 8, I headed down Highway 84. There were trailers here and there in the desert. I glanced back to the south and saw Tabletop Mountain. The top of the mountain has a tabletop. There is a junction. At the junction there is a little cafe and store. I stopped. A man named Carlos who was heading up to Chandler to work his security job saw that I was hiking, and he wanted to buy me something to eat. He told me to get whatever I wanted. I got some snacky stuff. About 5 dollars’ worth of stuff. The 347 Highway heads north to Maricopa and the greater Phoenix area. I stayed on 84 and walked 6 miles through farmland past a dairy farm into Stanfield. I stopped at the Tabletop Tavern. I got a couple dollars donations for cancer research and a tip as to where to pitch my tent. There were some weekend bikers there. One lady from Lynden, WA. I didn't catch her name. I met Todd Hall. He's a welder in his late 30's. He gave me five dollars for food or whatever. He told me about all the open acreage next to the Tavern and across from the Circle K. He said some guys go drink there since the store is close. I went and pitched my tent after dark. I slept with one eye weary hoping that no one messed with me. No one did. I only heard coyotes howling.

DAY 151-- Jan. 29, 2007

MILES WALKED: 22.56 FROM: Stanfield, AZ (open desert area across from the Circle K) TO: Just south of Casa Grande, AZ (Sunland Inn) TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,051

I got a twenty-five-dollar donation this morning at the Stanfield Cafe when I ate my second breakfast. I haven't taken a day off since Indio, CA. The nice lady was Pat Dowdle from Stanfield. I walk the twelve miles from Stanfield into Casa Grande. Along the way I ed farm lands and some open deserts. I called the Casa Grande Dispatch and the nice man said he'd send out a reporter. He did. The man met me on the road and snapped pictures around 10 or 10:30. He said he'd put it on the A.P. wire today. After leaving the Stanfield, maybe a thousand people, I did a golf course around halfway or so I ed the Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort. It stood out like a sore thumb. At the west side of Casa Grande are places like Daily Juice Company, Hexcel, Palm Harbor Homes, and National Vitamin Company. After the industrial section you go under the train track and comes to an area. It goes into historic downtown where found the public library. There are shops and restaurants. Casa Grande is a nice town of about 32,000-55,000. I just the Bellingham Herald had a little article. That's cool that they put a little something in there. Andrew from the Western Washington University paper emailed me about doing an article. I'll be leaving the library. I might need to find some more time online. If not, this information will have to do. Also, I'll have to wonder around and find a place to call home for the night. Thinking about heading down toward Interstate 10. See Interstate 8 ends just southeast of Casa Grande and merges with I-10. Well, I didn't find any computer cafe after I left the library. I charged my cell at the

library for a bit and then left. I made into today's Casa Grande Dispatch. On the way out of town I collected 26 dollars for cancer research. A green van pulled off the side of the road. They saw my article and gave me thirteen dollars. Earlier I met three people. Ruben gave me 10 dollars, Nellie 2, and Harold 1. That made it a twenty-six dollars. I won't be able to donate that until tomorrow. Online I'll donate 26 dollars to the HUTCH. I took Jimmie Kerr Blvd. out of Casa Grande underneath I-10. It was dark when I got under the bridge. A little further down Jimmie Kerr and I took Sunland Gin Rd. That brought me to the Sunland Inn. I would say it was dilapidated, but that word might be too kind. Before I got the room the man said go look at the room first. That was a bad sign. The room had writings on the wall. Spider webs in the bathroom. Stains on the sheets. The air conditioner and heater were apart. The worst thing though was the fact that the T.V. didn't have a controller. The wallpaper was coming off all over the place. That was the story for the whole place. However, 30 dollars is all I could afford. I saw the sign for the place on the Interstate after Yuma. I took a much-needed shower. It said I-10 Exit 200 and said the price. I ate some dinner and met a couple truckers and then went to bed. I slept in my sleeping bag.

DAY 152--JAN. 30, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17.56 FROM: Just south of Casa Grande, AZ (Sunland INN) TO: Picacho, AZ (between milepost 214 and 215 off in the desert) TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,076

WEATHER: Overcast and sprinkles. My awesome rain poncho made his Arizona debut today.

PEOPLE: DONNA the waitress at the PETCO restaurant bought my meal. Then TRINA a nice young girl working at the Cingular station gave me five dollars for me. I met a man on bicycle who works in a carnival type thing that goes to Washington. He's set up shop in Bellingham, Skagit County, and Lynden, Washington. Also, someone from the library saw me in the paper yesterday. COOL STUFF: The A.P. article the newspaper that went out got picked up by a couple of papers. The Seattle P.I. and Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ). Also, Lisa Brooks an afternoon anchor for KOMO 1000 radio station in Seattle, WA wanted to have an online interview today. At 4:15 my time KOMO 1000 called me, and they had a live on-air interview with me. At that time, I was at the Picacho Campground. I got a couple of things from there store. It was brief but it was cool. CRAZY STUFF: Nothing to report. ROUTE: Went across Sunland Gin Rd. to PETCO TRUCK STOP. TOOK SUNLAND GIN RD. to Jimmie Kerr Rd where I headed south through Toltec, AZ into Eloy. Took side street to Main ST. in Eloy and went to the library. After I leave Eloy, I will get back onto Jimmie Kerr Blvd. and head south not knowing where I'm going to stay. Jimmie Kerr changed names and I kept on walking. I crossed to the west side of I-10. I stopped at the Picacho Campground. It had a little store and not much else. From the campground I took a frontage road. I walked down a mile or so and then I jumped a fence. Walked a quarter mile down the road and then I set up my tent. SCENERY: Desert with small bushes and some trees. Saw a couple jack rabbits that move so quick I can't even pull my camera out in time. I camped in the desert. OTHER THINGS I DID: In Eloy I'm at the library and I'm emailing and blogging. I'll head south looking for a campsite afterwards. I've spent time on the phone. I got a call from Sheila my improv instructor. Also chatted with some

friends in Bellingham. BELLINGHAM isn't in or part of Seattle. People outside of the Northwest tend to lump it in with Seattle. It's 86 miles north.

DAY 153-- JAN. 31, 2007 MILES WALKED:23.21 FROM: Picacho, AZ (between milepost 214 and 215 off in the desert) TO: Marana, AZ (Milepost 236 on Frontage Road) $ to FHCRC: 1,076

Today I walked in more rain that yesterday. Another roadblock popped up. It was another day of waking up and starting my day without knowing where I'd stay. Most of the rain came in the second half of the day. I only met a couple people today. It was a day of walking around the high desert. I must be around 1,500 feet or over. I walked five miles or so into Picacho Peak. There is a state park there. A couple of gas stations and a couple of tourist stores full of different things. A roadblock has popped up. My debit card magnetic bar seems not to be working all that well. There is a huge peak to lurking behind the little community. I switched to the frontage road on the east side of the highway. Shortly thereafter it began to rain more. I walked on the frontage road all the way into Marana. I ed Red Rock and a turn off for a Marine Air Base. I noticed a side road called Missile Base Rd. I took a mental note. A little over four miles down the road and a small black Chevy pickup pulled over. It was Mario the cowboy. He gave me five dollars and told me to get something to eat. I went around to his enger side so traffic didn't run me over. He asked where I was staying. He said I could stay at his house. I paused my walk at the milepost 236. He'll return me to that point. We went back the way I came. We went down Missile Base Road and then down a bunch of side roads to his one-bedroom house. Along the way saw Cactuses and bushes. Mario cooked up pizzas for me to eat. Then I ate a couple of sandwiches.

We had a couple of beers and chatted. After a while we went to bed. Mario takes care of 15 horses for a surgeon from Tucson. He has a 20-year-old son from Nogales, AZ and a 9-year-old daughter that lives in Tucson. He is an experienced cowboy that knows how to use his spurs. He's worked in Alaska. He's a slender cowboy with a lean frame. Real nice guy. Today I struggled through the rain and a nice cowboy took me in. I had dinner and warm bed, and a nice warm shower. Mario has a little dog.

DAY 154-- FEB. 1, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC: 1,076

Mario and I watched the weather. Today it rained and it was cold. The weather report showed that tomorrow that it would be much nicer. I took today off. Mario when off early in the morning to feed the horses. He came back and made breakfast. Scrambled eggs and some meat. I haven't had a day off in 21 days without walking around with my pack. I was going to take today off and then head into Tucson tomorrow. Mario went back twice more. Once after breakfast and once again after lunch. I laid on the couch watching T.V., reading, and writing. Mario around 4 or 5 went into town to visit his girlfriend. I hung out at the ranch by myself. It felt good doing nothing today. Mario got home around 9:30 or so. After chatting for a bit, Mario went to bed. I shortly followed.

DAY 155-- FEB. 2, 2007 MILES WALKED: 27.36 FROM: Marana, AZ (Milepost 236 on Frontage Road) TO: Tucson, AZ (Safeway on Campbell and Broadway) $ to FHCRC: 1,091

Well today I was fresh off an off day. I walked nearly 28 miles into Tucson where Carl picked me up at the Safeway. I never get a ride that advances my progress. Tomorrow or whenever I resume my walk, I'll get dropped off at the Safeway in the exact spot that I was picked up. Sometimes people want to hang out or they can save me from walking a couple miles off my route. The ride didn't get me closer to Miami Beach. Anyways, today was a solid day of walking. I phoned the T.V. station and the newspapers on the way into town. Sometimes I'm persistent and I call more than once. I had truck full of construction stop when I was walking on River Rd. and they gave me ten dollars for food or whatever. I had Fox Channel 11 interview also while I was walking on River Rd. Carl use to live in Aberdeen and then Bellingham, WA. He is friends with my Cousin John. That is the connection. This morning woke up at the ranch. Mario when the feed the horses a little after 6 a.m. Around 7:30 a.m. he returned. I grabbed a bite to eat and then he returned me to the point where he picked me up. He picked me up just south of the 236mile marked, but I backtracked and paused my walk at the 236-mile marker because where he was going to pick me up on Wednesday had no land marker, so I backtracked a couple hundred yards. From there I walked up and crossed underneath and took the frontage road on the west side of the I-10. I took that through Marana and then it turned into a one way south/east bound lane. Took that to Orange road that I took to River. I took to Oracle. I took Oracle for a ways and then at round a bout I took an east turn. Then I took a right turn. I caught Broadway which I took to Campbell.

Along the way I met with Jeff from Fox 11. I had the construction workers stop. I had someone on Broadway who saw me in the paper give me 15 dollars for cancer research. I stopped at the Safeway with a U.S. Bank to order a new ATM card up. Carl called me and picked me up there. I went to his place showered up. He's a big guy. I met his wife or girlfriend Chris. Then we went to his friend's house. Carl doesn't have a computer. I needed to update my website. Next is Mexican food and pool. At 9 p.m. my segment on the news will air. That will be awesome for the cause. It will help get it out. Tucson is close to a million people.

DAY 156--FEB. 3, 2007 MILES WALKED: still walking FROM: Tucson, AZ (Safeway on Broadway and Campbell) TO: edge of Tucson (Old Vail Rd. and Houghton Rd.) $ to FHCRC: 1,141

Last night I went out to eat with Carl and Chris. I had a pizza and Carl had chili. After that we rushed over to ALJ's, where they would play pool and have a couple of drinks. Right when we got there Chris flipped on the news and my segment was on. Everyone in the bar found out. The owners, Wink and Darcy, gave me 50 dollars and gave me a 50-dollar check for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Other people gave me money. Carl asked around and all the other money people gave for me to use on food, etc. It is very timely seeing how I only have 30 dollars. The whole trip has been that way. Scraping by with little. Between family and friends and the hospitality of strangers I get by. I know things will work out. Wink the owner was really cool. He gave me a shirt to take with me. The place was busy. Smoke floated around the room and four pool tables saw a lot of action. Around 11 p.m. Donald, Carl's friend gave

me a ride to Carl's house. The people in the bar including the fifty dollars from Wink gave me nearly two hundred dollars. This morning Carl dropped me back off at the Safeway on Broadway and Campbell. From there I walked to the Library on Columbus and 22nd. From here I'll be walking out of town. Carl offered to pick me up wherever I'm at later today. Sometimes I'm lucky enough to have a little bit of a team. Then Sunday I'll get returned to the same spot. The rides I get don't advance my progress since I get returned to that spot. This morning my family said that I was on King 5 news in Seattle and the Northwest Cable News (NWCN). They must have borrowed the footage from Tucson Fox 11. Here are some links. I couldn't find the video on the FOX website. I couldn't find the video; you might be able to. www.king5.com www.fox11az.com Check back to hear how the rest of the day unfolds. I'll be leaving the library and heading south. I'll pause my walk somewhere and probably return to Carl's house for another night in a warm bed. My Uncle Bill and Aunt Lisa donated 50 dollars to help me through my site. Thanks. I took a bunch of different streets out of Tucson. Somewhere Broadway, 22nd, Swan, Golf Links, Kolb, Valencia, and Houghton. I walked through town with lots of plazas, restaurants, a couple of car lots, and a huge air base. There were tons of planes. I mean a lot of big ones lined up. Hundreds of planes. Across the street was a junk yard. Valencia had a ton of cactuses.

They are fairly bright green. It looks like a base of tree that rises and then a bunch of the cactuses that come off it. Also, on Valencia had new houses and some new stores. Tucson is growing rapidly. I walked down on Houghton and called Carl. He came and got me. I stopped at Old Vail and Houghton, so I had a landmark to film as to where I paused my walk.

DAY 157-- FEB. 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC: 1,141

Super Bowl Sunday. I didn't walk with my pack anywhere. Carl and Kris have a big party every year. This year we had 8 T.V.'s and about 50-60 people show up. I was tired from walking 23 out of 24 days and my body needed the day off. I wasn't a social butterfly today. I mingled a bit and zoned out even more. I saw Donald and Marsha. Donald said he went around Tucson looking for bear spray. He couldn't find any. I guess they didn't need any. Donald and Marsha moved out from Penn. He was in the Army. Stationed in , Texas, and Honduras. Nice guy. Wink the owner of AL J's was also there. I met of Carl's friends. Good people. A guy named Josh. A big guy with a backwards hat gave me five dollars and appreciated what I was doing. There were reports that my segment on Fox 11 news in Tucson, AZ also aired in Portland, OR and Spokane, WA. The word is starting to get out.

An hour or so after the Superbowl people started heading out. Then Carl and Kris headed out to Al J's to shoot pool. I chatted with my buddy Austin and then went to bed. There was a lot of food at the part that Kris worked hard to get ready. The day before and then the morning of.

DAY 158-- FEB. 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22.25 FROM: edge of Tucson, AZ (Old Vail Rd. and Houghton RD. TO: Exit 289 off I-10(over the fence and in the desert) $ to FHCRC: 1,141

Today I resumed my walk where Carl picked me up on Saturday at Houghton and Old Vail road and took the scenic route to Exit 289. I went out of my way to go to Vail and then took Marsh Station Rd., which was pretty, but which took me around 5 miles away from the I-10 before I swung back around and hit the I-10 again at the 289 exit. Besides that, I walked on a dirt road and a frontage road. I ran into two instances of hospitality, which really has been the story of this trip. There are a lot of good people out there. First in Vail when I walked into there to look for a library which didn't exist, I stopped at the Cafe. The owner of J'Aime Le Cafe, a bald man with glasses in his 40's gave me a bowl of clam chowder. I bought two grilled cheese sandwiches for 2 dollars each. What a deal? Later when I was walking on the frontage road after I left Vail which I had to walk on the Colossal Cove Rd. A red Jeep Cherokee stopped. Two men. Martin Pina and Tom Rodriguez each gave me five dollars and told me to spend it anyway I want or half on research and half on ing my walk. They wore blue shirts with a company logo and looked as if they were heading back to

work. They saw me in the news. I walked down the frontage road to Mountain View. That was at exit 281. Inbetween there was a closed restaurant, fire station, and the Vail Community Church. Mountainview had about 6 houses going up on my side of the freeway. On the other side a few more houses. No stores or anything like that. From there I unknowingly went straight onto Marsh Station Rd. which wasn't a frontage road. It veered about 5 miles away from the Interstate. The terrain was hilly and up and down. Nothing bad. At the furthest point away from the from the interstate there were trailers scattered around. No town. On mountain had a white house of sorts on the top. Maybe it was an adobe castle. The hills were brown and dark green. The tops seemed to be darker. The hills around me changed throughout the day. I started walking on Old Vail and Houghton. I had about a mile and a half to the Interstate. I climbed a fence and walked a dirt road to just before exit 279, when I saw a frontage road. Along the way it was fairly flat. There were trees. The branches shoot straight up. Dark green leaves things kind of like cedar trees are on them. They ranged in two to eight feet high. Then there were what I call cactus trees. They have a tree trunk with balls of fingers of cactus. It made for a dark green with splotches of lighter green around. I could see that if there was a slight undulation in the terrain. Then after the road to Vail, at times there were just little tiny plants. Not more than a half foot high. After the 281 exit things began to change. There was more undulation and there were hills everywhere. Sorer than any other part of the state I've walked past. I did see a man walking. A homeless man I presume while walking on Marsh Station Road. The terrain ranged, but sometimes less cactus, sometimes more. It was mainly brown and dark green. I walked by some gravel pits and some more houses. I walked about an hour in the dark.

DAY 159-- FEB. 6, 2007

MILES WALKED: 21.76 FROM: Exit 289 on I-10. (over the fence and in the desert.) TO: Benson, AZ (around 308-mile marker off the frontage road behind the bushes) $ to FHCRC: 1,192

I've walked from off in the desert by the 289 exit a little over 17 miles into Benson and I'm at the library. I got an email from at the Hutchinson and the amount has grown. I'm counting 65 dollars that I'll be sending off. I woke up surrounded by brown trees with empty branches and the cactuses that are a couple feet high with circle type pads. I got back onto the I-10. There weren’t any frontage roads. The area had hills with mountains as a backdrop. Running out of time on computer. In Benson, AZ. Don't know where I'm staying. Went up hill around 294 to a plateau that was yellow for the most part with yellowish grass. Not the grass between Sentinel and Gila Bend, but real grass. From there around the 300-mile marked head into the Valley where Benson is. The Canyon was brown for the most part, with patches of yellow here and there. There is a Wal-Mart and fast-food places. Benson is a junction town. I think Highway 80 goes to Tombstone, AZ. Well, I forgot to mention something important that happened before I got to the library. I was climbing the hill around mile marker 296 a big full-sized truck pulled over. Inside was Rylie and Sally Stanton. Their daughter, Robbie Epinger, sat in the back. Sally got emotional telling me that she thought what I was doing was awesome. Robbie survived breast cancer. They gave me ten dollars to spend anyway I needed. Robbie gave me a dollar. They live in Sierra Vista, AZ. They told me that their niece LeAnn worked at the Wendy's in Benson. They told me to stop by for a possible free lunch. After they left, I finished going uphill and at exit 297 there was a gas station. There was a little community up there. It was a

flat prairie. More yellow grass spread out. I got some water at the gas station and left. I walked on a road that paralleled the highway. Shortly thereafter I began my descent into the valley where I'd stumble into the junction town of Benson. It has a 4,000 people or so. The town is fairly spread out. I went to Wal-Mart then the library. After the Library I back tracked to the Wendy's. I asked if LeAnn was working. She wasn't. The manager with a name tag that read, “That Bald Guy" said lunch was taken care of. On the way out of town a white full-sized truck pulled over. The couple who are full time R.V.er's use to live in Bellingham and Everson, Washington. Don and Diane. They stopped. We chatted and they gave me ten dollars. After that I walked out of town and caught a frontage road on the north side of the interstate. I walked down the frontage road. Looking behind me I could see the lights of Benson coming on with the mountains in the background. I had my lights flashing. I found a spot behind some brush just before the 308-mile marker to call home for the day. Another good day in the books. I climbed up to a prairie then went back downhill into the valley next to Benson. I met some nice people. I came to find that Benson had a newspaper. I looked for some newspapers and didn't see anything. I made a couple phone conversations and went to bed. I used the last of my fuel cannister.

DAY 160--FEB. 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 19.17 FROM: Benson, AZ (off the frontage road in the desert just before mile marker 308) TO: Mile 326 (over the fence and off in the desert next to I-10) TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,192

To the Wisconsin guys. Check the archives and look at DAY 147. I mentioned you. Today walked a little under 20 miles. I saw some beautiful country and met a few people. I walked through Texas Canyon where at one point I was standing at an elevation of over 4,900 feet. Texas Canyon is the home to huge granite boulders. It only stretches a couple miles along I-10, but it was awesome. Then I came down into a valley and then beyond. I made my home off in the desert just past the mile marker 326 off the interstate. I glanced across the freeway between two mountains and could see a valley and some kind of steam plant or factory type thing. I woke up in the midst of brown trees. I was off the frontage rd. I walked along that until it ran out. It was another beautiful Arizona day. A little chilly on this winter morning, but the promise of a warm day. I started heading out of town. Looking back, I could see Benson with the hill and mountain behind. I had hills to my left. They were light brown with specks of green all over. Around mile marker 310 I climbed a hill. Leading up to that was mountain on both sides. Sections have fell away to give that flat canyon type look. It was fairly flat. The freeway was on top. The land had ravines but wasn't really hilly. It was light brown with green bushes and brown trees with nothing on the branches. Cactuses are becoming rarer as I trek east. At the 312 exit I caught the Silbvy Rd. that went along I-10 until it made a left turn. I hopped back on I-10. I get positive honks from time to time. Or a trucker will blink his lights at me, and I'll see him giving me the peace sign. Around mile post 316 I began my climb into Texas Canyon. I was focused on not having traffic hit me and later tonight I realized I didn't capture as much video or footage of Texas Canyon. There are mountains covered with huge boulders. The hills are almost cream colored. There was a 318 exit to go to Dragoon. I walked past that then uphill some more and I came to the Texas Canyon Rest Area. I had a vending machine lunch. I asked a lady to snap my picture. I met Mike and Pat Stewart, who are full time RVers now. They were in

Florida for a while. Now they are bouncing around. They were in their 50's. I gave them a website and they might go online and make a donation. After I left the Texas Canyon I went downhill into a valley and onto exit 322. They have 'The Thing' and a Dairy Queen. I left the big granite boulders of the Texas Canyon for the lower valley. It had green and brown bushes spread throughout the hills. There is some yellow grass. Nothing like the valley by Willcox. I ate a second lunch at Dairy Queen. I checked at the thing. There is a gift shop. I chatted with a UPS guy who was dropping things off. People ask if I hitchhike a lot. I left thinking I might 3 times, but shortly into my trip I dropped all such plans. I have to turn rides down. If I ever get into a car, I get dropped off wherever I got picked up. Anyways the thing had a couple building that I walked through following the yellow footprints. It had old cars, paintings, cowboy equipment, typewriters, etc. The thing seemed to be an old corpse. After I left there, I walked just past the 326-mile marker. I saw a fox or coyote or wild dog along the way. I did get some footage of him. I whistled and he stopped in the brush. He stopped and checked me out. I feel we had a moment when he knew that I was safe. Maybe not. I walked over a little hill and then started downhill. Today I saw a couple sheriffs or highway patrols and they didn't talk to me. It was nearing 5 p.m. and the sun was starting to near his daily retreat. I hopped the barbed wire fence and walked a couple hundred yards. It was a surface of small rocks with bushes around. I was on a hill. Across the road was a small mountain range, with a gab inbetween revealing the valley and steam plant or something. At night there was a row of lights. I set my tent up. I fell asleep. I woke up and chatted with my friend Austin until Midnight.

DAY 161--FEB. 8, 2007 MILES WALKED:15.44 FROM: Mile 326 (over the fence and off in the desert next to I-10)

TO: Willcox, AZ (Lifestyles RV park) TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,244

Today I woke up off and walked into Willcox. I was surprised the by the beauty of the valley. The valley is a vast flat prairie full of yellow with the tall grass. Brown trees are here and there. I woke up and the freeway wrapped around the mountain on my right side of the highway and then headed downhill into the valley. The Interstate wrapped around the Mountain/hill that was on the south side or my right side of the freeway. Once I got to the bottom of the valley I glanced right, and I could see the steam plant that was across the highway. The area was brown. I think that was the Wilcox Playa. The dry lake. I saw a train crossing that section. I could see Willcox and had a good feeling about his town. I did a case study today. I counted 100 vehicles that ed me. 44 were trucks (18 wheelers and such) and 56 were cars, regular trucks, and u-hauls. Right off the bat in Willcox things got people were nice. At the Chevron off exit 336, I met a couple people. First, Irene Pargaz who lives on a ranch in the Dragoon Mountains donated 25 dollars for cancer research. She worked four years in Tucson at a bone marrow unit. Now she is a social worker. She saw me waltzing along the Interstate today. She has a friend who is in Seattle with her 7year-old daughter who is battling Leukemia. She was nice. She said she owns a Greek American restaurant in Benson. She was nice. She left. Then I met my next set of nice people. Sterling Pike walked by as I sat outside the gas station eating my processed lunch. My head was down when I saw a hand reaching out with some money. He handed me seven dollars. I asked his name and where he lived. He was with his wife and child. They live over in Saint Carlos, AZ on the reservation. I went to use the restroom. When I came out, he was looking at my pack. He said he lost his mother, two uncles, and other family to Cancer. His wife and him wished me luck and we parted. They got into his extended cab Ford pick-up truck. I chatted with a man outside the auto shop section of the gas station. He

wondered how far I was taking the ten-toe express(walking). I told him. Then it was time to find the newspaper and the library. I took the business 10 into town. It was about three miles and I ed yellow prairie with a trailer or house here and there. There was an R.V. park. Once into Willcox which was founded in 1880 and is elevation over 4,100. I like the scenery as I walked toward a mountain looking at the yellow prairie. The scenery has ever been changing since Tucson. Before I was walking through town. ing a cafe and hotels. It was getting warm. Somewhere in the 70's as I walked through the small Arizona town. The town is spread out. Then I saw two guys on the roof of one of the hotels. The sunset. Bran. A man in his late 30's with dark blonde hair and sunglasses. He said, are you the guy walking across the country. I said, "Yep." He climbed down from the ladder. He said that he wanted to me. Rafael, his co-worker, remained on the roof. They each gave me twenty dollars. I asked what they wanted me to put the money toward. Cancer research or helping me. He said get something to eat and put some of it toward cancer research. I decided to put twenty on cancer research and twenty on food. That means in a brief amount of time in Willcox, and I've raised 52 dollars for cancer research. Bran was totally stoked on seeing me and said he thought about me the other day. I kept walking down the street and saw the office for the Arizona Range News. I popped in. I heard a couple ladies talking. They heard me come in. Carol Broeder came out. She offered me a glass of water. My water bladders were empty. I took a cup. She came back with a notebook and a camera. We chatted for a while. The paper is a weekly. They had some college guys from Oregon ride through raising funds for Lou Gehrig’s Disease. After we chatted, she asked if I needed to fill up my water. I went to the back of the newspaper and filled up my Gregory water bladder. My other seems to have a slight leak. Carol went out and snapped a couple pictures of me. She was really nice and friendly. I took a left at the stoplight and walked to the other side of the police station to the library. I went in and used the computer. They don't have a time limit and I've been going for a while. I get onto myspace to post my blog there for my

following on that sight. Guess what? Willcox is home to the first internet cafe that I've came across in Arizona. I think after I leave here, I'll see about camping at an R.V. park for the night and then go over to the internet cafe. I could use a shower. Haven't seen one since Tucson. There is a lot of time left in the day. Who know what else might happen? Well, I went back to the main street and I saw Bran again. I walked toward I-10 and I found Lifestyles RV PARK. It has fitness area, indoor pool, library, TV room, laundry, and showers. It was worth the fifteen dollars. Now I needed to find the cafe with the computer. I walked back toward the one stoplight that I've seen in the area. I saw Bran again. He has a good energy. He pointed me in the right direction. The place charged a buck for a half an hour. Not bad. After this I'm going to grab a bite to eat and then I'm going to shower and hit the hot tub. My tent is already set up. Well, I keep you posted. I'll be leaving the small desert town nestled into the beautiful valley tomorrow. Jessica Bucklin from Camano Island, WA gave 20 dollars to the trip today through the website.

DAY 162--FEB. 9, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16.27 FROM: Willcox, AZ (Lifestyles RV Park) TO: 14+ miles east of Willcox, AZ (around mile post 354 over the fence and in the desert) TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,264

Well, I haven't walked very far. I figured I might not see a computer between Willcox and Lordsburg, NM. Bran stopped by my campsite this morning. I ran into him on the way to the coffee shop also. He was stoked on catching up with me.

It was a beautiful morning. The sun is up and warming up the day. No clouds in the sky and my bag are nearly packed. A white full sized pickup truck pulls into the RV park. I have site number one. Bran pops out with a bright smile. He was glad he caught me. He gave me twenty dollars from his wife Trisha. She is in Tucson, but she wanted to donate twenty dollars for cancer research. I needed to go to IGA to pick up some food. Bran drove me down there to save me time. I left my pack at my campsite. The store was out of my way. I went to the grocery store and Bran went to ACE Hardware. He got me a pair of clear goggles and five dust masks. Once I cross the border into New Mexico any wind can lead to dust storms that lead to zero visibility. After that took me to a quick breakfast at McDonalds. We had a nice time chatting. We would have gone to a service restaurant, but he was expecting some lumber from Tucson. He got me a couple sausage biscuits to go. He gave me ten dollars for food. Then he dropped me back off at the Lifestyles. We chatted and then shook and said our goodbyes. I ran into Bran three times yesterday and twice today. I figured that I might as well walk over and update my website. What would an extra hour or so matter? I walked back to the downtown area of Willcox. The grocery store and hardware store are closer to the interstate. I liked the downtown. The building is old but not run down. I know Bran is fixing up a couple of the hotels. Last night I got a burger at the Big TEX. It is an old red train car turned into a restaurant. They had good burgers. As I walked to the stoplight in downtown I glanced over and saw Bran. He was chatting with Carol Broeder's husband. Bran and I walked behind Big Tex and went into the coffee shop. He took care of my time on the computer. Bran had been great. To walk into a town not knowing someone and have a person take me under my wing and show me hospitality was great. Now I'll be leaving the coffee shop heading on business 10 to I-10 and then eastward toward Bowie and then San Simon and then the border. I'm looking 4050 to the border. I had a good feeling about Willcox. Bran also gave me a bandana and a Willcox pen. He said the mayor wanted to meet me in the morning but couldn't. I'll be leaving Willcox shortly. The small high desert prairie town has been great. I've raised 72 dollars for cancer research and met a bunch of nice people. I leave the yellow grassed prairie to an unknown path that

lies ahead of me. Well two big events happened after I left Willcox, AZ. The ever-elusive jack rabbits got captured on tape. Not one, but two. Around the 351-mile marker on 1-10 the first one ran and stopped. Usually, they run until I can't see them. It stood still while I videotaped him. The second one stopped and then when I got the camera in place it took off running. I got some footage of it running. The second big event was when I broke my tripod. It must have one of the times I climbed over a barbwire fence. Primarily along the interstate there is a fence of four or five single strands of barbwire. I've become fairly skilled at hopping over them. I left the coffee shop with my rucksack full of hope and determination. I'm nearing my halfway point on the trip. I'm stoke because I have the second half to keeping raising money. I walked out business 10 about four miles to I-10. I ed yellow grassed area with more brown trees. They aren't big. I stopped and ate the three sausage biscuits that Bran bought me. I was mistaken earlier. It's bright but there are some stars. Instead of getting onto I-10 I hopped a frontage road and walked that until it turned north and away from the Interstate. It was warm day. Roughly between mile markers 349 and 350 there was mainly just one newer plant. Its leaves were brown on the bottom, then yellow in the middle, and green on the top. The plant or tree got up to 5 to 7 feet tall. Sometimes it would be shorter that five feet. That short section it dominated the landscape. On the frontage road which was just a road there was a power place or some kind of factory type thing to the north. Once I was past the 344 exit a ways there was nothing. Then the landscape turned to rolling hills with yellow, brown, and dark green in the land scape. A big mountain range ran in the distance to the south. The south side was a valley that often times below the level of the freeway, whereas the north side was above the freeway. Just past mile post 354 I hopped the fence. I was between the two 191 north exits. I think those were 352 and 355. I wandered around in the desert. It was a little ravine. I thought about making home there. A few trees existed, but I saw a

bunch of dried cow crap. I went up a little hill that had a big flat top. The ground was mostly rocky. The plants and bushes were spread out. It was a hair after 5 p.m. I found a tree about 3 feet high with nothing on the branches to call home. I set my tent up. Ate some food. I listened to the radio. Some classic rock n roll. I got a late start out of Willcox but had a good morning. Bran took me under his wing and took care of me this morning. Willcox has a special place in my heart. I had nothing but a good experience there. Tomorrow I'll close the gap between me and New Mexico.

DAY 163-- FEB. 10, 2007 MILES WALKED:27.87 FROM: 14+ miles east of Willcox, AZ (around mile 354 off 1-10 over the fence and in the desert) TO: San Simon, AZ (off business 10 just before mile 381 off the road 200 feet) TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,264

Today I walked from the middle of the desert past nothing but desert scenery until I hit Bowie, AZ and then just a farm here and there until I stumbled into San Simon. A Florida trucking couple, Mike and Petra McClenahan, bought my dinner at the Chevron with a little mini cafe. I found a spot at dark past the edge of town. So much talk of illegal aliens and drug smugglers made me sleep wearily night. I wasn't far from the road. It didn't get all that cold. During the middle of the day, it got warm. A big online donation by Tricia, Bran's wife. Actually, two donations totaling 450 dollars. I got up and packed up my tent. I haven't seen much of anything but desert since exit 344. I walked along the desert on the north side of the fence. I try to avoid

walking along the interstate unless I have to. For some reason cars and trucks flying by at 80 mph is kind of distracting. Shortly I hopped the fence, and I was waltzing along I-10 once again. I've had law enforcement drive by me in Arizona and none said anything. As I headed downhill into the valley the train went under from the south to north side. Shortly after reaching the bottom and after the over I hopped the fence. There was a dirt/grass fiber optic road. I think it was around 359 when I hopped the fence. It started getting warm around now. There was short yellow grass around the brown shrub trees. At times it was dirt, and not rocky. There was a house and some big farm or rail equipment vehicles along the way. I hoped over the fence and onto the business 10 through Bowie. Bowie is a rundown town of 400 or so. Most of the business buildings weren't open and not in good shape. There was a nice school and a small library. I walked off the main street and the library was closed. I saw a market. I grabbed some snacks. I walked over to city park. There were a lot of people driving around nice vehicles. I ed a pecan farm on the way. There were a bunch of trees 12-15 feet tall in rows. There was nice hacienda there with some horses out front. Around 366 I came to the gas station that had Subway and Baskin Robbins. The gas station and food things were d for miles prior. I stopped to fill my water. My camera batteries died. I got some new ones. From there a frontage road goes all the way on the north side to San Simon, AZ. There wasn't much in-between there. South of the freeway looked to be some Pecan farms or ranches. Right near some San Simon was some yellow fields. I stopped at the Chevron at the 278 exits in San Simon. It said the Kactus Kafe, but it's shut down. They had small deli at the truck stop. There was a couple setting at another table. I met Richard Minker. He was at the table next to mine eating fried chicken. I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich with fries. He is disabled and sells knives and swords. He loves the mountains. He did live in Texas around the Fort Worth area for many years. The big round man with a gray beard and friendly chatter was born in Roswell, NM. He married a Texas girl, but the mountains brought him back to Arizona. He lives in 19-foot trailer at the RV park in Bowie. He talked of a man who walked down from Washington who had his donkey die in

Willcox. He's wintered up in Bowie while the weather warms up. I heard of a man walking through SE California with a donkey or to. I heard those reports around the Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain. Anyways, Richard talked of gold prospecting. He said he has two machines. One for water and one to shift with no water. He also has a metal detector. He said he's found a couple nuggets the size of a pinky. We chatted about other things. The couple setting at the other table asked me about my trip when they got up to go. It was dark now. Mike and Petra McClenahan, both wearing brown hair, are a husband/wife trucking team from Florida. There cb names are Mike (BaddDogg) and Petra (Midnite Angel). They truck for Prime inc out of Springfield, MO. They picked up my tap. On a day when I didn't know if I'd meet anyone, and someone was kind enough to by a meal for me. The nice couple left. I chatted with Richard some more as my cell charged. Then I hit the road. It was dark when I walked the 2+ miles through the rest of the through the small town. Not much there besides houses. There was a little market. I stopped and had a coke. I chatted with Harvey the owner. He lived in the area his whole life. He looked up the population of Las Cruces, NM. He said how they use to grow cotton and that went south, then they recently started trying pecans. He had a little chuckle after he statements, he made, and would reply, 'Oh Yeah" to things I said. After chatting for ten-fifteen minutes about surrounding towns and such I left. I walked out of the town. Just before the 381 marker I wandered a couple hundred feet off the road and set my tent up behind some bushes. As I set my tent up, I smelled some aftershave. My aftershave that Shawn from Michigan gave me, spilled all over my tent. At first, I thought I my catching the scent of someone else. My tent feet between some bushes and a tree. I didn't sleep that good. Every noise woke me. I talked on the cell with some friends.

DAY 164-- FEB. 11, 2007 MILES WALKED: 23.29

FROM: San Simon, AZ (off business 10 just before mile 381 off the road 200 feet) TO: 5 miles east of Road Forks, NM (between mile markers 10 and 11 on the other side of the railroad tracks off of I-10) TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,273

Today was a long day and had a few ups and downs. I had a little over ten miles until I crossed from Arizona into New Mexico. Jerry and Martha Harp were enroute to Phoenix, AZ from Lynden, TX and had plans to meet up with me. We met in the ghost town of Steins, NM. Thanks to Jerry I raised 9 dollars for cancer research for in the ghost town. It was an overcast day that was warm. Things got interesting around midnight when it started to rain. My rainfly wasn't on and I was in a flashflood area that was a hundred yards from a huge body of surface water. I got up and started walking. I knew I'd be meeting up with Jerry Harp today. I walked a couple miles to I-10. Then I walked a frontage road until I got to the Inspection station. I could see mountains. The north mountains were close. To the south the big mountain range was in the distant. The south had a vast flat valley. It was solid brown and solid yellow. I couldn't tell if they were trees or dirt. At one point it appeared that it might be pecan trees. The mountain top had a little snow. At the inspection station I walked through an open area in a fence and walked along the railroad to the San Simon Rest Area. A mile or less away from the rest area and I had to depart from the railroad road. I walked through green shrubs, brown trees, and some other bushes. Then I climbed a barbwire fence. I got some snacks at the rest area. It has a red rock area for pet walking. I chatted with some people working there. I asked how far the border was. They told me that it was a couple miles. They pointed at the peak of the southern Mountain range had the profile of Cochise, the great warrior. On this warm overcast day, I left. From San Simon, AZ it was uphill to where I was out. Now I have to go over Steins . To my left the mountains were yellowish/brown. They had some rocks. The base had green shrubs. Green shrubs and brown shrub trees filled the area between the interstate and the hill. As I got closer to New Mexico a mountain range was along the freeway. I walked the freeway from the

rest area so that if Jerry drove by, he'd see me. I crossed the border at 11:59 a.m. into New Mexico. Arizona, a twenty-four-day walk, was now a notch in the belt. The last exit in Arizona was 391. As I climbed the point, the yellowish hills on the right were a couple miles away. On my left, the north side, the one huge rocky point of one of the mountains only got bigger. I looked back into Arizona. I stood and ired of the beauty. The large mountains range with the large dark brown valley with patched of yellow. That was on the south. To the north the light brown mountain with dark bushes covering it like dots. I had a good time in Arizona. I spent only 45 dollars on housing while in the state. I enjoyed the beauty of the walk. From the low desert area of Yuma to the high desert of S.E. Arizona. I ran into a lot of good people and towns like Willcox and Gila Bend with always be etched in my memory. My Tucson stop was awesome. Now I got a new state and a new challenge. 2+ miles into the state and I was nearing the top of Steins . As I neared exit 3 on I-10 I looked over to see Jerry down at the ghost town and he waved. The man in his early 60's who is planning a biking trip out this way when it warms up was waiting for me. I waved back and made my off the interstate and down to the ghost town. At the Steins ghost town which was a collection of wooden shanties and a couple of donkeys fenced in. There was an old mercantile store. Behind were rocky Mountains. Well, in the distance. A few miles back or so. Jerry who has been following me for a while told everyone about me. Other tourists at the place. Fred Boyd and Janet Gray donated five dollars to cancer research. It turned out to be a perfect spot to meet Jerry and Martha. I get down and the couple who was from Georgia/North Carolina were milling about. Jerry told them that he had an interesting guest. We talked with Fred and Janet for a bit. However, Jerry, Martha, and I had sub sandwiches waiting for us. There was a nice, covered picnic table. Jerry bought me a sub sandwich, chips, drink, and some chocolate. We chatted about my walk and about Phil. They met with Phil, the British Man walking east to west. Phil is in Carlsbad, NM. We'll be meeting up by the end of the month. It's an exciting moment. After lunch Jerry gave me

20 dollars for whatever I needed. Jerry and Martha had little gray dog named Alien. Rose was an older woman who was lives in an RV and is road tripping. She took a picture of Martha, Jerry, and I. Jerry and I fed the donkeys some apples. Jerry and Martha had to be in Phoenix, AZ by 5 p.m. and just before 2 p.m. they took off. I left and Rose stopped as I was leaving the ghost town getting ready to get back onto the shoulder of I-10. She told me good things will happen to her. It was fun watching Rose take pictures with the camera. She's not use to the new cameras. I walked downhill into the valley. I saw a vast valley of yellow and I did see some water. It was pretty. So far New Mexico seems to be more yellow than Arizona, excluding the Willcox area. The mountains stayed next to the highway, but soon gave way to the flat valley. I stopped at Road Forks. It was pretty run down. There was a truck stop and the Shady Grove Restaurant in the truck stop. I stopped for a piece of apple pie and ice cream. I also had a Coke. Pam, the slender brown-haired waitress picked up my tab. She saw my sign. There was an RV park in Road Forks and looked like a few people lived there. A couple truckers were eating, and a couple of locals were eating. Pam is an example of one who probably has less to give than most, but she asked me about my voyage, and she paid for my meal. Two free meals today and 9 dollars for cancer research and that isn’t bad. Instead of getting back onto I-10 after Road Forks I walked on a dirt road between the I-10 and the railroad. This took place on the north side. I walked 4+ miles. It was dry dirt and yellow grass. There was a body of water on the north side of the train tracks. I guess it gathers there in the winter on the vast dirt area. I climbed over the train tracks and climbed a taller than normal barbwire fence where I cut my left leg. I was in-between the 10- and 11-mile markers on I-10. There was a nice sunset over the mountains in the west. The pink and the clouds made it nice. I was woke up at midnight by rain. My rainfly wasn't on. That meant that I was getting wet. I quickly ripped my rain poncho out of my bag to cover my rucksack and important things. It only last a couple minutes. Knowing this is probably a flash flood area and that there is body of water less than hundred yards away meant that I needed to move camp. Another quick rain came and

gone. I loaded all the small things into my pack. I carried my pack over and put it on the other side of the barbwire fence. My tent still had my sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and mummy liner. I didn't break it down. I picked it up and somehow got it over the barbwire fence after I ripped a tiny hole in it. The weight maneuvered around and made it difficult. I had two options now. I needed high ground. Either the railroad road or the dirt road between the railroad and the freeway. I choose the dirt road. I transported everything over the course of a couple trips. I had to set my rainfly up. First, I set it up inside out, and then backwards. I just left it backwards. At this point I wanted to sleep. My tent was later shortly assaulted by an army of raindrops. The ground I choose wasn't all that good. It wasn't all that flat. It had a little canyon where my back was. Oh well. Today I met Jerry and walked into New Mexico my fifth state. I saw a cool ghost town and had a crazy night.

5

New Mexico

DAY 165-- FEB. 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 13.81 FROM: 5 miles east of Road Forks, NM (between mile markers 10 and 11 on the other side of the railroad tracks off of I-10) TO: Lordsburg, NM (Holiday Motel, room 131) TOTAL $ to FHCRC: 1,273

I walked into Lordsburg today. I climbed a hill and went into the Valley town. New Mexico seems to be more yellow than Arizona. I'll be crossing the continental divide sometime over the next couple days. I had to wait till 1 p.m. for an open slot at the library. I checked into a cheap motel seeing how I needed to update my site and I wouldn't be done that early. I called the local paper. It's called the Hidalgo County Herald. A nice lady from the newspaper came out to photograph me. Some people in Arizona told me to avoid Lordsburg. So far, I've ran into nice people. The photographer and the people at the library. I got up and started walking down the dirt road. I ed two exits before Lordsburg. I went uphill around mile post 14 or 15. The rail started veering north away from the interstate. There was some groundwater between me and the freeway. I was worried, but then I came to a spot with cracked dirt and yellow grass. I made my crossing and climbed the fence. I was back on the interstate. On the way I saw the vast yellow valley. I saw the body of water to the north. I

saw some Union Pacific men going to work. I saw two white Union Pacific buses. Around mile post 14 I saw a huge rock on the north that I took some pictures. As I started up the hill it was yellow rolling hills on both sides with green shrubs. At times the shrubs had slightly rocky ground and then other times it had yellow grass, other times it didn't. Then before I knew it around milepost 18 and I was heading downhill toward another valley and the freeway started heading toward the south a bit. It was another huge vast yellow valley. I couldn't see Lordsburg until I neared the bottom. At exit 20 I crossed the freeway and went to the rest area. The nicest one. It was adobe style with a courtyard. I charged my phone. The nice lady working gave me the phone number for the paper and computer place. She told me where the library was. After that I crossed the freeway and stopped at LOVE's truck stop. I got a small pizza. From there I walked down the business 10. I called the newspaper and talked with a nice lady. A photographer came out in a blue SUV with her little dog. I forgot her name. She was nice and had short brown hair. She snapped a couple pictures and we briefly chatted. There were some run down buildings. The public buildings were nice. The hotel I'm staying out, the pool room is loaded with chairs, etc. I headed to Main St. and then from there found the library. I signed up for a 1 p.m. slot. It was noon and I had an hour to kill. I saw the town had some cheap motels. I went to the Holiday in and got a room for 39 dollars. I needed to update my site and it's 60 miles to Deming. Only thing in-between is rest areas and one gas station. I'm going to try and two big days getting me near, and then hit Deming early the next day. That'll be my next internet stop. I used my hour at library and nearly two hours here at the computer store. They are updating wireless in the town. One younger tall man was in and out going to jobs. A younger girl answered the phone and made calls. Another older man, who probably owns the place, helped people and did some computer work.

I'm at the library. My time is nearly up, and I'm not done posting the last couple of days. I'll need to go to the computer store and spend some more time on the computer. I went to MC2 to finish putting my blog on. Listened to some good music. A little Joe Strummer. After this I'll shower and find some food. This 13+ mile day will serve as my off day until I get to Las Cruces.

DAY 166--FEB. 13, 2007 MILES WALKED:21.68 FROM: Lordsburg, NM (Holiday Motel) TO: Separ, NM (around milepost 66, in tent between interstate and rail) $ to FHCRC: 0 TOTAL: 1,273

WIERD NEWS OF THE DAY: In Arizona at exit 322 there is 'The Thing' with a gift shop and Dairy Queen. In the bathroom stall they had paper for people to write on. I wrote my website on each one. Colby was driving from El Paso, TX to Tucson. He saw my site. He gave it to his sister, Jody, who lives in El Paso. She has looked into setting some meals up for me. Her neighbor has media connections, and they want to know if I want to do a spot. Back today. I was a solid day of walking. There was rain off and on. I found my place of rest at dark. I had a good chat with a store owner, Rosendo Cruz, in Lordsburg before I left. I walked a frontage type road out of town and then I walked the railroad road for the rest of the day. The 42nd exit had a Continental Divide gift shop in Separ, NM. It's a dot on the map, but there are a couple houses, the gift shop, and a truck repair place. I cut my left ring finger fairly good climbing over a barbwire fence. I guess I shouldn't Rambo my way over those with a 50-pound backpack. I used my first aid kit for the second time since being in New Mexico.

I packed up and checked out of my hotel. I stayed up late last night talking with my friend Austin. I walked west on the business 10 to the Lordsburg market. That is when I met Rosendo. He was mopping the floors. I bought a few things. He asked if I'm working hard, and I told him what I'm up to. We ended up chatting for about a half an hour. He's a 43- or 44-year-old Mexican American. He came over 20 years ago. He lived in L.A. for 18 years, and has been in Lordsburg, NM for 2. He and his wife have 6 years. He's thinking about moving to Las Cruces. His business is in a slow area. Like other desert towns, the base of town has shifted from the railroad to the Interstate. Along business 10 which goes along the rail most businesses are closed down. We chatted about putting Mayo on corn on the cob. I hate Mayo. He, like my stepmother, Anabel, are from Mexico City. He was a nice man. He offered me anything in the store, but my pack was full. He offered to pay for lunch at the Mexican Restaurant he started, but it was out of my way and the day was getting late. I said goodbye to the black-haired man, and I waltzed out of town on the ten-toe express. I walked the buisness-10 out. There was a Truckstop at the edge of town. After that I walked on a frontage type road until it ran out, and along the way I ed New Mexico Department of Transportation station. I pulled my rain poncho. The dark clouds showed promise of rain. I hopped the fence and walked in the grass next to the interstate for a brief moment. I decided to take the railroad road. I hopped back over the fence. In the process I cut my left ring finger. I didn't have my poncho on. I dropped my pack and pulled out my first aid kit. I cleaned the cut and then I wrapped some tape around it. I walked the rest of the day on the dirt road next to the rail. I didn't meet anyone or talk to anyone. Well, I chatted on my cell phone a couple of times. At the end of the day around the 42nd mile there was the Continental Divide gift shop. I got some food there. Along the way I had my rain poncho on and off. I might see a truck here and there drive by on the dirt road. Around the 40th mile marker the North mountains seemed to run out. Also, around the 40th mile marker it seemed to become a little lumpier. Not quite rolling hills, but not as flat as it was. Prior to mile marker 34 it was green and brown shrubs. A little more yellow and more spread-out plants. It was nearing dark when I reached mile marker 42. I went under 1-10 to the

south side of the interstate. I went into the little giftshop. Remnants of an old gas station remained. There was a big white T.P. east of the place. I checked it out. I was thinking about setting my tent up inside. Too much garbage. I'd rather take my chances up at dark. I went and set my tent up back on the north side of the freeway. It was dark and rain was coming. I set my tent up quickly. There were little bushes that had a lot of little pokies. I wrote in my journal and did my video journal. I made a couple calls on my cell phone. There wasn't much of anything between Lordsburg and Separ. It was a nice peaceful. It's cool because sometimes the people from the freeway can still see me. Every now and then a trucker will honk, and I'll see him waving his arm. It feels cool. In my mind the truckers are spreading the word all across the country. They radio each other telling of guy walking across the country for cancer.

DAY 167--FEB. 14, 2007 MILES WALKED: 25.43 FROM: Separ, NM (around mile post 42, in tent between interstate and the rail) TO:16 miles east of Deming, NM (around mile 66, in tent between interstate and the rail) $ to FHCRC: 20 TOTALS: 1,293

Today was wet in the morning and then a cold wind in the afternoon. I walked all day along the railway road. I saw Union Pacific workers and Blattner workers. I talked to a couple of people. A U.P. worker and a man that worked for the gas company. I crossed the continental divide, 4,585 feet. I raised 20 dollars for cancer research at the Dairy Queen.

I got up this morning and a little of the water on my rainfly was iced over. Not really bad though. I packed up my tent. I thought that I'd have about 7 miles or so to my next little store. Wrong. Try about 20. That was Butterfield Station with a little gift shop and the Dairy Queen. The place might also be known as Gage. I guess about 9 people live there. Anyways that is not till later. For most of the day the rain poncho was off and on. Sometimes the rain might not be bad. It's not like in the Northwest where it rains all day. The wind is blowing the clouds around and the sprinkles mostly come and go. Sometimes a little bit of showers. The scenery today was range from yellow fields with green plants dotting it to heavy brown shrub trees. Most of the plants in the desert seem to poke you. My legs get beat up when I'm wearing my shorts. I was walking along early in the day when I saw a few Union Pacific workers working. One of them asked where my skies were. I explained people use trekking poles for hiking to save their knees. They are handier on trial, but still a purpose for what I'm doing. I see a lot of Blattner workers. They drive white trucks with Blattner in maroon. I've seen the trucks with Minnesota plate. Probably a Minnesota company hired to come down to work on the big rail job. Later today I was walking along the road when a red full-sized Pickup truck stopped. The man said that I've walked along ways. He saw me earlier today and thought that I was an illegal alien. We chatted about my trip. He told me about seeing a couple illegals last week. His red truck had plates from Oklahoma. He said he worked for the gas company and he checks from Separ to Deming, NM. He was an older guy in his 6o's. He said how the rail is supposed to be cleaning up. Phase 1 was adding a 2nd rail. They are doubling up between El Paso, TX and the west coast. Phase 2 is putting in new bridges, I guess. They are doing that now. I saw heavy equipment moving rocks around. The old man left after a brief chat. The second non-cell phone conversation I had. When I got to Butterfield Station at mile 62, I went underneath the freeway and to the south side. I ate at the Dairy Queen. A slender man in his 60's saw my sign. He was wearing black jeans, black hat, and a black jacket. The hat a red flame on it and I think it might have a Nascar hat. He asked if I was taking

donations. I said, "yes." He gave me twenty dollars for research. I asked his name. He replied, "Bennie Frazie." He said he lived out back. I asked the cashier at the gift shop about Bennie. She said he's the maintenance man. She also said about 9 people live around there. After Bennie got his food, he left. The man wearing glasses left. He said that his mother ed away from cancer. Bennie and I will probably will never see each other again. We shared a moment. We shared a common loss. Seeing the sign on my pack was all he needed to know. He didn't need to ask 1,000 questions making sure I'm not a fraud. He probably has less to give than most. He probably doesn't make much, but something I did touched his heart. I looked over across the freeway to the southside. In the mile leading up to Butterfield Station there are 13 billboards advertising it. I-10 has a lot of billboards. Sometimes for something a couple hundred miles away. I think I saw one today or yesterday for Pecos, TX. There are some mountains behind Butterfield Station. Besides that, the mountains are much further in the distance. I walked back underneath eh freeway after eating dinner. I walked another 4+ miles. It was getting cold, the wind. I set up my tent as darkness approached. It was another spot between the freeway and the rail. Didn't think anyone would bother me here. I chatted to a couple of people. It rather cold. It was probably the coldest night I've had so far. Even at that, it was until early morning that it became uncomfortable. I saw some cows grazing around. In some ways the landscape stays somewhat the same, but it has subtle changes all day. It can be tough for me to keep track of them, even at the pace of a walk. Toward the end of the day, I saw something new. It was a branch going straight up. It had what looked like a flower, but it seemed like wood. The flower looked almost like a rose but was wood or something like that. Also, the total from Tricia was 500 dollars. She didn't think that I would know, but pay pal lets me know who drops into there.

DAY 168--FEB. 15, 2007

MILES WALKED:17.62 FROM: 16 miles east of Deming, NM (around mile 66, in tent between interstate and the rail) TO: Deming, NM (Mirador Motel) $ to FHCRC:0 TOTAL: 1,293

I woke up with heavy frost on my rain fly. I walked a couple of miles and then had a breakfast at the Truckstop. I walked 17 miles into Deming to the public library. Along the way I met a drifter on a frontage road north of I-10. He had no gear or anything. Then I met Matt Robinson, a reporter from the Deming Headlamp. He snapped some pictures and wanted to write an article. He was stoked on the story. Today was sunny with no clouds in the sky. It was pretty cold in the morning. Arlene of Santa Barbara donated 10 dollars to help my walk today, or well at least I found out about it today. I got up this morning a little before 8 a.m. My rainfly was frosted over. It was cold packing it up. I didn't have time to let it unthaw. I had to get going. I walked a couple miles along the dirt road. At times it was bad because when it got made it was raining out. At mile 68 there is a truck stop, Savoy. They had a restaurant. I popped in for a trucker breakfast. The blonde waitress used to live in Chehalis, WA, not with her accent I imagine she spent more time in the south. She was nice. Her husband and daughter came in for breakfast. I charged my cell while I ate. I had to cross underneath I-10 to get there. I crossed back underneath and started walking east again. Instead of walking the dirt road I walked the paved frontage road on the north side. I called the Deming Headlight newspaper. Bill, the editor, was nice and told me to call them when I got back into town. Well from there I had a solid 14+ miles into Deming. I walked hard and only stopped once for five minutes or under. I wanted to get into town as soon as possible. Today is an internet day. Those can always be a little stressful. I had called the paper, and someone would come out and snap a couple pictures of me.

A couple miles before I got into Deming, the base of Luna County, I saw a man walking. He was a drifter in his 70's. He carried nothing. He had a leather face covered in a grey/yellowish beard. He wore camo pants and a dark jacket with a grey beanie. He told me to watch for the wolves. He was walking west. He's been wondering around for a while. He stretched as I talked to him. I asked if he was going to California and he said they don't like hitchhiking out there. We walked different directions. A little further down the road I swiveled around and filmed the man. Drifters usually don't like to be on tape. I saw the billboards leading up into the town of around 12,000. I walked the north frontage road until I came to the 81 exit. Then I climbed over a fence and went underneath the interstate. I hit the west edge of town. I called Bill at the paper. He said he would send someone over. I walked aways and stopped at a store and got some cheap lunch. Hotdog, chips, cookie, and soda for 3.48, that ain't bad. There are some mountains to the south of Deming. Walking into Deming was some mountains in the distance on the north as I came into town, but not a whole bunch before that. Matt, reporter from the paper, met first along Pine. St. and then again at the library. He said he might look me up this weekend when he goes to Las Cruces. He's a younger guy in his 20's and an easy-going personality. He met me on Pine just after I got done grabbing a snack at the convenience store. I walked and he grabbed some photos. Then he drove down to the library. He grabbed some photos as I walked up to the library. He let me use his to use the computer. Matt and I had a good chat at the library. He was stoked on what I was doing. I told him about Phil Goddard, and I think they'll run something on Phil. I told him about our meeting. He thought it was cool. I got on the computer and he left. We have each other’s cell phones, and he might look me up Sunday in Las Cruces. Cool guy. It's always nice to meet nice people. The scenery changed back and forth. Between mile post 71 and 72 on the north side there was a green farm. It stood out. I haven't seen anything like that for a while. Besides that, it went from yellow fields with either green plants or brown shrub trees dotting the landscape to areas with more solid amounts of brown shrub trees.

I got a guest also, and I used 45 minutes that someone else had left. I got plenty of internet time today. That means when I get out of here it'll be after 5. Maybe 5:30. I'll be in the middle of town. I saw a under 30-dollar motel. My debit card hasn't been working, but hopeful it works. I got a new one in the mail and it's going to be in Las Cruces tomorrow. I'm getting excited about meeting Phil. Phil is the British man who is walked east to west for cancer research. I might beat him to Las Cruces. I'm thinking about seeing if I could pick up a couple days of work in Las Cruces and time it so that Phil and I meet at the same time. I think it is a big event when we meet. I'd like it to be in El Paso. His site is: www.NyToLa.org -- Well I have to see about catching a shower and finding a place to stay for the night. check back to see how day 168 unfolds. It will still be posted with days 166 and 167. Las Cruces is probably my next internet stop. I walked a little way and got a 35-dollar motel at the Mirador Motel. Went to Wal-Mart and got some supplies. Took a shower and enjoyed my motel room.

DAY 169--FEB. 16, 2007 MILES WALKED: 23.15 FROM: Deming, NM (Mitador Motel) TO: 1 east of Akela Flats, NM (in my tent off in the desert next to frontage road) $ to FHCRC Today: 0 TOTAL: 1,293

Well, I met a drifter on the way out of town, talked to a guy working at WalMart, talked to a guy working at Akela Flats, and that was my human interaction today. It was sunny and the weather was nice. I walked Pine St. to 549 and walked that all day until I cross the north side of the Interstate to go to Akela

Flats. Akela is a dot on the map, but besides a few houses there is only the souvenir shop. It has much of the building to resemble the old west. I walked a mile east on the frontage road and pitched in my tent in the open desert next to it. I woke up and left the motel. I stopped at Wal-Mart on my way out of town. I know that was one place that I could use my debit card. After that I walked the rest of the way out of town on Pine St. Before getting out of town I met Steve Myers. He was on a bicycle. He had some blue jumpsuit with a dark jacket. He had a brown beard with some gray areas. He had glasses and talked of some of his biking experiences. He said that in Tucson, AZ they took him off the interstate highway and dropped him off at a gas station and then the county ran him out of town. He talked of biking back east somewhere and had people throw things at him. We had a brief chat. I took a picture of him and got some video footage before we said our goodbyes. He said he was biking all night from the truck stop west of Deming. Once out of town I hopped on 549 and walked that most of the day. I got tired of thinking today and wanted to talk. I made a couple cars. There wasn't much shoulder but that wasn't a big deal since not many cars traveled the road. I walked over a little hill and besides that it was flat most of the day. Once I came over the little hill there was some farms on the northside. There were some houses scattered out. More before I went over the hill. There still were scattered out as I walked to Akela Flats. On the way the desert like most day changes. Sometimes it went from mainly yellow grass with some bushes dotting it to thick brown bush trees. Toward the end of the day, it was a mixture of colors. Plants that were yellow, light brown, and green. There was some kind of power station. Not very big. Maybe the size of a studio apartment. Inside and outside the fence were tan stereotypical ufo shaped things. I took some pictures, but I don't know what they were. Also, when I was walking, I got a thorn in my shoe. I took my shoe off three times. On the third time I realized that when my insole was compressed the thorn would stick out. I used my pocketknife and took care of the thorn. I ed a race way before I crossed over the Interstate. At one point 549 was a

few miles, maybe five, away from the interstate. I walked to the building painted like old west main street which was Akela Flats. I forgot to charge up my phone. I grabbed a snack. I walked a mile or so down the road. There was a bunch of billboards advertising Akela Flats to westbound traffic. There was a fence, and the gate was open. I went and walked around to I found a spot. It had dirt inbetween patches of a green plant/tree and some smaller shrubs.

DAY 170--FEB. 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 20.62 FROM: 1 east of Akela Flats, NM (in my tent off in the desert next to frontage road) TO: 14+ miles west of Las Cruces, NM (in the desert around the 121-mile marker off I-10) $ to FHCRC Today: 25 TOTAL: 1,318

Well today I back track jacked my way to Akela Flats. While charging my cell phone I raised twenty-five dollars for cancer research. I walked on frontage roads, the railroad, 549 again, and 1-10. The big excitement of the day was hanging out at the Border Patrol checkpoint west of Las Cruces and which catches westbound traffic. I didn't wander much further after my phone at the station when I climbed a fence and found a home for the night. After packing up the tent and loading everything into my bad I went back to the road and headed back to Akela Flats. I charged my phone some while I ate some snacks. While I was standing outside some lady wanted to give me her meatloaf sandwich. I thanked her. My taste buds and meat loaf have never gotten along. I threw it away. Who would want a sandwich from a guy with a backpack? An older man named David Richards talked to me. He ended up donating 20

dollars for cancer research. He had gray hair and a gray beard while wearing a salmon-colored polo shirt. He is heading to California to pick something up and lives in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He gave me his phone number and said that he'll be on my way. Later Jerry the manager donated five dollars to cancer research. He was slender with a black cowboy hat, tan shirt, and blue jeans. He talked of uncles and other family who have fallen victim to cancer. After a bit it was time to hit the road. I walked down on the road east and turned on good, sweet rd. and then once the rail started walking on the road next to it. That took me under I-10 and the south and I was back next to 549. Around 23-mile marker I hopped on 549. The rail seemed to head more south toward El Paso or Mexico. I walked on 549 and that ed over the rail. Around the 116 exit of 549 which veered to the south a couple mile made its way back. I hopped on a frontage road was still on the south side of the interstate. The frontage road ran out and I played frogger around milepost 118 and crossed the interstate. Then the more primitive frontage road didn't last much longer and then it ran out. That meant I was a walking on the freeway. That must have been around 119 or so. Then I walked up to the border patrol check point. I stopped and had a coke. I told them what I was doing. They offered to let me rest up inside. I was in the detaining room. It was white with turquoise trim. There was plexi glass with three computers. In front of each computer the glass had two holes. One to hand something and one to talk through. There was another little room. It must have been for further questioning. One of the guys working looked up my site and said his birthday was Sept. 1st. That was the day I began this walk. I got kicked out of the detaining room when they actually had to detain someone. I sat outside. The one officer who flags traffic by and looks of fishy cars talked with me a bit. The white officer asked if I needed to fill up my water bladder. I got to briefly go in the section where the officers are to fill me water. That was cool. After a while then I needed to hit the road. I walked a mile or so down the road and around mile 121 on I-10 I hopped the fence. Leaving the border station, I walked past the line of traffic that builds up prior to the checkpoint. They do keep traffic moving fairly quick. I hopped the fence and walked in the desert past a sandy road. Now there are

clumps of brown trees with green plants. The clumps are high. In between the clump is just sand and dirt. I set my tent up. I cooked up some ramen noodles. I got into my tent and clocked off for the day. Tomorrow I'll stomp into Las Cruces.

DAY 171--FEB. 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: 27.67 FROM: 14+ miles west of Las Cruces, NM (in the desert around the 121mile marker off I-10) TO: Las Cruces, NM (Jenia and Mike's house) $ to FHCRC Today: 0 TOTAL: 1,318

Today I walked nearly 28 miles into and through most of Las Cruces. It was beautiful walk down into the valley with the mountains in the background. Along the way I got a free breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I met Omar, a man biking, who stopped and walked with me and bought me lunch. During lunch Fox news of El Paso came over to film me a bit. Then I went back into the convenience store to find that my cell phone found its way into and out of a mop bucket. I'm cellphone less in Las Cruces. I then walked down Picacho to Valley to Main St. and then took a left on Holy Cross and not much further I was at Jenia and Mike's house. I started off today meandering around on a sandy/dirt road that zigzagged around the desert. After a couple miles of that I decided that I would and some hills insight I hopped the fence and started walking along the I-10 again. It was overcast with some windy that kept the temp. down. I turned on my phone and saw that Omar from KFOX El Paso called. I wrote down his number in one of my notebooks. I started walking up the 127 exit to head to the Old West souvenir shop. I went to get the notebook and it wasn't in any of my pockets. I dropped my back and jogged back down the interstate a quarter mile looking for it.

Luckily, I found it and life was great again. When I made it back to my rucksack, I threw it to my back and waltzed up to the Old West. Once inside I told them what I was doing and asked if I could charge my cell phone a bit. A younger blonde girl, a shorter brown-haired lady, and a younger guy were working. I chatted with the blonde girl the most about my journey. She didn't think she could walk that much. Walking is the easy part; thinking is the tough part. When to the counter with around 5 dollars’ worth of stuff, the blonde girl came over and said she talked to the big guy and that it was on the house. Shane, the manager, said it was okay. I don't even know what to say anymore on this tired morning. Today is my 14th day in row. From Tucson, AZ to Las Cruces. I will be taking tomorrow. The scenery consisted of dark green bushes and some sand and brown dirt. There were hills to the north and east. From the Old West I walked a frontage road until the next exit. I crossed over the interstate to the Love's truck stop to charge my cellphone for a couple minutes. I didn't want the battery to go out when I was expecting a call from the newspaper. I hopped back on the frontage road and could see Las Cruces down in the valley with a jagged rocky pointed mountain range setting behind it. To the south looked like a barren valley. Out there is airport, an armory, and a correctional facility. I talked with Jody from El Paso, TX. She is working on arrangements for me in El Paso as well as ing the media. This frontage road comes to the first Las Cruces exit and runs into Highway 70 or Picacho Ave. At the junction I stopped to look at the map. I told the Las Cruces newspaper that I was on the north frontage road. There was a lot of little shrub trees with green stuff kind of like a cedar treed. They aren't really tall. Max maybe 7 feet. The north had sort of rolling hills. A man biked up and asked if I was alright. That was Omar. I told him about my little walk. By the end of the conversation, he said he would walk with me. He wanted to see what walking with my back felt like. We down Picacho downhill ing some houses and farms. We chatted about my trip and other subjects. Omar works as a webhoster for the city. He's lived in Las Cruces for around 15 years. He has a degree in Physics he got in Mexico City and then he got a computer science degree up in the U.S. He is married and has some kids. He would like to bike across the United State. He asked if I wanted a burrito and I

said yes. He does a lot of biking. Every day and bigger days on the weekend. We stopped at little gas station that had a grill. There was one further down the road, but Omar didn't think we would be able to make it there in time. It closed around 3 p.m. I got a potato and steak burrito with beans and rice. It was awesome. I charged my cellphone. I plugged it in next to an atm machine and set it on a ledge. Vanessa from KFOX called. She drove over and came in as I was finishing lunch. I went outside and did a quick interview. I saw it later tonight and they cut into me talking about how difficult my walk across the desert and the barren stretches has been difficult. It showed me walking. Anyways, I said goodbye to Omar as he rode off with wearing his white helmet and riding his blue bike. I went inside to gas station to find that my cell phone wasn't the way I left it. It was upside-down and wet. I unplugged. I looked down and saw a mop bucket. The rest is history. I got flustered. My cellphone has become my lifeline on this trip. A safety net and a way to sane with conversations with friends. It helps for newspapers and T.V. station who want to get ahold of me. I walked on Picacho to Valley. I stopped and called Jenai from a pay phone to double check my directions. I ed a lot of motels. On Valley I stopped at Radio Shack to see if they had an old cell phone lying around. I took valley to S. Main St. That took me under I-10 and all the way to Holy Cross. I walked down to Holy Cross as the sun was setting behind me. I had a good view of the jagged rocked mountain. I loved this time of day. Along the way on Holy Cross, I saw some horses. Looked like maybe pecan trees also. I had a little trouble finding Jenia and Mike's house. Finally, I figured it out. I took the back door route into their place, not the driving route. That's what threw me for a loop. I talked to one neighbor. I went to the third house on the right that was behind rock wall. I was just in time for dinner. Jenia answered the door with their dogs a barking. Jenia is an office manager and Mike owns a cleaning business. They have a roommate, Jim, whom I have yet to meet. We had dinner. Pasta and chicken with cheese. It was good. I did some laundry and then took a showered. We caught my segment on the 9

o’clock news. It was a brief segment. Jenia has dark blonde hair and is an avid bike rider. Mike gray hair. They met in Cleveland. They host a lot of crosscountry bike riders. I talked with Jerry Harp and he'll stop by tomorrow on his way back to Lynden, TX. Mike made a DVD of my news appearance. I couldn't find the clip on kFOX's website. Now I'm tired and typing away in front of the computer. I'm nearly finishing today's journal entry, but not the last two days.

DAY 172--FEB. 19, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: Las Cruces, NM (Jenia and Mike's house) TO: Las Cruces, NM (Jenia and Mike's house) $ to FHCRC today: 0 OVERALL:1,318

Well, I went to bed at 1 a.m. this morning. I was dead tired after walking yesterday and then somehow, I managed to get most of my journal posted. At 6 a.m. I put my two disposable cameras out with 20 dollars and a note to Jenia. She mentioned how she could drop them off at work. She left a note saying that she would take care of my film. I didn't get out of bed till 9 a.m. and it felt great. Now I'm finishing yesterday's journal. I need to work on getting pictures online from my new camera and find a phone. My cut finger is fine.

The Deming Headlight ran the article today about me walking through town. There is one error. The mileage. It says around 3,500. That was probably a MapQuest diagonal line across the U.S. I walked down the Pacific Ocean for 4 months and cut east between L.A. and San Diego at Dana Point, CA. It's going to be over 5,000 miles when it's all said and done. Here is the link. http://www.demingheadlight.com/news/ci_5255876 I spent the majority of today trying to get my pictures online. No luck. I was the doorman for Jenia and Mike's three dogs. They were pretty good. Lucy is the little white Russel Terrier. Pinto is the old blind pointer that is black and gray. Pearl is the think brown pointer. I would let them outside when they wanted to and make sure that I didn't forget that they were out there. I met Jim, Mike and Jenia's roommate. He came home on his lunch break. He's a short hairy man. Brown hair. He bounces around jobs. He's known Mike since the second grade or so. I think he might have quit his job yesterday. When I came out of the bathroom, I noticed Mike's hockey room. He has a room with all sorts of cards, pucks, and hockey sticks. There is other hockey stuff in the room. Jerry Harp from Lynden, TX whom I met in Steins the ghost town near the western New Mexico border. He came out to Mike and Jenia's house and picked me up for a lunch. It took a moment for Jerry and Martha to forget how to organize everything in the back truck. We went to the Village Inn. I had a BLT with fries. It was nice. We had a nice time chatting and then Jerry dropped me off and I gave him a couple of my business cards. Jenia, Mike, and I went to Twisters for dinner. It's like a fast-food Mexican restaurant. It was good and no one was there. The dessert item that Jenia ordered was forgotten by the short girl working. She probably won't last long. She forgot

to give something to someone at the drive thru. However, her mishap turned into a dessert for me. It was a long skinny raspberry filled treat. After that we went to the mall and looked for a Cingular kiosk. To no avail, no Cingular store in Las Cruces. The RadioShack stores don't seem to carry any old phones. The guy at the RadioShack told us about a business that is out of business. Later that night Jenia got my pictures off my camera and onto her laptop. Finally, I can load them. It'll take a while seeing the dial up connection isn't all that fast. I really want to get the pictures online and figured I'll take tomorrow. I planned on taking off tomorrow morning, but now I'm going to pictures. I stayed up to midnight loading pictures. I have to do like one picture at a time.

DAY 173--FEB. 20, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: Las Cruces, NM (Jenia and Mike's house) TO: Las Cruces, NM (Jenia and Mike's house) $ to FHCRC Today: 0 TOTAL: 1,318

I woke this morning and started ing my pictures at 7 a.m. It's a slow process. I chatted with Mike before he went to work. Jenia and Mike moved out from Cleveland, OH. Last night Mike talked of back in High School going to Burger where Jenia worked and getting hooked up with some free food. They met in High School. They've lived in Las Cruces for two or three years. Las Cruces is around 75,000 or 80,000 people. Work is tough and many jobs don't pay all that way. I hung out with the dogs and one picture at a time slowly update my website. I had another package show up. It was from my Bellingham buddy Ryan. It had a map, campsuds, and hand warmers. I already got a package of Teko socks from

Dave Egan the Northwest rep for Gregory Packs and Teko socks as well as some other products. I got a new debit card, my W2 forms, and some more. Jenia donated to cancer research and my trip today. 40 dollars for the trip and I don't know how much for cancer research. She goes on big trips with Lucy their dog. She's planning one this weekend. Maybe around Tombstone, AZ. I talked with ABC 7 in El Paso and they want to film Phil and I meeting. Phil and I will have to arrange the meeting. I stayed up to about midnight posting my pictures.

DAY 174--FEB. 21, 2007 MILES WALKED:25.06 FROM: Las Cruces, NM (Jenia and Mike's house) TO: Anthony, TX (American RV and Marine/Camping World) $ to FHCRC Today: 20 TOTAL: 1,318

Just said goodbye to Jenia as she left for work. She took my picture. I took Mike and Jenia's with their dogs in there. Pearl is always in motion and ended up behind them out of the picture. Now I'm hitting the road and heading south toward El Paso. I should make El Paso city limits tomorrow. It looks like a good day for walking. I had a nice stay with Jenia and Mike. For the first time in my life, I stepped foot in Texas. I only went a mile or so into the state. The rest of the state will have wait until tomorrow. State number 6. What is the notch in my belt? Oh that's New Mexico. Since I only went to Las Cruces I breezed through the state. Texas on the other hand will be several months. Maybe more. It'll be cool.

I left a hair after 8 a.m. from Jenia and Mike's house. I was back on the road. As I was walking down Holy Cross I looked back down the road and saw Mike heading off to work in his red van. Mike is into hockey and old cars. He has a niece Pontiac. If it would have been warm, we might have gone out in it. After Holy Cross I took a left or south on 478. That would be my trail all the way to Texas. On the way I ed a few small towns. To the west it seemed like farms mostly. More development toward the freeway. Most of the communities seemed to be Spanish speaking. I ed a lot of pecan or pistachio farms. The railroad wasn't far away and paralleled the road. I took a couple lunch breaks on the other side of the railroad. It's nice to grab a snack in peace and quiet. I guess it is nearing the windy time of year in these necks of the woods. To the west it is flat. To the east there is a mountain range. I look north and see the Organ Mountains. South is some other brown mountain range that I don't know the name of. I ed through these little places; Mesquite, Vado, Ben 'something'. They all had little stores. Mesquite had a couple of Mexican restaurants. To my east and on a hill of sorts I could see I-10. It seemed to be a fair bit more developed over there. There were regular farms. I don't know what they grow exactly. Cotton or chiles. I think they rotate crops. There were a couple of farm factories or industrial places. Some of the little stores were kind of dirty. There wasn't much of open desert. Then I came to Anthony. The town spills to both Texas and New Mexico. I felt like everyone wanted to kick my arse when I got into Anthony. 478 turns into 20 once in Texas. I waltzed into Texas. The town must have had ten thousand. It had some industrial areas, a water parks, and some truck stops and hotels along the interstate. I stopped at McDonalds for some cheap protein. Some lady asked if the sign on my pack was true. She wanted to shake my hand. After that I headed south on 20. I took a left and headed east on a road that went by the high school and the water park. There were some open fields with green shrubs. It was a possible place to threw up the tent. I was nearing 5 p.m. and I needed to find a place to call home for the night. For a fleeting moment I had vague notions of maybe climbing the fence and camping at the water park. I cut up through a nice neighborhood heading north and caught a road to the exit 0. I asked about an R.V. park. A girl at the gas station told me American R.V. She told how to get there on the frontage road. I headed south on a one-way frontage road walking with traffic. I try to avoid

walking with traffic. A ways down I crossed underneath the interstate. It wasn't a road. Then I caught the northbound frontage road and walked south. The west side of the interstate is mainly open desert. I took a mental note that this might be a spot to call home. I made it to American R.V. and Marine/Camping world minutes before 6 p.m. I saw a sign for a R.V. resort. It said to check in for the campground at the front desk. Where I was out had a gravel parking lot and sold R.V.'s. I saw a lady locking one of the doors. I went in and told the lady what I'm doing. She threw her shoe at me. Just kidding. She called someone else. They don't own the R.V. resort, but they were nice. They let me throw up my tent in the parking lot. The security guard, a tall man named Abraham, told me that I could throw it up in the parking lot. The place would have a security all night. Abraham has grown up in El Paso where he lives now. He said it's like a big, small town with a lot of good people. It was nearly dark by the time I set my tent up. I walked down to the Flying J to make some calls. I bought a 5-dollar phone card and got ripped off. I made a fifteen-minute call to my dad and only had enough time to check my voice mail after that. I went to the pay phone and put change in trying to make calls. I tried for about fifteen minutes to no avail. I walked back down the frontage road after that ready to go to sleep after a 25-mile day. I was a under a light post and didn't even need my headlamp.

6

Texas

DAY 175-- FEB. 22, 2007 MILES WALKED:12.44 FROM: Anthony, TX (American RV and Marine/Camping World) TO: Las Cruces, TX (Paul and Jody's house) $ to FHCRC Today: 0 TOTAL: 1,338

Today was a short walking day on the fairly overcast day. I walked by a lot of industrial area once I crossed from the frontage road on I-10. It was a 12+ mile day, so it was a short day. I talked with Phil and when we might meet. I might have to hang out in El Paso for a few days. I went with Jody to work at Putt-Putt. I played video games and race go-carts. Juarez is on the other side of the Rio Grande at times. On the way to the Putt-Putt I saw it up and close. Jody's uncle has a couple of phones so tomorrow hopefully I should get a new to me phone. I woke up this morning around 6:30. By 7 a.m. I was on my way. The morning was cold and brisk. I walked the frontage road. I walked up to a Petro truck stop. I called the El Paso Times. From there I headed west and caught 20. I don't know if it's considered a highway or not. It is named Donaphan. Along the way I walked with the railroad to the west. Further on the other side but out of side was the struggling Rio Grande. Today was a pretty short day as far as walking. There wasn't much on the west side of the tracks until I got into the city limits of El Paso. I ed some dollar stores and such. Then I came into more plazas with

franchise stores. The whole time today the mountain south was in sight. Today was fairly overcast. I ed lots of industrial type stuff. Cement plants, junk yards, mechanic places, etc. I gave Jody a call about 3 miles north of Sunland. She lived off Mesa St. I was close. Jody discovered my website from her brother who saw it on a bathroom wall in Arizona. I stopped at the Sonic burger. As I was eating my burger a man stopped his blue Ford Explorer. He asked if I was the guy walking across the U.S. He was a fire fighter at Fort Bliss. Fort Bliss is a big army base on the east side of the mountains. He donated twenty dollars for cancer research. After that I waltzed down twenty a way and took a right at Mesa. I walked by some construction. A year or so ago there was a bad flood in this part of town. Jody, a short blonde lady in 30's was outside. She works at Putt-Putt and also does home staging. Carter her young son was inside. I went into the greenhouse. Paul her husband was getting some lunch. Paul works for a kid learning center. He works in the video department. I called Phil Goddard and he was going to catch a flight from New Orleans to El Paso. He'll resume his walk Friday or Saturday. I wasn't sure if we'd want to meet tomorrow. After with talking with Phil. I decided that we needed to wait for him to walk into town. Then we'll meet. I've walked my butt into town and now I'll play the waiting game. I could use the rest. I got a big state ahead of me. I think that the most difficult weather might be ahead. Tornado season, bugs, and the hot humid south once summer rolls round. I went with Jody to work. On the way we drove. She pointed out a hill with a cross on it. The south side of the hill was Mexico. El Paso had a lot of hills. There were the bigger mountains east, but we ed a section that was brown hills with green and brown shrubs dotting the browns hills. Shortly after the Sunland exit, I looked west to see Juarez. The hills were packed with tiny dilapidated dirty houses. I looked down to see the small Rio Grande. At that point that is what separates the two countries and the two towns. One of the mountains in Mexico has something written on it in Spanish. At times it was tough to tell where El Paso was and where Mexico was. I saw the Wells Fargo and Chase building. El Paso isn't really all that tall.

My second day in El Paso and I did what I always do on Thursdays in El Paso. I went to Putt-Putt and hung out for about 5 hours. I met some of the people working there. Rueben, Steve, and Jesse. Jody put a jar for people to for cancer research. I talked with Rueben a bit. He stayed after his shift was out. He is also into film. He got good editing equipment. We chatted about my trip, film, and El Paso. Putt-Putt had video games, pizza, miniature golf, Jesse came in to eat later in the day. Night, when it was nearing time to close, he talked of his trips to Mexico. He used to go over to throw back a couple cold ones. He talked of an old guy once who didn't want to wait in the border line. The old man had the legal papers. He thought he'd just walk across. I guess he was met by 7 border patrols agents. An old frail man. He spoke of how crazy Juarez can be. How they don't have freeways and people drive crazy. They do have nice neighborhoods, but they are few and far between. While I was out Putt-Putt I met Jody's father, Johnny. He wears a serious face. He made some calls. His brother Andy has a couple of cell phones and one might work for me. Pam, his wife also showed up. She was funny. She talked of how Steve one of the kids working was lazy. When she interviewed Steve, she asked him on a scale of 1-10. 10 being the laziest, how lazy was he. He said 7 and she hired him. Steve once broke down in Las Cruces and called in sick and tell them he was stranded. I played video games, road go-carts, ate a large pizza, and hung out. Two young couples came in and rode the go-carts. I rode with them. I started off in 2nd place and then fell to 3rd. The first two people got a hug lead. Those kids also donated a few bucks toward cancer research. After that we went back to the house a slightly different way than we came. We got back around 10:30. I typed on the computer some. I was tired. However, I couldn't go to asleep until around 2 a.m. I wasn't watching T.V. or anything. I just couldn't sleep. My favorite color is orange.

DAY 176--FEB. 23, 2007

MILES WALKED: 0.0 FROM: El Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) TO: El Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) $ to FHCRC Today: 0 TOTAL: 1,338

I slept in a bit this morning. I spent the majority of today putting my journal online and putting pictures. Now my pictures are up to date to Las Cruces, NM. I have some more on my new memory chip to add. I got a new cell phone today so I'm back in business. I talked with Phil Goddard, the British man walking east to west raising money for cancer research as well, and he was also in El Paso. He still needs to walk a hundred plus miles into El Paso. ABC 7 wants to get us when we meet. Phil and I don't want to meet unless it was organic. I've already walked into El Paso and now I just need to play the waiting game. I've walked a long ways and deserved a break. It'll be a good chance to get my pictures squared away. I'm going to work on a trying to get a map on the website. I slept in till about 9 a.m. I sat in front of the computer. I had two discs that were pictures from my disposable cameras. I listened to music online and typed away. Later in the day Jody got done staging a house for a day. Today it was windy and dusty in El Paso. The front door needed to be locked or it would fly open. It was left open for a bit. The front wooden floor got really dusty. The table in the front room was so dusty that I could write on it. Jody and Carter showed up. She had a phone from her uncle. It was a AT and T phone. It wouldn't work. We went and grabbed some lunch at Charbroilers. After that we went to a Cingular store. They didn't have any old phones lying around and the nice guy working there told us that the Music Warehouse had buy as you guy Motorola Phones that I could just put my sim card in, and it would be a new phone for 30 bucks. It wouldn't have all the bells and whistles, but I don't need much. Especially considering that this next phone will probably go down. After that we went back to Jody and Paul's house. Later when Paul got work from working at the children's home. I had trouble getting the picture off my

camera and then they were two big. I had to go and resize them. Paul whipped up some good food later in the evening. It had noodles and meet and then we put it into a tortilla. Fideo is what it was called and good is what it tasted. I was pretty tired and went to bed around 10:30. I'm looking forward to meeting Phil. To walk across the country and have someone doing the same thing is pretty cool. In some respects, it is almost comical. Phil has met three or four cross country walkers. One guy was walking from Florida to California raising money and awareness for homeless shelters. In Phil I have someone doing the same thing as I. Walking across the U.S. is a once in a lifetime deal for most people and very few people do it, and to have some else doing it for the same cause is even more rare. That is why us meeting in El Paso is a fairly big deal. I think it is awesome and I can't wait to hang out with Phil. We will have a lot to talk about. Here's the link to Phil's site. http://www.NyToLa.org

DAY 177-- FEB. 25, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: El Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) TO: El Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 90 TOTAL :1,428

I'm just playing the waiting game now. I'm waiting for Phil to walk into to town. We'll meet up and then I'll be on my way. I took today pretty easy. I went out with Paul a couple of times to the stores. I watched a couple of movies; Walk the

Line and Scanner Darkly. We had Fajitas for dinner. Around noon Jody left for a lunch and then work. I was asleep when she got back from work. I hung out with Paul and Carter. Paul drove me by the house that he grew up in. Then we crossed the Rio Grande and went into New Mexico which is only a couple miles away. The Rio was a rocky riverbed with some water in it. I guess that in August is when is becomes fuller. We drove into New Mexico and then came back. Jody's friend Kimber and daughter Lauren whom I met the other day live in New Mexico. I did my taxes for free online and made a route of my journey. Besides that, I didn't do a whole lot. I'll be well rested when I hit the road next. I'm in the upper west valley. Jody brought home 90 dollars from the Putt-Putt. She had a jar put up there to raise some money so that was awesome.

DAY 178--FEB. 25, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: El Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) TO: EL Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) $ to FHCRC Today: 0 TOTAL: 1,428

Well, I took today off. Jody had to work so I spent most of the day hanging out with Paul and Carter. For dinner we went out to Griggs a restaurant on the east side of town. Jody's father Johnny ed us. We drove over there and picked him up. He lives off Montana which is a main street. Griggs was also off Montana. At dinner we all had the folded tacos. I thought it was good, but everyone else

wasn't all that impressed. After dinner we drove around to the airfield. We saw a huge fat whale to a weight looking plane. I guess NASA uses it to deliver parts. NASA has some kind of facilities in EL Paso. After that we dropped off Johnny. I spent most of today hanging out at Paul and Jody's house. Paul had the day off. Jody had to work at Putt-Putt. I'm relaxing and waiting for Phil to walk into El Paso.

DAY 179--FEB. 26, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: El Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) TO: El Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) $ to FHCRC Today: 0 TOTAL: 1,453

I got an email back from Kristen from the Fred Hutchinson and there was 25 more dollars donated than I knew about. When someone donates online then I only find about it when I my person at the Fred Hutchinson. I ed some of the media in El Paso. Phil and I will be meeting up this week. Jody took me out to lunch. We took I-10 over to the west side of town. We went to the clean Chico's. They don't care much about how they’re eating section of the restaurant is. I had two orders of fries and three tacos. The Tacos came in some sauce. They were good. I guess with Chicos it's either love or hate. I felt neither emotion, but I'd say I would lean closer to love. Before we ate, we stopped at her grandfather's house. She mentioned how he was sort of an eccentric. He's 85 and recently went into the hospital. He should be out in a couple of days.

