December 2004
Missouri I, Arkansas I, Oklahoma, Texas I, New Mexico II and totals
Missouri I
Dear Friends,
 Hopkins Fire Station |
Entering Missouri from Iowa, I wondered if the “Show Me State” would leave a “northern” or “southern” impression on me. Two miles across the line was the little town of Hopkins. Their fire station spelled it out clearly. When I lived in the southern, U.S. fire was pronounced either “fur” or “fir.” And yes, there was “southern hospitality.” For only the second time during the entire 34 months of this walk, I was invited to spend the night in someone’s home without any media, church, or other connections beforehand. Two nights, out of well over one thousand, isn’t a high percentage. I’m very grateful for Warren Coffman’s gift of a dry, safe place along with his company.
Brethren hospitality continued to be great and the general public reached out to me more than usual. Thank yous for food, lodging, etc. to: Jim & Pat Dennison; St. Joseph Church of the Brethren; Sandy Bosserman, Barb Davis, and Paul & Jenn Cesare; Bowley from Gower; Polo First Baptist Church; Gale Spilman; Jane Davis; Jason Frazier; Kim from Higginsville; Tammy and anonymous from Higginsville; Jerry & Becky Baile Crouse; Lois Stauffer; Teresa, Ryan and Zoey Bray; Shannon Rayburn; Don & Joanne Brooks; Gladys from Warrensburg; New Beginnings Church of the Brethren; Kathy Leff; Carthage Church of the Brethren; Sherri & Mike Wine; and Karen the road-builder. Special thanks to Sherri Wine for sewing my deteriorating walking pants that are worn 6 1/2 days a week. By far they have lasted longer than any other pair, thanks to patchers and artisans like her. They were used when I started wearing them in early July 2003, and are still tickin’.
It wasn’t all rosy in Missouri because for the first time a pastor called 911 on me. And some wonder why I am doing this walk. Wonder no more!
 General Patton turtle |
 Speeding train goes by while walking the tracks |
 Sleeping setup in the ledges |
 Expensive home-castle style |
 Exercise daily - Walk with the Lord |
In order to cut 25 miles off the walk, the railroad tracks were walked for the first time since 2002, to any extent. During those 50 miles, I was blessed to see much wildlife and only one train. One turtle reminded me of a photo I saw of General Patton of WWII times.
Different varieties of trees (and large numbers of them) were a thrill for me to see. It also continued to be hot, hotter than the summer of 2004 even.
| Missouri I Stats Sept. 14 - Oct. 6, 2004 8 nights hosted 14 nights homeless 369 miles walked |
Arkansas I
Some ledges provided shelter my first night in Arkansas. (This was only the second time sleeping in caves and under ledges.)
While in Rogers, a new record for “the longest stretch of rain in the entire walk” happened (6 days). Praise God the “welcome mat” was out courtesy of the Rogers Mennonite Church of the Brethren. There I spent four full rainy days, safe and dry, leaving only 1/2 day of rain on the way in and another 1/2 day on the way out.
Food, lodging, etc. Thank you’s to : Irene & Eli Miller; Rogers Mennonite Church of the Brethren; Doug Zimpel; Audra, Dave, Alexandra, and Anika Rouw; Les & Mary Ramer; and Bonnie, Larry, and Tony Graber. Special thanks to Audra Rouw for typing and e-mailing for me, Ken & Paula Frantz for pair #8 of walking shoes, Irene Miller for a haircut, and Dan Ludwick & Bernie Lambert who drove all the way from West Virginia to bring me food and greetings.
No trip to Arkansas is complete without visiting Bentonville to check out the home offices of the world’s #1 retailer, Wal Mart. After seeing many Super-Centers and more 18 wheelers on the highway than any other business, I felt a 3 mile detour was worthwhile. There is much money floating around Northwest Arkansas, resulting in many expensive homes. Didn’t someone once say “a man’s home is his castle?”
Maybe not coincidently, I found more money per mile on the highways in Northwest Arkansas than any other area so far. And some wonder why I am doing this walk. Wonder no more!
| Arkansas I Stats Oct. 6-14, 2004 6 nights hosted 3 nights homeless 61 miles walked |
Oklahoma
The third Bible Belt State in-a-row was Oklahoma. One church way out in the boonies had an appropriate message board for the walk.
This state was one of the most ornery states I have walked through in 12,000 miles. Here are just a few examples. #1 For the first time in two years, a Church of the Brethren pastor decided that he didn’t want the walk to stop in. His reason “we’re too busy.” #2 Some folks in a van decided to really scare me by driving on the wrong side of the two-lane highway at a high rate of speed and slamming their van door right next to me from behind. #3 I was sprayed by the highway oiling rig as it sped on by. Oklahomans seem to be in a terrible hurry and slowing wasn’t an option for most, no matter the circumstances. And some wonder why I am doing this walk. Wonder no more!