After lunch we took Scenic Drive back to the west side. It wraps around Franklin Mtn, I guess the south edge of the Rocky Mountains. We drove past a police academy that was tucked north of the road in the brown mountains. We stopped at a park on the south side of the road. We stopped at a park. The wind was gusting making it slightly chilly. The gusts made me lose my balance. We had a panoramic view of the valley with El Paso sprawled in front of us and Juarez, Mexico spreading out the landscape in the distance with the Mexican mountain range. I took some video and took some pictures. I had a good view of downtown. We drove back down the hill and caught Mesa Rd. and then detoured to pick Carter up from daycare. I went for a couple of walks today. One down the canal and one to some stores. Jody cooked dinner. It was salad, bread, and ravioli. It was good. I watched a couple of films; Killer Clowns from Outer Space and Death Race 2000. I went to bed after that.

DAY 180--FEB. 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: EL Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) TO: EL Paso, TX (Paul and Jody's house) $ to FHCRC Today: 0 TOTAL: 1,453

Well today will be my last day off. Phil will be walking into town tonight. I chatted with Phil a couple of times. We made plans to meet up around 10 a.m. I made some calls to the local media stations letting them know about Phil. Phil also made some calls. I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning. I shaved today. The last time was day 140 in Yuma, AZ. I had a bit of a beard growing. No mustache this time. I'm hanging out and I'll be taking off tomorrow.

Jody worked till semi-late and didn't show up until around 10 p.m. Paul got home from work around 6 p.m. Phil called me, and he is near the airport and we'll be meeting up tomorrow. We arranged a location.

DAY 181--FEB. 28, 2007 MILES WALKED: 9.22 FROM: EL Paso (Paul and Jody's house in the upper west valley) TO: El Paso, TX (West's house around downtown) $ to FHCRC Today: 20 TOTAL: 1,473

Well after five days off I'm hitting the road again. Phil made it into town last night. He is near the airport. We are going to meet at Wes's house where Phil is going to stay tonight. I'm also invited for dinner. Finally, our paths will cross. We might walk over to Juarez, Mexico. Jody and Paul have been great hosts. They were kind in letting me rest up and wait for Phil at their house. They gave me food and a place to stay. Jody was great in turning some of the media onto me and getting people at the Putt-Putt to raise some money. Today was a good day. It was sunny and windy. I got up early and was on the road by 7 a.m. I had my big encounter with Phil Goddard. Our paths finally crossed. We had two news stations meet up with us. ABC 7 and CBS 4. A camera man showed up for from the ABC channel 7. Channel 4 showed up first. Phil and I went on live at noon on Channel 4. Phil and I walked over to Juarez, Mexico. West, the nice man Phil was staying at offered me a place to stay and also took Phil and I out to pizza out to a place where his daughter worked.

I began out this morning. I got an early start and was out the door from Jody and Paul's house a hair before. Paul was in the shower when I left, and Jody planned on stopping by to video tape me as I met Phil. I got a start in the morning and the air was cold like a late winter morning. I walked country club then crossed the tracks and the road turned into Mesa. I walked toward the Franklin Mountains with the sun starting to come over and look me right in the eye. I walked Mesa primarily all day long. I only walked a hair over nine miles, but I had an exciting day. I ed a lot of corporate chains stores Walgreens, McDonalds and such. I ed a high school. The road turns south, and I began walking through the Mesa Hills. I ed a couple TV stations. I called the newspaper and a couple of TV stations. Skylar Zwick, an anchor/reporter from the CBS gave me a call back. She was interested in the story and her mother survived cancer. She was excited and felt people should know about the story. As I headed south walking along sidewalks and a few times I had to walk along the side. I ed UTEP (University of Texas El Paso) I ed various businesses and restaurants. Jody drove by and honked once. Once I turned onto Rio Grande I met with Jody and she took my camera and then went ahead of me. I met Skylar and Ray from CBS news. Ray captured me walking down Rio Grande before I turned onto Florence. The cameraman from ABC showed up. Around the Mesa hills it was desert scenery where there weren’t houses. Around 10 a.m. I arrived at N. Florence St. I took Rio Grande RD off Mesa to get to Florence St. I was just minutes there before Phil. I chatted with Skylar and Ray. Phil and I shook hands and chatted while the camera filmed us. We each did separate interviews will ABC 7. I went first and then Phil. Skylar carried my bag inside the house. The house we are is an old house that is big. It is deceptively big, and I guess we haven't even seen the top of the house. West runs this house. West his Phil's host. Three girls live upstairs and then a family of two with two young children live there. West brings in groups that look at the border relationship and go into Juarez to understand what a working man or woman in Juarez or other border towns experience. I went inside. Phil came in after he was done. I was in the middle of an interview with Skylar. Phil did his interview. Then the fun part. In the big front room with Skylar setting between Phil and I we did a live segment at noon. We had a minute and fifteen seconds or so. We said our goodbyes to Skylar and Ray who were great. We chatted with West and then Phil and I headed toward Juarez.

We headed down Rio Grande to Stanton to Paisano to Santa Fe and took the Santa Fe bridge over. Phil and I walked into another photograph without showing photograph. El Paso has a few tall buildings. On Santa Fe there was some shops and once we walked the bridge and paid out change 30 cents or so and crossed the Rio Grande River, we were in Mexico. This is the first time I've been to Mexico. At first it didn't seem all that different. Some potholes on the road and more debris flying around. Men offered Taxis. People were selling things. We popped into a restaurant and it was fairly clean and bright. It seemed fairly Americanized. Menus were in dollars. We each had goat. Phil had the goat head, and I had the ribs or so. Lunch was Phil's treat. We had a Margarita and toasted to each other's walk. Phil gave me a little interview. I'll give more information about Phil, but not tonight. I'm tired and I'm trying to get off here. We wandered around the streets. We got off the main streets and went down some roads. Phil walked by a dog that didn't bark. It is the rare dog that doesn't bark. We saw some murals on buildings. I noticed a lot of mechanic shops. As the sun set the wind was blowing and it got rather chilly. I could see the tall buildings of El Paso with the Franklin Mountains behind it. Phil and I took some side streets with little traffic. The main roads had steady flows of cars. It seemed like a fairly nice area of town that we were in. Just as it was getting dark, we made our way back to the United States. It is weird that 3rd world and a developed country are only separated by a river in most cases. El Paso has a close relationship with El Paso. It is fairly barren around the area. El Paso has a 75 percent Hispanic or Mexican American relationship. Phil and I wandered back through downtown and then went back to the house. West took Phil and I to the pizza place off Mesa St. that his daughter worked at. We had a meat pizza with some veggie on the other half with salad. It was very good. The best pizza in town. West returned us to the house. We chatted Jim and his wife who are looking for a house in Juarez. West left. I believe he doesn't stay at the house Phil and I are staying at. West goes on long bike rides. He went across Texas 1,000 miles and from Canada to Mexico 1,700 miles. West has some groups coming in Saturday. He houses long distance bicyclists also. His other groups are people who come to explore border issues. Phil and I waited up to see if the show would be on the news at 10 p.m. We

switched back and forth between the two stations and didn't see it. Phil is letting me use his laptop. I'm going to be heading east tomorrow. I'm going to bed very shortly.

DAY 182--MARCH 1, 2007 MILES WALKED: 20.71 FROM: El Paso, TX (West's house) TO: El Paso, TX (Charlie and Kayla's house which just east of the city limits) $ to FHCRC Today: 0 TOTAL: 1,473

Well today was fairly uneventful. I got around 7-10 honks and waves. I could tell some of the people probably saw me on the T.V., but no one stopped. I turned a little over 18 mile walk into a twenty-mile walk. I wasn't in a hurry seeing how I had to wait for Charlie to get off work. Charlie and Kamala teach high school in North East El Paso at Irvine school. I arrived just hair after dark. I walked past their house and popped into a bar for drink to kill some time. It was nice to get back on the ground. I wish I could have spent more time with Phil. Phil mentioned how he might land in New Orleans after the trip, and I'd like to meet up with him. I got up a little after 8 a.m. I forgot about the possibility of Phil and I being on the morning news. I ed while I was in the shower. After my shower I went out into the front room to catch the tail end of the segment. I didn't see anything in the last five minutes. Perhaps it aired earlier. Phil and I slept in a room with four bunk bed totaling eight beds. They had sturdy wood frames and the bed was comfortable. Phil came out shortly after 8:30. Around 9 a.m. West showed. The three girls came ate breakfast and each left for the day. Phil pulled out a map and I gave him some guide points. Telling him of frontage roads and what towns had hotels, food, etc. Phil was making plans of wandering around

Juarez again today. West and Jim were packing chairs in and out of the house. I was getting ready to leave. While Phil was showering, I helped carry one chair. Phil chooses to use today as a rest day. I didn't even think about staying until Phil mentioned it. Maybe I should have, but I wasn't sure if Charlie and Kamala would be around Friday night. I plan on staying in with Phil. Phil is a translator. I believe he translates the written word. From German, French, Dutch, and Spanish into English. He conversed in Spanish when we were in Mexico yesterday. I think he speaks all of those languages. Phil is from London, England. He's been to 90 countries. He was in El Paso in 1979. He's been to the U.S. so many times that he has lost count. Phil was a nice guy and I'm glad I met him. It's one of the coolest things in my life, yesterday and meeting Phil. Here's Phil's site again. http://www.NyToLa.org Around 11 a.m. I left. I walked Rio Grande a ways and then hopped onto Montana. I spent most of my day walking along Grandview West. A three lane one way frontage road. Sometimes I walked along a sidewalk, sometimes on rocks, and sometimes in a little desert. Before I got on Grandview West I went by some houses. Montana has a lot of stores. On Grandview I went by all sorts of chain stores. Wal-Marts, Home Depot, etc. I went by at least one mall. Two Mervyns. the was a couple industrial type things, but they were rare until the last three miles of the day. I also ed a handful of hotels. To the south I could see Juarez and EL Paso. Where one begins and the other ends-- who knows. The last couple miles of my walk there was actually some desert area, and I was at the edge of El Paso. At some of the stoplights along the way I would see panhandlers with their cardboard signs. I walked past Sparks RD which is the road to Charlie and Kamala's house. It was a little after 6 p.m. I walked past a place that had a bunch of 18-wheeler trailers. It wasn't the first area of that such that I ed today. I had some time to kill and

popped into a bar for drink. Then it was about 7 and I walked back to Sparks. I didn't know what house Charlie’s house was. I saw one that I thought might be it. He said gray house with a tin roof, but it was dark now. I had my headlamp flashing as well as my red light behind. Charlie was just getting back, and I walked past his house. I saw a car put its reverse light. It backed up to me and Charlie said, "Matt." I followed him to the gate. He unlocked it. I went in. The first room which would be my room was full of neat art. All sorts of wood carvings, pictures, wood masks, animal horns, etc. Charlie must be in his fifties some wear and wears gray hair and a gray beard that is fairly long. Kamal and I pulled the futon out and made a bed. Kamala was sick. She took today off. They both teach at the same high school. Come summertime and they go on adventures. They go on tandem bicycle rides all over. They've cycled northern Europe. They've biked all over the United States. They have a couple of cats. One is gray with white around its feet which look like boots. My father has a cat named Boots also. They have three bird cages with four birds. Two are green parrots with green beaks. The other two are parakeets I believe and are gray with yellow heads. We had chicken burritos for dinner. We chatted about their adventures and other adventures. They host 3 or 4 people a year that are cyclists. My friend from Linden, TX (Jerry Harp) found Charlie and Kamala through Warmshowers.com. They had a guy who was biking from Phoenix, AZ to Austin, TX. I guess somehow, he heard about me. Charlie teaches social sciences. He's making Lasagna for one of his classes’ tomorrow. Kamala went to bed because she got sick from one of her students. Thanks to Charlie and Kamala for housing me. I've been in for a week or so, but the nature of my walk can make it difficult to predict when I arrive places. Yesterday was just a half day of walking. I bid farewell to Phil and West and resumed my journey. I was nice to meet Phil and I had a good time meeting up with him. It was nice to have another warm tonight and more interesting folks to meet. Here is a slogan on Charlie and Kamala's emails which paraphrased says, "Instead of going to the grave with a body that is neat and not banged up they'd rather coming sliding screeching into the grave banged up saying, "holy crap that was a heck of a ride." I'm going to take a bath and the go to bed. I'll be back on the road tomorrow.

DAY 183--MARCH 2, 2007 MILES WALKED: 18.88 FROM: El Paso, TX (Charlie and Kamala's house just east of El Paso city limits) TO: Fabens, TX (Fabens Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 70 TOTAL: 1,543

Today I wasn't that long of a day. My plan was to go walk into Fabens use the library and then walk about ten miles past Fabens and maybe camp at a campground. Plans change. When I got to Fabens the library was closed on Friday, but open on Saturday. The next library and therefore probably the next computer I will see will be in Van Horn, TX. That's a hundred miles or so. I ran into some hospitality and raised 70 bucks for cancer research while I was in Fabens. I woke up after 6:30 a.m. Charlie and Kamala were already up and had cereal on the table. Charlie shortly after 7 a.m. left for work. I checked my email and folded up the blankets that I used. The birds were talking this morning. The house had a rustic feel. Kamala would be taking today off as well. After I put the futon back into a couch I began to leave. Outside I pulled out my map and asked Kamala about some of the towns ahead. She mentioned that some give the range of population by the size of the dots or lettering. I have two maps. One is a bike map that I will follow to Van Horn. From there I'll remain on I-10 while the bike map heads south. Then I'll rely on the Texas state map I have. There aren't too many road options. I walked Gateway West to Horizon Blvd. and that took me over to the Mexico side of I-10. Near the interstate were truck stops and truck repair places. I saw a lot of truck trailers. I kept heading down Horizon into the valley. Looking back, I

saw the interstate on a hill. At the main intersection in Socorro and I took a left on North Loop drive which I took all the way into Fabens. I was nearing the edge of Socorro when three Mexican men asked where I was going. One was an older man and was younger. The old man gave me four quarters. I told them that I was walking to Miami Beach. Juan the other man was big with a black mustache. He turned away then handed me five ones and said that is for one hamburger. I kept walking. I had twelve or so miles into Fabens. I ed a lot of farms along the way. Most of the farms were either Pecan trees or tilled up fields. A few were green, but I couldn't tell what they were growing. I ed through the city limits of Clint, but it was off North Loop a bit. There were some regular houses too, but mainly farms. It was a nice area, and the houses were in nice shape. Some were neat haciendas and others were adobe style. There was a fair bit of traffic. If I looked left or east, I saw the Interstate on the hill. Sometimes it seemed there was trucks stops or gas stations along the freeway. Once in Fabens the town of about 8,000 people I looked for a place to eat. I took a left on Fabens St. I went into Pop's Better Burger. I got a double cheeseburger, fries, and a soda. They were good. I looked at some maps and things while I ate. Seems like many people in the area speak both English and Spanish. Very bilingual area. As I was leaving one of the young ladies working as if I was taking donations. I said yes, I take donations that people can also donate through my website. They handed me ten five-dollar bills. I wanted to right everyone's name. An Anglo man and women and a couple cute Mexican women working. They just said, "Pop's Better Burger." I thanked them for their . As I was walking out of Eddie, a man eating with his wife and child, handed five dollars over. 55 dollars for cancer research so far today and the six dollars for a burger from the men from Socorro. I walked around asking around for the library. I came to a four way stop and made my turn. I was on the same street. I crossed Infront of a white SUV with two National Guardsmen in it. They turned right and pulled over. They asked if I was taking donations. It was Clay and Anthony. They are down here working around the border. I don't know if they are building a fence or just guarding it. Clay gave five dollars and Anthony ten dollars which bumps up the total to 70 dollars for cancer research and bumps it over 1,500. Also, there might have been some online donations I don't know about yet. I found the library and it was closed. It was open tomorrow from 9a.m. to 12p.m. I called the next library on the bike map. I could

make it there tomorrow if I kept walking, but it would be closed. I knew that Van Horn would be my next library. I felt I needed to stay in Fabens. I was planning on walking another 10 miles. I walked around the town and asked about maybe a computer store or something that might have a computer to rent. No such thing exists. I walked on Fabens St. toward the highway. I decided to stay at the Fabens Inn. I got the room and then relaxed. I felt guilty for getting the room, but I don't plan on staying in another room for a while. I made a couple calls and then went to bed. Today ended up being an almost 19-mile day by the time I walked to the Inn. I had a good day raising money for cancer research and bumped into some nice people. I felt down in the dumps at the hotel. Mentally the trip is becoming difficult but talking on the phone with some friends and family helped me gain a better perspective.

DAY 184-- MARCH 3, 2007 MILES WALKED:19.07 FROM: Fabens, TX (Fabens Inn) TO: 1 northeast of Acala, TX along Texas 20 (A old building on Claude Butler's farm) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 5 TOTAL: 1,548

I woke this morning and got to the library a few minutes after 9 a.m. after it opened. The community library is part of the school system and blocks access to email sites. Luckily, I can get to my website and I can get to my website. Well, I'm heading south or south east along the border. Tomorrow or the next day I should then cut east with I-10. It is paralleling the Rio Grande and Mexico right now. Until I get to Fort Stockton, I have two know internet stops. In Van Horn and Fort Stockton. Maybe something will randomly appear or maybe not. However, that means that I'll probably break four days before I can post, maybe

not. I'll try hard to get there in time. So far on the trip it never goes more than four days, or on the fourth day I post my journals. Once I get to San Angelo then I'll probably have steady access for the rest of the trip. The next couple weeks I won't be seeing much of anything. I'm going to try and push myself to walk hard. Till next time. If I happen to be in cell phone, I might have someone type in my headings with maybe a couple sentences briefly telling of my day. That is a lot to ask but we'll see how it goes. I'll try to make it to Van Horn in a reasonable fashion. After I left Fabens, I walked along Texas 20. I ed farms and Pecans. The farms mostly had tilled dirt. I think they grow cotton and hay. I walked into Tornillo a town of around 1,500 people. The railway was to my left. Most of the town was between the rail and I-10 to the east. I walked into the town. I ed a bakery. I could smell it. So far today all I've ate was an orange. I was holding out for a cafe. A train was going by and was blocking most of the town from my sight. I walked up further. Some cars were waiting to cross. The train went by to reveal Wencho's gas station and Wencho's cafe. I crossed the tracks and went into the Cafe. I dropped my back and pulled my cell charger out and charged my phone. I ordered a burger and fries. Rita was my waitress and Lucy, Rita's aunt, was my cook. Rita saw Phil and I on T.V. and she was talking yesterday. A couple cowboy farmers came in. First Kevin Letnitch. He was Anglo and talked Spanish to another man who was in there. Another Anglo man came in and Kevin talked in English. Toward the end of my meal Kevin asked me when I left. We started chatting about my trip. Another man, Claude Butler and Able, looked over and ed he conversation. When Kevin left, he paid for my meal. The hospitality and kindness of the people are this trip has been great. My hypothesis is that there are a lot of good people out there. I was at the cash talking to Rita when her aunt said they weren't going to charge me. They asked what I wanted. I filled up my water and they gave me a bean and cheese burrito to go. Claude came over and gave me five dollars for cancer research. He told me to be careful. He wore a black cowboy hat. Able was tan with black hair, maybe fifteen or so. They left before I did. I lost ten dollars today, but I didn't spend any money. I walked back across the tracks thinking about how the people that I ran into in Tornillo were. That helps

fuel me. I walked back onto Texas 20 and headed toward Fort Hancock. I wouldn't make today. I ed more farms. To my left I could see I-10 on a hill. Four or so miles down the road and I ed the turn to the campground that I would have stayed at last night. I there were a lot of canals and levies. There was a body of water before the turnoff to the lake. My cell phone has now picked up the central time zone. I ed another body of water. Then the railroad moved away from Texas 20. There were a couple miles that were desert brush to the east or north east. About 7 miles or so from Tornillo and I looked to my left and I saw Claude and Able. Claude saw me. He came over to talk. I asked what they were doing. They were getting a field ready for hay. He asked if I was going to make it to Hancock. The desert shrubs turned back into farmland. Claude and I looked over a half mile or so toward Mexico. He talked of how the Federales and Border Patrol get into it once in a while. He said he had a farm about 4 miles down the road. He said there was an old building there that I could stay in. He mentioned a John Deere hay bailer. After a little more chatting and me snapping a picture of Claude and Able I took off. He said if the neighbors say anything just to tell them that he said I could stay. I walked past more farms and canals as the road became a little windier. I counted it as five miles to his place. Before I left, he showed me how to get there by drawing it in the dirt. I got there. I saw a building just off the road, or what remained of a building. I could see all the way through it. Most of the roof was gone. However, it would be good for me. I cut my day a little short for this, but it was better than going onto someone's else’s farm further down. I saw the John Deere hay thing and that was my signal that this was the place. I found a chair and set it next to my tent. I cooked up some ramen noodles. In my tent I laid down on my back and looked up at the leaves of a tree that over hung over the roof as the wind blew the leaves I was at peace. I realize that I'm on a heck of an adventure and what a ride it has been, and the ship is still sailing. I heard a bunch of birds as it neared twilight. I heard some darks barking throughout the night.

DAY 185--MARCH 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 20.18 FROM: 1 northeast of Acala, TX along Texas 20 (A old building on Claude

Butler's farm) TO: I Northeast of Esperanza RD. (exit 85 on I-10) on a hill in the desert $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:1,548

Today I walked into Fort Hancock and then kept walking along Texas 20 until I hit I-10 at McNary. I started to walk on the grass next to 10 then I saw a dirt/sand road on the other side of the fence. With my pack on I climbed the fence. I took that road following power lines until it turned into rock and went up and over several hills to my final resting location. In Fort Hancock I had lunch and the waitress, Thelma, bought some of my meal or gave me a discount. I talked to several farmers and that was all my human interaction besides some cell phone chats. I got up and left Claude's farm in the morning. I had about a mile then I was in Acala. The remnants of an old cafe and an old store remained. It might have been a junk shop. From there I had five miles into Fort Hancock. It seemed like a lot of desert shrubs. To get to the cafe I had to walk toward I-10. I ed houses and a border patrol station on the way. The restaurant was almost at the interstate. It was Angie's place. I had a big breakfast with multiple plates. It should have been 8 or 9 dollars but was only five. Thelma either paid for some or gave me a discount. One of the farmers asked me about my walk. I chatted with them and left. I dumped my broken tripod. Why I've been hauling it around I don't know. I had vague notions of turning into a chair. At the Shell station I dumped it. I walked back through Fort Hancock to Texas 20. I had 6 miles or so to McNary. It was farms until a couple miles or so near McNary where it turned into desert brush. Or that was on the east side. McNary had nothing. It had some kind of gray instrument. It was as tall a cell tower. I figured it was either a weather instrument or something for the government. There were some rock places or something like that or a few factory type places. Here the bike map takes road 34. It zigzags a bit. I planned on catching I-10 here. I walked under I-10. I started walking in the dirt and grass next to the freeway. I looked east or north and saw a dirt road. Over the fence I went. I was

walking with desert scenery around. Green bushes. Little trees with green stuff coming off them and brown shrub type trees. The ground was sandy to packed dirt. It seemed like people drove on it. I kept walking. This road went along the power poles and paralleled I-10. I ed one house. It was a trailer with some run-down cars. I was planning on a dog to run after me. Didn't even hear a bark. A ways down the road the ground turned to small rocks. It was flat, then I started going over little hills. The rocky sections seemed like old roads. The ground had little was cracked sometimes and had fairly steep grade. There would be flat stretches. I went over a handful of little hills. On the biggest one it was nearing dark, and I figured no one would be coming up here. I set my tent up. I stacked a semi-big rock and then two smaller rocks that equaled the height of the bigger one and had myself a rock chair for supper. I could see the exit 85 (Esperanza RD. I could see I-10 heading into the mountains and a section that I would walk. I knew that I would be heading down into a valley tomorrow. I could look west or northwest and see the valley. Some sections were green with cattle and then I could see Mexico and the mountain range in Mexico. The sunset wasn't anything to blog home about, but after it quietly set there, it made the clouds a bit pink. I hopped in my tent and had a weird dream. I dreamt that I was onstage with the band Tenacious D. I played some chords off that didn't fit and Jack Black the lead singer wasn't happy. A couple times I hit the right chord and he nodded yes that it. Every now and then a group of girls dressed in red would come running along in a single file line. I would always bump into them. I bumped into a girl and we both fell down. She said if that happened again then she would kiss me. It happened again and she kissed me. Then I was watching home movies of myself when I was a kid. I was hanging out with my friend Jeff Stolz from Bandon, OR. One video I was a tricycle then I slipped into an awkward position that hurt and cried. I was thinking in the dream, was I little cry baby for my mom. Then another video went to me riding sled type thing through a big mud puddle three separate times. Each time I had a smile or a grin. There was a little more to the dream, but I never watched video of myself in my dream. To my knowledge no such video of that sorts exits. Tomorrow I'll walk to Sierra Blanca.

DAY 186--MARCH 5, 2007

MILES WALKED: 21.57 FROM: I Northeast of Esperanza RD. (exit 85 on I-10) on a hill in the desert TO: Sierra Blanca, TX (Sierra Lodge thanks to Mikhail Davenport) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL: 1,568

Well today was an interesting day. Over twenty miles of walking. I bumped into a man, Mikhail Davenport, who is riding a wheelchair bike powered by his arms all the way across Texas to raise donations and awareness toward disability issues. I saw him after breakfast when I when I was walking in gravel along the road then cross over to the south side and walked on a frontage road. I ed Mikhail as the film crew filmed him. Mikhail is a polio and cancer survivor. I saw Mikail's bike in and knocked on his room. He ended up buying my hotel room and I have to say thank you Mikail for the shower and room. Dana the manager at the Sierra Lodge is letting me use the computer. I thought I wouldn't see the computer between Fabens and Van Horn, and I was mistaken. Dana also made a twenty-dollar donation to cancer research. My video camera still isn't working. Well, I woke up this morning around 8:30. I wasn't in a big hurry to jump out of my tent. I was on a hill overlooking the interstate and a panoramic view of the area around. I could see Mexico the farm fields on both sides and the Mexican mountain range. The terrain was rocky with little shrubs and brown shrub trees. I packed up and follow the road or trail until it ran out. It was less than a mile to the 85 exit. At this time, I walked on gravel type road that went along the fence along the interstate. At times I had to walk closer to the shoulder of the interstate. I took this to Tiger, TX where there was a truck stop and restaurant. I cut across the interstate rather than using the on/off ramp. I had some breakfast and charged my cell phone for an hour. The food and service were good. I filled up my water bladder and grabbed some food and left around a quarter after 11 a.m.

I walked a over I-10 and started walking toward westbound traffic. I walked as far away from the interstate as I could, providing the terrain allowed. I knew I only had about two miles then I would cross the south side of the interstate and hop on the frontage road. Right when I started walking along the interstate I looked over and saw someone on a wheelchair bike. I thought it was a go cart. There was a film crew filming. That was Mikail. I ed him. When I crossed over to the frontage road around the mile marker 90, I found the road was had red rocks. I thought that was cool. I was ahead of Mikail at this point. A descent ways. The frontage road went along next to I-10. The film crew was in a blue SUV. As I was walking, I would look back. I thought Mikail was in a go-cart and that the film crew was making a movie. A tan min-van drove by and was heading toward Mikail. On the way back the van stopped. The man asked about my walk. He was Mark Swine, and he is from Austin. He was involved somehow with Mikail's bike ride. He gave me his card and was really nice. He had aviator sunglasses on. He told me a bit about Mikail's bike ride. He drove up ahead and waited at the top of a hill. I caught up to him. He got out and said goodbye to Mikail as he biked up. He introduced us. Mikail mentioned how he needed to concentrate on the hills. I told him I might look for him in Sierra Blanca. He ed me. Then shortly I ed him, and I said good luck. This was getting around mile post 93 or 94 and the slow climb into the Sierra Blanca mountains began. Here is a link to Mikail's site---- Mikail's Bike Ride The frontage has red rock and it made it cool. Maybe around the 95 marker there was remains of an old hotel that has been gutted and destroyed. Signs of how mean their dogs were all around. I had a Mountain range to my right. To the left I looked at some mountains sticking up here and there, a vast brown valley. The scenery is rocky with green shrubs and little brown shrubs trees. Nothing that would feel out of place in Arizona or New Mexico. There was a picnic side on both sides of the road. The one on the north side had TP type things. The one on this side didn't. Then at Laska RD. I went underneath I-10 and then went on the frontage road on the north side of the road. The frontage road on the south side runs out. I'm going between mountains. I'm about 8 miles or so from Sierra Blanca. I had a Sherriff stop. He asked what I was up to. I kept walking and it started to go downhill. A few more miles and about 6 miles or so from town and Mikail caught up and ed me. I saw the film crew set up and film him go by. There was a border patrol station for east bound traffic. Mikail, 58, went through

it. I was on the frontage road with west bound traffic in between. I could tell that one of the guards was checking me out. It wasn't long before a border patrol car showed up on the frontage road and asked me what I was up to. I told him and he was stoked. I turned my phone on and saw Phil called me. Before that happened, a man stopped on I-10 and gave me a coke. The frontage road was right next to the highway. I chatted with Phil for a few minutes. A descent mountain range to the south and random mountains popping up here and there. There is a lot of green shrubs trees and small brown shrub trees. Once in Sierra Blanca I walked by some dilapidated buildings. Some old cafes and hotels. I saw the Sierra Lodge with its neat brick buildings. Mark Swine the Austin man that I met earlier today told me that Mikail would be staying in the lodge with bricks. I saw his bike and the trailer he has in tow. I went to the room next to it. He was getting ready to go in the bath. I think he can use is legs but not a hundred percent. I think he needs a cane, but he uses only arm power to bike across Texas. I wanted to get his name and website. He gave me his card. He asked where I was staying. He said he'd get me a room. I got room number 24. I met Dana the nice lady that runs the place. She said she heard about me from a man who biked through a few days or so. I asked about anywhere in town that might let me use the computer. She said I could use the computer there. A godsend. I didn't think I would see the internet between Fabens and Van Horn, but I did. I had a slight hunch that I might. Dana also donated 20 dollars for cancer research. I went and showered and came back to use the computer. Dana Vale cooked me dinner. Most of her family lives in Kanas. She made me small pizzas, salad, and a baked potato. Mikail came into to pay for my room. I thanked him and gave him my website. I'll start before him but with only one he'll beat me to Van Horn. He'll head south from Van Horn. She told me to stop by for breakfast also. I'm trying to get done with my blog so I can go to bed. Today was an exciting day for walking out in the middle of nowhere. I saw a man doing an amazing feat by biking by arm power who was kind and bought me a hotel room. I found internet in the middle of nowhere and raised 20 dollars for cancer research. I have a renewed sense of purpose and like to wear smiles. Tomorrow I'll be walking from Sierra Blanca to Van Horn. It might be longest day yet. Probably 35 miles plus, but we'll wait and see. Thanks to Mikail for the place to stay and Dana for the usage of the computer, her donation, and dinner.

DAY 187--MARCH 6, 2007 MILES WALKED: 32.85 FROM: Sierra Blanca, TX (Sierra Lodge) TO: Van Horn, TX (Budget Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 35 TOTAL:1,603

Today was a long twelve-hour day of walking. I had a couple interactions with people along the way. Just shy of ten miles into my day and Mikail ed me up. I got an early start than I, but he made better time. I crossed into the Central time zone right at the tail end of my day. There was a little into the mountains and then downhill into Van Horn. I stopped at The Cattle Company. The ended up giving me dinner and a few drinks on house and I raised 35 dollars for cancer research while I was there. Exhausted I stumbled into the Budget Inn a cheap motel for a night of sleep after a long tiring day of walking. From some advice of the people, I met in Van Horn I'll be looking at a route change. I'll take interstate 20 to Midland and then cut over to San Angelo rather than staying on I-10 to Fort Stockton. The route to Midland doesn't have any big gaps. I got started around or a little after 6:30 this morning. I said farewell to Mikail as he was getting ready for the day. The documentary crew was setting up to interview him. I walked through the small town, Sierra Blanca, which has a population of around 500 people. I stopped and got some food at a store on the way out of town to get some food. From there I took the frontage road all the way to just west of Allamore. That was about 19 miles or so. It was pretty straight. The road was right next to west bound I-10 on the north side of the interstate. The scenery consisted of desert scenery. To the south was a vast valley with mountains in the background. Sometimes patches of yellow prairie grass but mostly shrubs trees. The brown ones can be ten feet tall with little thorns and the ones with tiny green leaves not as big but make add a splash of dark green. Right before the 116 marker and a little shy of ten miles Mikail was biking on I-

10 and was focused and didn't even see me. He would make it to Van Horn long before I would. I debated today about making the walk into Van Horn, but as I neared the town, I knew I would make the walk. Around the 116-mile marker there was some hills and a mountain on the north side that lasted for about four miles or so. There was some kind of rock quarry once the mountain died off. A lot of the mountains to the north today had tabletops. They for the most part had a few bushes here and there. Around the 121-mile marker a gray van stopped. It was a lady from Idaho that was driving to San Antonio to see her daughter graduate from basic training. She wanted to know if she kept driving east on the frontage road if she'd be able to reconnect with I-10. I looked at my map and told her that she should. It was five or so miles down the road for her. Those brief subtle interactions like that can really make my day when I make long walks without seeing many people. Another mile down the road and I saw a blue Bic lighter. My lighters for my cook stove are nearing the end of their life. It didn't work. Then I walked a few more steps and saw an orange and green Bic lighters which both worked. I kept walking on the frontage road until it ran at around 19 miles into my day. However, an old road with gravel went straight toward Allamore. It went between the bushes with tiny green leaves. I ed some road workers before hitting that road. A man from the Texas Department of Transportation told me where I could reconnect with I-10 and asked if I needed water. Another brief human interaction that helped me get on today. I ed a TDOT station. There were some private contractors also driving around. I kept walking and I came up to the Suzorite Minerals storage and operation plant. I could see if for miles before I arrived. I wondered what it was. They had all sorts of rocks. A place to load up containers onto trains. Looking out into the hills to the north and I could see white sections of hills and yellow. Areas where they get the rocks. The mineral plant is Allamore. There is a couple of old houses on the other side of the tracks and a house that is working. From here I walked over toward the interstate that I would have to get onto to I-10, but there was a red rocked frontage road that took me to the top of the . From there I had to walk the Interstate into Van Horn and took the 138 exit onto the business loop. The mountains were on both sides of the road. Sections were

blown away. I crossed the time zone on the downhill heading into Van Horn. Maybe three miles west. The mountains were light brown/yellowish with some green and brown shrubs trees here and there. Once I headed into the valley, I could see the vast valley with the town of about 3,000 people. They have hotels, restaurants, and truck stops. I was walking along as it neared dark. It was around 7:30 (6:30 mountain time) and that meant I've been waling for twelve hours or so today. I stopped at The Cattle Company. It was a restaurant with a lounge. It was well lit and the people working there were nice. I sat at the bar and got a drink. A man sitting next to me was from San Antonio and has an aviator mechanic temp business. He travels a fair bit. Setting on the other side of him was Mr. and Ms. Don Heath. They donated ten dollars for cancer research when they left. I ended up chatting to father and son most of my time there. I chatted with Dusty (the son) and Bucky. Bucky, the father, wore a cowboy hat and thought what I was doing was neat. Dusty was tall and lanky with dark hair and the start of a beard. They grow a lot of hay here. We chatted about my trip among other things. Bucky told me to stop and see him if I'm ever in town again. A fella set next to Bucky and told me that I should go up to Midland and then cut over to San Angelo. Shana the blonde waitress told me to order some food and that it would be on the house. I got a burger and fries. She was really nice. When I left, she game running out and handed me twenty dollars for cancer research. I told her thank you and she told me to keep walking. The place was fairly busy but nearing 9 p.m. it cleared out a bit. Another older couple. The man wore a beard and hobbled with a cane donated five dollars which brought the total for the day up to 35 dollars and I've cracked the 1,600 mark. The people were nice, and they were interested in what I was doing. I stumbled down to the Budget Inn and got into room 23, took a shower, and went to bed. Today was a long day but running into good people at the end of the day was rewarding. Tomorrow I'll go to the library and head out of town.

DAY 188--MARCH 7, 2007 MILES WALKED:16.57 FROM: Van Horn, TX (Budget Inn)

TO: 15 miles east of Van Horn, TX (over the fence and in the desert) $ to FHRC TODAY: TOTAL: 1,603

I was tired and woke up about 8:30 this morning. I called the newspaper in Van Horn. It's a weekly and the man didn't sound very interesting seeing how they get many travelers through there town. I packed up and headed out around 9:30. As I walked down the business 10, I saw a radio shack. I popped in and thought that maybe someone there might be able to help with my camera or at least tell me if it's a serious problem. An older man, Mr. Simpson, came out. He took a look and to no avail. He doesn't carry cameras. Not many people in town would buy them. I was going to buy a SD memory chip for my digital camera and take more video footage, but it was 42 dollars, and they are normally 24 or so. That is what happens in small town. They do less volume and have to charge more. I bought some double a batteries. I realized that the Radio Shack was also the newspaper. A young girl came in to put an announcement in the paper. I asked about the library and he told me. It was five blocks north and two blocks west. I walked to the Public Library where I'm at. Today I'll be heading east toward Plateau. There is a truck stop there. It's around 20 miles. Maybe a couple under. It's nearing 11:30 a.m. and I'll be getting a late start. I might only make it 15 miles or so, but I do have until 7 or 7:30. I should get close to Plateau. Probably Thursday I'll be heading on I-20. Well, I it was a long straight road out of Van Horn, and I could see Plateau the whole time. I didn't make it there. I ed a rest area and a mineral factory as I walked along the frontage road. I got a late start and I walked 16 miles today. I walked around Van Horn a bit and I only made it 15 miles east. I hopped the fence and I walked around the desert. There was an area that was sunken down. Surrounded by small shrubs I pitched my tent. Across the interstate was a nice two-story ranch house. There were a couple of ranches along the way.

DAY 189--MARCH 8, 2007 MILES WALKED:23.96 FROM: 15 miles east of Van Horn, TX (over the fence and in the desert) TO: 2 miles east of Kent, TX (over the fence and in the desert) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:1,603

Today was overcast and I walked through Plateau which had a truck stop and a few miles a past Kent. The cloud covered kept it from keeping it to be that warm. There was a little hill out of Plateau and then a couple of hills on the way to Kent. I was walking on a frontage past Kent and then I hopped a fence and crossed a railroad and went to a little hill and set my tent up there. I got up and walked into Plateau. That was about five miles. I walked the frontage road. I had me some breakfast. I filled my water. The dishwasher said he walked from Fort Stockton to Plateau. That' over a hundred miles. He said it took him almost all day. Yeah right. The frontage road didn't exist anymore. It was up a slight hill. I started walking in the grass next to the interstate then saw a dirt road next to the fence. I hopped the fence and walked the dirt road. A landscape of short brown bushes with yellow/light brownish grass. That dirt road lasted till around mile 171 and then it ran out. I walked along the interstate up and down a couple hills into Kent. Kent had a store, an old school, and a few houses. I guess 25 people or so work there. From there was a frontage road. I walked that for a couple miles. Kent had some hills to the south. I saw a hill to the north. I figured that would be as good a spot as another side. I hopped the fence and climbed the small hill and set my tent up. There was only some small plants and some small rocks around.

DAY 190--MARCH 9, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22.70

FROM: 2 miles east of Kent, TX (over in the fence and in the desert) TO: 7 miles west of Toyah, TX (camped in open desert near I-20) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 7 TOTAL: 1,610

I ran into a bit of hospitality today. At Cherry Creek Chevron Ismael the man working gave me an ice cream and a soda as I charged my cell phone. He also gave me some friendly conversation which was more valuable than the food. Then a little ways down the road I was walking past dead deer which by the way smell horrible and a man hopped out of his 18-wheeler. He worked for Penahall Company and he had a truck with a tank while another man drove a machine. They were doing road work. He hopped out with a Gatorade and then gave 7 dollars. Right before I left I-10 and got onto I-20 I ed a rest area. That is when I met Billy and his family. He had a son and wife and daughter. I had a sandwich with them and an apple juice. They were on their way from Mississippi to Sonora Mexico to build a church. I woke up this morning and walked a few miles to Cherry Creek Rd. I met Ismael at the Chevron. He grew up in Van Horn and lives in Kent now. We talked for an hour or so. He gave me an ice cream and soda. He pointed out Gomez Peak to the south with the profile of the Indian warrior lying down. My cellular telephone battery was dead, and I charged it for a while. I walked frontage road to get there. I had to walk on the Interstate once I left there. That is when I met Jerry, the Dallas man working on the road. After Kent it was uphill and downhill. There were Mountains to the south and north. I smelled the corpses of numerous deer once I left. Once it made me throw up. There five or so in a few miles stretch. I guess they were from the Alpine area. At Springhills Rd. exit 184 there was a frontage road. I ed another Penhall Company crew. I went over a hill and on the down slope I walked past a picnic area for westbound traffic. I asked a man, Billy, to take my picture. He did. We started talking and he asked if I wanted to sandwich. He gave me a juice and granola bar also. We chatted. He had his wife, her daughter, and his son with them. He gave me some material to read. I got on the road and it turned into a dirt road as I veered from Interstate-10 to Interstate-20. The dirt road ran out and I walked on I-20 for a few miles. Then on the north side there was a dirt/paved road. I walked

along that. It was brown hills with green and brown bushes. It was getting warm. Then at exit 3 I crossed underneath 1-20 and hopped on a frontage road on the south side. I took that for the rest of the day. A couple of miles down the road and I walked out of the hills into a vast flat land. The only mountains were soon the ones behind me. The hills were light brown. I took that past mile post 14. I got some honks. I saw a Penhall Company truck drive by and honk. It must have been Jerry. After the sunset I hopped the fence. The landscape was mainly short bushes with green leaves with dark brown dirt.

DAY 191--MARCH 10, 2007 MILES WALKED: 24.87 FROM: 7 miles west of Toyah, TX (camped in open desert near I-20) TO: Pecos, TX (Budget Inn courtesy of The Christian House in Pecos) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 190 TOTAL: 1,801

I walked through Toyah and walked into Pecos. I ran into nice people today. Shaina at the Toyah Grill filled my water and gave me food. She also game me the number to the Christian House and that resulted in a free room at the Budget Inn. Mr. Winkles was the man that came over and deals with the men at the Christian House. The library was closed and today was supposed to be an internet stop. That means that I'll have to wait to update my website. I woke up and walked the frontage road into Toyah and that was a little over 7 miles. It was sunny and getting warm. It was around 10 a.m. I needed water. I stopped at the grill. Dogs were barking. Shaina came out. I told her what I was doing. She gave me a bag of sodas and snacks. She cooked me a double cheeseburger. The red-haired fair skin women were really nice. She gave me the number for the Pecos newspaper and the number to the Christian House. It took

a while before the dogs stopped barking. One was tiny. It was hers. She came out and told it to go home. A black-haired woman showed up. After Toyah I walked the frontage road till it ended around the rest area. I called the Pecos newspaper. They might have someone in town, or they might not. After the rest area I had to walk on the interstate for a bit. It was between mile 25-27 the frontage road began on the northside. I walked that all the way into Pecos. It turned into business 20. I called the Christian House. I talked with a nice lady who gave me Mr. Winkles number and name. I called him. He said that they keep a room at the Budget Inn. At this point I was a little over an hour away from the town. At mile 37 business 20 started. I went to the Budget Inn. There were to ladies putting a puzzle together in the office and a younger red head guy. One of the ladies was on the phone with Mr. Winkles. He was on his way. Mr. Winkles came by. He opened up room 126 for me and told me that I could come to church tomorrow if I wanted. He was in his 60's. I asked the ladies in the office about laundry. The young red headed guy did my laundry. After a shower in I asked about a little store. One of the ladies said that it was a mile or so around she let me ride her blue bike. I rode it down to the store thinking wow it's nice to move this fast. I came back and put the bike out back where I got it. I forgot to mention that on the way into town a gray Toyota Forerunner stopped, and Mike Kojis donated 40 dollars for cancer research. I also know someone who donated 150 dollars and wanted to remain unknown. That bumps us up to 1,800 that I know about. We're closing in on the 2,000 mark and the momentum is picking up. Today was another day of hospitality. I got free lunch and a free room. The hotel was great for a free room. I lounged around and charged my cell and enjoyed the comfort of the room.

DAY 192--MARCH 11, 2007 MILES WALKED:16.22 FROM: Pecos, TX (Budget Inn courtesy of The Christian House in Pecos) TO:16 miles east of Pecos, TX (camped in desert over the fence around mile

58) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 1,801

Today I left Pecos and it was overcast. I got hit with a thunderstorm and I survived. I managed to make it out. The library was closed today, and I asked around and couldn't find a computer to work out. I walked out of Pecos on business 20 and walked through Barstow. It had a couple hundred people and an abandoned downtown. I caught the frontage road 6 miles past Barstow. The dark clouds looming. On the frontage road a little rain started coming and my rain poncho made it's Texas debut. It started as hail and then went to hard rain. I took cover at the start under a railroad trestle then started walking in the hail. I made my way down the frontage road as I was pelts by white balls of hail. Then I walked in rain for an hour or so. I couldn't find cover. I was looking for an over. No luck. It blew over and then it was windy. Somewhere between Toyah and Pecos the landscaped changed from all small bushes with little green leaves to prairie grass with brown bushes. On the way out of Pecos I walked past a lot of old building with no businesses. I stopped at cafe and got a bite to eat. After I left Pecos, I began walking through oil country. I saw oil pumps dotting the desert landscape. The land is flat with a slight roll. There are brown brush trees around the landscape. Among grass and brown bushes are oil pumps pumping away. I walked into Barstow. I was looking for diner to grab some lunch. I turned off the road taking a left. Downtown was all run down. An old bank. An old store. An old hotel. I turned around knowing that I wouldn't find anything here. I got back onto the road that I was on and walked that until it connected with I-20, but there was still a frontage road. Business 20 ended. I walked on the frontage road on the northside for the rest of the day. I was walking along Oil Country. The land has a slight roll more like tiny hills, well I like to call them lumps. Now I can't see any mountains anywhere. This is the flattest land I've ever seen and for the first time on the trip that I couldn't see a mountain. Then a few miles down that road and it started raining. It started thundering. Lighting followed. Before I knew it hail was coming down. I went under a railroad trestle. Then water started flowing. I left the cover and started

walking while hail balls attacked my body. It was long before the hail gave way to rain. Then I was just getting wet. My notebook in my back pocket got wet. It rained hard. I didn't think that it would let up. I wanted to rate today as one of the worst days of my life. Then after an hour or so it gave up. It was windy and I got cold. I wanted to walk another nine miles or so, but I knew that if I walked wet in the wind, I would be asking to get sick. I don't won't that. I looked for a spot. I crossed the railroad tracks and climbed the fence. I pitched my tent with some bushes around. There didn't seem to be much oil things around here. I think today most of them were between Pecos and Barstow. I staked my tent down and hopped into it. I changed into dry clothes and bundled up in my sleeping bag. Life was good again. I survived my first Texas thunderstorm and lived to talk about it.

DAY 193--MARCH 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 23.76 FROM:16 miles east of Pecos, TX (camped in desert over the fence around mile 58) TO: Monahans, TX (Texan Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:1,800

I walked into and through Pyote and Wickett on my way to Monahans. It was overcast with a little moisture coming down. In Wickett I called the Monahans News and they said I could stop by and use their computer. The Monahans Library was closed. Myrtle-Ann was the nice lady at the paper that said I could use the library. At the library she gave me a new sign for my pack. I'll probably be camping at the Monahans State Park. I ed a lot of oil fields today. The landscape had the arms pumping into the ground all over. I'm blogging for the last few days. I have limited time. I'm working as the people get the paper ready for tomorrow. I'll probably make it into Thursday's edition. I'm

hurrying to get all that I can typed. I have limited amount of time. The police scanner is going off. I got up and it was overcast. I was near mile post 58 where I camped. I walked past the brown brushed oil pumped filled landscape first into Pyote around mile 66. I stopped at the Cheyenne Deli and got some food. The frontage road turned into road 57. That took me all the way into Wickett. In Wickett I went to the gas station. I had my poncho on and off today. It was light sprinkle and mist. I felt lucky after what happened yesterday. I got the number for the newspaper in Monahan. I talked with Myrtle-ann. She was great. The library was closed. From Wickett I had 7 miles or so. I walked on the road until it turned into business 20 and changed names to Sealy Rd. I walked by an energy place, houses, some old run-down businesses. Then I got to the middle of town and went to the newspaper. Middleman let me get online and update. Now she'll interview me. Tomorrow's paper is out. I got a copy. I'm not in it. I had an article that came out from the college I graduated. Check back to see how today finishes out and here is a link to that article. Two people made donations to me online. Bobby Poirier from LA. I met Bobby in Washington when he was a producer for a History channel program, and I was an extra. The Schroeder’s made a donation. I don't know how they found out, but Judy is likes reading my journal and her husband is Steve. The link to the article HERE-I went out to eat with Mytrle-ann and her husband Tommy. They met when she worked for the paper. They sent men in Vietnam Christmas cars. He replied. When he got back, they dated for a couple years and then married. We went to Vicki's a restaurant. It's dark now. Not sure if I should walk to the state park. It's around 6 miles. Don't know where I'm going to stay. Since it was dark, I walked over down main street and went underneath I-20 and then went to the Texan Inn and got a cheap room.

DAY 194--MARCH 13, 2007 MILES WALKED: 25.43 FROM: Monahans, TX (Texan Inn) TO: 11 miles west of Odessa, TX (off in the desert) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 17 TOTAL: 1,817

Today was a little over twenty-five-mile day and I ended up camping 11 miles west of Odessa, TX. I made the mistake of thinking that there would be some kind of store in between. Wrong. That meant that I went without water at the end of the day. I had CBS channel 7 come out from Odessa. They met up with me about 6 miles east of Monahans by the Monahans Sandhills State Park. They had a documentary crew with them also. The crew was making a reality TV show about the news station that will air in June sometime. The day started with some clouds but turned out to be warm. I left the hotel a little before 9. I crossed underneath I-20 and took the service road on the north side. It ran out and then I had to walk next to the interstate until I got to the 183 exit then I got on the Old US 80 which serves as a frontage road. East of Monahans is the sand hills. That was nice to see. There is some brush on the hill. It was around 11 a.m. When the little CBS Suzuki vehicle showed up. Josh, the cameraman/ chief photographer hopped out. Catherine the brown-haired reporter hopped out. Then two other guys hopped out. They were Joseph Fitzgerald and David Wallach. A couple of guys that are shooting a reality TV show about the CBS channel 7 that will air in June on the TV guide channel. Joseph and David are from Chicago. David has worked on all sorts of other reality TV shows. Joseph had a camera and David was the director. Catherine and I chatted. One Josh got the camera set up then she interviewed me. Afterwards they drove ahead and filmed me. This lasted an hour maybe. Sometimes Josh would walk with me. Josh grew up in Odessa and spent a couple of years in Austin. Then we had an unexpected visitor.

Carol Cruise is a faith walker. She is walking around the perimeter of the United States. She started in South Beach and has walked to Minnesota so far. She walks in segments due to weather. She has a prosthetic leg. She gave me fifteen dollars for food. She was driving by and saw me and the camera crew. She pulled over. She turned back around, and we chatted a bit more as I saw the gang from Channel 7 and the documentary crew drive by. Joseph and David donated 17 dollars between them for cancer research. Once they were gone the excitement was done for the day. I kept hoping I'd bump into a gas station or a cafe, but I didn't. My water lasted most of the day and ran out in the end. I walked along the service road excited about what happened. The kept me jazzed up for the rest of the day. The clouds burnt off and it was sunny. Just walking through the desert. There is a slight roll to the land. I'll see oil pumps in the landscape. Mostly brown brush covering the landscape. I walked that same road all day with one interruption. After I walked past Penwell which was a little oil industry town with an abandoned truck stop and cafe I walked a up a little hill. The railroad crossed from the north to south side of the interstate. The service road stopped before that and then I walked along a dirt road. Then I crossed the railroad walked another dirt road past some piles of rock and then the service road resumed. I walked past an old campground on the north side. On the south side was a big industrial factory of sorts. Around the 104 exit and after 25 miles of walking I wandered off in the desert and set up my tent. It was around 8 p.m. I was surrounded by small bushes. I made sure there weren't any ants and went to bed. I could have used some more water, but it wasn't all that bad.

DAY 195--MARCH 14, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15.43 FROM: 11 miles west of Odessa, TX (off in the desert)

TO: Odessa, TX (Kelley Grimsley Auto Group on 8th st) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 22 TOTAL: 1,839

I woke this morning and packed up my tent. It looked to be another sunny beautiful day. I didn't know when I would see the next gas station. I walked back to the service road and walked that all the way into Odessa. Soon I started getting into the industrial west side of Odessa. I ed the 108 exit. I ed some industrial sections and then I had Johnny stop. He drove a white Chevy truck. He wore a black hat and a light brown handlebar mustache. He gave me five dollars. I asked if he saw me on the news yesterday and he didn't. I told him that I was walking across the US for cancer research. He gave me five more dollars. Five for lunch and five for cancer research. Some guy who didn't know what I was doing stopped to help me. That was awesome. A little further down the road a red minivan pulled over. A Mexican man names Alfredo (also my brother's middle name) stopped. He said he saw me on the news last night. He wanted to give me five dollars for water. After a brief chat I was on the road. I was thirsty has heck and I was a mile or so from the first gas station since I left Monahans. I stopped at the Citigo. I called the newspaper. The Odessa American and they seemed interested. The ladies working there donated 10 dollars for cancer research. The younger one and I talked for a bit. Marina was the only name I got. Three nice ladies there. From there I started walking on the service road next to the business 20. A trucker told me good luck and said he saw me on the news. Here's the link. CBS NEWS LINK As I was walking as the service road ended and Casey and Josh showed up from the Odessa newspaper. After an interview Casey had to take off. Before Casey took off and while he was interviewing me a gray van pulled over. Ms. Lopez handed me a wad of ones. The man in the enger seat took a picture on his cell phone of Ms. Lopez and I. Josh walked with me a bit. He grew up in Orange

county out in California. He knew of the Ortega Highway which is the most dangerous road that I've traveled. He turned around. He had to go to a baseball game. I kept walking. I started to get deeper into town. I ed some cheap hotels and some other businesses. A man on a red motor bike pulled over and gave me 6 dollars for food. This was Manuel. A tough looking man with black hair. He was stoked on what I was doing. We shook hands and I thanked him. He drove off. Second later a blue truck pulled in. Javier gave me two dollars. I put that toward cancer research. After that I walked to Downton. Josh the photographer from the newspaper was planning on meeting me there. Just as I was going to call him, I saw him running over. I could see the tall CBS 7 building. He walked with me to the library. I got a guest card and then him and I sat down and had a nice chat. After he left, I logged onto the computer. Here I am at the library in Odessa, TX. So far, the people in the town have been really nice. I've gotten a lot of nice honks. Tomorrow I'll have articles in the Odessa and Monahans newspapers come out. Monahans only comes out on Tues and Thursday. Well, I'm about ready to leave the library and wander around town. I don't know where I'm going to stay. It depends how far I can make it. I think there might be a RV park that I might stay in. Maybe someone will take me in. We'll have to wait and see. After I left the library, I got some lunch and then walked on 2nd st east. It didn't seem to have as much traffic as 8th St. I was going by industrial type businesses. I cut over to 8th St. Another white truck pulled over. I met my second Tommy in Odessa and they both had white trucks. He wanted to give me five dollars. He was a man of 60 or sort. I was walking by a car lot. The Kelley Grimsley Auto Group. Deion saw me on the news. He asked if I needed water or something. I went inside and filled my water there. A bunch of salesmen sitting around. I three boxes of girl scout cookies. Most wanted to give me some kind of money. John Brown, a marine of 12 years said he'd find me a place to stay. I stayed at his brother's house. Paul and Jennifer. I paused my walk at the car lot. I went over to his brother's house and showered up. He wanted to get me meal. We went over to Jalisco's and had some tacos. Before we ate, we didn't see our waitress. We didn't see her for a half an hour or so. Her house caught on fire. I don't know how it turned out.

We went back to John's place and then back to his brother's house. Tomorrow I'll resume the walk at the car dealership. I met a lot of people today. They were a bunch of good people. Well tomorrow I'll walk from Odessa to Midland.

DAY 196--MARCH 15, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16.40 FROM: Odessa, TX (Kelley Grimsley Auto Group) TO: Midland, TX (Walgreens off Wall St near the Chase building) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 290 TOTAL: 2,129

Today as I lugged my backpack around it started to get warm. I had a lot of people stop to talk to me and I raised 290 dollars for cancer research on the walk from Odessa to Midland. I had two TV stations come out to talk with me. Channel 9 saw me walking and spur of the moment stopped by. Channel 7 came out to a follow piece. I got a new pair of shoes donated along the way. I met Debbie and bumped into her a total of three times today. I went to my first hockey game ever and went on the ice between the second and third period and got an announcement. I walked to the Walgreens, paused my walk for the day, and I called Josh the cameraman from CBS 7. His wife and him were going let me stay. Today was long day and was tired by the end of the day. The people in Odessa and Midland have been great and I've met a lot of people the last couple of days. I woke this morning. The people I stayed with, Paul and Jennifer Brown, donated 40 dollars. Jennifer went and got some money before I left. I got dropped off near the car lot and walked over. I saw the salesman crew from the day before. Here I am on my 15th day in a row at the Kelley Grimsley Auto Group. Kelly Grimsley walked by and one of the salesmen told him about my walk. He asked how much I raised. He said, "cut him a check for a hundred." I waited for the check to arrive then I started my walk right where it left off. I

started heading east on the business 20. Three miles down the road or so and a gray car, an Audi or BMW stopped. It was Shelley Ramora and she donated 50 dollars. It's nearing 10 and I've raised 190 dollars so far. I kept walking on business 20. It was mainly industrial type businesses along the way. I stopped at a gas station and got a snack. A blonde girl name Ashley was excited to see me. She came out the store with five dollars and a bottle of water. After that I kept on walking. I walked by the Abby Supply Company. They sell metal parts that people make metal building with. I heard someone yelling. It was Lloyd Scott. I ran over. We chatted. He offered donuts and water. I went inside. That was the first time I bumped into Debbie today. They donated 20 from a group of three people there. Armando Lea, Lloyd Scott, and Joe Juarez. After that I kept walking and bumped into Prescott's. It was a lunch buffet. I went in ready to get some food inside me. Mark and the guys from Atmos Energy bought my lunch. I chatted with them. I got a call from Debbie and the wanted to buy me a new pair of shoes. Down the road Debbie showed up. A walked by a bike shop and two guys showed up a couple minutes after Debbie. She was going to buy the shoes but the Academy Sports and Outdoors donated the shoes. Thanks to them I'm in a new pair of New Balances. They are gray. The two men, Lois and Oscar Escontrias, were cousins and they collectively donated 25 dollars. I kept walking and then a car from Channel 9 drove by and honked. As I was walking down the service road they pulled up. Mike and Camren hopped out. Camren has only been here three weeks. She finished up school at Cal State Fullerton. They were on the way to another story and decided they should talk to me. They were nice. Afterwards Camren, brown hair and eyes, walked over. She gave me her number and said that she would let me use her camera and that I could send it to her when I'm done. That is really nice of her. After two weeks of no filming, I'm back in the game. A little further down the road and I was in Midland was near loop 250. I stopped to rest in the said. Kara from Channel 7 came out to do a follow up. They got me resting. They got my new shoes. They even wanted me to walk and sing, and I did. Kara sat down in the grass next to me. It was a nice rest and interview. So far today I've walked by the Midland International area and mostly industrial

businesses. There were some bushes in certain areas. I walked by a bunch of car lots in Midland. There were other businesses as well. Some of the guys on one lot stopped me and I ran over to talk. Jacob donated 20 dollars bringing the daily total up to 270. I kept walking on business 20 and saw a Walgreens. I needed to get a memory card for my digital camera. I've met all these awesome people and haven't been able to take their pictures. I called Josh Brown the camera man from CBS 7. He called me last night and said if I need anything or a place to stay give him a call. I did. He came and picked me up. I paused my walk. We went to his house. I met his wife who is carrying their first child. I showered up and then we took off to Odessa to watch the Jackalopes play. The minor league hockey game. There was 2,000 people there or so. Debbie was at the hockey game. She had it arranged so that they would announce me on the ice. They also gave me a Jacks hat. I sat with Josh and his friend Javy with one of the producers of the reality TV show. It was between the 2 and 3rd period. I went down there. They had a contest were people throw a puck in a bowl. Josh's uncle was one of two people to get it in. Then I went onto the ice and the man made the announcement. People clapped and I waved. I was walking through the halls and a lady came up and made a 20-dollar donation and bringing the total to 290 dollars. We finished watching the game as the Jacks lost 5 to 3. It was fun and show some goods hit. There weren't any fights. Josh and I got back to his house a little after 10 and just missed my segment on channel 9. Be stayed up to watch the channel 7 news. It would be late because of March Madness. We just missed that segment also. It wasn't meant to be. T Today was an amazing day with how generous and friendly people were. Today is the biggest single day I've had so far in raising money for cancer research. I made it into Midland. I'm thinking maybe tomorrow should be a rest day. I've went 15 straight and could use a day off.

DAY 197--MARCH 16, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a

TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 199 TOTAL: 2,328

The story continues...I ran into much more generosity today. Someone is letting me use their video camera for the rest of the trip. I raised almost two hundred dollars for cancer research. I made a stop by Academy Sports and Outdoors and not only did the people chip in over 80 dollars for cancer research the Store Director was great. They let me pick out some things I needed, and he gave me a gift card for 350 dollars so that I can get shoes for the rest of the trip. The hospitality that I walked into in the Odessa and Midland area has been amazing. The way people have responded has been great. Most people seem to appreciate what I'm doing. I decided to take today off for a rest day. Well, I got a couple of emails from Robert Barber saying if I need to place to stay in Midland, he'd love to have me over. I got up early and put yesterday's journal online. Once Josh was up, I called Carmon and she would me let me use her camera. Josh had to film a crime stopper segment over in Midland and he dropped me off. Today was an overcast and cold with some wind. Before we left CBS had my video clip from last night and we watched it. It was a good segment. Josh made a call to the station to help speed up the clip getting added. After that Josh and I went to the Walgreens. A few minutes later Cameron showed up. She gave me her camera a couple of batteries and the charger her. She is the reporter from Channel 9. After a hug she left. I got my fleece out because it was cold. I packed the charger into my bag and then Josh and I said our goodbyes. He was driving off when I realized my cell phone was inside. I ran over and he turned back around, and he gave me my phone. I gave Robert a call and left a message saying I'd like to take him up on the offer of staying at the house. While I was standing out in front of the Walgreens talking to someone a man, Steve, pulled up. I walked down the block and crossed the street. I went to Lori's Cafe. An older man recognized me, and we chatted. After I got my table, a waitress came over and the man gave them 7 dollars for my breakfast. They said that he said he was proud of me. I was at my table and Rory came over. He had black hair. He was

eating with his wife and two children. I got a call from Robert and they would be in town around noon. I was plan on heading over to Academy to say hi to those guys and say thank you for the shoes. I had some time to kill. I was walking around and then I went to the shake place. That is when I met Brandi and Kristy. Brandi donated 20 dollars and gave me some vitamins. She gave me a shake. The place had workout equipment and offered healthy drinks and Herbalife. I talked with Brandi and Kristy for a while. Then Brandi gave me a ride over to Academy. I met the Store Director, Derek, and several of the managers. Derek said if I needed to get anything that I could pick a couple of things. David one of the team leaders walked with me. I got a water bladder, belt, pants, and mace. Richard one of the managers is going to hang onto my camera that isn't working. I can't carry it around. I was waiting in the lobby type area and a man named Bryan walked by. He has testicular cancer and he donated ten dollars. Derek the manager wanted to keep me in good shoes for the duration of the journey. He made a call and then he realized he had to do it through his store. He gave me a gift card for 350 dollars for three pair of shoes the rest of the trip. Another person made a donation for cancer research as I sat there. Maria donated 9 dollars and then came back with 12 more for a total of 21. Then the people working at Academy donated a total of 83 dollars which brought the total to 194. I handed my card to some of the people working. It wasn't long and Robert and his son Josh showed up in their white truck. I'm not walking today so none of these rides advanced my progress. I'll be starting at the Walgreens near downtown when I resume my walk. Robert and his wife Kim have a landscape company. Josh goes to Midland High and is on his spring break. We drove over to their house. I weighed my bag. It was around 48 pounds. That ain't that bad. We hung out a bit and I was tired. Walking 15 days in a row from El Paso to Midland can wear a guy out. They had a nice house. I have a bed in the wall. It's not one that flops down, but it's more like a cabin bed. We hung out and talked. I took a brief nap. For dinner we went downtown. We drive by a little lake. Midland is also known as the tall city. For a place of 100,000 people, it has a good number of tall buildings. I guess it has to do with the oil business. We went to Luigi's for dinner. We had pizza and salad. Josh and I each had a whole pizza. The place was packed. I thought the pizza

was great. After dinner we left downtown and went to George W Bush's childhood home. After that we went to the bookstore and Robert bought me a book. The Peter Jenkins title, Walk Across America. It follows Jenkins from upstate New York to Louisiana. After that we went back. We watched some college basketball and then went to bed. Another great day in the books. I'm still amazed and thankful for Cameron letting me use her camera. After two weeks I'm back in business as far as filming. I raised another good chunk and I think the Odessa/Midland run has been over 500 dollars for cancer research. Someone might have made an online donation also. I went to bed in a warm bed in an once stranger's house who is now a friend. I've made a bunch of friends on this trip. Here are a couple of links. CBS 7 newsclip and the Channel newsclip that I haven't been able to check out. It's under crosscountry walker. Channel 9 link

DAY 198--MARCH 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: TOTAL: 2,328

Yesterday wasn't much of a rest day. I didn't walk but a lot went on. Today I hung out with Robert, Kim, and Josh. We had waffles for breakfast. We had chocolate milk also. Robert and I went down the bank. They bank at Wells Fargo. I needed to get a money order for the Fred Hutchinson. I also had a hundred-dollar check from Kelly Grimsley made out to me. Luckily, we could cash it and add it to the money order. The nice lady at the bank, Elsa, gave us an 8-dollar cashier check for free. I pulled the video camera to film a bit. I had a big wad of cash. There were a bunch of one-dollar bills, so that stack was thick with a fifty on top. I left a hat and sock at Josh from CBS 7's house and we drove over and picked up. Later Robert, Kim, Josh, and I went to go see a movie. We saw the movie, Wild Hogs. It was funny. After that we went home. Kim's daughter Lyndsey came over for dinner. We had pork chops. After supper Lyndsey, Kim, and Josh played cards. Robert and I watched TV and chatted. Today was a beautiful day. I got pretty tired around 10 p.m. and went into my bed in the wall. Robert mentioned how I could take tomorrow off if I needed it. I've had a good time hanging out with Robert and his family. I'm glad they offered to take me in. Robert has a lot of family in Mississippi and Kim and Robert go back there for a couple of weeks around Christmas time.

DAY 199--MARCH 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: TOTAL: 2,328

Robert and Kim said that it would be alright if I took another rest day and I felt I

needed it. I know I want to finish as soon as possible because of the hot humid summer that is lurking, but my body needs a break. I walked 15 days straight from El Paso to Midland and I could use a break. Tomorrow I'll be hitting the road and heading east. I resume my walk at the Walgreens were Josh picked me up. I don't know the next computer I'll bump into once I leave Midland. Maybe Sterling City, but it might be San Angelo which is over a hundred miles away. Today I went with to Church with Robert, Kim, and Josh. It was a big church called Second Baptist. The church has three services. The first one is more traditional and the second and third are more contemporary. We went to the second. They had a drummer, electric guitar, and other band . After Church Josh went with his grandmother for lunch. We went back and Kim cooked up some lunch. It was a grilled sandwich. I had two sandwiches. They had pepperoni with pizza sauce and cheese. It was great. For breakfast I had some cereal. I took a little nap. Kim's grandmother came over for dinner. We had tacos. Her grandmother saw me on the news. She's 82. I'm putting today and yesterday's journal on. I've had a nice stop here in Midland and Odessa. I just got a call from John Brown. He was the salesman from Kelly Grimsley that found a place to stay in his brother's house. He called to check in on how I was doing. I wasn't planning on resting up three days here. I wasn't even plan on taking a day off here period, but things worked out the way they worked out. Robert bought me a pair of sunglasses today. This is my fifth pair of sunglasses. I've been stubborn getting my fifth pair. I've lost three pairs and broke one. However, one of the pair of glasses I found on the side of the road. Well, I'm going to get ready for bed. I want to go visit with Robert and the gang a bit more since this is my last night with them. They've been great.

DAY 200--MARCH 19, 2007 MILES WALKED: 23.31

FROM: Midland, TX (The Walgreens off Wall St. near Chase Building) TO: 14 miles west Garden City, TX (camped in the desert) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL: 2,348

Today I walked a little over 23 miles. I raised 20 dollars for cancer research. After some breakfast Robert dropped me off at the Walgreens. We dropped Josh off at the school. I resumed my walk at the Walgreens. I walked Andrews Highway until it turned into Garfield. Then I took a left on Florida and that road turned into the Garden City High school. I ed businesses and then some industrial types. I ed some farmland. There was green field. Before the last gas station, I saw a field with goats. I saw a couple bulls butting heads. The farmland turned into mesquite trees and brown gas with oil pumps. I had a few people stop. Willie stopped to see if I needed water. Roy stopped to see if I needed food. He gave me a sandwich, chips, and some water. A couple people stopped to see if I needed a ride. One stopped and cleared out his enger seat. I politely said no thank you and told them I'm walking. The land has a slight roll. I would see some cattle among the mesquite trees in a spot or to. Today got warm. It was mostly overcast. I was walking and it was over 21 miles and my right hip started hurting. That is when I met the Niver brothers. I saw a truck pull over. I walked up. It was Jason and Jeremy. The work for Midland Safety and Health. They each gave me five dollars for food. They had a job a little ways down the road. They were stoked on what I was doing. They are from Midland and they saw me on the news. I told them that I'd walk up to that hill and then I'd probably just hop the fence and then set up camp. An hour or so later. They slowly drove on the shoulder looking for me. I flagged them down. I just saw an awesome dark pink/reddish sunset over the oil land. Brown scenery from the mesquite trees. They gave me a Gatorade. What was priceless was the company. As we talked it turned dark outside. They had their truck and trailer on the side of the road. They do safety tests on oil rigs and other

oil things.

DAY 201--MARCH 20, 2007 MILES WALKED: 23.10 FROM: 14 miles west of Garden City, TX (camped in desert) TO: 9 miles east of Garden City, TX (in tent on hill next to road) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 412 TOTAL: 2,760

I got up on this overcast morning and so far, I've walk just under 14 miles into Garden City. I got a call this morning from the superintendent of the school. They wanted me to stop by and talk to the school. I was happy to do so. The school rallied and they raised 400 dollars for cancer research. I had a man named Daniel stop and donate 7 dollars today. Out of the blue I talked In front of 200 students and had Garden City raise 400 dollars for the cause. I ed oil country on the way into town. I did green fields. I guess they grow wheat and cotton. I'm using the computer in the nurse Kristy's office. I got up this morning. I left one of my trekking poles outside. The padded handle was chewed up. Some kind of animal got to it last night. I heard nothing at all last night. I packed up hopped the fence and started walking. A little ways into the day I got a call from the superintendent of the school in Garden City. It was windy. I stopped twice. A couple miles out of town Ken Hoskins the principal came out. He said he'd pick me up at the blue house on the main street. I paused my walk at the blue house. I went to the nurse’s office and then found out that I would be In front of most of the school. I thought maybe a class or two. The kids filed into auditorium. I went down and sat down. The nurse had one of the kids film me. I talked for a bit and then the kids fired some questions at me. After a while then they filed out. I went to the Cristy's office to update my website. I wasn't sure the next computer I'd see, but Cristy was nice enough to let me use her computer.

Here I am. I don't know where I'll end up today. Mr. Hoskins is going to take me out for lunch. Cristy counted the money, and it was 400 dollars they raised at the school. I'm closing in on 3,000. Today is the best example of how random my days can be. I woke this morning not knowing that I was going to raise 400 dollars and talk In front of the school. My life has a subtle craziness that is hard to explain. I'm adding everything below this on March 21 while I'm using a computer in Sterling City. Mr. Hoskins took me out to lunch and to the bank so I could get a cashier’s check. I sent 427 dollars off to the Fred Hutchinson. He had me pick out some snacks. Mr. Hoskings gave 40 dollars for food. He used to live in a small town near Lubbock, TX. He moved down here and started the football team. They started out as a 11 man and now they are 6 man. He said there are 115 6-man schools in the state. After I went back to the school Mr. Hoskings dropped me off over in front of the blue house and I resumed my walk on the star. The Sheriff in Garden City has an old six shooter in a leather belt. I told Mr. Hoskins that I've never seen a cowboy carrying a sidearm like that. He said that was the Sheriff. He had a cowboy hat and all. I can say thank you enough to the people of Garden City. One of the smallest towns I've walked through, and I've had my biggest day. A ways out of town and when the school bus went by it honked. I could see the students looking at the window. It was pretty cool. After I left Garden City, I walked about 9 miles. I ed a lot of farms. When I walked past Eco-Drip, a subsurface drip irrigation company, a white truck drove over. Inside were Brian Fredrich and his blonde sister Andrea Hillger. Brian saw me on the news, and they wanted to give me some money to help my walk. We had a brief chat and I videotaped them. Today people gave me 75 dollars to help my walk.

I ed some farms. Green fields or tilled up dirt. There were some mesquite trees. There is a bit more of green grass. I saw a little hill. The Garden City Highway (AKA Highway 158) blows through the little hill. The hill remains on both sides. On the north side there were cows grazing. I camped on the south side. I was feeling risky and didn't even hop the fence. Well today I was amazed with the people in Garden City, TX. I woke up and how no idea what was in store for me.

DAY 202--MARCH 21, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22.52 FROM: 9 miles east of Garden City, TX (camped in grass on little hill next to road) TO: Sterling City, TX (First Baptist Church) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL: 2,780

Today was windy with a few clouds in the sky. I had to take a lot of breaks as I walked because my feet are sore. It's been kind of tough breaking this fourth pair of shoes in. I got a call from the Sterling City School. They want me to stop by and talk. I made it into Sterling City around 6:30 PM. I had people stop to take my picture, offer water, and want to give me lunch money today. It was a struggle of a day. Early in the day I left Glasscock county and entered Sterling county. The slight roll of the land turned into hills. I stopped at the First Baptist church in Sterling City after I went to the gas station to charge my video camera and cell phone. I stepped in as they were having a little study session. I was in the lobby and they waved me in. They were praying for each other. I met Russel, Jason, David, and Bruce. Jason is the pastor. He said I could sleep on the couch. Bruce left. Russel said that Bruce would let me stay at his house. I paused my walk at the church and Russel drove me over to Bruce's house. I'm still amazed at my walk-through Garden City and here I am in Sterling City and someone was

nice enough to take me in. I'm using the computer at Bruce and Jerry's house. Someone who talked to me on the Highway 158, and they called in to a Midland Radio Station. I woke up. I was on a little hill. Things slowly change from Midland to Garden City and keep changing from Garden City to Sterling City. Things start to become a little greener. Today I got up and started walking 8:30 a.m. When I really noticed the change in scenery when I crossed into Sterling City. As I left Glasscock county the roll the of the land starting to become more pronounced and turned into hills that would last the rest of the day when I got into Sterling County. The land has more a green hue. There are thick bush trees (cedar trees) that haven't been around that are dotting the landscape. They aren't really tall. There still are patches of mesquite trees. I guess the mesquite tree’s leaf out, but not yet. I did see some green farmlands here and there. They used to be wheat, but not are mainly for crazing. Especially right before 158 merged with 87. There were some green fields to the south. The cedar trees are mainly on the hills. I didn't see many oil pump jacks today. There were some. Mainly in the distance. I did see quite a few tank batteries. They are like a silo but real short. They can hold oil and salt water. I saw a bunch of cows. There are a lot of ranches. Before I left Glasscock county a man in a brown Nissan Explorer stopped to take my picture. He was a dark-skinned man from Midland who use to live in San Antonio. Right when I was walking in the valley in Sterling City there was a huge ranch and a tan truck pulled up to the highway. The ranch was on the south side of Highway 158. The man driving signaled me over. He asked if I needed a ride. I told him I'm walking across the country raising money for cancer research. He said his wife survived breast cancer and they used alternative medicine the second time to beat it. I made my way on after that. The hills now seem to have a little bit of light green grass. Every now and I'd see cows and they would run. I saw a dead snake on the side of the road. I had a couple more people stop on the rest of the way as I walked on Highway 158. Speedy stopped to talk to me. I gave him my card and signed it for him. He saw me on the news. Later a man whose name I forgot, but it might have been Manny stopped. He saw me when I walked into Odessa. He drove to Brady today and on the way back he pulled over. He gave me twenty dollars for food. He had a white truck with a white canopy. He gave me some snacks. He offered water, but I was only 6 miles or so

from Sterling City. Then another mile or so and a minivan pulled over. It had Rusty and Tracy from Garden City. Their kids saw me at the school yesterday. They gave me ten dollars for food or whatever I need. A couple more miles and I was on Highway 87. 158 was two lanes and now 87 is a four-lane divided freeway. I had less than four miles into Sterling City. It was downhill. My video camera and cell battery were dead at this point. I walked to the shell at the edge of town. The town is around a thousand people or so. I got some food and charged my cellphone and camera. After eating it was about 7:30 p.m. I walked over to the first Baptist Church across the street. I stood outside. It looked as if they were done. I went in through the double door into the lobby. Bruce waived me in. Then Jason the young pastor talked to me. He prayed for me. I sat my pack down. Jason said I could sleep on the couch. I mingled and talked with Russel, David, Bruce, and Jason. Bruce left. I was chatting. David handed me 20 dollars for cancer research. Russel called Bruce. Bruce said he'd put me up for the night. Russel and Bruce live across the street from each other. I paused my walk at the First Baptist Church. Once at Bruce's house I met Jerry and then Bruce showed me my bed. I took a much-needed shower. Jerry had a bean, meat, and cheese dish that was awesome. I got online and I'm putting today and also, I'm adding the second of yesterday. I'm adding everything that happened after I posted yesterday. Bruce had a feed store and a propane service. He sold the feed store about five years ago. Now he just delivers propane mainly to residential customers. In about a 40-mile range. Him and Jerry have four kids. Two sons and two daughters. One daughter is still living at home. April is a senior at High School Well I'm going to talk to the school tomorrow. I'll call Shelley Long tomorrow at 8:15 and I'll make the talk around 8:45. I've been fortunate enough to run into a computer in Garden City and Sterling City. I wasn't sure if I would.

DAY 203--MARCH 22, 2007 MILES WALKED:19.85 FROM: Sterling City, TX (First Baptist Church)

TO: Water Valley, TX (Tres Amigos Chevron Gas Station) $ to HUTCH TODAY: 42 TOTAL:2,822

Today I got rained on. At one point I set my tent up on the side of the road until the weather ed. The KLST CBS station came out and interviewed me on the way of town. I talked to about 75 grade school students. My rain poncho was off and, on all day, long. Then about ten miles out of town, Betty, the kindergarten teacher stopped and said she lived in Water Valley and that I could stay. She gave me her phone number. After a wet day of walking, I had a nice warm place to stay and a nice supper to eat. Today got wet. I woke this morning and Bruce Thomas cooked me breakfast. His wife Jere went over to the school. She's an aid at the school. Bruce dropped me back off at the Baptist Church. The sky was gray and promised rain. I walked over to the school. The superintendent saw me, and he walked me over to the elementary and brought me to Shelley Long. Shelley is the secretary. In the basketball gym I talked to the grade schoolers. They used to have two classes of each grade, but now only one. Jere handed 22 dollars’ worth of donations to me. As I was leaving the school and heading down toward the store. Betty, the kindergarten teacher, ran over and donated 20 dollars for cancer research. I walked out of town. It started to rain after I left the town of a thousand people or so. The landscape consisted of mainly ranches with mesquite trees on them. Hills in the distance with small cedar trees. It was mist and light rain off and on. A little ways out of Sterling City a white Ford Explorer pulled over. It had Jennifer and the cameraman from the CBS station in San Angelo. She interviewed me and then she walked with me a bit. The camera man then got some wide shots as they drove ahead. Then he made his way back to my side of the road to get some closeups of me walking. Around the North China Draw it was pretty heavy and I set my tent up to get out of the rain. I've been having trouble getting my rain Poncho on all day long. Usually it would be done raining by the time that I put it on. It was windy and

the wind created havoc on me. I got the hang of it finally after about ten times of putting it on. It was simply, keep my back to the wind. My feet are still hurting today. Not so much the first eight miles of the day. After that they hurt on and off for the rest of the day and it gets bad toward the end of the day. They aren't blistering, just sore. I level of observation wasn't that great today. Between the rain and my feet, I was just trying to make it through the day. I had about ten miles from when Betty stopped by. I ed a rest area a couple miles before I got to Water Valley. Then a half mile or so from water valley Methis Williams came out. He's Betty's husband. He offered to pick me up and said Betty could drop me off. I wanted to keep walking. I made it to the Tres Amigos Chevron Station. I figured that would be a good landmark to film for my stopping place. Once at the gas station I called Methis, and he came down and picked me up. Once at Betty and Methis' house I showered and got ready for supper. We had sausage, potatoes, and beans. It was great. Betty's brother Bob was also there. He was driving a truck to Iowa to Betty's son's house. The son got hit from behind by someone doing 90 in a 45. Methis grew up in Water Valley. Betty grew up in Robert Lee. Methis works for Verizon installing air conditioning and things of that sorts. He knows nothing about phones. He told stories of how people respond to him working for a phone company. Some of the people can be pretty absurd. I went to be around 11 p.m. The news segment was on late because of the NCAA basketball games.

DAY 204--MARCH 23, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22.45 FROM: Water Valley, TX (Tres Amigos Chevron Gas Station) TO: San Angelo, TX (Ann and Jack Miller's empty house)

$ to FHCRC TODAY: 120 TOTAL: 2,942

Today I walked from Water Valley to San Angelo. I walked through a couple small towns on the way. (Carlsbad and Grape Creek) After Grape Creek I didn't wear my poncho for the rest of the day. Between Water Valley and San Angelo, it was off and on all day. I met someone at the Angelo Burger in Grape Creek. Her name was Ann Miller. Her husband lives in north San Angelo and they have a house that they are fixing up. It's in the middle stages of a remodel but it had power and water. My feet felt better today. From Grape Creek to San Angelo, I raised 115 dollars for cancer research. I raised 5 dollars at the burger t in Grape Creek. Today turned out to be a good day. I was pretty tired and went to bed. I slept on my sleeping pad on the floor. I woke this morning a bit before 6 a.m. I watched the news. We watched most of the program between 6 and 6:30 a.m. We tried watching last night’s news segment, but the Ohio State game spilled over. I think when we watched the game, we missed my segment on the news. Methis left for work. Betty dropped me off at the store. It was still dark. I waited nearly an hour for it to become light. I talked to my friend Austin, so it worked out. Dewey, a trucker, bought my snacks and water. Another man whose name I forgot. I'm getting bombarded by so many names it's becoming confusing. Well, that man donated ten dollars for cancer research. He saw the sign on my rucksack. Once it was light enough. A bit after 7:30 a.m. and I was on the road. I ed green fields and ranches with Mesquite trees. As the day went on, I saw some bigger Mesquite trees. I walked about 7 miles into Carlsbad. It had a school. Not sure if it was a college or a reform school for kids. There were a couple houses. After that then I had 6 plus miles into Grape Creek. I was hungry. I stopped at the Angelo Burger Company. Karen, a tall blonde, bought my lunch. A younger couple donated 5 dollars. That is when I met Ann and Jack Miller. That was Jack Miller the 3rd. Ann's grandson. I met up with him later in the day. He caught up with me and gave me directions to the house. Anyways, between Water Valley which has about 80 people and Grape Creek I got a few honks. I wasn't sure if my segment aired.

Well, it wasn't long after I left Grape Creek and a red car pulled over. It was Mr. and Ms. Edgar Morales. They saw me on the news and wanted to meet me. Then Michelle Foster honked as she drove by. The red headed gal stopped back by to donate 20 dollars. Then I was walking along, and a couple of guys stopped. Donny and Miguel saw me on the news this morning. They took pictures of me with their cell phones and donated 5 dollars. They worked at Conner something. This was just north of San Angelo. There were a bunch of industrial things all over to the east. To the west was a damn and the lake. Before I got done talking to Donny and Miguel another car pulled up. It was a little brown car with Julie and her two sons in it. Julie it Methis Williams niece. Julie donated five dollars and some water. She said she lived in Grape Creek and I told her that I who I stayed with in Water Valley. She called Methis, Mackey. I kept walking. I knew that the house I would be staying at would be near the Coliseum. A red truck stopped. The blonde mother was driving. A young brown haired girl names Macales hopped out. She gave me a hand full of money. It was either 15 or 20 dollars. I had some much cash that I just added it up. A onehanded man with gray stubble on his face came over to talk to me a little further down the road. He gave me some change. He saw me on the TV and thought what I was doing was great. Another hundred yards down the road and a green jeep stopped. It had a younger kid in it, and he gave me a buck or so for some food. I kept walking. I was on a service road. I got on to 87 and heads south and crossed into San Angelo city limits. I kept walking and then got on the service road. I had a short Latino man come over. He didn't have money to donate, but his wife ed from Cancer last year. We chatted. I kept going on the service road then took a left on Humble Road. I walked down a humble road when I met Nate. There was a cabinet shop. I asked directions. He was blown away by what I was doing. He donated 8 dollars and took my picture with his cell phone. I took a left after Humble RD. and then the first right. I was on that road when the young Jack Miller stopped by in his Ford Pick-up. It was blue and white. He gave me directions. It wasn't much further. A couple of turns and I crossed Chadbourne, a main street. It was on Columbia St. The house was blue. Jack senior was inside. He was sweeping up and putting tools. I talked with the young Jack. He was going to go camping with his friends tonight. He stopped back by later to with 50 dollars of donations which bumped donations for cancer research to 120 dollars for the day.

Ann's sister lived next door. She gave a twenty for food or whatever I need. I had a lonesome night in the house. I chatted on the phone and then went to bed. Today was a good day. A lot of people saw me on the news and they either said hello or dropped off some donations.

DAY 205--MARCH 24, 2007 MILES WALKED: 4.78 FROM: San Angelo, TX (Ann and Jack Miller's empty house) TO: San Angelo, TX (Motel 6) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 90 TOTAL: 3,032

I got up and left the empty house that is under construction. I walked down the alley and went to the gas station. I looked at a phone book so I could understand the set-up of San Angelo a bit. I went to a bank nearby and got a money order for 181 dollars. At the gas station a man donated 10 dollars. At the bank another man donated 5 dollars. After the bank I walked down to the north branch of the library. Marilyn, the librarian, donated 5 dollars and said she saw me on the news. So far, I've walked less than a mile and I've raised 20 dollars for cancer research so far. Right now, I'm putting days 203 and 204 online and a little blurb about what I've done so far today. It might rain with gray skies, but I don't know what the rest of the day has in store for me. Christina Madsen made a 10-dollar donation at the library. She saw me on the news. A lady named Heidi donated 20 dollars. After I left the library, I walked down Chadbourne St. I had several more people stop to make donations. This didn't seem like the best area of town. There were cheap motels that mainly had drug activity. Not the types to stay. I did see a drive thru beer barn. People literally drive through the beer barn.

I walked downtown and was looking for a post office. Some other people saw me near downtown and dropped off a donation. They had a truck and just moved here and work at the military base. That took me over to Highway 87. I found my post office and sent two money orders up to the Hutch. The one I got earlier today and another one. After that I went and had some lunch. It was already 2 p.m. and I still had to go to Academy to get my snake bite kit. It was on the other side on the west edge of town. The Motel 6 was nearby, and I figured it might be my cheapest place to stay. After I went to Academy, I wouldn't be able to get out of town. I called Jack Miller from yesterday. He said he'd drive me over to Academy. I got a room at Motel 6. Jack called a couple hours later, and he drove over and picked me, drove me over to Academy, and then dropped me back off at the motel. I hung out in the hotel room for the rest of the day. Toward the end of the day the dark skies lightened up and even revealed blue skies.

DAY 206--MARCH 25, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3.53 FROM: San Angelo, TX (Motel 6) TO: San Angelo, TX (Santa Fe Junction Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 5 TOTAL: 3,037

Today I got up and left the hotel room. I was on the road around 9 a.m. I walked down Highway 87 or Bryant St. I crossed the Concho River. It had nice park. It was a dark and gloomy morning. The skies were dark gray, and rain was coming. I kept walking and saw a Denny's. I stopped to get some breakfast. A nice lady bought my meal. I sat in the single seats. The man next to me was curious about my trip. He gave me ten dollars for lunch. I feel bad but I forgot his name. I'm becoming discombobulated with all the names that are being presented to me.

He was a dark-skinned man with black hair. He talked up his backpacking trip in New Mexico. The length of my journey is one of the things people seem to be in awe of. However, some of the people who have walked across the country prior to me have spent years. I think about halfway through the trip is when is settles in about the duration of the journey. After walking for five or six months one feels they should be near the finish line, but that isn't the case. I don't see how much walking left as a bad thing. The rest of the trip has real potential for raising a good chunk for cancer research. Anyways back to my day. I loaded up on some food at a store nearby. After that I kept walking on Highway 87 (Bryant) There were couple of hotels, RV dealership, and some restaurants. It wasn't long before it was thundering and lighting. I found myself in the middle of another thunderstorm. The roads were starting to flood with water. River streams were quickly created. I turned around and went back to the Santa Fe Junction Hotel. I don't need to be getting sick or caught in the middle of something that bad. I dried out and showered and spent the rest of the day hanging out in the hotel room.

DAY 207--MARCH 26, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: San Angelo, TX (Santa Fe Junction Inn) TO: San Angelo, TX (Santa Fe Junction Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 3,037

Well today I got up and looked at the weather forecast. Today had the promise of thunderstorms, but tomorrow is supposed to be nice. I debated on what I should do. The nights in a row in a hotel room. However, the first night I wasn't going to make it out of town after all the errands I had to do. Yesterday I needed to dry out. It rained off and on and later in the night there was some more thunderstorms. I figured the best bet would be to stay at the room one more night and then take off tomorrow morning. I talked with Kurt from the Austin REI. We might try to set up an in store presentation or some kind of walk where the employees me or something. Kurt is the special events coordinator. Charlie Heggem, my Bellingham REI , ed Kurt via email. I also called the paper again. They don't seem to be very interested in doing a story on me. Angelo State University was nearby. I walked over in a little bit of rain and walked around the campus and found the library. They had a computer that I could use. I updated day 205 and added yesterday and today on. Eden by the next computer stop after I leave San Angelo. The campus seems nice. San Angelo has a fair bit of trees. Not a bunch of tall ones, but more than I've seen. Today has gray skies and chances of thunderstorms. Well after I leave the library, I'm going to get some lunch and walk back to my room. I might spend the rest of the day in the room, but I don't know. I'm going to try to make the walk to Austin in 10 to 12 days. San Angelo has about 90,000 people. It seems to be fairly spread out. There are a couple of rivers and a couple of lakes. One is north of town and the other is south. After I left the library at Angelo State University I went to the cafeteria. While I was there, Cody, a writer for the school newspaper came over. She came over and interviewed me. It might appear this week or next week. Today started to clear up a bit toward the end of the day. After I left campus, I walked back to my room and lounged around preparing for tomorrow.

DAY 208--MARCH 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22.15 FROM: San Angelo, TX (Santa Fe Junction Inn) TO: 2 miles east of Vancourt, TX (walked to and camped at a Feed Mill) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 170 TOTAL: 3,207

Well today was nice and sunny. I walked a hair of 22 miles and walked out of San Angelo into farm country. I walked through Wall and Vancourt. I raised 120 dollars for cancer research before even leaving San Angelo. I raised 45 dollars in Wall for Cancer and then 5 dollars in-between. People in San Angelo gave me 120 dollars for food and what not. In the middle of farm country, I found a home at the Wall Co-Op Feed Mill just east of Vancourt. It was a windy night and the crew at the feed mill started work at 4:30 a.m. The photographer from the school newspaper also took my picture. I got up and started walking 87 out of town. The reporter met up with me and snapped a couple of pictures. I walked out of town. I was nearing the edge when Raymond and Arthur pulled over in their City of San Angelo truck and gave me 20 dollars for cancer research and then 20 dollars for food. I was near Roxie's diner. I went in and had breakfast. Someone Roxie, the blonde waitress and owner, had read about me in the paper. We chatted for a bit. She gave me breakfast. After that she gave me 2 envelopes. One said, 'For You' and the other said 'Cancer Research'. Each one had 100 dollars. That meant that I had raised 120 for cancer research and me already. It was really cool bumping into Roxie at her restaurant. One it was really neat to see a restaurant and the person who is named after runs the place. It was a surprise to get 100 dollars for each myself and cancer research. If I would have left on Sunday, I might not have met her. Her niece or something has been fighting Leukemia since she has been 3 and now, she is 5. Roxie was really glad that I came in. My day got off to a great start.

After that I walked past San Angelo and past got into farmland. In Wall I got a money order at the post office. There isn't much in Wall. Joan at the post office donated 20 dollars. Then she called the school. I walked over to the junior high and Mr. Snowden donated 20 dollars. After that I hit the store to the east of Wall. A lady donated five dollars. I got honks and stuff today. The field were either green or tilled up. In Wall there was an old cotton gin turned into a restaurant. I had 8 miles to Vancourt and there is only a post office there. It was about an hour from dark and I came up to the Feed Mill. It was a branch of the Wall Coop. It had gray silos. I pitched my tent on the property. It was really windy, and I didn't sleep that well, but I had a cool camping spot.

DAY 209--MARCH 28, 2007 MILES WALKED: 21.24 FROM: 2 miles east of Vancourt, TX (walked to and camped at Feed Mil) TO: Eden, TX (Ranchero RV PARK) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 5 TOTAL: 3,212

This morning people came to work at 4:30 a.m. at the feed mill. I woke up a little after 7. Some of the workers saw my tent. I looked to the east and a dark pink sky foreshadowed the rise of the sun. I packed up. I was walking off when one of the workers called me over and told me that there was some coffee in the office if I wanted it. I wish I drank coffee so that I could take him up on the offer. I walked a little over 21 miles into Eden today. Eden has about 2,500 and a bunch of trees. Today I walked into a headwind that took my energy. A had a couple of miles to Vick, a nothing town. Maybe a post office. Since leaving San Angelo there have been nothing but farms a few houses. Wall had a

store and restaurant. The store is just east. Once I got a few miles beyond Vick things changed. It went from flat to hilly. At first it was mesquite trees. A couple from Melvin, Charlie and Penny, stopped to donate 5 dollars. After a while the mesquite trees gave way to a bunch of real trees with foliage. To the north side of the road was the Ruffin Ranch. That lasted a few miles. Then it went back to mesquite trees. One the mesquite trees started after Vick there weren't any houses until I neared Eden. I stopped at the rest area that were 7 miles away from Eden. I saw a truck with a sign for Ranchero RV Park. I called the number. The lady said her husband was mowing the lawn at the rest area. I talked to Manuel. He told me to go to the light in town and then take a left and go a block. I walked into Eden. It was up and down hill all day. Not bad hills, but uphill and downhill none the less. I ed cows and goats today. For the first time in days, I saw one oil pump. As I neared the garden of Eden there were trees all over. I stopped at the city limits Cafe. I had some food. Then I walked into town. I saw a couple of gas stations. The sign says Eden--The Center of Texas. I went to the Ranchero RV Park. I forgot Manuel's wife's name. They also say antiques or something. She wanted to see some proof. I pulled out a couple paper articles. One was a Casa Grande Newspaper. The name of their business is Casa Grande. She gave me the third degree. She let me throw up my tent for free. She was nice. I set up my tent and walked over to the public library. It was open today, Wednesday but not tomorrow. I lucked out. I posted yesterday and today. I did a little update on Monday's journal as well. I have a presentation scheduled in Austin at the REI at 6 p.m. on Monday April 9th. Kurt and Austin at the REI seem nice and look forward to the presentation. I'm running out of time. I plan on going back to my tent and it is supposed to get wet tonight. I'll write and maybe chat on the phone a bit. Today was another solid walking day in the books. It wasn't really exciting, but the scenery changed for the best. I'm nearing Hill Country. The campsite is alright. There is a tree or two. I had to crunch all of the last two days into about 40 minutes at the library.

Thanks for few extra minutes.

DAY 210--MARCH 29, 2007 MILES WALKED: 2.30 FROM: Eden, TX (Ranchero RV Park) TO: Eden, TX (Slumber Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 3,212

Well today I didn't make out of Eden. I had to wait for a break in the rain before I packed up my tent. I was going to stop by the Eden Echo. The local newspaper. It was next to the library. I stopped by. The nice lady working there took my picture. I went back to check on weather. One of the men working there gave me some tips on places to eat in Austin. Huts and Nasty's have good burgers. I went and got some breakfast on my way out of town. I was eating at the Morroco Cafe when the weather got bad. Thunderstorms with hail. I didn't think it'd be safe to go out in that. I ended up getting a room at the Slumber Inn which is on the west side of town. I had to back track. After a while the weather broke, and some blue skies came out. There were supposed to be some more thunders storms over the night. I made my way back to the Slumber Inn. I needed to clean up and I took a bath. Fran the owner of the cafe said that I could pitch my tent underneath a car port if the weather doesn't lift up. I walked a bout 2 miles. I was almost out of town when the weather came down. It's tough walk out in thunderstorms. I back tracked all the way back to the other edge of town, which was only a mile or so and got a room. Before I went to the motel, I hung out at the Morocco waiting for the weather to break, so that I could make it to the motel. I chatted with the waitress. They were nice there. A couple of the men in there. We talked about how far they walked.

They mentioned how it wasn't far. I had a good breakfast that wasn't very expensive. Once the weather broke, I walked down to the motel. I checked in. I cleaned up and watched the weather channel a bit. I got a good night’s rest. That last couple nights the wind has blown my tent around making sleep difficult.

DAY 211--MARCH 30, 2007 MILES WALKED: 1.44 FROM: Eden, TX (Slumber Inn) TO: Eden, TX (Morocco/Fran's Cafe) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:3,212

I got up took another bath. I packed up and waited for a break room and left my key in the room and I wandered off into the great unknown. Well, at least the library. I would have chance to update my website. Not a whole bunch to add. I'm adding what happened last yesterday. I walked into the Eden ing the golf course. The visibility was low. A light sprinkle or mist floating in the air. Before I got to the library stopped. A car stopped with a blonde girl and a red hair girl inside. The blonde's grandfather owns the Morocco restaurant. She thought what I was doing was cool. I walked over to the library. Now I'm going to leave the library. Hopefully I'll make it halfway to Brady today. I think it might break in the afternoon. I'm going to check the weather. After I left the library, I made it to Fran's Cafe on the east edge of town off Highway 87. The weather got bad. It was a downpour. I had breakfast and lunch. I chatted with Fran and Janie. The blonde granddaughter was Krystal. I hung out in the cafe all day chatting the Fran and Janie. Krystal would come and go. She wasn't feeling well and had notions of driving back to San Angelo today. Fran gave me lunch and breakfast for free. She said that I could pitch my tent in one of the car ports in the nearby area. Krystal, 19 and blonde, called her granny, Janie and she got it arranged so that I could sleep on the couch over there. I

paused my walk at the cafe, and we drove over to her Granny's house. Janie is raising little girls right now. I hung out there. I went with Krystal to the store once and then Dairy Queen once. I slept on the couch. The three girls Janie is raising now are 3, 5, and 9. They are smart. Fran came over for a bit. Fran lives in a travel trailer nearby. The weather was storming, and they had tornado watches in the county that we were in. Krystal's friend came over. She is pregnant. She wore red hair, and I forgot her name. Her boyfriend's name was Rueben. She also had a daughter. The girl was hyper and never stopped moving.

DAY 212--MARCH 31, 2007 MILES WALKED: 14.91 FROM: Eden, TX (Morocco/Fran's Cafe) TO: 1 mile west of Melvin, TX (next to east 503 junction sign on highway 87) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 55 TOTAL: 3,240

Today Crystal dropped me back off at Morocco/Fran's Cafe. We both had breakfast. After we finished, I headed out on my walk and Crystal left for San Angelo. It was warm today. It was sunny and blue skies. I had a man donate 15 dollars at the Super S store before I left town. I ed the prison on the way out of town. I ed farms and ranches with oak trees. It is pretty green after the recent rain. I went by one green field. The wind was blowing the grass or crops. Birds were chirping and flying around. Life is pretty darn cool. I'm still walking along highway 87. I've been on it ever since Sterling City. That would be my road to Brady also.

A Toyota truck stopped by. It had Paul and Brenda Beatty. They are from Wall, TX and they saw me on the news. They donated 20 dollars. Later in the day Brenda called. She asked if I would make it to Brady today. I told her I wouldn't. She said they are staying at their daughter’s house and that they would pick me up and drop me off the next morning. That has been standard operating procedure for my trip. If I get in a car, then I get dropped off at the same area. I ed a couple of rest areas. One just out of town and then one about 8 miles down the road. Before Melvin there is the Twin Oaks Bar. However, the main town area of Melvin is off the highway a mile or so. I stopped to get a coke and to charge my phone. There was a couple in there, but they left. I talked with Mike, the owner. He lived in Chicago and has been down in the Melvin/Eden area for about 8 years. This bar is the only bar that exists in or between Eden or Brady. Mike was really nice. He gave me a coke and he donated 20 dollars. I asked him about crops in the area. He asked about my journey. It was much further after the bar and I was out of Concho county and into McCulloch county and Paul came out to pick me up. It was nearly 7 p.m. I had walked nearly 15 miles which for me is a light day of walking. We drove into Brady. I showered up. I met Kim, Paul and Brenda's daughter and her two kids, both boys. Morgan and Tristen. Lauren, Paul and Brenda's granddaughter were also there. She rode out with Paul to pick me up. We went to a barbecue place for dinner. Kim called down and told them about me. They gave me my dinner for free. I've never eaten at a place like this. First you pick which type a meat you want. There is a grill will all sorts of meat. Then you grab other food. Salad, deserts, and beans. They have loafs of bread on the table it. I had some ribs with salad and beans. I had apple pie with ice cream for dessert. It was really good. After that we went back to Kim's house. We watched the movie Aragon and then I went to bed. Today was another example of how I never know what is going to happen. It was beautiful and sunny today when I left. It wasn't my longest day, but it was still a solid day of walking. I raised 55 dollars for cancer research and met some folks and randomly got a place to stay.

Another thing that happened. My aunt Jessie and Uncle Don are leaving Washington tomorrow. They said they'd come see me on the trip. Well, they are driving down to California and then cutting across on similar route that I walked. They will probably catch me somewhere around Marble Falls, TX before I get to Austin. That will be cool to see them. To see some family will be neat. I haven't seen any family since California. Somehow my total count on the cancer funds was off 17 dollars. I must have done the math too quickly or something. Anyways that means that instead of jumping up 55 dollars, it jumped up 38 dollars. I don't know where the mistake happened, but I go off the donation level the Hutch reports.

DAY 213--APRIL 1, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16.76 FROM: 1 mile west of Melvin, TX (by the east 503 junction sign on highway 87) TO: Brady, TX (Kim's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL:3,260

Well today Paul and Brenda dropped me off right where they picked me up at. We had breakfast first. I walked just under 17 miles to get to Kim's house. A lady named Janis from San Angelo saw me on the news and then she made a 20dollar donation. Today I began my trek into the hill country. Today is the first day of my 8th month. Paul and Brenda dropped me off. Lauren was with them. She must be 13 or 14. Paul has been a welder by trade for years. He used to weld on oil rigs and such and traveled all over the country. I asked him about hail. Most people

around here have seen really big hail. A diameter from 6-9 inches. He told me stories of it breaking windows in houses. The weather can get pretty crazy around here. Brenda took my picture and they kept driving to San Angelo. I walked highway 87 for the day. Brady is known as the heart of Texas. I ed some farms. Green fields where they mainly grow wheat. There were oak trees and big mesquite trees. Some of the ranches had cattle grazing or some horses. Some of the ranches had bushes to go along with the trees. Then I got into Brady. The town has over 5,000 people. There was a golf course and cemetery at the edge of town. Then I crossed the Brady creek. Kim and her two sons, Morgan and Tristen, ed me and they were going to be at their house. I stopped at the gas station. I got something to drink. A bunch of the people asked me about my journey. From there I walked up Walnut St. to 3rd. Kim's house is on the corner of Walnut and 3rd. I sat down and relaxed. I made a sandwich for lunch. Morgan, 8, and Tristen, 7, have been sick. However, they still have enough energy to run around and fight each other. Later Tina and her mother Sally came over. Sally works at a radio station in Mason. I'll be going to Mason after I leave Brady. Also, the radio station has the mother station in Marble Falls, and I think they might give me a little press. Tina works at the courthouse in Brady. She is trying to get the paper and radio station on the story. Angie who works with Tina came over. They all asked questions about my trek. Kim cooked up some burgers for dinner. I shaved today. It was the first time since El Paso that I've shaved. I went from looking 35 to looking like 25. I watched some of a Vin Diesel movie and then I went to bed. Kim and the boys went to bed before I did. It was nice of Kim to take me in for the second night and it was nice meeting Tina, Sally, and Angie. Tina did get her daughter Dakota. She's a teenage girl that was talking about the guys she has crushes on.

DAY 214--APRIL 2, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10.22 FROM: Brady, TX (Kim's house) TO: 10 miles south of Brady, TX (camped along San Saba River) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 27 TOTAL:3,287

I woke this morning. Today is the second day of my 8th month. I had a bowl of cereal. Tina called Kim a few times. They’re getting some donations together down at the courthouse. The library didn't open to 10 a.m. Tina picked me up and ran me over to the hospital. They have a public use computer there. I'm updating my journals since Friday morning. I'll probably won't finish, and I'll have to go to the library. At 9:30 I'm going to have an interview with the newspaper at the courthouse. Then I'll go over to the radio station. Some of the ladies working at the Hospital pooled 14 dollars together to help me on the trip. Savannah and Patty are the nice ladies working at the front desk. Dr. Pepper is a really popular flavor of soda down here. Tina picked me up from the Hospital. Patty and I took a picture In front of the Hospital. Then we ran down to the courthouse. It's neat old brick building. In front they have the heart of Texas monument. I met with Amanda from the newspaper. We chatted and then she took my picture outside In front of the courthouse. The gals at the courthouse pitched in 27 dollars for cancer research. The people from the chamber of commerce gave me a Brady hat and a t-shirt. Brady is famous for its goat cook off. On Labor Day out at Richards park they have a famous goat cook off. Angie gave me a hug. The other lady whose name I forgot gave me a hug. I'll ask Tina what her name was again. I meet to many people too quickly sometimes to have all the names stick to my memory. After we left the courthouse Tina drove me over to the radio station. I went into the sound room and chatted with the DJ. He was really nice, and he asked me some questions about my trip. Then we went over to the library.

Tina will drop me off back at Kim's house and I'll start my walking today. I'll probably hit the road around noon or maybe even noon-thirty. There are a few clouds, but it's supposed to get warm today. It seemed to clear up and it was warm. I made it 10 miles south of Brady and I camped along the San Saba River off Highway 87. There is a picnic area near where I camped. Some high school kids showed up and went in the water. Only one went swimming. I think the others just walked in the river. I set my tent up on a flat rock that was near the river. It was a nice night with the sounds of water flowing. I love the ocean and I love the sounds of rivers flowing or waves crashing. I knew that I'd be staying in Mason tomorrow so that is why I wasn't in a big rush to get that far today. Along the way I ed some areas with animals grazing and the fields are green. The recent rain has helped that. There are lots of trees. Mostly oak. The land is hilly. The last couple miles of the day the hills were jam packed with trees. Mainly oak trees. A couple miles before I stopped Sally in her blue truck stopped. She gave me white T-Shirt of the radio station. She told me that I had a free dinner and a free room coming when I get to Mason. She left. I ed an old ranch. It was a historical site. Then I crossed the river. I walked down then walked down to the river and then camped near the river. Today I got a late start, and I didn't walk that far. The last few days haven't been that large of days but that's okay. Well, I had a pretty busy day and I saw some pretty country as I walked south on Highway 87. Oak trees cover the landscape, and the blue bonnets are out.

DAY 215--APRIL 3, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17.77 FROM: 10 souths of Brady, TX (camped off 87 on San Saba River) TO: Mason, TX (Willow Creek Cafe)

$ to FHCRC TODAY: 120 TOTAL:3,407

Today was warm. The nice people in Mason gave me lunch, dinner, and a place to stay. I walked past the Inn where I would stay on my way to the radio station. I raised 120 dollars for cancer research and 50 dollars was given to me to help eat. I had a beautiful walk-through hill country and wildflowers were blooming. Blue bonnets covered the grassy area next to the road. Other white flowers were less prevalent except for a couple of fields that were a sea of white. There were some pink and red flowers, but there weren't that many of them. I paused my walk 7 miles north of it to eat lunch at the Lions Club in Mason. I was Chuck Bearden's guest. After lunch he dropped me off at the exact point where I was picked up from. I stayed at the Fort McKavitt Inn and met some guys from Oklahoma out there. Cindy of Odessa gave me a hundred dollars for me to use to my trip and I put 50 on cancer research and fifty on ing my walk. I woke up from my campsite on a flat rock next to the San Saba river. I was packed up and on the road at 7:35 a.m. I had about 18 miles into town. I made my way back up to the highway. I had a day of walking through hill country. The trees were pretty solid, and the wildflowers were out. It was in the first few miles and I saw a helicopter flying around and it was spraying something over the trees. It wasn't long afterwards and Sally wearing her black and hair and driving her blue pick-up truck pulled over. She was on her way to work in Mason. She gave me a banana and an orange juice. The oak trees are pretty solid around these parts. As the day went on, I did see some more open pastures and once a farm field. Most of the open pastures had goats or cows. I walked through Camp Air which was just a sign. At times I stopped to take pictures of the wildflowers. There were a couple of fields that were solid white, but most of the wildflowers were the blue bonnets. The Sheriff stopped by the check on me. Then on the way back he pulled over and asked some more questions about my journey. I was about 7 miles out of town when Sally pulled over. She said that someone wanted me to come to lunch at the Lion's Club. It was sometime after 11 a.m. and I had walked 11 miles and 7 more miles into town. Sally dropped my off at Zavala's restaurant. I was to be Chuck Bearden's guest. I was early. I sat at table

with; Hap Hedges, Denwood Butler, and Mark Lehmberg. Denwood just got back from a trip to Europe. Much of the conversation at the table was about Europe travels of the other men. We had some meat in gravy, salad, roll, and corn for lunch. After people ate the president talked. They mentioned me and then a few minutes they gave me a couple of minutes to talk. Then three high school girls read poetry and prose. They are gearing up for a competition next week. They were good. Afterwards two men came up and donated. Lee Graham donated five dollars and Michael Chadwick donated 20 dollars. I videoed a bit and then I went with Chuck at to his red pickup truck. Chuck drove me back Chuck has a ranch and raises calves. When they get about 400 pounds then he takes them to were someone would buy them. He survived cancer. He fought the battle back in 1985. He said that they use to grow a lot of peanuts in this area. A lot of older men ed from cancer. Some think it was because of chemicals that they used. I left my orange stuff bag on a fence marking where I was picked up. I thanked Chuck for having me over for lunch. It was warm and I had about 7 miles into town. It was a little up and down, but not really bad. I ed some animals grazing and a blue hue on the side of the road from the blue bonnets. The green landscape had oak trees and some mesquite trees. I ed Fort McKavitt Inn and a Dairy Queen and some other businesses. Then I went up a little hill and ed Zavala's where I had lunch. Then I went back to the radio station and saw Sally. Guyanne and Lorraine work with Suzanne at the radio station. Sally ran me over to the restaurant and to the chamber of commerce. Catherine who is really nice with reddish hair works at the chamber. The chamber was behind the free dinner and free room. Sally then ran me down to the Fort McKavitt. Then back to the radio station. Lorraine and Sally had to go to Llano. Guyanne then did an interview. She's a writer. Her father is a country music star. Her brother is in a rock band called Keating. After the interview we chatted a bit and then I walked over to the Coffee Mug. There was a kid on the computer, so I then went to Willow Creek Cafe for supper. I had chicken fried steak. Sue Sears the waitress donated 20 dollars and then Joyce Dudley donated 20 dollars. Sue was really nice. They had a dry erase board where a person can sign where they are from. I signed that and thanked them for the free dinner. Angie is the owner of the cafe. There are deer heads and other animals on the wall. There

are other neat antiques. I met Cindy from Odessa. She was interested in my trip. I paused my walk at the Willow Creek Cafe. The room I'd stay in for the night was backwards and north. That meant that I didn't need to walk there. I could walk back to where I left off in the morning, thus, I don't miss a beat or a step. Cindy gave me a ride over to the end. She was driving back to Odessa from Houston. She is friends with Mike and Christy the owners of the Inn. She had a turtle in the back of her truck. If she ever finds a turtle on the road, she takes it home. I went to room 3 and dropped my pack off. I ended up meeting a group of guys from Oklahoma. They are doing some construction work on a nursing home. I hung out with those guys for the rest of the night. Cindy ran to get some money. She gave me a hundred dollars. She told me to use it for whatever I wanted. I put fifty on cancer research and fifty on ing my walk. Cindy was in her late 40's or early 50's with blonde hair and long legs. She was really nice. She left. I hung out with my friends from Oklahoma. The owner of the Inn took in a baby goat that stumbled on the property. The place was nice. The rooms were cozy and nice. Their rates were good. They had nice showers. I got to bed a bit later, but I enjoyed chatting with the guys from Oklahoma.

DAY 216--APRIL 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 19.40 FROM: Mason, TX (Fort McKavitt Inn but I'll back track by Willow Creek Cafe where I left off yesterday) TO: 17 miles east of Mason, TX (camped on hill above road near some blue bonnets) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 70 TOTAL: 3,457

I was going to catch a ride back to Willow Creek with the Oklahoma boys that I met last night, but I was tired, and I needed a bit more rest. I ended up resting up

a bit and that meant that I'd have to back track jack from the McKavitt Inn to Willow Creek. It's not even a mile and that wouldn't be a big deal. I left the hotel a hair after 8 a.m. I walked uphill and past some business and Zavala where I had lunch yesterday. I stopped by the radio station. Guyanne McCall was at the radio station. She interviewed me yesterday. I talked to her. Then I walked to the Coffee Mug to update my website. After this I'll stop by the paper and then I'll go by the post office to get a money order to send up to the Hutch. After that I'll walk toward Llano. It's 34 miles and I don't think that I'll make it tomorrow. Today is overcast. I don't know if it will rain, but the cloud cover is keeping the weather cool. I didn't have to finish. So here I am at the Coffee Mug typing more on my blog. After I left the mug, I went by the Newspaper and the man snapped my picture. Then I walked over to the post office to get a money order to send up to the hutch. I raised twenty dollars at the post office. An unnamed man gave me five dollars. Then, Kim Lehmberg gave me fifteen dollars. Kim worked at the post office. I've since walked back to the coffee mugged and I was invited by CJ to a lunch at the church near the coffee shop. I'll be getting a late start out of town, that just means that I'll have to really get some big days under my belt the next several days. I have to get some water and supplies for the rest of the day. Well, I went and filled up my water at the gas station. After that I went over to the radio station to see if Sally was there. She wasn't. Lorraine and Guyanne were there. After that I went over to the Methodist church. I was early. CJ wasn't there yet. The place filled up with all sorts of people. CJ showed up. People make donations for the lunch. I met a lot of people. Beth Leiseste donated ten dollars. I met so many people. Two ladies that have cancer. I finally got on the road nearing 1 p.m. Leaving the church a man named Mike donated 20 dollars. I walked through the square and then got onto Highway 29. Today was overcast and it was cool. From there I walked on 29 a highway with no shoulder. I went up and down and curved. I walked by ranches. I ed through an area called Art. They had a church, post office and old grave site. After about 16 miles of walking or so and I was near the county line. I left Mason county and ed into Llano county. Not very far into Llano county and a grey suburban stopped. At the wheel was

Jan Blomquist. He's originally from Stockholm. He had friends with him. Fred was the one in the enger seat. Jan saw me earlier outside Willow Creek Cafe. He sells lights. Decorative lights. He donated 20 dollars. It was nice to have someone stop over and talk. After that I made it about a half mile up the road. It was nearing dark. I was on the top of the hill. The road cut through the top of the hill leaving the hills above the road on both sides. I went to the right side and camped next to some blue bonnets. I didn't even climb the fence. I figured no one would mess with me and only one side of traffic could see me. I got woke up in the middle of the night by some bulls stopping around. It was about 1 a.m. I tried to figure out what was stomping around. I heard a voice of a cow and then realized that I was alright. They were stomping back and forth. I went back to sleep. I had a nice little camp spot. I planned on getting out of town earlier today, but my plans changed. I raised 70 dollars for cancer research today. I was invited for luncheon and I met with the local paper. I met someone on the side of the road, Jan. Today was overcast and cool all day long which made it a great day to walk. Toward the end of the day my left knee was getting sore. Well, I still managed to make it 17 miles east of Mason. I had 7 hours of walking when I left Mason. Today was a good day and I did have some unexpected things happen.

DAY 217--APRIL 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 20.85 FROM:17 east of Mason, TX (camped on hill above road next to Blue Bonnets) TO: 5 miles east of Llano, TX (camped in some random field next to trees and cacti)

$ to FHCRC TODAY:5 TOTAL:3,462

I woke up about a mile away from the Mason/Llano county lines. I was camped next to a patch of blue bonnets. On the way into town, I ed a lot of pretty country. I'm in the middle of Hill Country. I saw a lot of cows and a few horses. I saw two dead turtles. One was big and the other was a tiny baby one. At times the scenery was green fields of grass with oak trees here and there. Most of the times the land had a bunch of trees. Mainly oak trees with other trees and some other bushes. I walked on Highway 29 today. There is not much of a shoulder on the side of the road. The land is hilly, and the road curves and the land is green. There were wildflowers. Like usual it's mainly blue bonnets, but there are some red and yellow flowers. Today started out overcast and then the clouds broke and then it was sunny. I ed the Cowboy Church after about 8 miles of walking. There were mainly ranches and houses here and there. I stopped once to take a little lunch break along the way. I walked 15 plus miles into Llano. I stopped at Mom's cafe and had lunch. After that I walked to the Chamber of Commerce. I asked about the library and the nice woman, Cheryl Crabtree, let me use a public computer there for updating my website. She called the paper and a young guy with a beard named George came over. George was a real nice guy. He is going to snap my picture once I'm done. I don't have time to send any emails or anything. I just have time to post up my blog. I'm at the Chamber here in Llano and I'm about ready to go. Cheryl gave me ten dollars and said, "I know it's not much, but it'll get you something to eat." From here I be leaving the town of 2,300 which is the deer capital of Texas and I'll head east on Highway 29 and then I'll cut down toward Marble Falls. The land is pretty, and things are getting nice and hilly. The land is green, and the wildflowers are out. I'm still on a time schedule for Austin seeing how I have the presentation. Also, my aunt and uncle from Washington have drove down and they are in California and they should meet me in the next couple days. Here is a news link to an article from the Angelo State University newspaper.

CLICK HERE After I left the Chamber of Commerce I walked, and George took some of my pictures. I went to the gas station and got some water and snacks. Jenny the nice lady working there bought my stuff for me. Then when I was outside the gas station a lady donated five dollars to cancer research. After that I started walking east on 29 and walked about 5 miles out of town. There were some businesses and then it turned into ranches mainly. The scenery is green and there are wildflowers. Oak trees, cedar, and juniper trees dot the landscape. Before I left town, I stopped to get a cold beverage. An old man named Luke Rodgers who wore a gray beard came over to me and asked how I funded my trip. I said that I sold my truck, friends and family, and now the hospitality of the people I meet. He said, "That's what I thought." He pulled out a fifty-dollar bill and slapped it on the table. He wouldn't me to use it on whatever I needed to help get me through the trip. I walked out 29 and there wasn't much shoulder. There was a river to the south for a ways. Some ranches have tall fences to keep the deer inside. I finally found a spot while it was nearing 8 p.m. I hopped a fence which I haven't done in a while and then I set up my tent. I used my sleeping bag. It has started to cool down a bit here. I have notions of getting rid of my sleeping bag.

DAY 218--APRIL 6, 2007 MILES WALKED: 25 FROM: 5 miles east of Llano, TX (camped in some random field with trees and cacti around) TO: Marble Falls, TX (Road Runner Chevron) $ to FHCRC TODAY:35 TOTAL:3,497

Today I woke five miles east of Llano and I planned on walking to Marble Falls which I did. I thought it'd be 28 miles, but it ended up being 25 miles. I met with Art from Hill Country Radio and with Daniel from the Daily Tribune of Marble Falls. I had one of the most beautiful walks so far on this trip. I danced down a dangerous road. No shoulder meant that I walked in the ditch and grass quite a bit. Traffic got heavy as I neared Marble Falls. On the most scenic shot of all day my digital camera battery died. I was on a Scenic overlook above the lakes and seeing sea of trees on the other side. When I was in Kingsland, I called over to the First Baptist Church in Marble Falls and talked with Beverly. I asked if I could maybe pitch my tent on the lawn. She called back saying that I could stay with some single guys. They were Charlie, Mike, Maison, and Joe don. I ended up hanging out with Charlie and then we went to the church where some of the middle school guys were hanging out and playing sports. I met Ron who must be a youth leader. Real nice guy. We had a nice chat. I talked to the kids as they sat in the middle of the gym. They fired off a bunch of questions. After that we went back to Charlie's house. I got up this morning and I was packed up and, on the road, around 8:30 a.m. I hopped the fence, and I was walking along 29 again. I walked about 9 miles to the junction where I would take Ranch Road 1431 south to Marble Falls. Along the way I ed ranches and at one point I looked to my left and there was a set of blueish/purple. The Blue Bonnets were covering the ground with a couple cacti and a few trees around. At times I didn't know if I would make it to Marble Falls. I thought that I might just be taking pictures all day long. The road went over some hills and was a little windy. Once I got to the junction there were a couple restaurant. I stopped at a cafe on the corner. I think it was called Deanna's or Breanna Corner Kitchen. It was a tiny little restaurant with some old timers setting around. I got a burger. I called Sally at the radio station in Mason, and she called over to Marble Falls. Art from the Hill Country Radio Station. He interviewed me and before he drove off in his red car, he donated 35 dollars to cancer research. Today was overcast. After I got a burger at the small restaurant which was next to Fuzzy's corner I headed down 1431 for the rest of the day. I ed through several towns on the way. First, was Kingsland. It stretched bit further than I thought. It must have been several miles long. I stopped at the Dairy Queen to take a break. At Dairy Queen Daniel

a writer from the newspaper. He interviewed me. I called the First Baptist Church in Marble Falls. I talked with Beverly Foster. I asked if I might be able to pitch my tent up. She called back and told me about Charlie and the guys. Charlie called me and he told me to call him when I got in town. After that I walked over the LBJ lake and Colorado River. After Kingsland I climbed a hill. At the top was an overlook that overlooked the lake and the vast landscape of trees that cover the land. I went downhill and from there was little hills. I walked through Highland Haven which was not very long and then Granite Shoals. The scenery was green. There was a fair bit of wildflowers out. In Granite Shoals a white pick-up stopped. It pulled over in the ditch. I got up to the truck and Daniel, an older man, wearing his work shirt had the window down. I said hello. He told me he is a truck driver and he saw me twice today. Since I walk into traffic, he realized that I wasn't hitching, and he offered me a place to stay. I thank him very much. I would have loved to take him up, but I wanted to get to Marble Falls and Charlie was going to take me in. My feet started and despite the scenery the heavy traffic whizzing by and walking on uneven terrain took its toll on me. On the way into Marble Falls I walked past mountain of Granite. Then I came down the hill. Charlie called and he drove by in a black Honda. I met him at the Roadrunner Chevron. His friend Brittany was with him. She has brown hair and eyes. She goes to school at Baylor in Waco, TX. From there we went to the store and got a pizza. After that we went to his place and I showered, and he did my laundry. It was awesome that Charlie and his roommates took me in. Then we went over to the Church. The boys were playing basketball. The girls were dancing and doing other stuff. That's when I met Ron. He was thick and had a football player build. He grew up in Chicago and he lost his mother when he was 2 to cancer and then his father in 1993. I met Doug and then Mike (Charlie's roommate) After that the kids got in the center and I talked with them for a bit. They asked some questions. After that Ron and I chatted a bit. I met Mason and Joe don Charlie's other two roommates at the church also. Mason and Joe don are 18. Joe don is in his senior year in High School. Mike is

twenty-five. He went to bed earlier. Charlie who has a long dark hair and a beard is around 23. They were a fun bunch of guys. They all have a pretty good sense of humor and are good guys. They had a friend R-ell. She is 17. After we left the church, we went back to Charlie's place. Mike went to bed. We stayed up telling stories and watching video. Joe don and I went to the store to get some soda and when we got back, they set up the camera. We saw some surveillance footage of when Maison showed himself eating one or two of Charlie's Kit Kat. That was good for a laugh. I was tired. I was tired from the point of when I stopped walking, but I enjoy hanging out with people. I went to sleep in Charlie's bed. He shares a room with Mike. The bed was great, and I had a great night of sleep. Joe don and Maison share a room. So far, I've had a good time in Marble Falls.

DAY 219--APRIL 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0.44 FROM: Marble Falls, TX (Road Runner Chevron) TO: Marble Falls, TX (Taco Bell) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:3,497

This morning I woke up. I packed up my bag. Charlie and I went down to the Blue Bonnet. The cafe is world famous for its pie. It has a pie happy hour. I had a Spanish omelet and then a piece of cherry pie. It was good. I ate too much. Robert, Charlie's dad, met us as the Blue Bonnet. He paid for breakfast and Charlie bought me a T-shirt. Robert also gave me 60 dollars and said that will help me get along. It is raining pretty solid and I'm at the First Baptist Church and I'm using the computer. Charlie is setting up for the easter egg gathering which is in doors due to the weather. I'm waiting for a break in the rain so that I can get on the road. It's coming down pretty solid right now. I'm enjoying my time in Marble Falls.

Here is a news link from the Brady newspaper: Click Here Charlie took me by the Java Bean to get some lunch. Maison made me a BLT sandwich. After that Charlie dropped me back off at the Roadrunner Chevron. I went into the store and got some batteries and some supplies. I didn't make it even a half mile. Sooner and the cold rain was coming down. I got a call and Charlie and the gang wanted to know if I wanted to be picked up and I said yes. They met me at the Taco Bell. We hung out at Charlie place with REL, Charlie, Joe Don, Maison once he got off work. Brittany showed up. Charlie, Brittany and I went out to Horseshoe Bay to Charlie's parents’ house. There was steam coming off the lake and his parents’ house had a view of the lake. Green trees covered the landscape. Later Brittany, Charlie, and I went to the movies. We saw the movie with Will Ferrell where he figure skates. After that we hung out at Charlie's house. I was tired. Ron called to make sure I had a place to stay.

DAY 220--APRIL 8, 2007 MILES WALKED: 23.84 FROM: MARBLE FALLS, TX (Taco Bell) TO: Between Marble Falls and Austin along Highway 71 $ to FHCRC TODAY: 73 TOTAL: 3,570

Today was overcast and chilly but a great day to walk. I had a free breakfast courtesy of John Kemper at the world-famous Blue Bonnet Cafe. I walked just under 24 miles and was in-between Marble Falls and Austin. I saw some pretty country. I broke the curse of Marble Falls and got past the city limits. I raised 50 dollars for cancer research at the Blue Bonnet Cafe, 10 dollars in Spicewood, and 13 dollars at the Paleface Grocery. My aunt Jessie and Uncle Don showed up. They picked me up at the Creek Meadow road off Highway 71. They had a room at the Hill Country Inn, and I would stay with them this evening and they'd return me in the morning. I woke up. Charlie had to leave to go to the Church for Easter Sunday services. Joe Don was still sleeping. Their friend named Chris gave me a ride to the Taco Bell. It was about 37 degrees out. I walked down 1431 and then took a right on 281. I stopped by the Blue Bonnet Cafe. Terry sat me down. She was interested in what I was doing. She gave me five dollars and said that should get me some cafe or something. John Kemper, a tall man, came over and said that he wanted to meet me yesterday and that breakfast would be on him. Madeline, an older woman, came over and donated 20 dollars. The suited man came over and dropped off 10 dollars. Then two families sat down, and they donated 20 dollars. After that I made the rest of my way out of Marble Falls. I crossed over Lake Marble Falls and the Colorado River. After that I began going uphill. Soon I was looking back at Marble Falls with the lake there and the greenery which reflects the recent rainfall. By the time I got to the top of the hill and then I ed the Marble Falls City limit sign. A black Hummer pulled over and the man offered a ride and I told him that I'm walking. I walked down and up a couple hills. The land was green. There weren't many houses. After about five miles of walking, I ended up at Highway 71. I ed over a little creek. I walked about 18+ miles on Highway 71 all the way up until it got dark. I walked through Spicewood and through Paleface area. There were mainly ranches along the way. Around Spicewood there were some businesses and a few people living around the area. My Aunt Jessie and Uncle Don met me in Spicewood. We chatted for a bit. They headed back to Marble Falls and got a room. I walked another 10 or 11 miles or so.

After Spicewood then there was a store when I got to Paleface. That is when I met Eric and Zeb. I met Ryan too. He was a red hair guy who was stoked on my journey. That is near Lake Travis. I did seem nice houses on the way. I noticed more cedar trees and they seemed to be larger than the ones that I have been seeing. I walked up and down hills. After Paleface there are some restaurants and a dental clinic or something. Then I went down the hill. That's when I stopped for the day at Creek Meadow Road. DONATIONS FOR CANCER RESEARCH: A guy in a dark suit and tie donated 10 dollars. The Mason Family donated 20 dollars for cancer research. Madline donated 20 dollars while I ate at the Blue Bonnet. Random guy gave me ten dollars at the Spicewood Store. Eric and Zeb donated 13 dollars combined at the Paleface Grocery Store.

DAY 221--APRIL 9, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16.94 FROM: Between Marble Falls and Austin along Highway 71 at Creek Meadow Road TO: Austin, TX (Infront of Bank of America off Old Bee Cave Road at border of West Lake Hills and Rollingwood.) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 5 TOTAL: 3,575

I walked from Creek Meadow River to Austin. I made my way to the blue city in the red state. It is beautiful. I met a German man named Henry who is biking from Florida and Mexico. I walked Highway 71 to Bee Cave Road. I met with Chris from KXAN right after I met with Henry. I walked just under 17 miles. I had a presentation at the downtown REI. I made it to about 4 miles from the REI. Courtney from the REI came out to pick me up. I was in the clinic room at the REI and my aunt and uncle showed up. Kristy, REI worker, showed up. Courtney and Kurt were there. Besides that, no one showed up. After that I went with my uncle and aunt and they got a hotel room. My aunt and uncle dropped me off just after 7 a.m. this morning back at the Creek Meadow River. Uncle Don filmed me as my aunt Jessie as she walked with me. After that I walked up hill and downhill as Highway 71 went by ranches. First, I went past Bee Creek. Then I came into Bee Cave. That is kind of when the Austin area began. Wildflowers can be found on the side of the road. The scenery consists of hills covered with trees. Mainly Oak and Cedar trees. Bee Cave had businesses and then I took a left onto Bee Caves road. I ed some grocery store and things. I walked Bee Caves road until I crossed under 360 and then it turned into Old Bee Cave road. It is also known as Ranch Road 2244. Until I got to West Lake Hills it was very dense. It was uphill and downhill, and I had views of the surrounding houses. There were some areas that real big houses. Some development with some really big houses. I was walking along and Henry road by. He had a bike with a bunch of gear. He had brown hair. He asked about my trip. He didn't speak the best English and I don't speak German. We sat down on the guardrail and talked. He didn't like what I was doing. He wanted me to be doing something for poor countries instead. While we were talking Chris from KXAN showed up. He had a white SUV. He talked with me a bit. We chatted. He interviewed me. After that I walked, and he would drive ahead and film me a bit. After that I walked into West Lake Hills. I crossed under 360 and then I walked through West Lake Hills to the edge of Rollingwood. I stopped at a McDonalds to get some cheap protein. I didn't think I'd make it to REI in time. Courtney, one of the outreach people at REI, came out. I've been working with Courtney and

Kurt. Kurt was out at the time. It was only about 4 miles away from the REI. REI is downtown. The clinic room upstairs. I met Kurt. Both Kurt and Courtney were really nice. They were very helpful. They set the room up so that I could use the computer for a power point. Jessie and Don showed up a little before 5 p.m. No one really showed up. Kristy a blonde girl who got off work and who goes to graduate school. Kurt and Courtney also sat in. After that Jessie, Don, and I went looking for a room. We did find one. America's Best Value Inn. Austin is really beautiful. The green trees. The Capitol building is nice. Some streets are called 35 1/2 and things like that. There are some nice parks. University of Texas is in Austin.

DAY 222--APRIL 10, 2007 MILES WALKED: n/a FROM: n/a TO: n/a MY LOCATION: Austin, TX (Evan's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 30 TOTAL: 3,605

Well today I woke up at the America's Best Value Inn. I went to breakfast with my aunt Jessie and Uncle Don. After that Don, Jessie, and I went over to the courthouse. It is a huge brick building. It even has a section where there are offices below ground. After that they went and dropped me off at REI. I didn't really know what I was going to do. Kurt Hill from REI mentioned how I could set up a table at the downtown REI today.

My Aunt Jessie and Uncle Don are heading to Kentucky from here. I've set a table up at the REI and I don't know where I'll be staying. Today has warmed up and it's still overcast. I'm not walking. I'll resume my walk tomorrow. I don't know if I'll be able to get a ride and I might have to walk back to where my walk has left off. I'm using a computer to update my website right now. Here is a link from KXAN the NBC station in Austin. The segment ran yesterday. CLICK HERE I'll probably hang out at the REI for a bit longer and then I'll probably figure out where I'm going to be staying. Evan who works at REI took me in for the night. He got promoted from the Bloomington, Minnesota store and moved out to Austin. We left sometime after 6 p.m. The cloud covers broke, and it was sunny out. Evan lives down in south Austin. We went to his house. It's a small one bedroom. He had a corner of the room with shelves filled with books. He graduated from a college in Wisconsin majoring in History and Philosophy and minoring in Lit. We chatted for a bit. After that we walked over to the Central Market. They have a little cafe in the store. It's a high-end grocery store. We each had a pizza. It was the special for the night. A lot of food for not a whole lot of money. We chatted about various topics. After dinner he grabbed a few groceries and we walked back to the apartment. It must have been a half mile to three quarters of a mile away. After dinner we listened to some music and chatted. After that we went to bed. I showered somewhere in-between. I raised 30 dollars while I had my table set up. A few of the employees. A couple of the people who were putting on the clinics

that night, and some random people put money into my water bottle. There are a lot of cool people working down at the downtown REI.

DAY 223--APRIL 11, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a LOCATION: Austin, TX $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0TOTAL: 3,605

Today I woke up around 6 a.m. Evan had to leave by 6:30 to get to REI. We drove down Lamar until we got to REI. I was going to go hang out at Starbucks for a while. I forgot my cell phone in Evan's black car. It was the start of a beautiful day in Austin. I didn't realize I left my cell in his car until I was a block down the road. The store wasn't open yet and the doors are locks. Luckily, they were doing fire alarm checks. Evan came to the door. He got my cell phone out of his car. That was cool that he took me in last night. After that I walked a couple blocks down and went to a Starbucks. I got a hot chocolate and apple fritter. I people watched for an awhile. A news station called me and the lady, Erin was really nice. She said they might be interested in doing something sometime the next couple of days. After that I walked toward the warehouse district. I stopped by a post office and sent a money order up to the Hutch. After that I started looking for the Daniel Johnston, "Hi, How Are You?" mural. I saw the

public library on the way. I waited around for that to open. I'm updating my site now. After this I'm going to find that mural. I'm near the end of my last Mini-DV tape so I'll need to get one of those. Not sure where I'll be staying tonight. Jason from REI is staying in a 12 bedroom and he might let me crash for a night. I never got a hold of Jason, but I called the Hosteling International. Kurt from REI called over and they already knew about me. I had to cross town lake. I met a couple of people walking along the town trail. Vanesa is the director at the hostel. She let me stay for a few nights for free. Her boyfriend George ended up taking me around town. We went over to the Daniel Johnston mural. We went to Guerrero's for some lunch. It's a well know TexMex restaurant. We went to a place called the Mean Eyed Cat. A whole in the wall bar that only places Johnny Cash songs. After we left there, we drove over the Congress St. bridge as the bats began to fly. The bats live under the bridge. It's the largest Urban Colony in the world. I think there are about 1.5 million of them. People are on the bridge. People are gathered in the park below. As nightfall is setting in the bats are flying. After that we went to the Continental Club which is a pretty well know venue in Austin. We saw the explosions. Two-man band. One on guitar and one on drums. The man on guitar rocked the house. They don't put a bunch of money in the place. George noticed they had four different types of fans. After that we went to downtown and 6th street. We went to Flamingo Cantania. It was an African music played by a group of white guys. It was all percussions. Before we went in, I saw a few people from REI. Stephanie, Dave, and a couple others. George was showing me around and I introduced him to some people. The tall building in Austin lights up at night. It

has a clock on each of its four sides. From a side angle, they look like eyes and the building looks like a bird or an owl. We didn't really like that music all that much. After that George dropped me back off at the hostel. I got a taste of the music tonight. George bought our foot for lunch and thanks to George for showing me around. George is from Tucson, AZ and he has been a guide all over North America and down to Honduras. We had a good time chatting about politics and telling stories. He told stories of his adventures abroad. I told stories from my trek.

DAY 224--APRIL 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 LOCATION: AUSTIN, TX (Hosteling International) DONATIONS TO FHCRC: 3,605

Today was a beautiful day. I spent a fair bit of it writing at the hostel along the water. After that I went with Michael. He grew up in the Czech Republic and now he lives in Kentucky now. Him and I went to watch the bats fly. That was the second time that I watched them. People line the bridge and gather in the park. Around 8 p.m. The bats start flying out. They form what almost looks like a snake as they stream out. They travel down the river. They will feed on insects. I guess they can go up to 70 miles. We went to Threadgill’s and watched the South Austin Jug Band. It was South Austin Jug Band Appreciation day. That was a great show out an outside venue. They play some good bluegrass. Everyone I talked to that lived here said that SAJB was one of their favorites. Today was South Austin Jug Band Day in Austin. That was kind of cool. For the last song they switched instruments. Threadgill’s has a big neon light.

We also went to the Continental Gallery and listened to Paris '49. It was a few doors down and upstairs from the Continental Club. I met another singer/songwriter Bonnie Whitmore. She looked like Scarlett Johansson. After the show was over Michael and I walked back to the hostel. Michael is down checking out the town to see if he wants to move here.

DAY 225--APRIL 13, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 LOCATION: Austin, TX $ to FHCRC TOTAL:3,605

Today I woke up. It was overcast and humid. Vanessa, the director of the hostel, had a British friend named Deb that hosts a show, Tex-Mex, over at ME TV in Austin. A bit after I noon I started walking around. I crossed over town lake and was walking on the north side and I was planning on going to downtown. That is when I got a call from Deb. I walked to the Congress Bridge and then headed down south congress. I went to the old theater that is now hosts TV. It has some kind of metal on the outside and is about three or four stories high. I went in and waited in the lobby. They had monitors waiting. The producer told me that I'd have to wait a bit. I didn't mind. Deb was getting her hair done. She had dark hair and eyes. Her dog Blue usually sits on the couch next to her, but I took blue's spot on the couch. Once her hair was ready, I went into the studio. There was a red couch and a red leather chair. I sat down on the couch. We both got milked up. There were two cameras. We did two takes. The second time I told a few stories. This is probably my hippest TV appearance so far. After the second take I was out of there. I talked to the man working at the front desk. He was cool. He gave me three Red Bulls and I was off. I stopped by the Magnolia Cafe which was nearby. It had a sign that read: Sorry, we're open.

After that I kept walking down Congress. Michael from the Hostel called me. We met at the congress bridge. I lied down in the grass to wait for him. The clouds broke for a bit. We crossed over town lake and we walked downtown and then on the drag near the college. We went to the Dobie Theater after he got some lunch. We went to see, Grindhouse. We had some time to waste. We spent that watching the numerous college students coming and going and one crazy bum wander back and forth. After the movie it was dark, and we walked back to the hostel. It is Friday night and 4,5, and 6th street have a fair bit of activity. It was wet out. While in the movie there was a thunderstorm. There were flashes of lighting in the distance. Along the frontage road next to I-35. A car sat with its lights on and no one inside. It was in the middle lane. Finally, a cop came. There were panhandlers at the lights. It was nearly midnight by the time we got back to the Hostel. I was ready for bed. Tomorrow I'll probably resume my walk where I left off on Bee Cave and walk to the hostel.

DAY 226--APRIL 14, 2007 MILES WALKED:5.44 FROM: Austin, TX (Bank America off Bee Cave Rd. on edge of Westlake Hills and Rollingwood) TO: Austin, TX (Hosteling International) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 30 TOTAL:3,635

Today I resumed my walk where it left off at the Bank of America on Bee Cave Rd. I had to get picked up there in order to make my presentation that no one showed up for. It was windy and I had an awesome. I met a couple on the trail along town lake that biked from Austin to Anchorage, AK. He had red hair and she had blonde hair. I walked to the hostel. I went past Zilker Park and walked along town lake. Later that night I went with Michael from the Czech Republic

and Kaleb a big army guy out to listen to some music. We went downtown and listened to a blues band, a band covering old rock, and a guy on the piano with a drummer who played popular songs. After that we walked to South Congress and went to Continental Gallery and saw a band. Along the way Kaleb lost his wallet on the Congress St. bridge. Epramh the man on trumpet was good. Outside he donated 20 dollars for cancer research. Another man I talked to donated 10 dollars making the total 30 dollars for the day. After getting some pizza, Michael, Kaleb and I walked back to the hostel. I woke up. I thought the weather might be bad today. It ended up being not the bad. There were girl scouts doing yard work around the hostel. They ended up cooking up an awesome dinner at the hostel later that night. Vanessa, the director of the hostel gave me a ride over to the bank of America. From there I resume my walk right where I left off. I took Rollingwood Rd. through an area with nice houses. From there I took that road under Mopac or Highway 1 and then got on Barton Creek or Barton Springs Road. I walked through Zilker Park. Then I got on a trail that went along town lake. It was beautiful. Trees. People jogging and walking. Once I hit Lamar Blvd. then I was walking area that I've already walked. After the Congress Bridge then the trail ends, and I ended up back on Riverside drive. I took that up to the Lakeshore and that takes me right to the hostel. I hung out to the hostel until I went out with Michael and Kaleb. On the way downtown we stopped at the Congress bridge to check out the bats. The two times I've seen it was like clockwork. However, it was windy and cold. They didn't come out. It got dark. We walked on. Maybe the bats didn't come out because it was cold. We went downtown to a few places and then back across the river to South Congress and then we called it a night.

DAY 227--APRIL 15, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 LOCATION: Austin, TX

$ to FHCRC TODAY: 40 TOTAL:3,675

Today I went to Stubb's Barbecue which is a famous spot in Austin. I went with two Swedes, an Australian, Michael from the Czech Republic, and another American. Twice people asked if we were in a band. We went to a lunch buffet. There was a gospel band playing on stage. The food was good. Someone found Kaleb's wallet yesterday and returned it to the police station. An artist walking around sketched a portrait of me in front of Stubbs. After brunch we walked back to the hostel. I took it easy at the hostel most of the rest of the day. I just chatted with the guys from Sweden and Australia. Michael had a guy whom someone he knew, and the man came over. His name was Kia and he worked as a legislator. He was working on a cancer research bill. He donated 20 dollars. One of the guys from Sweden donated twenty dollars making donations for cancer research 40 dollars for the day. Some of the guys were interested in my trip when they found out what I was doing.

DAY 228--APRIL 16, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10.98 FROM: Austin, TX (Hosteling international) TO: Austin, TX (Best Western near the airport) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 3,675

Well today I'll finally be leaving Austin. I've had a good stay. I have to thank Vanessa and everyone at the hostel in Austin. They put me up for free and were awesome. If you are in Austin, it is a great place to stay along the town lake.

Here is a link to the site. Click Here Well today I left the hostel. The day was nice. I didn't make it real far. A wrong turn and I got somewhat dejected. It was about 11 miles which is subpar. I got a room at the Best Western on Highway 71. I left the hostel and walked out on Lakeshore to Riverside. On Riverside I ed a lot of apartments. I got to Ben White/Highway 71 I took a right. I ended up running into a street that I saw on Riverside. Montoclips or something. That meant it would have been a shortcut and I didn't seeing any shortcuts. I kept walking and then I decided that I wanted to take a look at the old map. Sure, enough I pulled a classic Matt move. I look at the map. I should have taken a left when I came up to Highway 71. Well, I couldn't help but laugh it off. It's not the first and won't be the last time I pull a stunt like that. Well, there isn't much of shoulder on 71. That meant that I was wading in the ocean of tall grass near the road. I ed some hotels. This area is near the airport. It turned into an area that didn't seem like the best. At one gas station the ladies working there were talking about how there is a hooker that working the gas station. That said about all I needed to know. My spirits were down. I questioned why I'm doing the walk. I didn't feel comfortable pitching my tent in this area. I went to the Best Western. The nice blonde girl working there with a name that started with an 'A' name gave me a discount. I went into the room. My friend Austin told me about what happened at Virginia Tech. I toiled with what happened. It was a scary event, and I can't imagine what the families and friends over there have to go with.

DAY 229--APRIL 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 9.96

FROM: Austin, TX (Best Western) TO: Manor, TX (The Oaks Bar) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 3,675

Today was wet and humid. I didn't have the biggest day. I walked on 71 for a mile or so and then spent the rest of my day walking on Farm Road 973. It had a lot of truck traffic and little shoulder or well, no shoulder. I spent much of the day walking through wet grass up to my knees. I bumped into Brown's Roadside Cafe. Nellowen the short lady that made the cake bought my meal. I met Jeremy and Chad. They were a couple of younger guys who were eating lunch there. A lot of trucks were coming in and out. There was some type of industrial thing next door. I also crossed the Colorado River and went by a dammed lake. I ended at The Oaks. A bar 2 miles or so away from Manor. Steve, the owner, let me sleep in a little pull trailer that was by their outdoor stage. Idgy Vaughn, Erin Condo, and Sara Glynn came out and played a live show. I met a Rick, Tex, Amos, Molly, Kelly and Steven at The Oaks. I woke up and left the comforts of the hotel room. It was humid with light rain. I started the day with my rain poncho. I walked a mile or so on Highway 71 and then headed up Farm Road 973. At times I felt like I was in David Lynch's film Eraserhead. Walking in wet grass up to my knees with huge trucks flying by. I crossed the Colorado River. The bridge didn't have a bunch of shoulder. I scurried across it and lived to blog about it. It would rain off and on. Mostly light but every now and then a bit harder. I saw trucks going places but couldn't tell what they were up to. The land is slightly hilly. There would be mounds of dirt in certain areas. I walked along hoping there would be an end to today. It wasn't that bad. I bumped along Brown's Roadside Cafe. Trucks were coming and going. Austin Green or some kind of business was there. The waitress saw my sign and told the other ladies. Nellowen, a cancer survivor, bought my meal. Then a couple of other guys, Jeremy and Chad who were on lunch break gave me some money for my next meal. An army of raindrops slowly fell from the sky. I went back out with my poncho on. I walked past a dammed lake. I never saw much of the lake. I did see the dam though. There was a good little hill there.

I stumbled on to The Oaks. I wanted to get out of the weather. I met Rick from Elgin. He was a real nice guy who worked behind the bar. Steve who wore a Cowboy hat and soul patch owned the place. There was going to be a band playing. That was Erin, Sara, and Idgy. In between sets they walked around. There wasn't a whole bunch of people. Some of Idgy's friends came out. Steven and Kelly from Austin were out. They were a younger coupe. Tex was there earlier and came back. He gave me twenty dollars to help me along on the trip. He was a nice guy. Amos was a man who works for Austin power and is retiring on Friday. He grew up in North Carolina and Uncle Sam dropped off in Texas and he decided to stay after his 13 years in the service. Sara is tall with brown hair and she played the electric guitar. They all have their own or other bands. Idgy Vaughn, the professional red head, was lead vocals and sung. Her throat wasn't feeling well so that affected the show. She played the guitar. Erin also sang a song and played by herself at the end of the night for a couple of songs. She was blonde, tall, and played the guitar. She lived in Portland, Oregon for a year and half. She'll be having a west coast tour in October. She has both a Bachelor and master’s degree. She was going for her PhD, but then she wanted to go after her music. It was fun listening to the band and chatting with the people. Steve let me stay in the little pull trailer that was out back near the outdoor stage. The Oaks had a bunch of bands out for a non-South by Southwest music venue during the festival. They have an outside stage and an indoor stage. I went out. It had a comfortable bed with sheets and blankets. I got a good night sleep.

DAY 230--APRIL 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: 14.40 so far, but I'm not done walking yet. FROM: Manor, TX (The Oaks Bar) TO: 1 or 2 miles east of Elgin, TX (some closed down campsite)

$ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 3,675

Well today I got up and left the comfortable little trailer which is black, and red. Blue skies and the sun was the story of today. I left my cell phone in it. Luckily, I noticed less than a half mile down the road. I walked a couple of miles on Farm Road 973 and ended up in Manor. I stopped by the Cafe 290 which was along Highway 290. All of the waitresses were really nice. The manager ended up giving me my meal for free. Manor is population of about 1,500 but there are subdivisions going in and many services and businesses stretch along Highway 290. I had about a 11 mile walk into Elgin. At Elgin I walked around and found the library. The nice lady working at the counter let me use the computer. I don't have a plan as to where I'll be staying yet. I woke up and then I walked into a couple miles into Manor. I ed some housing divisions as I walked into town. I went up to the Highway 290. I headed west a bit and stopped at the Cafe 290. All the waitresses were really nice. They were interested in what I was doing. They fired off some questions. I gladly answered. I had a big breakfast. They told their manager, and she signed the check. Wow. People are really nice. With a full stomach I hit the highway. Highway 290 is four or more lanes and divided all the way to Elgin. I ed several gas stations along the way. This is unlike much of Texas I've walked which has little in-between towns. There was a golf course. There are some cattle. The land is green with a roll. I did past fields with green trees. There were some blue bonnets adding to the beauty of the day. There were other types of business. Also, a couple of housing division along the way. Once I got near Elgin, I called the newspaper. They didn't sound very interested. I walked down hill and uphill into town. At the first light on Highway 290 at Elgin I asked a couple old timers about the whereabouts of the library and they directed me to it. Highway 290 has had a nice big emergency lane all day long which means I have to spend less time walking in grass. Elgin has a historic downtown. The library is near the downtown. The high school is a few miles west. There are some big housing divisions as I came into

town. A lady named Rebecca gave me 5 dollars for food at the Doc's gas station at the west edge of town or just west of town. Not sure which one. I don't know how much walking time I'll have left once I leave town. I took a left off Highway 290. Then I was walking through streets of houses and past a school, a couple churches, and a park. I came to the library. The nice lady let me on. Most libraries people need to have a card and live in the area, but I haven't run into a library that wouldn't let me use the computer. After I left the library, I walked through the downtown of the town with a couple thousand people. I went to the City Cafe. It had high ceilings. There were two tall blonde waitresses. One was young and one was British. The British lady asked about my trip. She saw me walking about 10 miles west of Elgin. The couple next to me who lived in Elgin bought my meal. They overheard the conversation. They were a couple in their early 30's named Brad and Marilyn. After that I walked the rest of the way out of Elgin and then a mile or so and there was the divided highway road work going on and that meant a side of a highway to myself. I walked past an old campground. It looked good and that was my home for the night. It had grass growing over and old power meters. The bathroom was locked. I'd come to find out that the state bought it to expand the highway. It worked for a good camping spot.

DAY 231--APRIL 19, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17.01 FROM: 2 east of Elgin, TX (camped out an old campground) TO: Paige, TX (Lester's Old Frontier Steakhouse) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 3,675

Today I woke up and good walking most of all day. I had a few miles of walking

on a section of area where they are doing road work to make the highway divided. Then I waked along the no shouldered 290 to McDade. At McDade I took old US 20 all the way to Highway 21. From there I had a mile or two into Paige. I had to walk on 21 for a quarter mile and then I got back onto 290 to walk the rest of the way into 290. I met Kelly Wayne in McDade, a town of 300, and then bumped into him again at Lester's. He let me stay at his house in McDade, so I paused my walk at the restaurant until the morning. At Lester's I met a man named Paul from Houston. He was an older man. He was a traveler himself. He told me stories of his travels across the US. It was a hitchhike trip with his friend across the US when they were 20. The weather was sunny and nice. It is slowly becoming more humid. The walk along old 20 was awesome. Mainly ranches. I believe I'm starting to see Pine trees here and there. I got started around 9:30 or so today. I was going to walk along the highway since there was road work going on. One of the T-DOT workers called me over. He wanted to see if I needed some water. I filled up one of my water bottles. He walked with me a bit. At this section they are expanding the highway into a divided highway which means the side they are building is closed. Both directions are on the old highway. That lasted for a couple of miles. Then I was back to walking on the no shouldered Highway 290. That meant that I spent a fair bit of time walking in the ditch. Before I got to McDade there was a sign for Old US 20. I walked away. It was hard dirt with a little gravel road. I came to a store. The store was between 290 and Old 20. I asked the man there if the Old 20 parallels Highway 290 and he said it did. I got back on to the Old US 80. It wasn't much further, and I was stumbling into McDade. There are some houses but mainly some decent sized ranch/farms along the road. Closer toward Paige there was a clump of houses. In McDade which had a feed store and little general store and a water tower. Most of the old stores in the downtown area weren't open. I stopped at the general store. Nikki was working and an old timer named Kelly Wayne Karston was sitting there. He asked me about what I was up to. He didn't quite understand, but he figured everything is meant to be understood. From there I left there Kelly gave me a couple dollars to get some dinner with. I charged the cell phone up a bit more. I walked most of the rest of the day on old

20 and it was nice. No traffic and it was pretty. Green fields with cattle roaming. One patch of houses a bit closer to Paige. I went into Paige. They might have a couple hundred people. I went to Lester's Old Frontier. That is when I met Paul. The old man from Houston that hitched across the country when he was twenty. His friend and him left with 25 dollars in 1940. They ended up making 12 dollars working for a week somewhere out in California. I hung out for a bit more and then Kelly showed up. He offered me to stay at his place. Kelly bought me another burger. I met a lady that worked for a cancer research place in Bastrop. That was cool. After a while we went back to Kelly's house. That was back all the way in McDade. He lived on about 400 acres. The room I slept in had two beds. One I slept in. The other had different sections of several computer spread out all over the bed. I took a shower and then went to bed.

DAY 232--APRIL 20, 2007 MILES WALKED: 11.97 FROM: Paige, TX (Lester's Old Frontier Steakhouse) TO: Lincoln, TX (Walch Market--camped out back) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:3,675

Well today was a short day. I walked through Manheim and got a late start out of Paige. Kelly gave me a tour of his 400 acres and his Alcohol, for fuel, set up before taking me back to Paige. Kelly Wayne bought me some breakfast and I didn't leave to 11 a.m. Kelly chatted how he use to have 550 acres. He has been divorced three times. He talked of his depression. He talked of how he tries to sleep the day away sometimes. He had a good heart. He seemed like he didn't care like he used to. When we toured his ranch, he had about 150 head of cattle.

There were two areas where barn projects were started, but never finished. Kelly then drove me back to Paige to the location where he picked me up yesterday. He's sad that his kids don't want to talk to him. However, there is always hope. It seems that if Kelly has lost hope. In Manheim I stopped at the store. It had old cobwebs over the ceiling and neon signs. I sat and chatted with some of the locals. A lady from Houston gave me 11 dollars for food. That went to lunch a little further down the road at the Elm Creek Cafe. Then I walked to the Walch Market. Highway 21, which I've been on since Paige has no shoulder and I find myself off in the ditch. I can only walk that way for 3 or 4 miles at a time. I met people at the Cafe. One guy called his cousin and they figured it'd be all right if I camped at the community center in Lincoln. That was a mile or so past the Walch Market. I walked in there. I was getting close to the area with covered picnic tables and the white building. I saw the Sheriff across the street putting a note into a fence. I walked over to give him a heads up. I then set my tent up next a bunch of covered picnic tables. They were caterpillars everywhere. They climbed on my tent after I set it up. They climbed on me. That covered the corner of the picnic tables. As I was cooking noodles a car pulled up. A man hopped out with beer in hand. I walked over. He asked why I went to the house. I said I didn't go to a house. He said, "Yeah you did. Back up and get out." Long story short. He wouldn't hear anything I said, and he wanted me out. Call it bad timing but the town had a guy panhandling the day before and the old lady across the street called that guy. The thing is that I didn't go to anyone's house. It was nearly dark. I back tracked to the store. The nice ladies at the store gave me a burger. Dennis the owner let me throw up my tent behind the store. That was cool, because on a Friday night this isn't a road to be walking.

DAY 233--APRIL 21, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22.41 FROM: Lincoln, TX (Walch Market--Camped out back)

TO: Caldwell, TX (Caldwell Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 3,675

Today I woke up and it was foggy. I packed up my tent and went into the store shortly after 7 a.m. The lady working bought my supplies and water. From there I walked through Old Dime Box. About 12 miles away from Caldwell there was the old highway which is going to be for west bound traffic for the new divided highway. That meant that the second half of my day was good walking. No traffic and a road to myself. Every now and then there would be I made it to Caldwell near dark and the 30-hotel room and a chance to charge my cell phone were too appealing. I stopped at in Old Dime Box for lunch. It was an old white metal building that was turned into a restaurant. Not a whole bunch in Dime Box. There was a restaurant and a store and a church. About 8 miles away from Caldwell I stopped at the Hitching Post. I think it might have been a bar. I had a coke. The nice girl bartending gave it to me. Her mother was there. The people were friendly and curious about my journey. An old man from Lexington, TX talked of his younger days and how his job took him all over the country. He had been to many of the states. The young girl behind the counter put a plate full of crackers, cheese, and sausage in front of me. Her mother, a cancer survivor, gave me a bottle of water to take with me on the way out. I had about 8 more miles of walking. I had a stop for a sandwich about 3 miles away from town and then I pulled into Caldwell, population 3,500, as darkness was looming. There was a room for 30 dollars. The Caldwell Motel. Well rolling into town as darkness was setting in and a room that is about as cheap as they come. I hardly got any sleep yesterday. Today wore me out and I had a little bit of chaffing. I got the room. It wasn't the nicest, but I've seen worse and what can one expect for 30 dollars.

DAY 234--APRIL 22, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16.55 FROM: Caldwell, TX (Caldwell Inn) TO: 7 east of Bryan, TX (Luza Ln. near Highway 21 and 47 junction) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0TOTAL:3,675

Today I woke up and walked from Caldwell to about 7 miles away from Bryan, TX. It was overcast most of the day. I had some chaffing that made today painful at times. The chaffing began yesterday, and I believe some of it's due to the humidity. It isn't really humid, but it's humid. Hopefully the gradual buildup will allow me to adjust. I stopped in Cooks Point for lunch. Deidre, the young brown hair girl working, was really nice. She gave me a free piece of pizza and offered more food, but I was full. I also me a couple, Larry and Jackie Odstrcil, who gave me ten dollars to help me along the way. It was a gas station and cafe in one. I saw a lot of pump jacks for either gas or oil. I think I saw a couple yesterday but can't for sure. When I was leaving Caldwell there was one house that had a bunch of weird yard art. Much of the art was constructed of welded metal, but that wouldn't describe it all. One was a huge yellow person that was sitting down tipping a hand as if it had a glass in it and they were drinking. Another one had the body of a bird, but the head and leg of a man. The man was wearing a ball cap. One had metal and then some wooden heads. It was neat and I didn't expect to bump into that. I was walking along when a young bearded brown hair guy stopped his gray car. He was on the other side of the road. He asked if I wanted a ride. He said he was heading to College Station. I told him that I'm walking across the country. I told him that if I ever get in a car then I have to get dropped back off at that same

location. He offered me to stay at his house. He went home and I kept walking. When it was after 7 p.m. some time I gave Ben Dolan a call. He met me near the Highway 47 junction off Highway 21. It was a Luna or Luza Ln. We drove into his house. His girlfriend cooked dinner. Ben grew up in a down in the Woodlands north of Houston. His two roommates also were from there. They have friends along the route. After dinner we talked of my route and possible places to go and to avoid. Tomorrow I'll walk to College Station and then I'll try the media to see if they are interested. Ben and John have some connections. We might see if we can get ahold of the College newspaper. College Station is home to Texas A & M University. We drove by the huge football stadium on the way to his house. It has been pretty walking since Austin. It's a little hilly and there are some trees. A lot of ranches. They don't seem to be as big as plot of lands as I've walked by. There are gas stations in between the little town which mean I don't have to pack as much water.

DAY 235--APRIL 23, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12.35 FROM: 7 miles west of Bryan, TX (near Highway 47 junction on Highway 21 near Luza Ln.) TO: College Station, TX (Ben, Lee, and John's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:3,675

CBS newslink in BRYAN COLLEGE STATION Click Here The Eagle newspaper in Bryan/College Station

Click Here Ben is going to walk with me. His girlfriend is going to drop us where I left off yesterday near the intersection of Highway 47 and 21. From there we'll walk into town. Right now, they cooked breakfast. After breakfast Ben's girlfriend Bethany dropped Ben and I off at the where Highway 47 meets 21 at Luza Ln. He had a small pack on with water. It was overcast with about 70 percent humidity. I've had to adapt to the humidity. We walked a little 12 miles today. We walked Highway 21 all the way into Bryan. A news crew came out from the CBS station in Bryan. They interviewed both Ben and me. Then they got shots of us walking. It was a really nice piece. It took us about 6 miles to get to Square One. On the way we ed a little store and the hit the city limits. Then we took a right on WM J Bryan Rd. That took us to downtown. We ed some random businesses. That was downtown in Bryan. Ben works there waiting tables. We went in the back. We dropped off our packs. Ben had a chicken club, and I had a BLT. There was some cool art in the place. Molly, the owner, a nice lady with dark hair, she gave the meal to Ben and me. I was sweaty. The humidity is going to get worse but lugging my pack around in this humidity drenches my shirt already. After we left Square One, we ed through downtown. They are doing a lot of renovations in the downtown area. We walked South College to Campus. Along the way, Dave, the photographer of The Eagle, stopped by to snap a picture for the newspaper. He was a character. He crossed the street. He took one picture and then switched his lens. He then went to get a flash. He talked a lot as he took pictures. He got on his knees and took a picture from a low profile. Finally, he got the picture that he wanted. It was a cool picture. It is the one that is on the link below. After that we walked a couple more miles and we were at the edge of the A and M campus. The campus is huge and there are lots of students walk around. I think there are 45,000 students at the college. We walked to the Student Media

section. Ben works at the yearbook which shares office space with the school newspaper. He left a note for people that work at the newspaper. I met Joleah who works with Ben. She shows lots of facial expression. She had a lot of questions for me. She grew up between Houston and Corpus Christi. After that then Ben and I left campus. We walked down George Bush Dr. We went down Lee Dr. which is a historic district with a bunch of nice houses. Big red bricked houses. Two story white houses with pillars in the front. Then we finished the day off and ended up at Ben's place. Ben had to go to work. At 6 p.m. I saw our news segment. It was 2 minutes long. It was a good segment.

DAY 236--APRIL 24, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 LOCATION: College Station, TX (Ben, Lee, and Jon's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 3,675

Today I took it off. I went with Ben over to the school. I was going to try and get some of my pictures online. However, my camera can be difficult. I went over to campus with Ben. He took me to the computer lab. I was there for a bit adding some more detail to the last few days of my journal. I did little summaries with intent to expand on that. While I was at the computer lab, Lee showed up. Lee is Ben's roommate. He grew up in Romania and and then moved to The Woodlands later. He speaks German. He is an international politics major. He also works at the George Bush foundation. He has a picture in his room of him and George Bush Sr. shaking hands. He's a real nice guy. He had dark blonde hair. He showed up to take me to lunch. We left the computer and went and got some lunch. We went to the common area. We each got a sandwich. We ate and chatted. I asked him about his classes, and he would ask about my

journey. After that he showed me where the buses are, and we went to the MSC. I picked up The Eagle and saw the stand-alone picture of myself on the front page. I had several people donate to help me along my walk today. My best friend Austin's aunts Becky and Chris each donated a hundred dollars. Elizabeth Boeing of College Station donated 50 dollars. Get Marooned donated 10 dollars. Wilfried Schobeiri donated 30 dollars. I had about 30 dollars for myself and this boost sure is going to carry me out of the stay. Back to today. At the MSC I bumped into Ben. He was going to work at the yearbook. He works about 8 hours there. After that I went back to the guy’s houses. I worked on my blog and then watched a movie. I hung with Jon the other roommate. He works at a restaurant. He was born in Mississippi and then moved to Texas and the Woodlands. Ben and I went with Spencer the photographer for the Texas A & M newspaper. We went to the school to take a picture inside on campus. We went to Rudder Theater. Ben held the light and Spencer took the picture. Then I headed over to room 502 to talk to Lee's group the Wiley group. I went to the Wiley Club which Lee. I talked to the group and they asked questions. They were really cool. It went well. Nate Evan wore a red shirt, and he was the president. He was really stoked on my journey. The whole class was cool. Paige Melvin writes for a weekly paper here and later emailed me to see about writing an article. After that Ben and I took Lee's car and drove around looking for a house that Ben's parents might buy. We only saw the outside. A car was in the driveway. We went back and Ben's girlfriend, Bethany, made a great dinner.

Lee, Ben, Jon, Bethany, Me, and Blair went to the Hookah Station, a hookah bar. It was kind of weird. It was 13 for a hookah. They had sorts of weird flavors. Lee left early because he had to work on a paper. The waitress wore hardly any clothing. The lights would change from dark to bright white. After that we all went home and went to bed.

DAY 237--APRIL 25, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 LOCATION: College Station, TX (Ben, Lee, and Jon's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: TOTAL: 3,675

Here is The Battalion article that appeared today. CLICK HERE Today I thought the weather be bad. There was a storm early morning. However, it turned out to be a good day. I went with Lee to the school. We rode the bus over. Not far from the house we can catch a bus to the campus. I went to the MSC building. Guys can't wear hats there. I went to get a copy of the student newspaper and eat. I bumped into a blonde girl named Liana. She was in the Wiley Lecture Series group that I met with yesterday. She bought my meal using her meal card. We chatted for a bit. Then she had to run off to class. She was studying for her French class. When we were in line the lady working said she felt like she was meeting a celebrity. She said she heard me on the radio a couple of days ago. While Liana and I were eating she came over and wanted my autograph. I took

the bus back to the house. I showered up. After that Ben and I went back to campus. I was going to meet Paige Melvin at the school. We were going to have some lunch. We met in front of the bus. She is 19, red hair, and wore a red sweater and gray dress. First, we went over to the engineering department. She works there as an event coordinator. They had a group taking a bus trip somewhere. She had to sign for the lunches to take with them. After that we went up to her office. The door was locked. She got the keys, and we went in. I updated my site a bit and she made some calls. After that we had to go find her black jeep in the parking lot. We found it and then went to a Mexican restaurant. I had some tacos. It was good. She treated me to lunch. She's lived in Europe and around Texas. Her father worked in the oil business. She is a junior. She's going to be going to China next month for a year or maybe even longer than a year. After that we went to Shakes which is ice cream place. We ate the ice cream in the car. We joked around a bit. We had a fair bit of laughs. After that we went to the park and chatted. We talked about all sorts of things. After that she dropped me back off at the house. I took a little nap. After that Lee, Jon, Bethany, and I went to Academy. I used my gift card to get some underwear and a pair of sunglasses. We went to Raising Cane's after that. We had chicken fingers and fries. Lee bought my meal. Now I'm back at the house. Nate Evans from the Wylie group came over and we went to his buddy’s house. I met Beau and David. David has a surf company. He gave me shirt. It was a gray Lone Star Surf Co. The guys were cool. They asked me about the trip. After that Nate and I went to the Coffee Station. We hung out. I met some more of Nate's friend. He read a bit. I people watched and then wrote some also. Tomorrow I'll be heading out. Somehow, I hurt my ankle. I'll see how that holds up tomorrow.

DAY 238--APRIL 26, 2007 MILES WALKED: 21.38

FROM: College Station, TX (Lee, Ben, and Jon's house) TO: Navasota, Tx (Phat Bottoms camped next to Dollars to FHCRC TODAY: 145 TOTAL: 3,872

I'm leaving College Station today. It's nice and sunny. I'll be heading south toward Navasota. I'll be on Wellborn road which turns into a farm road and then I'll meet up with Highway 6. Well, it was awesome staying with Ben, Lee, and Jono in College Station. The people were cool in College Station. The town is based around Texas A & M. I had several people spot me from the news article yesterday. I walked from College Station to Navasota today. I walked Anderson to Holeman to Wellborn to Millican to Navasota. I raised 125 dollars in the meantime. Some online donations were made, and the total is closing in on 3,900. I walked the railroad a bit today. There were some houses along the way. Most of my time walking on Wellborn and then 2154 was mainly ranches. I met two guys while I was walking on Holeman. One stopped when the other was there. Marco stopped by. He donated 20 dollars. Then Jeff from Austin stopped by. Both go to A and M. Then a lady named Barbara dropped off 11 dollars when I was on Wellburn Rd. She had a gray car. Vickie stopped by also and gave me a water bottle. She was a young girl that went to Texas A and M. In Wellburn I met the lady working at the store, Cate. Wellburn had a water tower. It had a couple businesses. I stopped at the post office to mail up some news articles and tapes. She bought lunch and donated two dollars. Then Reggie Browder and James Robinson from College Station who were getting gas in their car donated 10 dollars. I walked along 2154 most of the day. At times a few houses but mainly ranches. The road doesn't have a shoulder once it nears Highway 6. I walked a few miles on Highway 6 to get to Navasota. I left my Gregory water bottle in College Station. I ran out of water. That meant that I was going to not camp outside the town but rather make my way to it.

Chris is up working from Houston let me use his laptop. He also donated 20 dollars to push it over a hundred for the day. I met Chris in Navasota. In Navasota I saw a RV Park. It was shut down. I went to Phat Bottoms. I met a ton of people. A bunch of them donated for cancer research. A bunch of Aggie students came down for their annual party. They are dressed up like pirates. Drew, a student down, he donated 20 dollars and said he'd let me stay at his house tomorrow pick me and drop me off. Cathy and Peppermint donated 30 dollars. Shelly and Patty also donated. Kenny is the manager and was going to let me stay at his house. A man named Earl is going to let me stay at his place and shower up. Well, I didn't stay with Earl. I ended up pitching my tent next to Phat Bottoms in the grass next to a tree. At 10 p.m. the place got stormed by 200 Aggies. I had a bit of mini celebrity going. Some of them recognized me from the news article the other day. That helped me raise some money. I chatted with a bunch of them. The people at Phat Bottoms were really nice. The Aggies were dressed up like pirates. There were some other costumes. They took two buses up from College Station. Drew who donated 20 dollars also offered to pick me up tomorrow. He's willing to pick me up 40 miles away from College Station and return me to the exact location of where he picked me up at.

DAY 239--APRIL 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17.08 FROM: Navasota, TX (camped next to Phat Bottoms) TO: Don't know $ to FHCRC TODAY: 90 TOTAL: 4,065

Well, I have two cases of bad news to report. My digital camera broke. The other one is that I've unknowingly been recording over my footage. I switch it to vcr mode and then it rewinds. That means since Midland I've recording over footage and that means I have a lot of missing footage and that things are out of chronological order. However, most everything else is going great. I woke up around 7:30 and was on the road slightly before 8 a.m. I walked down business 6 into the main part of Navasota. I stopped by the Filling Station Restaurant and Mitchell White gave me breakfast. It was really good. Then I went to the post office to send up a money order for 145 dollars up to the Hutch. While I was at the Filling Station Steve, a reporter from The Examiner, came over. We chatted and then he snapped a couple of pictures. After the Post Office I went back to the Filling Station. I left my cell phone there to charge up. I started heading back down business 6 south toward Hempstead. I've had a change in plans, and I was going to avoid Houston, but now I'm going to walk to Houston. I'm fairly close to the outskirts and I want to check out the town. Navasota has around 5,000 people. It has some nice buildings and there is a nice little downtown. I called Chris Nunn who I met yesterday. Chris stopped the Mr. Lube and is letting me use his laptop. It picks up a signal in the parking lot. While I was waiting at Mr. Lube waiting for Chris to swing by, the owner came out. She was a nice lady. She asked about my journey. She gave me ten dollars for some food or whatever I need. I'm going to be walking business 6 to Highway 6 and then I'll take that toward Hempstead. Drew who is from College Station. I met him last night and he said he'd be willing to pick me up wherever I'm at which will be around 40 miles away from College Station. Then the next morning he'd drop me off at the exact same spot. Well, it's a nice day and I'll be leaving Mr. Lube here soon. I'm taking advantage of Chris letting me use the computer to update my site.

I walked down business 6 for a ways. Then after 6 miles or so it connects back with Highway 6. There are houses along the way. They have little chunks of property. A man pulled over in a truck. His name was Jimmy F. Shimshack and donated 70 dollars. He also gave me some cookies and his card. Once I got to Highway 6, I walked along that road. It was pretty. Hill country will big ranches. Drew, from A and M had plans come up so he wouldn't be letting me stay at his house. That was fine. A lot of open country. A lady named Vanesa stopped over. She was in her early 40's. She saw me on the Bryan/College Station news. She donated 20 dollars bringing the total for the day to 90 dollars. I ed a little store, Franks Markets. Today was mainly overcast. I found a set of land. It had a gate but no signs that said no tresing. It had a tree and some dirt clumped up. I figured I'd be able to camp on that. Besides that, the plot of land was open for a hundred yards or so and then thick trees. I went over behind the tree and pitched my tent. The humidity isn't that bad yet, but it's more humid that I've seen.

DAY 240--APRIL 28, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16.42 FROM: 5 north of Hempstead, TX (camped behind a pile of dirt and a tree) TO: Waller, TX (America's Best Value Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 5 TOTAL: 4,070

Today was sunny and warm. It was humid. I walked 5 miles on Highway 6 into Hempstead. I had breakfast at the Cattleman's Cafe. They gave me breakfast and lunch for the road. I walked from Hempstead to Waller on business 290. I ed

a Wal-Mart. I bought a digital camera there. I'm back in business. My grandma put some money in the for me. That walk took me through Prairie View. I didn't see much in Prairie View. I ended up in Waller. At Carl BBQ I met Faye and her mother Ernestine. They donated five dollars for cancer research. I need a shower and to charge my cell phone and camera. I got a room at the America' Best Value Inn. It also gave me a chance to do laundry. I packed up my tent and was on the road by 8:30. It was a start to another beautiful day. I walked along Highway 6 on my way into Hempstead. I think there is a 2,500 people or so. I walked underneath Highway 290. I went ed a car lot and some random businesses. I was looking for some breakfast. That is when I stumbled onto the Cattleman's Cafe. I went in and ordered some breakfast. Tammy Reyes was there. Her mother worked there. She had a 12year-old daughter or so. They were really nice. They were interested in my trip. Tammy ended up giving me breakfast and then setting me up with a lunch to take on the road. The daughter copied one of my articles. She got teary eyed when I left. Tammy also gave me 20 dollars to spend anyway I needed. Another man working there gave a couple bucks. After that I headed out of town. I took business 290 from here. They had a fair bit of stores and such. I saw a Wal-Mart. I crossed over and went and got a new camera. I walked down business 20. I ed houses. There were a few big plots, but a lot of little ones. It fairly green, but not quite as green as around Austin. It was warming up in the 80's and had a fair bit of humidity. I don't much of Prairie View but the sign for the college. I walked through the old downtown in Waller. Waller had a neat little downtown. They have a 1,000 people or so I think. Maybe 2,000. Before I came into Waller it seemed that I saw a big cotton gin. On a Saturday not much wasn't opened. I kept walking on 290 and then came up to a road that connected business 290 to regular 290. I walked up that way. I saw a plaza. That had Carl's BBQ. I was around 15 miles at this point. My shirt drenched in sweat. I had a burger and fries. That is when I met Faye and Ernestine. They were really nice. They live in Waller. They were interested in my journey. They donated 5 dollars for cancer research.

After that I walked a mile or so over to the Inn. I needed a shower and I'm feeling less comfortable camping out in random spots these days. There is becoming more and more people. The plots of land are smaller. I checked into a room and then got a shower. I tried figuring out my game plan for Houston and I didn't come up with anything.

DAY 241--APRIL 29, 2007 MILES WALKED: 13.52 FROM: Waller, TX (America's Best Value Inn) TO: 4 miles west of Tomball, TX (AAA mini-Storage off 2920) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,070

Today I woke up thinking that I was going to walk from Waller down 290 toward Houston. Instead, I went down the country road of 2920. I didn't quite make it to Tomball. Tomball has about 9,000 people. Joyce from the Tomball RV Park came out with her granddaughter and met me at the AAA RV Park. She let me stay at the RV Park. A man there brought out me some dinner. There were a lot of ranches along the way. Not real big ones. Then it got fairly developed. I ed a place called New Kentucky. It had tall Pine trees. I called Channel 2. They are thinking about coming out at 3 a.m. tomorrow. They want to do it for the morning show. I met Linda and Angel. They are from Plantersville. They saw me on the news. They gave me a couple of dollars and then went to Sonic and paid for my dinner. I called the Houston Chronicle, and they didn't sound interested. I didn't know anywhere on 290 to stay that day. I figured instead of heading right into the heart of Houston I might hang around the northern Suburbs. That way I might find some camping spots a little easier. It was kind of intimidating walking straight into the heart of Houston with no one to stay with. I decided to head east on Farm Road 2920. It was a beautiful walk. Not much shoulder meant that I was in

the grass for most of the day. I had some numbers for media and made some calls. About 10 miles or just under and I came to a light. There was a McDonalds there. I think I went through an area called Rosehill. There was a fair bit of businesses from there on out. Not solid, but there were places of businesses or houses. I talked to several new stations. I talked with Rachael from Channel 2 and she was really nice. Her producer Debbie called me around 11 p.m. to check on the story and find out of my location. It was really nice when I ed a place called New Kentucky. It had tall pine trees. It wasn't much after that when Linda and Angel stopped. They were really nice. They gave me their business card. After that I kept walking. I called the Tomball RV Park. I finally got a hold of Joyce. She said they didn't have tent camping. I asked if she might know of a Church. When I was about 4 miles west of town, she came out looking for me. I didn't know if she was going to look for a Church or what. She came out in her green Prism with her granddaughter. That was by the AAA mini-Storage. I paused my walk for the day right there. I hopped in. She took me to the RV Park. She showed me where I could camp. I set my tent up under the trees. One man a had a goofy boxer that was brown and white. Another man brought me some barbecue and boy it was good. I was tired and knew that I wouldn't be getting too much sleep tonight. I had my nice campsite underneath the tall pine trees.