 Stevens family with Don |
 Vacuum cleaner memorial |
 Snowy cotton |
 Large 6 foot tumbleweed |
 Large train |
I had three other experiences worth mentioning in Oklahoma. I don’t know how so many Texas sand-burrs ended up in Oklahoma, but my body found every one of them. Also, I saw my first live armadillo in action and visited the memorial to the vacuum cleaner.
| Oklahoma Stats Oct. 14 - Nov. 15, 2004 9 nights hosted 23 nights homeless 389 miles walked |
Texas I - The Panhandle
Texas weather continued to be wet and dreary, much like Oklahoma. I’d been taught this part of the world was rather dry. The walk slogged through two snow storms and temps as cold as 11 degrees in November.
I was surprised by the kindness of law enforcement and the general public because in the past, Texas has not been a fun state to drive through for me. Hopefully the courtesy of the “panhandle residents” will continue in the “pan” part when the walk re-enters Texas shortly.
Some say every thing is larger in Texas. This tumbleweed was “living large” when I walked by. US Highway 60 had double railroad tracks. There were many trains and they were large too.
Thank you’s for food lodging, etc. to: Joe Burton; Pampa Church of the Brethren; Pampa First Presbyterian Church; James & Susann Hall and the Dawn Baptist Church; Judy & Jim Kelly and Noah Brown; and Jeremy. Special thanks to my good friend Robin Walker of California for the gift of new socks and new walking pants as even duct tape couldn’t hold the old ones together any more. They aren’t “TICKIN” any more.
| Texas I Stats Nov. 15 - Dec. 1, 2004 3 nights hosted 13 nights homeless 241 miles walked |
NEW MEXICO II AND FINAL STATS
My short stay in Eastern N.M. was pleasant indeed .Thanks for food, lodging, etc. to: Jim & Judy Kelly; Clovis Community Church of the Brethren; Jeremy Willard; Connie Cordova; Gary Jones; and Steve Brown.
Special thanks to Jim Kelly and Judy Kelly for typing and e-mailing for me, and Cindy Lakin for gently cleaning my teeth.
| New Mexico II Stats Dec. 1 - Dec. 7, 2004 6 nights hosted 42 miles walked |
| New Mexico Final Stats (including April-May, 2003) 9 nights hosted 8 nights homeless 237 miles walked |
In Christ’s love,
Don
September 2004
South Dakota, Minn. IV and totals, Iowa II and totals, Northern Plains District final totals
South Dakota
Dear Friends,
Although I was checked out immediately after entering South Dakota as the Wyoming child molester, the rest of the law enforcement encounters were very positive. It is worth noting that Deputy Skip McWethy brought me a new reflective vest and a copy of the local paper with a Walk Across America story in it.
 Droughty sunflowers |
 Thunderstorm |
 Beehives |
 Wind machines |
This state is right near the top for positive state experiences for the entire walk. Walking the Standing Rock Indian Lands in South Dakota was very similar to walking the Navajo and Apache Lands in New Mexico. People reached out to me in positive ways in all the above places.
South Dakota "thank yous" for food, housing, etc., go to: Marvin and Donna Bertsch; The Red Bear Family; Betty and Gary Street; First Baptist Church of Mobridge; Corinne Douglas; First Baptist Church of Ipswich; Ian Fennell; Fairview Baptist of Aberdeen; Buck Hill; Bob Miller; Chip Holmes; Huron Baptist Church; Mark LaFreniere; Donna Stewart; De Smet United Church of Christ-United Methodist Church; Nicole Becker; and the South Dakota State University Lutheran Center.
A special thank you to Betty Street for patching my gray coat. This sure beats the duct tape I was relying on, and thank you to any I’ve left out in the paragraph above.
I saw (and heard) more motorcycles in South Dakota than anywhere else ever in my 54 years. The Black Hills rally with tens of thousands of bikes started and ended its week while I walked highways U.S. 12 and U.S.14. Ninty-five percent of the bikes were American made, which means "American loud." I now know why some bikers wear earplugs.
Western South Dakota was very dry and most crops (besides wheat) were poor. The eastern part of the state was a "dodge the thunderstorm" activity.
Along with North Dakota, this state is the "Beehive state."
The Adopt-a-Highway program in South Dakota takes on a new twist. Farmers are allowed to cut and bale hay along the roadways. Of course, the litter gets raked and baled too. Just let the cattle deal with it later. Too bad I didn’t see any goats in South Dakota. I hear they eat tin cans and plastic bottles.
For the most part, summertime continued to be cooler than normal, which was great for this walker.
| South Dakota Stats July 26 - August 19, 2004 8 nights hosted 16 nights homeless 414 miles walked |
Minnesota IV and Totals
Outside of California, I saw more wind machines on the Buffalo Ridge in SW Minnesota than anywhere this entire walk. I was told the Ridge is the most consistently windy place in the country. There may have been 1,000 wind machines.
Minnesota IV "thank yous" for food and lodging etc. to: Harold Brown; Pipestone Peace United Methodist Church; John Skarr; Lake Wilson United Methodist Church; Gwen Bohlke; Daryl and Maybelle Behrends; Steffen, Ida, Becky, and Brandon Van Westen; Worthington Church of the Brethren; and Nelva and Tom Petersen.
A huge thank you to Viola Lursen and Ida Van Westen for typing and e-mailing for me, and to those I’ve left out.
| Minnesota IV Stats Aug. 19 - Aug. 27, 2004 6 nights hosted 2 nights homeless 97 miles walked |
| Minnesota Final Stats 20 nights hosted 19 nights homeless 581 miles walked |
Iowa II and Totals
 Don, Lori Hoffman and official walk cake |
Much to my chagrin, Iowa road shoulders are still gravel, for the most part, making it difficult on my feet. Praise God the snowy and cold conditions of January - March didn’t linger into August and September.
| Iowa II Stats Aug. 27 - Sept. 14, 2004 10 nights hosted 8 nights homeless 276 miles walked |
| Iowa Final Stats 90 nights hosted 25 nights homeless 1,237 miles walked |
Northern Plains District Final Totals
This district became the second one in a row to have 100% participation by Church of the Brethren congregations. PRAISE GOD! There sure is a big difference in the Northern Plains between January and August. Thank you for taking care of me in the cold and in the heat! Thanks to John Huffaker for the initial church contacts.
| Northern Plains District Final Stats 140 nights hosted 86 nights homeless 2,928 miles walked |
In Christ’s Love,
Don
July 2004
North Dakota I, Montana, Maryland via vehicles, North Dakota II, and North Dakota Totals
North Dakota I
Dear Friends,
Dan McFadden made it! We weathered another three days and nights plus fifty-five miles together in North Dakota. His eighty total miles put him solidly in second place for Walk Across America frequent walker miles. I doubt if he’ll ever pass me for first place, but stranger things have happened throughout history. One day we walked twenty-seven miles till nine forty five P.M. This is the latest I’ve ever walked because good rainproof shelter wasn’t available until then.
North Dakota I stats: June 3-July 1, 398 miles walked, 13 nights unsafe and 15 safe.
 North Dakota Sky |
I know I keep changing my mind, but North Eastern North Dakota is the wettest place I’ve walked so far. There is water everywhere due to over abundant rainfall for years. I’d always thought N.D. was dry, but no longer. Tens of thousands of birds of hundreds of varieties grace the landscape. This state, when not raining, has a gorgeous blue sky with white puffy clouds.
North Dakota has jillions of mosquitoes, clouds of them, and they really bite!! Praise God the west wind was in my face much of the time. This made for difficult walking, but the winds and cool temperatures helped to keep the mosquitoes halfway under control, thus I didn’t need a blood transfusion.
North Dakota has wrested the tick title away from Minnesota. More ticks were on me in N.D. than the whole rest of my life. And it was mostly an uphill walk on US 2 across the state. For the most part I was very glad to get to Montana. Brethren and others hospitality balanced out some of the otherwise difficult walking conditions.
North Dakota thank yous for food, lodging and other acts of kindness to: Dan McFadden; Emerado Baseview Assembly of God Church; Rick and Carol Wadholm; Sam Ezeibekwe; St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church; Marge and Bud Sechler; Ann and Leroy Hursh; Leeds Evangelical Lutheran Church; Richard Budd; Rod Wurgler; Pleasant Valley COB; Steve, Denisse, Brandon and Lindsay Cameron; Rita and Marlin; Galen, Betty Jean, Sally and Sam Kauffman; Kristin and Paul; Andy and Alecia Rostad; Verla and Jim Rostad; Ross Lutheran Church; Mike and Deb Jacobsen; Ruth and Ralph Clark; Dean, Ruth, Allison and Adam Carlson; and a double thank you to those I missed.
A special thank you to Bud Sechler for typing and e-mailing for me and to the Western Plains 2003 District Conference for buying my latest pair of shoes, number 7.