DAY 242--APRIL 30, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3.54 FROM: 4 miles west of Tomball, TX (AAA mini-Storage) TO: Tomball, TX (Executive Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,070

Today started early. At 3:30 a.m. Channel 2 showed up at the Tomball RV Park where I stayed. They had a van. They had the Satellite that lifted in the air. Originally, we were going to go live. However, the trees blocked the signal. Andrea was the reporter. It was dark. They taped a couple different segments with Andrea interviewing me. Then they went to 2920 where I would be walking, and they went live from there and showed the taped segment. Around 4:30 a.m. they left. Andrea used to work in Beaumont, and she knows some people. Maybe 5 days or so and I can be in that area. The news crew left. I went back to sleep. Joyce, the owner of the RV Park, was going to drop me off at the AAA min storage, but first she dropped me off at Tomball College so that I can update my website. That way it'll save me time. She is going to a doctor's appointment and then she'll come back and drop me off at the AAA mini storage and I'll resume my walk and head east on 2920. I'll try to make it to Spring. A lady from the newspaper dropped me off at the AAA storage on 2920. It was overcast and a little bit after noon. I walked into Tomball. I stopped at the Denny's for some lunch. I met Fred. He bought me some lunch. Fred an old, retired man saw me on the news. After that I crossed underneath 249. I didn't sleep at all and I was dead tired. I got a cheap room at the Executive Inn. Not more than a couple hours later some nasty thunderstorms came rolling through. I was glad that I was in the room and not outside.

DAY 243--MAY 1, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10.33 FROM: Tomball, TX (Executive Inn) TO: Spring, TX (Shipley's Donuts off Spring Cypress RD.) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 160 TOTAL: 4,230

CHANNEL 2 NEWSCLIP FROM HOUSTON CLICK HERE Today I walked ten miles. From the hotel in Tomball to a donut store in Spring. I met two ladies named Kelly that donated 150 dollars total for cancer research. I had people buy my breakfast and dinner. I had one man stop to walk a brief section with me. I had one lady stop and offer me a place to stay. That was Debbie. Her husband and her had suite tickets given for a Houston Astros game. They bought a cheap ticket to get me in. Someone in the corporate suite saw me on the news and they had an extra ticket. I ended up in the catered suite. I met and chatted with the owner of the team, Drayton McLean. He said if the team doesn't start playing better, he'll be walking with me. After that we went back to Debbie's house out in the farm. Shortly after I left my hotel this morning, I saw a huge rat on the side of the road. It was near the sidewalk just walking in circles. I took pictures and video. I walked through the rest of Tomball. I stopped at the Blueberry Patch. I had breakfast. When I came back from the restroom the waitress told me that the man sitting next to me saw my sign and bought my meal. It was pretty developed most of the day. In between Tomball and Spring there were some ranches but for a ten mile stretch there were plenty of businesses. I had a man named Paul stop to walk with me. He wore a red shirt and gray hair and stubble. He was a cancer survivor and wanted to walk for a bit and he saw me on the news. Another lady named Kelly stopped and she saw me on the tv. Her black Suburban stopped. She was on her way to work in Spring. She donated a hundred dollars. Debbie stopped by in her gray van with Minuteman Press logo. It was in a Jack in the Box parking lot off 2920. She saw me on the news. She gave me her card and said if the weather gets bad that she'll pick me. She also told me that no matter what I could stay at her house. She has a husband Bill and a daughter named Sara who is 18.

In Spring I stopped at the Bluewater Cafe. I met a bunch of people. Kelly saw me on the news, and she donated 50 dollars. Some people from Planet Ford donated 10 dollars. Then another man bought my lunch. Many people were interested. I called Debbie and she picked me up at the Shipley Donuts in Spring. Right before she picked me up, I went to the post office to send up a 255 dollars money order to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. From Spring we went into Houston. We went to another Minuteman Press store. Debbie has one in Tomball. She needed the spiral machine. She punched the holes and threaded the spiral and I cut and crimped the excessive spiral. After that we went to her Mother's house. I showered. Her husband Bill showed up and then we were off to go to see the Houston Astros play. I love going to baseball games. I went to Minute Maid Park. It used to be Enron Field. It has a retractable roof. It has a hump in centerfield near the fence. There are three flag poles. Two poles are behind the outfield fence. One is on the hill in the game in field. In the suite at the game, I met Jim who let me have his extra ticket. I met another Jim, and his wife Donna were really nice. I got a picture with those folks. Donna's Jim saw me on the news the other day. The box seats were courtesy of Stewarts and Stevenson. The Astros got their butts kicked. We left when the score was 11-2 in favor of the Reds. Then the owner Drayton McLean was a couple of suites down. I ended up going over there. A lady that was with him introduced me to him. We had some small talk. He said if the team doesn't play better, he might end up out there. Hopefully it doesn't come to that. They have a hit counter for Craig Biggio. Craig has played his whole career with the Astros which is really cool. He is at 2,953. 3,000 hits is a magic number in

baseball. It's cool to a see a player play his whole career with one team. With free agency one doesn't see that much anymore

DAY 244--MAY 2, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 40 TOTAL:4,279

Today I took it off. Debbie had some errands all over Houston. I got a tour of downtown, the medical center, Rice University, and Greenway Park area. We stopped by MD Anderson cancer center. I talked with Julie Penne from the MD Anderson Cancer Center. I handed at a fair bit of my cards. Owning a printing business, Debbie, had about 250 more made. In the morning we had fresh farm eggs and petted the horses. Debbie's husband Bill left for work. I got a lot of Houston history thrown at me and it was a lot to soak in. I went and saw the Astro Dome and Reliant Stadium. There is a man named John Crandall who is planning on walking from Houston to Seattle. He's planning it for several years and he will probably meet up with me and I'll be able to point him in the right direction. Before we left Tomball Debbie and I stopped by a restaurant where she meets with a networking group. She introduced me and I talked for a bit. Two men donated 20 dollars each. They were Victor and Steve. They were nice guys. The group had a few questions for me.

Our first stop in Houston was at the person that engraves for her. Now we are back at her office in Tomball. Now we'll had back to the farm. We might ride some horses later. I did ride a horse. I rode Zorro. I rode him in a circle pen so he couldn't give too good of a ride. The last time that I rode a horse was when I was five. My cousin and I were riding a horse. She was much older than I. When I she got off the horse, she smacked it in the butt. It took off running full speed. Then it made a right turn. I flew off. That was the last time that I rode a horse.

DAY 245--MAY 3, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17.94 FROM: Spring, TX (Shipley's Donuts) TO: Anascocita, TX (Best Western--Atascocita Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL: 4,290

Today I walked nearly 18 miles. I met a bunch of people. I talked with a man who plans to walk from Houston to Seattle. I had Sara Peter bring me out some brownies. I saw a cop chase and then a mile or so down the road I saw the car that was on the run in the ditch. In Atascocita a woman, Elaina, stopped to give me a couple dollars for water. Then I went to her chiropractor, Dave Bush. He gave me a quick adjustment. Today was mainly overcast with blue skies here and there. However, it started raining in Atascocita. It turned into thunderstorms and the rain was coming down in buckets. The streets had slight flooding. I needed a shelter for the night. I slipped into the Best Western. There was a big storm last night. This morning looks pretty good. Bill gave me 40 dollars for food or whatever before he left for work. I packed up. Debbie went by the Chamber of Commerce and then she drove over to Spring to drop

me off at the Shipley Donuts where she picked me up on Tuesday. From there I walked along the Spring Cypress road. Before I left the parking lot of the donut store a lady named Kim who saw me on the news donated 20 dollars for cancer research. From there I walked through the old downtown of Spring crossed the railroad tracks. The road switched names several times. From there I found Aldine Westfield Road. I went under a toll road. I found a copy store that has a computer. I wanted to make sure I wasn't lost. I'm going to take Aldine Westfield Road down to FM 1960. I'll take 1960 to Highway 90 which will take me to Beaumont. I'm going to be meeting John Crandall who is planning a walk from Houston to Seattle shortly. Right now, it's overcast. After I left the copy store, I met John Randall. We had a brief chat. He fired off some questions. I told him to email me if he ever gets any more. I walked down Aldine Westfield Rd. The west side for a while was forest. Then that changed. The area surrounding Houston is developing. There were chain businesses along the road. Then I came to FM 1960. Now that was a busy road. At first it had a good shoulder. Sometime after Humble, the H is silent, the nice shoulder ran out. Between the junction of Aldine Westfield and 1960 there is a lot of open space. I did walk by George Bush Airport. The airport is big. Before Humble things begin developing again. Subdivision and plazas. I crossed over Highway 59. A couple in a SUV handed out 10 dollars and said to help me along my Coast-toCoast walk. After that I kept walking and it wasn't but a mile or two further and Sara Peters pulled up in her white truck. I stayed with the Peters the last several nights. It was great fun, and they were really nice. She made some brownies this morning and brought some out to me. The very next stoplight I came to I saw a police chase go by. I'm heading east on 1960. A red car, maybe a chevy cavalier, came flying out from the north and went west of traffic stopped for the light and went south. One police car followed, then another. I looked south and saw the red car had turned east. I kept walking. At this point 1960 doesn't have a bunch of shoulder and I'm walking in the ditch or any place I can find. I kept walking and then east bound traffic was stopping. Cop cars kept going toward the east. I'm thinking it was the chase. Sure enough it was. I got up to the scene. I looked over and the red car was

crashed in the ditch off the road. Then I kept walking. A white car was pulled off. A black-haired lady named Elaina was there. She saw me on the news and pulled a U-turn. She gave me a couple dollars for water. After a brief chat she took off. I kept walking. I was nearing Atascocita. I came up to a plaza. I wanted to take a picture of the town name on a business. I heard MATT. It was Elaina. She went and told her chiropractor about me. I went into the cool office. Today had some humidity. I'm sweating. Dr. Dave Bush gave me a free adjustment. That was really nice, and I needed it. I felt great after that. I left. The skies began to darken. I kept walking. I'm wondering where I'm going to call home. I felt a few rain drops. Usually, a precursor to a big assault of rain. I kept walking. I crossed the road and went to Denny's for something to eat and shelter. I met a bunch of people in Denny's. A lady whose name I didn't have a chance to right down came over and gave me ten bucks or so for some water or food. She saw me on the news. Then a man walked by and asked about the coast-to-coast trip. I pulled the article from The Batt out and showed him my route. He pulled out and gave me 12 or 13 dollars. He was a big man named Mike and he was real nice. He wanted to help me out. By this time there was thunder and lightening and buckets of rain. Not much after that and Mike's daughter came over and she had a 20. She said her daddy wanted to give me more money for my trip. He wanted me to use it for anything I needed. Then another man came in. His name was John Reddicks and he was with Katy. He was in his early sixties. His wife and him use to live in San Francisco, but moved out here because of her family. He asked if I ate. I said yes. He said he saw me on the news and wanted to buy my dinner. He then gave me ten dollars for my dinner. He was a real nice guy. I met a bunch of really nice people in that Denny's. The waitresses were nice and helpful. I decided with the weather and no place to stay that I needed a room. I got a fair bit of cash to help my trip today. I waited for a break in the rain. Rain Poncho on I left Denny's and headed for the Best Western. A million rain drops later and wet to the bone I checked into the Best Western. They have a computer for guests to use and here I am updating mysite as we speak.

DAY 246--MAY 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16 FROM: Atascocita, TX (Best Western) TO: Dayton, TX (Sands Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:4,290

Today was overcast and fairly humid. I walked over a bridge that went over Lake Houston early in the day. There was a little moisture in the air. The Lake was brown and kind of dirty. Maybe the recent rain had something to do with that. Then I walked into Huffman. I stopped at the Dairy Queen. An older lady gave me five dollars for my next meal. She used to do a fair bit of hiking in her younger years. She said if she was younger that she would go with me. There wasn't much shoulder and I found myself walking in wet grass until I came to Liberty County. In Liberty County they have a nice big shoulder and that was really nice. There is a lot of sitting water from the recent rains. The land seems like a semi-swamp. After Huffman there wasn't much. There were a few stores and a couple of businesses. It was green. Green fields. A few plots had some cattle grazing. I think there might be some farming, but I don't know what kind. There are more bugs flying in the air. My bug spray is coming in handy. I did have some fire ant bites on my right leg. I haven't mentioned you to those. I believe I got them in Navasota. I came into Dayton is had a population of 5,000 or so. I did she some kind of factory of sorts as I came into town. Before I got to the factory a lady stopped. She saw me walking and thought I needed some water. I had a good sweat going. Oh, the humidity. Hopefully when I'm in Florida I'll get some ocean breeze. I saw a sign for the Dayton News. However, the paper doesn't have an office. Just a couple of drop points for information and suggestions. I left my card.

From there I turned off 1960 which had been my path for the entire day up to that point. I walked up to the plant or something. I took a right off 1960 and walked over to Highway 90. There were the chain restaurants like McDonalds, etc. I wanted to find a cafe. I saw a CAFE sign. It was in the old downtown area. I went into the Kountry Kitchen. No one really struck up a conversation. I felt like me the people there might have called the police to tip them off about my presence. However, I'm sure they didn't. It was kind of exciting to think they might have. It seemed they wanted to make a call but not in the same room as I. There was a group of 4 or 5 people at a table. I was the only other person in that room. One lady made a call outside on her cellphone. Then one lady used the store phone but went into the other room. The phone rang and the waitress answered. Unlike another call she stretched the cord and went into the other room. Then while she was still on the phone she peeked out and was looking right at me. Who knows what the call was about? It just got me thinking. I got a weird vibe in this town. After I left there, I was walking, and I saw a cheap room. It wasn't the nicest place, but I didn't feel the vibe of camping around here. I met Brad from Ohio. He is down doing some work. He does work for a company that makes and repairs little portable sheds. He was curious about my trip. We chatted. He was in the army for 10 years. He saw action in the middle east. I checked in the room. We went to the store. We went back and chatted. He gave me a pair of socks and a Gerber. Both army issue. He said he had a lot of respect for what I was doing. My video camera seems to be acting funny. I'm having a heck of time keeping my equipment going. The man staying next to me was named Lamar. He is an older man who is Diabetic. He's moving back to the area from Las Vegas. He said he was writing a book. I said of what. He said Elma, WA. That is where I lived from 1st grade thru 10th grade. I also spent a lot of time in the summers after 10th grade and have strong ties to the area. Man, the world is small. Elma is only about 3,000 people. I got a good night’s sleep.

DAY 247--MAY 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5.48 FROM: Dayton, TX (Sands Motel) TO: Liberty, TX (Liberty Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,290

I got up and messed around with the video camera to no avail. I started walking. Already fairly humid I trekked on. There was nothing in-between Dayton and Liberty hardly. A road to one house. The road had a nice big shoulder. As I neared Liberty, I ed a RV Store/salvage yard. Liberty has a lot of car shops and junk car part lots. One of the junk car part lots is in town. The town seems kind of run down, but there is still some town to see. Ever since I left Navasota and went through some hills it's been pretty flat. It seems to be semi swampy around here. Green trees and green fields with grass and weeds with water puddled around. Sometimes the water can't be seen from the road but if I walked over there, I would be able to see it. Some areas have little ponds. I don't know all the different types of trees around. I'll be into Louisiana probably Tuesday or Wednesday. Well after I left the library I went to the downtown area of Liberty. They had a nice little downtown and the town wasn't as bad as I thought. After that I was walking out of town. I was dejected about the video camera not working. I lost motivation to walk. No good camp spots around I slid into the Liberty Motel.

DAY 248--MAY 6, 2007 MILES WALKED:21.99 FROM: Liberty, TX (Liberty Motel) TO: Between Nome and China, TX (camped near cell tower) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0TOTAL: 4,290

Today I had a good walking day. It was mostly overcast with a fair bit of wind. I think the wind made it feel a less bit humid. I walked from Liberty nearly to China. On the way I ed through small towns Ames, Raywood, Devers, and Nome. I chatted with a couple people along the way. I stopped at a picnic area. Had a couple guys offer me a ride which turned into a bunch of questions about my walk when I told them I can't accept the ride. I toured an old feed mill or whatever it was. I wanted to find a way to the top. Not sure that still existed. I did tour the basement room. In between Nome and China, I saw a little road that only went to a cell tower. I left Highway 90 crossed over a railroad track and then Old Nome road that paralleled Highway 90. The cell tower road was surrounded by trees and seemed semi-swampy. I felt that I needed to camp on the little road. I did. It didn't like anyone would care. I set my tent up. I saw a snake slither by. I woke up and took off. I first walked through Ames. It had a little gas station. I walked through Raywood which had a couple of feed plants or something. One was called Krete. After that I walked through Devers. It had a little store. I stopped for a burger. They had a headquarter for rice growers. Rice seems to be a big crop around in this area. After Devers the forest is fairly thick. Then I hit the picnic area. After that it opened up again. I did see some cattle roaming here and there. There were some big fields. I don't know all what they grew. The area to the road most of the day isn't really conducive to camping. It's swamp. Camping spots are becoming more difficult to find these days. After Devers I came to Nome. About 500 people live in

Nome. Then I camped in-between Nome and China next to the cell tower. I didn't sleep all that well. Noises seemed to wake me up easily. Ames was really small. Raywood a fair bit bigger. Devers maybe a 1,000.

DAY 249--MAY 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 14.32 FROM: Between Nome and China, TX (camped near cell tower) TO: Beaumont, TX (Motel 6) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL: 4,310

Today I woke up next to a cell phone tower. I walked the Old Nome road into China. Then I walked across China. After walking across China, I walked Highway 90 into Beaumont. I had two new screws come out. A reporter and photographer from the newspaper also came out. It was sunny and not all that humid. It got into the mid to high 80's. I found a decent priced room in Beaumont near I-10. I relaxed. I figured it would be better to walk across most of Beaumont tomorrow when some people might notice me from the news. I woke up and packed up my gear. I had a little more than a mile to walk into China. I started walking just before 7:30 a.m. People were going to work or school. I ed some farms and then some houses. In China I went to the store. I met Erin. She saw my sign when she drove by. She said she goes to Church in Beaumont and might try to find a place for me to stay. Another man bought me a bottle of water. I was on the phone this morning letting the new stations and newspapers know that I was walking through. Alan from Channel 4 came out as I walked down the no shouldered Highway 90.

I was off in the grass. I saw a lot of snakes today. A lot. All but one was. That one jumped off a bridge into a creek. Or it slithered and fell. At first, I thought it was a stick. Alan who grew up in Vidor was a cameraman for the NBC channel. He came out and filmed me a bit. Then I kept walking. Then Jennifer and Kevin came out from Channel 6. Jennifer interviewed me. I kept walking. It was sunny and not real humid, but still humid. They hovered around filming me after the interview. When they got their final shots, I just arrived at the city limits of Beaumont. Dee from the newspaper was there. The bearded a photographer who is a southeast Texas legend was there. We chatted on a train track. When the train neared then the interview ended. After that I began walking by businesses rather than farms. I stopped at a KFC for lunch. I met a man named Darren that chatted with me a bit. Someone left 20 dollars under my sunglasses when I came back from the bathroom. I kept walking on Highway 90 which is College St. I ed under Interstate 10. I saw the Motel 6. I figured it would be cool to walk through the rest of Beaumont tomorrow when people will notice me. I'll be able to meet more people in theory. I got into a room. It was fairly hot, and it was nice to relax in a cool room. I've been doing that a fair bit these last week or so. I'm about 30 miles away from the Texas/Louisiana border. Beaumont is about 115,000 in town and 300,000 in the area. The landscape is turning semi-swampy. There are trees around.

DAY 250--MAY 8, 2007 MILES WALKED: 13.34 FROM: Beaumont, TX (Motel 6) TO: Vidor, TX (Trey Haney's House) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:4,310

CHANNEL 6 NEWSCLIP

CLICK HERE Beaumont newspaper link CLICK HERE Today I woke up and left the hotel. I kept walking Highway 90 which is College St. and runs through Beaumont. I walked by a medical center. I ed a lot of businesses and things of that sort. Then the road took a left turn. I ed some residential area. I had a fair bit of honks as I walked so far today. I walked downtown. I think they are trying to bring downtown to life. It seemed to be like a ghost town. I stopped to ask a man at a parking lot where the library was. He saw me on the news. There are some neat buildings downtown. There are a couple fairly tall ones. The historical library is neat. An old gray bricked building. I walked a couple more blocks and then I was more blocks, and I was at the library. A one-armed city worker outside saw me on the news. We shook hands. He was glad to see what I was doing. I went inside. Two old ladies gave me two dollars each. I'm online right now. After this I'm going to head east to Vidor which is around 9 miles and then I'll take highway 12 toward Louisiana. I should arrive in Louisiana tomorrow between mid-morning and noon. I'm preparing to leave the library. I need to figure out how to get over to Vidor. Maybe someone will stop to say hi, maybe they won't. I don't know what adventure today has in store, but I'll surely find out. Well after I left the library, I walked past Crockett Street. I walked a bunch of streets to I-10. I only walked on the interstate to get across the river and walk into Orange County. My digital camera stopped working. I don't know why. Today was hot and a fairly humid. After I crossed the bridge, I walked a service road through Rose City and Vidor. I had a fair bit of people honk. Before I left Beaumont, I had a lady who saw me on the news, and she gave me 20 dollars to help me on the trip.

In Vidor I was walking by YardPro. A chainsaw shop. Luther Jones, a man with his dog, was talking to his daughter Ashley. He saw me on the news. They ushered me inside to rest up in the shade. It was getting pretty warm. Trey Haney runs the place. He graduated from UT. He said his parents lived on Highway 12. I walked service roads along I-10 from Beaumont to Vidor. Then in Vidor I'll be taking Highway 12. Trey called and they wouldn't mind if I pitched my tent in the front yard. Trey gave me 20 dollars for food. I left. I walked past some more businesses and past a plaza. Then they are doing road work. A man in a dump truck honked. Then a man named Renni stopped by. He had 5 dollars from Mike, the man in the dump truck. Then I turned on Highway 12. I got honks here and there. On Highway 12 I ed a bunch of nice houses. They have nice green lawns. There are a couple of trees. I got to Trey's house. It's his parents’ house. I set up my tent. I showered up inside it and then I ate. Then Trey took me over to Beaumont. We went to Crockett Street. We went to the Star Bar. Then after that we went to another place that had a band. Then we went back. Trey let me sleep in his room and he slept in the guest room. Trey was a cool guy. We chatted about all sorts of things.

DAY 251--MAY 9, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16.05 FROM: Vidor, TX (Trey Haney's house) TO: Starks, LA (Jay's Bar and Grill) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 100 TOTAL:4,410

Well today I didn't get out of Texas as quick as I thought. After some cereal I

said goodbye to Trey. I got onto Highway 12 and walked east toward Louisiana. I was in Vidor, Texas. I slept inside but my tent was set up in the front yard. I had to pack it up. I walked through Mauriceville. I had about 5 miles or so from Trey's house to Mauriceville. In Mauriceville a lady in a red truck spotted me at gas station. She gave me a hundred-dollar bill. Today for the first time since northern California I saw a log truck. There were some trucks with a bunch of long skinny pines. Then Deweyville, the last Texas town I'd see on the trip. I met a volunteer firefighter, Rusty, and two brother who volunteer for the ambulance. Rusty bought me lunch. I had a photo shoot with the fire truck and ambulance. As I walked into Deweyville the road has many trees along it. Swampy type brush. The swamp is beginning but I don't think I've seen much yet. I stopped at a picnic area in Deweyville. I was taking a whizz when a highway patrol showed up. He saw me on the news and was giving a hard time about where I was going at. It was in good fun. He had some questions for me. Then Rusty showed up. Rusty works at Deweyville LP Gas. He was in a white truck. Shortly thereafter Ed and Walter Bean showed up. They were in a little truck with a canopy. Rusty took me back to the Corral and bought me lunch. Ed and Walter ed me. After that Rusty dropped me back off at the picnic area and I walked up to the place where the ambulances are. Rusty brought a fire truck over. After a couple pictures I was off. Less than a mile from Louisiana. Once I crossed over the Sabine River on a bridge then I would be out of Texas. As the Texas chapter of this story comes to an end, I looked back to a state that took 77 days to get across. A state that boosted the donations to what it is. All the great stops I had; El Paso, Midland, San Angelo, Eden, Brady, Marble Falls, Austin, Bryan/College Station, Houston Area, Beaumont, and Deweyville. I met

a lot of cool people and had a great time. What a state. I said that Texas isn't a notch in the belt...it's a belt. As I crossed over the Sabine River and once, I had some Louisiana soil under my feet. I walked up and there was Jay's Bar and Grill. The town of Stark was a little further but this technically in Stark. I met a bunch of people and got stuck at Jay's talking with some fellas. Rusty lives in Stark and he said I could stay with him. Rusty the firefighter that works for the gas company. Well, a couple guys from Jay's drove me over to Rusty's house. Rusty works over the river in Deweyville and he'll drop me off at Jay's right where I stopped walking. I only made it about a mile or even less into Louisiana but I'm in the state. It feels good to look back at Texas knowing that I walked every inch of that state. I zigzagged across Texas.

7

Louisiana

DAY 252--MAY 10, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: Starks, LA (Jay's Bar and Grill) TO: not walking today $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,410

Here is a new slink from Navasota, TX. It was a weekly paper that came out after I walked through. I haven't linked it up yet. CLICK HERE I got up this morning. We drove around backroads. He had to pick up his wife's cousin for school. Rusty had a young named Michael. The land is even more swampy now. It's pretty. Green trees and swamp grass and some smaller bushes with green leaves. A fair bit of standing water. Before Rusty drops me off I'm going to have one more dose of Texas. He's letting me use his computer at his office so I can update my site. Then in a little bit he'll drop me back of at Jay's, right where I stopped walking. I'm in a new state. 251 Days of walking from Bellingham to Louisiana. It was sure nice crossing over into Louisiana yesterday. Now I'll walk through Stark on my way toward DeQuincy.

I've changed my mind and I might hang out with Rusty and his brother, Ricky, today. By the time that I was done blogging it was fairly late. I decided to ride around with Rusty in Propane truck. We went around Deweyville. We had a stop in Mauriceville. We stopped at Paul's Seafood for lunch. Rusty bought me a burger. After that we went over to Bridge City which is on the way to Port Arthur. We checked out Rainbow bridge. There are two bridges. One made out of metal and one concrete. Traffic is one way on each one. Bridge city has bridges into it from all directions. We’re done making deliveries. We are going to go back to Louisiana which is across the river to Rusty's place. I think we are going to have some crawfish tonight. Tomorrow I'll get a nice early start and resume my walk at Jay's which is about a mile or less into Louisiana and resume walking across state number 7. I walked out of Texas yesterday, but I got sucked back in. I think that is sort of fitting. It's the only state that I've walked out of and reentered the next day. Texas was a heck of an adventure and one more day off checking out a life in Propane delivery was all right. We had a crawfish bowl tonight. That was the first time that I had crawfish. They had two bags of them. They had a big pot and boiled them in it. We had corn and potatoes for supper.

DAY 253-- MAY 11, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,410

Rusty said if I took this weekend, I could go out with him to the deer camp. It's a deer lease year-round. Rusty went to work this morning. His wife went to work. His son Michael, 11, had the day off from school and he went with Rusty. I hung around the house. I watched a couple of movies. When Rusty got off work we packed up and went out to the deer camp. Rusty lives in Starks, LA. Once again, I hopscotched the Sabine River and found myself back in the giant state that I just walked across. Michael, Rusty, and I headed out to the camp. We left Sparks and crossed the Sabine River and were in Deweyville. We stopped at the propane shop and dropped off the truck that was on Rusty's trailer and loaded 3 four wheelers. After that we stopped a grocery store and got some food. We made out to camp which is about 13 miles out of Deweyville. Once we were off the highway, we had a gate to open. After the first corner after we were through the gate, we were in the beautiful back woods of SE Texas. We followed the dusty road back to the camp site. There was a white van and a tent which was Rusty's camp. There were a few other people in a camp nearby. We unloaded the four wheelers and the supplies. Michael and I went for a quick ride. We had Boudin for supper. It is like a sausage outside with rice, meat, and some other things on the inside. It's pretty good. I had it once before in College Station. At night we went for a ride out to the sand bar. It was dark. Louisiana on one side and Texas on the other. The sky was full of stars. The lighting bugs were flying around. I was thinking that life doesn't get much better than this. I did see a lighting bugs a couple days back. I think it was near Nome and China. Tonight, Michael caught one of the bugs in his hands. There was quite a few flying around. It was a beautiful night. I was in the beautiful back woods. The river, the swamps, and the trees. I love the swamps. I find them great. A couple of the views look like paintings. The brown muddy water with trees jetting out. Some lily pads were here and there.

On the way back to camp I got the four-wheeler stuck in the mud. Michael was up to his knees in mud trying to get the four-wheeler out. Rusty also got his shoes pretty muddy. We finally got it out. We had to get a strap from one fourwheeler to another to get the four-wheeler out.

DAY 254--MAY 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,410

Today we hung around camp and road the four wheelers. We had a fire at night. The bugs are out in more force than I've seen. Mosquitos, deer flys, and love bugs. There are some lighting bugs, but they are cool. Rusty's friend Shannon and his son came over. Shannon, a big man, was riding a small motorcycle. He fell over a couple of times. Riding on the awesome trails with the pine trees and the wind blowing in my face is priceless. We went swimming a couple of times. Once at the huge sand bar and another time at another spot on the river. There was a young couple from Santa Fe, TX which is down by Houston. We had another fire tonight. I went to be around 11 p.m. I slept in the van again as Rusty, and Michael slept in tent. Today it got warm. During the middle of the day, it was pretty darn warm. The sun was out. I got a fair bit tired in the heat of the middle of the day.

DAY 255--MAY 13, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:4,410

Today we rode four wheelers in the morning. It was a beautiful day along the Sabine River. We went to several areas. One of the ladies on the river had a huge sand bar. One side of the river is Texas. The other is Louisiana. The trails go next to swamp land. Lily pads and trees in the middle of the water. It's really pretty. Tall pine trees. There are some cypress trees. I did see some Magnolia trees. There is pretty thick vegetation. Rosie, the dog from a camp nearby, has been barking quite a bit. We backed up camp around noon. We loaded the four wheelers back on the trailer. We loaded the chairs back into the van. It was Mother’s Day and Rusty would be going to his family's house. They would have some food. It was Wayne and Dana's house. Wayne is a big guy who is in his fifties. He drives truck. He said he drives over to New Orleans a couple times a week. He told me not to walk through there. SIDENOTE: In the Wilkerson family. The oldest son always has Austin has his middle name. Rusty's mom made Gumbo today. It was chicken and sausage gumbo with okra. Ricky, Rusty's brother was there. Rusty's parents were there. Rusty's three sisters were there: Robin, Raylynn, Reagan. Kent was one of the girls’ husbands. He was a nice guy. Robin came over and rubbed dirt all over his. What a rude awakening. Well supper was good. Now I'm using Wayne's computer to update my website.

After this we'll head back to Rusty's house. I'll resume my walk tomorrow at Jay's Bar and Grill. I had a nice four-day rest. My reward for walking across Texas. 6 states down, four to go.

DAY 256--MAY 14, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,410

Check out the scrapbook for some new pictures. CLICK HERE I don't have the time to add all the pictures I want, but I've added about a 100 more. I could add probably another 50 to 100. I was going to leave today, but I got my digital camera working and I haven't updated my pictures since El Paso. I went with Rusty to Deweyville and I'm using the office computer to update my site. Ricky is also working. Rusty's dad is also hanging out. The summertime is the slow time in the propane business. Rusty was making a propane run and there was a call for a house fire. I went with Rusty. They have three fire trucks. Rusty and I were in the old one that was hot and loud. However, the fire was in a different county. All three of the trucks were looking around for a fire that wasn't in Deweyville. There are a few up us. It's a dial connection here and it's been a slow go of it, but I've added a bunch more pictures.

DAY 257--MAY 15, 2007MILES WALKED: 20.50 FROM: Starks, LA (Jay's Bar and Grill) TO: De Quincy, LA (Red Oak Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:4,410

Today I bid farewell to Rusty. I enjoyed a nice visit with him. Today got warm. Today got humid. Today got wet. I walked over 20 miles from Jay's which is about a half mile away from the Texas border. I crossed 9 little bridges going through swamp land on my way to Starks. I walked downtown Starks which consists of VFW hall, Restaurant/Casino, Dollar Store, and two gas stations. I went from more Bayou country into more tall piney land. The road had walls of forest along them. Logging roads jetted off Highway 12. There were a couple of plants (factories of sorts) between Starks and De Quincy. In between it went from sunny and hot to thunderstorm. The thunder was rumblings. I never felt lighting coming as close to me as it did today. I didn't what to do. After a couple of hours, it let up. I made it to De Quincy. I was wet. My rain poncho covers both my back and me. I get wet and most of my pack stays dry. I started having some chaffing because of the humidity. After the rain the humidity kicked up. I ended up checking into the Red Oaks Inn in De Quincy to dry off and rest up. I walked Highway 12 today. It was a normal morning. Rusty, Michael, and I went over to pick up little Ronnie up. Rusty takes Michael and Ronnie to school. Orange is my favorite color. They both go to school over in Deweyville. On the way, before Rusty crossed back into Texas, he dropped me off at Jay's. We said our goodbyes. He snapped a couple pictures. I walked east. Rusty drove west. It was about 7:25 a.m. I crossed 9 bridges in a five mile stretch to the downtown of Starks. It was swampy land. Brown water standing still with Trees coming up. I like the scenery. Something I noticed today was that they don't have counties in Louisiana, they have Parishes. De Quincy is in the Calcasieu Parish. I think that's cool. I also

forgot to mention that when I entered Louisiana the signs welcoming one is in English and French. Cajun French is spoken by some. More in the eastern part and down south a bit. Another I haven't mentioned has been Hurricane Rita. Vidor (TX), Deweyville (TX), and Starks (LA) were all hit pretty hard. Rusty stayed back and was at the fire department. Back to today. I walked into the town of Starks. I ate at the Silver dollar. A nice woman named Shirley in her fifties bought my meal. Then at a gas station in Starks a girl gave me ten dollars for food. It got warm. I was sweating a lot. I was drinking a lot of water. I crossed a fair bit of bridges going into downtown Starks. The hospitality has continued from Texas to Louisiana. Shirley bought me breakfast. She had her first child when she was 14. She was nice. We chatted about Starks and Louisiana. Then after a nice big breakfast I went to the gas station to get some supplies. A lady working there gave me ten dollars for food. A man walking into the door saw me in a Houston area newspaper. That must have been the Tomball paper. After that I hit the road. I was looking at 14 miles to De Quincy. It was warming up and humid. I had a good sweat going. I called some newspapers and TV stations. It turned a little less swampy and more forests of Pine trees. I saw some log trucks with long skinny pine trees on the back. Log trucks make me feel like I'm back in the Northwest again. About 8 miles or so west of De Quincy there was a factory or plant of sorts. That's when the thunderstorm caught up on me. I was more concerned about not getting wet. I had notions of going to the place to get shelter, but I didn't do that. Instead, I put my rain poncho on, and I was walking. I was being assaulted by a fleet of rain drop. Lighting striking and the thunderous roars followed. I didn't

know what to do. I got next to some trees. Then I got back on the road. I saw that I had a voice mail. I had bad reception. I thought the message might be from a media person. It was. It was from Brittany Glaser from Channel 7 out of Lake Charles. I'm not walking through Lake Charles, but I think De Quincy is around 30 miles away or so from Lake Charles. After a couple of hours, the rain let up to a little drizzle and then to just moist air. The humidity started picking up and I began chaffing. That's not really good. I kept walking. The road had forests to both sides. A dirt road would be going off the road here and there. Log trucks coming out of them. At the west side of De Quincy is an air park. There is an airfield. Then a couple of big industrial businesses. I think makes plastic lumber. I was going to try and make the De Quincy newspaper, but I couldn't make it time. The thunderstorm wore me out. Then the chaffing got instantly painful. I was near a hotel. I needed to dry out. I made plans to meet Brittany in DeQuincy or near it. I needed to go to the DeQuincy paper in the morning. I needed a spot to dry out. I got a roof. I dried out my shoes and my clothes. I relaxed and let my chaffing air out. Today was a pretty good day.

DAY 258--MAY 16, 2007 MILES WALKED: 14 FROM: De Quincy, LA (Red Oaks Inn) TO: Ragley, LA (camped in a pine forest off Highway 12) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,410

Today I woke up and walked deeper into De Quincy. The town was bigger than I thought. They have a fair bit of businesses and an airport. I crossed some tracks and went into the downtown area. I hunted for the De Quincy News. Had an idea where it was at and I knew it was near the Police Station and the corner of Harrison and Pine. I went to a flower shop. The lady heard about me on the news. I found the newspaper. Krystal is the secretary. She introduced me to Mr. Wise. Then Dawn, a black-haired lady, came to do the interview. The ladies working in the newspaper gave me 40 dollars to help me eat or spend anyway I need. They are Krystal, Dawn, Julie, and another Shirley. The hospitality keeps on rolling. Krystal also called ahead to Kinder to see if she could find a place to stay for me. I left the newspaper and walked over to the library. It's not even a block away. I'm updating my website at the Parish Library. After this I head east. Brittany Glaser from channel 7 out of Lake Charles will probably be meeting up with me a little bit later. We talked yesterday. Brittany just called me. I'll be meeting with her a half hour or so. Gaila, a lady with grey hair, just gave me ten dollars for food. After I left the library, I walked a few blocks. Brittany Glaser from KPLC Channel 7 out of Lake Charles met up with me. She was a tall blonde wearing a red skirt and jacket. She towered over me in hills. She grew up in the Ragley area and went to school in Baton Rouge and now is in Lake Charles. She interviewed me and then she drove ahead to the city limits. She filmed me some more as I walked. Then at the Tigerland Store the owner wanted to give me a Powerade. I went in and the lady working got if for me. Brittany filmed it. After that I went to Fausto's and got a burger. It was back tracking, so Brittany dropped me off there. Alex, the guy working there, gave the burger, fries, and drink on the house. Another man gave me ten dollars and said that should buy

me a burger on the road. After lunch I hit the road. It was mostly overcast. I had a Parish Sheriff stop to check me out on the way out of town. There wasn't a whole lot between DeQuincy and Ragley. Some houses at first and then mostly pine trees on both sides of the highway. The shoulder was good. I walked along and had a good time. I did have some chaffing and my right foot was hurting a bit, but nothing I couldn't handle. There were some houses and a couple churches as I was coming into Ragley which is small. There was a community recreational area with ball fields and such. Just past that on the north side of the highway. There was a pine forest. I wasn't sure if I'd find a better spot than this. I decided that is where I'd make camp. I logged about 14 miles today. I pedometer doesn't seem to be working, but the roads have mile markers. I set my tent up on pine needles under the trees. I ran out of water after I cooked some noodles. I sat in my tent at night and watched the lighting bugs flying around. I love lighting bugs.

DAY 259--MAY 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22 FROM: Ragley, LA (camped in a pine forest off Highway 12) TO: 4 miles west of Kinder, LA (Camped along the Calcasieu River) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 40 TOTAL: 4,450

Lake Charles KPLC Channel 7 Newclip

CLICK HERE Today I left my campsite from the piney woods and almost instantly got a honk. I raised 40 dollars for cancer research. I met a French man who is biking across the world. We ended camping next to each other next to the Calcasieu River. I had Rusty, the man who I stayed with in Starks, LA, come out to drop off some food for Michael (the French Man) and myself. It was a nice cool night. The lighting bugs were out. I met a lot of people today. I got a lot of honks. It was too hot or humid. It was a nice day for walking. I did start the day without water and had to go out of my way to a store to get some water. I ed a through a couple small towns from Ragley to my campsite. Reeves and Le Blanc were the towns. I started the day off with no water. That I needed to change. I had about a mile or a little more to walk on Highway 12. That was after I left the piney forest that was my camp. Almost the moment I hit the road a car honked. A blue trucked on the side of the road. It had a trailer with a yellow bulldozer. It was Jason Granger. He gave me ten dollars for some food. He said his son ed away from cancer last year. Jason must have been in his mid to late 30's. From there I walked up a little further and then I had to head north on Highway 171. There was a lot of road construction going on. I headed north and it was a mile or so and I was at a little store and Subway. I loaded up on water. A man I forgot saw me on the news. We chatted a bit. Eddie Ledger of Bell City, LA gave me his business card and two phone cards. The nice ladies working there gave me a free Subway sandwich and some cookies. Mena was one of the owners. I talked to them about Hurricane Rita. They were without power for a week. They talked of the long lines of traffic and how slow it moved. After that I walked 171 back to Highway 190. In Ragley if one keeps going straight on Highway 20 it turns into Highway 190. I took the detour to the store, but none the less I was then on highway 190.

Between Ragley and Reeves a man driving a red dump truck stopped. It was Bill Frazier. He stopped off and donated 20 dollars. I snapped a picture of him. I walked by the post office. A man ran over. He saw me on the news. We chatted. Then I was off. I walked through a couple small towns. Reeves had a store. Le Blanc had some houses and a church. I stopped at the store in Reeves and got some lunch. I met some guys working in a bike shop. There was a lot of land owned by logging companies or hunting clubs. It wasn't all walls forest along the Highway, but there was a lot. In-between Reeves and Le Blanc a man stopped. He worked in nursing home in De Quincy and lived north in Oberlin. He had a little black truck. He donated 20 dollars. He gave me an orange vest thing to signal where I was at. He'd stop in the morning to give me some food. I was a couple of miles past Le Blanc and a man road by on a bicycle. It was Michael. He was from . He's biking across the world. He had a Manheim bicycle. He had shaved blonde hair. We chatted. He asked where I was going to camp. Told him that I'd go to the Calcasieu river. He biked into Kinder and picked up some food. I walked a couple miles to the river. I walked to the east side and took the road down. Rusty from Starks, LA called me. It said he'd bring dinner out. It was about 55 miles or so. Michael showed up with some food. We set our tents up and exchanged stories. He's biked Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas. He had a lot of good stories. He broke his arm in Egypt. He stayed in new construction in Turkey when the night watchman showed up. He ended up letting Michael stay there. Soaked from rain in Latin America a night watchman let him sleep in a new construction. He had a small Elephant charge at him. The interesting things is that I met a man from Slovenia in Washington in who was biking across the world. The man was going from Alaska to Argentina. Well, Michael met that same man in Nicaragua. He had his business card. I dug

through my things. I couldn't find the card he gave me. I must have sent it back. At dark Rusty, Patrice, and his Rusty' son Michael showed up. They brought out some country style ribs in rice with red gravy. They also brought some corn on the cob. It was spur of the moment for Rusty to come out. It was really cool and added to the adventure of the day. Many people noticing me from the news to camping with the Frenchman to having Rusty come out. Rusty left and Michael and I shared stories. Around ten p.m. we went to bed. We were woke up by several cars that came down to the river to do whatever. One had some loud music. It was just some kids hanging out. I didn't sleep all that great, but it was a cool camp spot.

DAY 260--MAY 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8 FROM: 4 miles west of Kinder, LA (camped along the Calcasieu River) TO: 4 miles east of Kinder, LA (April and Dan's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 50 TOTAL: 4,500

I got up this morning around 6:30. Michael got up then also. We slowly packed up and had some breakfast and tea. We chatted and told stories. A couple of fishermen showed up to but their boat in the water for a day of fishing. We took some pictures. We both headed east but Michael at a much faster rate being on a bike. It was really nice having the company of someone else. On the way into town a lady stopped to give me a breakfast sandwich. Another

man, Kevin Willis, tall with black hair stopped to donate 20 dollars and said he lost his mother to cancer about 25 or 26 years ago. I had about 4 miles into town. Kinder is a small town. It must have a couple thousand people or so. I'm at the library using the computer to update my website. I stopped by the weekly paper and talked to a nice lady. The editor is out. I left my card and said they could pull a picture off my site. After I leave here, I'll grab some lunch and head eastward. The town had a big rice drying plant. I walked into town and took a right. Highway 190 turns right. I was heading down the highway 190. I was walking and man with a red shirt was walking toward me. He said he'd walk with me. He had a red shirt. His name was Dan, and he was a firefighter. I walked with him. I met Mike Fruge. His girlfriend's father. Dan and his girlfriend April are fixing to move into the trailer. It's a new place. Tonight, Mike and April moved there first load in. I however took the first shower and did the first load of laundry. I camped out by a big tractor or something. Dan is a firefighter in Sulphur. April is really nice. She showed up later when she got off work. She works for the water department in Kinder. They are both 27 years old. They didn't stay there tonight. They just moved a load in. We had sandwiches for dinner. The house is surrounded by mostly family. There is one house that a man from the UK lives in. That is the one nonfamily member in the area. Kristian showed up. He made a 30-dollar donation. He is April's cousin. His father ed away at age 40 of cancer. Kristian goes to UL at Monroe and is going into Pharmacy. I met him at the end of the night. That was after Dan and I squished change on the nearby railroad track. It was dark and we hunted for the flattened change.

DAY 261--MAY 19, 2007 MILES WALKED: 14 FROM: A few miles east of Kinder, LA (camped at Dan Seplh's house) TO: Basille, LA (The Roadhouse) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL: 4,520

Today I walked from Dan and April's house. I walked about 14 miles to Basille. I stopped at The Roadhouse. I got sidetracked. I walked through a small town of Elton on the way. Elton has a neat old jail. Early in the day I met John and Cindy Brown from Kinder who donated 20 dollars. In Elton I ordered a BLT sandwich at Neptune’s. It came without the lettuce and tomatoes though. After I left Elton a man who was mowing his yard saw me on the news and wanted to take a picture with me. His name was Wilson Ballou. He stopped his yard work, and we took some pictures. Between Elton and Basile I had a car stop. It had AnnLisa, Desomnd, Bryan, Veronica, and Nita. They all piled out of the car and we took some pictures. They were really nice. They were heading to Eunice. They gave me five dollars for water. There was a fair bit of houses along the way. Also, people who farm rice and then some foresty type areas. I stopped at the Roadhouse to take a load off in Basille. I ended stopping my

walk. I met a local teacher. Ferrell. He gave me twenty dollars for food and such. I hung out listening to music and talking with the local people. Todd Fontenot showed up. He was mid 30's. He said if I need a place to stay, he'll take me in. He asked if I was on the level and I was. I paused my walk at the Roadhouse. We hopped in his truck. We went out to his buddy’s house. Three guys were trying to get a generator going. They couldn't. After that we went to DI's Restaurant. The owners, Daniel and Sherry Fruge, gave me the meal. I had crawfish. It came in a cardboard tray. I broke the tails and ate them. They also gave me some shrimp gumbo. It was really good. Sherry, a short gal, saw me in a paper or something. She ran around trying to find me a pair of shoes. One of the waitresses said that at her gym there was a pair of shoes in the lost and found that would fit me. They were still pretty new. After that Todd and I went back to his place. I showered up. Then he drove me over to his fifth wheel. Todd is a diesel mechanic. He goes to the NASCAR race at Tallegda every year. He just got back. I went to bed in the trailer. It was a good night and that was cool that Todd took me in. That was really nice.

DAY 262--MAY 20, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17 FROM: Basille, LA (The Roadhouse) TO: 7 miles east of Eunice, LA (Cajun Campground) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 4,520

Today I walked from Basille into Eunice and then beyond. The day with Todd

Fontenot dropping back off at The Roadhouse where I stopped walking yesterday. I slept in his fifth wheel trailer last night. He lives about ten miles south of Basille. He also brought me my fifth pair of shoes. They were from a lost and found at a gym in Jennings. Someone from the restaurant last night, DI's, picked them up. Todd ran into Jennings in the morning and picked them up. He picked me up at the trailer about 8:30 after he did that. His house was a few houses down the road. It was cool that Todd took me in. I believe that was the 41st person. My cell phone was ruined yesterday, and I picked up a new one at the Wal-Mart in Eunice. I also got my first hair cut at the Wal-Mart. I got the whole thing cut off. After that I walked and stopped at Momma’s, a restaurant. I had lunch. The ladies there were nice. Tabitha, Carolyn, and Ashley. They called the Cajun Campground which was about 7 miles east of town. I walked out there. There was a big pond and some trees. There was a bunch of fifth wheels. Rose ran the place. She gave me a campsite for ten bucks. Today wasn't' the most exciting day. I was glad to get my cellphone back. Eunice must have about 10,000 or 20,000 people or so. The town surrounds Highway 190. On the way in-between Basille and Eunice I ed some rice paddies and crawfish farms. After about five miles of that it was more forest on the north and south sides of the road. Around the rice paddies one sees big buildings that are rice driers. I saw a fair bit of turtles swimming around today. They'll be in the water or little areas of water near the road. They'll have their heads poking up. They'll become aware of me and then they all go under water. One time today there must have been ten or over. Some were on the area next to the water. The all ran into the water and then jumped in. I camped out at the Cajun Campground. I cooked my dinner, noodles, and then charged my cellphone a little bit. It was nice to have a campground. I just don't

see them that often these days. Today was a good day of walking. I didn't meet a bunch of people but getting my cell phone back let me chat with some people. After Eunice it seemed to be less farmland that before.

DAY 263--MAY 21, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15 FROM: 7 miles east of Eunice, LA (Cajun Campground) TO: Opelousas, LA (Budget Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,520

Today I woke up and left the Cajun Campground. It was a nice cool morning. I was on the road at 7:30 a.m. Right off the bat I walked over to a little store. I met an older man named Ellis Pitre. I had a little over 12 miles into Opelousas. Opelousas is a little under 30,000 people. On the way I ed through a few settlements. Swords, Millet, and Lawtell. Lawtell was the biggest. Maybe 300 people. I had a man offer some water before I got to Opelousas. I crossed over the highway to his house. His name was Malcolm. I sat and had some water in the shade as we chatted. He was older with some gray in his black hair. Today I called the new stations in Lafayette and the newspaper in Opelousas. I only got through with Channel 3 in Lafayette. The lady was nice. I'm not sure if they'll come out. She seemed interested but they might have a bunch more going on and Opelousas is about 20 minutes north. After that I had a few miles into town. Once in town I looked for the library. Some car shops and businesses of that sort on the west side. I found the public library. I waited at the library for Yuwa Vosper. She was a reporter for the Daily World. She showed up about 15 minutes after I did. She wore a green dress. She took my picture and interviewed me.

I'm at the library and I don't know where I'll end up today. The cold snap is over and it's starting to warm up again. The nice lady working at the library is giving me a little more that the allotted time now. I she told me that after about a half an hour that she'd give me a little more than I had. I walked around town and I got a room at the Budget Inn.

DAY 264--MAY 22, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3.5 FROM: Opelousas, LA (Budget Inn) TO: Opelousas, LA (Best Western) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,520

DAILY WORLD NEW ARTICLE CLICK HERE I stopped back by the library and I'm heading out of town. There are a few clouds in the sky. After I left the library, I went to Tommy's gas station. Tommy gave me some bottled water. After that I went to the Post Office. I needed to send some things back. I had newspaper articles, tapes, memory card, etc. Another item I sent back was my sleeping bag. I don't think I'll be using it much anymore. At the post office is when I met Patricia Erving. She saw me in the paper. She

offered to buy me a hotel room. She drove off to get the room. I went to a gas station and got another copy of today’s paper. It started to rain, and I put my rain poncho on. I started heading down 190. I didn't make it far and a white SUV pulled off on the shoulder. It was Patricia. She said she got me a room at the Best Western. I walked in the rain a mile or so down a service road that ran along I49. I headed south. I checked in the room. A couple hours after I was in the room there was some really bad thunderstorms. Good thing I was in the room.

DAY 265--MAY 23, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22 FROM: Opelousas, LA (Best Western) TO: Krotz Springs, LA (Settlers RV Park) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 45 TOTAL:4,565

Today was nice. It was sunny and I walked into a pretty good headwind. I met a man named Bobby St. Romain who bought my breakfast and donated 40 dollars for cancer research. I walked through Port Barre on the way to Krotz Springs. I got to Krotz Springs at dark. I called the Settlers campground and they said I could set my tent up for free there. I went across the street to the Exxon and got some dinner. A pizza. A man named Paul bought it. Before Krotz Springs I ed some levees and a 3-mile Lake. I got off Highway 190 and walked a gravel road for a mile or so around 3-mile lake. I left my hotel. I crossed Interstate 49 and then went on a frontage road north until I got to Highway 190. I ed a racetrack along the way. Once on the Highway 190 it must have been about 5 or 6 miles to the King Truck Stop. I stopped for breakfast. That is where Bobby St. Romain bought my meal. He donated 40 dollars for cancer and then also bought my meal.

After King's it wasn't that far until I was in Port Barre. It was a couple thousand people or so. I stopped to have soda and look at my map some. It wasn't all that eventful of day. Walking along the highway enjoying the scenery. Some kind of farming and then a bunch of green trees that run along both sides of the highway at times. I ed by some bait shops about 8 miles away from Krotz Springs. I stopped at Bada's. It was a bar. I needed to charge my cell phone. A lady there donated 5 dollars for cancer research. Once I got past Three Mile Lake there wasn't much besides trees. I ed a couple of levees before town. I truck driver stopped to see if I wanted a ride across the bridges. Not much further and I was in Krotz Springs. There wasn't much there. A couple gas stations. Maybe a few hundred people. I called the owner of Settlers RV Park. They didn't mind if I pitched my tent. Then I went across the street had some pizza.

DAY 266--MAY 24, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15 FROM: Krotz Springs, LA (Settlers RV Park) TO: Erwinville, LA (Raxx Bistro, Casino, and Bar) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,565

Today I walked about 15 miles. I had a cop a Krotz Spring police officer picked me up and transported 5 miles past a four-mile bridge that they don't let people walk. I spent the morning trying to deal with that. That is only the second stretch I haven't walked. I realized what can a guy do. Got to do what the law says and after walking 5,000 miles I don't think two little bridge won't matter. I had Claire from Channel 2 come out. She met up about a mile away from Erwinville. On the way to Erwinville I walked through Lottie, Livonia, and by some corn fields

or what appeared to be cornfields to me. Well, I guess the cornfields were sugar cane. The scenery consists of a fair bit of trees. There will be a bayou here and there. Semi swampy areas. Then there are areas with some kind of crops growing. I don't always know what kind of crops. It is pretty flat also. I got up this morning and packed my tent up. It was just before 7 a.m. when I left the Settlers Campground. On the way out of Krotz Springs there is a big bridge. Before I got to it, Raywood, from the Krotz Springs PD stopped me. I was about a mile away from the Morganza Spillway bridge which is 4 miles and has no shoulder. He had me get in the car. He transported me to the east side of the bridge at the first spot where there was a shoulder. That gave me a little boost. From the east side of the Spillway Bridge which is used during a time when the river has a lot of overflow, they open levees to let some of the water to redirect to the spillway bridge. I had less than a mile into Lottie. It was small. A couple gas stations and some churches. I stopped to make some calls on the phone. Last night I got a voice mail from Bobby St. Romain's wife. Bobby and Opal live in Krotz Springs. I got the message too late. She called me when I was in Lottie. She asked where I was going to finish for the day, and I said Erwinville. Their son had a baseball game there. They said that I could ride back with them and then they'd drop me off in the morning. After that I had about 5 miles to Livonia. I stopped and ate twice there. This place is descent sized. It had a hotel, a few restaurants, and some factories or plants of sorts. I ate at Penny's Dinner and Not Your Mama's Cafe. SIDENOTE: I talked with Josh Brown of Midland. The reality TV show on the CBS Channel 7 in Odessa/Midland will air June 11th or 12th. They'll have 13 one-hour episodes. I'll be on one of the episodes I think but it will be in the middle somewhere I believe.

After Livonia the north side of the road had a lot of Sugar Cane. I took some pictures. The south had some trees along the road. I went through a place called Torbert. Then it wasn't much further when Claire from Channel showed up. After a quick interview they got some footage of me walking and then they left. I was in Erwinville before I knew it. I would wait for Bobby and Opal. I waited at Raxx. I listened to some music. Troy the owner gave me a meal on the house. I had an awesome steak dinner. A little before Bobby and Opal and the three kids picked me up. We went to the ball fields in Erwinville. Bobby Jr was pitching. The game lasted a couple innings and then a downpour came. The game got canceled. We went and got some food. Then back to Krotz for the night. Bobby and I would leave tomorrow morning around 5:30 a.m. in order for me to resume my walk.

DAY 267--MAY 25, 2007 MILES WALKED: 20 FROM: Erwinville, LA (Raxx Bistro, Casino, and Bar) TO: Baton Rouge, LA (corner of Convention and 3rd St.) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 10 TOTAL: 4,575

CHANNEL 33 newsclip. CLICK HERE Today I walked twenty miles and crossed the Mississippi. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to walk across the bridge because it has no shoulder. However, a West Baton Rouge Sheriff followed behind me as I walked across the old bridge over the river into Baton Rouge. I was walking fast and didn't have the time to soak much of the river. It's big. I didn’t think I was going to walk across the bridge, but it was awesome walking across the Mississippi. I met with someone from

Channel 33 and Channel 9. Matt Duhon who I'd be staying with picked me up downtown. He will drop me off at the exact same spot when I resume my walk. I went with Matt's father, mother, and sister downtown. They had live music outside. I hung out a bit. Then a friend that I made in Texas, Ben Dolan, had a buddy that lives in the Baton Rouge area. The friend, Spencer, came out with his girlfriend Sara and picked me up. He took me out to Izzo's for dinner. Their friends Chad and Maddox met up with that. After that Spence dropped me back off at Matt's house. Matt had to work a double shift today. Today Bobby dropped me back off at Raxx in Erwinville a little before 6 a.m. Bobby gave me twenty dollars for breakfast. Bobby and Opal were really nice and I'm glad I had a chance to stay with them. After that I walked by a gas station. I saw a State Trooper. I figured I'd ask him about crossing the old bridge over the Mississippi. He gave me the number for the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff. As we talked a lady who saw me on the channel 2 news last night donated 10 dollars for cancer research. Then someone drove over and told the officer that there was a car flipped over in a nearby ditch. He drove off. As I walked east on Highway 190, I saw more cops and an ambulance fly by. I had about 13-15 miles from Erwinville to the Mississippi River. There are a few houses and a couple gas stations along the way. There were a few hills. Not big hills, but hills. There was some farmland. It was a nice morning. The wasn't too hot. I got a nice early start. I got to the bridge before I thought I would. There was an over with no shoulder, so I walked below it over another road and train tracks. I saw a bum drinking under the bridge. This was for a junction road 415 or something that heads south to Port Allen I believe. I made some calls to new stations. I have been talking with Erin from NBC Channel 33 for a few days now. We planned to meet on the other side of the bridge. Somehow, we got on the wrong page and she went to the new bridge, but I walked over the old bride. I called the West Baton Rouge sheriffs for the second time today. I told them I was at the bridge and that I wouldn't be able to walk across it. The lady on the phone said she'd get someone over. Ten minutes or less later a car showed up. I thought they would have me hop in the car. Boy,

was I mistaken. The man said, we’ll get you across." He told me to walk up there and that he'd get behind me to divert traffic. That's what we did. I spent the next 20 minutes walking across the bridge. It was awesome being able to walk across the bridge. I could see Downtown the tallest Capitol building in the country. Baton Rouge is home to LSU and the state Capitol. I walked 3 miles an hour over the bridge with Sheriff behind me. I tried to take some pictures. I took a few. Once I got to over the bridge to where there was a shoulder area the Sheriff waved and drove off. THANK YOU to the West Baton Rouge Sheriffs for letting me walk across the bridge. Once over in the Bridge I found myself in an industrial section of Baton Rouge. There is a big Exxon Mobil refinery or oil plant. Erin from Channel 33 showed up. I was on Airline Rd. That is what Highway 190 is called once I was in Baton Rouge. Erin, the brown-haired reporter, was cool and nice. After she left, I took a right off Airline onto Scenic Drive. This had some houses on the left and plants on the right. I met a man waiting for a bus. He was interested in what I was doing. I walked on that street than turned right on Chippewa. A mile or so later and I was nearing downtown. I could see the new bridge and the Capitol which is modeled after the Empire State Building. I got a call from Nathan who worked for channel 9. He wanted to come out and walk with me for a bit. We met at the state Capitol. After that I walked around downtown a bit. There are some old buildings they are bringing back to life. Before I got to the capitol, I saw a big lake. By the capitol was real pretty. I hung out downtown in the shade. My feet hurt. I have a couple small blisters on my toes. It hurts but I can walk if I need to. Matt Duhon who was friends with Tram Tran who was Kristian from Kinder's girlfriend. Matt is 20 and goes to Baton Rouge Community College. He has three brothers and one sister. He lives with his parents. His father is going to law school at LSU. Matt's family grew up in Lafayette and moved out to Baton Rouge when his dad went to Law School at LSU. A lot of French influence with people’s names

down here. After Matt picked me up in his white car we went and toured the LSU campus. He had to go back to work. I met his mother, sister, and father. We saw the 5 o’clock news and saw my segment that Erin did. It was a good piece. Matt left for work. I went with his family downtown. First, we dropped his mother and sister off at her dance show. Then I got dropped off downtown where they had some music playing. The Benji Davis Project was playing. There were a lot of people around of all ages. It was neat. Then Spencer, Bed Dolan's friend, with his girlfriend called and came downtown. I hopped in with them and we went to Izzo's. It was a Mexican restaurant. Spencer's friends Chad and Maddox met us there. Chad used to be a hair model. They were interested in my walk. Chad asked what I would right my book about. We all laughed. I pointed out some things that I've noticed that are different down here. People call each other Sir or Miss but use the first name. People have called me Mister Matt. I heard that once in Texas but seems more prevalent in Louisiana. Spencer bought me dinner. They were nice and fun to hang out with. Spencer use to live in Texas but he came out to go to LSU. After dinner Spencer brought me to Matt's house. His parents and sister were still gone. His brother Johnathon. We hung out at the house. I was pretty tired. I dozed off a couple of times. Around 11 p.m. I was ready to call it a night.

DAY 268--MAY 26, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,575

Today I took the day off. I hung out with Matt Duhon. We looked around for a place to fix my video camera. We also went around town looking at cameras at pawn shops. We also went to a plantation. The tour was closed but we took a quick look around. Matt and I drove around to a handful of pawn shops on Government and Florida Roads. We went to a couple of flea markets, but they didn't have anything of that sort. I did end up getting a new video camera. One of the pawn shops had a good camera for a little over a hundred dollars. I haven't been able to get any footage since just east of Houston, TX. It was an awesome feeling to get a new camera. I'm doing something that I'll probably only do once and it's cool to capture the footage. However, I do have some still pictures and a couple newsclips. I can piece that together with some footage I'll capture from Baton Rouge on. After we got the camera, it started to rain. Matt and I went to a plantation. It was closed for tours at this time in the day. The people were really nice that worked there. Matt and I walked around. It was raining so we didn't walk around. We did see the main house in at Plantation. After that Matt and I went back and spent most of the time at his house. We hung out with his parents. I met his brother Jeff who survived cancer.

DAY 269--MAY 27, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a

$ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 4,575

CHECK OUT MY SCRAPBOOK!! I've added some more pictures. CLICK HERE Today I had another day off. I'm putting pictures on my website. I'm going to try and add pictures more into my blog, but I have to resize them, and they have to be small. They have to be really small to add to the blog. I went to church with the Duhon's. Their parents go to a Catholic Church. I've never been to a Catholic Church. I chatted with Daniel, Matt's father, as we watched car racing and golf. Matt is at work now. I'm hanging out with Daniel and Andre his parents. His younger sister Laura is also there. Today was fairly warm. I haven't done a whole lot, but I'm getting a chance to rest up. I'll be heading out tomorrow morning. I have 80-100 miles left in the state. I should be able to make it in 4-6 days. Mississippi and Alabama will go real quick compared to all the other states. I've got about 1,000 miles left. It'll feel nice stepping foot in Florida. I think I've walked across the three biggest states in the lower 48: California, Texas, and Florida.

DAY 270--MAY 28, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a

$ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,575

I was going to strike out this morning but last night Matt' s brother invited me to go tubing down the Amite River. I haven't been tubing a long time and it was tough to up the offer. I got up around 7 a.m. Jeff came over a little after 8 a.m. We went with Jeff's brother George and his girlfriend. George's roommate David also came. Then Jeff's friend Zach came. We headed east to Denham Springs. I've tubed down a couple of rivers but nothing like this. It is a place where someone rents a tube. There was a hundred plus people going down the river. It was packed. It was mainly young kids in their twenties. There is a bus that dropped us off down the river and we would tube down. We all had green tubes. Tiki Tubing was the name of the business. It took about 5 hours to tube down the river. The river had brown water. There were some rocky areas along the river. It curved back and forth. It had some sticks in the river here and there that needed to be avoided. It had a decent current but nothing too strong. It was fun. I put some sunscreen on, but it must have been washed off by the water and I had some burning.

DAY 271--MAY 29, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,575

I didn't sleep last night. I might have gotten heat stroke or something yesterday. I woke up at 6 a.m. this morning. I didn't feel good. I felt sick. I wanted to leave. My stomach was red, and I had a headache. I hardly slept yesterday. I took some sleep aid and took a nice cold bath. I spent most of the day applying lotion to my burns. Today was a fairly uneventful day. My back is a little burnt. Mainly it's my feet and stomach. I look like a lobster.

DAY 272--MAY 30, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:4,575

Today I got up at 6 a.m. hoping that my sunburn would have healed enough to take off. No such luck. I put aloe vera on the burn. I can't thank the Duhon family for taking me in and allowing me the time to recover from my burns. Today I went to work with Matt. He works at a Kimado's a Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar. He bought me lunch. I ate some teriyaki chicken. Matt's mom picked me up. I hung out at the house. Matt's friend Frosty brought some pizzas for dinner. It's frustrating playing the waiting game but I got to do what I got to do.

DAY 273--MAY 31, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,575

CBS 7 of Odessa, TX had a follow piece about me yesterday. Here's the link. CLICK HERE Well again I got up at 6 a.m. My sunburn is better but to have a fifty pound pack with it's straps rubbing it needs to be better. Matt after he gets off work is going to take me to some of the tall buildings. The Capitol building and some of the other tall building in Baton Rouge. I went with Matt and his brother John to the capitol building. It's 30 stories. We took one elevator up to the 24th floor and then another up to the 27th floor. Above the 27th floor has blocked off. Today was fairly overcast. It had a great view north, south, east and west. I saw the industrial side to the north and the both the new and old bridge over the Mississippi River. There are a lot of trees in the area. There was a nice view of a park area next to the capitol and the Capitol Lake. After that Matt and I went to drop his brother and his friend off at the high school for their football practice. Then we went to the Bienville Building which house the Department of Health and Hospital. Matt's dad Daniel works there. It's a pretty new building. Daniel showed us the ninth floor and his office on the floor eight. We chatted a bit in his office and then we left. Daniel left to pick John up from practice. Matt and I went to Frosty Tops. We had some lunch. I'm back at the Duhon home now hoping tomorrow I'll hit the road again.

DAY 274--JUNE 1, 2007 MILES WALKED: 14 or 15 FROM: Baton Rouge, LA (3rd and Convention) TO: Denham Springs, LA (KOA Campground) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL:4,595

Well today is the first day of my ninth month. My sun burn is feeling much better. I'll be back on the road. Matt is waking up. Then he'll return me to downtown at 3rd St. and Convention St. From there I resume my walk and head out east on Highway 190 and close the gap to Miami Beach. Thank you to all of the Duhon family for taking me and showing me a great amount to hospitality. Today was about 14 or 15 miles. My pedometer is gone so the exact mileage is unknown. I walked down Florida Blvd. until I got Denham Springs then I took 4-H Club Road to Vincent Road and that took me right to the KOA campground which let me stay there for free. Along the way I had Bill a photographer for the paper come out. Andree and Johnathon came out to give me a pair of sunglasses. I was invited into a place called Princess Nails to get hit on by a five-foot Vietnamese gay man. Today was pretty warm. I took a few hours off in the heat of the day. That looks to be a recurring theme as I head into the summer months. A lady named Robin who saw me on the news donated 20 dollars. Then moments later another woman stopped to say she saw me on the news, and she was glad about what I was doing. At the KOA I hung out with some Mexican men who are from Houston and working in the area for a couple of months. They spoke more English that I did Spanish, but we hung out. They were in camper trailer next to me.

Sun burn update. Pretty gross. I'm sweating a lot. I looked at my stomach and it's bubbling and peeling. Matt dropped me back off at 3rd and Convention where he picked me up last Friday. I walked one block north and that was Florida. I followed that all the way out of Baton Rouge. I left downtown and ed underneath I-110. There are a bunch of businesses. There are some car lots and things like that. It was developed the whole time I walked down the street. Before I got to Airline Hwy the photographer showed up. He was a nice guy named Bill. Then I went underneath the Airline HWY. That is when Andree brought out the sunglasses. Johnathon was driving. I kept walking. I stopped for lunch and had some fried chicken. I had the spicy. After the I crossed Airline then Florida his side service roads on both sides that run parallel. I was walking by this place called Princess Nails. A five-foot Vietnamese man asked what I was doing. He wanted to know if I wanted some water. It was near the heat of the day. I went inside. The place smelled of nail polish remover or something. There were no customers and two men. One older the other younger. The younger one didn't speak much and was a little chubbier. They gave me a bottle of water. The older one asked question about what I'm doing...and then things got awkward. He wanted to show me something. He showed me the bathroom in back. I was clean and didn't need to wash up. They both were clearly gay. I went back and drank the cold bottle of water. He started saying how I was cute. He felt my arm saying I had big muscles. He asked if I wanted to go in the back. I was shocked at the way he acted and started to think that it was time to get out of there. I looked at my cellphone and said it was time to get on the road. He asked if I wanted to go in the back and when he could see me. Then before I left again, he whispered, " don't you want to go in the back." I told him I don't swing that way. I left trying to soak what just happened. It was pretty weird. Then...my throat started to burn. I thought...they tried poisoning me. They tried drugging me. Then I realized that it was the spicy chicken and my panic left. I kept walking.

An hour later I almost ran out of water. I couldn't tell when the next store would be and there was a bar called Joe's place. It was the hot of the day. I filled up my water and cooled off for a couple of hours. Then I had to get to the KOA. I had to cross the Amiet River. The bridge had little shoulder and a middle section with no shoulder. I had to run across it. It was scary. Not much further there was another bridge that was kind long and had no shoulder. However, it didn't go over water so I just dirt and stuff. Must be a spillway or something. I just walked down under there. Before I knew it, I was at 4-h road. It was mostly houses. Then I crossed under I-12 and then I went to Vincent Road and then I to KOA. Joan let me set my tent up for free. I hung out with Mexican men. The only name I caught was Mario.

DAY 275--HUNE 2, 2007 MILES WAKLED: 15 FROM: Denham Springs, LA (KOA Campground) TO: 1 mile east of Livingston, LA (Stopped by a bridge at a smashed Coors Lt. can north of the guard rail) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 25 TOTAL: 2,620

Today was a struggle. The heat and humidity are picking up. I heard that it was in the 90's today. From KOA I had about 3 miles to get back to Florida Blvd which is Highway 190. From there I had 5 miles to Walker and then 6 more to Livingston. Matt Duhon had a friend Kelly that lived in Hammond which is about 17 miles so ahead of where I stopped. He planned to pick me up where I finished and drop me off the other morning. His car broke down earlier in the day and I wasn't sure if he would be able to make it out. At 6:30 pm I found a good camping spot between a bridge and a railroad trestle. I set camp up. Around 10 p.m. called and he was on his way. I knew that I wouldn't be an able to get a good night’s sleep, but I said what the heck. He drove all the way out. I packed up my tent and went out to the road. He picked me up. I try to video tape

where I paused my walk. Then we went to Hammond. We went and got some food and then went to Kelly's house. We stayed up to about 1 a.m. talking. Kelly has a duck named gatorbait. Today I had some bad chaffing. I woke up and after it was all said and done, I left the KOA at 8:30. I had a copy of The Advocate, the Baton Rouge paper, because they had a picture of me in it. I wanted to keep a copy for the scrapbook. I walked out on Vincent road until I got to Range rd. Then I crossed underneath I-12 and then I walked until I hit Florida Blvd. On Vincent there was houses. Range had mostly plazas and stuff. I ed a road named Carolyn Ave. That was my mother's name. I started thinking about her. What's weird. Two different ladies today gave me money for food and stuff that were named Carolyn. Once on Florida Blvd I stopped at James Pharmacy. Two ladies gave me some one-dollar bills for food. One named Carolyn that worked there and another lady named Sherry Ellis. She gave me a couple dollars and then after she got her medicine she drove over and stopped over and gave me some more ones. Somewhere at the edge of Denham Springs a truck stopped. It had Bill and Carolyn Hagley. They saw me in the paper. They wanted to give me 10 dollars for food. Then I walked to Walker. It's pretty green and a fair bit of trees. There are some business and gas stations between. The highway had no shoulder. I walked in the grass or ditch most of the time. There was a fair bit of houses between. In Walker which is a couple thousand people or so I went to Sam's of Walker and had a ham and cheese Po-boy. The owner gave me some free donuts. Before that I walked past that place and had to back track to get there. A dark truck on the other side had a man signal me over. I forgot his name, but his wife or girlfriends name was Becca. He asked how I eat, and I told him at this point it's running of hospitality. He pulled a 20-dollar bill and said, "I know this ain't much but it outta help." On this trip I've never seen a 20-dollar bill as not much. I was in Walker in the heat of the day. I got a couple of miles past Walker and I had to get off in the trees in some shade for a while. Between yesterday and today I'm exhausted. Then I walked the rest the way to Livingston. It seemed like there was less between Walker and Livingston. Less businesses. A big

industrial area in between with waste management and some houses. I walked the railroad for a while seeing how there was no shoulder. When I was walking on the railroad, I stopped to try to capture a turtle on tape and then I saw a read snake floating on the river. Sun burn update. It's mainly just peeling and doesn't hurt. My chaffing at this point is hurting. I got some baby powder in Walker. That helped a bit. I got a burger at a place in Livingston. I knew I was dead tired when I set down and I stare off into space. After that I went to the dollar store to get some water. Natasha bought it. Her mother, Deborah, approached me when I was outside. She donated 10 dollars for cancer research. She was a cancer survivor. She started to cry a bit. I talked again with her. Then Natasha once she came out of the store. Two teenage girls came over from a black truck. They handed me a ten and five. That bumps today's donations for cancer research to 25 dollars. I walked about a mile. My chaffing started to really hurt. As I crossed a tiny bridge, I looked over toward the railroad trestle and saw some area good for camping. I climbed through some brush and found myself next to the railroad trestle. I set my tent up and hung out for about 3 hours. Then Matt Duhon of Baton Rouge called. He was nearly where I was out. I packed up and met him at the road. He'll drop me off at the same spot where he picked me up at tomorrow morning. Matt and I went to Applebee’s and he bought me some dinner. Thanks Matt. I like hanging out with people that are the same name. Kelly lives in Hammond and goes to Southeaster Louisiana University. She's nice. She must be around 21 years old. Her duck Gator Bait was pretty fun to hang out with. I was tired and I went to bed around 1 a.m.

DAY 276--JUNE 3, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5 FROM: 1 east of Livingston, LA (by first little bridge on Highway 190 at a crushed Coors light can that is on the north side of the guard rail.) TO: Holden, LA (Ministry Fellowship Church.

I'm in Hammond at Kelly's house. She left. Matt and I are here. I didn't get a bunch of sleep and I'm worn out. I'm updating my website and showered. Kelly did some laundry for me last night. My day is kind of shot. By the time Matt drops me back off one mile east of Livingston it'll be around noon and will be the hottest part of the day. It was noon when Matt dropped me back off about a mile east of Livingston. It was the dead of the heat and so I went off into the woods and sat in the shade after walking a couple hundred yards. I'm trying to be careful. I rested in the shade for a couple of hours. Then I hit the road. It was boring setting in the shade. I had 3 miles or so into Holden. Mainly trees along the highway with some houses here and there. Holden had a couple hundred people. They had a little grocery store. When I was there a man in the car asked about what I was up to. It was Kenny. He told me to stop at the Ministry Fellowship and that they might have meal and maybe a bed to stay in. Also, while I was at the store, I met Craig Holden. He donated 10 dollars for cancer research. He said he saw me walking yesterday and didn't know who I was but then read the paper and knew about me. He also bought me some water and a Powerade. I sat in the shade and drank my Powerade. I had a couple more miles after I left Holden and I was at the Church. I went in the church. It was cool and music was playing. There were a couple of guys adjusting guitars and such. Then that is when I met Gus. He grew up on the southern coastal bayous in Louisiana. His family was displaced when Katrina hit, and he ended up in Holden. He was a nice guy. He fixed me up a plate of food. We chatted. The church has a separate building out back where people live.

It's a like a dorm. I met brother Jesse. He was a big guy. He recently got divorced from his wife. I showed them new clippings and a vhs tape of one of my newsclips. I showered up. They mentioned that I could stay if I wanted. They'd have to check me in and search my backpack or bookstack as some call it. They had a service at 6 p.m. tonight. I figured what the heck. It's difficult to turn down a place to stay. I chatted and met several other people that stayed at the place. Kenny the pastor showed up around 5:30 or so. He said it was okay if I stayed. The service was at 6. Two different of the church preached. The first was eccentric and paced back and forth and laughed a lot. The second spoke much longer and got pretty worked up at times. Then a Mexican man played a song on his guitar at the end. First, he started talking about his late wife who just past. Then he played a song on his 12-string guitar. After that we had cake because a lady had a birthday. After cake brother James checked me in. About 6 people or so where around as I pulled everything out of my bag. They were amazed how much I carried in my pack. They asked me questions about my journey. They were a nice bunch of guys. Jesse gave me a cd of his. Gus gave me a New Orleans Saints hat. Then another man gave me another LSU hat. At there were four double-a batteries lying on my bed. The dorm had a bunch of bunk beds. My bed was in the middle and didn't have bunk. I charged my equipment and then laid down to go to sleep. Most of the guys have to work early tomorrow. Jesse for example works at the AutoZone in Denham Springs.

DAY 277--JUNE 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12 FROM: Holden, LA (Ministry Fellowship Church)

TO: Hammond, LA (Travel Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:4,630

Today wasn't the longest walking day. That's been the story of late. People new to my blog haven't seen the bulk of my hard walking which took place in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas. Since Austin, TX I've been on cruise control. Anyway, it was raining hard this morning and that meant that I got started a little after 8. I said goodbye to some of the guys from the church. I had to wall through Albany to get to Hammond. In Albany, a thousand or two people, I called The Daily Star newspaper in Hammond. Lil, the lady from the paper, told me to call back when I was in Hammond. I stopped at a Cafe in Albany and had some breakfast. There wasn't much between Holden and Albany. There was a log yard right next to the church when I started. There was a Weyerhae land or mill. That company has a huge foothold in the Pacific Northwest, and it made me feel home to see Weyerhae and log piles. Another interesting thing that is going to happen is that Rich Huckabee from Santa Cruz, CA/Florida is going to be driving by today. He's going to take me out to lunch. That happened between Albany and Hammond. It was at the N. Hattie Road when I saw his VW Van pull off. I hopped in. Rich has made about a 100 cross country drives. He goes pretty quick. He picked me up and we went to Shorty's Ribs for some lunch. Then after lunch he dropped me back off at N. Hattie Road. Rich is driving to Florida and will be there for ten days or so then he'll turn around and drive back. He'll probably stop by on the way back, but one never knows. He has to be back to Santa Cruz for his job, so he does have some deadlines. I resumed my walk into Hammond. It was about the heat of the day today. Once I crossed underneath I-55 I called Lil back. She said she'd come out to snap a picture and she gave my number to Monica, a reporter. Monica called and set up an appointment to meet at PJ's. That was a coffee shop. Lil met up with me and snapped some pictures. She gave me a couple of bucks. Then I kept walking on Highway 190. At first it was plazas and Wal-marts, etc. Then it turned nice

houses with trees around then I popped out in the neat downtown. Maybe Hammond has 20 or 30 thousand people. The downtown is where PJs was. She was a short girl with dark hair. She survived cancer herself. Leukemia. We had a nice chat then she left. I searched around for a cheap room. I back tracked and found the Travel Inn. There I rested up. I need some more rest because I've been exhausted ever since I've left Baton Rouge.

DAY 278--JUNE 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 13 FROM: Hammond, LA (Travel Inn) TO: 6 miles west of Madisonville, LA (camped at Cheyenne's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY:40 TOTAL: 4,670

Well today I got a late start. My body was tired, and it took me awhile to get going. I'm trying to move into really early starts because of the heat and humidity. I got up and walked back to downtown. I walked by and a man came running out and gave me a water bottle and said it was courtesy of some Studios. I kept walking and saw a post office. I needed to send some things up to my father's house to lighten my back. Then I went back to the street and kept walking. I saw the parish library and figured that it'd be the perfect chance to update my site. I walked along Highway 190 after I left Hammond until I got to Robert, LA and then from there I walked along Highway 455 until I Highway 22. I walked that for the rest of the day. I was walking along Highway 22 when I met Cheyenne. He lived in an area called Bedico. After leaving Hammond I ed the airport. Then east of town was the high school. I was surprised that it was east of the Airport. The area is green, and

trees lined the road for the most part. There are some houses. It must have been six miles or so and I was in the small town of Robert. There was a grocery store and a restaurant. I stopped and had some lunch. I wanted to get a copy of The Daily Star today. To do so I waited at the grocery store for a half an hour or so. Finally, at 3 p.m. the paper came. I left the good shoulder of Highway 190 for a five or so mile jaunt on Highway 455. That took me to the south of Interstate 12. There wasn't a whole lot on that road. Once on the other side of 12 there was a school and sno-ball stand. When I was at the intersection of 455 and 22 there was a pull-out area. There was a white truck and white SUV stopped. I stopped to adjust my water bladder. Two young girls hopped out and brought 20 dollars over. They said their uncle saw me walking a few days back and on the news. They were from Livingston. I must have walked three more miles after that. The land is soggy. I was walking along talking with my friend Ryan Breault who lives in Bellingham and I found a pair of sunglasses on the side of the road. They had one little scratch mark but besides that they were in good shape. I think I lost a twenty dollar bill the other day. I thought I'd make it to Madisonville, but I didn't. I got held up about 6 miles west when I met Cheyenne. He billed himself as a true coon ass. Coon ass is a term that I started hearing at the Texas/Louisiana border. It refers to Cajun people. Cajun people take that term to be a compliment. Cheyenne talked to me as I walked by his house. He pointed all the things he's built. He's 43, black hair, and really vain. He grew up in Opelousas, LA. He lived his life a little differently than his family and ended up in this area called Bedico. His blonde girlfriend was called Possum. He had a friend named Frog come over. Frog was his old boss. Cheyenne liked to joke around and boast about himself. He had two donkeys and a horse. He was trying to get the horse to breed with one of the donkeys so that he can get a mule. He welded some things when I was there. One of the first things he offered was Crawfish Étouffée. That was when I was still on the road. After chatting for a bit, I knew I wouldn't be able to make it to the campground. He let me stay out where the brown donkey roamed. In the middle of the night, I was woke up by something running. I woke up fully alert. I realized then it was the donkey, but for a split second I thought it might be a

person, but it wasn't. It must have been around 10 p.m. when I went to bed. It was difficult to sleep due to the humidity. My tent has a rain fly that is separate, and I leave it off when I don't think it's going to rain. I was under a protective covering. It was a make-shift car port.

DAY 279--JUNE 6, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12 or 13 FROM: 6 miles west of Madisonville, LA (camped at Cheyenne's House) TO: Mandeville, LA (Ruby's Roadhouse Bar) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 50 TOTAL:4,720

News article from The Daily Star in Hammond, LA. CLICK HERE Today I woke up and left Cheyenne's house. I walked Highway 22 until in turned into Highway 190 in Mandeville. I walked through the small town of Madisonville after 6 or so miles of walking. It had a drawbridge over the river with houses to the north and sailboats in the water to the south. From there I walked into Mandeville. I hit the city limits much sooner than I imagined. Also, once I hit St. Tammy parish the shoulder went from a gravel shoulder to a paved shoulder. Today was warm. At 3 p.m. the bank said 88 degrees. I made several stops today. Breakfast in Madisonville. Then several stops in Mandeville. I stopped at Grille to get some lunch. Then Wendy's to get a frosty and get out of the heat and humidity. I stopped at PJs to get out of the heat. I was planning on going to Fontainebleau State Park.

My last stop was as I was seeming to leave the business section of Mandeville, I crossed the street and went into Ruby's Roadhouse. Come to find out it's the number 3 Roadhouse bar in America. The people were nice. The owner spotted me as a traveler. Diane, the owner, found out what I was doing and gave me 50 dollars to help me along the way on the trip. Her friend Paul got the attention of the place and made an announcement about what I was doing and said they should help out if they can. I met a bunch of people. Two people were Leonce and Ben Lyons. Ben is fixing his house up from Katrina damage. Leonce and his son Matt live in a back apartment. Ben said I could pitch my tent on his yard. I'd get a shower and dinner. Leonce said that they had an extra mattress in the back room and that I could stay back there with them. I paused my walk at Ruby's. That means when I resume walking it'll be right back In front of Ruby's. Ben lived with his wife Tonya and two children about 6 blocks away. His parents live next door. We drove down there. I showered and did some laundry. Tonya made some barbecue shrimp for supper. It had garlic bread with some sauce. I used to not like shrimp, but those days have since came and gone. Dinner was great. Ben's brother Jeff and his wife Jo Ann came over. We all sat out on the front porch. Rick who lived across the street came over. Jo Ann's parents lived across the street. There is a lot of family. The lake is less than a block away. People must have handed me over a hundred dollars today. Most of its people handed money to help me along the walk. Others didn't say. I might have lost 20 dollars of it. I lose things a fair bit. Ben grew up in Houma which is south and west of New Orleans. Leonce lives between Houma and New Orleans. Ben has a company that sails pans. Pans that catch water for the water heaters. I think the business is called Pan-Tastic. It was really nice of Ben offer to let me stay at the house in my tent and nice of Leonce to let me crash in the back apartment. They were some cool guys. It was fun setting out on the porch.

DAY 280--JUNE 7, 2007

MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,720

I woke up this morning totally exhausted. I asked Leonce and Ben and they didn't mind if I took today off and strike out in the morning. I walked down to the Lake taking some pictures. Ben's mother is cooking up some breakfast. This is probably the 45th or 46th person to take me in over the course of the journey. The doesn't include friends and family which is 12 different people. Ben is painting some columns on the side of his house. Leonce and Matt are doing work around the house. I don't know exactly what the rest of the day has in store. I'll let you know how it finishes out. Probably nothing crazy.

DAY 281--JUNE 8, 2007 MILES WALKED:16 FROM: Mandeville, LA (Ruby's Roadhouse Bar) TO: Slidell, LA (Daiquiris and Creams off Highway 190) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,720

Well, I woke up a little before 6 a.m. this morning. Leonce and Matt got up. Leonce and Matt had a job in west Mandeville this morning. Leonce would drop me off back at Ruby's where Ben and he picked me up at on Wednesday. I had a

good day of rest. I'm glad I made the stop into Ruby's. Ben, Leonce, Matt, Tonya, and everyone were cool. Ben bought me two DV tapes for my camera last night. He said if someone how I end up there on the way back that I should stop by and we'll go into the city. Ben came out and said goodbye. After a stop by a store then Leonce and Matt dropped me off. Leonce is an electrician. Matt's 20 tall and skinny. We said our goodbyes. Instead of going getting back on Highway 190 I walked down Lamarques St. toward the lake and then I got on the Tammany Trace. It's a bike/hike/horse trail. The trail goes all the way to Slidell. At first trail pasts houses with and crossing streets every block or so. There is a lot of pine trees along the trail. Then it goes through Fontainebleau State Park. I met three people along the way. There were people biking and one jogger. First, I met Howard Kavanaugh who is a Physicist. He wanted to give me 10 dollars for some lunch. A little while later I met two people. An old doctor named Jerry Kelly and then a younger lady with brown hair named Marian. They were riding bikes. Jerry gave me 20 dollars to help me along on my trip. I took the trail which was thru mostly swampy areas and some bayous. There were houses here and there. I couldn't tell what area was all state park. I don't think there was any houses there. The mosquitos were bad. I started seeing more houses and cross streets and I figured I was in Lacombe. The people I met earlier mentioned how that in Lacombe I need to get on 190 to cross over the bridge and then on the east side I can get back on the Tammany Trail. I love walking on trails like this. It's peaceful. It's warming up now. Once in Lacombe I went to the post office to mail some tapes to my buddy Ryan in Bellingham. After that I filled up my water and I was walking along, and I saw a St. Tammany Parish Library. I figured I'd go update the blog. I think I have about 10 miles to get into Slidell. It's around 11 a.m. It's warming up and it was humid

right off the bat this morning. So far most of the trail has been fairly shaded. Now I have to take Highway 190 so I can take the bridge over the river and then I'll reconnect with the trail. I left the library and I crossed over a bridge. A reporter from the St. Tammany News was on her way out. We me by Alice's restaurant which is on the east side of Lacombe. I sat in Ann's car while she interviewed me. After that I went into the restaurant and got some lunch. An old man named Roger bought my lunch. After that I asked the people how to get back to the Tammany Trace. They told me to take my first right then that will take me a left turn and then a right on Oaklawn. I did. Ann called. She needed to take another picture. I waited in the shade about a half an hour on the Tammany Trace for Ann. She showed up and took the picture. I took the trace into Slidell. It was nice. It would some cross streets. I saw a few bicycles riding bye. It was swampy with pine trees. Much of it was shaded. It was good walking. Then in Slidell I got back onto Highway 190. The trailhead entrance in Slidell was nice. It was mainly strip malls and things as I hopped onto 190. It was warm and I went into a place called Daiquiris and Creams off highway 190 on the west side of the town. I met some people. One was a weird guy named Phillip. I asked a few guys how far the nearest hotel was. Phillip wanted to know more about my walk. I showed him a couple of news articles and he wasn't sure about what I was doing. He gave me the third degree. He's asked like no one else this whole trip. He thought my stomach should be almost anorexic or I didn't make the walk. He offered to take me on this boat thing called the poker run. It sounded interesting. Phillip also asked me questions then later bring up my answers as something that I was saying to imply he should let me stay at his place. The end arrangement was that his friend Laura would drive me to a hotel. Then tomorrow morning he'd pick me up. I'd help be one of the cooks on the poker run and then probably stay at his house. The next morning he'd drop me off at the Daiquiris place...so Laura gave me a ride back to the Best Value Inn. I showered and rested up. Slidell maybe has around 50,000 people.

DAY 282--JUNE 9, 2007

MILES WALKED: 15-18 FROM: Slidell, LA (Daiquiris and Creams off 190 on westside of town) TO: Pearlington, MS (EZ Serve Gas Station) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,720

I had a man name Phillip flake out on his offer to take me on this boating even with him. That meant that I had to take a cab from the Best Value Inn to the Daiquiris and Creams on the west side to resume my walk where I paused it yesterday. I walked out of Slidell. I had a man, Jeremy, who was walking around town walk with me a bit. I began to walk deeper into the devastated areas of Hurricane Katrina. Two years later and the signs are still visible. Today the Louisiana chapter in the walk was closed. It was warm and humid today. However, as the pines turned into an open marsh/bayou for the last few miles of the walk across the state the blue skies were replaced with this wicked dark sky. I could see lightening in Mississippi. I stopped at Blue Dog Bait Shop which is just on the Louisiana side of the Pearl River. I met some nice people. Roxanne and Randy live in Waveland, MS. I asked about camping in Pearlington, and they didn't say there was. They offered to let me stay at their house. Randy had to come back this way in the morning and he could drop me off. So right before Roxanne got off work, I walked across the bridge over the Pearl River and into Mississippi. The welcome to Mississippi sign was destroyed in the Hurricane. Less than a quarter mile was a gas station. That's where I paused my walk. I'm in Mississippi now thanks to the many people who have helped me along the way. Without them I wouldn't have made it this far. Roxanne and Randy are still trying to repair the house. I'm staying in the FEMA trailer which ever so prevalent now. We went over to Roxanne's house to place a dice game called Bonco at night. We didn't get back until midnight. It was a great day. Pretty good walking. I missed the rain. I heard some good stories, and I met some folks. I woke up this morning a little before 6 a.m. Phillip should have been over to the hotel room by 6:45. He never showed. I called. No answer. He flaked out. I delayed my start in case he was running late. I then called a Good Old Days taxi and Vera gave me a ride over the Daiquiris place so that I could start my day off.

That cost 9.75. From there it is some areas that aren't really developed. Some wooded areas with some houses. Then back to strip malls and stuff. After about 4 miles of walking, I walked past the motel I stayed at. It was a weird morning. I thought about Phillip and wondered why he never showed up or called. Then I had to let it slip my mind. I crossed underneath the interstate. At this point Highway 190 is called Gause Blvd. I stopped at a Waffle House. It was packed and busy. My waitress was having a bad day. I had something in my cup, but I figured it wouldn't kill me and I didn't want to bug her. After that I kept walking on Gause then I took a right on Military Rd. That left the was residential. It had no shoulder. That's when a guy walked up on me. His name was Jeremy, I think. It started with a J and I have him on tape. He has been homeless for four months. He told me about how he can't get a job around here. He talked about how rough a town Slidell was. At the end of Military, one could only make a right or a left. He went right and I went left heading east toward Mississippi. I started seeing more and more FEMA trailers. I saw one FEMA trailer park. Ten of the exact trailers lined up. Some of the trees looked like salt water might have killed the foliage. Soon Highway 190 hit US Highway 90. I took a left on that. I was swampy with some trees around. I could see some water vessel stuck on land. Then the trees ended, and it was mainly all marshy bayou for the rest of the state. It quickly went from a sunny day to windy dark skied day. It was cool. In Mississippi it was thundering and lighting. The color of the grass and street signs seemed loud. I crossed over three bridges. There was the Blue Dog Bait Shop. I met Roxanne and Randy. I got to talking to them. Then I met the owners. Lynn and Danny. Lynn and Danny lived in a tugboat in the canal behind the shop. They rode out the hurricane 2005. Now there is tugboat house is visible about 3-5 miles away in Mississippi grounded. Wow. What an experience. They talked of people tying their boats to power lines because the water was so high. They talked of one person keeping a baby in a Tupperware container to keep it clear from the hurricane and they'd have to keep opening the lid to let it breath. Lyn had two good friends die from cancer. She offered to give me a plane ticket. She has two free tickets from Southwest. She said she'd let me have one. She would have given it to me, but I didn't want to ruin it and what would happen if I

changed my mind. That was really nice of here. It was raining. Not real hard though. I asked about camping in Pearlington, MS. Randy a little later said that he had to come over in the morning and that I could stay with Roxanne and him and they'd drop me off in the morning. So about fifteen minutes before Roxanne got off work, I kept walking east. I didn't want to pause my walk in Louisiana. I wanted to get to Mississippi, and I did. I crossed over the Pearl River and on the other side I was in Mississippi. State number eight. I looked back at Louisiana and thought of all the good memories. The friends I made. All the nice people I met. The police escort over the Mississippi River. The food. People in Louisiana were more concerned that I had money for food rather than donating to cancer research. It was a cool state. I still have more to see in that state, but it'll have to wait until my next adventure. A bicycle back maybe. Well, I walked to the first gas station in Mississippi and about that time Roxanne and Randy showed up in her red Ford Explorer. We went to their house in Waveland. I slept in the FEMA trailer. Their house is only partial done. Only a couple of rooms. We went over to Roanne's uncle's house to play Bonco. There were three tables set up. 4 people at a table. People partner up at the table. One table is the main table. The two partners that lose off that table have to move to table two. Losers at table two and three stay. Winners off table two move to table three. Winners off table three move to table one. You partner up with someone each game. For example. If my partner and I won on table two and then moved to table three. We'd each partner up with one of the two people at the table. Three di are rolled. Each game the object is to get a particular number, 1-6. It changes each time. Starting at one and moving in order to 6. There are 5 cycles of that. A total of 30 games. Table one plays the first to 23 points. When the game at table 1 is over then whoever is ahead on the other tables wins. Bonco

happens when all dice are the number you are rolling for. A bonco scores 21 points. One point for each dice that lands the number. 5 points if you roll 3 of a kind that isn't what you’re rolling for. It was fun. I went 18-12 with one Bonco. The winner had 19 wins. We got back and to be around midnight or a little after.

8

Mississippi

DAY 283--JUNE 10, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12 FROM: Pearlington, MS (EZ SERVE Gas Station) TO: Waveland, MS (Roxanne and Randy's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,720

Today was sunny, warm, and humid. Randy dropped me back off in Pearlington where he picked me up at yesterday. It was around 11:30 a.m. I had a little over 12 miles to get walk to their house. There was not much of anywhere to fill the water. Over half of the walk was through a NASA buffer zone. There wasn't anything but pine trees. At first today I ed through some marshy/bayou areas. I stopped three times for breaks. Once at a picnic area to rest in the shade. The second time to talk with my grandmother. The third time was to chat with my friend Jerry Harp. That time there was some trash dumped. Mattresses and a couple chairs. I had some chairs to set in. I arrived at Roxanne's house around 6 p.m. I showered up in the FEMA trailer which is my home for the night. I walked down to a store a few blocks away. A man named Johnny owns it. Through Andre Duhon I got his name and number. I was going to stay tonight, but since I already met Roxanne and Randy, I figured I'd stay with them. Johnny is a big guy wearing an orange shirt with a firearm on his hip. I guess he had death threats before. Roxanne cooked up a good supper. Shrimp, potatoes, green beans, ground beef, and squash. It was good.

Tomorrow I'm going to call Al from Channel 13 at 8 pm. I have a bridge to walk across. They just opened it and are still working on it. People aren't sure if I can walk across it. I'll find out tomorrow. Man, I'd like to type more but man I'm so tired. I'm using Roxanne's computer. It's hooked up out here in the FEMA trailer. I'm going to bed.

DAY 284--JUNE 11, 2007 MILES WALKED: 11-12 FROM: Waveland, MS (Roxanne and Randy's place) TO: Christian, MS (just east of the Harbor along Highway 90) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 4,720

WLOX CHANNEL 13 NEWSCLIP CLICK HERE Today was a fairly eventful day. I didn't walk a whole bunch. I met Al Showers the reporter from WLOX Channel 13 in Biloxi. He works the Hancock County bureau. He's a real nice guy. He ended up by the end of the day finding me a place to stay and then also bought me a new pair of shoes. The shoes I have don't seem to be working all that well. Today I walked over the Bay Bridge over the Saint Louis Bay. It only opened a couple of weeks ago. The cops said I couldn't walk it, but it had a healthy shoulder and then the traffic wasn't going that fast. It did have a walking section that was closed but done for the most part. I made it across the bridge to see an area that is still devasted from the hurricane. Hardly any houses. A few rebuilding here and there. Slabs with nothing on them. Al picked me up just east of the Harbor in Christian. My feet were hurting today. He drove me to Clermont Harbor, and I stayed at Granny's house. Not his

granny, but that's what people call her. She's real nice. There was a bunch of church volunteers eating when we got here. They come down from Ohio to help rebuild houses for people. I woke up this morning and I started walking a little later than I wanted to. The heat drains my energy. This morning I had a tough time getting going. I was on the road at 8:30 a.m. I walked down a couple side streets then I was back on Highway 90. I was a few miles west of Waveland, but I consider the area Waveland. I called Al Showers the reporter from WLOX around 8 a.m. this morning. It was a couple of miles before I got into Waveland. It has a bunch of businesses that haven't come back yet. Wal-Mart still hasn't come back to a hundred percent. They aren't open 24 hrs. It was 8 months or so after the Hurricane before they moved out of a huge tent and back into the store. I stopped by Wily and Linda's in Waveland. That's where I played cards the other night. I had to go behind the Kessler Bank and go through some brush. They gave me some breakfast. I saw some video of the Hurricane. Also, before and after footage of Bay St. Louis. After I got some water and chatted, I hit the road. It wasn't long and that's when all met up with me. It was around 93 today. That's for heat. Humidity was up there also. Al interviewed me and then he got some shots of me walking. Then he was going to get some more shots of me around the bridge. The bridge that just reopened. It wasn't long and I left Waveland and I was in Bay St. Louis. I'm not even sure when the change happened. I stopped by the Police Station in Bay St. Louis and they said that I couldn't walk across the bridge because of safety reasons. Al met me at the Police Station and then he gave me some Gatorade and ice. Then I walked the rest of the way to the bridge. When I saw the bridge, I called Al. I had a man bike past me on the service road. His bike was loaded down. It had a sign that read: "Bike against Oil Wars." I called the local newspaper. It is called the Sea Coast Echo. They sent someone out to snap some pictures. I was thinking Al might have to give me a ride across the bridge, but I saw that man bike across it. They finished one half of the bridge and now they are working on the other half. Both lanes of traffic can share the open side for the time being. Traffic wasn't going that fast and there was a decent sized shoulder. I wanted to walk across the bay. There is a walking lane but it's not all the way done. For the

most part it's done. The railing on the outside isn't done. I walked that toward the end of the bridge. I walked across the bridge. Someone stopped to drop off some water quickly. A couple cops drove by and didn't say anything. Not much to say and it wasn't that dangerous. Traffic is going slow. That took an hour or so. I could really start to see the devastation once I was over the bridge. Many houses well, I mean no houses with slabs or stairs. That's what happened to Al's house. He's living in a FEMA trailer. The house got blown away. Only a slab with the roof in a nearby bayou. I crossed an over that went over a railroad track. It had a walking area. Then bam I as at the beach. I was at the Gulf of Mexico. It was 1 p.m. It was the heat of the day. I found the shade of tree and didn't walk much for an hour. Then I got up and walked along the beach. I came to the harbor. Instead of seeing house after house it is barren land with empty slabs with a house here and there that is rebuilding. The harbor is rebuilding. Shrimp boats were heading out. At the Harbor I went up Market St. to 2nd St. I saw Kimball's. I went there and grab some lunch. I was going to hang out and try to catch the 5 p.m. news. Al called and said my segment would air at 6 and 10. He said he found someone to stay with me and that he could pick me up and drop me off. Darleen Kimball owned the eatery. It's been in the family since 1931. It just reopened 9 days ago. She was blonde and real nice. So was Doug her co-worker. They each had me sign a dollar bill. After that I walked back to the Highway and didn't make it far. There are some concrete stairs to the sandy beach. I took my shoes off. My feet hurt. An hour or so later and Al came in his brown Yukon and picked me up. We drove backward into Bay St. Louis and then we got on the waterfront. Downtown was wiped out and it was nice, but it'll take a few years to get back on its feet. We followed the beach until we took a right and then took a right. The place was full of volunteers eating hamburgers and such. Granny is up there. She is a Soldier’s Angel. She has a bunch of pictures of soldiers from Iraq. She sends them gifts and letters. She seems really nice. It wasn't long and the volunteers were gone to the beach. They just got in from Ohio. Al, Granny, Granny's friend name which evades me right now (which is bad. She's battling or just battled cancer), and I sat around and talked. Then all took me over to Wal-Mart to buy me some shoes. He bought me some Gatorade and

some socks. After that we went back to grannies. We watched the newsclip and started working on today's blog. I'm using Granny's computer to update my website. I'm tired and I'm going to bed.

DAY 285--JUNE 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10-12 FROM: Christian, MS (just east of the Harbor at an old wooden section of the boardwalk) TO: Gulfport, MS (Gulfport Beachfront Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 50 TOTAL: 4,770

Today Al dropped me back off right where he picked me up just east of the harbor in Christian. He gave me some money for lunch. Today I had a lot of honks. I had three people make donations for cancer research. I got into a thunderstorm in Gulfport and sought shelter at the Gulfport Beachfront Motel. I saw more and more of the devastation from Hurricane Katrina. Two years later one still sees the gulf coast licking its wounds and limping back to recovery. I woke up at Grannies. She gave me a few bucks to help me out. Then Al showed up and he gave me a ride back to Christian where he picked me up yesterday which was east of the Harbor. I'm running out of time at the library and all that I retyped on today was deleted. Today I had donations from a man named Herbert Hayes right off the bat. He was pulled off on the side in his landscaping truck. He donated 10 dollars. Then not much later a man named Jim stopped to donate 20 dollars. He was heading to

Norther Mississippi and he also gave me some snacks. Then it was in Gulfport when the last donation came. That was from three men in a RV. They were weathered with beards. They were from California and they donated 20 dollars. They were heading to Florida. I stopped at a harbor. It might have been Long Beach. They had a Sno-Ball stand open. I got some ice and water there. Today was warm. Maybe hit the 90's. However, in the afternoon there was a nice ocean breeze that felt awesome. Today was pretty devastated on the front. I saw a Waffle House and an Italian Restaurant. There was a casino in Gulfport. There was shipping in Gulfport. Before Gulfport I walked through Long Beach. A photographer from the Sun Herald came out. The beaches were open in Long Beach. There wasn't much on the waterfront all day. A lot of places where houses should be and a few rebuilding. In Gulfport which had a beaten up downtown or waterfront. One could see about half or more of the building came back but many haven't. I could see dark skies and thunderstorms east. I felt some rain drops. Out came the rain poncho. The poncho covers my back and from my hips up. It wasn't long before it started coming down hard. I was across the street from the Gulfport Beachfront Motel. It was open was still has construction going on. I went over. They had a makeshift office on the second floor. The nice girl working gave me the church discount. I was sort of wet and my clothes in my back were wet. I needed to drop out. I had to wait an hour to shower. Then I hung out in the room. I wanted to make it to Biloxi today, but my day got cut short.

DAY 286--JUNE 13, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5 or 6

FROM: Gulfport, MS (Gulfport Beachfront Motel) TO: Biloxi, MS (Econo Lodge) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 10 TOTAL: 4,780

NEWS ARTICLE FROM THE SUN HERALD CLICK HERE. NEWS ARTICLE FROM ST. TAMMANY NEWSPAPER which is a tri weekly. The article came out today. CLICK HERE Today I woke up. I got a copy of the Sun Herald newspaper. There was a nice picture with a little article on the second page of the paper. I've been exhausted in the morning lately. I didn't get walking until 9 a.m. I went back to Highway 90. I had a fair bit of honks this morning. Al called this morning. He's coming to Biloxi and he's going to try and get a DVD copy of the segment to me. There are a few condos being built. Hardly anything on the waterfront now. There are some Casinos. It must have four or five miles and I found myself in Biloxi. I wasn't sure where I was going to stay. I didn't want Al to drive to far out of his way to see me and I'd like to spend a night in Biloxi. I saw a Econo lodge in Biloxi. I figured this would be my cheapest room. I don't know anyone down here. After checking in I dropped my back off. I had to back track to get to the library. For awhile today I walked on the beach side of the road and then the northside of the road. Then there was a little road that paralleled the main road. I walked that. I walked In front of Jefferson Davis' last house. I had a lady in Biloxi by a casino stop and donate ten dollars. She was blonde and had a white car.

Now I'm done at the library I'm going to walk back to the room. I'm going to rest. I haven't had a rest day since I left Mandeville. While no of my days have been really big. I had a couple decent days. 12 miles in this heat and humidity feels like a 20-mile day. Tomorrow I'm going to get an early start and try to make it to 20 miles or maybe even a couple more. However, I can't predict how tomorrow will turn out.

DAY 287--JUNE 14, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10-12, but not done yet. FROM: Biloxi, MS (Econo Lodge) TO: Ocean Springs, MS (Fort Bayou Saloon) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 240 TOTAL:5,020

Well, I've had a lot of honks today. People have donated 40 dollars for cancer research. People have given me 30 dollars to help me along the trip. I couldn't take a direct route since the Biloxi Bridge isn't done. I had to walk north to D'Iberville and then east and then south to get where I'm at. I'm at Coffee and More. Mr. Mac bought me dinner. He gave me ten dollars. Right before I walked into the coffee shop a bicyclist named Doug pulled over in his brown Mini-van and gave me ten dollars for food or what not. The first donation for cancer research came while I was walking on Highway 90 today. It was only a mile or two into my day. A young man pulled over in his truck. I forgot his name. My line of thought switched it before I could. In D'Iberville the ladies at the Waffle House gave me my breakfast. I was walking by a place where they have AA meeting and met Larry. He asked me if I wanted a soda. I went in and it started thunder storming. I sat and talked to Larry for about an hour. After that I continued on Lemoyne Rd. Then I took a right on Washington Ave. and that took me into the edge of Ocean Springs.

I woke this morning. I talked to my friend Austin late last night. The two-hour time change hurts sometimes. I couldn't get going that quick. Not like I planned to do yesterday. I walked back to Highway 90. I started walking against traffic. I had some honks. It wasn't long than a young guy in a Toyota truck pulled off. He read about me in the paper. He donated 20 dollars for cancer research. I kept walking on Highway 90. There was a lot of devastation. I saw the lighthouse. There was a big casino. Then I had to take a left. I had to head north along I-110. I would have kept going east but the bridge isn't done. It's a raised freeway. There was a walking path on the ground. That seemed to run out. I got onto the Freeway. Traffic was whizzing by. I needed to get over the bay. I kept walking. Once at the bay I saw that the other side of the freeway had a walking lane. In order to get there, I had to walk down the exit and go underneath the freeway. On the way down a girl name Jenni was pulled over. She donated 20 dollars for cancer research. I crossed under and I was on the walking path after some stairs. It was nice. I looked south east to see the bridge being built. Another bridge ran parallel to the one I was on. Or rather I should say, there was a bridge. Only a few sections remain now. Once I got to the other side I crossed under the bridge and came out on Rodriguez Rd. I crossed back to the east side of the Freeway. It started to rain. I stopped at a Waffle House. The waitresses were really nice. Annete is the only one whose name I could . She was tall slender blonde. I signed some autographs. I left with my poncho on. I walked down Rodriguez. Then I took a left on Gorneflo Rd. That went by residents. Then I took a right on Lemoyne Rd. That seemed to be more developed. I walked by the Lemoyne Fellowship Hall. Larry was outside. He had gray hair. He asked if I wanted coffee. I told him that I don't drink it. He asked if I wanted a soda. I said, "Sure." We went in the hall. It was a meeting hall for AA. We chatted. Then the rain came down. Once it broke then I resumed walking. I walked down to the end of Lemoyne and took a right on Washington. I saw the coffee shop and needed some food. Right before I got to the door Doug came over and dropped of 20 dollars to help me out on the trip. Then Mr. Mac gave me 10 dollars for dinner. Now it's a little after 6 p.m. and I need to figure out where I'm going to stay tonight. Once of the guys working at the Coffee shops gave me a bag with water and some snacks. They had two computers and it was free to use them.

I left the coffee shop and continued down Washington RD. I came to a river/bayou. The bridge had a walking lane. I didn't know where I was going to stay tonight. I saw the Fort Bayou Saloon. I figured I'd pop in for a minute. I did. I met some folks. One man name was Paul. He saw me on the news. The bartender, Kim, she saw me in the paper. Paul asked how much I raised. I told him a little over 4,800. He said 4,900 and ripped out a hundred-dollar bill and gave it to me. It wasn't long and then Kim gave me five 20's. Now it's up over 5,000 dollars. That's cool. Kim said if I didn't want to walk any further that I could sleep on the back deck. I did. I hung out and listened to some music off the jukebox. Paul and Kim both live in Ocean Springs. They were really nice. I met younger couple. The guy’s name was Keith, didn't catch the girl’s name. Paul didn't stay much longer. He bought me a cheeseburger and then he left. He was going to go fishing in the morning. I went out and rolled my sleeping pad out. I don't have a sleeping bag anymore. I do have a mummy liner for it. I got inside that. I have a stuff sack that serves as my pillow. Then I was ready to catch some Z's. Today I went from Biloxi to Ocean Springs the long way. I had one of my better days for donations recently. It was a good day. Met some interesting folks.

DAY 288--JUNE 15, 2007 MILES WALKED: 9-10 FROM: Ocean Springs, MS (Fort Bayou Saloon) TO: Gautier, MS (Suburban Extended Stay Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 25 TOTAL:5,045

Well today I didn't have a long day. My feet were hurting. Really the back of my right foot was the main problem. I saw a hotel in Gautier. I needed to clean up

and do some laundry. I was going to get a room but then I met Brad Johnson. He decided to pick up my room. Along the way walking from Ocean Springs to Gautier I raised 25 dollars for cancer research. Brad took me to lunch and bought me a couple of things at Wal-Mart. That was really nice of him. I woke up around 5:37 a.m. today. Around 4:30 I heard a garbage truck coming around. I got up and packed up. I took a picture of Fort Bayou Saloon and I was on the road again. I had less than a quarter of mile and then I was back on Highway 90. On the way out of Ocean Springs I stopped at a Cafe for some breakfast. The two waitresses donated 15 dollars for cancer research. Ocean Springs stretched on for a while. It had a lot of businesses. Then it started to be less developed. The city limits for Ocean Springs and Gautier are right next to each other. However, there is a gap between stores and development. There were a lot of pine trees along the road. Not right on the road but set back a little ways. It was sunny, humid, and warm. My right foot was killing me. I stopped at LaLa Land. It was a little gas station. A blonde lady saw me in the paper and made a ten-dollar donation. That made today a 25-dollar day for cancer research. I was walking along in Gautier. It had the fast food and a Lowe's. A new Lowe's is getting built next to the old one. I saw the Suburban Motel. I was tired and my feet hurt. I went over there. I went to ask prices and then figured what the heck. That's when Brad Johnson started asking me questions about my trip. He's from Indiana. He's down here working. He has an engineering company. They make hi-tech control s. He's doing work for Ogden. The company started with him and in a year, it has grown to 20 people. He picked up my hotel room. We walked out together. He invited me to lunch. I hopped in his rental car. We drove over to the Cracker Barrel which is off I-10 near Pascagoula. After that he dropped his clothes off to get cleaned. Then he took me to Wal-Mart. He bought me a couple tapes for my camera. Also, he bought me a memory card for my digital camera. After that we went back to the hotel. I rested up. I did some laundry later. Brad dropped his car off then. It's weird how I meet people along the trip and how things work out.

That was really nice of Brad to try and help out. Like many people along this trip his life has been affected by cancer. He's flying out tomorrow to Washington.

DAY 289--JUNE 16, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8-10 FROM: Gautier, MS (Suburban Extended Stay Motel) TO: Moss Point, MS (Ms. Bee's House) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 45 TOTAL: 5,085

I had a tough time dragging myself out of bed this morning. I finally got packed up and on the road a bit after 10 a.m. I was walking along. Gautier must have 5 thousand people or so. It's tough to tell for sure. I stopped by a pharmacy that had a US Post Office in it. I sent up a money order for 260 dollars to the Hutch. Then I mailed off a couple of Mini-DV tapes, a DVD, and some news clippings to my buddy Ryan in Bellingham. After that I walked across the street to the Gautier Public Library. I updated since Thursday afternoon until today. It's getting close to noon. Today might be my last day in Mississippi. I might make it to Alabama today. After the developed section of Gautier (go-shay) there was some areas with trees. After the library I got back on Highway 90. I had to walk through the rest of Gautier. Then I hit Pascagoula. I had to go over a causeway and then a bridge. The causeway went over the Singing River. In Pascagoula I saw a busy port or

shipyard. I think there is a lot of rebuilding. Once over the tall bridge then I was in the developed section of Pascagoula. I had a couple people stop to talk to me in that town. Hugh stopped by a Walgreens and dropped off 10 dollars. Pascagoula stretched a bit further east than I thought. I kept walking on Highway 90. I didn't know where I would stay. I walked past stores and businesses. I saw Miss-A-Bama Saloon. I popped in. I played some songs on the juke box. Some lady noticed me from the news. She offered to let me stay with her family. Her and her husband were on his bike. They were going to go home and get their car. They flaked out. A band showed up later. They made an announcement about what I was doing. I got on stage and said a few things. Trish who worked there donated 20 dollars, but I lost it. The place filled up pretty good. Ms. Bee lived next door. They had her come over to see if I could pitch my tent. She let me crash in the extra room. About midnight I went over there and rolled out my sleeping pad and went to sleep.

DAY 290--JUNE 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15 or 16 FROM: Moss Point, MS (Ms. Bee's house) TO: St. Elmo, AL (7th Day Adventist Church) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL: 5,105

Today started off as a Mississippi morning and finished as an Alabama afternoon. My Wal-Mart shoes got put to the test. Today I had the most uneventful state crossing of the trip. I didn't confirm I was in Alabama until I was three miles into the state and in Grand Bay. I had a feeling I was in the state. The first clue was the mile maker. Mississippi didn't have mile markers. Second, the topography changed slightly. The land wasn't flat. The forest was thicker and seemed to have a different tree. Lastly, I saw 251 one area codes. I didn't see a 'Welcome to Alabama' sign. I asked around in Grand Bay and I don't think there was one on highway 90. There might have been a tiny state line sign, but I didn't see it and it could have been destroyed in Katrina. I woke up in Moss Point, Mississippi and walked to St. Elmo, Alabama. That was about 15-17 miles from Mobile. Michelle Karcher (Andree Duhon of Baton Rouge's sister) came out and picked me up at the 7th Day Adventist Church. I'll resume my walk there tomorrow or the next day. Ms. Bee had to be at work before 6 a.m. I was up a little after 5:30 a.m. After cinnamon rolls and grits, I was on the road. I didn't make it but a couple a miles and I needed a nap. I found a decent spot. I got off the highway. It was dried out swampy area. It worked. I slept for two hours and woke up in sweat. I think most of Moss Point is closer to I-10. I saw some houses but mainly just some trees along the road. I did bump into a little gas station. I got some hot dogs there and read the paper. Then I was back on the road. Highway 90 is 4 lanes. It makes a change to 2 lanes. Before that happens Highway 90 gets really close to I-10. I could see it. I took a break at an old weigh station. It wasn't much further when the road turned to 2 lanes. I guess that was the state line. I didn't see any sign. I was on the phone with my friend saying that I was about a mile away from Alabama. I saw two old bars. I can't if it was in Alabama or Mississippi. Looked like tough places back in their day. It was a lot of trees. Then I saw a mile marker one sign. That is when I started thinking I was in Alabama. Then I saw 251 area codes on signs for people advertising. The land had a slight roll and the trees seemed different.

The first town was Grand Bay. It didn't seem big but I'm sure it had a few things by I-10. Highway 90 is that busy. It was warm. It was around 1 or 2 when I was in Grand Bay. I took a break at a little store and had some pizza. I called Michelle Karcher to let her know that I was in Alabama. She said that I wasn't that far away, and she'd come get me and drop me back off the next day. I stopped by the Dollar Store and then I was on my way out of town. It was warm. I got off the road into the shade for a half an hour or so. I resumed and the heat was getting to me. I was drinking a bunch of water. My feet were hurting. My ankles started to hurt. The shoes let my feet roll to the inside. I kept walking. There were some houses and trees. There were slight hills. It's been so flat of awhile that they stood out. I ed the St. Elmo airport. Not much of airport. It looked some crop grown around there. That was about when Michelle called. I made it into St. Elmo, and I was by the 7th Day Adventist Church. She had her 11-year-old daughter, Sara, with her. I filmed myself by the sign of the church. I'll be resuming my walk there. We didn't go home. We went to the Buccaneer Yacht Club where Kent and Michelle are . It's on Mobile Bay. It was nice. There are doing some building there. They have a pool. I showered up. I met a bunch of people and I was dead tired. Today wore me out. I walked about 7-8 miles to the border and about 8 miles deep into Alabama. After that we went to a Mexican Restaurant. Then back to the Karcher's house. I slept on a mattress in the dining room. Thanks to them for taking me in. Today was an exciting day. Despite the uneventfulness of the border crossing. I'm in my second to last state. State number 9. The shortest section of a state that I'll be walking across. I'm knocking on Florida's reality. 290 days from Bellingham to Alabama. Once I'm in Florida the ending becomes more of a reality.

9

Alabama

DAY 291--JUNE 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0

I've walked ten days straight from Mandeville, LA to St. Elmo, AL. I was dead tired this morning. I'm staying in Mobile with the Karcher Family. Michelle tomorrow will drop me back off in St. Elmo and I'll resume my walk and walk into Mobile. I'll probably stay with Michelle's friend Avery tomorrow night. Today I went to Academy and got my 7th pair of shoes. They are a nice pair of New Balance. Besides that, I took it easy today. We went downtown and scoped out the tunnel and bridge that I'm going to have to walk. The tunnel is out, but the bridge will work. It'll just tack on some extra mileage. Both Kent and Michelle Karcher play the Sax. Kent works for an engineering firm and Michelle teaches music. Kent pulled out one of his old saxophone out and he played some tunes. They play with bands and sorts. There 16- or 17-yearold daughter is getting ready to head to China for a month. Her name is Rachel. Sara is 11. She played a couple of video games on the computer. She used my name for the team’s name.

Today there were some strong showers. It was nice to see them from the inside. The ten-dollar shoes I got at Wal-Mart got me from Christian, MS to St. Elmo, AL. I wore them out and they couldn't handle that much walking.

DAY 292--JUNE 19, 2007 MILES WALKED: 18 FROM: St. Elmo, AL (7th Adventist Church) TO: Mobile, AL (Fearnway and Old Shell RD.) $ TO FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 5,105

WKRG Channel 5 in Mobile News Link. CLICK HERE Today was my first day in my 7th pair of shoes. Today I walked a good day. There were a little rain drops early in the day. Then it got hot. Then the cloud cover came back. Then at the very end of my day it started down pouring. I'm staying with the FICK family. Joe, Steve, and Mike are the three sons. Avery is the mother. She picked me up at the corner of Fearnway and Old Shell Rd. It wasn't that far from her house. I walked from St. Elmo to Mobile. This morning I woke up and then Michelle Karcher returned me to the 7th Day Adventist Church in St. Elmo. Before I got started, I talked to Keshia Peyton from channel 5. She got my email yesterday and was interested in picking up the story. It was about 8:15 when I got dropped off. There were some sprinkles at the start, but I didn't pull my rain poncho on. Michelle cooked up some eggs and biscuits. She is heading to Atlanta later today. There I was. Back on the road. St.

Elmo was tiny. It was a little after 9:30 when Keshia called. I was three miles or so east of St. Elmo. After St. Elmo there was mainly just trees, a couple fields, and a few houses. The land wasn't exactly flat, but not real hilly. It was a few miles away from Theodore when Keshia and Arnell came out. They were in the WKRG car. They interviewed me and then got a bunch of shots of me walking. Keshia drove ahead as Arnell walked with me. She bought us some water. She bought me two liters. I sure needed it. Once they left it was nearly noon. It was warming up. I was into Theodore and getting close to I-10. I'm walking on Highway 90. Theodore is decent sized and has a bunch of businesses. Then I crossed underneath I-10. I stopped at a Waffle House (the Alabama stop sign) for lunch. I hit the road. I kept on Highway 90. It pretty developed and then it hits stretch of not much besides trees. Then it hits the commercial area again. Then it crosses I-65. It got warm in the middle of the day. Highway 90 is known as Government Blvd. now. I kept walking. I crossed under I-65. I went by a bunch of car dealerships. Then after a while the commercial section gives way to a resident. They were pretty nice. I called Avery Fick who'd I'd be staying with. I was nearing her house. I walked past an old cannon. Not much further and then I took a left on Monterrey. That took me straight to Old Shell the street her family lives on. At that point the rain started coming down in buckets. I pulled out my rain poncho. That walk took me by some nice old homes. Then I took a right. I made it as far as Fearnway and then Avery picked me up, so I paused my walk there. We went to her house. The thunder was roaring. Lighting was striking. The power fluttered on and off several times. I caught my news segment on channel 5. They did a nice piece. Her three sons showed up. First Mike. Then Steve and Joe. I hung out with them. We ate dinner. Chicken and rice with veggies. Then we chatted and listened to some music. Steve is going to be a junior. Mike I'm not sure. Joe is going to be a junior and University of Alabama. Jeff the father works as a customs agent down in Miami. Later we watched the movie pitch black. Now I'm tired and I'm going to bed. Thanks to the Ficks for taking me in.

DAY 293--JUNE 20, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 5,105

Last night Avery noticed that I was pretty tired. This morning she said I could rest up if I needed. I felt that it would be a good idea. I lazed around today. I watched some Family Guy with Joseph. Then later I went with Avery, Michael, and Joseph to the University of South Alabama swimming pool. Stephen met us there. Avery runs swim lessons. Her sons helped out. I got in the water for a while. Michelle Karcher and her daughter Sara were there. After I got out of the pool I roamed around the campus. I went to a building that had a food service and a game room. After the swim lessons we went to a Mongolian Grill. All the boys are into stories. They told me stories of their adventures. Of a time when the sail fell off the boat. They've raced from Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island. I think that's 18 miles. Well tomorrow I'll strike out of Mobile and get to the other side of the bay. I'll probably be in Florida in a couple of days. That's when the true test will begin. Last state. A big one and it'll be the dead of a summer here soon. I guess a fitting way to finish the trip.

DAY 294--JUNE 21, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15-16

FROM: Mobile, AL (Fearnway and Old Shell) TO: Spanish Fort, AL (Scott's Landing Bait Shop) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:5,105

Today was interesting. Avery dropped me off just after 6 a.m. back at Fearnway. I resumed my walk. I walk downtown. I stopped by the Mobile Press . I was picked up the Port Authority Police for filming state property. I had someone from the paper about to get a picture of me when the Police picked me up. I had to go to their headquarters. Everything got cleared up pretty quickly. Today President Bush would be coming into town. They’re on lock down today. I had to go up and over the Cochran bridge which added about 6 miles to my walk. What's new. Then I walked the land causeway across the bay to the edge of the eastern shore. It wasn't that humid today so that was nice. It was only at 27 percent or so. I had a bunch of honks. Talked with some folks that saw me on the news. After Avery dropped me off, I was walking along enjoying the early morning. I walked down Old Shell then cut over to a street with more traffic. Then I found myself in downtown Mobile. There is one real tall building with a couple kind of tall buildings. Then I headed north. I couldn't walk through the tunnels. I was walking so close to the newspaper that I stopped by. I had to wait a few minutes before it was 8 a.m. I talked with a reporter. Then she said someone will maybe call me. I left. I was less than a half mile away heading toward the industrial waterfront when Lindy called me. She wanted to meet with me. There was a historic building across the street kitty corner to the Press . I was waiting for her when an officer from the Port Authority Police showed up and asked why I was filming state property. I told her what I was doing. She said that I needed to come back to headquarters. Lindy showed up as I was going to leave. I went back to the headquarters of the Port Police. It was a small building. I got my ID out and some newspaper clippings. Then a few of the officers talked. Then the chief came in. He said I've gotten some press. I told him, "Yes." He had some questions of my journey and then the officer would return me. On the way

back she said most of the times they make people delete or tape over the footage. They didn't ask to look at mine. From there I walked the industrial area. Railroad tracks and big industrial set ups along the river. I walked Telegraph road until a cut off. There was an old submarine there. I heard that it was built for Jacque Cousteau. I took the cut off. I was in Africa Town. Not much of a town. That's the real name of that section. Then I was on the Cochran bridge. I walked over the bridge. It had a big shoulder. It was the only way I was getting across the River. One over the bridge I headed south. I came to were Highway 90 and I-10 are. I10 is like a bridge causeway that crosses the bay. Highway 90 is a land causeway. I ed a battleship. Avery called me and said she met someone that would take me in. I enjoyed the beauty of the day. I had to cross a little bridge. The old bridge had no shoulder. That was for west bound traffic. Eastbound had a new bridge that had plenty of shoulder. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the humidity wasn't all that bad. I didn't know that 90 would be a land causeway. There was a hotel and restaurant near the Battleship. I filled my water at the restaurant. I figured that would be the last thing I'd see to the other side. Wrong. Once I was over the little bridges. There were some restaurants here and there. I crossed underneath I-10 and I was on the north side of the road. From time to time, I'd get a honk of the horn. Right before I crossed underneath I-10 I met a couple of fellows. One of them saw me on the news. They were in the parking lot of a restaurant eating some crawfish. They gave me some water and Gatorade. They asked a bunch of questions. I didn't meet anyone else until I was nearly to the easter shore. I walked along. I ed a couple more restaurants and the state park that I had planned to stay at. There were some houses near the park. One more river to cross and I would be on the eastern shore. The guys I met saw me on the news. They were stoked to see me, and they wanted to help out with water or soda. They did.

I called Mitch Lee and he was going to come out and pick me up. I had just made it over the river. I went down a little hill and I was at Scott's Landing Bait Shop. It looked like a good day to stop for the day. Mitch showed up 20 minutes later in his green two-wheel drive Toyota truck. He was in his late 40's with long blonde hair. We went back to his place. I met his wife Cynthia whom I had phone conversation earlier. They have three sons. Her two. Logan 22 who lives in California and Michael, 20, who lives here. Mitch has a son who is named Richard and must be 18 or so. Mitch works at an aviation place in Mobile. He's trying to relocate to the Pacific Northwest. My home area. Mitch and Cynthia met in California. Then he moved out to Alabama. She ended up in Alabama with her kids. I don't know how long they have been married but they have known each other for 13 or 14 years or so. They have a three-bedroom house in the Lake Forest Subdivision. They are really nice, and they are trying to help me find places to stay between here and Pensacola.

DAY 295--JUNE 22, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3 FROM: Spanish Fort, AL (Scott's Landing Bait Shop) TO: Daphne, AL (Cynthia and Mitch Lee's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 10 TOTAL:5,115

Today was a short day. I walked from where Mitch picked me up to the Lee's house. It was only several miles. I had a waitress at a Waffle House give me free

breakfast. Lisa Williams saw me at Alligator Alley, and she donated 10 dollars. She caught me at a moment when I saw my first alligator of the trip. I started walking around 8 and then I finished around noon. Cynthia dropped me off back at Scott's Landing Bait Shop a little after 8. I videotaped me starting my day. I then walked and a way then turned south on 98 and 90. That took me out of Spanish Fort and into Daphne. I crossed over Interstate 10. I walked along and it was mainly wooded and then once I got near I-10 there was some hotels and restaurants. I walked up to the Waffle House. The nice waitress gave me a free breakfast. Then after that I walked down to Alligator Alley. I was waiting to an alligator. Then I was waiting to see if someone from the paper might come snap a picture. I did see an alligator. I was stoked. I had the video camera out and I was taking pictures. A lady showed up. She saw me on the news. She donated 10 dollars for cancer research. Her name was Lisa Williams, and she was blonde. After a brief chat she left. I hung out for a bit more then I headed up Main St. to Lake Forest. Then I walked up the hill and then made my way to 114. That was Mitch and Cynthia's house. Michael was still asleep. Cynthia showed up and let me in. My ankle was fairly swollen. I noticed it last night. It doesn't really hurt. Michael's friend Lane came over after she got off work. I think she works at the Grand Resort where Avery's sons Stephen and Joseph work. We tried the hold the head to a door and try and pull a chair up and then stand trick. Women can do it and men can't. Then we dropped a broom and tried to catch it. I caught it on tape. I hung out. Later I went with Michael and his girlfriend to a wing place. He bought. Then we hung out in front of Books-a-Million with a bunch of kids

ranging between 12-20. It wasn't all that fun. Just a little too young and I was tired. I went back and crashed out.

DAY 296--JUNE 23, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 5,115

Today I rested up my swollen ankle. It looks a lot better than it did yesterday. It doesn't really hurt, but it still slightly swollen. I hung out around the house most of the day. Cynthia and I went to a couple libraries that were closed by the time we got there. Then we went back to the house. Richard and Michael went camping. Mitch worked today. He works 7 days a week a lot. Later I walked the College World Series. Oregon State is going for the second title in as many years. Nothing really excited happened. Well Cynthia and I on library hunt that took us to Fairhope went to Wal-Mart. The car wouldn't start. She called Mitch. He was off and stopped by. He got it to run.

DAY 297--JUNE 24, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a

TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 5 TOTAL: 5,120

MOBILE BALDWIN EDITION NEWSLINK CLICK HERE Today I planned another day off to rest up my ankle. Cynthia invited me to church. It was an inter-city church in Mobile. Also, afterwards she was going to take me to Kinkos so that I could update my website. An old lady from the church donated 5 dollars for cancer research. I saw that the Baldwin put an article online. The church was an old Methodist church downtown. We showed up and it was children having breakfast. Then they went in for Sunday school. Then around 11 a.m. they had their service. Music and several people reading some scriptures. Then the Rev. Fail had his parts. Cynthia made an announcement about what I was doing. I talked a couple sentences. After that we went down to find the Kinko's. That's where I'm at right now. After that we'll go back to the other side of the bay. A short drive or a full day walk. Tomorrow I'll strike out early and try to in Florida in a couple of days.

DAY 298--JUNE 25, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12 FROM: Daphne, AL (Mitch and Cynthia Lee's House) TO: Loxley, AL (Loxley Public Library)

$ to FHCRC TODAY: 28 TOTAL:5,148

Today was a short and wet day. It was good walking. My ankle feels fine. Mitch and Cynthia offered to pick me up and drop me off wherever I stop walking for the day. I didn't Mitch to have to come out to get me. He works hard every day and works long hours. That meant that I needed to stop around 3:30 or 4 p.m. Around 1 p.m. today the water came pouring down. That lasted for about a half an hour. A man who lives in Baldwin County, Bruce, stopped his black SUV and came to my side of the road. He donated 28 dollars. His family recognized me from the news last week. His family popped out. I wish I could have chatted some more. Today I had a few hills coming out of Daphne. I got a late start this morning. I was up but I just laid there thinking. Thinking about the trip. Thinking about all sorts of things. I got packed up and was on the road a little after 10 a.m. It was partly cloudy and humid. I walked out of Lake Forest and back tracked past Alligator Alley to Highway 90. I was past some commercial area and then it was pretty wooded for most the rest of the day. I had some good little hills coming out of Daphne. I had a good sweat going. With the humidity don't need hills to sweat. There was a trail along the road for a bit. A few miles down the road I bumped into a little developed area. I met a man with an Irish last name, and he saw me on the news, and he wished me good luck and was glad to see what I was doing. There was a Lowe's and some more. More developed to the north toward I-10. Then it was back to wooded area and a house here and then or a clump of houses. I still had a little uphill and downhill. Like I said once 1 p.m. rolled around. Out came the blue rain poncho. Millions of rain drops quickly fell to the earth. That lasted for a half an hour. I probably walked a mile or mile and a half. It stopped. I still had my rain poncho on and that's when Bruce came over and made the donation. There was a little store. I went in and grabbed some cheap snacks. I sat down and ate as another little rain past. This one was lighter and much briefer.

I resumed without my rain poncho. Between there and Loxley where 90 follows Highway 59 south I saw some farmland. I could see I-10. I saw some weird cow type thing. It had a hunch in its back. I went up to the fence and they slowly worked their way to me. The same property had black calves and two brown horses. It was thundering and lighting south of me. I thought I'd be walking into it. It was partly blue skies where I was at. I kept walking straight. Then I walked int Loxley city limits. Still a few more farms. Then I got to the point where 90 merged with Highway 59. Then a mile or so later and I was in the main drag of Loxley. I walked along and saw the library which looks like an old British rock building. I called Cynthia and she is on her way out. I'll stay with here again and she'll drop me off here in the morning. I'm using the computer to update my website. Check back to see if anything crazy happens when I go back to stay with Cynthia.

DAY 299--JUNE 26, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16 FROM: Loxley, AL (Public Library) TO: Seminole, AL (At Seminole sign on west edge of the town off Highway 90) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 5,148

Today I walked from Loxley to Seminole. It was a pretty good day. Yeah, it was warm and humid, but that didn't take its toll till the end of the day. Like yesterday Cynthia came out to pick me up. I met with a reporter from the Independent, a weekly paper out of Robertsdale. I walked through the rest of Loxley and the through Robertsdale and Elanor. It was blue skies with some skies. In the distance I could see some dark skies. I had a bunch of todays and spent the bulk of my day walking in the country. After leaving Robertsdale there

wasn't much. Farms and houses. The scenery was pretty. Green with a lot of forest and a slight roll to the land. Sometimes I could see a little way with a large field. I started to get some chaffing toward the end of the day. I had a window of when Cynthia could come pick me up. She came out around 3:30 p.m. This morning Cynthia and I left her house around 7 a.m. I was at the Loxley library to resume my walk around 7:15. I walked through Loxley and then a little area that wasn't developed. I had 3 or 4 miles to Robertsdale. It wasn't really developed. It was pretty nice. I stopped at a store and saw a local newspaper. I called them. I talked with a reporter. Barbara Grider and met me at the gas station I was at the time. Right before I got there some kid noticed me off the news. She snapped a picture and then we chatted while she jotted down some information. The paper is a weekly and it might not run this week but maybe next week. After that I hit the road. Today was humid but the heat has reached its full force and the morning is some good walking. I kept walking on Highway 59/9O. Then in Robertsdale 90 takes an eastward turn. I made the turn, and I was thankful. Highway 59 had a lot of traffic going this fast this morning. I can only mention how it felt that I was in the David Lynch film "Eraserhead." There was a nice, paved walking and bike path. That didn't last long. Pretty soon I left the developed area of Robertsdale. Alabama isn't exactly flat. I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong. The hills aren't that bad. The road has a little shoulder. I find myself in the dirt/grass area next to the shoulder most often. Highway 90 at this point is a two-lane road. After that I had a good hike to Elsanor. I didn't even a sign coming into the area. It was a spread-out community. Farms and pastures with green forests. I ed a school and fire hall. Then at an intersection a couple of gas stations. I stopped at one and grabbed a snack. This is when the chaffing started to kick in. I found that I can hardly sit down in the middle of the day while I walk in this humidity. It's not that it hurts to sit, but when I start up again...well...let's just say things go downhill. I left Elsanor with some pain. It started to go away. Then I stopped and put some gold

bond on. At first it was like pouring hydrogen peroxide onto a cut. Later it seemed that it might be doing the job. I talked to Cynthia. When she was done swimming, she would be on her way to come get me. I made it 3 or 4 miles past Elsanor and made it to the edge of Seminole. It was nearly time for Cynthia to come out and I paused my walk at the sign. It was on the south side of the road. Along the way I didn't see a bunch. Some houses, trees, and green pastures. Today wasn't the most exciting but most of the walking was good. I met up with a reporter and had another interview. It's almost second nature. It was nice to have a cool place to stay and some folks to hang with. Tonight, was my sixth and final night with the Lee Family. I have to thank them for taking me and all the kindness they've shown like so many along this journey. After being picked up and I rode back to Daphne. Today was a little over 16 miles and I was worn out. It was my last night with Mitch, Cynthia, Richard and Michael. I felt asleep for a bit. Then I woke up for supper. Then just hung out with the gang. Cynthia went to Mobile to teach swim lessons with Avery. Mitch was bouncing around. Richard and I watched the discovery channel. Then I was alone on the couch that has been my home for the last 5 nights. I forgot to mention that.

DAY 300--JUNE 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8-10 FROM: Seminole, AL (At Seminole sign at west of edge of township area off Highway 90) TO: Beulah, FL (Leisure Lake RV Park) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 50 TOTAL: 5,195

Today I had Cynthia drop me back off in Seminole where she picked me up at yesterday. I had around 5 miles to the state line. Around 10 a.m. I crossed the river, and I was in Florida. My last state. It was mostly sunny with some clouds. It was warm. I've been in with James and Melisa Bentley that live in Pensacola. James works for the ABC WEAR Channel 3. She picked me up when I was about a mile into Florida. I went to the station and went on the Dayside show. It was cool and thanks to them for doing that. James dropped me back off where I left off. I made it maybe three miles and then it was thunderstorm time. Loud roar of thunder and lightning striking. James picked me up at a RV park where I was finding shelter on the west side of office building. I went and hung out with James as he edited up a commercial. That was cool. After that back to the Bentley's house. The 53rd set of people that I didn't know prior to the trip that has taken me in. I'm sleeping in Breton's room. After dinner we went out and got ice cream. Then over to Academy Sports and Outdoors for me to get some things. Cynthia dropped me off at 8:12 this morning. There I was. A new day. I bid farewell to Cynthia. I filmed me starting my day at the Seminole sign. Not long into my day I ed the milepost 72 on Highway 90. I was off. I was a little over five miles from Florida. My tenth and final state. There wasn't much out there. Trees and fields. A little ways into the day on some side road a road worker noticed me from the WKRG Mobile newscast. After a brief chat and I hit the road. Before I knew it, I was in the downtown area of Seminole. A couple gas stations and a couple other businesses. I had a little bridge to cross. Then the road was built up and the land was below a good ways. One more bridge over and river and I'd be crossing the state line. The excitement building. I crossed the bridge. Once over the bridge I cross the state line and then in the not so far distance I can see the 'Welcome to Florida' sign. I spent a lot of time videotaping around this area. I videotaped me walking into Florida. How sweet that felt. My last state. To the north of the highway there was some houses down below the road. I was in with both James and Melisa today. Melisa was on her way out to pick me up to take me to WEAR Channel 3 for Dayside newscast. I made it up to a weight station that is a mile or

so into Florida. She picked me up next to the weight station. She was in her black Jetta. I hopped in and off we went. We got into the TV station and the receptionist ushered back to the set. We went in and sat in some chairs. Two anchors sat at the table reporting the news. There was a weatherman. He was near the anchors and then went to blue background to talk about the weather. I could see a monitor of what viewers could see. The room had a blue wall area, another area for anchors, the main anchor desk and then another spot that had two chairs. Melisa and I sat in a couple chairs out of the way of all that. A girl came in. Sue Strong the anchor told her to take a seat in of the two chairs. She did. After a while on a commercial break Sue left the main anchor desk and sat down next to the girl. The room has two women running three cameras. Sue told me that once she's done talking with that girl that during the break I'll come over and she'll mike me up. I'll be going on live. And that was exactly what happened. I was less nervous than I thought. This is the second time I've went live. The first time was in El Paso. It went fast and then I was done. When I put my backpack back on. The cap to one of my camel backs fell off. We tried looking for it. It was on the floor at a section that was blue. Without that mouthpiece the water flows freely. James showed up. After I was done James introduced me to Carl Leahy, General Manager of WEAR 3 donated 50 dollars for cancer research. He was a nice guy that thought I was a little crazy. After that James dropped me back off near the weigh station. I kept walking on Highway 90. Nothing much out here but forests. Then I kept walking and then 90 splits. I kept going straight on 9 Mile Rd. I got to area and started seeing some houses and some businesses. I ed by a little store where I filled my water. Not much further past the storm. The north side was totally undeveloped and there wasn't much on the south side. Nothing but trees and foliage to the north. Dark Skies, thunder and lightning were moving my way. Walking in a thunderstorm like that is a little scary. James called before the storm was at me. Then I was right underneath it. I couldn't make it to the store. I found cover near the office building of Leisure Lake RV Park. That is where James picked me up. A vast amount of rain coming down. James took me back to the TV station with him. I went and watched him edit a commercial. It was pretty neat. Then we went back to his house. Then Melisa,

Breton, and Lilly Claire showed up. Breton is 6 and Lilly Claire is 4. Breton right away asked if I got my package. He couldn't wait to see what was in there. I asked if he wanted to guess. He wanted to take a peek. The peak turned into opening a small box. It was 250 business cards. Debbie Peters, from Tomball, TX, sent them down. She owns a Minuteman print shop. Thanks Debbie. I hung out. At one point I asked Lilly Claire what my name was. She said, "the walking man." After dinner we went out for ice cream and to Academy. I use my gift card that the Midland, TX Academy supplied. I got another camel back water bladder, a pedometer, batteries, and some bug spray. Now I'm writing this blog and I'm moments from going to sleep. Well tomorrow I'll be back on the road.

10

Florida

DAY 301--JUNE 28, 2007 MILES WALKED: 13 FROM: Beulah, FL (Leisure Lakes RV Park) TO: Pensacola, FL (BP station at Scenic Drive and Northpointe roads) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:5,195

News clip from WEAR Channel 3 out of Pensacola, FL. It's posted on YouTube.Com CLICK HERE Video clip from the Pensacola News Journal. CLICK HERE Today was a slow grind of a day. I met with Rick from the Pensacola News Journal. He was coming to shoot a video interview with me. I probably won't make the paper copy of the paper. Melisa left on a flight out of town early this morning. She works for Continental Airlines. James rounded the youngsters up for daycare. After dropping them off he dropped me off. I had a healthy day of walking. 13 miles that felt like 30. It was a warm one. I walked 9-mile road most of the day and then took a right turn on Scenic Dr. That road took me along

Escambia Bay. It was scenic. I ran into a couple people who recognized from the Mobile news story. One was a guy named Arron who worked at Battery Source off 9 Mile Road. Another was a truck driver. He honked and talked as he drove. I got up at 7 a.m. this morning. After packing up I got online. James rounded Breton and Lilly Claire up for daycare. That is a chore in itself. We dropped them off at daycare and then he dropped me off. It was around 8:30 or so. It was right back where I left off yesterday. I got back on 9 miles road which is alt. 90 at this point. Soon I was walking past a military area where they fly planes. It wasn't really developed until I got to the other side of Interstate 10. Don't get me wrong. There are some businesses, but it doesn't kick up to after I-10. I got a call from Rick from the Pensacola News Journal. He was going to meet up with me. By this time, I was already east of the Interstate. We made plans to meet at Pine Forest Rd. I made it a little ways past there and I stopped at a Wendy's to get some cheap burgers. Rick showed up. A block north there was a nice little park with a gazebo. We chatted and then Rick pulled out the tripod and camera. We ran into a roadblock. The battery was dead on Rick's camera. Oh well. He miked me up and everything. Rick left to go get a battery. I kept walking. I made it up to a Home Depot. I was looking for a decent spot for the interview. I thought Rick might be any time. It was getting hot and felt like a hundred degrees. I found a spot next to a fence in the shade. I hung out there. Rick called and said he'd be a bit longer. I got back on the road and then I crossed Highway 29. The heat was starting to get to me. I felt like my head was going to explode. I stopped at Whataburger. I got some ice water. Rick called and said he was on his way. I hung out there until he showed up. We did the interview outside. There is a link above to the interview. Afterwards Rick hovered around and got some shots of me walking. Rick gave me 20 dollars to use for anything I need. That's the only money have so I could sure use it. I got back on 9 Mile Rd. I kept on walking. I walked by a place called Battery Source. Arron came down. He saw me on the news. We chatted for ten minutes. He said he would like to do what I was doing but doesn't think that he could. I hit the road. I'm glad he stopped me to talk. A mile down the road I came up to

an intersection near the Baptist Medical Center. A red 18-wheeler as turned off a small side street to the intersection rolled his window down and shouted at me. He said he saw me on the news. He gave me the thumbs up. He asked how much further. I told him Miami Beach. He gave me the thumbs up. Then at the intersection when he drove off, he gave me a loud honk and another thumbs up. That made my day really awesome. There were a few little hills today. It was much further as I walked near Western Florida U. The campus is off the road blocked by trees. I came to Scenic Drive. I took a right and then I made my way down there. It was nice. Trees and some houses. I could see Escambia Bay. It was nice. It was some uphill and downhill. Today for not a long walking day wore me out. I neared I-10. I could see the bridge across the bay. I was thinking about walking to James' house. I stopped at the BP gas station he told me about off Scenic Drive and Northpointe Blvd. I went in and had a slice of pizza. I went outside and got my pack on. James in the white van pulled into the parking lot. I was planning on walking more, but I was glad to see James and it was nice to stop for the day. I videotaped my ending point for the day. I went back. I started putting some more pictures on my website. Also, I posted the news clip from WEAR 3. I had some chicken patties for dinner. James had to go pick up the tots from daycare. I'm tired and trying to get off the computer.

DAY 302--JUNE 29, 2007 MILES WALKED: 14 FROM: Pensacola, FL (BP station off Scenic Drive at Northpointe Blvd.) TO: Pensacola Beach, FL (Morgan Park) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 5 TOTAL: 5,200

Today was a pretty good day of walking. I hit some good breeze walking over a

bridge today. I walked down Scenic Drive and then took a left on 17th. That took me over a bridge that went from Pensacola to Gulf Breeze. On Scenic Drive I ed an old Chimney and had lots of scenic views. On 17th I walked by 'Graffiti Bridge'. Gulf Breeze what a cool name. I met some people along the way. I stopped at Scenic 90 Cafe. Met some folks there. At the park at the west side of the Bay Bride I met Bubba and Jeff. I had a postman in Gulf Breeze save me from walking the wrong direction. After Gulf Breeze I head out over another bridge to Pensacola Beach. I made it to Morgan Park and that is when James, Lilly Claire, and Breton came and got me. Thanks to the Bentley family for taking me in. I shaved today too. Right now, I have a mustache. I'll shave it off here in a little bit. THE CHIMNEY ALONG SCENIC DRIVE. VIEW OFF SCENIC DRIVE GRAFFITI BRIDGE Today James dropped me off before the kids. There I was right back where I left off yesterday. It was the start of another great day. It was around a.m. I started back on Scenic Highway. It was some up and down hill. Much of the time on a bluff with a view of the bay. At one of the low points, I walked out to the sandy shore. I walked by an old Chimney which is pictured above. I set my tripod up a couple of times. I have a sweet tripod that I can wrap around things. Houses were mainly on the west side of the road. A few on the shoreline. Then toward the end of my time on the Scenic it become more commercial and moved inland. I was starving and I was in a sweat. My shirt was totally drenched. I stopped at the Scenic 90 Cafe. I hardly have any money, but I was starving. The waitresses all were interested in what I was doing. Tony Gentry donated 5 dollars for cancer research. I filled up my water and then I was on the road. I kept walking by businesses and then I crossed a little bridge. Nice houses along the water with boats and such. Then not much further and it was some nice houses and then I took a left on 17th. There was a bunch more houses. I came to Graffiti bridge. I stopped and pictured. James would later tell me how they tried many times to clean it up, but it never worked and now it's a landmark. Past that

I saw a guy getting on his jet ski. Then I was at the Wayside park at the west side of the bay bridge. I walked along taking the sight of the bay. There were covered picnic areas. I ran by some guys. They hollered at me. It was Bubba and Jeff. They had a tough night last night, so they were having some whiskey for breakfast. I'm not sure if there homeless. I talked with them for moment. It was the heat of the day I needed some time in the shade. I wanted to capture those guys on tape. They had a friend on a bike show up, but I didn't catch his name. He didn't want to be on camera. I hit the road. I had the three-mile bay bridge to cross. I hopped on it. I was more concerned about not dying rather than catching great shots. I got some shots. My digital camera screen is mes. It's just white. It takes pictures fine, but I can't see what I take. I have to point and shoot now. I had a great breeze as I walked across the bridge. Toward the end I could see sections of an old bridge. It remained mainly intact closer toward shore. Old bridge that used to be a fishing place until Hurricane Ivan ruined it. I went over the bridge. I stopped at the wayside park there for a bit getting out of the sun. I met a man from San Antonio as I walked away. He was walking to get some ice. I kept walking. I was hungry again and had to go to the restroom. I saw a Burger King. I got a couple dollars hamburgers. I chatted with a guy. My camera tape was out. I walked across the street to the pharmacy and spent the last of my money on two tapes for my camera. Then I walked down Fairpoint Rd. or Blvd. which was off Highway 98 which is what road I'm on. I think I got on 98 when I got on the bridge. I walked down Fairpoint thinking I would get to the beach. Wrong. Luckily, I caught a mail man and he told me it wouldn't. I walked back to 98. I walked up and there was colorful Pensacola Beach sign not more than a mile down the road. I took a right on whatever highway that was. That went a ways. Then I had another bridge. This one had the old bridge intact except for the area where boats go through. It was a causeway type. The new bridge has a tall center for boats to go under. There was a toll once one got to Pensacola Beach. I could see houses and some big, tall condos. I stopped at Morgan Park. It was named after James P. Morgan. It had a botanical garden. James Bentley and the kids were on the way. The white van pulled up around 5 p.m. I hopped in. I went back and showered up. I shaved after dinner. I was tired. It's not till later till I got around to updating my site. I'm tired and I'm going to bed.

DAY 303--JUNE 30, 2007 MILES WALKED: 1.5 FROM: Pensacola Beach, FL )Morgan Park) TO: Pensacola Beach, FL (Pavilion) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 41 TOTAL: 5,240

Today I got held up at the beautiful beaches of Pensacola. I was about to leave when a man wanted to take a picture of me in front of his dolphin sculpturer. I saw a dolphin today. I raised 41 dollars for cancer research. I met a beach bum that I thought I was going to take care of me. His name was Eric. I thought maybe he couch surfed. He slept on the beach. I ended up pausing my walk down at the beach and then a young couple I met gave me a ride to James' house. James came out to the beach to give me something. 78 dollars to help me eat. That comes at time when I don't have much. I called James several times. I kept changing my mind where I was going to stay. Once I resume my walk I'll be out of James' range. I met several folks. One was Sharalee. Her sister rode a horse up the coast after 9-11. She is trying to help me find some places to stay along the coast. I was tired after today. For a short walking day, it exhausted the heck out of me. The beach was back. The sand white. The water turquoise. James had to bribe the kids with donuts morning to get them out of bed. We stopped by crispy creme on the way out. Claire the four-year-old daughter is funny. I like her laugh. She said she didn't like sprinkles. Then when she saw a sprinkle donut, she liked them. She asks me to take off my sunglasses and then she'll start laughing. After that James dropped me off back at Morgan Park. From there I walked down to the beach. I'll have to back track to get to 98. The road that goes down this beach got knocked out in the Hurricane. Hurricane Ivan. I was walking along when Sharalee stopped. She gave me a dollar. She talked

about her sister who rode a horse on minor highways up to the northeast. I think New York. In many ways I think that could be more difficult. I imagine it would be more difficult for people to take someone with a horse in. We chatted for a minute. She saw the news clip Rick made for the Pensacola News Journal. Later she would call me. I gave her my card and my number is on it. She was going to see if she could line a couple places to stay along the way. After that I walked down to the pier. There were a bunch of fishermen on the dock. They caught some small fish. I ired the coastline and the clear water. I walked to the end of the pier. Later I walked down to The Dock. It's a bar and grill. I met Bobby Walters of Montgomery, Alabama. He has cancer. He donated 25 dollars for cancer research. He had surgery on his neck. After that I was about ready to leave the beach and head back toward Highway 98. Then a man saw my sign and started talking to me. He made a sculpture of a dolphin and wanted me to go down so he could take a picture with me in front of it. That's when I met Eric. The number one beach bum in Pensacola. He was really dark and carried a guitar. He asked if I wanted to hear a song. I asked if he had anything original. He did. It was a trucker song. Then I was hanging out with Eric. We went to hang out with Kim and Brandon. They are a young couple who just moved down from Tennessee. She's pregnant. They are staying in a hotel until they get enough money to get a place. Brandon works 4 days a week. He likes the beach. Eric bounces around the beach playing his guitar. He had a man come over to ask him to play. The man wanted him to play a song for his girlfriend. Eric was hanging out over there. I went over there after a while. Eric told them what I was doing. I showed them a newspaper article that showed my route. I went to the bathroom. When I came back there was a ten-dollar bill. After a while went and hung out with Brandon and Kim. Eric then went and played for a bunch of kids in the Air Force. Eric is 38. He doesn't look it with a full head of brown hair and a dark face that doesn't show the signs of that much aging. Those Air Force kids donated 5 dollars. That makes the total up to 41 for the day. I got a call from James. At the start of today I planned to stay with him for one more night. Then Eric said he'd take care of

me. James came out in the white van. Claire was asleep. He gave me a white envelope with some money in it. It was for food. James has been great. Letting me stay. Helping out with media. So many people have been awesome on this trip. Without all the help of so many people I wouldn't be in Florida right now. Eric fell asleep with his guitar as a pillow. After he woke up, he came back over. Some one that was sitting next to us (Brandon, Kim, Eric, and myself) got sucked into Eric's guitar. The husband gave me 20 dollars for food or whatever I need. Eric has a little group of beach bums. At first, I thought he couch surfed. I was hungry at this point. Eric took me to meet his friends. A mix of different people. One was named Cowboy. He had some weird shades. He said he ran that beach. The cops told the group they couldn't congregate at the pavilion. Cowboy was fired up. He was saying how he was making calls and that the deputies wouldn't have jobs anymore. He gave me some crap. Not that cool of a guy. Maybe once you get to know them. The group was fussing about the cops. In front of the pavilion were 6 cop cars. I left my bag there and took some chips to see if Brandon or Kim wanted them. They didn't. They said that after we went to get something to eat, they could take me to Pensacola. I went back. Eric was waiting for his girlfriend who got off work at 7. She worked at the hot dog stand. I grabbed my pack and headed off with Brandon and Kim. I filmed where I stopped walking for the day. The pavilion. I looked back and the beach bum group has dispersed. I was thinking. What would have happened if I left my pack there? Would someone have taken it with them? Would it have been left? How would I find them? We went to Hooters and ate dinner. After that Brandon and Kim drove me to James' house. We found it all right. I had to take a couple turns but we found it. James was up. The kids were high energy. He gave up putting to bed for the moment. Thanks to James for letting me stay another night. I felt bad for calling him and changing my plans which happened about 4 times.

DAY 304--JULY 1, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5 FROM: Pensacola Beach, FL (Pavilion near beach) TO: Gulf Breeze, FL (The beach at Live Oaks Gulf Breeze National Seashore) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 25 TOTAL: 5,265

Today James and the kids dropped me off yesterday where I left off. The pavilion at the beach in Pensacola. I bumped into Eric (the beach bum) at the Circle K near the start of my day. I decided to have a short day. I figured I'd be able to camp somewhere at the Live Oaks National Seashore. I spent the first night in my tent since Denham Springs, LA. I saw the biggest spider I've ever seen. I raised 25 dollars for cancer research at the Whataburger. I made my way bag to Highway 98. I walked around the trails in the Seashore, but figured I better spend the night on the beach. 20 of the dollars for cancer research were donated by Madison, Hunter, Kari, Nicole, and Nancy from Green Brier, Arkansas. Then five dollars by a man who survived bone cancer. He had scars on his leg. After Whataburger I wandered around. I went to Office Depot. I needed to mail some tapes and a DVD back. I got a couple of my news articles lamented. I got the map of my route from the Texas A & M newspaper lamented and attached it to my sign on the back. I always pull it out to show people where I started and where I walked. I camped on the beach and had the sky light up with lighting. James dropped me off a little after 10 a.m. I walked back over the bridge to Gulf Breeze. I went to Whataburger and raised some money for cancer research. I went to a matinée to get out of the afternoon heat. I saw Paris, Je Taime. It was pretty good. I've had my eye on that movie for a while. It was pretty cheap, and I needed to get out of the heat for a bit. After that is when I went to Office Depot. Around 6 I went to the seashore. I ired the bay. A few boats were in the

water. I saw some fish jumping. A man was out in the water fishing. A man zoomed by on a jet ski. I saw some big spiders. The biggest one was 3 or 4 inches. I debated whether to set my tent up in the wooded area. The spiders made that decision for me. I went down to the beach. I headed east on the coastline. Just far enough so the apartments to the west can't see me. When I was in my tent. In the distance the sky would light up. There was no thunder. Just lighting. It was pretty cool. The moon was nearly full. Pensacola Beach was bright. I could hear music booming on the beach. It was humid and it was kind of tough to sleep. I'm not sure if people think because of the heat and humidity that it might stop me. It might slow me down but I'm walking to Miami Beach. It's wearing me out and I'm not be as chipper, but I'm happy. I'm still loving each day. By the end of August or if the heat slows me down then the first couple of weeks in September, I'll be diving into the Atlantic Ocean at Miami Beach.

DAY 305--JULY 2, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10.5 FROM: GULF BREEZE, FL (Live Oaks National Seashore) TO: MIDWAY, FL (BT's Lounge) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 40 TOTAL: 5,305

Today I walked over ten miles. I met with Franklin a reporter from the Gulf Breeze News. I raised 40 dollars for cancer research. I met Cody and Carrie at BT's Lounge while I found cover from a thunderstorm. I saw a car on fire. Cody and Carrie took me in for the night. Midnight drama at Carrie's house led to a night in Jail for her. She had no charges and wasn't arrested. She was taken into protective custody. That meant that Cody and I went to his friend Larry's house

to stay the night. Larry lived in Navarre or just east of it. It was a crazy day. Welcome to my life. I woke up on the beach. The water was flat. I wanted to start at 5 a.m., but that was about the only time I got some sleep. I started around 7:30. I packed up. I thought about jumping in for a morning swim. I didn't. I went swimming the other day at Pensacola Beach. I forgot to mention that in my journal. I walked a trail back to the Highway. I didn't have to walk along the Highway. There was a paved bike trail. I walked to that ended. There was a IHOP in sight. I went over for breakfast. I called the Gulf Breeze News to let them know my story and that I was walking through. Franklin the assistant editor called. He came out. He drove by me because I got off the road to take whiz. He drove by. He called. He had a green SUV with a green kayak on top. He showed up. He snapped some pictures. I hopped in the AC comforts of his car for the interview. The paper is a weekly paper. It should run around July 12th or so. After that I kept on walking. Today the scenery seemed about the same. After I left the seashore, it was not really dense but a steady number of commercial businesses. It all kind of looked the same. I stopped by a Wal-Mart and got some tapes for my camera. I've been filming more lately. With my awesome tripod I've been filming more. I stopped at Sail Inn Cafe for lunch. It started raining. Lighting and thunder came along. They closed and I needed somewhere to let this . BT's Lounge was right next door. I went in there. They had a juke box so I could listen to some music. The bartender, Carrie, found out what I was doing. She made an announcement to the bar. She's 34 and has a Russian type of look. Some folks saw me on Channel 3 news. Cody, Kari's boyfriend told me to take seat next to him. Cody is around 26. He is from North Dakota and he had the accent to prove it. After a while we headed off to the store. In the parking lot a black SUV has flames and smoke coming out from the hood. People were running around with

fire extinguishers. Then it got smoke seemed like Mount St. Helens just erupted again. Not much longer than the fire department was on there and took care of the fire. The engine was toasted. Before we went back to BT's we stopped by one of Cody's buddies' shop. He does custom painting. Mainly cars and bikes. He had an old-style car that he was painting orange. Then we went back to BT's. We hung out there a bit. Cody said if I wanted, I could crash at their place. Another thing...the Duhon Family from Baton Rouge are on vacation in Destin, FL. That is less than 30 miles from BT's. Andree was willing to come out and pick me up and drop me back off wherever I left off the next day. I figured though that I might as well stay with Cody. I took Cody up on the offer. I paused my walk at BT's Lounge. I'll be resuming my walk there when I resume my walk. After that we went to place and got some food. I had a burger. Then we went to Kari's house. That is when things got exciting. One of her roommates and her don't get along. Janet opened the door and told Carrie that Cody has to leave. That didn't make Carrie very happy. Carrie wasn't happy. Dylan the other roommate. Some not nice were exchanged. It wasn't long before a couple of Sheriffs showed up. One was young and one was old. While the old cop was talking Carrie kept talking. The cop didn't like that. He decided that he was taking her into protective custody. He bear hugged her into the fridge. He took her outside and cuffed. Then she was in the back of his squad car. Cody and I needed to leave. Carrie got hauled off to Milton. That's about 30-40 miles north. Cody called his buddy Larry. He's in his 40's. He is from Portland, Oregon. He was on his way, but it'd be 20 minutes. The other deputy said he couldn't wait. Since I had a license, and I was sober. I drove Cody and myself to Larry's house. Larry has a couple of boys. They weren't there. I slept in one room and Cody the other. Tired I went to bed. Cody was on the phones with Carrie's parents.

DAY 306--JULY 3, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 5,305

Today I had to go up with Cody to Milton. He thought that someone would need to have a driver's license to get Carrie out. They held her for 8 hours. That meant that 8:51 she could get out. We drove up there. However, they never asked Cody for his license. We just picked her up outside. Then we went to her house so she could get some things. The cops were waiting nearby. One regular cop and then one, Pete Blow, who is a detective that drives an unmarked car. Cody's license is suspended. The regular sheriff wanted to take him in. Pete Blow didn't want to. He said he was upset that they were both driving around with suspended licenses. That meant that since I had a license I would be driving. We went back to Larry's house. I'm showered and did some laundry. After that we went to get Carrie's stuff. We went back to her house. Some guy with a red truck showed up. We loaded up the washer, dryer, and mattress. Then while they loaded the rest of the stuff, I used Dylan's computer at Carrie's house to update the last several days of my site. I added Sunday, Monday, and today. Well, I'll let you know if anything crazy happens.

DAY 307--JULY 4, 2007 MILES WALKED:0

FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 5,305

Today was fourth of July. I didn't anything real exciting. I went to work with Larry and Cody. I spent about 5 hours painting. We worked over in Gulfbreeze. It was a retired Air Force family. I primer and painted a bunch of doors. I painted them in the garage which turned into a sauna. Then I painted some inside to. A door and some window frames. After work just hung out at Larry's house with Cody, Larry, and Carrie. Larry paid me 75 dollars for working today. I wanted to take today off. I didn't want to do nothing. I asked Larry if he needed help. At first, he didn't. I gave Carrie a ride to work. Then Cody called and said they'd pick me up. They did. We went to the house in Gulfbreeze. Cody worked on trim inside most of the day. Larry helped me paint and bounced around doing some other work. There were about 8 doors in the set up in the garage that were getting painted. First, I put a coat a primer on one side using a brush on the detailed areas. Larry came behind me and got the bigger sections with a roller. After we got one side, we went inside to let that side dry. Larry did some primering in the front room. I primered a door and two windows inside. I also did some touch up on the trim of the door frame in one of the rooms. The family that lived there use to live in San Antonio. The husband is retired Air Force. His last name was Landfair. I spilt some primer on a carpet once. I thought--Oh Heck. However, I wiped it off and it looked as if nothing happened. After that I was back out in the garage for primering the other side of those doors.

After that it was lunch time. We went to Taco Bell. We all three piled into Larry's green Ford Pickup. It's a late 70's model. After that we went back. I painted inside and one side of the doors. Around 3 p.m. we finished for the day. I had some paint on my shorts and such. I had to drive the car from BT's back to Larry's house. Larry dropped Cody and I off at BT's. Once Carrie was off, we left. Just hung out at Larry's house after that.

DAY 308--JULY 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 9.5 FROM: Midway, FL (BT's Lounge) TO: Navarre, FL (Larry's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 5,305

Today Larry and Cody dropped me off on their way to work. I walked from BTs to Larry's house. It ended up being a little under 10 miles. I met with Ken from the Navarre Press. Besides that, it wasn't very exciting. Just walking and thinking. There are subdivisions and things of that sorts along the way. Some wooded areas. Some businesses. I got confused in a subdivision near Larry's house but then I found my way to Quail Roost--the street Larry lives on. Larry and Cody dropped me off around 8 a.m. I resumed my walk. I found the number to the Navarre Press and called them. Not much longer and Ken met me on the side of the road. We chatted as he jotted down information. Then he snapped a couple of pics. I kept walking. There were a lot of clouds in the sky. I left my rain poncho at Larry's house. I

kept walking. ed by the Holley-by-The Sea subdivision. A couple miles past that and I stopped by the Navarre Press to drop of an envelope so that maybe they'd send a copy of the paper up to me. The Navarre Press is a weekly paper. That was almost the edge of Navarre. Not much further and I saw the place were Cody and I saw the car on fire. I kept walking. I got a shot of me walking past the Navarre sign. I could see the toll bridge that goes over to Navarre Beach. It was mostly sunny at this point. I ed through Navarre. I could see the beach. I knew that I didn't have to walk all the way to Panhandle Trail. If I went that way, then I'd have to walk backwards on Quail Roost in order to get to Larry's house. I took a left on Ortega St. Then I was in a subdivision. I knew that I was getting close. I walked a bit too far. On the way back I started heading east on a road. Not much further and I was on Quail Roost. I made it to the house around 3 p.m. It was Carrie's day off. Once Larry and Cody got off and cleaned up, we went to Kazbor's. It was a sports bar. We hung out and got some food. During the night somewhere Larry lost his phone.

DAY 309--JULY 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 5,305

Today Larry needed someone to be at his house for the cable guy. I figured I'd take another day off. I hung around his house. I did some dishes. One of the back

rooms needed to be opened for the guys from Direct TV. It was locked. It had a little hole in the door. I couldn't get it opened. The Direct TV guys showed up. I needed to get the door open it would create a big hassle. Larry said try breaking the handle. I got rough with the handle and it opened. The installation went smoothly. One of the guys from Direct TV was named Tim. He was cool. He was interested in my walk and I told him about it. I gave him and his helper my card. After that I hung out. Cody called me to pick him and Carrie up at BT's. She got off work. Larry dropped Cody off there. Since I have the license, I've been driving their car. I drove to BT's. They planned on staying. I took Cody to the pharmacy so he could get some medicine for Carrie. Then after a bit I went back to Larry's house. They found someone to give them a ride. I didn't want to stay. I went back and Larry was home. He was tired. He lost his cell phone last night. I went and looked for him and couldn't find it. After that I just hung out with Larry. Cody and Carrie showed up with another guy. We hung out and then went to bed.

DAY 310--JULY 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 13+ FROM: Navarre, FL (Larry Yates' house) TO: Fort Walton Beach, FL (Dolphin Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:5,305

Today I left Larry's house. He was gone. By the time I was packed up and all I hit the road around 8 a.m. First matter was to get walk back to Highway 98. It was already humid. The blue skies with a few clouds showed promises of hot day. Once I got to 98, I stopped at Wal-Mart to fill my water. After that I called

the Florida Daily News. It's a newspaper out Ft. Walton Beach. I kept walking on Highway 98. It was loosely developed with some bars and random businesses along with some forests. There were some subdivisions also. Nick from the paper met up with me in an area known as Florosa. He was a younger guy who had hiked the Appalachian Trail in four and a half months. I walked up as he was snapping some pictures. We chatted for a bit. He took a little video. He was a cool guy. He pulled out a city map and showed me a spot between Fort Walton Beach and Destin where I probably can camp for the night. After a bit I kept walking. Soon I was walking by an Air Force special ops. base. No picture taking or videotaping in that area. The sun was beating down on me. My body covered in sweat. I found shade under a tree. After ten miles of walking, I came into Mary Esther. A nice little town. I had a sidewalk to walk on so that was cool. I walked for a ways. I was planning on going to the library here. After a bit I took a left of Highway 98 which is called Miracle Strip. I found the library. I'm here updating the last several days. Also looking to the south, I could see the bay and the beach beyond that. Real white sound. I heard the beaches over here are awesome. I'm planning on walking through Fort Walton Beach and then camping on a sand bar between Ft. Walton Beach and Destin. Nick said it's dunes. If I set up shop near dark, then it should be alright. After I left the library, I walked down Hollywood Blvd. Then after the highway school I made my way south back to Highway 98. I could see the island and beach in the distance. I walked along 98. I ed some car dealerships. One man saw me on the news. We chatted. It was hot. I wasn't feeling too hot.

I slid into the Dolphin Inn. Later Cody and Carrie came over. We went to TGIFs. After that I went to bed.

DAY 311--JULY 8, 2007 MILES WALKED: 7+ FROM: Fort Walton Beach, FL (Dolphin Inn) TO: Destin, FL (Hog's Breath Cafe) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 50 TOTAL: 5,355

Today I walked from Fort Walton Beach to Destin. I walked through Okaloosa Island. It was beautiful. A man bought my breakfast at Waffle House in Fort Walton. I met a bunch of folks at the Hog's Breath Cafe. Roxy and some of the other girls working there donated 30 dollars for cancer research. I met Chris and Amy. Chris asked where I was staying. I paused my walk at Hog's Breath Cafe. I stayed with Chris and Amy. They both moved down from the Northeast. Philly and Maryland. I left the hotel around 9 something. I walked along Highway 98. I hit the downtown section. Tattoo shops, bars, and restaurants. Right before I got to a bridge. I stopped at a Waffle House. Billy the man sitting next to me saw me in the paper. He bought my breakfast. That was nice of him. I bumped into a couple of bums on the island. They wanted me to give them couple dollars. The father in his late 50's or 60's looked like about 500 years old. A face of leather. They were sitting an old sleeping bag behind a group of short fat palm tree. Beer cans scattered behind the trees. The weathered Rip Van Winkle was drinking some beer. The son most have been late 30's or 40's. He said they were just trying to make 'ends meet.' I told them they were asking the wrong guy for money. I'm walking across the country. I knew they'd go to the

Tom Thumb (gas station) and buy beer. After that I went to the Beasley Park. Today was pretty hot. I took a large siesta from 11 till 2 ish. That was at the Beasley Park on the beach. I hung out in the shade of a pavilion. I did walk down to the beach. It was nice and windy which I didn't mind one bit. The beach had some small dunes around. It had a fair bit of people. After I took off, I left and walked down the island heading east on Highway 98. Bill and Trisha Bard stopped. They donated 20 dollars for cancer research. They were heading west to go to a funeral. They live at Santa Rosa Beach. They offered to let me stay in the house next to theirs. At that point the north side of the island had a bunch of cars along the highway. People in the water. The island had dunes. Some patches of trees toward the end. Then I crossed a bridge into Destin. There were boats all over in the water. A harbor full of boats. A bunch of big Condos. It was sunny and nice. I stopped at an Irish restaurant to take a break from the heat. Dar was my server. After that I walked a bit further. I stopped at the Hog's Breath Cafe. I met a bunch of people there. Sisqo. He was a fighter. He was 54 but looked 35. He bought in 39 countries. He has a gym nearby. I met Chris and Amy who offered me a place to stay. I met Roxy and some other girls that worked there. They were all real cute, but I think they must have been 15 or 16. They donated 30 dollars for cancer research. I met a bunch of folks there. They were all real cool. Everyone I met there. I hung out there for a bit. Then I left with Chris and Amy. That meant that I'd resume my walk at Hog's Breath tomorrow. We went to the video store and then to the grocery store. Back to their one-bedroom apartment for the night. I showered and shaved. After dinner I was pretty tired, and I went to bed. Thanks to Chris and Amy for taking me in.

DAY 312--JULY 9, 2007

MILES WALKED: 8.5+ FROM: Destin, FL (Hog Breath's Cafe) TO: Destin, FL (Chris and Amy's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 10 TOTAL:5,365

HERE IS A LINK TO THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS. It's a video clip. CLICK HERE A LINK TO MIXED 103.1 which had me on the air today. They have a picture and story. CLICK HERE I resumed my walk at the Hog's Breath Cafe today. Well, a little ways into my day I stopped at Mixed 103.1 here in Destin. I met Chris and Matt Hunter. They wanted to get me on the air. They were stoked on the cause. They gave me some movie tickets. I'm going to try and make it to Chris and Amy's house. I plan on stopping by the Destin Log, a local paper. Chris dropped me off at Hog's Breath Cafe around 11 a.m. I walked along and I saw Mixed 103.1 and told them what I was doing. They had me come in. Chris is a producer. Then Matt (Hunter) was on the air. Matt moved down from Philly. They got me on the air. I was live in-between songs. I went into the disc jockey room. I got in front of the microphone. I put on headphones. In between we chatted. That was cool that they helped get the cause out. We took some pictures. They were giving movie es away. They had a caller call in. The question was related to what I was doing. It had to do with Forrest Gump. Some guy Bob Davis called in. Matt Hunter is letting me use his computer in his office so I can update the last couple of days.

After I leave here, I have a movie . I'm also going to walk another 6 miles or so. I'm going to stop by the Destin Log then I'm walking down Highway 98. Then I'll be getting on scenic 98 that goes right along the river. It's humid today. I'm taking some time out of the sun. This section of Highway 98 is pretty built up. To the south there are big condos. There are a lot of businesses on it. I left the radio station and walked down 98. It wasn't much further, and I was at the Destin Log. It was a few hundred yards north on Airport Rd. They were waiting. Jim, the editor, and Keri the reporter talked with me. They were really nice. Keri said her boyfriend and her would be up for entertaining me for a night. After that I kept walking down Highway 98. Destin is packed with as much as it can handle. Tall condos. I was on a bike path. Then I came to Hurricane Lanes. Next is Matthew Blvd., that’ll take me to scenic 98. I met Kelly at the Hurricane Lanes, which happens to be a bowling alley. Kelly has been living in the Virgin Islands. We bowled a couple games. He invited me to dinner. After that I walked down Matthew Blvd. to scenic 98. It had a bunch of big houses along the water. A little girl ran up with ten dollars and a water bottle. I got to Chris and Amy's apartment a little before 7 p.m. I showered. I was dead tired. Around 8:30 Kelly and his friend showed up. I felt bad I forgot her name. We went to Callahan's and got some steaks. It was a nice dinner at her place. Her friend from Denver was visiting. I forgot her name as well. We played the ring game. Throwing a ring on a string onto a hook. We tossed a lit-up Frisbee. Around midnight they took me back to Chris and Amy's house. They were going to the beach to fire off some fireworks. I was tired and went to bed.

DAY 313--JULY 10, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 5,365

Today was pretty wiped out from yesterday. Chris and Amy didn't mind if I took the day off. I went down to the beach several times. Whaletails had a bunch of Slavic girls working in there. The beach was packed. I didn't make it into the water. I watched a movie at their house. They got home around 9:30 p.m. They both worked late. Today was a pretty unproductive day. I needed it though.