 Baby raccoon |
 Gravel road in the boonies |
 Buffalo |
 Badlands |
I had quite a time cohabiting with a raccoon family in a tumble down farm house. Yes, he’s cute, but his mama wasn’t.
Montana
Montana stats are: July 1-July 5, July11-13, 62 miles were walked, and 7 nights, 6 safe and 1 unsafe.
For the first time the walk crossed a state line on a gravel road. I’d crossed from California to Oregon via the railroad tracks, but all others have been main road crossings. I’m grateful to members of Big Sky Church, Froid, Montana for checking up on me because it’s the boonies in that part of the world for as far as the eye can see.
Montana food, lodging, etc. thank yous to: Ralph and Ruth Clark; Big Sky Church American Baptist/COB; Elva May and Gerald Knudsen; Ramona Ross; and Janice Knudsen.
A special thank you to Ralph Clark for typing and e-mailing for me, Elaine Clark for a super summertime haircut, and Ramona Ross for replacing a zipper and repairing my green winter coat.
Maryland
I had to suspend the walk from July 5-11 due to the death of my friend Bob Gordon in Maryland. I am very grateful for those that made it possible for me being able to be there to grieve and participate. Thanks to Mike Jacobsen for transporting me the 95 miles from Culbertson, MT to Glendive, MT so I could catch the bus and ride it almost 2000 miles to Wilmington, Deleware. Also thanks to Barb Dugan and Ericka Nafsinger for many miles of rides in MD and DE. And to Anna Edwards for the 700 mile ride from Md. To Indianapolis, IN so I could catch the bus for the next 1300 miles. Finally to Romona Ross for transporting me the 95 miles back to Culbertson, MT. Food, lodging, etc. thank yous to: Gerald and Elva May Knudsen; Ericka Nafsinger; Barb Dugan; Meeting Ground Community Stan and Shelly Rosaaen; Romona Ross; and Anna Edwards and her family. Also to Ericka for fitting and sewing a new pair of Gore-Tex boots for me.
Upon returning to Montana I was able to be up close and personal with real Buffalo.
North Dakota II
North Dakota II stats are: July 13-July 26, 1 night was safe, 12 were unsafe, 236 miles were walked.
North Dakota II thank yous to: Marianne Jones, Wayne and Janice Knudsen; Mike Jacobsen; Don from Grassy Butte; Marie and the Knife Trading Company, Manning; Dan, Maureen, Leo, Jim, Bob and Paul Gardner; Ed and Diane Cuskelly; and Hettinger United Methodist Church.
Praise God I only had to deal with five more ticks during North Dakota II. Mosquitoes were another matter. There were six miles of torture with hundreds of them biting me as I crossed the Missouri River Basin south of Williston. Sleeping without my tent or in a porous building was impossible even in the Western North Dakota drought conditions. The Badlands of North Dakota are named correctly. They are gorgeous, but bad to walk.
North Dakota Totals
North Dakota totals are: 634 miles, 16 nights cared for, 25 nights I was homeless.
In Christ’s Love,
Don
June 2004
Minnesota I, Wisconsin, Minnesota II, Illinois via vehicles, Minnesota III
Minn. I, Wisc.
 Minnesota Holsteins |
 Wisconsin Holsteins |
 Alfalfa |
 Full milk cans being emptied |
Dear Friends,
The Walk entered Minnesota for the first time, April 16th and exited April 26th after I crossed the Mississippi River into Wisconsin. Of the ten nights in south east Minnesota, two were unsafe and eight were safe. 113 miles were walked.
Wisconsin statistics are: April 26th - May 7, 11 nights (10 unsafe and 1 safe), 208 miles walked.
There were both similarities and differences between these adjoining states. Dairy farms were very common. There seemed to be more in Wisconsin, but Minnesota had many also. Minnesota Holsteins did a better job looking into the camera than Wisconsin ones. Later I learned Wisconsin is number one in the nation for per capita beer consumption. "Watering holes" were every where, which makes sense with number one in the nation's status. Maybe the Wisconsin cows hit the "watering holes" too and had trouble looking into the camera? And maybe not.
Much alfalfa was growing to feed the cows and some farmers continue to ship their milk in old timey cans to creameries like this one near Augusta, Wisconsin.
Trees, logging, and wetlands were much more prevalent in Wisconsin. It was the wettest of any state for the entire walk so far.