DAY 314--JULY 11, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10 FROM: Destin, FL (Chris and Amy's apartment) TO: Santa Rosa Beach, FL (Notre Maison Design) S to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 5,365

The Destin Log had an article come out today. Here's the link. CLICK HERE

Today I said goodbye to Chris and Amy. I went over to the Circle K which is right next door and grabbed a couple copies of the Destin Log. I walked ten miles. That walk took me started on Scenic 98 then a bike path along 98. Then I found myself walking through Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. At one of the entrances, I saw I could take a trail that would take me to 30-A. 30-A is a road that goes along the water. On 30-A I stopped for lunch at Elmo's. Linda and Dennis Ketelsen bought my lunch. I walked further down the scenic road. I stopped at Gulfplace. Keri Holt, the writer from the Destin Log, came to pick me up. Her boyfriend Dallas Peel works for a radio station in Panama City Beach. I went over there to hang out at the 24th Billfish Tournament. Dallas put me on the air. After that I stayed at their house. I was real tired by the time I go to bed. Today was warm and humid with the heat index at a 100 or over. I got up this morning and I left around 8:30. I said goodbye to Chris. Amy was still in bed. I went to the gas station next door and got some papers. I was back on the road. It was a humid one. I walked scenic 98 until that ran back into Highway 98. Then I walked along that. The south side turned into Topsail Hills Preserve State Park. I walked by one of the entrances. I went and looked at a map. I saw I could walk a trail that would take me to 30-A. I ventured down a sandy/dirt road. Then I got on the sandy trail. There were several types of trees. I saw a few lizards roaming around. I kept my eyes peeled for snakes. I walked on that trail for a couple of miles then I popped out at the main entrance. Then I found myself on the bike path along Country Road 30-A. I was starving and needed some food. I walked up and I found Elmo's grill. I went in. After an older couple was done eating, they came over and struck up some conversation. That was the Ketelsens who bought my meal. After that it was the heat of the day. I didn't want to hang out in grill any longer. I hit the road. Soon 30-A hit the coastline. It was big houses. There was a fair bit of construction going on. I walked along. Still on a bike path which switch sides of the road. Going from the north side to the south and then back to the north. I walked up and I made it to Gulf Place. It had a bunch of shops. I stopped at Miss Lucille's Gossip Pallor. I met Walter. He was nice. He said he was going to go online and make a donation. I chatted with him. I was worn out. Talked with Keri Holt earlier and she offered me to go to the Billfish Tournament and hang

out with Dallas and her. It was a little after 4 when she showed up. I was standing outside. She parked near the Notre Maison Design. That's why I paused my walk there. I hopped in her black car. We drove over to Panama City Beach. Keri is 25. Dallas is 27. They met in Greenville, AL. She is from Memphis. Today was the first day of the tournament. They don't start fishing till tomorrow. Today they had a band. All the boats are geared up. There are a bunch of little booths. Some are art. Others were related to boating equipment. I walked around. Dallas was on air. Keri helped get people into the radio station. B-85. They had a wheel one could spin and win a prize. We hung out till nearly ten. It took Dallas a little while to get everything he needed done. After that we drove back. We stopped at McDonalds for a thing to eat. We went back to their house in Santa Rosa Beach. They had two togs. We chatted for a bit and then I slept in their extra room on a futon bed. I was tired. Thanks to Dallas and Keri for letting me stay at their house.

DAY 315--JULY 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5 FROM: Santa Rosa Beach, FL (Notre Maison Design) TO: Grayton, FL (Hurricane Oyster Bar) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 655 TOTAL:6,020

Today was a short walking day. Only five miles but turned out to be my most successful fundraising day. The 655 dollars included the biggest single donation...500. I walked from Santa Rosa Beach to Grayton. I had two people stop me. I rested in the shade during the middle of the day and due to updating my sight at the Gossip Pallor in Santa Rosa, I didn't make it far. I stumbled into the Hurricane Oyster Bar and had a great welcoming. I got a place to stay out of the deal. I stayed until they closed. I went home with James. He lives with his brother Chris. This morning Dallas dropped me off back where Keri picked me up. It was in front of the Notre Maison Design place. It's in the Gulfplace. I've walked over to Miss Lucille's Gossip Pallor. They have a computer and I'm updating my site. I'm updating since Monday afternoon. From here I'm heading east on 30-A. Not sure how far I'll make it today and I'm not sure where I'll end up today. After I left the Gossip Pallor it was around 11 a.m. The heat of the day was nearly here. I made a little ways to Sally by the Seashore. I got some food there and then rested in the shade. I ed some houses and new construction. There seems to be a lot of construction. I guess Real Estate and restaurants are the main business around here. I had a nice walk by Red Fish lake. After I left Sally by the Seastore. A local women saw me in the paper, and she donated 40 dollars for cancer research. She was in a hurry. After that I kept walking. Off the bike trail there was a spot where on the Big Red Fish Lake that a little wooded path to a covered area. Through the trees I could see the lake. I took a little break there. Then from there I made it to Grayton Beach. Along the way a couple stopped me. It was near the cabin entrance to Grayton Beach campground. They used to live in Bellingham and have lived down here for 7 years. They gave me 20 dollars. It was cool seeing someone from Bellingham. After that I kept walking. It was pretty wooded on both the north and south side of the road. I came to four corners at Grayton Beach. I stopped at the plaza there and had a sandwich. Then I got of 30-A and headed north. I saw the Hurricane Oyster Bar. I was heading up this for an interesting place to hang out. Tim, a

fellow hiker, was outside at Hurricane's. He called me over. I came in and people noticed that I was hiking. I met a bunch of people. I met about four or five owners. One was Dave Biegler. He's the owner. He had some wine salesman there. I sat down. People were firing off questions. Dave cut a check to the Hutch for 500 dollars. Another Dave who worked nearby came over. He donated 25 dollars. One of the wine salesman donated 20 dollars. Later someone made a fifty-dollar donation, and another person made a 20-dollar donation. Today was 655, my biggest day so far. I hung out at the hip oyster bar. Tim mentioned I could stay at his place. He's hiked the AT. Dave also mentioned that I could crash. However, I ended up staying at James' house. He's the manager. Chris is his brother. Dave, Chris and James all grew up in San Antonio. They were all cool. The bartender was also named Dave. It was cool. The guys were cool. The Hurricane bar has only been open for three weeks but has a feel like it's been there longer. It has art hanging around. A big fish that Dave's father-in-law caught. Everyone was real friendly. I paused my walk at the Oyster Bar. I hopped in the truck with James. On the way home we stopped at Seaside. We went to Cafe Rendezvous and Bud and Alley's. Wendy of Cafe Rendezvous said she'd sponsor 250 dollars for cancer research. It was a hip little place. James introduced us. After that we went to Bud and Alley's. It's on the beach. It was about 11 p.m. We hung out there for a little bit and then went back to the house. Chris was home. We stayed up talking for a bit. Today was an awesome day. I got a little walking in. On 30-A in South Walton County I felt I ran into a special place. I met a bunch of cool people and they me have the biggest fundraising day so far. In the three-bedroom trailer I found the couch my home for the night. It was of great comfort. I'm glad I stopped at the Hurricane Oyster Bar.

DAY 316--JULY 13, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5.5+ FROM: Grayton Beach, FL (Hurricane Oyster Bar) TO: Seagrove, FL (James and Chris' house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 525 TOTAL:6,485

Today was another short walking day. From the Hurricane Oyster Bar to James/Chris' house. It was pretty. Went by a nice lake with the dunes across the vista. I went through Seaside. I went to Cafe Rendezvous. I met a host of people who showed great hospitality. I got cash donations from people working Cafe Rendezvous. The owners, Janot and Wendy sponsored 5 cents a mile for 250 dollars. I made it to the house around 8:30 p.m. Then Christin came and took me into town. I met Chris and Dave. We ended up at Blue Orleans and at the request of Chris the band played a walking related song..."Walking to New Orleans" The lead singer changed it up adding 'walking to Miami' ...'to jump in the Atlantic." Then a poker that followed with the kitchen crew from the Oyster Bar and it was about 5 a.m. in the morning when we headed home. It was another good day. I had two people at Cafe Rendezvous donate hundred-dollar bills. One was Ryan Soave. He has climbed the third tallest mountain. He's done fundraising. He knows some people in Naples and is going to try and set some things up. I rested up in the morning. Then I rode into work with Chris. I started my walking today a little before 4 p.m. I knew that I was only walking to Chris' house. It was a pretty walk. I left and walked from the Oyster Bar back to 30-A. From there I headed east. I walked past four corners and then Grayton Beach State Parks. There were a lot of trees. Then I ed a lake. The dunes and trees on the other side of the water made for a pretty picture. Then I was into Watercolor. It had some big houses and resorts. This area has awesome bike paths which make life great for me. Like usual it's hot and humid. After Watercolor I found myself in Seaside. They filmed the Jim Carrey movie,

"The Truman Show" there. It had nice houses and a nice area of shops. I had to stop by Cafe Rendezvous to see Wendy. She showed up but the check book wasn't there. Rich and Jamie, I met. He gave me thirty dollars for food and whatnot. The guys working there were cool. Chance was a tall bartender. He donated 10 dollars for cancer. He also has a Gregory pack. Murphy was another bartender. I met another man. I fell bad because I forgot his name. If you read this shoot me an email. After that I went to Cafe Spiazza which Dave also owns. They hooked me up with a free smoothie. I went up to Bud and Alley's. Alley, a cute young waitress, donated 5 dollars. She had a great smile. We exchanged big old smiles. I should have talked at her more. Another man donated 20 dollars. He was an older man named Keevler. After that I stared walked eastward again toward the house where I'll be staying. I stopped at Roly Poly for a sandwich. It was good. Me two cool brother who work there. Then I was getting ready to hit the bike path. Some locals saw me. They made some donations amongst themselves. After chatting and a lemonade I left. I was walking and I saw Kelly. Kelly and I met at the bowling alley in Destin. His friends’ names were Bonnie and Ella. It was cool seeing him. Bonnie has a shop in Seaside. I called him later, but we never hooked up. It was after 7 p.m. I walked down the path. It went by big houses. Then I was at Williams. An unmarked dirt road. Then I was at the house. I went in and shower. I was tired despite the small day. I needed to go back to Cafe Rendezvous to pick up the check. Both James and Chris were working. Christin, Chris's friend who I met last night came and got me. She's been to Bellingham and grew up on the west coast. We went to Cafe Rendezvous. Chris and Dave showed up. Janot and Wendy own the t. Janot is a French-Canadian. They recently did a fundraiser for suicide prevention in New York. He has long brown hair and a

beard. His family sponsored the Canadian man who walked across Canada in the 70's. Dave introduced us to some folks walking by. One lady reached in and slid a bill over. Thinking it was a twenty only to find it was a hundred-dollar bill later. Then Ryan Soave stopped by. He pulled the same thing. Slid one bill over. He's going to try and put together a little fundraising gathering in Naples. He has done fundraising before. He's a hiker also. After that we went back to the Oyster bar. Once it closed, we went to Blue Orleans. They had a killer three-piece Jazz band. The guitar man played with Elvis. Elvis in the fat Elvis days. Chris asked them to play a walking song. They did. 'Walking to New Orleans' with a twist. He added 'Walking to Miami' to "Jump into the Atlantic." It was awesome. Once the band was done. James, Chris, and I left. Dave and his wife went home. We went over to play cars with some kitchen guys. Rusty, Tongue, Beau, and a couple others were there. One had a name with a W, and I can't think of it right now. Chris ended up winning. We played till about 5 a.m. On the drive home the sun was rising. It was slowly becoming light. Today was another great day for cancer research. I met a bunch of cool people. I forgot about Chris that I met at Cafe Rendezvous last night. She is going to sponsor a blackjack phone to me. I saw her again today to Bud and Alley's. It was another good trip logged away. I fell asleep instantly when we got home.

DAY 317--JULY 14, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0

FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 150 TOTAL:6,635

I took today off, and Christin had big community lunch set up at her place. I went over there. There was about 21 people there. People brought local foods. It was set up on a series of tables combined to create one giant table. The people were really cool. They are starting to have a monthly meal like this. I rode Christin's bike back to James/Chris' house. She donated 50 for cancer research. A 21-year-old blonde Russian girl, Luda, moved into the spare room at James' house. I've been sleeping on the couch. I chatted with her a bit. She dreams of going to California. We chatted about Russian. Her English isn't perfect and well...I don't know any Russian. Chris saw his friend at Hurricane Oyster Bar. She was a cute gal named Kareen. Her mother, Sue recently ed from cancer. It was sorry to hear about her loss. She wanted to meet me. She has a tattoo on her back. The poem is about her mother. She donated 100 dollars for cancer research. We went to 331 one after that. After that we went back to the house. It was a good day off. The people have been great in the area. Friendly and it's been the most responsive toward cancer research.

DAY 318--JULY 15, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a

TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: TOTAL: 6,635

I took today off. I went with Chris to do some laundry. For lunch we went to Ball's Out. The waitress gave me my burger for free. After that we went back to the house. After that we went to the Hurricane Oyster Bar. I met Nick and his girlfriend. Nick works at Cafe Rendezvous. I'm using Dave's computer at the office in the restaurant. Check back to see how today finishes out.

DAY 319--JULY 16, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:6,635

Today I took off. I rode Christin's bike back over to her house and hung out her. She's 29 and lives by herself. We chatted. She had a friend over who was working in the yard. We chatted for a bit. It was kind of overcast. We walked down to the beach and went swimming. After a swim in the Gulf, we went had some lunch. It was barbecue Sandwiches. After that I went with her to work. I borrowed her truck. I went back to James and Chris's house. Then I went back to the Oyster Bar. After that I hung out with James and Chris who were both working.

DAY 320--JULY 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,635

Today I took off as well. I was going to take off, but I didn't. James and Chris worked. I walked down to the beach by myself. Then I went back to the house. James and Chris didn't get home till after 11 p.m. Not real exciting day, but a nice relaxing one.

DAY 321--JULY 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: n/a FROM: 0 TO: 0 $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:6,635

Today I was going to take off, but...well you know. I hung out with James. He had the day off. We went to the Watercolor Resort. We hung out at the pool. Before that we went and had lunch at Cafe Spiazza. We walked around Seaside. Chris was working. James was tired and fell asleep early. I hung out with Chris. We went to the Oyster Bar and had some wings.

DAY 322--JULY 19, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10.5+ FROM: Seagrove, FL (James and Chris' house) TO: Panama City Beach, FL (Catalina Courts) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 70 TOTAL: 6,705

Today I walked over 10.5 miles. I left after a five-day rest. I had two news crews come out from Panama City. I met a photographer and writer from the local paper in Panama City Beach. I said goodbye to Chris. Thanked him for their kindness. I stumbled onto a free room in Panama City Beach. Some guy checked out early. His room was paid through the night. I asked about the rates. Then the guy came back in and asked the motel clerk if I could stay in there since it was still paid for. He allowed it. Oh yeah...I raised 70 dollars for cancer research along the way. I sent off 1,375 to Fred Hutchinson in Rosemary Beach. I enjoyed the comforts of the free room. I tried to go to bed early but I couldn’t fall asleep until late. I woke up and bid farewell to Chris. James was asleep. I left the house around 9 a.m. I called the paper and a news station in Panama City. One of the news stations called me. I shot off an email yesterday. I got back on the awesome bike trail. I walked through Seagrove into Seacrest. Greg came out from Channel 13. He met up with me. He got some video and did an interview. Today I had my 25th and 26th tv interviews. Eddie and Matt showed up while Greg was still grabbing footage of me. It was weird walking down the path with two news crews hovering around me. There were a fair bit of people biking. Right when I started today the humidity was killing me. I was sweating buckets before the news crews showed up. I got a call from Jeremy a writer from the Panama City News Article. He wanted to meet up with me and made plans to

meet up later. One man was biking with his wife. Chip's wife is battling breast cancer. Greg interviewed him and got some footage of us talking. He got pretty emotional. He made a small donation. After Seacrest it was a lot of forest. I could see the ocean. A few big houses dotting the landscape. It wasn't long and I stumbled by a row of palm trees along the road, and I was in Rosemary Beach. I went to the post office and sent up a money order. Then I went across the street to a deli. I had the Clarke's donate 20 dollars. I had Brooks and Evans Hammonds donate 30 dollars between the two of them. They saw me in the Destin Log. They work out here on 30-A. After a BLT I was back on the road. Less than a mile and around Inlet Beach 30A ran into Highway 98. I had to go to the bathroom. I went to a gas station. A man recognized me. I gave his wife a card of my around Midway. He checked out my website. From there it wasn't real developed. I made a stop at the Camp Helen State Park that was on the Bay. I talked to Jeremy again. After that I ran out of sidewalk. I crossed so I could walk into traffic and I crossed a bridge. On the way a man Alex in a white truck stopped. His father ed from Pancreatic cancer less than a year ago. He gave me a water and a 20-dollar donation. Once over the bridge there were some trees and a few structures. Then at the first light I took a right onto Front Beach Rd. Andrew, the photographer caught up with me. Then he hovered around me. There were some condos and houses. It wasn't long and Jeremy met up with Andrew and me. After some pictures Andrew took off. Jeremy and I sat at a Gazebo and chatted with the gulf in view.

I kept walking. Walking past condos and houses. I haven't got to the big, tall condos yet. I walked through beaches called Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Laguna Beach. I felt like I was in California again. I walked by and had some kids on a Christian Retreat come and talk to me. They were from Mobile, AL. Not much further and I saw the Catalina Courts. My chaffing was getting bad. I popped in to see the prices. A man walked in to check out early. He paid till tomorrow but was leaving. He left then returned shortly. He asked the man working at the motel if I could stay there. The man hesitated at first but then allowed it. That was really nice of that guy. I forgot his name. If you read this then email me. I hung out in the comforts of AC. The room had two beds. I had to deal with out housekeeping coming in. I managed. I hung out and tried to go to bed early but wasn't successful.

DAY 323--JULY 20, 2007 MILES WALKED: 2.5 + FROM: Panama City Beach, FL (Catalina Courts) TO: Panama City Beach, FL (Y Not Lounge) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:6,725

WMBB CHANNEL 13 NEWSLINK (Panama City, FL) CLICK HERE WJHG CHANNEL 7 NEWSLINK (Panama City, FL) This is not a direct link. The video is only on the main page which means it will probably not be around

long. CLICK HERE PANAMA CITY NEWS HERALD CLICK HERE Last night I couldn't sleep. I had some much running through my mind. I finally got out the door a little before 9 a.m. I was walking along. I saw a Coffee Shop. I stopped and saw they had computers. The people were interested. Some lady stopped me before I got to the Coffee Shop and donated 20 dollars. I don't know where I'm going to end up today. I walked in the heat of the day yesterday to make it to Panama City for the reporter. I'm worn out. A nice guy bought my smoothie. I walked along. It was starting to heat up. I wanted to get out of the heat. I saw the Y Not Lounge. I wouldn't make it out of Panama City Beach. I needed to find a place to stay. It's Friday. Tough to find a room and the ones that are there are around 200 dollars. No where I can stay. I went into the redneck bar. The bartender asked me what my poles where for. I told her and showed her the news article. She said if I needed a place to stay, I could stay at her place. Her boyfriend Eric came in. He was working on a bid for a fencing job. Like most people I've run into the aren’t originally from here. She's from Delaware and he's from Denver. Chris from Seagrove stopped by to say hi. We stopped by the store to get dinner. I wasn't feeling good. I threw up outside the truck. The Sherriff was coming over to talk to me. Eric and Crystal talked to him. He ended up walking away with an autographed copy of the newspaper.

We had a nice dinner back at her place when she got off. I paused my walk at the Y Not Lounge.

DAY 324--JULY 21, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:6,725

Today I took off. I stayed with Crystal and Eric last night. Today Eric took me to the UPS store, and I got some of my articles laminated. I have about a dozen or so articles. Besides that, I hung out with Eric and Crystal. I drove with Eric to his house. He has his own place. Crystal has a little kitten and two dogs. Duke is an old German Shepard. Besides that, just hung out at the trailer with them.

DAY 325--JULY 22, 2007 MILES WALKED: 9+ FROM: Panama City Beach, FL (Y Not Lounge) TO: Panama City Beach, FL (Exxon where Front Beach and Back Beach roads intersect.) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 100 TOTAL: 6,825

Today I had a good little day. Eric dropped me back off at the Y Bar. I walked from there on the scenic Front Beach Rd. until I got to the end of Front Beach Rd. Along the way I had a free breakfast at the All-American Diner. A man gave me 20 dollars in the dinner to help me eat. The manager from the Days Inn came over and gave me some water. Another lady and her son got off church and they made a ten-dollar donation. Crystal went to work. She had the band make an announcement about me. Also, she donated her tips to the cause. At a Subway before I finished, I met a bunch of college guys who are interning in Atlanta. One happened to be from Texas A and M. He ed the article about me in the Battalion. It was around 7:30 a.m. when Eric dropped me off. I walked Front Beach Road all day. It went from big condos to with Amusement things. A Ripley's Believe it Or Not and a go-cart place. Then as Front Beach left the beach it became more wooded and run down. The walk got paused today at the Exxon. Along the way I met a handful people. It started with breakfast at the All-American Diner. The place gave the meal on the house. Then I met some folks on the road. The manager of the Days Inn. He saw me on his way to work. However, most of the people driving by are tourists. Locals don't drive Front Beach all that much. However, I glanced out to the south and when a Condo wasn't in the way I could see the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. It's pretty developed in Florida. I stopped at Wal-Mart and got a new digital camera. My digital camera stopped working in Navarre. I've missed a lot of good pictures. I do have video. Having pictures is a important part of this trip. Then when I was by the go cart place Karen and her son stopped by. They saw me in the paper. They just got out of Church. Then that was when things became more run down and wooded. Then at a Subway I met the college guys. They were cool. We chatted for a half an hour or so. They had a bunch of questions.

Then I walked up to the Exxon. I paused my walk. Eric picked me up. Crystal went to work. I went in later so she could try to drum up some donations. I think some of the people didn't believe me. It's when people act like that. Even when they see dozens of articles.

DAY 326--JULY 23, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,825

Today I took it off. I didn't do a whole bunch. Hung out with Eric, Crystal and the animals. Eric slept in his truck last night. I'm sort of losing motivation. Not that I'm not going to finish. The weather makes it easy to take days off.

DAY 327--JULY 24, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,825

Today I took off. I with Eric to Home Depot. He had to pick up some supplies for a job. It took a while to get everything. The guys from Home Depot had to get the forklift and pull some wood down. Eric is building a fence. The store was out of one of the pieces of wood that he needed. That meant that he'll have to come back another day. We loaded the wood onto his small blue truck. It was tied down. Then we drove on Highway 98 to the job site and unloaded it. Besides that, I hung out with Eric and Crystal. She went to work at 4 p.m. When she got back. They fought a little bit. I didn't go to bed until pretty late. However, the fire is starting to come back. Every now and then it leaves. However, it's back. So far Florida has been the most unproductive walking state up to date. At this rate it'll take me a half of a year to get across the state. I'm fired up about finishing.

DAY 328--JULY 25, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3.5+ FROM: Panama City Beach, FL (Exxon where Front Beach and Back Beach hit each other.) TO: Panama City, FL (Valu-Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: TOTAL: 6,825

Well, no one really got much sleep last night. Eric on his way to dropping me off at the Exxon where I left off on Sunday. Along the way we stopped by the UPS Store so I could update my website. It's been since Friday. Now I'll pick up where I left off which is about a mile away from the bay bridge. I'll be marching

east ward. With a good August I'll be in position for a September finish. Eric dropped me off. From there I crossed over on Highway 98 and followed a sidewalk over to the bridge. The bridge was awesome. How all bridges should be. Separated by a short concrete wall was a walking/biking path. It was sunny out and the bay was beautiful. Once over the bay there was Gulf Coast Community College. Me and my sweat drenched walked along a sidewalk. I was walking along. There were some cheap hotels. Cheap hotels don't seem to float around the panhandle here. I figured this might be my best place to stay for the night. I stopped by a tattoo shop. The guy made it sound like the best place might be the Valu-Motel. I went by. The manager saw me on the news, and she gave me a discount. After that I relaxed in the room. I showered up. I needed to spend some time by myself. Only my third night by myself since I've been in Florida.

DAY 329--JULY 26, 2007 MILES WALKED: 11+ FROM: Panama City, FL (Valu-Lodge) TO: Parker, FL (back apartment at the office of Gulf Coast Tree Specialists.) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,825

Well today I woke up and it was overcast. I dropped off my keys to the room and

I was off. There were a few raindrops dropping here and there. Nothing to write home about. Nothing that got me wet. However, it might be getting wet. It was humid as heck when I started. Panama City seems to be somewhat run down. I walked down Highway 98 a bit and then I took the business 98 route. That took me along the bay. For a while I walked with the bay on my right and a bunch of nice old houses on my left. I imagined that is what the Mississippi coastline use to be. Then I came to downtown. Business 98 moves away from the way. I walked up. I saw a sign for the library. I followed that. I walked downtown. I ed little shops and stuff. A man named Eddie wearing a black shirt and puffing on a cigar called my attention. He saw me on the news. He said I have a long ways to go. He pulled out five dollars to help me along the way. After that I walked, and the library was nearly on the bay. That is what. Once I leave Parker or Callaway, which are just east of Panama City I'll cross the bridge then I'll be at the Tyndell Air Force Base. I thought about camping there today. I'm having second thoughts. I don't know if the terrain is conducive or if they'll get upset. It might be fenced off. I kind of had the short day yesterday with that in mind. Now I'm thinking about holding up in Parker or Callaway and then shooting for Mexico Beach. Right now, I'm 25 miles from Mexico Beach. There looks like a 20 miles stretch past the Air Force Base. After I left the library, I walked back through downtown to get to Highway 98. I had a man who stopped me. He asked if I was the guy walking across America. He saw my story in Biloxi. He said how he wanted to do something similar. I kept walking. After a stop at Tom's Hotdogs, I was back on Highway 98. I walked through Panama City. Downtown was nice. However, there were some areas on Highway 98 that were kind of run down. A lady Noel stopped to give

me a couple of bucks. I worried her with the fact that I didn't know where I was going to be staying. At this point in the trip, it's standard for me to start walking with no idea where I'll stay. After 329 days something has worked every day. There was a really neat fire house. It was several stories and seemed like adobe style but white not tan. I ed through Springfield. Nothing to write home about. Then I ed a pulp mill, and I could see the bay. I made it to Parker. I was walking along when 40year-old Randy Wright and his brother-in-law Dana pulled over. They gave me 45 dollars for food or whatever. Then Randy, the Ft. Worth native, asked how much further I was going. He saw me on the news. He told me that his office had a back apartment with AC. It was about a 1/4 of mile. Dana drove home. Randy and I backtracked to his business. It's Gulf Coast Tree Specialists. It has an office and then a big shop area. Trees line a section of the fenced in area. There were several work trucks. I met all the guys that work there. I showered up. One of Randy's workers rents a house next door. He did my laundry. That was real nice. His name was Derek. He had his right ear opened the other day. He had a pretty nasty scar. He was on some pain medication. I never got any of my socks back. Randy and his wife Beth took me out to eat, or rather I went out with them. We met her brother and their daughter. The daughter had her son and new boyfriend with her. We went to a Mexican Restaurant in Panama City. We had the best steaks in town. I had a big Rib Eye. It was awesome. Thank you to Randy and Beth for dinner. They’re real nice. Randy moved out with his two sons. No job and he had a 150 dollars. Beth was the 34th person he called to rent a place from. From landlady to wife. Beth grew up in a small town in New York. After I filled up on the steak, I was ready for sleep. I was worn out. They dropped me off. I went to bed around 10 a.m. Including friends and family which counts for 12 houses I've stayed at about 70 different houses so far on the

journey. People have been great. Thank you to Randy and Beth for taking me in and feeding me.

DAY 330--JULY 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: 16+ FROM: Parker, FL (Back apartment at Gulf Coast Tree Specialist) TO: Mexico Beach, FL (West side of city limits just west of the 55 m.p.h.) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,825

Today was a good walk. Since Baton Rouge I haven't had many days like this. I got the fire back. The heat will slow me down, but hopefully early starts will help. I don't have the luxury of walking all day long and logging 20 to 30 miles like most of the trip. Today I started a little after 6 a.m. Most of my day was spent walking through the Tyndall Air Force Base. I stopped walking around 2 p.m. The last couple hours were tough. I refilled my water at the main entrance to the base. The guard saw me in the paper. I also walked away with a couple of donuts. I made it from Parker to Mexico Beach. My cell phone battery died. Just after that Randy Wright came out to get me. He was going to pick me up and stay at the little apartment at his office one more night. I slept awesome last night. Best night of sleep in a good while. I woke up around 4 a.m. I fell asleep for a little bit. I got up before 6 a.m. I waited for the first person to show up to work. Dana showed up a little after 6 a.m. We couldn't get the gate open from the inside. A couple of minutes later a guy pulled up on a motorcycle. Once the gate was open, I was gone. I was back on the road. It wasn't hot, but it was humid.

I followed the rest of business 98 until I got to the regular Highway 98. I walked through Parker. I stopped to fill up my water and grab some snacks. Then after about 2.5 miles I crossed a bridge over the intercoastal waterway. I looked back to the north and I could see the pulp mill. So far it has been loosely developed sprawl with a few stores and a few sets of apartments. Once over the bridge I was at Tyndall Air Force Base. They fly F-22 around. There were some other planes. The traffic was pouring into the base. Highway 98 runs right through the base. The gates are all off the Highway 98. The main gate is about halfway in the base. All the traffic headed east, but not much coming west. There were some building right off the bat. A store that was open from 11001800 hours. Then on the north side there was housing. I walked on a road for the houses. From time-to-time side roads. I came to the visitor center. I kept walking. From there on there was a sidewalk that went to the main entrance. From there on much of the base is blocked by trees and a fence. At the main gate I walked up. I needed some water. Traffic was flowing into the base. A guard in camo was letting people in. Also, a woman wearing dark pants and a light blue shirt. She might have been a private security. She had a gun on her belt. I went inside their guard room. They were outside. They had a water fountain. I filled up my water bladder. Then as I was leaving, she offered some donuts. I grabbed two Krispy Kreme glazed donuts. I could use the sugar boost. They were really nice. Right off the bat when I got on the base there were fighter planes roaring around the sky. Randy said they have one or two planes that are running 24 hours a day. They are manned and fueled up. In case of an emergency, they are ready to go. He also said that one guy flies the coastline all way up to New York to guard the coastline. It was nice walking. After the main entrance the sidewalk ran out. Sidewalk time is always nice. That meant I had to walk in the grass. At this point the highway

has one lane going each way. There were a lot of trees along the way. After a while the fences on both side ran out. It was just wild wooded area. I could see parts of bases here and there. I saw the planes pretty close a couple times. I imagined how nice it is that they aren't bombing me. They are cool to see fly around but they are designed to protect and attack. A bread van pulled off the side of the road as I was walking. He asked if I was the cancer walker. I told him that I was. He offered some bread. I didn't really need. I thanked him. He thought what I was doing was cool. I called Randy. He was going to come out and get me. Then my cell phone battery died. I was worried. How was he going to call me? Well, there was no need to worry about that. He found me on the side of the road. Before he picked me up a lady in a tan van pulled over. She wanted to see if I wanted a ride. I told her that I needed to walk. I didn't have to explain that I can get in a car, but I have to get returned to the point where I got picked up. She saw me on the tv or paper. There I am. Randy picked me up. In his black truck he has a laptop, and it can get online. Well, I checked my email. We went to the shop and I showered up. We hooked up Randy's boat and trailer so he could take it outside. He's taking it out tomorrow. It's a nice 35-foot bay liner. I hopped in the comforts of Randy's truck I updated my website. The last time I updated yesterday afternoon. So, I'm adding yesterday afternoon thru today. I'm writing now as Randy and I are driving to Panama City Beach so he can pick up a check. He invited me to go boating with him. It's tempting. I fell into a good rhythm. Today was a good day. I started chaffing, but I got a good bit of walking done. I got a nice place to stay. It's always weird when you spend all day walking and then when I go back to stay at the person's house, I fly back in 20 minutes what took 7 hours to walk.

I went over to Derrick's house. He lives next to the shop. He works for Randy. His young wife had a birthday. He's hurting from his ear surgery. I hung out there for a bit. He's a cool guy and real nice. He played the guitar for a bit.

DAY 331--JULY 28, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:6,825

Today I went with Randy and Beth on a boating adventure. Their daughter Nicole and son Michael came. Michael's girlfriend and Beth's brother (Dana) also came. We rode the intercoastal waterway from Parker to Destin. At St. Andrew Bay we drove out to check the Gulf. In the West Bay we picked up Nicole at a dock. From there it was pretty. Most of the shoreline was pine trees. We saw some cool dunes. At Destin we stopped for a swim. The water was turquoise. We swam in the warm water. Then we pulled into the harbor surrounded by tall condos. We went to AJs for lunch. Then we headed out to the Gulf. We took that east back toward Parker. We ed Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Panama City Beach. We stopped for another brief swim in the gulf. Before we went back into St. Andrews Bay, we stopped on the east side of the jetties to see some dolphins. That was the second time we saw dolphins. It was awesome riding the boat as it's going 35 knots. Bouncing up and down as the wind blows. Thanks to Randy and Beth for inviting me over. Now we are back and have cleaned the boat. I'm using Randy's truck once again to update my site. Today was an awesome day and was a great off day.

DAY 332--JULY 29, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15.5+ FROM: Mexico Beach, FL (West side of city limits just west of the 55 m.p.h.) TO: Port St. Joe, FL (Port Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY:20 TOTAL: 6,845

Today was a great day of life. It had ups and downs. After returned me to my walk I walked over 15 miles and, in this heat,...that ain't bad. I got a bit of a heat stroke. I didn't chafe that bad. I met some folks. In Mexico Beach I met Jan and Bruce from Birmingham, AL. I had a good walk across some areas that weren't that developed. A wilder Florida than I've seen. The bay insight and I made it to Port St. Joe. A man that lived north pulled his SUV over. He made a 20-dollar donation. Suffering from a slight heat stroke I went to Peppers Mexican Grill. Manuel and the gang gave me the meal. There I met Michael Lister who put me up in the Port Inn for the night. I showered up and find myself on a computer at the hotel. Oh yeah...I finally crossed into the Eastern Time Zone after months of walking in the central time zone. Today Randy came to the shop and picked me up. Derek was over and I got a chance to say goodbye. Randy and his dog Bingo gave me a ride over to where I left off. I retraced the ground that I walked Friday. Through Tyndall Air force Base and at the west edge of Mexico Beach. It must have been around 7:30 when I got dropped off. I ate some cracker and tuna dip on the way. He dropped me off just west of the 55 MPH sign. There was an Aquafina plastic case that was empty on the side. That was my marker. I was in the city limits of Mexico Beach but hadn't hit the town yet. It was

wooded on both sides. Mexico Beach is a cool little town. A good section of the beach side isn't developed. The development is pretty low key. From what I heard most of that has been the last several years ago. Soon I was waltzing right next to the Gulf. Looking at water never gets old. It was warming up and humid. I stopped at a store in Mexico Beach and got a big thing of Gold bond. At this point there were a couple of hotels and a couple two story places along the water. Then I hit the stretch I was talking about. Some houses on the north side of the road but not on the south side. After I left Mexico Beach city limits, I hit the Eastern Time Zone. It was nice. A relief to be in my last time zone now. Then I went through some communities like Beacon Hill. I stopped at a park there. That is when I met Bruce and Jan. They were a couple in their early fifties riding bikes. I stopped at the Beacon Hill Park. Bruce asked how far I was walking. I was at a shaded park bench eating snacks Randy and Beth gave me. We had a nice chat. They were from Alabama. We had a nice chat. They might make a donation online. They might have friends along the way. They were nice and I'm glad they chatted. The traffic was light and my feet nimble after that. Then I came into a place called St. Joe Beach. There was a sign showing bears and saying next four miles. It turned into woods on both sides of the road. There was a parking area for beach access and bathrooms. I needed water. I filled up in the bathroom sink. I was totally out of water. From there I didn't get back on Highway 98. There was an old road that is going to be turned into a beach walk. The beach walk is coming soon. I thought it'd get me back to 98. I walked the road. I entered the road at a dead in. The bay or Gulf to my right. Some small sand dunes, grass, and a variety of trees painted a whiteish/tan and green landscape.

I walked up and the road was blocked off from cars. The road ahead was only for people that live there until the beach walk is built. That means I had to walk back out to Highway 98 on a side road. It added a little more mileage. Probably not all that much. Then after a couple of miles I was in Highland View...or at least I think that was what it called. Once I got back to 98 there wasn't much for a couple miles. Then at Highland some businesses. I stopped at a gas station and got some food. I was walking along. The bay to my right. Palm trees lining the road. I could see the bridge into Port St. Joe ahead. A gray convertible was on the side of the road. It was on the beach side. A couple girls inside. A brunette was taking pictures. She crossed to my side of the road to take pictures of my car. She asked if I was training. I told her I'm walking across the country. I gave her a card. After that I walked over the bridge. The last couple of days there has been a lot of big puffy clouds. They are my favorite. I crossed the bridge. I walked a bit much in the heat. The Goldbond helped the chaffing. I walked into Port. St. John. It's a nice little town. A quiet downtown just north of 98. When I was walking past the Port Inn a man stopped in his SUV. He donated 20 dollars. We chatted. I headed east and then I needed to get out of the heat. I back track to Peppers Mexican Grill. It turned out to be a good stop. Why? Because the hospitality I ran into which isn't new on the trip but still blows me away. Manuel my waiter was curious about what I was doing. He told me to get what I want and not worry about the price. It wasn't busy when I walked in. An MLS soccer game was on TV. My head felt like it was going to explode. I couldn't make an order for a while. I couldn't think straight. I had no idea where I was going to stay. My stomach felt bad. I drank water and sweet tea and

I started to feel better. When Michael Lister was done eating, he came over to my table. He asked me about what I was doing. I showed him some news clips. He offered to buy my meal, but I told him that it was on the house. Somehow it came up that he was going to try and get me in the room a couple blocks down which was the Port Inn. A quaint 21 room hotel that has been around since 1903 or so. The rooms are usually pretty expensive. It's the peak season right now. He took my card. He called a few minutes after he left and said that he got the room. Thank you very much Michael. After a while I left Peppers. I walked the couple blocks and checked in. An 18-year-old girl named Madison worked the front desk. I got room 107. It was a nice room. Pretty fancy. I chatted with her a bit. I hopped on the computer to tell of what happened today. I'm washing laundry and updating the old website. Today was nice. It was a walk along a more undeveloped section of the Florida panhandle. It was more rugged and natural. Less people and less buildings. And the buildings that are around aren't so big. Today was some good walking and had two great counts of hospitality.

DAY 333--JULY 30, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3+ FROM: Port St. Joe, FL (Port Inn) TO: Port St. Joe, FL (MainStay Suites) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,845

Yesterday did a number and it has taken a while to get going. I had some breakfast. I'm getting somewhat of a late start today. I'm going to be heading out

here in minutes. I was up fairly early, but body wasn't up for doing much. Well today I'll be making walking eastward on The Forgotten Coast. Well, I didn't make it that far. I couldn't get going that quick. The slight sun stoked from walking in the heat took my energy. After the breakfast at the Port Inn, I left. The nice lady gave me some fruit and bars to take with me. After that I headed out. There isn't anything besides a power station between Port St. Joe and Apalachicola. I was going to make that haul today. I was looking at 23 miles. In order to make it at a decent time I'd have to walk during the heat of the day. I didn't want to cowboy it. After a mile then there wasn't much of anything. I walked. I ed some houses and a church. The road was right along the bay. Fully drenched in sweat I pulled off to the side of the road and sat in the shade on my pack. There would be one more hotel. I figured I should hold up there. I'm still feeling the slight heat stroke from yesterday. I need to be on my A game to get to Apalachicola in one day in this humidity. Mainly pine trees guarded both sides of the road. I saw the sign for the MainStay Suites. That'd me last anything really until Appalach. I went in. I was going to get the room. I showed my Panama City News Herald article. I told my story to see if they had a discount. Kristy Van Treese, the manager, came out. She was really nice. She typed stuff into a computer. The printer printed something out. She showed me the paper. She circled the rate. The rate was 0. I wasn't expecting that. Usually, a room my get knocked down a bit, but not free. I sat and talked with Kristy and the a few other people that work there. They had

questions about the trip. The place had three stories. It was opened last November. The kindness of strangers still amazes me. After that I went to room 325. I took my sweat drenched shirt off and showered up. I took it easy so that I can bring my A game tomorrow. I need to restrict the time I walk between 11 a.m. and 3 or 4 p.m. Otherwise I pay the price like I did today. I'm using one of the hotel computers to update my site.

DAY 334--JULY 31, 2007 MILES WALKED: 20.5 FROM: Port St. Joe, FL (MainStays Suite) TO: Apalachicola, FL (apartment above old Wheelhouse Restaurant) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,825

Today was one of my best walking days in a while. One it was my first twentymile day in a quite few days. Keep in mind that most of my walking days in the first 7 months were 20-mile days. That says something about what the humidity does. I wandered further down the forgotten coast. I had a huge gap between Port St. Joe and Apalachicola there is mainly pine trees with underbrush. I had one water stop between. That was Progress Energy. West of Appalach I saw the damage from a forest fire. Then I was in the historic fishing village. A blonde girl named Kristen stopped. She saw me on the tv and got a picture with me. Her friend stopped by later. Then I met Larry. He is related to Jim and Diane Edwards of Forks, WA (the first strangers to take me in). He owns the Wheelhouse Cafe. It's closed because he just built a new building, and it will be reopening next door. The old restaurant has an apartment that overlooks the river and marsh land. After over 20 miles of walking, I had an awesome resting place.

One of the highlights today was a live on-air phone interview with Lisa Brooks on KOMO 1000 AM news station out of Seattle, WA. I woke up and was on the road a bit after 8 a.m. I ed a branch of the Gulf Coast Community College after I left the hotel. Then I was surrounded by pine trees. It was nice. They provided shade for the first half of today. Today I drank about 8 liters of water. I was sweating. There wasn't a bunch of traffic. It was nice. About 7 miles into the day a red Toyota Explorer pulled over. He was from the Wheelhouse. He was checking on where I was at. Then a few miles later I ed a forest service station. State Prison workers were doing lawn work. Not much past that was Progress Power. I went in. I asked if I could top off my water. I did. The nice guy working there that let me fill the water talked of a man who walked by that was walking the perimeter of the country for faith. The guy got heat stroke and spent some time in the area. It was around 11 a.m. I kept walking and I ed into Franklin county. At 11 miles I took some time in the shade. I set on my pack on a pile pine needles. I needed to take a break. It was the heat of the day. However, some cloud cover came around and helped keep the temp down. Around 2 p.m. I figured I had rested enough. I put some GoldBond on and I kept walking. Around 12.5 miles into my day I ed the area where 30-A runs into Highway 98. It was a mile or less after that I had saw huge areas with no pine trees. To the south I could see the water. There was a big fire out here. At first, I thought it might have been cleared for development. Around 80 percent of the land in this area is government owned. I went up to Box-R Wildlife Management area. I rested in the shade there. I called KOMO 1000 because my phone had static. Then I walked straight into Appalach. It was 3 miles or so. I ed an American Legion Post. I've been talking with Terry who works for Larry. She called me. Then Larry showed up in the wheelhouse van. He also does charter fishing and boat tours and such. I was less than two miles from the Wheelhouse. Almost

every house seems to have a boat. To the south is the bay and fishing processing and boats. I walked up to the Burger King. I was hungry. That is when Kristen stopped by. She gave me a couple bucks and got a picture with me. Then the blonde drove off in her red car. I kept walking. I entered the historic district. Trees along the sidewalk with old houses. Some around a hundred years. Then I walked up. I could see the river ahead. Highway 98 turns right. I kept walking straight. I was in the neat old downtown. I went to water street. ed a fish process thing and then I saw the Wheelhouse. A white building. Next door was what will be the new Wheelhouse. Larry pulled up. I went up to the apartment. Larry let me in. It was two rooms with an awesome view. It is really nice. Bright colors on the wall. I showered up. At 6:17 or so is when I did the interview with KOMO 1000 radio. This is the second time we talked. It was a follow up. They chatted with me while I was in Arizona. I wandered around town a bit. Then I was exhausted, and I went to bed

DAY 335--AUG 1, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:6,825

Today I'm going to enjoy the beauty of Apalachicola. I met with Lois from the local paper. That will be 52 papers now. I'm staying at my 75th house (12 have been friends and family). She came to where I was staying. She was on her way out of town. I road with her to her house so I could update my website. I'm hanging out at her place writing. Grady is watching her dogs. Grady wears a

gray beard and has cannoned nearly 900 miles to get to Apalachicola. He started when the Apalachicola River had a different name. It was close to Tennessee. From here he is going to kayak down to Key West. He's got 450-500 miles or so. He writes in a journal. He's going to write a book. It's raining a bit outside. My friends Chris and James from Seagrove might be coming down here. I'm going to try and do some laundry and then check out the town a bit. I did run into one problem today. There are a ton of ants on my pack. I guess it's there pack now. I'll need to fix that, or I'll be in double trouble.

DAY 336--AUG. 2, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC today: 0 TOTAL: 6,825

Last night the Haney brothers got into town. They stayed with me. If you don't them. They live in Seagrove. They work at the Hurricane Oyster Bar in Grayton Beach, FL. I stayed with them when I walked through. That was about 90 miles ago or so. Today we went and had lunch at the grill. We drove to Cape San Blas. We went to the State park and we went swimming in the gulf. It was awesome. It was nice and warm. Then we went to St. George. We went to a place called Harry A's. There was a band called 'High Octane' After that we went to Boss Oysters. We had shrimp and oysters. They were good. We had three dozen roasted oysters.

Boss Oysters has a good reputation and has been magazines. The Wheelhouse is closed but is supposed to have the best in town. We hung out around town a bit then went back to the apartment. Today was a good day. Cape San Blas was beautiful. There were a few houses. Cape San Blas is a little finger of a peninsula that jets out. Pines trees and some small sand dunes. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night laughing. I don't know if you ever woke up laughing but I did. I had a dream. I walked through a door and slammed it. Then I spit out a funny one liner. It was like a sitcom. Three guys were there. My friend Austin was there. He didn't laugh that much. The two other guys on the other hand fell to the ground. They were laughing so hard that I started to laugh. I laughed so hard in the dream that I woke up laughing.

DAY 337--AUG. 3, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ TO FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 6,825

Today will be my last day in Apalachicola. While Chris and James slept, I got up. I talked with Larry Covell this morning. He was getting ready to head out on the water today. He does tours of the bay, river, and Islands. I decided to stay one more day. I met with Lois the writer for the local paper. She bought me breakfast at Dolores. That was about three blocks away. She chatted some more with me. It was a beautiful day of life.

I'm using the office computer at Larry's office. Terry is doing some work on the table next to me. James and Chris will be heading back to Seagrove today. They have to work at 4 p.m. Besides that, I'm going to enjoy my time in Apalach. I'll probably walk around a bit. Then I'll get everything all squared away in the apartment. Make sure everything is clean. Thanks to Larry for letting me stay in the awesome apartment that overlooks the bay. I went down to the grill. I went there twice already. Sandra the blonde waitress that doesn't look 50 was really nice. I went to show her some of the newspapers I have. They were busy so I patiently waited. We chatted. I chatted with the chefs. The main Chef Viscardi and I had a nice chat about life, people. and philosophy. She gave me a t-shirt from the restaurant.

DAY 338--Aug. 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,825

The weather was pretty bad this morning. I was packed up and ready to go but the weather held me up. The day has turned out to be all right. I didn't want to get caught up in some lighting. I got sad a little bit today. The money is running low, and I thought a lot about my mom. It never really gets much better. She meant a lot to me and when times get tough it was always nice to hear her voice.

I thank Larry who has been kind enough to take me in for a couple days. He gave me a Wheelhouse T-Shirt. Anyways I walked over to Lois' house. She is the writer for the paper. I'm using her computer to type up my journal. She isn't here because she took her dogs down to the park. I plan on striking out tomorrow morning. I'm enjoying the scenery of the apartment I'm staying which overlooks the river and bay. I'm working on a couple short stories. I got an inspiring email from Birch Bay that is a 28-year survivor of bone cancer. They thanked me for my efforts. Emails like that combined with all the nice people I meet help me keep going.

DAY 339--AUG. 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 19+ FROM: Apalachicola, FL (Apartment above Wheelhouse Restaurant) TO: Carrabelle Beach, FL (Skip and Kathy Fink's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 65 TOTAL: 6,910

Today I walked over 19 miles and raised 65 dollars for cancer research. In a little cafe in Eastpoint I had people donate 45 dollars for cancer research and also buy my meal. I met more people at a gas station in town and on the side of the road. I had nice views of the bay and barrier islands almost all day. Today was hot and humid and struggled. Skip whom Lois from Apalach got a hold of him. He owns or runs the Old Carrabelle Hotel which is a B and B. I arrived at Carrabelle Beach around 7 p.m. There were covered picnic tables and bathrooms. Skip

across the street from there. They rent the downstairs of their house out. I had to make my own bed and take a picture in front of the Old Carrabelle Hotel. That was really nice of them to let me stay. I had to leave dinner early. I wasn't feeling well. I had heat exhaustion. I then went to lay down. My stomach wasn't good. I realized I've only had heat exhaustion and not heat stroke. Today was a good solid day of walking but the heat took its toll. At some points my pack felt like it was a 300 pounds. I woke this morning. Lois wanted to take my picture as I left Apalach. I called her about 8 a.m. She got some pictures of me leaving as I hit the bridge. I left the dying fishing village on a beautiful morning. It was mostly blue skies with some big puffy white clouds. I had about 6 miles to get to East Point. There was a tall bridge then it was more of a cause way. Land and then a bridge. I stopped at the Sportsman’s El Jalisco restaurant. Two older ladies asked my hiking. One lady, Christine Gibson of Georgia, had survived breast cancer. She donated 20 dollars. Her sister Pat Beenfield who resides in Alabama had a husband and another family taken by cancer. She donated 5 dollars. At another table Ethel Shiver sat with her husband and son. The son was in his 30's. Not only did they donate 20 dollars they bought my breakfast. I filled my water up earlier while I was there. A free breakfast and 65 dollars for cancer research. I left. I had walk through East Point. There isn't a bunch there. It stretched out five miles or so. I stopped at a gas station. I was going to set in the shade. I met Ervin and Kim from Georgia. He first came down here when he was a senior in High School. That was when he was in the 60's. He could have bought a plot of land for 3,00 0 dollars. Now that'd go for about 2 million. At the gas station I met Cody and Emmie. They were a young couple from Tallahassee. They gave me a couple bucks. Then I was off. I walked too much in the heat of the day. Sometimes it's tough sitting around. I walked of the sand of the beach for a bit. I'd lick above my lip and catch a taste of salt. Once out of East Point there would be a house here or there. I walked past Tate's Hell State Park. However, for the most part I had bay

to the south and trees to the north. I walked along the sand here and there. I rested in the shade a couple times. It reached a point when I struggled. My pack fell like 300 pounds. I kept walking. I started to seem more houses. I went past Yent Bayou and then I started seeing more houses. The road left the bay and then would go back. I talked to Skip. When I talked to him again. He proposed that I could camp or stay at his place. I was at Carrabelle Beach. I was found shade and a place to sit. There were about a dozen covered tables. Skip showed up in his blue pick-up. We shook hands and chatted. Then he said he lived across the street. I walked over and beat him. I guess a good example of how walking is faster than driving. The downstairs had a common area with a bar and two rooms. I got one of the rooms. A spiral staircase led to the second and third stories. I went up to the second story after a shower. I could see the bay and the barrier islands. I met Kathy (Skip's wife) and we had pizza. I didn't last long. I hadn't eaten much since breakfast. I had to excuse myself to the bedroom. I enjoyed the comforts of the room. Air condition and a comfortable bed.

DAY 340--AUG 6, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3+ but not done FROM: Carrabelle Beach, FL (Skip and Kathy Frink's house) TO: Lanark Village, FL (an apartment Skip and Kathy Frink rent out) $ to FHCRC TODAY:10 TOTAL: 6,920

Well so far today I haven't walked far. Now that it's the heat of the day I'm taking

some time to update my site at the Old Carrabelle Hotel using Skip's computer. I stopped by 2 Al's Cafe. Kathy’s brother and father own the place. They were going to give me free breakfast but someone else bought it. Jackie the waitress was stoked on meeting me. I met her cousin in Apalachicola. The cousin was Kristen. Skip showed up to take some pictures of me. I got a free 2 Al's shirt. After that I would meet Skip over at the Old Carrabelle Hotel. I had about 2 miles to get there. I said goodbye to the 2 AL which are father and son with the name of Arthur Leo. Said a goodbye to Jackie as well. I walked up a straight stretch then crossed over the Carrabelle River. Then I was in the small Harbor town that is around a 1,000 people. Skip said that some people at City Hall want to meet me. There is a coffee shop that I'm going to stop at. Skip got some pictures of me on the bridge. Skip works for the local paper. He's going to put a story in there. He's been snapping some pictures. Before I got to the Old Carrabelle Hotel I stopped at the Chevron. I'm already tired from walking today. A guy at the counter bought me a drink. I chatted with the workers. A lady donated 10 dollars on my way out. When I was at the Old Carrabelle Hotel a young girl knocked at the door. Jaime asked if I was the guy walking across the country. I said I was. She asked if we could get a picture. We snapped a picture. She was 16-18 years old and had her toenails painted a blue color. I think she is cousins with Kristen from Apalach also. Now I'm going to go over to the local coffee shop. The owner use to live in San Francisco. He said I could hang out in the heat of the day and have free drinks and food. I'm heading over there shortly. I'll be meeting the Mayor and such. I did meet the Mayor. She is a cancer survivor herself. Mel Kelly who used to live in Wisconsin bought my lunch and donated 20 dollars. We didn't chat much. The owner of the coffee shop that I was hanging out in gave me a t-shirt. Ron, a

San Fran transplant, wore a straw hat and color shirt. I left there about 4. Skip came over and offered a little apartment that his wife and him own in Lanark Village as a place to stay. He gave me directions and the key. I left. I was looking and a little over five miles. It was warm. I left Carrabelle. It was a nice town. It turned into pretty solid pines after a bit. Then some houses. Then the area known as Lanark Village. They had a little boat club and the golf course with the worse greens in the world. Of course, my shirt was drenched in sweat. There was a little store. First, I went and found the apartment which was off Highway 98 on Parker St. I found it. I turned on the AC. I was in building 4 apartment 4. It was nice. I walked back down to the store and got something to eat. I went back to the apartment. I was sweating like a pig. I enjoyed the comforts of the room. Today I met a bunch of good people. I picked up two shirts. I had two meals bought when both restaurants were willing to make it on the house. There are still a lot of good people out their folks.

DAY 341--AUG. 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8+ FROM: Lanark Village, FL (Skip and Kathy's rental apartment on Parker St.) TO: St. Teresa, FL (along highway 98 at Holiday Campground Billboard) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 60 TOTAL:6,990

Today I left my sleeping pad at the apartment. I've only camped out once in Florida and hadn't camped out in either Mississippi or Alabama. That was extra weight. I had a five miles jaunt to Summer Camp. That was my only food stop. I stopped. They people there were awesome. Angie gave me two cheeseburgers. I raised 60 dollars for cancer research. Angie, my waitress (Deanne), and a couple at a nearby table (David and Gale Allen from TN). I hung out there in the shade waiting for the heat to cool down. I hung outside in the shade. I met Jodi. She lives in Panacea. She called over and a broker there was going to let me stay at a condo there. I started walking an hour before she got off work. I walked from Summer Camp to St. Teresa. She picked me up at the Holiday Campground Sign. Today everyone was really nice. The big news was yesterday I changed up my route. Instead of going down the gulf coast to Naples I've opted to head up to Tallahassee. I'll take Highway 90 from Tallahassee to the Jacksonville. Once in Jacksonville I'll be taking the coastal highway down to Atlantic coast to Miami Beach.

DAY 342--AUG 8, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8+ FROM: St. Teresa, FL (along highway 98 at Holiday Campground Billboard) TO: Panacea, FL (George's Point Condo courtesy of Marv and Jeanie) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:6,990

Today Jodi dropped me back off at St. Teresa where the Holiday Campground sign is. That is where I left off yesterday. Today I walked back to the George's Lighthouse Condo where I stayed last night. It was 8 plus miles and that took it out of me. It took about 3 hours. I didn't stop walking. I took some pictures. I crossed over the Ochlochnee Bay. It was scenic. I walked by the bay where I could see Alligator Point. After that I was looking at trees on both sides of the road. I stopped at the reality place (Coastal Shores Properties Inc) were Jodi's mom, Jacque works. Marv and Jeannie also work there. Marv has talked care of the two nights of me staying there. His wife did my laundry. They also gave me 25 dollars for food and such. The BP store next door and they gave me a free lunch. That was really nice of them. Wow. Another night in AC. Today was hot. Close to a hundred degrees and with the heat index well over. I woke up this morning. Jodi picked me up around 8:30. She dropped me off her way to work. On the 8 mile walk today I sweated a bunch. As I walked by the bay at times, I could see Alligator Point. However, most of the walk found trees along both sides. Then I had the scenic walk over the Ochlochnee Bay. Once on the other side I was almost home. I went to Coast Shores Properties. Everyone was real nice. I chatted with my walk. An older couple worked there. Marv and Jeannie. She offered to do some laundry which I needed done badly. It was a pretty short walk, but the life can get sucked out of one in this heat and humidity. Marv went next door and cashed a check and gave me 25 dollars for food. He talked to the ladies next door and they gave me lunch. After that I went to room A-4. Right when I went through the door the sudden rush of coolness which I became use to. That same rush of a mucky, thick, and warm air hits me when after a shower I take a basket of my clothes back to Jeannie. Her and Marv were a nice older couple. I grabbed lunch and went back to the condo to hand out. I picked my clothes up. Jacque, Jodi's mom, was the only one there. I went for a swim later. That was nice.

DAY 343--AUG 9, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3.5+

FROM: Panacea, FL (George's Point Lighthouse Condo thanks to Marv and Jeannie) TO: Panacea, FL (Panacea Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:6,990

Today was a short day. Short days these don't feel so short. Today was a scorcher. Nearly a 100 degrees. The heat index well above. I left the condo which had been my home for two nights. Left Panacea by the bridge. Between there and Panacea itself isn't much. A BBQ/Lounge and a restaurant supply company. They have primitive garbage service here. A white ford pickup with black wood on the sides of the back. A man and his wife hopped out of the truck and picked up the garbage sacks out of the dumpster. It's a weird little town. I stopped for breakfast at a little a cafe. The Zeegers family of Tallahassee gave me five dollars for food. I hoofed a little further down the road. Today is my fifth day in a row. I know the last three 8-mile days don't seem like much. Especially since I use to do 20+ miles a day. However, in this heat and humidity it takes the energy right out of me. Here are some stats: PEOPLE STAYED WITH: 76 NEWSPAPER INTERVIEWS: 53 TV INTERVIEWS: 25 RADIO INTERVIEWS: 6 NIGHTS SPENT IN TENT in MS and AL: 0 NIGHTS SPENT IN TENT IN FL so far: 1

DAY 344--AUG 10, 2007 MILES WALKED: 7 FROM: Panacea, FL (Panacea, FL) TO: Medart, FL (Best Western) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,990

Today I walked around 7 miles or so. I walked from Panacea to Medart. I got a discount rate at the Best Western. That was nice of the man working. I just got off the phone with Blaine Tolison of WCTV in Tallahassee. He wants to meet up on Monday. That's probably about when I'll be getting into town. Well, I got up and left the Panacea Motel. I guess the only place that I know that I can stay down the road was the Best Western. I left the hotel. I walked out of Panacea and into Medart. I called Jay who lives in Wakulla county. He emailed me through my website saying he'd like to take me out to lunch. I also called the newspapers and tv station in Tallahassee. I'm around 30 miles away. Today was supposed to be in the high 90's with a heat index well over that. Here is my analogy for walking in Florida in the summer: Take a treill and put in a sauna. Put on a 40–50-pound backpack and start walking on the treill. Toss in some yellow flies and mosquitoes and you're in business. Also, from time to time a person will come in and offered you a place to stay outside of the sauna. I'm using the computer at the motel to update my site. I haven't seen a computer since Monday and I'm updating my journal from the time I left the Old Carrabelle Hotel.

I'm hanging out. I'm planning on arriving in Tallahassee Monday morning sometime. I toyed with the idea of finishing the walk once I hit the Atlantic Ocean which now will be Jacksonville, but I said Miami Beach and I'm going to Miami Beach. It's only 350 more miles from there to Miami.

DAY 345--AUG. 11, 2007 MILES WALKED: 6 FROM: Medart, FL (Best Western) TO: Crawfordville, FL (Skybox Bar and Grill) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,990

I'm up and getting my free breakfast. After that I'm pounding the pavement. I have to backtrack on Highway 98 a bit and get on Highway 319 to head toward Tallahassee. I it's supposed to get close to a hundred degrees today. I walked back to Highway 319. I was walking along, and I saw the library. I figured I'd stop. I'm going to add some pictures to my scrapbook. The librarian's son lives in Oregon and went to Oregon State University. After I left the library, I walked to Crawfordville. It was a few miles away. I ed some houses. I ed a surprising amount of hair care places. Then I came to a plaza that had a Chinese restaurant. I ate there. I had a General Tso lunch. A lady and her father were eating lunch. They lived in Panacea. Her mother survived breast cancer. They bought my lunch. Between Medart and Crawfordville wasn't much. There were houses and the occasional business. The further I got into Crawfordville the more developed it became. I stopped by the Wakulla News, but no one was there. I ed a cool old

courthouse. I stopped a Hardee's fast-food burger t. I kept walking. I ed Wakulla Bank and it read 95 degrees and that is without the humidity. I thought the town was about to end. I was wrong. I stopped at Huison park to take a break in the shade. There was a pavilion with a big fan blowing down. It was nice. Then for a brief time there were some showers. Crawfordville became more developed as I walked on. I had no idea where I'd stay. There was another little park after Hudson park. It had a nice little walking path. Then I ed hardware store, a grocery store, and plazas. I popped into the Skybox. I met some nice folks. Mel, the bartender, lost her mother two ago to cancer. She donated ten dollars. I met Rob Ross, Eric Su, and Pete. Pete had read about Peter Jenkins walk across America. He was interested in the trip. He also met a man that pulled a cross across America. Eric Su asked if I needed a place to stay and I did. That meant that'd be pausing my walk at the Skybox. Like the rest of the trip, when I get in a car I have to get returned to the spot where I stopped walking. I said goodbye to the nice folks. I videotaped where I paused my walk. Then we hopped in Eric's SUV. First, we went to a trailer that he rents out. He did some plumbing. Then we went to the hardware store. Rain started coming down in buckets. Then we went back to his place. It was 10 miles away or so. It was down a dirt road. It was a nice 2 story place on 6 acres. He has two dogs. Rusty and Susie. Susie went pee and poop on the wooden floors. Eric was born in the Philippines. He lived in LA. He's been out here a couple years. He did some crab fishing in Alaska. We were both in Dutch Harbor in 1997. I was there in the winter after graduating high school. We went to a seafood buffet in Wakulla for dinner. He told stories of fishing. Later we went to a place called DUX's and listened to a band called Velvet Fog.

DAY 346--AUG. 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 6,990

Today I took the day off. I hung out with Eric. A lady from the CBS station called me. I did a phone interview with a nice reporter from the Tallahassee Democrat. Eric went to practice pool. I tagged along. We went to a lounge at the county line. Among the people I met there was a guy named "Liberal Larry". He was thinking I should finish in Key West. I'm still planning on a Miami Beach finish, but Key West is starting to bounce around in my head. Earlier in the day Eric made both breakfast and lunch. Eggs, hash browns, and some sausage. Rice and venison for lunch. It was good. After we left the county line, we went to DUXs for a pool tourney. There was a group that was having some donations for a charity. They had hamburgers. I had two and they hit the spot. Tomorrow Eric will drop me back off at the Skybox bar and grill. I'll resume my walk and then I'll walk into Tallahassee. Today was a good day off. I got rested up. My first day with no walking since Apalachicola. I've had a couple shorts, but it was a hot week. I covered a decent little stretch. Nothing like I've done before, but I moved forward each day.

I'm tired and I'm going to bed for some much-needed sleep. Shooting for an early start tomorrow. Thanks to Eric for giving me a place. I was thinking and so far, here is a breakdown of days of me camping, moteling, and couch surfing. so far Nights camping: 105 (estimated) nights in hotel or hostel: 55 (18 nights for free) (estimated) nights at people's houses: 190(estimated) So, you can see I've spent most of the trip people's houses. When I take days off it's usually at people's houses. Also, sometimes people offer to pick me up 15-20 miles the road and have me stay at their place one more night. Getting to spend time with different people has been a great experience.

DAY 347--AUG. 13, 2007 MILES WALKED: 20+ FROM: Crawfordville, FL (Skybox Bar and Grill) TO: Tallahassee, FL (on college street in front of Goodie's eatery) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 100TOTAL: 7,090

Today was a solid day of walking. I had three news crews come out to interview as I walked into Tallahassee. I walked over 20 miles into the heart of Tallahassee. The state capital and the home of Florida State University and

Florida A & M. I met some nice people who saw me on the noon news. I met a girl at Subway that offered me a place to stay. In downtown I had some people, Phillip and Ashley recognize me from the newspaper. The Tallahassee Democrat had a little article in it today. I paused my walk downtown and stayed at Elli's house. Elli is around 26 and has lived in town for about 3 days. She just moved down for grad school. Before she picked me up, I took a load off at a sport bar, and met a nice couple. Jason and Laura donated 100 dollars. He's a lawyer and she works for visit Tallahassee.com. I also had couple stop and make a donation. They drove a gray car. They were Torrie and Cassie. I had some serious chaffing by the end of the day. It hurt. I woke this morning about 5:30 a.m. Eric cooked up some breakfast. Then I got dropped back off at the Skybox Bar and Grill. That is where I left off. It was a little after 6:30 when I started. I walked out of Crawfordville. It became mostly forests on both sides. Much of the day there a few houses in the woods. Blaine from WCTV came out. He donated 10 dollars. He did a quick piece on me. He got some video and then some interviews. He graduated from FSU. He was slender with brown hair. Not much further and I found myself out of Wakulla County and into Leon. I was about 8 miles into my day when Blaine caught up with me. I almost saw a wreck. Some guy was trying to on a blind corner. I talked to my dad and I had a couple emails from some reporters. Brittany Benner, a cute red headed woman, works for Tampa 10 and cover the Tallahassee area for them. Valerie from Channel 26 emailed me. I called both of them. I kept walking. It was hot. Brittany was going to meet up with me later. Todd from Channel 26 came out. He was the reporter and Kenyen was the cameraman. They caught up with me when I was about 5 miles away from Tallahassee. I hit a sidewalk. Once the sidewalk started, which seemed like kind of out in the middle of nowhere, I had sailed the sidewalk all the way into Tallahassee. Todd and Kenyen got an interview and a quick interview and some footage of me walking. It was past noon. I shouldn't have been walking but I thought I was Rambo or something. I kept walking on 319. I'm closing in on Tallahassee. It soon was pretty developed. I ed Capitol Circle. 319 takes a right turn. I kept going straight. It wasn't much further. A mile or so and Brittany Benner met me. She

had another woman with her. Brittany got an interview, my 28th TV interview, and some footage of me walking and then she left. She brought me a Gatorade. That was nice of her. She was a pretty red head. She left and I kept walking. I got of Crawfordville highway and got on Monroe St. That took me straight to downtown and the capitol building. I stopped at a gas station because nature called. I met a man who saw me on the news at the gas station. He made a small donation. I lost a pair of sunglasses today. I was in Tallahassee. My third capital city, all which were in the south: Austin, Baton Rouge, and now Tallahassee. It actually had a few little hills. Not fun to walk up in the heat, but it gave the town character. I liked that. It's been really flat so far in Florida. I ed Leon County Fairgrounds. Then it was developed. I went up hill and downhill. I saw a Subway. I thought I'd go in. Before I got to Subway a gray car pulled over. Torrie and Cassie made a donation. When I got to Subway, I met a brown hair girl named Elli asked if I was really walking across the country. We sat ate lunch and chatted. She said that if I needed a place, she could have a mattress on the floor for me. I needed a place to stay. I left Subway way with an option. I walked up the hill and I was at the old Capitol Building. I spent most 1st grade from 10th grade in Elma, WA. Ben Dougherty is from Elma and played quarterback for Florida A and M for a couple years. I wondered if he still was in town. I explored downtown. I walked by and someone shouted, 'MATT'. I wondered who it was. I walked back and it was Phillip. He worked at Goodies Eatery. His co-worker Ashley read about me in the paper. I went into the comforts of the AC. They offered me whatever I wanted. I had a Powerade and some ice cream. They closed up at 4:30. I did some more exploring. I found a little sports part. Andrews. I went in and I met Jason and Laura there. They were cool. They asked some questions about

my trip. I asked questions about them. For the most part they grew up here. He went to college at Maryland. They donated a hundred dollars. I called Eli. She just picked up a bed she bought off Craigslist. I walked back near the Goodies Eatery and that is where I ended my walk for the day. I'll be returned to this spot to resume my walk. Eli showed up in her blue VW van with a little trailer behind that had a bed. I hopped in. She just moved into her new place. I met her roommate Kyle was a really nice guy. We hung out. We carried the bed in. We hung out a bit and then Eli had to go to a family’s house for dinner. Kyle and I hung out. I took a power nap. Eli moved down from Georgia. She grew up in Denver. She been a lot of places and has good travel stories. She has a lot of instruments. A guitar, banjo, saw, keyboard, and wash buckets base. She might have a couple more up her sleeve that I don't know about. Later in the night Kyle, Elli and I went to the house that Kyle is house sitting, and we all took warms showers. Elli and Kyle's house doesn't have hot water. Today was a weird day. Three interviews with TV stations. Which would air in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Tampa. The Tallahassee had an article about the cause today. I met someone at Subway and stayed with her. That isn't all that new of a thing. I've stayed with around 77 different households now.

DAY 348--AUG. 14, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:7,090

Well, I took off today. I went a had lunch with someone that I grew up with in Washington. Ben played football down in Tallahassee at Florida A & M. I didn't realize he lived here until last night. He was a grade behind me. He was a big quarterback and led Elma high school to a state championship in Football. Now he runs a temp service. His wife runs the Ronald McDonald house. He also plays for the Tallahassee indoor football team. He's signs a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was cool having lunch with someone from Elma. His boss and him came over and picked me up. We went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. Ben and I played little league against each other. We had a couple common friends. We caught up on some old times. Then on the drive back he gave me 25 dollars for food or whatever. I sure need it to. It was kind of surreal being in Florida eating lunch fellow Elma product. He said if I need anything give him a call. When they dropped me off, Elli wasn't at the house. I assumed she might be at Starbucks. I went down to Starbucks. She was down there on her computer. She took off to go find a job and I hopped on her computer and update my journal. I've worked hard all trip to keep my journal. Only several times has it been five days and usually never more than four. I'm going to hang out with Eli some more today. We are going to go check out some music. She has a friend playing some music. Last night Brittany Benner the reporter from the Tampa 10 called to make sure that I had a place to stay. That was really nice. I helped Elli go to get some dressers she bought off Craigslist. Then we went out for some pizza. Then we went to Coolgrindz and watched her friend play guitar. We played scrabble there. The musician's wife was there. They just back to Tallahassee from Miami. The wife is going for her PhD. Elli and I went back. We read short stories out loud. Her roommate Kyle showed

up and read one song out loud.

DAY 349--AUG. 15, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:7,090

I decided to take today off. Elli had to go to a plantation and be a camp counselor. She brought a bunch of her different instruments out there. I helped her load up her van. I'm down at Starbucks using her computer. A man who emailed me through my website, John Stevens, is going to come take me out to lunch. He recently lost his partner to cancer. Besides that, I have no big plans, but one doesn't know what might happen. John met me at Starbucks. We drove around and looked at some of the older houses in Tallahassee. Some neat old Antebellum houses. Then he took me out to Maria Livingston's Steak House. I had steak and potatoes. He gave me a hundred dollars for food. He also bought me some razors. I decided I wanted to shave the beard off. I do that from time to time. I left a mustache. John is recovering from the loss of his partner. It's never easy losing someone that is close to one. It takes time. It some ways it never really gets better. I was glad John got a hold of me. He grew up here in northwest Florida. It was nice chatting with him. He works for the Florida Lottery. I'm back at Starbucks updating my site. I added some pictures. Check out the

scrapbook. There are over 800 pictures from my adventure.

DAY 350--AUG. 16, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,090

Today was a good day off. A productive day that got a late start. Elli and I went to the beach. We went to her a cousin's house. They had a little house on St. George Island. It was one of the first houses. Erin and Raf live in Gainesville and invited Elli down. I tagged along. We went swimming in the Gulf. I went Kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico. It took me 9 nine days to walk from Apalachicola to Tallahassee. St. George is near Apalach. It's always weird driving backwards and seeing the same area some much quicker than my walk. We drove the blue VW van down. Elli drove and pointed out landmarks. Places I stayed or where news crews met with me.

DAY 351--AUG. 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 7,090

Well, I was going to leave today...and well...you know. After some morning tea I'm down at Starbucks using Elli's computer. I'm shooting off some emails and updating my journal. Maybe later today I might be checking out some sinkholes in the area. Underground aqueducts that have caverns and stuff. Elli's roommate Kyle explored them before. Well today we didn't go to the sinkholes. We met Kyle at the house he's house sitting. We went to the planetarium. We watched a light show that was shown to some Pink Floyd music. It was awesome. It lasted about 45 minutes. Then we went out for some pizza. After pizza we hung out with Kyle a bit. Then Elli and I went home. We played hide and seek. See was the first seeker. I hid in her room behind her dresser. It was difficult to get behind there. Elli counted to 60 at the kitchen table. She came into the room a couple times. I tried to move and made noise. She found me. Then I counted to sixty at the kitchen table. I made a barricade with chairs and the wash-bucket base. That blocked the living room. Another door to the kitchen I closed, which locked it. I checked her room. Then I went to the front room. Then I went to a room that is right next to the kitchen. The room has doors on both sides. Elli was in the closet. She started off hiding in one of the two back rooms. She advanced her position. However, the door from that room to the kitchen was locked. I got her. The hider is trying to get to the table. Now it was my turn to hide. I hid in the front room. I hid behind the door that goes to the kitchen. Elli made a barricade in the kitchen. She briefly walked into the front room. I could see her. My heart raced. She went back into the kitchen and took some pans out of the pantry. The next time she came into the front room she was looking around for me. I made a run for it. I hit the linoleum and slipped. She caught me.

The last and final game. Elli hid. I counted to 60. I made my barricade. I went to go check her room. The bathroom door was closed. It wasn't before. I went in the bathroom. Then as I came out, Elli jumped out from the covers of the bed and made a dash for the kitchen. I jumped and caught her. That was our game of hide and seek. It was fun!

DAY 352--AUG. 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12.5+ FROM: Tallahassee, FL (Monroe and College St. in front of Goodies Eatery) TO: a few miles east of Tallahassee, FL (near Border 2 Border Garden along Highway 90) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL:7,110

Today was an awesome day. My new friend Elli walked with me today. I planned to walk 10-15 miles and then stay back at her place again. We raised 20 dollars for cancer research on the walk that saw us sail along the city sidewalk to a walk-in wet grass along the road to a nice little shoulder along Highway 90 as it got deeper into the country. How would Elli and I get back into town once the day is over? Read and you'll find out. It was a little after 8 a.m. when Elli parked her blue VW van downtown. We got out. She had her camel back on. I had my rucksack. We walked over to the Goodies Eatery. I had to start right where I left off. We then back tracked to Monroe. We took that down to Tennessee St. That is where we hit Highway 90. At that corner there is a beggar. I've seen her every time I've went by. Early morning and later at night. She is a tiny lady with dark hair. She had scabs on her

shoulder. She has one of the saddest faces I've ever seen. Tennessee turns into Mahan Dr. Highway 90 would be our route for the rest of the day. It was a beautiful morning. It was fairly cool at 79 degrees. We sailed the sidewalk until it ran out. Before that happened, a car pulled over. There was no shoulder and traffic coming from behind, but Kevin donated 20 dollars. He didn't have much time to talk. We kept walking. It was up hill and downhill. Nothing bad. Also, a lot of trees. The development started to slowly fall away. We lost our beloved sidewalk and found ourselves walking in the wet grass. Instantly our feet got wet. It started to become more and more country. There would be houses and churches. We would see a gas station here or there. We were walking along, and I've never had boiled peanuts. Across the street were David, 20's, and Lamar, 40's, selling boiled peanuts. They had a couple chairs and a pick-up. They come out every Friday and Saturday. We went over and talked to them. They gave us a free bag of the peanuts. I guess it is an acquired taste. I didn't think they were anything to write home about. Elli liked them. They also had Mayhaw jam. They give us a taste. That was kind of good. Elli told them of my walk across the US. We crossed back to the other side of the road and we were walking again. We stopped several times at gas stations to fill up water. I think I drank about 6 liters. Around 7 miles into the day we stopped at a Subway. We split a foot long meatball sandwich. Then it wasn't much further, and we ed underneath Interstate 10. Right before that there was an old automobile place. There was a huge cow on a trailer. It was a real cow but made of some material. We walked about 4 more miles. It was more country and more beautiful as we went. There become more areas with no houses. Once we got off the road to find

some big spiders. The spiders are pretty good sized and neat. As long as they aren't climbing around on me. Then we got back on the road. We saw some trees with pretty red flowers. One section had a bunch of them. Just after we ed Black Creek which had no water. We figured that it was a good day. We were across from Border 2 Border Gardens. I usually would get picked up by the person I'm staying with, but she was walking with me. That meant that we had to hitch back into town. I was under the impression Elli had done that before. She's picked them up and has read about it but hasn't really hitched before. I haven't really. Well once in college I hitched four blocks to school as a joke. It was 1:58 when Elli stuck her thumb out. There wasn't a bunch of traffic. We wanted to get picked up by 2:15. It seemed like no hope. There wasn't a bunch of traffic but car after car ed. It as 2:13 and we didn't know how long it would take. A clump of cars were coming. This was our chance. The clump drove by. We looked down the road and a beige/cream colored town car turned around. It drove back. It asked we were going. We said Tallahassee. We explained that we hiked out from there. Eric and Crystal, a couple in their early 20's, were in the front seats. Eric was driving. He grew up in Tallahassee. Crystal moved out here from New Mexico. Eric saw us walking this morning. I over explained how if I get in a car then I have to get brought back to that point so that I don't miss a beat. They were nice. We had a nice chat on the way into town. Tomorrow Elli will drop me off where Eric and Crystal picked us up. At the corner of Tennessee and Monroe the beggar lady was still there. It's kind of sad. We got dropped back off Elli's blue VW van. We hopped. Elli was glad we stopped when we did. She was a bit more tired than she thought. We drove home and stopped for some ice cream. After a shower she was off to her relative named Helen's house. I took a power nap. I showered up. I headed to Starbucks.

When I was leaving the house, Kyle was moving some things in with his friend Phyllis and another guy, maybe her husband. I'm at Starbucks typing on my journal. Not sure what I got up my sleeve for the rest of the night. Well today was a good day. That was cool that Elli walked along. I had my first hitch hike in my life. I walked nearly 13 miles and raised 20 dollars for cancer research. It was a pretty awesome adventure today. Check back to see if anything noteworthy happens.

DAY 353--AUG. 19, 2007 MILES WALKED:13 FROM: a few miles east of Tallahassee, FL (Border 2 Border Gardens off Highway 90) TO: Monticello, FL (Brahman Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,110

Today was a pretty solid day of walking. It started with a sad goodbye to Elli. The day was fine until the last couple hours. Chaffing and foot pain got bad. I ed a by a pretty lake called, "Lake Miccosukee." I saw a lot of pretty country with not much traffic. In was kind of uphill downhill a bit in the beginning of the day. Nothing that bad. Overall, I made decent headway and had a cool spot to recover from the pains of the day at. Elli cooked me a breakfast sandwich. Elli has been fun to hang out with. She's

really cool. She has a great smile and is really happy. She had a tough experience last November. She lost her fiancé, Ryan Stich...a.k.a. 'Stick' to a vehicle accident. They were fit to be married at the end of November. That day she was getting fit for her wedding dress. Ryan was a musician. Here's a link to listen to some of his music. CLICK HERE Back to today. After breakfast Elli took me back to the spot that we stopped walking at yesterday. We said some goodbyes. Like many goodbyes on this trip a little sadness lingered in the air. I watched the blue van as it drove off. I walked. It was a fairly non exciting day. Me walking with trees and a few houses and a couple nice plots of land. I ed the lake. There was a little wooden walkway. The lake had lily pads. There were some trees. Seemed bayou-ish. I kept on walking. I hit the west side of Monticello. The county seat in Jefferson county. Once I hit Jefferson county the road had shoulders. It was weird. I hit a corner of Jefferson county and then went back into Leon county one more time. The changing of counties happened well before I reached Monticello. Monticello is a neat little town. It must have a couple thousand people. I ed the Brahman Motel. I was at about 13 miles at this point. I was going to stop at the motel. I walked up to it. To see if it was open. It was. Then I kept walking. I stopped at a gas station. A man there made it seem that there was a motel further down south of Highway 90 on Highway 19. I explored. I went through the town. ed an area with live oak trees hanging out over the road with Spanish moss dangling down. I saw the courthouse. It had a silver top. The roads make a circle around the courthouse. I took a right and went south on Highway 19. My left foot was hurting. My heel was rubbing on my shoe. It hurt bad. Every step was painful.

Chaffing started to get worse. It was in the heat of the day. I kept hoping the next hill would have a hotel on the other side. I needed some cold air. No luck. The heat started to get to me. I vomited. Then a red minivan heading south turned around. It was Pam and Mike. They donated a couple dollars. I asked if they knew a hotel ahead. They didn't. They had a GPS thing. Well, I already walked past one. Pam and Mike gave me a ride backwards to the Brahman Motel. That was where my walk stopped. The 4 plus miles I walked after I walked past the Brahman didn't count. I'll wake up in the morning and have to retrace a couple miles, but oh well.

DAY 354--AUG. 20, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10 FROM: Monticello, FL (Brahman Motel) TO: Aucilla area, FL (Kwiky Food Mart) $ to FHCRC TODAY:10 TOTAL: 7,120

Today I walked from Monticello to the Aucilla area. I met some storekeepers in the Aucilla area that took me in. I had a butterfly land on me several times. Besides the warm shower that made my day. I had a tough morning mentally. I went to the library in Monticello, and it was closed. I had breakfast in Monticello then I left town. I bought some lotion at the last store on the way out of town. Then I was eastward on Highway 90. Me and trees. It was about 10:30 when I was on my way out of town. It was warm. I took breaks every now and then. When there was a good spot to stop. On one of those breaks. Down a dirt road I made friends with a butterfly. He kept flying around and landing on my leg. I got a picture of it. That was awesome.

Fran from the Monticello news came out and took a picture of me. She called ahead to Madison. Jessica from the paper there called me. Not much further I stopped at the Kwiky Food Mart. The first place since Monticello for food or water. I had lunch. I sat on some bags of feed inside the store. That is when I met Levon Rhodes and Van Johnson. Levon saw me walking yesterday. I wrote on the bags of feed. They tried finding me a place to stay. Then they offered that I could stay at their house. I said, "Heck Yes." I had to hang out to Levon got off. That was 9 p.m. I hung out talking with them and other local people. Jerome Wright a USMC (retired) who went on a big walk once gave me 10 dollars for food. A guy name Will donated 5 dollars. A girl whose boyfriend came in. The boyfriend's dad came down with cancer. The girlfriend donated 5 dollars. Van was also a cancer survivor. Once Levon and Van were done. We went back to their place. We had dinner at the store. They have a couple dogs, birds, horses, and cats. One dog stays inside. It's a hyper young dogs. I showered. Van did my laundry. I was tired and then I went to bed pretty soon after I went to. Levon showed me some of his toes he had to have removed because of his Diabetes.

DAY 355--AUG. 21, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8

FROM: Aucilla area, FL (Kwiky Food Mart) TO: Greenville, FL (Public Library) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 30 TOTAL:7,150

Today I woke up and had a good breakfast. Van cooked corn beef hash, eggs, and biscuits. It was awesome. Their birds were chirping. One of the bird is 40 years old and he talks a bit. Levon, Van, and I had breakfast. Then Levon took me down and dropped me off at the Kwiky Mart. I had about 8 miles to Greenville. Today's high are supposed to get around 101, and that is without the humidity. Now I'm second guessing not having a jacket. Levon and Van were awesome. Once I was at Kwiky Food Mart I was picking up where I left off yesterday. In my head I heard Willie Nelson singing, "On the Road Again." It was a back country walk along 90 to Greenville. I ed the Aucilla River. It didn't have much water in it. I waltzed along the shoulder of Highway 90. It was mainly trees on both sides. I got a few honks. Honks are so awesome. Good honks. In the morning I thought about the differences between World War II and the current war. I t thought about a screenplay I'm rewriting in my head. I thought about the butterfly that landed on me. There were some houses here and there, but it had mostly forests on both sides. I got to Greenville which isn't big. I knew they had a library. That was my first target for the day. I ed a nice little lake with the water tower in the background. Greenville is home of Ray Charles. There is a bronze statue of him playing the piano at the lake. From there I walked a couple blocks south and found the library.

At the library everyone was really nice. Jasmine, a brown hair girl, saw me on the news. She donated 20 dollars. Ms. Nancy...the librarian donated 10 dollars. Ms. Nancy is fighting a recurring battle with breast cancer. Jasmine’s father ed away from cancer. They were real nice. I'm in a room that just had some older ladies in it. I'm using a computer. They were getting a lecture about diabetes. I don't know where I'll end up. I was going to try and find somewhere around Greenville seeing how it's supposed to be a 101 today. I don't want to be walking for the next 4 or 5 hours. Jasmine called her neighbor and they said I could stay at their house. I'm pausing my walk at the library. Jasmine will pick me up and take me to their house. They'll return me in the morning. Freda, one of the librarians, and her husband, Mike, who recently moved back from Michigan, took me to lunch. We went to a Dairy Queen south of town. Now I'm back at the library. I've added some more pictures so check out the scrapbook. I'm updating my site some more. Jasmine came and picked me up around 3 p.m. She took me out to Richard and Lou's house. Richard was a schoolteacher for 36 years in Greenville and Madison. His wife Lou works as the superintendent at the schools. I haven't met her yet. Jasmine dropped me off at their house. It was northwest of town. Richard and his brother-in law, John, were there. I hung out talking with. Richard lives in a nice place out on about a 150 acres. Right now, it's cotton that is planted. He leases the land out. The land has been in the family for decades. He went to University of Florida. He told me stories of brewing moonshine for alternative fuel to stories of college days. The house is a nice wood house. It has a crow’s nest up on top. He made hamburger helper. I'll be getting up at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow. I'm 'fixin' to go to bed.

DAY 356--AUG. 22, 2006 MILES WALKED: 14.5 + FROM: Greenville, FL (Public Library) TO: Madison, FL (Four Freedoms Bed and Breakfast) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,150

Well today I had an experience that I've never had before. I was up at 5:15 a.m. I had breakfast at the Methodist Church in Greenville then got dropped back off at the library. I stopped at the gas station and met Ms. Shelia Combs. She called over to Madison and talked to Dr. Pearl Curry who works at the Madison County Central School. Dr. Curry came out to check on me about halfway between Greenville and the school. I got to the school and had the students greet me with a big sign that said, "MCCS s MATT GREGORY Cancer Walk." Matt Gregory was in huge letters. Jessica from the paper came out. I took my picture with a bunch of students and faculty. It blew me away. I've never been greeted like that. The school fed me too. It's pre-K thru 8th grade. Then Dr. Curry found someone that would take me in. It was the Pikes who run a bed and breakfast. After the school I walked to the public library. Then I'm heading to the Bed and Breakfast. Wow...what a welcoming from this town and county. I met Lou...Richard’s wife. She came in after I fell asleep. She's real nice. Everyone I met is really nice. Richard and I took too town around 5:30 a.m. We stopped by Tom Tom's place. Tom is from Finland. He biked across the country. He stopped in Greenville. He had a brain aneurysm and has been riding ever since. That was 7 years ago. Richard and I went into town. We went to the church. John, Richard's brother inlaw, showed up with Tom. Michael, who took me out to lunch yesterday showed up, and also a man named Paul. John cooked up some grits, eggs, and sausage. It

was good. Then we had a little prayer session. Michael is a big bicyclist. He bikes 30-50 miles a day. Today is his peanut day. He bikes to Monticello picks up green peanuts and then he boils them. Richard dropped me off at the library. It was 7 a.m. and I was on the road. I stopped by the store. Sheila Coombs saw me on the news. She was real nice. A couple other people recognized me. Then I was trying to get out to Madison before the 101-temp. set in. A couple of miles I bumped into Michael who went home and now was decked out in spandex and on his bike en route to Monticello. Then I had a walk that took me past trees, farms, and then open fields with cows. Halfway between Greenville and the Madison School Dr. Curry came out. She wanted to see how far I had made it. Then I get walking as the temp. slowly rose. There were a few houses between. I thought I'd get to the school at 12:00 or 12:30, but I hauled butt and I got there around 11:30. I hung out. I saw Dr. Curry. I met a lot of faculty that were very awesome. Then I went outside. The kids got the big banner they made welcoming me into their town. Then Jessica showed up. We took some more pictures. I went down the hill. The kids cheered for me. One blonde kid that I stood by said, "Man that stench." Sorry son but walking nearly five solid hours in this heat and humidity does that. I stopped once and sat on a stump for about ten minutes. I went back inside. Mr. Barkley gave me a shirt that said I was student of the week. I ate lunch. Barbecue sandwich, tater tots, and beans. It was good. I met Lou Miller, Richard’s wife. She a busy gal. Dr. Curry was really awesome. Jessica interviewed me inside. Then I left. I walked a little ways into the library and that's where I'm out. I walked up to downtown. I saw the county courthouse. I met Ray Pike. I met the Pike's bed and breakfast. It's called Four Feathers. The house was built in 1851. It was really nice. Ray and Stephen bought it and restored it. There is a chapel

next to it. It has old stain glass windows. It has acoustic sound and an old organ. They have people come here to get married. Ray is from New Zealand. She also has two other houses built in the 1800's on the city block. She's moved the houses to that location and is going to fix them up. She met Stephen when she was the ambassador to the Soviet Union sailing team. Stephen sales real estate. Ray took me down the block meeting all sorts of people. The one that stood out most was Tony. He works the front desk for his wife. His wife is a lawyer. He gave me a hundred dollars for food. His brother was into drugs and killed himself. He was glad to see that I was doing something positive. He had a friendly face and a friendly smile. I took a cat nap. Then Stephen and Ray took me to dinner in Valdosta, GA. It's only 30 miles away. My second time in Georgia and my first real taste. We went to Longhorns. I had a steak dinner. The waitress took down my website and said she'd tell some folks. Stephen gave me a couple dollars and I bought some lotto tickets. They dropped me off at the B and B for a good night sleep. Tomorrow will be a rest day.

DAY 357--AUG. 23, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,150

Today is a rest day. It started with Ray cooking up some breakfast. She has a busy day today. She's got a lot of things going on. Stephen and Ray are going to see if someone will take me to the springs in the area. I heard they are real nice. Ray is trying to get me places to stay on the road. She's telling everyone about what I'm doing. Stephen and Ray are comping me for a couple of nights. That is awesome. I've floated (walking without my pack) down to the library to update my site a bit and do some emailing. I'm letting some folks in Key West that I'm coming. I went to one-eleven cafe for lunch. They have the menus on a clipboard. I hung out at the house. It's a nice yellow bricked two-story house. In the big room for receptions lady were setting up for a China sell. Rae and Stephen took me out to eat at an all you can eat Chicken place. I'm met Pastor Quackenbush who is going to help me find a place to stay. I went to the house after dinner. I thought a bottle of wine was open, but I cracked one open and had a glass. Rae had misplaced her purse earlier in the night.

DAY 358--AUG. 24, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8.5+

FROM: Madison, FL (Four Freedoms B and B) TO: Lee, FL (house with bed in it that church lets people stay in) $ to FHCRC TODAY:100 TOTAL: 7,250

Well, I'm on my way out of town. I stopped by the Remax reality office. Rae and I are both down here. Karen wrote a check for a hundred dollars to the Fred Hutchinson. Karen works at Remax. After breakfast I walked down to the Remax office. Debbie that works there gave me a gift card for the grocery store. Well, I'm using Karen's computer and I'm updating my site. I'll be heading out to Leon soon. I've got Ricard Quackenbush’s number. He's the pastor at the United Methodist Church in Leon. He's going to help me find a spot to stay tonight. Thanks to Rae and Stephen for feeding me and giving me a place to stay. Rae is really helpful in trying to find a place to stay. I made it out to Lee today. It was a nice walk across the natural north Florida. I thought a lot about how people in Madison have been great. By the time I left Madison it was well after 10:00 a.m. It was getting hot. I saw 91 degrees as I walked out of town. A nice girl at the Clover Meat Market bought me a couple things. I forgot her name. Then it was mainly forests. A few houses here and there. I ed a field with five or six horses. Mainly they were brown ones. Pastor Quackenbush pulled over in his little gray truck. He had the youth pastor with him. At that point I was only a couple miles away from town. I walked into Lee. A sidewalk started before I got to town. It's a small town. On the welcome to Lee sign it says, "Little, but proud." I ed by the elementary school. Then I came to the flashing light. I went south. I went over the railroad tracks,

past a hardware store, and I was at the Lee Methodist Church. I met Sue, the secretary. She fixed me up with lunch. Then I walked to the house. It has a bed and a table. An air conditioning. Now I'm at the Lee Public library. I've added some more pictures. Later I'm going with Greg, the youth pastor, to a Madison County High Football game. I went to the football with Greg. He used to live in Crawfordville. First, we went to a country buffet. His wife works in Tallahassee at a hospital. They have two kids. She works Friday, Sat., and Sun. 7p.m. to 7 a.m. We went to the Madison County High game. They played Union County. The scoreboard didn't work because of a lightning storm yesterday. It was warm out. Madison had crimson uniforms. They won 35-0. The game was called because a thunderstorm was coming. Right when a few raindrops hit, everyone took off. After that we drove back to Lee. Greg dropped me off. I woke up in the middle of the night by a phone call.

DAY 359--AUG. 25, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10+ FROM: Lee, FL (empty house that Methodist church owns) TO: Suwannee River State Park, FL (pitched my tent) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,250

I'm at the library. I waited for it to open so I could get some internet time. I was thinking about making it to the state park by the Suwannee River. I'm trying to time my walk so that I can time my walk into the town east of Live Oak for a Wednesday arrival. It is supposed to rain today. I'm at the little library in the little, but proud town. It's near the train tracks. From time to time a train rambles by. I'll be taking off here shortly. Well, it was about 10:30 when I left. I ed a lot of forest. I ed some kind of plant on the south side of the road. Then I ed the Lee Nursery on the north side. Not much further and Pastor Quackenbush ed by. He was the enger with another Pastor friend of his. I kept on walking. I was about five miles into my day. It was hot and humid. I ed over the railroad tracks. Then the Twin River State Forest. A little later and I crossed over the Suwannee River. There were a couple of railroad trestle to look at. One is no longer in use. Then over the bridge and a little ways down the road and I was at the state park entrance. The campground was closed due to renovations. I walked up to the ranger station. I ed a new station being built. There was a female ranger and an old timer who volunteered. I told them what I was doing. They put me at the youth camp. I went and set my tent up. There was a shower and a bathroom. There were some nice trails. It started to rain and not much longer it was storming. I walked back to the ranger station. The wind was blowing hard. Not much longer and it was coming down. I liked the trails. I would have explored if it hadn't been for the rain. It was a nice change to be back in the tent. The youth had a bathroom and then a shower. The shower had a bench. I hung out there while it rained. My tent had a little rain get on. I didn't put the rain fly

on because then it becomes a sauna. Even with the good ventilation that it has. I slept in my tent for a while. By the end of the night my tent was inside the shower area. I didn't want to get woken up by midnight thunderstorms which have happened the last couple of nights. I no longer have my sleeping pad. The concrete floor was fun to sleep on.

DAY 360--AUG. 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: 14 FROM: Suwannee River State Park, FL (camped in tent) TO: Live Oak, FL (Sunshine Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,250

Today was a decent day of walking. I had some chaffing by the end. And yes, I did put some stuff on throughout the day. The country store in Falmouth where I planned to fill my water near the start of my day was closed. It was supposed to be open. I walked back a ways to Falmouth Springs. Rae and Stephen who own the Four Freedoms B and B in Madison drove by. Rae checked on me. I went to read the Sunday paper and wait for the store to open. Three sets of couples who stayed in the Cabins at the state park showed up. Three trucks and one Harley. They worked at a Hospice. There was Paul and Dana, DJ and Mike, and Kelvin and Karon. They were nice. They gave me food, water, and some lunch money. Only four miles into my day and I already had some excitement. I had 10 more miles of walking. Most was through the natural Northern Florida. Many trees and a few houses. Dirt road leading to somewhere I don't know. Every time I see a good dirt road, I want to walk down it to see what's down there. For lunch I went through a gauntlet of spider webs and sat on my pack. I watched ants carry away the food I didn't eat. As long as they aren't biting me, I like watching ants. I had 6 more miles into Live Oak. There was a cheap looking hotel at the west edge of town. I met Brandi Johnson who saw me on the news. She took my

picture. Then I checked into room 45. I spent the rest of the day recovering from my chaffing. I got up this morning I did something I haven't done in month and a half. I packed my tent up. It's weird. On the west coast and across the desert I camped most of the time. My daily routine used to be packing up my tent. I have the science of that down. I walked out of the state park. The water was a little brown coming out of the hose. I didn't want to drink it. I walked and saw a poultry plant and then looked at trees. I came to Falmouth. The store said open 9-3 on Sundays. It was 9:30 and it wasn't open. I've walked almost 4 miles. I grabbed a Sunday paper. I walked back to the Falmouth Springs and sat on a Picnic Table. A bunch of cars showed up. That was the gang from Tavares. They were walking by. They saw me yesterday. They started asking questions. Then DJ went and rounded up some food. They were nice. They gave me bottled water that cold to fill up my bladder. They also gave me some lunch money. That was awesome. I needed the lunch money. DJ's boyfriend was on a Harley. His name was Mike Hall. DJ's brother was Kelvin, and he was tall. His partners name was Karon. Then the other couple was Paul and Dana. They were all nice. They gave me ham sandwiches, peanuts, power bars, and power gel. That was a big boost for my day. I had a walk along a good shoulder on the scenic road that was cut through a forest. After three miles and I was walking underneath I-10. I ed an old gas station. I hadn't stopped since I left Falmouth Springs. I walked over to find a spot in the shade. I crossed the highway. I worked my way past the gauntlet of several spider webs. I sat my pack down. There were some small black ants. I dropped some bread and meat. Two ants were carrying off a piece of bread. It was a huge adventure for them. One would fall off. My feet moving would knock the grass around and change their direction. It was fun to watch. After that I walked four more miles. Before I got to the City Limit, I started

ing businesses and more houses. One place that sold MUCK. I saw the Sunshine Inn. It looked cheap. I needed a place to stay and a shower. Next to it was the Live Oak Inn that was no longer in service. That is when I met Brandy who saw me on the news. She wanted to take a picture and give it to the newspaper. I checked into room 45. I showered and recovered.

DAY 361--AUG. 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,250

So far today I've called the local newspaper...Suwannee Democrat. The man I talked to saw me on the news from Tallahassee. Then I got a call from Dave Reaves who works at the ReMax office in town. He's going to pick me up at the library. I walked from the hotel room to the public library. It was a couple miles. I floated (walk without my pack) down. He's going to pick me up. We try to find a layover spot in Wellborn tomorrow. It warm already. Live Oak is the county seat. It's a decent sized little town. maybe 5 thousand, but it's tough to know for sure. I'm staying another night at the Sunshine Inn. BIG NEWS OF THE DAY:

I don't think I'm going to Jacksonville. Once I'm in Lake City it makes more sense to go to Gainesville. I'd have to head slightly north to go to Jacksonville. As much as I like to take the scenic route. I' starting to focus on the finish line. However, I can change my mind at any moment. Dan Reaves picked me up at the library. I was out of cell range. I walked outside. He looked over at me. I kind of figured that it was him. We shook hands. While we were talking. A little blue car and a white SUV got in a wreck. Quickly a police officer showed up. We went to the grill for lunch. I guess someone from the wreck was in serious trouble. After lunch we went to David's ReMax Office. I'm using the computer there. I met Theresa who works for ReMax. She's going to let me stay at her house tomorrow. I'll probably walk to Wellborn tomorrow. She'll pick me up wherever I'm at then drop me off the next. I guess she has a pool that I'll be able to hang out in.

DAY 362--AUG. 28, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12 FROM: Live Oak, FL (Sunshine Inn) TO: Wellborn, FL (near Suwannee Log Home place) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,250

Today was pretty good. A decent little day of walking. Teresa Spradley from the ReMax office in Lake City picked me up. She took me to her house which was

20 miles south in Obrien. I met her husband and one of their sons. I saw some guy on a bicycling adventure. He was pulling a trailer with supplies and a dog. I swiveled my head when he road by. It was too late, and I couldn't make out what his sign said. I hung out at Teresa house. We had hamburgers for dinner. I woke up this morning and left the Sunshine Inn. I had to walk through Live Oak. I got a good shot of the scenic courthouse as I went through the downtown. Then I didn't much till Houston. Yeah, that's right. I walked across Houston today...Houston, FL that is. It's huge. It has church and a gas station. It's a dot a map. Even walking through if I blinked, I might have missed it. I stopped at the store and got a snack. Then it was another jaunt on 90 as it cut through mainly forests. I made it to the west edge of the slightly larger town of Wellborn, FL. I was in front of the Suwannee Log Home place when Teresa Spradley showed up in black SUV. Teresa, 47, grew up in the area. I hopped in. We drove 20 miles south to O’Brien. We took country roads past large plots of land with some live oaks and toothpick Florida pine trees. She pointed out land in her family. She dropped me off at her house. It was a nice place. I'm staying in Trevor's room. He's 21 and is working weekdays down near St. George Island. It was a former garage. It had a nice pool table and AC. I showered up and hung out and she left. Her husband Delano showed up around 4:30. He is a diesel mechanic. They've been married 27 years. Delano and I chatted. He started up some hamburgers. Their house sat on 5 acre. It had a swimming pool that was outdoor and had a bug screen around the whole thing. Teresa showed up and we ate the burgers. Then her other son, Brandon, 21 or 22, showed up. He had his girlfriend with him. Then he had two buddies show up. We played pool till about 11 p.m. I had one good game. Some better shots that I've had, but the cue ball follow the eight ball in, and I was defeated.

It was a good day. I had a good night sleep.

DAY 363--AUG. 29, 2007 MILES WALKED: 9 FROM: Wellborn, FL (Suwannee Log Home place) TO: Lake City, FL (ReMax Reality Office) $ to FHCRC TODAY:215 TOTAL:7,465

Today has been pretty awesome so far. I walked from Wellborn into Lake City. I had my second tick of the trip. I burnt it and then pulled it out. I got the whole thing. I had a nice walk through the natural Northern Florida. I ed houses, forests and some businesses. Teresa works in Lake City at the ReMax reality office. The office was buzzing about my arrival. They greeted me with cheers and shouts as I came up. Most of the people in the office came out. It was another awesome greeting. If feels good. Between people at the office and the office they donated 215 dollars for cancer research. They took me out to lunch. A lady that works at the Trust Company bought a hotel room for the night. Some ladies from the office will take me to the hotel. Tomorrow I get dropped off at the ReMax office. LeAnne took me around town. We went to the school board, medical center, and Hunter Printing. I met Ms. Spradley, Holly, and Mr. Hunter. Now I got a room at Holiday Inn waiting. Today I woke up at Teresa's house. She cooked breakfast. Eggs and sausage. She dropped back off in Wellborn off 90 near the Suwannee Log Cabin Place. A little after 8 a.m. and I was back on the road. I walked past a pink church. I came to a store and filled my water up. After that I had a couple miles of rural area and I crossed into Columbia County. I was walking in the grass. I felt something on my right ankle. It was a tick. It

was red. It had its head buried into my ankle. I walked up to the store a little ways up. I got some matches from a guy. I burnt it. Then I turned it counterclockwise. I got him out. Then I was back on the road. I must have walked six more miles or so to the Remax office. Along the way it was mainly a few houses, forests, and a couple businesses. Then I got to a light. It was a fair bit developed after that. I made it to the office quicker than I thought. When I got there was a bunch of people outside. Among the Remax employees were Cindy Jones Knight, Bob Gavette, Kim Eggleton, Jim Curry, Michael Knight, Amanda Vickers, Brenda Crutchfield, Teresa Spradley, and Emily Lord. I went to lunch with Leigh Ann Mills, Dayanara Baker, Julia De Jesus, and Ginny Collier. Ginny works for SunTrust Mortgage. She got the room at Holiday Inn for the night...or SunTrust did. I hung out at the office. Mike, the reporter from the Lake City Reporter, came by. He snapped a picture before lunch. Then the girls and I went to Ruby Tuesdays for lunch. I had a Chicken BLT. After that I we went back. Mike met me after lunch, and he did an interview with me. A girl walked through town yesterday. She is walking across all sorts of states for the homeless and poor. I don't know her whole story. Then Leigh Ann took me on the tour of the town meeting people. I'm updating my site a bit. Teresa is going to drop me off at the hotel now. Leigh Ann will pick me up in the morning, so I don't miss a beat.

DAY 364--AUG. 30, 2007

MILES WALKED: 8-9 FROM: Lake City, FL (ReMax Office) TO: Lake City, Fl (Oasis Lounge) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,465

Today was a crazy day. It was a short day of walking. I spent sometimes in handcuffs. Teresa from ReMax came out and let me stay at her house. It was a crazy, crazy. I walked with my strap somewhat broken. Here I am back at ReMax. It's sprinkling out. Leigh Ann picked me up and brought me back to ReMax so that I can pick up where I left off. I'm waiting for the rain to stop before I set out. The big news was a piece on my backpack broke. It is a piece on my left shoulder strap. I can still use my pack, but it will take a toll on my shoulder. Gregory packs can drop ship a loaner bag ahead of me. Then I can send this one out to them and they can fix this one. I have no choice. Otherwise, my left shoulder will fall off. Kim Denmark is the girl that walked through Lake City before me. She was a day ahead of me walking on Highway 90. She went through Madison and Live Oak before I did. She's heading to Jacksonville. I guess she's going to the Keys also. She is walking all over. She's walking to help the poor and homeless. Here's a link to her site. CLICK HERE Well after I left ReMax, and I walked down Highway 90. I ate at the Waffle

House. I had some kid yell out his car. He said, "What the F$#K are you doing idiot." I just started laughing. Then I went into Wal-Mart and filled up my water. I got off Highway 90 on Bascom Norris. It was a short cut to Highway 441. I ed the fairgrounds, trees, and few houses. I took 441. It went by the Columbia County High School. It had a little pond by it. I stopped at a S and S store and ate at the Subway. I got a call from a reporter at the Key West Citizen, the Key West newspaper. Then I was on the road. It was getting more rural. I ed some dumpy apartments, a turn off to a raceway, and some fields with some trees in it. Teresa was going to come out and get me. At 242a and Highway 441 I popped into the Oasis Lounge to cool off and take a load off. Ralph a man wearing orange tank top noticed me from the TV. Mary the owner made a five-dollar donation. Nancy was behind the bar. We chatted. A skinny dark-haired girl popped her head in. Then she left. Maybe twenty minutes later a man walked in. He was wearing flip flops and an army hat. He whipped out a badge and said he needed to put cuffs on me. I thought it was an undercover cop. I gave him my driver’s license. He took me outside. After five minutes he uncuffed me. He said he was looking for a missing person out of Jacksonville. I didn't look much like the man...Austin Davis. His lady helper brought my backpack out. A Columbia Deputy Sherriff came out. He wasn't the nicest guy. He gave me the third degree. He said, "You kind of look like the guy." Well, there several billion people out there and I might have the same color of hair.

He asked me age and I was kind of nervous. I stumbled and started to say 3...then said 28. He made me feel like a criminal. I said something smart. The Deputy said something about maybe taking me. For what. A female Deputy showed up. I had her pull the news articles out of my pack. Also...she said that I didn't look like the guy. It got cleared up. The Deputy Sheriffs left. The guy who slapped the cuffs on me hung around. He was Private Investigator from Jacksonville. He was out of line and hand no right to hand cuff me. Some patrons from the Oasis asked his name and he wouldn't say. Him and the girl left. The patrons were fired up. Ralph was really fired up. He said you can't let people cuff you like that. I never had anything like that happen. I called the Sheriff’s department. I was going to press charges against the P.I. He was out of line. Later when Teresa showed up. Jack Barry who runs a P.I. in Lake City. His name got flashed around with the PI from Jacksonville. He wanted to clear his name and make sure the moron that slapped the cuffs wasn't saying that. Two more Deputies showed up. A detective came out. And even Sheriff Gottee himself came out. They found out that the girl lived in Lake City in the Sundial Apartments. She's working for the PI from Jacksonville and doesn't have a license. She saw me earlier and got a highway patrol man. They looked for me on Highway 441. She couldn't find me and that is when she poked her head in the Oasis. They found out the PI was from Jacksonville. I filled out a report. Teresa came out and got me. I spent the rest of the night and the better part of tomorrow trying to figure out what the hell happened today. Pure and utter craziness. I guess it made good for the blog but left me kind of upset the more I thought about.

DAY 365--AUG. 31, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 7,465

Today was my 365th day. One year under my belt. I didn't walk today. I had a broken piece on my backpack. Gregory Mountain Products based in Temecula; CA overnighted a pack to me. It got shipped to a ReMax ahead of me. I figured I'd take today off and wait for the pack. The pack was between Lake City and Gainesville. If some it couldn't get to the Lake City office, then Teresa would pick the pack up. Well Gary Thomas the broker for 6 or 8 ReMax offices picked it up in the High Springs office and he brought it to Lake City. Teresa picked it up. She didn't get back until I was asleep. I spent part of together still trying to figure out what happened with the private investigator from Jacksonville that handcuffed me thinking that I was a missing man from Jacksonville. I hung out with Trevor, Teresa's son, and spent the day around the house.

DAY 366--SEPT. 1, 2007

MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL: 7,485

Today is the anniversary of the day I started. It was like Christmas. I went out to Teresa's black SUV and got a pick cardboard box. Inside was a brand new Baltoro 70 2008 Gregory Backpack. It wasn't green like my pack. It was an orangish/red. I emptied my green pack and cleaned it so that I could send it back. I took everything out. I saw how much crap I had in it. I threw somethings out. I filled up my new pack. It's awesome. I think Gregory is going to let me finish the trip in this pack. It's the new and improved model. The waist belt has two little pockets. That works for my cell phone and digital camera. I thought the water bottle slot wasn't there. It zips away. Teresa and Delano took me out to breakfast. It took me a while to get my pack all squared away. We went to Branford and ate a buffet breakfast. Ada Hill made a donation of 20 dollars for cancer research. I hung out at their house. Later we went to Pam and Mike's house. They are letting me use their internet to update my journal. I'm chatting with Travis their son who is into film. He acts and produces.

Tomorrow I'll get dropped back off at Oasis off Highway 441.

DAY 367--SEPT. 2, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8 or 9 FROM: Lake City, FL (Oasis Lounge) TO: Ellisville, FL (Travelers Inn--Room 26) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,485

Today wasn't the longest day. I did have two different fellows stop and talk to me about hiking. That was cool. It was overcast and remained fairly cool. I walked through some small areas like Watermelon Park and Mason City into Ellisville. Watermelon Park and Mason City aren't even dots on the map. The road had a good shoulder. I showcased my new Gregory pack. It felt good. I've lightened it a bit. I decided to get a cheap hotel room in Ellisville. Ellisville is on both sides of Interstate 75. I said goodbye to the Spradley family this morning. I woke up a little after 6:30 a.m. Delano and Teresa were up. We had some eggs for breakfast. Then we all piled into the black SUV and then we headed over to one of the landmarks on the walk, the Oasis Lounge. It was a little after 8 a.m. and I was walking. It was a nice morning. Sunday and not much traffic. I had the new Orange Gregory Baltoro 70 on my back. It was too long into the day and a man pulled over in a red SUV. He wore an orange shirt and pulled over to chat about hiking. He looked as if he was getting some morning coffee. We chatted a bit. Then he drove home. He drove by me twenty minutes later. He honked. Brief interactions like that go a longs way when one walks along the road.

So, I walked by more trees and fields and maybe houses. Then a white van pulled over. The man, Mike Carter hopped out. He is in his late 30's and wore a ball cap. He was iring my new Gregory pack. He does rock climbing, hiking, and ice climbing. He was glad to see me on my walk. He caught me when I saw a sign that said, "Gospel Barn" with an arrow pointing east. He took a picture of me Infront of the sign. I ed through Watermelon Park today. Not much there. A little store and church. Once when I got off the road, I saw some pink/purple berries. Never seen them before. I got to Ellisville. It's sprawls on both sides of I-75. It's not that big. I saw a semi-run-down hotel and knew it'd be cheap. I'm trying to get to Gainesville on Tuesday. I decided to get a room at the Travelers Inn. I checked into room 26. The room had two bed and a funky smell.

DAY 368--SEPT. 3, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12 FROM: Ellisville, FL (Travelers Inn--Room 26) TO: High Springs, FL (Floyd's Diner) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 10 TOTAL: 7,495

Today was a decent day of walking. The morning it was mostly overcast, and the temp. was low. I walked along Highway 441/41. It had some houses, ranches, and only a couple businesses. I walked through an area called Mikesville. Then

had lunch at store in Barneyville. Then after I crossed the Santa Fe river, I was out of Columbia County and into High Springs, FL. I stopped at Floyd's diner. That is when I met Captain Cal. The 60-year-old just had his wife to cancer last Wednesday. He gave me 200 dollars for food or whatever I need it for. It's timely seeing how I only have 20 dollars. I paused my walk at the diner. Cal and I took country roads to his house. He lives out in the country. I left the Travelers Inn this morning. I crossed underneath Interstate 75. I filled up my water. Ellisville has some gas stations and a few hotels. Not much besides that. It was another nice day of walking. There was cloud cover and that helped keep the temp down. I ed by a big ranch on the left side of the road. It had trees spread out. That last till about 11 a.m. and then it started to warm up. I ed through an area called Mikesville. I ed O'Leno State Park. There was a paved bike path for a bit. I met a lady riding a bike. She rode with me and talked for a few minutes. She was camping in the park. She said she wants to sell her bike and ride around the country. I ed by some nice fields with different types of trees. Live oaks. I didn't seem as many toothpick pines as I usually do. I stopped at this store in Barneyville, which I'm not even sure is an area. A little ways after the store I walked past the store and there was a place where the post person drives in the cast. It's kind of like a road. I walked that for a mile or two. A little further up and I ed a R.V. parts place and I came into the Santa Fe Bar. I had a coke. I met some of the local folks. A man name Jim rode a Harley. He lived in a close to Gainesville. He said if I needed a place tomorrow or need anything to call him. I met another man named Rick who donated 10 dollars. After I left there, I crossed a bridge and the Santa Fe river. I was out of Columbia County. I was in High Springs city limits. I ed some country and then I was in town. I stopped by Floyd's diner. It was jam packed. I sat outside. Big fans blew cold air.

I ordered sweet tea. Teresa Spradley told me to call her if I didn't have a place. She sent Delano to come get me. As I was sitting there a man named Cal saw my pack. He asked if that was me. I said, "Yep." He sat down. He ended up buying my lunch and buying me shrimp plate. He told me how he lost his wife Cheryl last week. She was 49...he 60. They were married for 30 years. He was glad to see that I was doing what I was doing. Our waitress was blonde and had pretty eyes. He offered me a place to say. I called Teresa but Delano was already on his way. When he showed up, I told him. He said it wasn't a problem. I paused my walk today at Floyd's diner. I threw my pack into Cal's blue SUV. We went to the bank. He gave me 200 dollars for food and such. Kind of needed it since I only had 20 dollars. It's weird how things work on this trip. Then we went on a bunch of country roads ing forests and fields. We stopped by his friend’s house. He told them that Cheryl ed. Things got pretty emotional. They were all glad to meet me. The wife called over to channel 20 in Gainesville. I've already been in touch with Brian Jaeger. The wife was skinny with brown hair. The husband was a big man, John, with black hair and beard. He's a Vietnam Vet and was in a POW camp. They injured him. His daughter was in Iraq. Then we went out to Cal's house. A sense of emptiness filled the house. His wife has only recently been missing. A jack russell terrier roams inside. A medical bed is in the front room. John showed up to give me a couple dollars. I played the guitar and Cal blew on the harmonica. I'm using Cal's computer to update my journal. Tomorrow I'll get dropped back off at Floyd's diner and then I'll walk into Gainesville. I'll be staying with Erin and Raf in Gainesville. I met them earlier. They are friends of Elli's.

I saw some more pink berries today. Goodnight.

DAY 369--SEPT. 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17 FROM: High Springs, FL (Floyd's diner) TO: Gainesville, FL (NW 23rd Terr and Highway 441) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,485

Here's a little thing that that Gainesville Sun put on their website today. CLICK HERE Today was a solid day of walking. I said goodbye to Cal and John when they dropped me off back at the Floyd's diner. I met up with two reporters from weekly papers. I had David come out from TV 20 in Gainesville. They don't have the clip on their website. I had a phone conversation with Diane from the Gainesville Sun. I made a little ways into the city limits of Gainesville when Raf came and picked me up. After a shower we went by the purple house. It's called Tim and Terry's. It's a house that is a hippie hang out now. There were some interesting folks that hung around. Later Raf and Erin which I met earlier on the trip when I was staying with Elli from Tallahassee. Erin's cousin and her boyfriend hung out to. We went to a place called Satchel's for pizza. They have a normal restaurant and then they also have a van people can sit in. We sat in the van. It wasn't that comfortable put it was memorable. It was a good day. I took 441 from High Springs through Alachua into Gainesville.

I woke this morning in Cal's trailer. He slept on the medical bed in the front room. I had a horrible headache last night. I couldn't go to sleep until late. I would be walking on not much sleep. I got up a little before 6 a.m. I need to rest a little more. Then Cal and I went and picked his friend John up. Then we drove to Floyd's diner. I said goodbye. I'm glad I got to visit Cal. He was a nice guy and had a tough loss. I walked away. He snapped some pictures. I wish I could have spent more time with him. I called the High Springs newspaper and the editor, Ronald Dupont, came out. He did and interview and grabbed a photo. He's a nice guy. He said I was about the fourth person to be walking through here. One guy was pulling a cross from Washington DC to Miami. Another was with a horse. Then I was out of High Springs. It wasn't far to Alachua. Along the way I ed Santa Fe High School. I went underneath Interstate 75. It was open pastures with a few businesses between High Springs and Alachua. It was pretty nice walking. I was about halfway through Alachua when a man and his truck were waiting for me. It was Bryan and he writes for the paper in Alachua. His dad saw me and told Bryan that he saw someone that looked like they were walking for a cause. We had a nice chat. I filled my water at a store and then I sailed the sidewalk out of town. David and a blonde girl showed up from TV 20 out of Gainesville. They interviewed me which was my 29th TV interview. The two newspaper interviews brings that total to 59. I kept on walking. I ed mainly pastures and forests. I ed a golf course and a few things here and there, but for the most part it was pastures. It warmed up. The humidity didn't seem to be as bad as usual. I ed a place called Hague. Then I came to a little store. I got some lunch there. There was a DeSoto Park. I sat there and rested. I didn't walk anymore, but I did. I ed NW 43rd. Once I walked past the Gainesville City limits it felt good. I walked the railroad for a bit. Then Raf came out to pick me up. He did that at NW 23rd Terr and Highway

441. I went back. I met his roommate Ben. Ben has been there for a couple weeks. I showered up. Then Raf took me over to the campus area. We went to Tim and Terry's. Locals call it the purple house. It's a house that they turned into a little bar and have people playing live music. All sorts of characters roaming in and out. Erin's cousin BJ came over after class. Her boyfriend Johnny came over. Then we went over to Satchels and had pizza. One of the tables is in a van. We sat in the van. Probably not the most comfortable, but man it was neat. After pizza in a van, we went home and went to bed. The best pizza in Bellingham is at a gas station.

DAY 370--SEPT. 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TODAY:7,485

Today I took off. I didn't do a whole bunch. I was pretty worn out. I went with Erin as she ran some errands. Her and Raf bought me a new pair of shoes. The eight and probably final pair of shoes will be Saucony. Her parents are coming over to their house for some dinner Erin's parents came over for dinner. We had chicken, noodles, rice, beans and salad. After dinner we walk Erin's two poodles and her parents’ poodle. We

watched a movie. I got online to add some more to my journal from today and yesterday. Today I got some good rest. Tomorrow Erin is going to walk with me. That will be nice. It's nice to have some conversation. I'll pick up on the north side of Gainesville. I've had about 710 people walk different distance. Two people walked over 12 miles. Elli from Tallahassee had the longest walk with me.

DAY 371--SEPT. 6, 2007 MILES WALKED: 11-13 FROM: Gainesville, FL (NW 23rd Terr and Highway 441) TO: Gainesville, FL (Paynes Prairie...the first pull off area with a walk out area) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL:7,515

Today was a pretty good day. I had some company. Erin ed me. Raf dropped us off where he picked me up the other day. I had some people who recognized me off the news. One lady read about me in the paper, and she donated 20 dollars. We walked around the University of Florida campus a bit. We checked out these huge yellow fries. Then we walked 441 out of town. Then we came to Paynes Prairie. We saw about 8 alligators or so. It mainly swampland. That is where we stopped for the day. Raf dropped Erin and I off a little after 6:30 a.m. It was a fairly cool morning. It was around 70 degrees. The humidity didn't seem to be all that bad. We walked down NW 23rd to 34th St. We went through a neighborhood and kids were

catching the bus to school. We had a sidewalk once we hit 34th St. We walked and then cut over to 441/13 St. A lady jogged by and said she had breast cancer and she liked what I was doing. We walked 13th St. chatting all the way to the University of Florida. That was about 6 miles into the day. We walked around the giant and nice campus of Florida. Most of the buildings have red bricks. There are a lot of people on scooters in Gainesville. A lot of college kids driving them around. From there we went back to Highway 441. We ed a bunch of hotels and then we went downhill. After the sidewalks ran out and the highway had an awesome shoulder. Best shoulder I've seen in a while. Then we were at Paynes Prairie. It was mostly swamp. We saw about 8 alligators. We stopped at the first little walk out area. Raf came and got us. Then we dropped him off at UF. He had class. We went back. Erin and I walked the three dogs. Then I added some pictures to my site. Check out the scrapbook.

DAY 372--SEPT. 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 13.5+ FROM: Gainesville, FL (First lookout at Paynes Prairie) TO: Orange Lake, FL (Rocky Villa's Italian/Mexican Restaurant) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 17 TOTAL: 7,527

Today was a good day. It was a decent day of walking. It started with a nice sunrise at Paynes Prairie. Then I walked to the historic Micanopy. After walking through McIntosh, I arrived in Orange Lake. I had several people make donations totaling 17 dollars. The first donation came in Micanopy when I had breakfast. A lady working at the Pearl Country store made a donation. A librarian named Ginny and her white dog made a donation. Then Rose and Kate made a donation in Orange Lake on their way back from work. The ladies in McIntosh at the Deli offered a free lunch. Then at Orange Lake the restaurant gave me fries and a drink. It was called Rocky Villa's Italian Mexican Restaurant. Erin dropped me off a little after 6:30 a.m. I was right back where I left off. It was a fresh day. The sun has yet to come out. It's starting to get light. I took some pictures. I saw a FDOT officer. It was the same on that was at the look out as yesterday. We chatted a bit. I walked through the prairie. There was some fog hanging low in the swamp. It was nice. It was fairly cool. Once I started heading up hill the swamp was replaced by forest. I ed a lake. It must have been 5 miles and I was at Micanopy. I went to a gas station to use the restroom. Then I went across the Highway to Pearl Country Store. They had some breakfast. It was busy. A man sitting next to me and his wife saw me on the news. Another man named John lived south on the coast. He might email me through my site and might now of some places for me to stay along the way. The blonde girl working there with gray eyes was nice. Once she found out what I was doing she told several people. After I fed my stomach then I crossed the highway and went down to Historic section of Micanopy which is off 441. Live Oaks had branches reaching over the road with Spanish moss dangling down. The town had a main street of a bunch of old building. Then the road wraps around and heads back toward 441. Again, the road is nearly a tunnel with the branches of the Live Oaks hanging out over the road. It was peaceful. Only a couple cars drove by. I was back at 441. Then I walked from Micanopy to McIntosh. There was some road construction on the way. Before I got to McIntosh, I crossed from Alachua

County to Marion County. McIntosh was pretty small. There was a fair bit of businesses for sale. I stopped at the antique diner. The ladies there saw me on the news. I wasn't hungry but they offered a free lunch. I hung out there for a couple minutes. I called Erin and she would head toward where I was out an hour or so later. I left Micanopy. I headed uphill. On the way uphill is when Ginny the librarian from Micanopy and her white dock pulled over. She donated five dollars. I had a nice view of a field with some bushy trees and looking at Orange Lake in the distance. There was a white fence. Then I came down hill and walked into Orange Lake. In Orange Lake I stopped by the Post Office and sent a money order up to the Fred Hutchinson. Then I had a couple ladies pull over in a black truck. Their name were Kate and Rose. They were on the way back from work and donated 7 dollars. I walked a little further and stopped at Rocky's Villa Mexican Cafe. Erin got there a few minutes after I did. They were nice and gave me the fries and drink. I headed back to Erin and Raf. I'll go to the Florida football game tomorrow. I showered up. I hopped online to journal today and had some more pictures. I don't know what is in store for the rest of the night. Dinner and not sure after that.

DAY 373--SEPT. 8, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a

$ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:7,525

Today was football today. I went to the University of Florida football game along with 90,243 other people. They won against Troy. The score was 59 to 30 something. It was fun. The weather was fun. I went with Raf, his roommate Ben, and Erin's father. We rode bikes to the game and back. Ben and I sat up in the top section. Raf and Rick sat down near the field. The stadium was filled with a sea of orange and blue. Florida played a good first half and the score was 49-7. The second half was a different story. Erin went for a bike ride this morning. Raf and I went and did some errands. I needed to get a couple things. Around 4 p.m. Rick showed up. I rode his bike. He rode Erin's bike. Raf and Ben hopped on bikes. We rode over to the stadium. We rode by Baughman Center and Lake Ella. From there we saw plenty of tail gaters. Then we went and checked out some of the RV-ers. Then we bike over. Crowds of people wearing blue and orange flocking toward the stadium. Ben had a little wreck on the bike ride over. We chained our biked up near the stadium. We went over. It was near 6 p.m. The weather was nice. The game was nice. It was cool and had a little breeze. By the time we left it was dark. I enjoyed the seats high up. It gave a good view of the field. We road back in the dark. It was nice. We didn't have to get stuck in traffic. One little stop at one light. Now I'm updating my site a bit and I'm adding some pictures. Check them out.

DAY 374--SEPT. 9, 2007

MILES WALKED: 13+ FROM: Orange Lake, FL (Rocky Villa's Mexican Italian Restaurant) TO: Ocala, FL (Bus Depot on Highway 25A/ Old 441) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,525

Today was a good day of walking. I had a decent day of walking. I debuted my 8th pair of shoes. Erin bought the Sauconys for me. I had two people notice me from TV 20 out of Gainesville. I got off 441 and walked old 441 which is 25 A. That took me through some small towns and past large horse farms. I'm in the horse capital of the world. The first people I met was in Reddick and they were on the way to church. It was The Roberts Family...Cheryl and Mike. One of the people that I met, Bob Wagner, came back out a second time to see me and give me a place to stay. He's in his 60's. His wife past three years ago from cancer. He was a real nice guy. He bought me dinner and gave me a nice bed to sleep in. I said goodbye to Erin this morning. Raf drove me back down to Orange Lake where I left off. At the Rocky Villa's Mexican Italian Restaurant, we said our goodbyes. I walked on. At the first little gas station I came to I talked to a couple of old timers. One of them told me to take 25A... the old road to Ocala. Less than a mile down the road and I did. It was a nice two-lane road that went through small towns, forests, and horse pastures. First, I came to Reddick. The biggest of the towns. A white minivan pulled over. It was the Roberts family. Cheryl was driving and Mike in the enger seat. The kids were in the back. They were heading to Church. Mike saw me on the news. We had a nice little chat. They invited me to church, but it was the prime walking hours. I had to walk on. Reddick had some churches, Post Office, a library, and a store. I walked on. I ed a lot of horse pastures. Some horses found shade under a shade tree. Others munched on grass. The next place I came to was Lowell. It

had a post office and a gas station. The little town became smaller and smaller. Next was Martin then Zuber and then Kendrick. Traffic picked up the closer I got to Ocala. It was in Kendrick somewhere when I met Bob Wagner. His brown car pulled off and waited for me. We had a nice little chat. I kept walking. I ed an ATV area. The roar of motor bikes and four wheelers could be heard. When I was at the area where the Bus Depot was Bob showed up again. This time to offer me a place to stay. Can't turn that down. I paused my walk at the Bus Depot. I hopped in the brown car with Bob. He used to live up North. He moved down to Ocala in 1970. He loaded up and picked a spot on the map. Ocala was that spot. He worked in the concrete business until he retired. His wife past three years ago to cancer. He sounds like he spends a fair bit of time alone these days. We went back to his house. I slept were his mother-in-law used to. It was a pink room that had a pink bathroom. After shower Bob took me to lunch. We went to Sonny's BBQ. I had some ribs. Bob told the waitress about me and we got some more ribs. After that he gave me a little driving tour. Through a historic part of Ocala where there are old houses. The road covered by the branches of Live Oaks. Spanish moss hanging from the branches. We went to the square. They have horses around town. This is the horse capital of the world...or it was. It is also home to Emergency One. they make fire trucks. Ocala is pretty big. Maybe 150,000 thousand or so. We went back to Bob's for a nice night of sleep. We chatted. I took a nap.

DAY 375--SEPT. 10, 2007 MILES WALKED: 6

FROM: Ocala, FL (School Bus Depot off Old 441) TO: Ocala, FL (Silver Princess Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,525

Today wasn't that long of a day. My left knee was acting up. Also, my business cards, who Debi Peters of Tomball, TX sent, arrived at the ReMax in Gainesville. Raf being the nice guy that he is planned on driving them down to me after he got out of class. I walked from the northern outskirts of Ocala to the southside. I said goodbye to Bob in the morning. He gave me 20 dollars to help me out. He was a nice guy. I wish I could have spent more time chatting with him. Raf delivered the cards and an Alligator. That's the student newspaper from University of Florida. He took me out to Rondo's for some dinner. Then he dropped me back off at room 5 at the Silver Princess. Raf was one of the people I stayed with in Gainesville. I called the Ocala newspaper, but they weren't interested in the story. I got up this morning. Bob cooked up some breakfast. I had a good time with Bob. He dropped me back off at the Bus Depot. I walked up and then took a left on 35th St. That took me to 441. From there I walked 441 one for the rest of the day. I called the Star Banner...the local paper. I ed car lots and went over railroad tracks. Nothing spectacular happened. None real spectacular sights. Just commercial businesses. I spotted a cheap hotel and slipped into room 5. I got a hold of Raf and he said he'd drive down my business cards. I stopped at the Silver Princess Motel. I hung out until he came down. He showed up with the business cards and a copy of The Alligator. I went with him and we went to Rondo's. It was a bar and grill. We had wings and watched some Monday Night Football. It was pretty good. We had all you can eat wings. They filled me up. He had to get his head lights to work when we got out of the parking lot. He dropped me off and we said goodbye. Erin and Raf might try and make it

down to Key West for the finish line. That'd be cool.

DAY 376--SEPT. 11, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10, but not done walking FROM: Ocala, FL (Silver Princess Motel) TO: Belleview, FL (Public Library) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,525

Well so far today I've walked about 10 miles. I walked from Ocala to Belleview. Highway 441 one is 4 lanes and has a lot of traffic. It's pretty developed. I guess it's a good place to go RV shopping. A section by the Sheriff Station was wooded and undeveloped. Besides that, there was a lot of businesses along the road. I asked directions to the library in Bellview. That took me through residential areas. I found the library. It's in a neat rock building. The library was nice. She, Beverly, talked to a man, Mark Chesney, that works for the Village newspaper. He works in marketing. He called and put me in touch with a lady from the paper. They will either call me today or tomorrow. I guess it's the fasted growing paper in the nation for the third year in a row. I woke up this morning. After I packed up, I left the Silver Princess. I walked the sidewalk until the sidewalk was no more. Then I walked on the side of the road. It wasn't that exciting of scenery. A few tiny hills or lumps in the ground. A lot of RV's being sold. The road split at a Sheriff substation. It wasn't real developed there. Then the roads merged together again, and things picked up. That substation was near Santos. Then before I knew it, I was in Bellview. Belleview was bigger than I thought. It has a sidewalk and I got on that. I stopped by a reality place and asked a guy where the library was. He told. I walked 441 to SE 110th. Then I walked by a

bunch of houses. I walked by the police station. I walked by Lake Lillian. Then I was at the library. The library...Beverly told Mark Chesney about me. He called the paper he works at and told the people in the news department. I talked with a nice lady. I should get a call today or tomorrow. I've been updating the last couple days of my journal. Well Susan. One of the librarians took me in for the day. I waited till she got off work. Her husband Chris came over when she got off. We went to McDonalds and put food in our body. We watched people on a freedom walk. We took some countries roads and made it back to their place. It was on nice plot of land. They had two dogs. I met their son briefly. Susan has skin cancer. Their son is 23. Susan and Chris met in the Navy while both stationed in Hawaii. Chris said the sub in the film 'Hunt for Red October' that flashed its lights was the sub he was in. He was working on the boat as they flashed their lights. I slept on a futon in the front room. It was good. I showered and did some laundry.

DAY 377--SEPT. 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 13-14 FROM: Belleview, FL (Public library) TO: Lady Lake, FL (Microtel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,525

Chris dropped me back off at the library in Belleview. I walked a good ways in The Villages and met with Mark and Katie. Mark who is a younger guy from the paper who moved down from upstate New York was the photographer. Katie, the

cute red headed reporter, interviewed me. She grew up overseas. My left shoulder was hurting. I had my pack mis adjusted. I fixed that problem. The Villages is pretty new. A lot of orange-colored buildings. It was a pretty unexciting walk from Belleview to The Villages. A lot of traffic and a few open pastures but a fair number of businesses. After a nice sit-down interview with Katie ... Mark followed me for a bit getting some audio and some pictures. The Villages has a lot of retirement communities. There are a lot of golf courses. I walked through some parking lots for a bit with Mark and then I got back on 441. I made it past an area near the town hall in Lady Lake that has a big area cleared for new development. Some could cover rolled in and helped with the temp. I saw a library and walked over. I updated my site a bit. Here's link to the Alligator article from the UF paper. CLICK HERE I left the library. My feet hurt from breaking my 8th pair of shoes in. My chaffing kicked up another notch. Left shoulder was slightly sore. It was very painful to walk I battled and walked a couple miles. I got a room at the Microtel. I showered and began the recovery process.

DAY 378--SEPT. 13, 2007 MILES WALKED: 6 or 7 FROM: Lady Lake, FL (Microtel) TO: Leesburg, FL (Hospice of Lake/Sumter building) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 14 TOTAL: 7,539

Check at the nice article from The Villages Daily SunCLICK HERE. Today was a short day. I knew that I'd be meeting DJ and Paul who I met earlier on the trip for lunch today. Wasn't sure where I'd stay. Money is getting pretty low. From Lady Lake I walked 441 down to Fruitland Park. I saw an American Cancer Society office. People have suggested stopping by them, but I never walked by one. Well...so today I did. I met three ladies working there: Robyn, Carol, and Julie. They were really nice and helpful. They called the Leesburg area paper. The owner of the paper's wife came out. She jotted down some info and snapped a picture. I hung out at the office for a bit. It's right on the edge of Fruitland Park and Leesburg. I got some donations for cancer research and some donations to help me along the way. DJ picked me up there and took me to lunch. DJ said I could stay at her place. Paul and Dana who I met earlier were there. DJ's daughter Melisa and DJ's friend Linda were there. After a lunch at Ruby Tuesdays, I got dropped back off at the ACS office. I said goodbye to Julie and Carol. They were really nice. I walked down 441 and then 441 takes an eastward turn. It wasn't much further to the Hospice where DJ works. I popped in there. Then we went back to her house which is out in the country. Mike was there. Mike is DJ's boyfriend. We had pizza for dinner.

DAY 379--SEPT. 14, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,539

Two days in a row I had newspaper articles. Yesterday was The Villages Daily Sun... today was the Leesburg paper...The Daily Commercial. Check it out!! CLICK HERE

I'm taking a rest day at DJ's house. I'm updating my journal and I'll some pictures here in a little bit. DJ had to go to Orlando today. Mike is working. I believe he works for a concrete company. I got the house to myself. I'm enjoying my day off.

DAY 380--SEPT. 15, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,525

Today I had another rest day. I ate some alligator for lunch. I guess for gator it wasn't all that good. It didn't taste like chicken. I think it was supposed to. I watched some college football with Mike. DJ took me out to lunch in a small town that was 15-20 miles away. It was another nice day off. DJ's family has lived on this property now for 7 generations. DJ has two daughters and one grandchild. She works in the IT department for Hospice Lake and Sumter. She is around 40. I met her at Suwannee River when she was up there staying in the lodge at the State Park. A few or so I changed my favorite number from 10 to 5. Five has a better ring.

DAY 381--SEPT. 16, 2007

MILES WALKED: 9 FROM: Leesburg, FL (Hospice Lake and Sumter Office Building) TO: Tavares, FL (Lake Eustis Park) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 10 TOTAL: 7,549

Take was a nice little day. Mike dropped me off where I left off Thursday. DJ would pick me up in Tavares later today. She works at the office in Tavares Monday and will drop off wherever I make it today. I had a sidewalk most of all day. Leesburg sprawled further east than I thought. I ed car lots, airport, a mall, over a river, and finished next to a lake. I saw a couple other lakes in the distance on the way. The lake I finished next to was big. I guess in Lake county one should expect that. I picked up a 10-dollar donation. An older couple stopped in an awkward spot where traffic barely could get by. They saw me in the paper. I would like to have chatted, but they were in a bad spot. DJ picked me up and I went back for shower. I updated my journal and brought my pictures up to date. Check out my scrapbook. I have over a thousand pictures now. CLICK HERE I got up this morning with a headache. After a couple bowls of fruit loops Mike drove DJ's red truck and dropped me off at the Hospice where DJ works a couple days a week in Leesburg. I picked up where I left off. I walked out of Leesburg. Well, I spent most of the day walking through Leesburg. Mostly on sidewalk. However, I walked on grass and the road a bit. It was mostly businesses. The most exciting was the older couple that pulled over to make a donation. It must have been nearly 90-92 today. I finished walking a little after noon. Once I left the city limits of Leesburg I came to Dead River. I snapped some pictures. I crossed a bridge and walked into the city limits

of Tavares. Then I saw a huge lake. That was Lake Eustis. There was a park. I waited there until DJ showed up. A weird younger guy came up to me. It was like he recognized me. It was somewhat awkward. After chatting for a few minutes, he left. DJ showed up. We took some county roads out to Webster. I grabbed a shower and some food. Tomorrow she'll drop me off and I'll head eastward from where I left off. I'll go on Highway 441 then Highway 46 and head toward the coast. Hopefully in a couple of days I'll be at the Atlantic Ocean.

DAY 382--SEPT. 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8-9 FROM: Tavares, FL (lake front park on Lake Eustis) TO: Mount Dora, FL (Room 30 on ATAP and Montessori NEST Children’s house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 152 TOTAL: 7,685

Today was an interesting day. DJ who has been awesome dropped me off at the lake in Tavares. I walked Old Highway 441 most of the day. That took me into downtown Tavares and beyond into the historic town of Mount Dora. I walked by some lakes. A big one on the south side. Mount Dora had a neat downtown. I went to a cafe. The man mentioned how there might be a hotel or motel nearby. I walked down that way and me Dr. Hewell, Mike Bellton, and Miss Mary. It was in a gated area. I was looking for the awesome. The three of them were wondering what I was up to. I was looking for an office. We chatted about my walk. Then I was walking away. A half block away I heard a whistle. IT was Mike Bellton. He said that Dr. Joy Hewell said I could stay in one of the apartments near her business, which is ATAP (All Things Always Possible.) I

went to the corner apartment. AC and two rooms. Then at lunch time I went and talked to the school that Miss Mary has on the property. One of the students, Savannah took notes about my trip. Another student Mac donated two dollars. Logan gave me an apple. I enjoyed recess with the students. Then Savannah gave me a tour of the classroom. I hung out with the kids in the classroom. I said goodbye and then left. Mac gave me a hug. They were neat kids. Now I'm at Miss Mary's office using the computer. This morning DJ dropped me off. We said our goodbyes. She's been awesome. She said if I need anything to get a hold of her. She drove off. I had a city worker ask me about my walk. Then I left. I walked a ways with many clouds in the sky. A nice breeze blew by. I got on old Highway 441. I went to Downtown Tavares. I took some pictures of some buildings there. Public buildings. I had to get off Old 441 to take the pictures. I could see a lake to the south. I kept walking. The sidewalk ran out as I jaunted toward Mount Dora. It was a two-lane road and some businesses along the way. Went I got to Mount Dora I was back next to a lake. There were some nice houses. Some seemed old. I walked past an old downtown. I stopped at the Cafe. I'll be leaving Old 441 for highway 46. I asked a man at the cafe about a hotel. Then I walked down 441 looking for the place. Behind a wall. I found the place. IT was ATAP Company. There were some hotel rooms. That is when Dr. Hewell, Miss Mary, and Mike Bellton came out. I asked if it was a hotel. They said know. We chatted about my trip. I said it was nice meeting them and wandered off. I didn't make it far. Mike...Dr. Hewell's assistant came out. He said they had one of the rooms available to stay in. I walked back. Dr. Hewell took me over to the room. Later she donated a 150 dollars online for cancer research. The room was nice. It had a bed and then a little front room area. She turned on the AC. Miss Mary was there also. The school is Montessori NEST Children's House.

They teach kids form toddlers up to 6th grade. She asked if I wanted to talk to the students. At 12:05 I went and talked to the students at lunch. They eat lunch outside. I talked and then they asked some questions. After lunch they all tried picking up my pack. They thought it was heavy. Savannah who is 10 and has a younger sister in the school wrote notes. Mac, a little guy wearing a green shirt, said he had 2 dollars in his backpack and asked if I needed it. He went to his class and got it. He gave me the two dollars. Logan asked if I wanted an apple. Another kid gave me some food. I chatted with Savannah, Miss Mary, and Marek. Then Savannah took me over to where the kids played at recess. Some kids played soccer. Others sat at the picnic table. Other played tag. Oh, to be young again. Then Savannah took me up to the classroom. She showed me the different areas and what they did. Mac was drawing a map of South America and coloring it in. Kids came would come up and ask questions. Then the teacher. There was the teacher, Ms. Travis Williamson and a sub named Frank Gary. The class cleaned up and then sat down. They got new assignments. Some volunteered for them. Others got assigned. They broke off to do their assignments. I got ready to leave. The kids said goodbye. Mac and another kid were in the hall. Savannah told them I was leaving. Mac gave me a hug. All the kids were neat. I wish I could have known and ed all of their names. I went and took a shower. Then I stopped by the laundry room and put a load in. Then I went to Miss Mary's office. I'm using her computer to talk about my awesome day. Luiggi's mother got a picture with Luiggi and I. I've met some other people and all the names aren't sticking. Today was an awesome way. Thank you to Dr. Hewell for her giving me a place to stay and helping cancer research. Thanks to the students for listening. Thanks for Miss Mary for having me talking to the kids. What a day. I didn't have any idea that today would turn out like this. I'm living a weird and awesome life.

DAY 383--SEPT. 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17 or 18 FROM: Mt. Dora, FL (ATAP and Montessori School) TO: Sanford, FL (Hawkstone and Highway 46) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 5 TOTAL: 7,664

Today was a solid day of walking. I walked from Mt. Dora to Sanford. I ed through two small towns. Sorrento and Mt. Plymouth. In Sorrento a man named Brian donated 5 dollars. East of Mt. Plymouth Justin from WESH 2, an Orlando news station, came out and interviewed me. That was my 30th tv interview. I walked past a bunch of pretty country that was pretty rural. I walked to Sanford and Holly Markels picked me up. She's Rich Huckaby's sister. Rich is a longtime friend of my grandmother Ginny. He lives in Capitola and he also visited me in Louisiana. He took me out to lunch. Anyways...Holly picked me up and she lives a little north in Orange City. Her daughter, Missy, only lives a couple blocks away. She came over with her husband Wyndell. Her daughter has a daughter named Aleah. Aleah is 3 and half. She thought I was a pillow/jungle gym. Scott, Holly's husband, showed up after he got off work. He works for a company that makes signs. We had a nice stew dinner. Wyndell recorded the news clip on DVR, but we couldn't record it to tape. Then I went to bed. I got up this morning packed up and left my room. I saw Logan, the kid that gave me an apple. His mom was dropping his sister and him off at school. I gave one of my cards to his mom. I was out of the room. Soon I was on Highway 46. I called a couple Orlando TV stations. I found the best time is to call between 8 and 9 a.m. They usually have a meeting at 9 a.m. I crossed underneath Highway 441. I ed some newer subdivisions. A few miles into the day and I walked into the small town of Sorrento. It was a lot of open pastures now. It was slightly bigger than I thought. I was out of water. I stopped at a gas station.

I went into the store. I saw a WESH 2 van drive by. They didn't call me, and I didn't think they were looking for me, but I wasn't sure. When I came out. Brian a younger guy donated 5 dollars for the cause. A little ways down the road I called WESH 2 again. I ed a small town called Mt. Plymouth. It only had a couple gas stations. Then I got a call from Justin. He mainly covers the A1A area near Cape Canaveral. He showed up in a white van. He miked me up and walked with me a bit and filmed me. After he was done, we chatted for a couple minutes. He got a couple more shots then drove by with a honk. The area had a chain link fence. It was a preserve. I kept walking. Some chaffing started to kick in. I ran out of water. I crossed into Seminole county. There were some road workers. I crossed the busy two-lane highway and asked if I could get some water. They let me get some water. How sweet the cold tasted. I walked up a bit. I was getting close to Sanford. I came to a light. The Highway was a four-lane divided road. I stopped and got a burger. Then I walked up. I could see Interstate 4. I called Holly. She was going to come down. I stopped at Hawkstone Rd which is off Highway 46. She picked me up. We drove about 15 minutes north to Orange City. I met her friends the Moore's which live next door. Aleeah showed up. She had the 3-year-old that thought I was a pillow/jungle gym. Missy showed up. She works at Chase Bank. She gave me 20 dollars for shoes or whatever I need to put it toward. Her husband Wyndell showed up later. He's 27. He owns his own roofing business. Missy had a friend come over also. Scott got off work. He has a Harley in the garage. They have a pool in back. They have a nice rock waterfall. We chatted. Wyndell is from Key West. He might now some people down that way. I did catch the news segment on the news from 5:30 -6:00 a.m.

Wyndell and I went to his house, but we couldn't get it to record on to VHS. WESH 2 doesn't have the video on their website. Just to get a big city tv station to pick up the story is good enough. It was nice visiting. I was pretty tired today. It was a good day. Had a little news coverage. WESH 2 has a pretty big coverage area.

DAY 384--SEPT. 19, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,659

Today it was raining steady most all of the day. That means that I didn't walk. I hung out at Holly's house. Scott went to work. I did some things on the internet. Had eggs and sausage for breakfast. I put some of the YouTube videos of a couple news clips in my blog. Missy called. She was inspired to send an email out to people higher up in Chase Bank. That was nice of her. I enjoyed the day. Holly got 50 dollars for me when she went and got some groceries. We had chili and mac & cheese for dinner. The two cats laid outside on a futon out of the rain napping all day. The rain was light rain. Not light drizzle, but light rain most all of the day. In Florida usually rain hard for a little while. The constant rain made me feel like I was back home in Washington. I really like when rain hits a tin roof.

Scott home from work. He didn't expect me to walk to today in all that rain. He gets up at 4 a.m. usually and goes to bed around 9 p.m. He works for the sign company in Daytona. They do welding on different types of metals and they also bend metal. I'm sure they do a lot more than that.

DAY 385--SEPT. 20, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,664

I'm taking a second day of today at Holly's house. I went over to Wyndell and Missy's house. He recorded my interview on WESH 2 the other night. I took Holly's digital camera and ed it to YouTube. Here it is. Today I also went swimming the pool. They recently had some nice rock work done. It was refreshing. It wasn't as warm as it has been. The rainwater the other day made the water a bit cooler.

DAY 386--SEPT. 21, 2007 MILE WALKED: 5 FROM: Sanford, FL (Hawkstone and Highway 46) TO: Sanford, FL (Joe and Amy's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,669

Well today I said goodbye to Holly. Scot and her have been real good. Holly dropped me off where she picked me up. Her mother-in law and herself were going on a Riverboat. It was at Hawkstone Dr. and Highway 46 where she dropped me off. The Hawkstone sign is bent backwards. I grabbed my pack out of her white SUV. She snapped a picture of me. I videotaped myself where I was starting for the day. Then I walked off. I saw white SUV drive by. I was looking at Interstate 4. On the way to downtown I ed business under the interstate. I walked along for Highway 46 most of the day. I ed some businesses, the mall, and a couple undeveloped areas. At first, I was being lazy and wasn't going to call the Sanford Herald. Unknowingly I walked within a couple blocks of the building. I went straight and Highway 46 headed south. I saw an office for the Orlando Sentinel. He was nice but was busy and big papers don't really big stories up like mine. He told me where the Sanford Herald was. It was only a couple backwards. I had to talk myself into it. There's something about going backwards. Even if the distance is close or far away after a long journey one doesn't like to walk backwards. I headed back. Right when I walked in there was a blonde lady, Roxie, who gave 20 to help me with lunch or whatever. The man working the front desk had a big beard. He's a jack of all trades, Tom Vincent. He lived in Sanford his whole life. The reporter came out. It was Joe Hendricks. He was cool. I went back to his desk. He asked questions and type the things I said down. He offered me a place to stay at his place. He plays drums in a band. His girlfriend Amy came over to the paper. She brought Joe a pizza at work. I left the paper. The publisher of the paper was working her last day before she moves to different paper with the same owner. The paper is near a lake. One can see the lake/river to the north. I walked back down and went down 1st. I walked up to where the other paper office was. I took a right/south on Oak St. I walked down past a park. Sanford has a nice little downtown. It was only a couple blocks and I walked past their house. I walked past the (insert color of house) house a bock or so. Then I walked back. Amy was there with their dog Milly. I showered and then got online. I've been working on putting a list of newspapers I've been in and their websites.

I might go check out downtown here in a minute. Then later when Joe gets off work, I'm going with him to Mt. Dora to a gig of his. One of his bands is playing today. Joe called over to the Willow Tree Cafe. The manager, Brad, and Theo the owner were great. They gave me a free dinner. The place is a German themed restaurant. I had the sausage sampler. There was a polka band playing. It started with a guy on the accordion. Natasha was my server...she was nice. I left my hat there. A thunderstorm came down when I was inside. Some people eating outside retreated closer to the building. Theo and Brad would carry a big umbrella over to the cars to escort the guests over. Joe picked me up. We went back and he loaded his drums into the car. We drove to Mt. Dora and went to Jam Inn. They played. Troy Hayes was on bass and Dan Merchant on guitar. It was the Dan Merchant band. Dan sung most of the songs. Joe and Troy sung some of them. We drove back and went to bed. It was a good day. Thanks to Joe and Amy for letting me stay.

DAY 387--SEP. 22, 2007 MILES WALKED:0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TODAY:10 TOTAL:7,674

Joe today gave me ten dollars for cancer research and ten dollars for food. That was nice. I didn't walk out of Sanford today. I hung out with Joe and Amy.

Watched college football. I went shopping with Joe. Later I had to go back to the Willow Tree Cafe and get my hat. I saw Theo, Brad, and Natasha again. The place was packed again. I chatted with Brad and Theo for a bit. I saw Natasha again. Natasha is from Russia. After that I walked a block down. The road is red stone, and the buildings are old. It's a neat downtown. I stopped in a couple places to watch some football. A place called Alleys and another placed called 'Open Mike's.' I met a schoolteacher...named Bethany Buffington. She wanted to possible have me talk to her class if I was still going to be in town...but I'm not in town. I went back to Joe's house. He was playing his gig in Mt. Dora at the Jam Inn. However, I wanted to go to bed a bit earlier, so I elected to stay in Sanford. Amy was home and she was watching some TV. I fell asleep on the couch. Then I moved to the futon in the back room. Mellie, their dog, already was asleep. We shared the futon until Joe came home and grabbed a snack. Mellie likes food.

DAY 388--SEPT. 23, 2007 MILES WALKED: don't know FROM: Sanford, FL (Joe and Amy's house) TO: Geneva, FL (Lake Proctor Nature area off on a trail in my tent) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 35 TOTAL: 7,674

Today I left Joe and Amy's house. I walked to Geneva. First...today was wet. Showers with breaks every now and then. I have two cat stories that happened today. I chatted with a Vietnam Vet named Rex at his bait shop for over an hour as it rained. I had several people stop. Two saw the fine article Joe wrote in the Sanford Herald. The other one saw me on WESH 2. I got to Geneva and there was no one to take me in. I stopped by the fire department and a store. I walked and I saw a Nature Area. I figured if I went down a trail that no one would bother me. It was raining and no cars in the parking lot and darkness was

looking. I walked a mile or so on the trail and I found a spot on a trail. I set my tent up. Earlier on my trip it was a daily thing to set up the tent. Now it's rare. I was scared of lighting in the night. I also found out that my rainfly has a couple holes. Not that I have no sleeping pad it wasn't that comfortable, and the bottom of my tent was wet. I was cold, wet, and tired last night. Anyways...the positive was that the temp wasn't bad today and I had some interesting happenings. I woke up. I said goodbye to Joe and Amy. They were awesome. I walked down Park St. to Highway 46. I had a lady in a car that saw me in the Sanford paper. Not much longer and the Stephens pulled over. They gave me 20 dollars to help me eat on the trip. I walked through Midway on the way out of town. I met a couple on bikes. That was Nancy & Bill Jermyn. Nancy's father ed 20 years ago from Melanoma. The drove all the way to Mims looking for me. Since I didn't leave Saturday...I was only in Midway. She wrote a check to the Hutch and they gave me 15 dollars for some food. The rain would start soon. When the first came I walked up to a run-down convenience store. I took my pack off. I was dry because of the overhang. A lady...who I couldn't hardly understand came up to me. She wanted me to buy her a single sandwich bag. She got flustered when I asked, "Why don't you go in and why do you need a single sandwich bag?” I wondered what she wanted. I figured that she wouldn't run off with my pack. She gave me ten cents. I went in and bought the single sandwich bag for 25 cents. I gave it to her. Soon she was out of sight. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I imagine that it had to do with some type of drug. I thought I'd pick up my walk. With my blue rain poncho, I took off. I got drenched by the time that I made it to the next little store. I hung out there a bit. Then I walked up. It stopped raining for a bit, but I still had my poncho on. I came up to an intersection. It's starting to become more rural. A little kitten ran out underneath a SUV. I flagged the drivers down. They people in the car got out. The gray/white cat was scarred, and it was a team effort getting it. I went to a little store at the light. I had to use the bathroom. I met a guy, Mike. cancer touched his life.

I left there and wandered further down the road. Some more rain coming my way. I saw a bait shop. I crossed the road. I got a Gatorade and met Rex. Before I met Rex, I stepped in the bait shop and I saw a bunch of cats and no one. Then Rex came out. We sat down. Showers came and went. He has 37 cats he feeds...only owns one. They are into three clans. The east clan...the store clan...and the west clan. He said on a hot day they are sprawled all over. He got some minnows and threw them on the ground. About a dozen cats ran around. I left there. A mile or so there was a river. They had a boat ramp. I must have had 6 miles or so into Geneva. I had some rain on the way. Another couple stopped by. Basil and his wife stopped. They donated 9 dollars for cancer. Today was pretty rural once I got past Midway. At times after I left Rex's bait shop it got tropical looking. I came into Geneva. I stopped at the Firehall. I chatted with a nice guy. He said no place to stay. He mentioned a bridge that was east. I'm not a bridge type of guy. I kept walking. I stopped by the Subway that was inside a gas station. Figured might meet someone. No luck. With my poncho on I slung my rucksack on and wandered on. I walked past the Lake Proctor Nature Area. I figured I'd walk back and take a look. I walked up. No cars in the parking lot. I saw they have hiking. This close to dark on a rainy day. No one is going to check a trail. I wandered on the trail. Trees overhanging. No spiderwebs. I walked a mile or so. I sat my tent. No real big trees. Look likes a lot of trees fall down. I set my tent up right in the trail. I got inside. Not much longer and an army of raindrops assaulted my tent. That's when I found that I had some holes in my rainfly. The floor of the tent got a little wet. I got a little wet and it's wasn't comfortable...but hey...what can I do. I was worried about lighting. I took my chances here. The bridge was further down, and a boat ramp was next to it. I didn't was to have to many people nearby.

DAY 389--SEPT. 26, 2007 MILES WALKED:13-15 FROM: Geneva, FL (Lake Proctor Nature area in my tent on a trail)

TO: Mims, FL (Robin's Nest Lounge off Highway 46 a half mile west of Interstate 95) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 7,674

Today was a tough day. I luckily didn't have rain. I thought I would once, but it went south instead of east. I walked by a lot of swampy areas. I made it to the suburbs of Mims. I had a boil on my left hip that hurt, chaffing, my pack felt like a thousand pounds, and I got no sleep. I popped into the lounge in Mims. I asked if there were any rooms. There weren't. I needed a good night sleep tonight. I met Johnny, Sam, and Justin. They are from Jacksonville doing electrical work at a gas station nearby. They mentioned how they are staying at a Best Western down in Titusville. They could bring me back to the lounge in the morning. They start work about a half mile away from where I left off. I checked into the Best Western and I got a call in my room. The manager decided to refund my rate. That was really nice of them. The Best Western Space Shuttle Inn rocks and thanks to them. The nice ladies at the counter called over to the restaurant and they gave me a free dinner. I went over to Django's Steak House. It was awesome. Wow...people are still being Austin. I woke up this morning on the trail. I didn't get much sleep last night. I loaded my pack. I had a wet tent and wet clothes. My pack was heavy. I had about a mile of trails to get back out to the road. Today looked more promising than yesterday. I walked out. I had about 4 or 5 miles to a bridge. There was a boat ramp and Jolly Gators which wasn't open. I crossed the bridge. I'm in swampy air boat country. I had a nice panoramic as I crossed the bridge. At times today it was swampy...or tropical. Today had a tropical feel most of the day. I crossed out of Seminole county. I'd only spend 4 or 5 miles in Volusa county then walk into Brevard County. A rainstorm almost caught up with me. I through my poncho on and tucked my cameras away. Then it went south. Thank you for that. I saw Interstate 95 from miles away. It was torture. The area had a few houses here and there. Some areas don't have any houses...all just swamp. Some of the road from Geneva to Mims had a guardrail. That was right over the bridge that left Seminole county.

I was closing in on Mims. I was hoping they would have a room. I walked up. I popped into the lounge. It was JonBon's something lounge. People inside were nice and interested in what I was doing. At first a group of three electrical workers were interested. They offered a ride with them to the Best Western and back to the lounge in Mims tomorrow morning. I needed a bed. We hopped in the Eagle Electrical van. I sat on a red toolbox. We drove. I checked in. I talked to the nice ladies at the front desk for a couple of minutes. One lady had both of her parents taken by cancer. I got back to the room. The phone rang. One of the ladies from the front desk called me. The manager decided to give me the room. Wow and thank you. I went back showered and then went to Django's Steak House. Mike the manager/owner gave me the meal. I had a nice steak. My waitress was really nice. Another waitress asked me a bit about what I was doing. I'm using the computer at the front desk to update my journal for the last couple of days.

DAY 390--SEPT. 25, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5 or 6 FROM: Mims, FL (Robin's Nest Lounge off Highway 46 a half mile west of Interstate 95) TO: Titusville, FL (Budget Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,670

Today was a short day. I needed a short day. The last two days have really hurt me. I had the guys from Eagle Electric drop me back off where I left off yesterday in Mims at Robin's Nest Lounge. I hit US 1. I saw the harbor and

Indian River at Titusville. In Titusville I met with Daryl from the Hometown News newspaper. He was a nice guy. He had his daughter with him. Then I got a junky hotel room. I'd like to thank the staff...the manager, Debbie, and Thea at the Best Western. I packed up. I was out of tapes. I sat my pack down next to the Electrical guy’s van. I walked to Wal-Mart. I didn't bring enough money. I walked back. I talked with Johnny. I walked back to Wal-Mart. Before I even started my walk today, I had already walked to Wal-Mart twice. Then I loaded up in the van. I was sitting back on the red toolbox. We left Titusville and we headed north to Mims. They dropped me off at the Robin's Nest Lounge. That is where I left off yesterday. It was 7:30 a.m. and I was right where I left off. I walked underneath Interstate 95. I was some wooded area then I hit downtown Mims...which isn't much. Mims is small and a lot of the buildings are run down. I did however hit US 1. Now it's a straight shot to Key West. That was exciting. I'm still feeling the effects of my walk from Sanford to Mims. It wasn't as developed as I thought from Mims to Titusville. I ed a hospital, and they have an avenue of flags. The area between the different directions of traffic have I went over a bridge and I could see the river and the harbor. There were a couple condos. I was walking downtown. I had called a couple newspapers today. The Florida Today and Hometown News. When I was downtown Daryl from the Hometown News called me. He drove over and met with me across from the playhouse in downtown. Titusville has a nice little downtown. He interviewed me and then drove me to a spot he wanted to take a photo and then returned me to where we interviewed. Then I walked a little further and I got a cheap room. It wasn't the nicest room. It was the Budget Motel. It was only a couple blocks further. I needed a light day today.

DAY 391--SEPT. 26, 2007

MILES WALKED: 6 or 7 FROM: Titusville, FL (Budget Motel) TO: Bellewood (which is kind of still Titusville) FL (Pinto's Motel and Lounge) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 135 TOTAL: 7,800

Today I met some nice folks. I had the owner, Cathy, of Pintos Motel give me room 9 for free today. I had another short day today. I bumped into the owner of the Motel. She offered the room, and I could use another short day today. I walked from Titusville to Bellewood. Bellewood has its own sign but still is kind of Titusville. Between Titusville and Bellewood there was a stretch of not much. There was a causeway that goes to the Kennedy Space Center. It was warm and I wanted to get out of the heat. I wanted to talk to some locals. I popped into the Pinto's lounge. I met Angela the bartender, Stell, Dan, Keith, Syvlia, and Cathy. I had a nice room to relax in. I got up this morning. It was overcast mostly. That kept the temp down. The boil was acting up a bit on my left hip. My pack hits it and it kind of hurts. I walked out of Titusville. I walked along the water. The Indian River. I'm on the Space Coast. Across the river is an Island with a space station. I stopped at several parks along the water. I had a nice chat with an older man at one of him. He took my picture with the river in the background. One of the buildings at there is 52 stories but doesn't look it. Then I hit a stretch of mainly just forests. I went under a causeway. Then I started to see more things after the causeway. I saw a plant of sorts. It had red and white stripped smokestacks. I was getting ready to take a load off. I saw Pinto's Motel and Lounge. I popped in there. I met some nice folks. They were stoked on the walk. Angela was behind the bar. She told some of her friends. I met Stella who was

there for a bit. Dan was a man who is moving up to Ill. to be a Dean at a college. He's working on a book about a true story. It's about a serial killer from Florida. He's still going to teach a couple online classes in Florida from up North. Dan donated 10 dollars. I met Keith and Sylvia. They are a British couple in their 70's that donated a hundred dollars. They used to live in Conn. but finally stayed in the winter house in Florida. They moved over to the US after their kids were out of the house. They were a lot of fun to talk to. Cathy the owner of the lounge and motel donated 25 dollars. She gave me a shirt. She does a lot of charity drives for kids that have disease or illnesses. She was really nice. Her husband and her bought a new restaurant that is on the beach. I hung out for a bit and then I went over to my room. It was nice. I was more tired than I realized. I had a good nice of sleep in a cool bed after a warm shower.

DAY 392--SEPT. 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: 11 FROM: Bellewood (which is kind of still Titusville), FL (Pinto's Motel and Lounge) TO: Cocoa, FL (Campbell Motel room 4) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,800

Today I got up. Angela showed up for work. She brought me some things for my pack. I called a couple of the Orlando tv stations with offices on the coast. I

called two when I walked from Mt. Dora to Sanford, and I called the other two today. Angela called the Florida Today. I got up. I needed to find a computer. Angela took a picture of me. We hugged and I walked off. I feel pretty good today. My boil is done being a boil. First, I knew I'd hit Port St. John and they had a library. A mile or two and I was in Port St. John. I had to go west off US to get to the library. I walked down that street then I had to take a left on Carole St. It was nearly a mile or so off US 1 to get to the library. I'm at the library now in Port St. John. I'm not sure where I'll end up. I'm thinking about cutting over to A1A today. That would take me right to the Atlantic Ocean. After the library I had to walk back to US 1. On the way to Cocoa, I ed some smaller areas like Fronterac, Sharpie, and another one. I crossed underneath Highway 528. Soon after that it started to rain a bit once I got into Cocoa. I got under a tree and stayed dry. I could tell it would be a brief shower and I didn't want to pull my rain poncho out. I walked a little further and I found the 'All that Jazz Cafe." I was hungry and needed some food. I had to cross the four-lane highway. I went in. They were about to close for lunch. The waitress, Deneal, asked about my walk. The chef/owner, Peter, had a friend in Bellingham. He did some chef work in Seattle, WA. I ordered a burger. There was one other customer. The place had a cool feel and some Jazz playing. Deneal told the other customer about me. He had the card for a freelance writer who writes for the Florida Today. She wrote down Wade Arnold's information for me. Deneal was very kind, and she bought my lunch. I chatted with her and Peter some more and then I left. I walked up to the Campbell Motel. It wasn't much further. I called Wade and left a message. He called later and he came over to the hotel to shoot a picture and interview me. Wade use to be in the Army. He had a couple of stints. He was special forces and did crisis work. He freelance writes and has another business as well. He came in. We sat and chatted for a bit. Then he snapped some pictures. He also might try and tip off a couple of the news stations in the area.

After that I hung out by myself.

DAY 393--SEPT. 28, 2007 MILES WALKED: 2 FROM: Cocoa, FL (Campbell Motel room 4) TO: Cocoa, FL (Norman's Raw Bar and Grill) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,800

I got up. I had a tough time getting going. So far, I've walked further into Cocoa. They have a huge water tower with a US Flag on it. I saw a sign for the library. I went to the Central Brevard County Library. I'm updating my sight. From here I'll take Highway 520 which goes to A1A and the Atlantic Ocean. After I left the library today wasn't a long walking day, but a long day none the less. I walked up to the Merritt Island bridge. I walked against traffic. There was a sign that said that pedestrians were prohibited. There wasn't much room to walk. I turned back. That meant that I couldn't get to A1A. I figured about taking US 1. I stopped at Normans' Raw Bar and Grill. I met Evelyn and Danny. Danny bought my lunch. I went to thank him and ended up chatting with him and Evelyn. They told me to walk A1A and not to walk down US 1. They said that people walk across the bridge all the time. I was like a deer in head lights today. Evelyn offered me to stay at her place. Coleen worked at Normans. She was real nice. She donated a couple of dollars. I paused my walk at Normans. I threw my pack in the back of Danny's car. We went to the docks. Danny does boat work. He is doing all sorts of work on this

yacht. Right now, he's doing the electrical work. He got what he wanted done for the day and then we dropped him off at Normans. Evelyn took me to her house. She was planning on staying at Danny's house. We picked up her son Kenneth on the way. He's in 8th grade. We got to her house. She just moved in like a week ago. The guy who owned the house was named Nevil I believe. He was kind of crazy. His father won the lottery in 2001. 6 million and took a 3.3 million lump sum. He gave Nevil the house. Nevil is a short guy that was nice with a brown goatee. The kitchen sink didn't work. They do the dishes in the bathroom sink. In that bathroom the shower doesn't work. Everyone has to use the shower in Nevil's room. In that shower people have to turn the handle so it points at two O'clock. That way it leaks less. Mary and her boyfriend Paul also live there. Mary has a voice that suggests a tough life. She's a rail thin blonde in her late 30's. Nevil's sone John Michel also lives there. Nevil has only been there for a couple days or weeks. Nevil pays child and doesn't see his three kids much. Evelyn left and went to meet Danny. It seemed like Nevil might be on some type of drug or have some kind of condition. He had something in his back pocket. I heard weird "phist" noises. It seemed like he took hits off whatever it was. A few shady characters came over. Once Nevil started yelling Evelyn and she wasn't there. Once he leaned back and his eyes closed. I'm not a rocket scientist but he had to be high. I laid down at midnight. Sometime after 2 a.m. Nevil woke me up. He said Evelyn was back and that I was going to sleep in his room. I was really happy about that. I went to his bed. A cat came and ed me later. I thought I heard gun shots

outside, but maybe it was a bb gun. After my transition to his bedroom, I finally fell asleep.

DAY 394--SEPT. 29, 2007 MILES WALKED: 7+ FROM: Cocoa, FL (Normans Raw Bar and Grill) TO: Cocoa Beach, FL (Courtyard Marriot Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,800

Today I hit the Atlantic. I found that I’m walking on a sidewalk or bike path all the way from Cocoa to Cocoa Beach. I hit the Atlantic Ocean baby. I had the Courtyard Marriott give me a deal on a room. I looked out the window of room 503 and saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in my life. I had a nice walk. There was a nice breeze. I crossed a bridge from Cocoa to Merritt Island. Walked through Merritt Island and then took another bridge from Merritt Island. I'm using the computer at the hotel. I figured I deserved a nice room for making it to the Atlantic. I had lunch at a place. I wandered if the people thought I started or if I am at the end. Coast to Coast so some people don't know. I didn't sleep much last night. I woke up to Nevil yelling. He came and woke me up. I woke up a little later. Evelyn had to give me a ride back to Norman's Raw Bar and Grill. That took a while. It didn't seem like she wanted to get going. Maybe I didn't either. She dropped me off at Norman's Bar and Grill. She apologized about Nevil's behavior. I didn't know what to say. Anyways I resumed walking.

I walked up to the Merritt Island bridge where I turned back yesterday. I walked with traffic this time and find the comforts of a nice sidewalk along the road on the east bound traffic. I snapped pictures and video as I crossed over the Indian River. What I saw of Merritt Island was mainly businesses. Mainly chain stores. There were a couple condos. Then I crossed some more water as I closed in on Cocoa Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. There was an awesome bike path. It was an awesome walk from Cocoa to Cocoa Beach. My body feels good. Nice comfortable walking space. Cocoa Beach is known as a laid-back surfer place. I stopped at Bunky's for some lunch. I had some wings. Some people said good luck as I left. I'm not sure if they thought I was finishing or starting my walk. People ask that now that I'm on the coast. I hit A1A and started walking south. I had a family talk to me at a light. I chatted with them. They asked if I was at the start or end. I told them I'm finishing in Key West. I saw the Marriott. I knew Phil Goddard...my British friend who walked from New York to LA had good luck there. I felt like I deserved a nice room tonight. I needed some rest after last night. Carol was working the front desk. She had short blonde hair and was from New York. She gave me a discount. I got room 503. I went to room 503. I went to the Balcony. I could see the Atlantic Ocean. For the first time in my life, I gazed upon the Atlantic Ocean. It felt sweet. I ran back downstairs and check my email. I had more emails than I thought from people in different parts of the US. It felt good to have some emails to respond to. Now I'm going to relax and walk down to the beach. There might be beach

flooding this weekend.

DAY 395--SEPT. 30, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15 FROM: Cocoa Beach, FL (Courtyard Marriot room 503) TO: Indialantic, FL (Indialantic Plaza on north side of town) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 7,800

Today I walked from Cocoa Beach to Indialantic. An article came out today in the Florida Today. I had many people stop along the way. I got a lot of honks along the way. I had a couple people clap as I walked by. It was a pretty good welcome to the Atlantic coast. I ed through Patrick Air Force Base, South Patrick Shores, Satellite Beach, and Canova Beach on my way to Indialantic. Three of the people that stopped by were Keith, Mary, and Jacob. They saw my article in the paper. They came down A1A looking for me. They were about to turn back, and Keith suggested they go a bit further. They did U-turn and Mary saw me as I sat looking at my map at a beachside park in Patrick Air Force Base. They stopped by. They gave me some money for my trip. They also offered to let me stay at their house. They live in Indialantic. I made it to Indialantic and when I was at the plaza Keith came and got me. He'll drop me off at the exact same spot tomorrow. In Satellite Beach I had lunch with a couple...Nancy and Wally. Wally scouts refs for the NFL. He goes to college and high school football games. Nancy works with doctors. If someone has something stuck in their throat, she helps them get it out. I met a slew of people today. There were a lot of wind gusts. I woke this morning. I checked my email and then I was on the road. I started walking out of Cocoa Beach. There were some more hotels and restaurants and then it was a decent number of residents. I had a lady named Patty who drove a blue convertible stop and make a donation. I stopped at a gas station to get the

Newspaper. Carol, a lady with a British accent, donated 10 dollars. Another man, Jimmy, on a bicycle chatted with me. He saw me in the paper. I resumed walking out of town. I ed a cafe. A lady came out to talk to me. She just read the story. I walked by a restaurant and some people were just clapping and cheering. After a few miles I was at Patrick Air Force Base. The wind is blowing pretty good. The Air Force Base is to the west. To the east is the Ocean. There are a bunch of parks and beach access along the way. An older couple named Joanne and Ray pulled over as I walked through a parking lot. They donated some money. I kept walking. A brown-haired lady named Pam had a couple kids with her. She gave me money for lunch. She took a picture of me with the kids. Then I kept walking. Then I met Keith and Mary. I was sitting down looking at my map. They showed up and we chatted for a little bit. They offered me a place to stay. Then I took off. I kept walking, but I wasn't done meeting people. Before I got through Patrick Air Force Base, I met Laura who stopped by and also Debbie. They both made donations. After Patrick Air Force Base is South Patrick Shores. I was walking through the coastal towns. There are some hotels and condos on the water, but they don't feel that out of place. After Patrick Shores in Satellite Beach is when I met Wally and Nancy. They stopped by. They are a couple in their 50's. They went to the grocery store to get me a sandwich. They met me at a beach access at Sunrise St. They took me to their house to eat. We set and chatted. They were real nice. They dropped me back off at Sunrise St. and onward march. Not long and I was in Indian Harbor and then Canova Beach. The wind is strong. Even with my pack it blows me around. A lady named Gabby driving a brown car pulled over. She got a picture with me and then donated 50 dollars. Then I met Morgan. He's a younger kid. His mom had breast cancer. He had cut the article out. He wanted me to autograph it.

I kept walking after that. Before I knew it, I was in Indialantic. There was a plaza. A few raindrops came down. I went into a place called Hustlers. It's kind of a sports bar. The people were friendly. Most all of them donated 5 dollars. One lady Sharon wrote a note to me. Her father ed from cancer as she held his hand. To people like that they don't care if I raise ten thousand dollars or ten million. After that I called Keith. Keith came out to pick me up in the plaza. He'll return me there in the morning. I went to their house. Mary warmed up some dinner. Jacob there is 5-year-old son. I slept in their guest bed. It was really comfortable. Keith and I watched some Sunday Night Football. Thanks to Keith and Mary for letting me stay.

DAY 396--OCT. 1, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3 FROM: Indialantic, FL (Indialantic Center Plaza) TO: Melbourne Beach, FL (Sochi's guest house) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL:7,800

Today I said goodbye to Keith and Mary. I had a short little walk from the plaza in Indiatlantic to Melbourne Beach. It was a short walk along the beach communities. Melbourne Beach has building restrictions and the town is fairly small and there are no big condos. The wind was stiff once again. I walked to Sochi's house. She an artist who emailed me yesterday saying that I could stay at her house. She mainly does glass work. I'm staying the guest house. The green house is surrounded by green bushes. Her husband is selling art at a show in Nashville.

Her assistant Mary, Sochi, and I went to Melbourne. They dropped me off in downtown Melbourne. After that we went by Lyle's house. He's Sochi's brother. He is fixing up a house. On the way back to Melbourne beach the rain started coming down sideways. Sochi and I went over to her mother's house for dinner. We had some pesto. I met her mother earlier in the day. Below is a video of Terry Fox. He ran across Canada. He lost a leg to cancer...and eventually had to stop his run because cancer took over. Amazing story. I've heard of him before, but this video brings the visuals.

DAY 397--OCT. 2, 2007 MILES WALKED: 6 or 7 FROM: Melbourne Beach, FL (Sochi's guest house) TO: Indian Landin subdivision along A1A, FL (Malcolm and Carol's house) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,800

I had a short day. There have been many people to meet along the way. I had several more people stop me which led to a lunch invitation. The lunch invitation led to a place to stay. The wind had resided a bit, and I had a beautiful walk along the coast. I woke up this morning. I had some granola with Sochi. Ally, Sochi's mother, showed up. After breakfast Sochi took a picture with a bunny rabbit, a stuffed animal. A grade school in Shasta, CA is sending the bunny around. The bunny has a journey of its travel. I was part of the bunny's journey.

I didn't make it far before someone stopped to chat with me. A red truck pulled off to the side of the road. Jeannette got out. She donated 20 dollars. She said I could stop her house and get a glass of water. I had a nice path to walk on all day. After a mile or so I left the city limits of Melbourne Beach. There were some places a little taller once I left the city limits. There were some oceanside parks here and there. I was walking along when a red Volvo pulled. It was Malcolm, 75, who moved down from New Jersey. He made a donation. He invited me over to lunch. It was about 3-4 miles down the road. While we were chatting, a lady gave me a water bottle. She said she heard that I was coming. Some of the areas along the road are just bushes. I walked up past a grocery store. Then it was almost 3 miles to Indian Landing. That is where Malcolm and his wife Carol live. It was a nice walk. I got up to Indian Landing. I typed in the gate and the door opened. Malcom lived back on the Indian River. They have a nice view of a lagoon and the river. Malcolm and Carol moved down here in 1990. They were living in New Jersey and Malcolm worked in Union City. Malcolm grew up upstate New York. Malcolm hitchhiked across the country when he was 18 or so. All the way to Seattle, WA. On the way back he stopped in Kellogg, Idaho and worked for 3 weeks. He made a sandwich and soup. We had a good chat. I showered up. He mentioned I could stay over if I wanted. I took the offer. Carol came later. They cooked a nice dinner. Steak and potatoes. That was nice of Malcolm to invite me over for some lunch.

DAY 398--OCT. 3, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3 or 4 FROM: Indian Landing subdivision south of Melbourne Beach, FL (Malcolm and Carol's house) TO: Floridiana Beach, Fl (Floridiana Beach Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,800

This morning I've brought my scrapbook up to date. Check it out! CLICK HERE I'm getting a late start, but I wanted to bring the picture up to date. Carol and Malcolm have been very nice. After I left Malcolm’s, I had a short day. I walked along. I was walking along the sidewalk. It was pretty. I stopped at the Sebastian Beach Inn. Some people bought me a couple drinks. Then I ended up walking back to the motel. By the time I was done with the drinks it was getting close to dark. I couldn't quit make it to the state park.

DAY 399--OCT. 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 2 or 3 FROM: Floridiana Beach, FL (Floridiana Beach Motel) TO: Floridiana Beach, FL (Chapel by the Sea) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,800

Today I walked along. I met a man at the gas station. Jonathan showed up two miles down the road on his motorcycle. He asked if I wanted to go sailing. Of course, I said Heck Yes. I paused my pack by Chapel by The Sea. I hoped on the motorcycle and went to the Honest John Fish Camp. Next thing I know I'm on a trimaran sailboat. We sailed around the Indian River and went to the mainland for lunch. And then back to the fish camp. A taste of old Florida. I later went kayaking. I went on the water for a third time with Jonathan's brother Rob. The land has been in the family since the 1800's. They let me camp on their property and I would get dropped back off at the church. Today was an awesome day. I woke up and walked to the gas station. I met Jonathan. He asked about what I was doing. I kept walking. He showed up on his motorcycle. He asked if I wanted to go sailing. I should; A) decline or B) accept and have an awesome day. I picked B. I went back to the fish camp that his brother Rob and him run. Check out their site. CLICK HERE I went sailing on the AVATAR with Jonathan and Petra. It was awesome. A sunny day on the trimaran. We sailed around and then to the mainland. We went to a place called PJ's. We had lunch. We went back to the fish camp. John caught some mullets fish with a net. I went out in a kayak and later in a canoe, I'll more detail about the day when I can. They have a cool place. It had a semi-tropical feel to it and had the water right at their doorstep. I hung out there. They said I could camp there. Rob has some frisbee gold rings set up. I set up my tent. I went with John to the Sebastian Beach Inlet. Today was awesome. The time on the kayak going on the canals was awesome. The time on the sailboat was awesome. It was really nice. They had some palm trees and a pond. It was a nice section of some old Florida.

DAY 400--OCT. 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3+ FROM: Floridiana Beach, FL (Chapel by the Sea) TO: Sebastian Inlet, FL (Sebastian Inlet State Park) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 7,800

Today Jonathan dropped me back off at the chapel. I then walked down to Sebastian Inlet State Park. I wasn't planning on staying there, but it looked nice. Malcom works at the museum. I thought he worked today but he didn't. I got a camp site. They were real nice and they gave me the site. It's a busy campground. I met the couple next to me. Eugene and Mildred. They were down from New Jersey. They gave me some White Castle hamburgers. The No-CEm's. A bug that is bad ate my legs for dinner. It thundered and stormed. I had an uncomfortable night in my tent. I was slightly wet and I'm without my sleeping pad. I managed. I didn't get much sleep. My rain fly had a slight leak. With no sleeping pad I get kind of wet. The floor gets wet. Today was a good day. The night on the other hand wasn't so well. I didn't make it far. I made it to the Sebastian Inlet State Park. It's nice. I walked around. It's on both sides of the inlet. Each side are in different counties. I camped next to Eugene and Mildred. They must have been in their 50's. Eugene liked to tell stories and I liked to listen. They had a van and a pop-up camper. Rain came and we all got wait.

I laid down and was slightly damp all night. I managed. I didn't get that wet. The rain, thunder, and lighting kept me from getting a good night sleep. For some reason when the tent is assaulted by an army of rain drops it makes it difficult to sleep.

DAY 401--OCT. 6, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12 or 13 FROM: Sebastian Inlet State Park, FL TO: Vero Beach, FL (Vero Beach Inn) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL: 7,800

Today I had a fairly solid day. The NO-C-Ems killed me yesterday. I walked from Sebastian Inlet State Park to Vero Beach. It was mainly gated communities. After the state park the island got small. It houses on one side and boat ramps on the other. Bob, a state park worker, gather 15 dollars for me. He stopped and gave it to me. Another Lady, DC, stopped and gave me water. I kept walking. I ed Orchid and Wambasso Beach. I had a cop stop to talk to me. It was brief. Then I got to Vero Beach. There were a couple of big hotels. I called the Press Journal. I got an answering machine. I checked into the Vero Beach Inn and Elizabeth gave me a good rate. It was right on the ocean. I met some folks in the lounge. They were really nice. Today was a decent day of walking. I had sidewalk all day long and that’s nice. I didn't take many breaks. One at Wabasso Beach Market and then I didn't stop again till I was done walking for the day. I ed a lot of trees and a gated communities. The cop didn't bother me. It was a pretty rich area and a guy walking with a backpack...even despite being a nearly brand new 2008 model...still draws some

flags. I got a pretty nice hotel room for a pretty good price. I saw a snake eat a mouse. I heard the squeak and saw the snake. I heard the mouse then. Early in the day the Island got small. It had houses on one side and boat docks on the other. I stopped at Wabasso Beach Market. I sat at a picnic table. The beach was a stones throw away. The man next to me had some issues. I asked how far Vero Beach was and he told me about his issues about people driving. Shortly after that I ed Disney at Vero Beach. It's a big resort. I walked on the sidewalk past many gated communities and then came to Vero Beach.

DAY 402--OCT. 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 3 FROM: Vero Beach, FL (Vero Beach Inn) TO: Vero Beach, FL (Aquarius Motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 7,800

Today was a pretty short day. I was leaving Vero Beach and it started storming. I thought that it was going to last all day. I figured that I should stay in Vero. I was near the Aquarius Motel. I got a room there. Vero Beach was less developed that

I thought it would be. I left the Vero Beach and before I knew it was low key residential areas. It started raining. Hard. I checked into the hotel. The showers didn't last as long as I thought. I went to a local pizza place. A 12-year-old kid drown. I heard the helicopters flying around. I was all geared up to make it to Fort Pierce today. Then the rain set in. I heard that it was mainly just gated communities to Fort Pierce. I didn't want to get caught in a storm, so I walked backward to the Aquarius Motel. It was kind of a boring day. The bugs are still making me itch.

DAY 403--OCT. 8, 2007 MILES WALKED: 14 FROM: Vero Beach, FL (Aquarius Motel) TO: Fort Pierce, Florida (Super 8 motel) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 0 TOTAL:7,800

Today I had a good walking day. It was a nice sunny day. I had a sidewalk most of the day. I walked from Vero. I ed gated communities and some undeveloped land. It was pretty. I left the barrier Island and headed to the mainland. People said that Fort Pierce was a tough town. I made it into town. There were some nice folks I met. Some along the sidewalk. Others were at Sharkys on the Island before I crossed into Fort Pierce. I was attracted to one of the girls working there. I haven't seen a computer since Wednesday and was dying to see a computer. I made it to the library in Fort Pierce which is on the river. It's got a beautiful view. I had to wait 30 minutes to use the computer. Then I was on their updating my blog when I got a call. It was someone from the Miami Herald. I went outside to take the call. When I came back in the someone logged me off. It was too long to wait. I needed to find a place to stay for the night. I walked out to US 1 and walked and found the Motel 6 or 8 and got a room there. Then I walked back to the library so I could update my journal some

more. I have a limited amount of time and I'm rushing my entries. The sailing day should be much larger. I haven't seen a computer since Wednesday. I've had two emails and one phone call today since it's been so long since I posted. I've prided myself on the trip and I've posted as often as I can. It's nice to know that someone is reading this drivel that I write. Today was a good day. I'm making my way down the Atlantic. Today was a nice and scenic walk. A lot of trees. Some undeveloped areas. Then I crossed two bridges and made it to the mainland. I found a computer and a place to stay and the computer again.

DAY 404--OCT. 9, 2007 MILES WALKED: 18-20 FROM: Fort Pierce, FL (Super 8 Motel) TO: Rio, FL (Azarius' house) $ to FHCRC TODAY:0 TOTAL: 7,800

Today was a good day. It was kind of long. I walked along US 1 on a sidewalk and then grass. I cut over to Indian River Dr. on Midway Dr. That went through some scenic areas with a semi tropical setting. Then once on Indian River Dr. I was waltzing along the Indian River. Chaffing hasn't been existing much lately. There was an Atlantic breeze helping to keep me cool. I had stopped by a newspaper. I had another photographer (Juan Dale Brown) and a writer (Elvin Manges) from another paper stop by. Then I had a phone conversation with Jen from the Miami Herald. In Rio I had a Sherriff stop by to see what I was up to. He had a COPS film crew with him. We just chatted and he was interested in what I was doing. Hey...maybe I'll be on COPS. I didn't commit a crime or try

running away...so it might not make it. At the end of the day, I found myself at Azarius' house. He's a big guy who use to live in Santa Cruz/Capitola, CA. My grandmother lives in Capitola, CA. I made it to Azarius' day, and he was very welcoming. Him and his wife. Today was a solid day of walking. I started wearing out toward the end. It's nice to get back to some decent days of walking now that the Florida summer is starting to reside. Suppose to have a cold snap this weekend. It's only be in the 80's. I woke up this morning. Got a late start. I started walking around 9:30 a.m. I walked down US 1 once I left the hotel. I walked by the Hometown News newspaper. I poked my head in. Anna Marie interviewed me. I was her first interview. She was nice. We had a nice chat. Then I called the Treasure Coast newspapers. It was down the road a bit after ing along a busy US 1 with commercial businesses along it. Juan Dale Brown the photographer showed up. He snapped some pictures and jotted down some information. Then I walked up to Midway Rd. I was south of Fort Pierce. This area might have been considered Port St. Lucie. There was a bunch of construction. I took Midway east toward the River. Elvin Manges who freelances for the Stuart News came out. He snapped some pictures and took some notes. He also works for the Boy Scouts. He was a cool guy. Midway Rd. was lightly developed with only some houses and mainly semi-tropical trees and bushes. Then I popped out on Indian River Dr. I was looking at the Indian River and barrier Island beyond. I walked south. There were docks along the river and not much else. The river was fairly close. Then a string of houses on the west side of the road. I chatted with a couple people as I walked down the road. I had Jen from the Miami Herald call. We chatted. She called earlier in the day but somehow, I didn't receive the call. I kept walking. Man, I thought Rio was closer than it really was. I kept walking Indian River Dr. for what seemed like a lifetime.

Some of the areas had names but I didn't even bother to . There was no shoulder and the traffic picked up the further I went on the road. Sometimes I would have to hide behind a bush until no traffic was coming...then I could manage to get around it. Some of the bushes came right to the road. I hit Jensen Beach. There was a causeway to the Island. It was a neat little town. Then 707 branches off Indian River Drive. I was about a mile from Azarius' house. I ed through a Stuart welcome arch...but I think I'm in Rio though. I had a couple Martin County Sheriff cars pull over. The tall deputy hopped out. Following him were a cameraman and boom man. They filmed our interaction. He was checking me out and was glad to meet me. I showed him some newspaper articles. Then not much further. A half mile I turned left on Orange Ave and halfway down the street with the Lucie River or St. Lucie River insight I was at Azarius' house. We had chicken wraps for dinner. Azarius builds boats. Sports boats. We had a nice time chatting. Azarius did some traveling in his teenage years. I'm using his computer to update my site. I'm tired and I'll fall asleep here in a minute.

DAY 405--OCT. 10, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15.5+ FROM: Rio, FL (Azarius' house) TO: Hobe Sound, FL (Palms Inn and Suite)

$ to FHCRC TODAY: 20 TOTAL:7,620

Well today was a long one. Like many days I don't know where I'll end up today. Right now, I've walked from Azarius' house to Stuart and made it to the library. The Stuart News had an article come out today. Below is the link. CLICK HERE Stuart has a nice historic downtown with some fountains. It's right on the river. I did not want to move this morning. I managed to drag myself out of bed. I chatted with Azarius and I was off. A mile or so and I crossed a big new bridge into Stuart over the river. Then I was at downtown. I walked around and asked about the library. Then I walked down a street called Ocean. I stopped at a Circle K. A man named Gene Cochran, early 40's, made a 20-dollar donation. His mother also ed from Cancer. After I left the library, I walked down Monterrey Rd. to US 1. It was hot with little breeze. I felt I couldn't walk anymore. I kept pushing myself. I kept wanting to stop for the day, but I kept walking. Today I was really, really tired. I made it to US 1. It has three lanes going each way. A man named Bob pulled over in his yellow Hummer and made a donation. US 1 would be my home for the rest of the day. It was would be Plazas and such on my way out of town. I stopped at Charlie's Flashback Cafe a couple Billy and Nally made a donation. I kept walking. I kept walking. I popped into Bobby McGee's Bar and Grill with the hopes that someone might want to take me in. At this point I was beat. I didn't want to walk anymore today.

I hung out for a bit and then I pushed on. The nice thing about this section of US 1 was there was a nice sidewalk. Also, I ed a lot of car lots. Then I walked a ways and I stopped at Duffys. I needed some dinner. Everyone at Duffy's was awesome. The manager gave me the dinner. A lady gave me ten dollars for dinner. A bunch of the waitresses and waiters stopped by and chatted to me. Dave...a young blonde guy...was going to ask the person he stays with if I could crash in the RV. He didn't get off until 9 or 9:30 p.m. Duffy's was a busy place and all the people I talked to were really nice. I was getting worried about where I was going to stay. It was near 6:30 and dark was looming. There are a few nooks and crannies along US 1 but it's tough to know which one the homeless use...and they can be dangerous. I left Duffy's and headed out. I thought that maybe I'll find somewhere to hang out and maybe Dave will give me jingle. I was surfing down the sidewalk. Soon it was twilight. People mentioned how there was a hotel in Hobe Sound. I didn't think I could make by there by dark. The weather had cooled once I left Duffy's and I felt recharged. Still tired but I kept pushing myself to walk further. Soon it was dark, and I pulled my head lamp out. I was still on the sidewalk. I thought I'd keep walking. Now it was dark it would make it difficult to find a decent spot to camp. I didn't think I'd make Hobe Sound, but I did. It must have been about 5 or 6 miles...because at 8:30 I walked up to the Palms Suite.

Earlier in the day when people told me about it, I didn't think that I had the energy to get the today. However, much of this trip has been about walking that little extra. Especially the first 8 or 9 months. I had a lot of long walking days where I wanted to stop for the day, but I kept pushing myself. I checked in. They had decent rates. It's a family operation. The younger guy who runs the place offered to do my laundry for me. I'm using the guest computer at the office to update my website and shoot off a couple emails. I checked into room 127 and took a nice lukewarm shower. Today was in the 90’s, I think. Well, another good day in the books. Today I kept walking and pushed through the tiredness and broke my, don't walk at night rule. It was on sidewalks and only an hour plus in the dark.

DAY 406--OCT. 11, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12+ FROM: Hobe Sound, FL (Palms Inn and Suites) TO: Jupiter, FL (Pa-Ja Motel) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 8,005

Today was a beautiful walk. Dave from Duffy's walked a mile or so with me. I walked most of the day on Jupiter Island which has people like Celine Dion, Tiger Woods, and Greg Norman who live out there. I had Christian from Channel 12 in West Palm come out. I made it to Jupiter and had people be really

nice at a place called Schooners. It's got the best food in town. A lady working there, Kimmer, donated 50 dollars and bought me a room across the street at PaJa Motel. It was kind of weird being in Schooners eating dinner and a guy, Hobie, from a weekly paper in Jupiter came and then the news segment also aired. I met Bill from Burlington, WA there. Burlington is near Bellingham. I met many nice people at Schooners. Among them was a man who hunts for treasure below sea. I woke this morning, and I called the Palm Beach TV stations. Then I left. Dave from Duffy's texted me last night saying he wanted to take me to breakfast. He met me at the Winn Dixie in Hobe Sound. From there we walked down the street to a pink building. The place was called Hobies. It had all sorts of golf bags and pictures. I guess the owner use to be on tour. Marcia...the waitress...bought my mail. She stole Dave's thunder. Dave is a 24, blonde, and grew up in Vermont. Nice guy. After breakfast we walked down the beach road until we hit the Ocean. It was a nice walk with some neat trees. At the beach I headed south on the ocean road and he walked back to his car. The next 8 miles or so I walked down one of the more concentrated areas of wealth in the US. A lady from Jensen Beach stopped by and made a donation. She saw me yesterday in Rio walking. I could see some of the houses from the roads. Man, they were nice. Big and lavish. There were a couple areas I could see the water. There was a sidewalk most of the time. Many of the places had people cutting the grass and taking care of the yard work. Toward the south side of the Island Christian from Channel 12 came out. He drove a white cavalier. It was a unique station car. Usually, they are in a van or SUV. He was cool. He interviewed me and shot some video. He got some

video of me walking from the bridge off Jupiter Island onto the mainland. Once I crossed over the bridge, I hit US 1 and I was in Jupiter. I crossed another bridge, and I took the first left which was A1A. I needed to find some food. I was walking along, and I saw this spot called Schooners. I went in and got some clam chowder. I sat there a while and this guy came in. He was wearing a University of Washington hat and t-shirt. His name was Bill. He lives close to Bellingham in Burlington, WA. He was nice. He bought my lunch. He told Kimmer the lady working at the bar. She told everyone. She donated 50 dollars. She bought me a room at the motel across the street. It is called Pa-Ja Motel. I met a slew of other people I don't all their names. I have a couple written down, but I left them at Bonny's house. I went over and got the room across the street. It was room 12 upstairs. I turned the AC on. I showered up and went back across the street. I got some dinner. The manager said the restaurant, Schooners, would give me dinner. I had Shrimp Scampi. It was great! A couple with the husband named Bob donated a hundred dollars. Hobie Hiller from the Hometown News in Jupiter showed up. He took some pictures of me hanging out. I guess the place I found was a local place and has the best food around. While I was the Channel 12 news segment aired twice. That makes for a weird life when people see you on the news.

DAY 407--OCT. 12, 2007 MILES WALKED: 7 or 8

FROM: Jupiter, FL (Pa-Ja Motel) TO: North Palm Beach, FL (Bonny's condo) $ to FHCRC TODAY: 20TOTAL: 8,025

Link to WPTV below. The video is in the box to the right. CLICK HERE Today I had three interviews. With Channel 5 and Channel 25 from West Palm. Also, I met with Jen from the Miami Herald. I had someone say they saw something on CNN about what I did today. I walked and had people notice. Many saying Hi. I walked along A1A which had a view of the Ocean. I got a good hug from one lady. Another lady, Bonny, invited me to stay with her in North Palm. I walked to her house. She lived off Golf Road. I met a man who invited me over for a night tomorrow. I walked to her house. It was a short action-packed day with the three interviews and meeting people. I had two different people give me money for lunch. Bonny and I went to the library...where I'm putting yesterday and today's journal entry on. We'll go for some dinner tonight. I woke up this morning about 7:30 a.m. A little after 8:15 Dori and Chad showed up from Channel 5. They had the van with their logo. They interviewed me and then got some shots of me walking down A1A toward the ocean. After they left, I was walking, and lady named Pam stopped. She used to live in Seattle. She was surprised I walked all the way down. Then I kept walking on A1A. People were walking, jogging, and biking. There were lots of tropical plants some palm trees. Then ocean vistas from time to time and I could see the pretty water. The water is pretty clear. One man said he saw me on CNN this morning.

It was long when Jen from the Miami Herald showed up. She had a friend that shot some video. One lady came up and gave me a big hug. Another man donated 20 dollars for cancer research. By this time, I was on the ocean. Jen asked questions as I walked. I kept walking. I had some people honk. One lady yelled from her condo balcony. I kept walking. Then Bonny walked up. She walked with me. She offered me a place to stay down the road 4 miles. That's tough to up. We walked and chatted. She used to live in Miami. Her husband past last year. Then Meredith showed up. She's a tall blonde that works for WPBF Channel 25. She interviewed both Bonny and me. Then she got footage of us two walking. After she was doing Bonny and I walked a little further. Bonny then got in her car and drove off. She told me her house address and gave me directions. She also gave me her phone number so that I could call her. She walked out the pier. That was really nice of her. I kept walking. It was nice knowing that I had about four more miles. It was nice to know where I'll end up for the night. It was really pretty. A row of bushes between the sidewalk and beach. Then the Atlantic. I kept walking. I had some firefighters or emergency response folks stop by. One man thought I should be skin and bones after walking this much. The first half of the trip I was ten pounds below my starting wait. Then I slowed down in Florida and the South has fed me so well. I walked few miles per day and have taken more days off. I think that made me gain some wait back. Also, I think I've built up some muscle. My calves aren't as big as I though. The trekking poles have made my legs work less and sometimes I guess if you walk too much it might not be good for the muscles. Anyways back to today. After the firefighters left, I kept walking. A man named Hanke pulled over. He reached out a 20-dollar bill and told me to get a coke. Then...I kept walking. Somewhere I walked into Juno Beach and I didn't even realize it.

A white truck pulled over. John Meskiel pulled over. He told me that if I needed anything give him a call. He said he was a firefighter. He asked if I had a place to stay. He said that he had a big yard where I could pitch a tent. He gave me 20 dollars for lunch and told me about the French Connection. I walked a little farther. All day today I surfed down the sidewalk on the ten-toe express. That was nice. I popped into the French Connection. I met Rich who offered to let me stay at his place tomorrow. He invited me to work a booth at October Fest with him. He also bought my lunch. The waitresses were really nice as well. After that I walked up, and I was back at US 1. A1A merges every now and then with US 1. I walked and there were a lot of plazas and businesses like that. Before it was beach on my left and maybe a condo on the right. Sometimes there weren't even any condos. I walked up to Golfview and took a right. I walked up about 5 condos down to the one were Bonny lives. For her sake I won't say what building or what number her apartment was. It wasn't far at all. She invited me in. I showered. She had me call one of her friends and tell him to watch the ABC channel 25 today. With Mack we drove over to the library. Well, I guess we'll go get a bite to eat here in a bit. Thank you to Bonny for letting me stay.

DAY 408--OCT. 8, 2007 MILES WALKED: 8 FROM: North Palm Beach, FL (Bonny's condo)

TO: Palm Beach, FL (Testa's restaurant) $ to FHCRC TOTAL:8,050

Today I didn't even want to get at of bed. I wanted to sleep for about a week. However, I managed to drag myself out of bed. Bonny cooked breakfast. Then I slung the rucksack on and walked out of her condo. I walked along US 1in North Palm. I crossed the intercoastal waterway. It's pretty. Shortly thereafter I stopped at a 7-11. A man named Tommy donated 5 dollars. He used to be stationed in Fort Lewis in Tacoma, WA. Then I kept walking. I saw the North Palm Beach Library. I figured I'd slide in and update my site a bit and check the email. Two librarians...Kristine Kellet-Murth and Sharon Meeks each donated 20 dollars for cancer research. I got an email from Rick and Nina Hutchinson. Fred Hutchinson was Rick's father. That was pretty neat. Well, I'm going to be leaving here in a second. I left the library and was back on US 1. There are many commercial businesses on this road. Soon I left North Palm Beach and walked into another area. It's easy to walk into and out of town and not even know it here. Soon I walked through Rivera Beach. This place has a bad reputation. People have been warning about this place for days. Walking down the main road in daylight it's pretty safe. It had some run-down buildings. A gray SUV pulled over to the side. It was Rebecca and Rene. They made a donation. I kept walking. Soon I was at the edge of Rivera Beach. There is the port of Palm Beach. I went over a decent sized bridge. I could see the inlet and the Island. It was nice. Once I came down the bridge, I was in West Palm Beach. I kept walking on US 1 until I got to 50th St. A lady named Susy who works as a nurse stopped off and donated 40 dollars. Then I walked 50th toward the intercoastal waterway. That road was Flagler. It went by some nice parks and some houses. Then a man named Dan stopped by.

He was wearing black and rode a motorcycle. He made a donation. Then Joel who was on a motorcycle stopped by. His brother survived tongue cancer. Joel is training for Iron Man. He lived south of where we at. He gave me his number and said if the place where I'm going to stay falls through to give him a call. Rich who I met yesterday in Juno Beach at the French Connection was going to let me stay at his house tonight. I kept walking. Soon I was closer to the water at a park. A lady stopped there and made a donation. She just got done with some chemotherapy. Then I walked and man named Jimmy stopped me. He had a green SUV. We chatted for a bit. Then I was closing in on downtown. I was starting to get hungry. I went by Palm Beach Yacht club. Then I took a bridge that went over to Palm Beach...which is on an Island. That was a nice walk. Good little breeze. Great view. View of the Island and the Mainland. I snapped plenty of pictures and shot some video. ' Then I was in Palm Beach. I guess things out here are expensive and most people out here aren't making minimum wage. I was getting hungry. It was about 2 p.m. I walked up to a place called Testa's. It looked good. I popped in. I met Josh who worked there. He ended up covering my lunch. I ate light and had a shrimp cocktail. I met another man...who I believed is named Tim. He paints pictures. I guess he used to be a lawyer.

A lady working there, and another lady dining there recognized me off the news. I planned to walk further...but I got to chatting and then I figured this would be a good place to stop for the day. Rich came in his wife's convertible car. I videotaped myself In front of Testa's. Either Sunday or Monday I get dropped back off at Testa's and resume my walk. I won't miss a step. I hopped in the brown convertible. We drove back down on the beach road. Then we went inland a couple miles. We were at Rich's house. I met his wife Patsy and daughter Brittany. They have a nice place at the end of dead-end street. It has a big slide into a water pond. I showered up and put my name tag on. I went with Rich and Patsy to Oktoberfest. They volunteer in a booth pouring beer. I volunteered as well. They had three types of German beer and Miller Lite. There were a good amount of people. People guy tickets and then give the tickets for beer. German cups were 4 tickets and Miller Lite was 3 tickets. Pitchers were 13 and 16 tickets. I met a couple girls. I had a nice chat with one of them. A couple girls took a picture with me on their cell phone. There was a band. There were stands with food. I met some girls. Also, Patsy told people about what I was doing. One guy donated 20 dollars. Around 10 p.m. Rich drove me back to his house. Today was a good day. I didn't walk as far as I had expected but I met a bunch of people and I got further down the road.

DAY 409--OCT. 14, 2007

MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 8,305

Well, I'm updating my site this morning. Hanging out with Rich and Patsy. Patsy is cooking some breakfast. I updated what happened yesterday. I had a good night sleep. It was fun last night. I don't know if I'm going to walk today...or if I'll pick up tomorrow. I could use a day off. I've walked 21 days in a row since I've left Sanford to get to Palm Beach. I did have some real short days. A couple that were 3 miles or under, but every day I strapped my rucksack on and walked forward. I might have met people that offered me a place to stay and thus I didn't walk as far. Well, I decided to take today off. I went with Rich over to his 43-foot sailboat. We sat on chairs on the stern and chatted. As we were going to leave a guy in a 20-foot power boat stalled his engine. It was a windy day. He started drifting right toward us. He threw his anchor out. He didn't throw out enough line. Only a few feet away the anchor caught. Someone called him back and told him it was the kill switch. The engine came on and he sped off. Then Rich and I went to Tacky Joes. We had some burgers. We went back to his house and had a lazy Sunday. Then we went to Outback steakhouse for dinner. Rich, 57, works in the tree business. While he was going to University of South Florida, he started the tree business. He mainly works at golf courses trimming the trees. He graduated from USF but stayed with the tree business. Now I'm updating the site a bit more about what happened today. It was a nice day off. A good day of rest.

Tomorrow Rich will drop me back off at Testas about 7 a.m. and I'll be heading southward.

DAY 410--OCT. 15, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15 FROM: Palm Beach, Fl (Testa's Restaurant) TO: Boynton Beach, Fl (Ralph and Rosie's Restaurant) $ to FHCRC TODAY:8,505

Well today was a good walking day. I had a beautiful sunrise in Palm Beach. I walked by an area of Florida that many houses that were very expensive and lavish. I had some people stop and make donations. I left A1A several times. Once for lunch and once at the end of the day. My British friend who walked from New York to Los Angeles as well is staying with his sister, Jacque in Coral Springs. They invited me in for the night. I met a guy and girl biking from Palm Beach to Ft. Lauderdale. I ed through a couple smaller towns. I had lunch in Lantana. I stopped for the day at Ralph and Rosie's for the night. Phil, Jacque, and Phil's finance Pam came to collect me in Boynton Beach. Tomorrow they'll return me to the restaurant. I drove with them. Jacque and her husband Richard are freelance writers for papers in the UK. They have a seven-week-old boy named Alby. This morning I woke up around 5:30 a.m. Rich and I headed out. We went over to Tacky Joe's for breakfast. There was a guy named Reece that was a character. He wouldn't stop talking and giving everyone crap. I had a couple eggs and some toast. Then Rich drove me back to Testas in Palm Beach where I paused my walk on Saturday.

It was a nice morning with a breeze. I walked along A1A and then cut a block over to the ocean. A reddish sun was just coming up. The houses were beyond nice. It wasn't that far into my day when a lady named Denis stopped me. She works with Wheels for Kids. They give wheelchairs and give kids. She noticed me from the news. She made a donation. Sometimes I had walk in the grass and much of the day there was a sidewalk. Other times a nice shoulder provided a good walking area. I met a slew of people today. One man was Caesar. He was a man that was working with some trees. I saw him twice two miles apart. He made a small donation. I kept walking. Nice views. Many scenic views of the ocean. I met two bicyclists that were biking across the country. They were Melisa and Jay. Melisa is planning a bicycle across the country. They stopped and talked to me. I had a couple construction workers stop by. They worked for Hardrives. They were named Bobby Scalise and Rick Phillips. They noticed me from the news. When I got to Lantana, I crossed the bridge and went to Tacky Joe's. Yes..I ate breakfast. After being dropped off in Palm Beach I just made it down here. I got some fries and a sandwich to go. Rich would cover the tab. I met Terry Ebert. She called the Palm Beach Post. I called the Post as well. They don't seem to be interested. I walked over to a post office nearby and got a money order for 620 dollars for the Fred Hutchinson. Then I went back across water over the bridge back to A1A to continue my walk.

I walked by a condo and had two people working there come out. They were Derek and Jamie that worked at La Coquille Villa. Derek saw me on the news. They were nice. Toward the end of the day at Boynton Beach I crossed back over the water to the mainland. I met this man Roy the barber. He made a five-dollar donation. Then I went to Ralph's and Rosie’s. I hung out there a bit. I met John and Ray. Ray is from Niagara Falls, Canada. He donated 40 dollars. He knows John Hutchinson who runs J and J seafood in Delray, Fl. John is the grandson of Fred Hutchinson whom the foundation I'm raising funds is named after. Then Phil, Jacque, and Pam showed up. We had a drink and then we left. Then we drive over to Jacque and Richards' house. Richard is writing an article on the First African American to fly across the world solo. He lives in Miami I believe. Also, he might have been the youngest man to fly across the world. Today was a decent day of walking and the wind made it night. There was some cloud cover and they helped. It was nice to have a handful of people to talk to as I walked who stopped because they saw me on the news. It was really nice to see Phil and get to spend some more time with him and visit.

DAY 411--OCT. 16, 2007 MILES WALKED: 6-8 FROM: Boynton Beach, FL (Ralph and Rosie's Restaurant) TO: Delray Beach, FL (Wendy's Restaurant on Linton Blvd.)

$ to FHCRC TOTAL: 8,505

Today the Miami Herald had a frontpage article. The link is below. CLICK HERE Well Phil, Pam, and Richard dropped me back off at Ralph's and Rosie’s. I had a nice visit with Phil and his family. Phil and Pam were getting ready to fly back to New Orleans. I picked up right where I left off yesterday. I was on US 1 and would have to back track to get to A1A. I kept walking down US 1. It's mainly commercial businesses. In Delray Beach I stopped at Elle's 50's Diner. The owner, Bob Smela donated a hundred dollars, and he also gave me breakfast for free. He saw one of the pieces on the West Palm news stations. The waitress were really nice. After there I kept trekking down US 1. Before I knew it, I was in downtown Delray Beach. They have all these nice little shops and restaurants on Atlantic Street. John Hutchinson the grandson of Fred Hutchinson owns a restaurant in Delray. I walked down Atlantic until I got to the public library. I got a call today from Jorge. He works at a hotel in South Beach Miami. They are offering me a free nights stay. I got an email from Debbie Chavez at a Bellingham radio station. I might be doing an interview over the phone at 4:30 Pacific Time. I walked down to J and Js after the library...and I had an emotional experience. I met Fred Hutchinson’s grandson, John. John never got to meet his grandfather. I met him and his wife Tina. John and I took some pictures. He was great. He owns a nice seafood raw bar and grill in the quaint downtown of Delray which little shops lining Atlantic Avenue. John was a real nice guy.

When we took a picture, Tina got a couple tears. I got emotional. I found out that this walk is proving powerful. As far as how it can touch lives. I got a call at J and Js for me. A man named Rick from Ft. Lauderdale who works in Delray Beach saw my article in the Herald today. He went online and read my journal. He saw that I was heading to J and J's and called. He came over. He also brought a donation from a Carol. While I was there, I met Tracy Kerns who donated a hundred dollars for cancer research. John left to get his daughter and spend some time with here. Tina and John have a young daughter. It was special meeting John. I felt a connection and it was a special day in the trip. I called a man named Keith. He lives in Delray and he emailed through my website saying I could stay over at his place. He said okay. After I left J and J's I walked back to Federal Highway which is US 1. Then I headed south. As I was walking down the road a car stop. The young guy, Blaine Mays, and he asked about my sign. Blaine and I have both lost mothers. His was a year and a half ago and I felt his pain. His mother was 51. He started a foundation in her memory, and he has a fundraising walk for her coming up. I'm not sure of the details of his walk. He donated 25 dollars. He had a blonde friend Alexia. They were nice. It was nice meeting them. They left and I kept walking. Soon I took a west on Linton. I walked a ways and in started raining. I slid into a Wendy's. I paused my walk here for the day. Keith came and picked me up. Keith, a Chicago transplant, had me toss my pack in the back his black SUV. We

drove down to Albertson and got some pork for dinner. He invited some friends over for dinner. Keith has a white poodle named Teddy who runs the show at the house. Teddy had to sniff my face to accept me into the house. He's a good dog. Bob Harris, a local cop, showed up with his little daughter. His daughter was grabbing lizards. Later Monica, an attractive mother of three, showed up. That completed the crowd for dinner. At 7:30 I had a live interview with a Bellingham radio station. It was KGMI and the host was Debbie Chavez. It went well. I was in Keith's kitchen chatting on speaker phone. They heard it all. Once Keith shouted something out not knowing it was live. He mentioned something about the humidity. The interview went well. A Seattle station wants to do a live interview in the morning. Later we chatted. Bob and his daughter were the first to leave. Monica stayed around and chatted. Irv, Brooklyn transplant with gray hair, came over. We chatted about the walk. Keith is thinking that there needs to be a big party in Key West and that more needs to be done in the donation department. He had some ideas. I'm using Keith's computer, which he isn't used to sharing, to update my site. Tomorrow Keith will drop me back off at the Wendy's and I'll trek on. Thanks to Keith and Teddy for letting me stay.

DAY 412--OCT. 17, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5 or 6 FROM: Delray Beach, FL (Wendy's Restaurant) TO: Boca Raton, FL (Quality Inn) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 8,900

Well today I was trying to make it to Broward County. The Miami Herald article said I would, but...well...you know. I decided to stay in Boca Raton. I got a late start this morning. I spent the morning with Keith and Teddy. Keith and Teddy have slipped into the directorship of PR for the walk. Teddy was a little upset because I sat in his seat when Keith went to return me to Wendy's. We stopped by an outdoor store, Peter Glenn Ski and Sports. Keith was trying to work their headquarters to make a donation. We did get a free pair of socks. That was nice of them. I walked down Federal Highway (US 1) to Boca. Patsy Smith whom I stayed with several days delivered 500 business cards. That was when I was stopped in Boca at Neighborhood Sports Grill, they gave me lunch, and I met a Shawn and Jim. While I was there, I did a live radio interview with the mountain radio station in Seattle, WA. Later in the day I had a phone interview with Carol Smith of the Seattle P.I. The attention toward the walk the last couple of weeks has increased vastly. I was tired this morning. I got up. Keith and I chatted. Terry, the white little poodle, who seemed to forget who I was hooted and hollered. Keith has a thousand ideas on things to help fundraising. Keith scrambled some eggs with cheese. After breakfast we went to the Post Office. I sent a money order up to the Hutch for 460 dollars. I mailed video tapes and news articles to my dad.

Then we went by Peter Glen's Ski and Sports and got a free pair of socks. Then dropped me back off at Wendy's. We said our goodbyes. Teddy poked his head out of the window. I could tell he was a little sad. Then I walked off. I walked down Linton and got on Federal. Federal Highway isn't all that scenic, but there are more services. I called the Boca Raton News, but it was too short of notice. I stopped by a more upscale sports grill, Neighborhood Sports Grill. I had some chicken for lunch. People were pretty friendly. They had flat screen TV's all over the place. One in the bathroom so one doesn't miss the game when they are washing their hands. I got a call from Jodi Brothers from 103.7 The Mountain out of Seattle, WA. It was a good interview. Patsy dropped off the business cards off. 500 of them. Now I'm lugging a box of 500 business cards around. They have more information, which is good. Then I left. I wanted to get to Broward County since I told the Herald I would, but I got caught up in Boca Raton. I stopped at Kinkos to check my email. Nearby were a couple hotels. The next one would be in Deerfield Beach on the beach. I figured I'd find one nearby, so I did. I checked into the Quality Inn. The rates weren't bad. I needed a night of alone time. Today was a short day but I had a phone interview with a Seattle Radio station and a phone interview with a Seattle newspaper.

DAY 413--OCT. 18, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5 FROM: Boca Raton, FL (Quality Inn)

TO: Deerfield Beach, FL (Flanagan’s Restaurant) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 8,900

Well today I'm going to walk US 1 down to Palmetto and then I'll cut over to A1A and I'll fall that into Deerfield Beach and beyond. A couple TV stations might want to meet up. I'm at Kinkos updating my site. Today wasn't that long of a day as far as walking miles, but I met a few people. I had a free breakfast, lunch and dinner. I had wings twice. I raised nearly 400 dollars for cancer research. I stayed with my 102nd household. It was a good day. I walked back onto A1A and met a man in Deerfield Beach that saw me on the news and asked if I wanted to crash at his place. He was John, late 30's, who is a contractor from Michigan that moved down a couple years. After I left Kinkos this morning I walked a ways and a man named Steven driving a red SUV, pulled over. He took me to Flakowitz Bagel Inn. He had been trying to find me on the road. He bought my breakfast. He donated 200 dollars as well. An older couple donated a 100 dollars as they left and another lady ten dollars. Another couple from Vancouver, BC had an apartment in Bellingham, WA. They bought my lunch. I had a nice time chatting with Steve. Then I walked up, and I was at Mizner Park. Keith and Teddy showed up for lunch. Teddy wasn't hungry and he hung out in the car. Boca Raton has a lot of wealth. Some of the shops in the Park have AC blowing with their front doors opening. Only in Boca would they cool the outside. Keith and I went to Starbucks and then over to Max's Grill. One lady donated ten dollars and two waiters, Joe and Matt, donated 20 dollars each. After that I went to the Boca Raton post office. I sent a money order up for 370 dollars to the Hutch. Some of the people in there took my cards.

Then I walked to Palmetto. Before I crossed over three guys. Gary, James, and Dee stopped me. Gary had one arm. He had a battle with cancer. They wanted to get my autograph. I signed them. Then I walked over the bridge toward A1A. I went to check out the beach and it was nice. Today was pretty humid and warm. The beautiful breeze helped out. Gary, James, and Dee stopped with a Polaroid Camera to take some pictures. Then a little further on the bike path and I was in Deerfield Beach and Broward County. I went to Flanagan’s. Instantly John from Michigan noticed me from the news. People were great. I asked about a place to stay. John said I could stay at his place. That meant that I paused my walk at Flanagan’s. He'll drop me back off in the morning. We went back to his place. John is surprised that I'm alive and that I haven't been arrested. He things I'm crazy. A good crazy though. We went swimming the pool. He lives in an apartment that his friend from Michigan owns. He does contract work.

DAY 414--OCT. 19, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10 FROM: Deerfield Beach, FL (Flanagan’s Restaurant) TO: Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL (Aruba’s Restaurant) $ to FHCRC: TOTAL: 9,100

Today I woke up. I went with John to Home Depot. He suggested I have a

counter on my sack for how many miles I've walk up to date. Then he dropped me off back at Flanagan’s in Deerfield. I walked over to the Howard Johnson hotel and asked if I could use a computer. The person working the front desk was friends with Gary, James, and Dee and he saw the picture of me. They let me use the computer. I'm updating yesterday and checking a couple of emails. Then I'm on the road. After updating my website at the Howard Johnson, I had a pretty good day. It was nice walking down A1A. I walked through Pompano and then into Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. I raised 60 dollars for cancer research. I had several people notice me from the TV box. I walked by houses and by an area where there were some big boats on the river side of the road. My blue rain poncho made several appearances. When the humidity kicks up it gets really warm with the poncho. There were just a couple of ing showers. Nothing to blog home about. Rick a man that I met in Delray Beach and who lives in Ft. Lauderdale took me in for the night. That's house 103 on the trip. Some of the building right when I got to Pompano were kind of run down then there are a bunch of tallish condos. I had lunch in Pompano at Surf City Subs. Adam who worked there donated 20 dollars. A bunch of construction workers, Marshall and Brad, noticed me. They are nice guys. In Lauderdale-by-the-sea where I stopped there were a lot of people from the Boston area down for the New England-Miami game this weekend. I met some cool guys from New England area. Rick who works in Delray Beach picked me up at Aruba's in Lauderdale on his way home. I get dropped off there to resume walking tomorrow. Rick drives a green little sports car. He used to teach and now does landscape architect. He is married to Angie who teaches art at Barry University in Miami. We had a pasta dinner. I slept in a room that had a computer in it. It seems like I have some many people to get a hold of right now and the

backpack doesn't make the best office. I'm losing or misplacing numbers left and right. I've been chatting with two TV stations down here. I've finally walked near their station. Some have been running some of the West Palm coverage to let people know I'd be trekking through. Someone from channel 7 was going to come out, but a car drove into a house. I called Arlene from NBC 6. They were short staffed, and I'll try back tomorrow.

DAY 415--OCT. 20, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5 or 6 FROM: Lauderdale-by-the-sea, FL (Aruba's Restaurant TO: Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Beach Plaza Motel) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 9,300

Today was a short walking day. It was a good day. Steven from Boca Raton brought his kids down to meet me. I covered a little bit of ground. I met some more guys from New England. I had Channel 7 from Miami come out and interview me. I checked into a cheap hotel right across from the Ocean. It was another good day in the books. Rick and Angie took me out to breakfast today. We went to a local diner. We saw me on Channel 7. They replayed a West Palm newsclip. After breakfast Rick drove me back in his sports car that isn't green, but rather blueish gray. He dropped me back off at Aruba's Restaurant. From there I walked back to A1A and I headed south. I walked the sidewalk down. Once in Lauderdale there was an area where a lot of people were jogging and walking. One guy on a bike noticed me from the news. He donated ten dollars. Two ladies, Janice and Nancy, were gearing up for a breast cancer walk in Arizona donated 20 dollars. A few people recognized me.

One stretch along A1A on the non-beach side wasn't developed. The lady that gave the land so that A1A said that people can't build there. There are a lot of Condos. On the north side there were some smaller hotels. Once on the beach in Lauderdale there is a nice path with tons of people jogging and walking. Then on the ocean side is the beach. It's real nice. Much public beach with nothing on it. All the hotels and condos are across the street. There is park that has a tunnel from the Beach to the park on the other side of A1A. I went there. Then when I came back to the beach Steven of Boca Raton and his family came out. His wife, daughter, and son. The daughter made me a sign and brought a friend. They took me to lunch. They all had questions. That area had a street with shops and restaurants. After that I walked a little further on the beach. Chanel 7 called. They would meet up soon. I was tired. I stayed up late last night adding pictures to my website. I stopped at the On the Deck Grill. I met more guys from Boston area. I figured I'd get a hotel today, but with all the of the Patriot fans in town. Channel 7 came out. There were prospects of rain and it was a short interview. I didn't feel like walking. The On the Deck had a hotel attached. It was booked. I went next door to the Beach Plaza Motel. They had a spot, and it wasn't that bad of a price. I got a room. John was one of the guys from Boston. He is an assistant principal. He was a nice guy. The Boston guys left to go watch the Boston game somewhere. One of the Boston guys was dared to jump in the water as it rained. Today was a good little interesting day.

DAY 416--OCT. 21, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15 FROM: Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Beach Plaza Motel) TO: Golden Beach, FL (John Lasry's house) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 9,500

Today I woke up not knowing where I'd end up. I walked along the boardwalk and man dressed in black who was roller blading stopped. His name was Paul. We chatted about the walk. I kept walking then Bob Becker showed up. Paul called Bob. Bob is thin man who does long 100-mile runs. In the Keys and Morocco. Bob walked with me and then took me to breakfast. He called his coworker Richard Lasry about a place to stay south. Richard said I could stay at the guest house at his father's house. I had a place to shoot for...so I walked a good walk. I walked by the Lauderdale Airport and then cut back to the beach. Had a nice walk on the boardwalk in Hollywood. Then through Hallandale and then I was out of Broward County. John Lasry and his wife have a nice place on the ocean in Golden Beach. The family took me to dinner in Aventura and channel 6 came over and met me there. Today was a good day. The Lasry are from but have lived all over. They are into the Martial Arts. Today I tried to talk myself into not walking. I finally drug myself out of bad. It was after 9 when I started. I was back on the Ft. Lauderdale beach. It was beautiful out. Beautiful women jogging. That is when I met Paul. That was toward the end of the beach front path area. He was roller blading and had two poles. He would have given them to me. He gave me 40 dollars for expenses on the trip. He mentioned a friend who ran 100-mile runs. I kept walking. There is the port and A1A has to get diverted to US 1. When I was crossing a bridge over the intercoastal Bob Becker showed up. A man in his late 40's or early 50's. He walked with me as we got to US 1, he wanted to buy breakfast. We went over to a Denny's. He called his friend Richard Lasry about a

place to stay south. After breakfast I walked down US 1. The sidewalk ran out. The traffic picked up as I walked past the airport. Then in Dania Beach I cut over to the beach again. Before I knew it, I was in Hollywood. They have an awesome board walk. A man named Ruben wanted to grab a picture with me. He saw me in the Herald. He asked two pretty girls and they thought we wanted to take their picture. I was walking. A lady from New York caught up with me and made a donation. I heard other people notice me. There were bars, restaurants, ice cream places along the boardwalk. Then in Hallandale there were big resorts and condos. A brief showered forced me to take my rain poncho out. It was horrible. The poncho smells like wet dog. I got that thing off as soon as I could. Before I knew it, I crossed into Miami Dade County and Golden Beach. I called Richard Lasry. He's French-American in his mid to late 30's. He is an interesting guy. He had me meet at his father's house. There is no shoulder or sidewalk in Golden Beach. I walked up the white house. Richard showed up. He showed me where I would be staying. The guest houses. Upstairs they have were they train for martial arts. We went in his father's house. It's a nice two-story house with some marble type floor. We sat next to the pool chatting as we looked at the Atlantic. His grandmother lives there. She only speaks French. I met his father and mother later. I showered up. There is a pillar covered area between the main house and guest house. Richard and his friend Tito and I went out to eat. Tito is from Peru. Richard's parents came later. We ate at a Cuban Restaurant in Aventura.

Aventura is known for its huge Mall. Richard has two young kids. His wife Jennifer is pregnant and is due at any moment. She's nice. Richard had a friend Paul and his wife come. They donated 50 dollars. While we were eating Channel 6 came out. They interviewed me and Richard. Then we went home after dinner. We sat in the courtyard talking for a while. It was a good day and night. Thank you to the Lasry for being the 104th house that I stayed at.

DAY 417--OCT. 22, 2007 MILES WALKED: 13 FROM: Golden Beach, FL (John Lasry's house) TO: Miami Beach, FL (The Setai Hotel) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 9,500

The Setai is going to let tonight. I thank Jorge and everyone there. Check out their site. CLICK HERE Here is a recent article in the Seattle P.I. CLICK HERE Today I woke up and I left the guest house in Golden Beach. I walked through Sunny Isles, Bal Harbor, and Surfside, and now I'm in Miami Beach. I've stopped at an internet cafe because the wait was too long at the library. I've walk by low key residential to tall condos. In Sunny Isle they had a bunch of construction going on. In Surfside there was a few condos and A1A is divided. The Spanish influence has become more pronounced since I left Fort Lauderdale yesterday. Today I'm shooting for South Beach. I've heard it is crazy and

interesting down there. The Setai is going to let me stay there for free. A couple different stretches there was a nice park to walk through. After I left the internet cafe, I kept walking down Collins (A1A) I walked the 4.5 miles down to the Setai. Along I ed condos and some shops. Mostly condos. I ran out of water. Me and my sweatshirt drenched reached the Setai. Jorge met me in the lobby. He gave me a tour. The place is fantastic. Asian vibe. Nice peaceful courtyard. Three pools that are heated to three different temps. Beach access. A restaurant. And the room. It has a shower with rain drop waterspout. A lay down bathtub. There is a nice cushion bench all around the bed. It's probably the nicest room I've ever stayed in in my life up to date. Thank you, Jorge and everyone at The Setai.

DAY 418--OCT. 23, 2007 MILES WALKED: 5 FROM: Miami Beach, FL (The Setai) TO: Downtown Miami, Fl (848 Brickell Rd (US 1) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 9,700

LAST NIGHT I had my first professional massage. I ate frog legs and roasted quail for the first time. I walked around South Beach at night for the first time. The area I went, Lincoln Street, was rather quiet. First night I stayed in a hotel this luxurious. First time I met Todd who worked the bar at the hotel. He's a cool guy. His father

ed from aids and he donated 20 dollars. I had a nice night in an awesome room. On to today I met Jorge about 9 a.m. He set up for press to interview me at the hotel. We sat down and had breakfast. Then a man from CBS channel 4 showed up. The camera man was a real nice guy. He is going to bring his wife to this place for their anniversary. Jorge set up for several other TV stations to interview me. Then I take off. I have no idea where I'm going to stay. After I left the Setai Only the CBS channel showed up. After a lunch of a giant burger, I left the Setai. It was an awesome stay. Thank you to Jorge, the GM, and all the staff. I walked down A1A. There are a lot of Cafes. There are a lot of Spanish speaking people from all different countries. People from Europe as well. Then I went over a causeway. The bridge had walking areas. The middle of the causeway had a nice walking area. I got a late start. I left the hotel around 1 p.m. It's difficult starting in the middle of the day. Walking the causeway in the middle I had to walk on the shoulder type area. It had decent sized. There was a steady flow of traffic. I had nice views of downtown Miami and turning around gave me shots of South Beach. Once in Downtown Miami it was only office buildings and a couple hotels. I called Charlie. He lives in the Miami area. He offered to let me stay at his house. He's 60 and retired. He owned his own computer business. His wife Cathy is teaching her last year as an art teacher at an elementary. After that they are moving to Sanford, FL. Charlie found out about me by reading the Sanford Herald. Charlie and Kathy are going to retire there.

They emailed me when I was in West Palm and said I could stay down here. Charlie picked me up in his white Ford 350 truck. It was at 848 Brickell Rd. (US 1). Tomorrow he'll drop me off or I'll take the metro rail back to the exact location. That's standard operating procedure for this walk. If I get in a car then I have to pick up at the exact spot where I left off. I went back to Charlies’ house. I had pizza for dinner. Charlie and Kathy are travelers. They have a camper and have camped all over North America. Last summer they went to China. Their computer is down. I'm over at the friends across the street using their computer to type about what happened. People warned me about downtown Miami at night. I can see why. Only office buildings. Not many coffee shops or restaurants. Polar opposite to south beach. Today was a short walking day. I managed to get over the bridge and part way through downtown. Tomorrow when I resume from downtown, I should manage to make it to Cutler Ridge or so.

DAY 419--OCT. 24, 2007 MILES WALKED: 9 or 10 FROM: Downtown Miami, FL (848 Brickell Ave.) TO: South Miami, FL (McDonalds across from South Miami Hospital) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,013 www.FHCRC.org

BACK TO DOWNTOWN

I didn't want to get up today, but I did. After breakfast Charlie got his internet back up. I checked my email. Then Charlie and I drove in his white Ford 350 back to downtown. He dropped me off near where he picked me up. I walked the couple hundreds back to the spot at 848 Brickell Ave. Then I was back on the road. I spotted some more restaurants in the south part of downtown. Near St. Jude church a pretty Latin girl came running over. She said she had no money, but she wanted to thank me for what I'm doing. Life under the Metrorail Once I got past the tall buildings of downtown I went right and walked under the Metrorail. There is a nice bike path underneath the rail. Trains zoom by overhead. I spotted a homeless person moving around. The rail runs right next to US 1. I had a man named Bill Morgan stop to talk. He worked for the Metrorail. He did most of the talk. He was a short man wearing a bright orange vest with gray stubble on his face. He talked about drugs trafficking, danger of living in California, and the new high rises coming into the area. The path es by a lot of businesses and some residents. I have to cross a lot of streets and there is a lot of traffic. I walked one of the entrances to the University of Miami campus. I didn't see much of the college. People noticing me I was walking and a lady in a white SUV stopped. Her name was Denise. She wore a green security shirt. She noticed me from The Miami Herald. She reached into her bra and pulled a wad of cash. She donated 10 dollars. I was walking over a little bridge when she noticed me. The bike path turned into a sidewalk over the bridge.

Another lady saw me when I was walking on US 1. I went to US 1 to get some lunch at a Denny's. Sonia Gilman was in a gray SUV with her husband Jim. She offered to let me stay at her house. They donated a couple dollars. She said that she sent in a donation into the Hutch in the memory of my mother. I kept walking and I saw Digital Copy and Signs. I figured I'd be able to get online and check my email and update what happened. I figured I'd write down the people I've met some people. The guys at the print shop asked if I was Matt Gregory. They said yes. I asked if they saw in the Miami Herald and they said they saw it on CNN. Scott noticed me from the Miami Herald. He was inspired. He called his dad. The Shopping Spree Scott and All-American Basketball Academy and Athletics Academy bought me my 9th pair of shoes. He bought me a under armor shirt, head band, and some water. Scott dropped me back off at the Print Shop. He is from New York and he teaches basketball. To see Scott's website, follow the link. CLICK HERE After I left the print and copy shop I kept on walking on US 1and stumbled by Foxy's Lounge. One of the oldest lounges in Miami. Maybe the second oldest. The place was real dark. I met two guys. Kip and Hurricane Bob. They were cool guys. The waitresses there were beautiful. I kept walking to a McDonalds across from the South Miami Hospital. Sonia whom I met earlier was on her way. I was going to go to dinner with Jim, Sonia, and their friend Virginia. We went to a Cuban restaurant. It was good. Now I'm at their house updating the

rest of what happened today. DONATIONS I got word from the Hutchinson that donations have reached $ 10,013. All right...we cracked the 10,000 mark.

DAY 420--OCT. 20, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10 FROM: South Miami, FL (McDonalds across from South Miami Hospital) TO: Perrine, FL (Applebee’s next to Southland Mall) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,013

Well today I walked from the McDonalds in South Miami to the Applebee’s in Perrine. I know I ed through Pinecrest and maybe some other area. It wasn't that scenic. Along a busy six lane road, but I had a sidewalk and busy intersections. I had a bunch of people stop to talk to me. I raised over a hundred dollars for cancer research. I three free meals; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was overcast so the temp was nice. IT was about 75-80 and the humidity wasn't that bad. Sonia picked me up to stay at Jim and her's house for one more night. This morning Jim returned me to the McDonalds. He bought me breakfast. Then I was back on the road. I met a guy right off the bat. He was walking along. He stopped his cell call, and we had a brief chat. Then I kept walking. A little further down the road a guy at a gas station noticed me from the news. I kept walking. A lady named Christine pulled off into a parking lot in Pinecrest. She made a donation then got back into her SUV. I kept walking along the busy

road. Down the road I had two guys come out me from different directions. Paul from the south and Richard from the north. They both pulled over to make quick donations. The next person I bumped into was landscaper Jim. He honked. Then he pulled off the road. He was a nice guy. He made a donation. I saw his truck. His had leaves piled up in the back. Then not even much further down the road I had two landscapers pull over. They were Rick and Jeff. Jeff use to live in Eastern Oregon. They have JW Landscaping, Inc. While they talked to me two other ladies showed up. Sakamoto and Denise. Those two ladies weren't together. They would be the last people that stopped me. I went to McDonalds in Perrine for lunch. I figured cheap protein was needed. The manager gave me the meal for free. Heather was the manager. She also donated 30 dollars. Then I walked a little further and I crossed underneath the Florida turnpike. There was a big mall not much further. I knew that Sonia and Jim were going to let me stay. I knew I'd make Florida City tomorrow. I haven't seen a movie in a long time, so I went and saw a matinee. I saw Heartbreak Kid. It was kind of funny. Nothing to write home about. After the flick I walked across the parking lot to an Applebee’s. The managers were great. They gave me the meal for free. That was really nice of them. A couple of Perrine, Jose and Elizabeth donated 20 dollars. Some guy in Applebee’s wanted my autograph. I made it out to old school.

DAY 421--OCT. 26, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0

FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,013

JIM's online webstore. He's going to donate 50 percent of anything that he makes till the end of the year to the Hutchinson Center. Below is a link if you want to check it out. CLICK HERE Well, I decided to take today off. I've had a 11 days in a row. I'm going to add some pictures to my site. I added some more picture. There are now over 1,200 pictures. Today it ran most of the day. Kiro 710 did an interview with me today at 8:50 p.m. my time. Jim and Sonia listened in the other room online as I did the interview. There were a few seconds of delay. When I was off the phone I walked in the room and I heard myself. Kind of weird. Jim and Sonia have been great. Their 23-year-old son Jonathan lives at home. He graduated from FIU. He was hanging out with his cousin. We had pizza for dinner.

DAY 422--OCT. 27, 2007 MILES WALKED: 12 FROM: Perrine, FL (Applebee’s next to Southland Mall)

TO: Florida City, FL (Kings Inn) $ to FHCRC TOTAL:10,013

I walked from Perrine to Florida City. The next step is the Keys after Florida City. I had a repo man, Dennis, stop and then later meet me further down the road for lunch. I had Shiver's BBQ give me a free lunch. Martha was great. I also walked away with a t-shirt. Then a boil I had didn't allow me any sleep. I think it's a boil. I've had about 5 or 6 since Baton Rouge. Someone saw one on my back and said it was a boil...so I guess that is what it is. I was surprised. Once I got dropped back off at Applebee’s it wasn't long, and things became more undeveloped. Undeveloped land next to the highway. More residents rather than commercial buildings. It was kind of nice to see. There were a lot of auto repair places and more industrial type things. Dennis the Repo Man As I was walking along US 1 a black tow truck pulled off. Inside was Dennis, late 30's, and wearing a dark beard and a git-r-done ball cap. He asked if I was the man walking across America to Key West. I said I wasn't. After a brief chat he drove off. The Repo Man reappears I was walking down the road and the black tow truck was back. Dennis was video camera-ing me out the window of his truck. He asked if he could buy me lunch. He drove off and I kept walking. A short distance later I was at Shiver's BBQ. He filmed me coming up. Before we went inside a man named Dave donated 20 dollars. We went inside. The owner survived cancer. Her name was Martha Curtis, and she was 62. She gave us our meals and me a t-shirt. I had a hot dog, beans, and rice with some fried corn. It was great. Dennis had to leave for work. Dennis had lived down here since 1972. His dad was in the Air Force.

Back on the road I must have had 6 more miles I walked. A ways down the road and a red corvette was pulled over. It had Tim and Dawn Kressly. They made a donation to help the trip. I had other folks stop. They were Isis and Jaime. They made a donation. I think they just saw the sign. Homestead and Florida City Homestead has a racetrack down here. They have NASCAR races down here. They have a fighter jet when you come into town. Then before I knew it, I was in Florida City. I got a room at the Kings Inn. Barry the Boil Thanks to Barry I didn't get any sleep. I couldn't get comfortable.

DAY 423--OCT. 28, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,013

www.FHCRC.org 1010 10010 101000 001 01001010 1010010 010010 1001 0101100 10101 01010 1011110 010 01010 01010. 10101 01010 1010 101 0011110! 101001 10 1000 000101010010101010100000 00101 01010 1010 1001 01010 101 01010 010001

01 010 10 0 101 01 0101 010 1010101. In case you can't translate binary code here you go. Well, I didn't get any sleep because of what I believe to a be a boil. I wasn't up for walking to Key Largo from here. I took the day off. I stayed at the King Inn another night. Didn't do a whole bunch today. Hung out at the room and then ate food. Not real exciting.

424--OCT. 29, 2007 MILES WALKED: 1 FROM: Florida City, Fl (Kings Inn) TO: Florida City, FL (Comfort Inn) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,213

I got more sleep last night but not as much as I needed. Another thing is that I'm trying to time it, so I hit Key West on Nov. 8th. I figured I'd find another place to stay...a little further down the road. Also, I needed to find the internet. I walked a mile underneath where the Florida turnpike begins. I saw the Comfort Inn. I checked into room 208. I had to walk a couple miles north to Homestead to find the bookstore that rents out a computer. The boil seems to be getting better. I'll take off tomorrow for the Keys. I have a heathy day of walking once I leave Florida City until I hit the Keys. DONATIONS I got word from the Hutchinson Center that donations have climbed to $ 10,213.

DAY 425--OCT. 30, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TOTAL:10,213

I took today off. I'm timing it out for a Nov. 8th finish at Key West. The Noel storm was around Cuba. In the morning when I was getting ready to head out there was showers rolling through town. I hung out in Florida City. It wasn't a very exciting day. Another night at the Comfort Inn.

DAY 426--OCT. 31, 2007 MILES WALKED: 0 FROM: n/a TO: n/a $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,213

I took yet another day off in Florida City. Several reasons have led to my extended stay. First was the boil. Another reasons is the timing. I'm going to finish on the 8th of November. There is a gap between Florida City and Key Largo. It was also raining this morning and I didn't want to get wet all day. I made my mind up that I'd take off tomorrow.

DAY 427--Nov. 1, 2007 MILES WALKED: 25 or 26 FROM: Florida City, FL (Comfort Inn) TO: Key Largo, FL (Dagny Johnson Botanical Park or Garden) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,213

I had a long day. Maybe my biggest day in Florida. People that have caught my b the South haven't read earlier the trip when most of my days were 20+. In Florida due to the heat and humidity my mentality changed. I'll finish with a good week of walking. The only thing, business wise that I really saw today was Alabama Jacks in Downtown Card sound. Someone bought my lunch. I met a couple getting married. Bobby and Patsy Carlson, Michelle McAfee, and Bob Creeden. I walked through swamp type areas. I crossed a big bridge into the Keys. I ended up camping in an arch entrance to a botanical area. I walked about in the dark. I slept in my tent, but with no sleeping pad now. I sent it back due to the fact that I've hardly camped in Florida. Much of the walking surface was rock and sloped. My ankles felt like I was going through my second pregnancy. Leaving Florida City and Card Sound Rd. I left the hotel and headed out of town. It looked like a nice day. Mostly blue skies with a few clouds. A little way down the road I left US 1 and took Card Sound Rd. The area US 1 that I didn't walk is called 'The Stretch.' I however walked Card Sound Rd. It had a little bit of traffic. The walking was kind of tough. Rocky and somewhat sloped. It was a pretty walked. It went past swamp areas and other times trees line the road. I saw two big snakes. They slithered off. I heard something jump into the water. It might have been a gator or something. Every now and then a road would jet off the road.

I did a cement business along the way. There were some guys doing some weed eating. Sometimes the water wasn't that far from the road. There were a lot of areas where the trees were in the water. As I go a mile or some from the Card Sound Bridge, I saw a couple house boats and a few more boats. Some of them didn't seem to be in that good of shape. Then I came to Alabama Jacks. Alabama Jack's After about 12 miles of walking, I stumbled into Alabama Jacks. It sets on the water. It had a covered dining area looking out to the water canals and group of bushy trees out there. There was a stage for a band. It's a restaurant/bar on the water. Many people have told me about this place. I was hungry and needed some lunch. I went in. A lady paid for my meal and left. I didn't get a chance to meet her. Mike worked there. It's a family business. We chatted. Then about when I was going to leave Bobby Carlson came up to me. They invited me to set down with them. I did. Bobby was with his wife to be, Patsy They are getting married this Saturday. Patsy's daughter, Michelle, who is down from Ohio were there. Also, Bob from New Jersey. He's Bobby's fishing buddy. They said they would find me a place to stay while I'm in Marathon. I sat and chatted. They were all real nice and had a good sense of humor. Life after Lunch I left. I crossed into Monroe county and then I crossed over the Card Sound Bridge. It was beautiful. The wind was gusting. I had a panoramic view of the mainland and the Florida Keys. I then crossed onto the Key. The road was like a causeway. I was near Crocodile Lake. At time this road had water come up to the road. Then after 5 miles of walking I was on solid ground. I took a right. I kept walking. My feet started to hurt after a while. I was shooting for a campground in Key Largo. I wouldn't make it.

I started feeling sick. I kept walking on the two-lane road. I ed a couple houses. I put my headlamp on once darkness came on. I kept walking. I kept pushing myself to walk further and further. I got less a mile from US 1 and I found a decent little spot. It was Dagny Johnson Botanical Garden. People could only hike in. There was a parking lot. The entrance arch had a locked room on the bottom left side. The bottom right side had an open type of room. Enough room to pitch my tent. I did. It was blocked from the road lights mostly. I set up my tent. It was a sleeping pad less night in Key Largo. I slept in my tent on the concrete. I used a towel for a pad.

DAY 428--Nov. 2, 2007 MILES WALKED: 6 FROM: Key Largo, FL (Dangy Johnson Botanical Garden) TO: Key Largo, Fl (Largo Lodge) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,213

Today I packed up my tent. I didn't get much sleep last night. I was on the road a little after 7 a.m. I walked along. Once on US 1 there was a nice bike path. I started ing a lot of dive shops. Where I stayed last night was considered Key Largo but had not many houses or stores. I stopped at the Marlin Restaurant for breakfast. A man bought my breakfast. I didn't catch his name. I was walking along. I wasn't feeling so hot. I ed some hotels and some other businesses. There is a nice amount of trees off the road. I saw the Largo Lodge. I went down. That is when I met Neil Boyce and Harriet Stokes. They give me a great rate on the room. I had to walk down the road. They have some nice paths and lots of plants. The squirrels walk nearly all the way up to you looking for food. They

are on the water, the bay side. There are white birds walking around. I have the hotel style room attached to the main building. It's a relaxing place and has a tropical peaceful feel. Here is the website for the Largo Lodge.

DAY 429--NOV. 3, 2007 MILES WALKED: 18.5 FROM: Key Largo, FL (Largo Lodge) TO: Islamorada, Fl (before MM 83 at Hank and Peggy's gate) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,413

It was a solid walk today. I had a nice bike path for most all of the day. A section before Tavernier was torn apart because of road construction. I went over several bridges that awesome views of the sun glistening off the water. It was nice and sunny today. I had someone to stay with in Islamorada, Travis. He must be late 20's. He is from West Virginia. His college roommate, Joey, who is a banker is in town for a couple days. I had several people recognize me from the news. I met Travis about a mile away from his house at his bosses, Hank and Peggy, where they were watching football. I stopped walking at the gate to Hank and Peggy's house. Travis will return me there in the morning. Later we went to dinner at a new restaurant. Travis' aunt Carol had a birthday dinner. Travis' friend Ozzy Osbourne showed up. No... not the bat eating drugged Musician. Ozzy programs machines that build cars. After dinner I was wiped out. Hank cut a check for the Hutch for 200 dollars. He also gave me 50 dollars for some lunch money. He also is going down to Key West on Tuesday. I'll probably see him down there. Everyone I met in Islamorada was really nice and friendly. I felt more like local rather than a tourist.

I left the Largo Lodge this morning crossed the highway, and I was on the bike path. It was nice walking. It was 75-80 degrees. I knew where I was going to stay. I walked. I walked through Key Largo. Key Largo stretches a long ways. There is a lot of Mangroves along the road. Every now and then I could look down a road and see the water, but it wasn't until the bridges until l got a good view. I walked hard until I got to Tavernier. Before I got there the bike path was in pretty bad shape, but I just walked on the dirt or rocks. It wasn't that bad. There was a good amount of shade along the bike path. At time the highway is divided. I stopped by the newspaper in Tavernier, but it was closed. That is when I met Connie Kaicher. She owned City Hall Cafe in Islamorada. She was a blonde lady in a jeep. She was nice. We chatted. No one was at the paper, so I left one of my cards. I kept walking. I stopped at McDonalds for a cheap lunch. That was a mistake. A little further down the road, a port-o-poty saved me. Sometimes a guy has to go, and new construction helps out sometimes. Connie pulled over and said she would buy me lunch. I walked up to the nice little Cafe. A couple from Fort Lauderdale stopped. They saw me on the news last week. They were Doug and Kim. I kept walking. Islamadora has Plantation Key and Windley Key as part of them. Leaving Windley Key I went over a bridge. I could see boats in the water. There was also the Tavernier bridge that was really nice. It gives an awesome panoramic view. Blue and turquoise water. DONE WALKING FOR THE DAY I got to where Hank and Peggy lived about 4:30 p.m. Hank and Peggy have lived in the Keys for a while. Hank is an honorary Conch. Hank and Peggy have a business that lays out and delivers real estate magazines. Travis works for Hank. Joey is down visiting. We hung out at Hanks for a bit and then we went to Travis' house. Travis' house also has the office in it. I got a much-needed shower. We showered up and Ozzy Osbourne showed up. Ozzy must be in his late 30's early 40's. He is

just visiting. He used to live down here. He does most of his work in Michigan. A GREAT DINNER Ozzy, Travis, Joey, and I piled into Travis' car and went to meet Carol and Terry. Carol put the dinner together. The restaurant was Spanish Gardens, and the dish was pimeuh. It has rice, shrimp, and some shellfish. It came in one big dish. It was great. Everyone was real nice. Hank and Peggy showed up. Terry went around and ed some of my cards out. One man was fighting a brain cancer. Hank pulled out a check and asked who to make it out to. I told him the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Later after dinner he gave me 50 dollars to help me along. He also is going to be down in Key West and he knows a bunch of people. We said our goodbyes and then we went back to Travis' house. I stayed up long enough to see the score of the Oregon game and went to be on a cot in one of the rooms.

DAY 430--NOV. 4, 2007 MILES WALKED: 10 FROM: Islamorada, FL (MM 83 by gate to Hank and Peggy's house) TO: Lower Matecumbe Key, FL (MM 73.5 Captain’s Table Restaurant) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,473

73.5 miles before the Ten-Toe express hits Key West Today was a decent day of walking. The weather was awesome. It's was actually

kind of cool. The scenery, well...it doesn't get much better. To top it off I met some really nice people. Travis and Joey had great timing and we ate some lunch at mile 77.5. I also had a brother/sister (Linda and Paul) from Key Largo who bought my lunch. They had a big brown dog that barked for some food. The place is right on the water. I fed tarpins right next door. I had a great fish sandwich. I stopped off past mile 74 at Captain’s Table. That is when I met Rob and Karen. They invited me to stay at their house. I did. I paused my walk at the restaurant and road back a half mile to their house in the golf cart. This section of the Keys moves very slow. It was a nice night. I had some snapper over at the friends across the way. I met Uncle Bill, and Radar. Their friend Hammer showed up for dinner. He played the guitar. He played all sorts of songs. The day started with breakfast at Travis' house. I updated my site. Then Travis and Joey dropped me back off at Hank and Peggy's driveway. I was back on the road. The sun was out, and I had a nice bike path. Travis and Joey were great. They each gave me 40 dollars for food or whatever. I was back on the road. I walked through downtown Islamorada. I walked by a hurricane monument. I walked by Travis' house. I stopped by and said hi. I had a couple Keys I walked across. It was nice walking. A lot of areas had bike paths. Once I got to the end of the Island then I went over a bridge. It was nice. Right when I got to the end of a bridge, I saw Linda and Paul standing there with the brown dog. Linda did most of the talking. She saw me on the news. She gave me 20 dollars to help me along the way. She asked if she could buy me lunch. Not far away was a restaurant right on the water. I was planning on a lunch. I was less than a mile away. She and her brother were going to meet me there. I kept walking. I walked along a key then I crossed another bridge. Not a long bridge. As I neared the end of the bridge Travis and Joey drove by in Travis' white Jeep. Perfect Timing. There I was. All four of us sat outside on the water and had lunch. Next door people are feeding Tarpins off the dock. Later I would be one of those people. It was a nice lunch and thank you to Linda. She works for Sysco. She used to live in West Palm Beach and Paul use to live in Ft. Lauderdale. After I left there, I kept on walking. I had a nice little bike path. I had a couple people me in golf carts. At time the water was just on the other side of the

road. Beautiful. I was walking along. I was going to go for Long Key State Park. I saw a restaurant. I figured that would be a good spot to take a load off. I went into Captain’s Table. The local people started talking to me. Rob sat next to me. I ate a slice of pizza. He said I could sleep in their extra bed. I wanted to go farther, but a bed is tough to turn down. That meant that my walk was paused for the time being I would pause my walk at the restaurant. I went back to Rob and Karen's house. They are in their early 40's. They have house on stilts. It was nice. I slept in the guest room. Later we went to watch some football at this place called Safari or dead animal lounge. Then we went back. Later I went across the street for dinner. There are canals going all over the place. Then I had a good night’s sleep.

DAY 431--NOV. 5, 2007 MILES WALKED: 15 FROM: Lower Matecumbe Key, FL (MM 73.5 Captain’s Table Restaurant) TO: Marathon, FL (MM 58.5 trailer next to Bobby and Patsy's house) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,463

The Ten-Toe Express rolls into Marathon. 58.5 miles left. Today was a great day. It was cool and beautiful. The channel 5 bridge I walked across was great. Several other bridges had little causeway for walking, bicycling, and fishing right next to them. The first one came at channel 2. I walked from Lower Matecumbe onto Craig Key to Long Key to Conch Key and then Long Key. At breakfast around mile 68 or so at the Little Italy restaurant a couple different people made donations. I had a nice chat on a man on a bicycle. Some of the keys were just one row of trees on each side then the bay and ocean. I had many great views. At the height of Channel 5 bridge provided an awesome

panoramic view of the Keys. Then I had a place to finish today. That was at Bobby and Patsy's house. I met them on the Card Sound Road. They told me to call them when I was in town. I'm staying in a trailer next to theirs with Bob...who is Bobby's fishing buddy and friend of 30 years. I made there about 2 p.m. Then I've just been chit chatting with Bob. He lives in New York. He is into History and filled me in on Athens, NY history. I made a call to a local newspaper...The Keynoter...and made a fool of myself. I told them that I was at mile post 88.5...when I meant to say 58.5. The Start of the day Travis drove me back down to the Captain’s Table and dropped me off. It was 7:30 a.m. and it was cool. For the first time in Florida these last couple days have been great...the coolest. I was back on the road. I walked a ways. Then I was at Channel 2. There was a causeway. I walked that. It was great. Looking back to Lower Matecumbe was awesome. The sun was out. I kept walking. Then I was on Craig Key. It was short and only the road. It was nice. The water was right there past a row of Mangroves. Then I came to the channel 5 bridge. Now that bridge got pretty high. Once I got to the top, I had great views the keys north and south. The Keys are a great spot to finish. I'm finishing in an area that is beautiful and is like paradise. After I walked the Channel 5 bridge then I was on Long Key. That is where they had the stay park. Around mile 68 I crossed the road and went to the Little Italy restaurant for breakfast. A few people made donations. After breakfast I walked the rest of Long Key. It had a nice bike path. I met a man on it. He was bicycling. I ed the State Park which I thought about camping at yesterday. It was nice. Then once I got off the Island there was a three-mile bridge or so to Conch Key. This area also had a nice causeway to walk. It was great. I snapped a lot of pictures. Once I crossed the bridge then I was on Conch Key. It was nice. I stopped at one point and sat next to the water. It was peaceful. Then I walked along the Conch Key which had no bike path. Then I had another causeway. That went to Duck

Key. Duck Key went to the south a bit. Duck Key wasn't that long. Then another causeway that followed next to the bridge that traffic drove on took me right up to Grassy Key. Then I entered Marathon City Limits. At mile 59 I had an old timer named Lou stop me. Then he went into his house and made a donation. Right before he stopped me a guy who I met in South Miami drove by. He stopped to say hi. Then I kept walking. It wasn't long until I was at Whispering Pines. Then I hear Bob call me over. I walked down. We hung out at Bobby and Patsy's house. It's kind of confusing. There is a Bob and a Bobby. Bobby and Patsy got married this last Saturday. Bob is Bobby's friend from up north. Bobby and Patsy were gone. Bob whipped up some pasta and hamburgers. It was good. We chatted about politics and then Bob gave me a history lesson on Athens, NY. Interesting stuff. Bob is 68 and retired. He spent 14 years in the military. He ran for local office. He writes for a fishing magazine up north. Bobby and Patsy showed up. They came and left several times. I'm using their computer updating my website. I called a couple of the papers in Marathon. I called the Marathon Free Press and the Keynoter. I'm at mile 58.5 and when I called the Keynoter, I told them I was at mile 88.5. I have so many numbers bouncing around my mine that now and then I mess up. Bob went with the people next door to grab some things. Now I'm just waiting for dinner. I'm going to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be a 20 miles day. Then I'll probably have a big day on Wednesday and then a decent day on Thursday and I'm done. It's exciting and weird. Today was a great day. The weather and walking were both awesome. Key West is mile 0. I have a mile by mile count down to the finish line. I met some nice folks and had a welcoming house for my 109th house I've stayed at on the trip.

DAY 432--NOV. 6, 2007

MILES WALKED: 19.5 FROM: Marathon, FL (MM 58.5 Bobby and Patsy's house) TO: Ohio Key, FL (MM 39--Sunshine Key Camping Resort) $ to FHCRC TOTAL: 10,413

Ten-Toe Express closes into 39 miles of the finish line!! Three interviews, 19+ miles, and the Seven Mile Bridge later I was camping less than 40 miles away from the finish line in Key West. Today was another beautiful day in the Florida Keys. I walked through Marathon doing interviews with the Marathon Weekly, Keynoter, and the Marathon Free Press. I stopped by city hall and met the mayor of Then I had the famous 7-mile bridge. Andy Newman who does PR for the Keys shot video and pictures. Thank you to the Sunshine Key Camping Resort for a free night of stay. I didn't sleep well. It was kind of cold and I used shirts as blankets. Bobby cooked me some breakfast morning and then I was on the road. Patsy works at City Hall. She called the papers. I stopped by at the city hall and met the mayor. Also, Jason, a tall reporter from the Marathon weekly stopped by. After that I made stops at the Marathon Free Press and the Key Noter. I had lunch at the 7-mile grill. Then I had the awesome 7-mile bridge. There is the old bridge next to it. That was in the film True Lies. The view is spectacular. At the hump of the bridge, one is 70 feet up or so. Andy Newman who does PR for the Keys was going to snap pictures and video. I had to wait before the hump. He was with a Monroe County deputy. They had to turn around and then help with a car that ran out of gas. That meant that I waited for about 15-20 minutes before the hump. I stared down at the clear water. There is a lot of traffic on the bridge. The bridge is just under 7 miles. Like 6.72 or something. Then Andy came and took the photos.

Once he was doing shooting pictures and video, I walked the rest of the bridge. Not much further past the bridge was the Sunshine Key Resort and Campground. They charge 65 dollars, but they gave me the site. That was nice of them. I set my tent up. I have no sleeping pad or bag. It got kind of cold. I didn't sleep all the well. It was a nice campground. I was excited to be under 40 miles away from the finish line.

DAY 433--NOV. 7, 2007 MILES WALKED: 22 FROM: Ohio Key, FL (MM 39 Sunshine Camping Resort) TO: Lower Sugarloaf, FL (MM 17 Sugarloaf Lodge) $ to FHCRC TOTAL:10,413

17 MILES TO GO!!! Today was a great day of walking. I walked over all sorts of keys. I walked through Big Pine and met Patrick Jackson (a.k.a. Garcia the Gray-Haired Guy) and he offered me a place to stay in Key West. I walked over several keys and many bridges. The weather was awesome. Sunny and cool. I pushed myself and I made it to mile marker 17 and the Sugarloaf Lodge. Thank you to the Goode Family. They gave me the room and dinner. The Sugarloaf Lodge is a funky hotel that is a taste of the old keys. I met some nice folks. Big Momma, Uncle John, Karen, Estella, and then Jessica. Jessica is a tall, blonde, and left-handed. We went for a midnight swim and talked late into the night. Hunter S. Thompson use to come to write here. He wrote a couple chapters about the family. Today was another good day.

I got up and was on the road by 8 a.m. It was another nice day. Today the Key West Citizen had a front-page article. I got some honks. On Big Pine Key I met some folks. Also, they have a couple miles with fences to protect the Key Deer. I crossed several keys today. ON Summerland key I ate lunch. A man named Billy gave me a hundred dollars to help the trip. A man named Patrick Jackson, a long-distance hiker, that took me in because we were kindred spirits also met me and offered me a place to stay in Key West. I kept walking. I kept walking and made it to mile post 17. The Sugarloaf Lodge. A cool old funky hotel. Half of the rooms were ruined in Hurricane Wilma. The Good family has run it for 35 years or so. I checked in and the grandpa gave me a discount. I went to the room. It was funky and hasn't been updated in a while. Colorful blankets. I went to the Tiki Bar. I then went to the lodge for food. It was Mexican night. I had some Tacos. Big Mama saw me in the paper. She came over and said I had dinner for free. I met Karen and Estella. They invited me to have a drink. I went to the bar after dinner. Meanwhile I noticed the waitress before I even checked in. She was Jesse, 22, blonde, and left-handed. She finished school at University of Colorado in Boulder. She went to boarding school in Penn. when she was 13. She lived in Greece for a couple months. She is going to Hong Kong in Jan. and then is going into the peace corp and will probably land in Africa. She nice and funny. She would stop over and chat for a bit when she had a chance. I met her Uncle John. John is 36 and is an actor in New York. Later John, Karen, Jesse, and I went into the kitchen. We climbed up through the attic to the roof. It was cool. Then Jesse and I went for a midnight swim. First in the ocean and then into the pool. The water was cool. Then we went back to the room and stayed up chatting most all of the night. My last night on the walk and I didn't get much sleep. It's always nice to meet someone new and interesting.

DAY 434--NOV. 8, 2007 MILES WALKED: 17 FROM: Lower Sugarloaf, FL (MM 17 Sugarloaf Lodge) TO: Key West, FL (Southernmost Buoy/Straits of Florida) $ to FHCRC TOTAL:10,413

434 days, 5,000 miles, 109 houses, and the walk has come to an end!!! Well today was an emotional day. The last 17 miles of the walk. I got teary eyed and let out war cries. I left Sugarloaf Lodge about 7:30 a.m. 17 miles to go. I was walking fast right off the bat. I had cars honking left and right. It was a beautiful walk. Mangroves along the road and in the bay. An old casino that was grounded by a hurricane was off in the distance four miles into my day. I had three fellas walk the last five miles with me. They were Hutch, Dave, and Justin. I had people shooting video and pictures of me. I had several people stop and make donations. I had several people at the finish line. Jessica, Karen and Jessica's shirt were at the finish line. They had a shirt made that said, "I walked from Bellingham, WA to Key West, FL and all I got was this t-shirt." They had a bottle champagne and showered me in it. Jessica was blowing on a Conch shell. Patrick Jackson was there. He's a hiker and is letting me crash at his apartment he has rented for the end of the month. I got to the Southernmost Buoy and screamed. It was emotional. It's kind of weird being done. Can't explain it really right now. After I finished, I went and had lunch with Jessica, Karen, Hutch and Dave. Karen and Jessica's friend Joey showed up. Then we went over and met Uncle John and Lloyd. I was wiped out. By ten thirty I was in a cab and back on my way to my place. It's a cool little place upstairs. What a day! What a fourteen months!

It was difficult to say how today was going to be. It was cool that Jesse, Karen, and Katchen showed up. It was an emotional day. It was cool that Dave, Hutch, and Justin showed up. It was cool. Today was a great day. It started off cool with all the mangrove islands and mangroves. There was a nice bike paths. Right off the bat there were so many honks. They feel good to get. I was on cruise control. Then I hit Stock Island. That is when Dave, Hutch, and Justin showed up. Today was a great day. Then the last few miles. Walking along the water and then the beach. I had one guy cut a check to the Hutch for a 100 dollars. Then we headed off the beach. Then my last left turn. I saw the buoy. My eyes watered. A tourist tram had the conductor that I was finishing. Some people were cheering. I got to the buoy and touched it and let out a scream. It felt good. Emotional. Then I stopped. Jesse gave me the T-shirt. It said I walked from Bellingham, WA to Key West, Fl and all I got was this t-shirt. I did an interview with Andy Newman on TV. Some people thought he asked some funny questions. Then the celebrations continued. A great end to a great day and a great 14+ months.

Last Post

I've decided that I'm going to write the first rough draft of the book by DEC. 15th and then I'll fly back to Washington. I've been enjoying my time in the Keys. My main focus has been on the book. Right now, I'm over 70 pages into it. I'm writing off my memory and it'll be a rough draft.

It's been weird without the walk and the challenge of the book and documentary will replace the challenge of the walk. I haven't spent this much time in one spot since I left Washington. I miss my friends and family. I was staying in old Key West. Now I'm staying up the road with Hutch. He was one of the guys who walked the last five miles. He has a grandfather named Fred Hutchinson...not the Fred that the center was named after. He is a captain for a private sailboat. He has a wife named Kim and a daughter named Grace. Jessie and I have been hanging out here and there. I've written her a couple poems. It's tough to get to close when Your ships are setting sail into two different oceans. If I said I didn't like her a little bit, I'd be lying. She's probably the biggest reason I hung around in Key West, but now I'm trying to focus on the book. It got off to a good start and the last couple days I've been fighting through writer’s block. I've been thinking about Jessie a bit too much. Jessie and I met at probably at one of the most emotional and weirdest times in my life...the last night of an emotional 5,000-mile walk. I think we caught each other by surprise. I like writing poems and things like that for girls. Jessie a gob of fun to hang out with. She's adventurous, funny, witty, sexy, and smart. She's a pretty good dancer too. I'm just enjoying the moment and today I turn 29. I left Bellingham when I was 27 and I'll return home at 29. I had the greatest adventure of my life and met so many awesome people that helped me get to the finish line. I have a big task of writing the book. Well, I've had a good time in Key West. It's a neat place. People from all over. I had Scott from Miami throw a party for me last Saturday. He made a bunch of flyers up and made a big banner. I chatted on the stage in between bands. I've

went sailing and caught the tail end of the boat races. Mark Wilson whose son, Craig, got second, gave me money for a train ticket back. That was nice of him. Key West has chicken walking all over the place and I love that. The Island has scooters driving around all over the place. Yesterday, Wednesday, I bumped into a college roommate that haven't talked to in 5 years and who didn't know about what I was doing. His family and him were in town for a couple days. He was walking around on Tuesday and saw a flyer for the party. He emailed me through my site. Yesterday we hooked up and a fun day. His name is Bryan Myers. He's 27 and is going to Iraq at the end of the month. We went to college in Coos Bay, OR together. We lived together for a little less than a year. He went back to Eastern Oregon U. and I never heard from him. It was a crazy experience. We went to a Parrot Head meeting. They are Jimmy Buffet fans that get together and raise money for some causes. The Curry Mansion Inn is letting me stay. Thank you to Suzzanne and everyone at the Curry Mansion Inn. The room is nice. The blanket is rainbow color. I've been hanging out a with Jessica a fair bit. We've had some dinners, went sailing, on a treasure hunt, and shared some good times. She took me to the La Concha motel which overlooks over Key West. Cool spot. We talked Communist theory on the roof. I set up a treasure hunt up for her. I set up clues around Patrick's house. Then in the toaster oven was a treasure map. It took her a couple blocks away through a broken fence and led her to some flowers. Two yellow sunflowers and a little card. What the card said was is secret. She is a lot of fun to hang out with. Without the help of hundreds of people, I would have not completed this journey. There were the honks, free meals, houses to stay at, friendly people to talk with, and letters of encouragement. Thank you all!