Minnesota, Part I Thank Yous for food, lodging, etc. too: Donne & Marilyn Tammel; Root River CoB; Jim & Danetta Steinmetz; Deanna & Tom Broadwater; Hands of Christ; Lori Kuhlmann-Leibfried; Kathy Mack; Beth & Todd Cage; Sue Bollinger; Cara McCallister; Carol Boynton; Betty Wirt; Fran Bockenhauer; Lewiston CoB. Wisconsin Thank Yous: Bob & Sue Steidtman; Jim Schock; Stanley CoB. Double thanks to those I've left out.
Maureen from the Good Samaritan Dental Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota did a super job cleaning my teeth, and then she didn't charge me. Praise God!!
Lori Kuhlmann-Liebfried of the same city now owns the walk record for most miles (14) my pack has been carried by a female.
It was windy most of the time in both states. Wisconsin was hillier except for close to the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
For the first time I didn't finish a CoB District before starting a new one. It only took one extra week walking from the Northern Plains District, of which Minnesota is part of, to the Stanley, Wisconsin CoB and back again. If I'd waited until the Illinois-Wisconsin District it would have taken five weeks for Stanley because of its distance from the Illinois congregations. I'm not the sharpest knife in the knife drawer, but five versus one means I'm headin' out of the district for a week.
Minnesota II, Illinois via vehicle
Minnesota II started three hours before I crossed the Mississippi River on foot for the second time. Near Minneapolis the St. Croix River is the boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Mississippi River bridge was about five miles from the border.
May 7th I entered Minnesota again and by May 26th I'd walked 346 miles to Crookston, Minnesota in the northwest corner of the state. It took 19 nights (13 unsafe and 6 safe) to get there. Then it was time to get on the bus to head to Mt. Morris, Illinois for a long Memorial Day Weekend Gathering at Camp Emmaus.
Minnesota Part II Thank Yous: Mary Ann & Jay Steele; Open Circle CoB; Rhonda, Mark, Sophia & Addi Pittman Gingerich; Dick Ellis; Plymouth Messiah U.M.C.; Brooten Union Presb. Church; Mary Ann Henry; Wendy, Tony & Katriana Davenport Kimball; Borup Winchester Lutheran Church; Dan Wolpert, Debra Bell, Max & Sam Wolpert, Erik Swanson. Again double Thank Yous to those I left out.
I thought Wisconsin was wet. It's now obvious why Minnesota's nickname is The Land of Ten Thousand Lakes. 10,000 lakes and a 1,000,000 ponds and wet spots were more than I could have imagined.
 A windy pond |
 Great Blue Heron and Minneapolis skyline |
 2004 sized tractor |
And the winds continued.
I was blessed to see birds I'd never seen before. The thousands of yellow headed black birds were something else. Can you believe that white pelicans hangout in Minnesota? They do with all kinds of other shore birds . I saw hundreds of bob-o-links and had only seen one other one 45 years ago. Tens of thousands of birds. Wow!
Also I was blessed to see my first buffalo. The first herd was 200 yards away, but I still had goose bumps. The second was much closer. I felt both anger and gratitude seeing these magnificent animals. How could we slaughter millions of them? Praise God when there were less than 100 left someone said enough is enough and the killing stopped.
Farmers have huge equipment and large flat fields in western Minnesota. This was quite a contrast from southeast Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Western Minnesota became the tick capital of the world for me. I picked off more ticks in 19 days than all my 54 years prior. This helped the walk to be less fun. When there already is no fun it become negative fun.
May 26th in Crookston, Minnesota was the first time in 8 months in a moving vehicle for me. Three bus rides, 810 miles, and 22 hours later, I was in Elgin, Illinois. Then it was 60 more miles by car to Camp Emmaus to be part of "Raise Your Voice" with over a dozen young adults of the CoB. It was great to see and be part of this get together sponsored by New Community Project. I walked one mile in Illinois and all six nights were in safe places. Even the bus was better than under a bridge.
Illinois Via Vehicle Thank Yous: David & Daniel Radcliff; Camp Emmaus; Ronda, Mark, Sophia & Addi Pittman Gingerich. A special thanks to David Radcliff for e-mailing and typing for me.
Then it was a 700 mile ride courtesy of Dan McFadden back to Crookston, Minnesota. We spent a night in Minneapolis at the Pittman Gingerich's which was a double for me. About 3 weeks earlier I'd walked to their home and spent the night with them.
 Dan McFadden resting |
Minn. III
Minnesota Part III started in Crookston, June 1st and ended crossing the Red River bridge into Grand Forks, North Dakota June 3. Dan McFadden (BVS Director) walked those 25 miles with me. This ties him for the most miles walked so far by anyone. We spent two nights on the road (both unsafe) and he is the first person to overnight with me in an unsafe place. As you can see he's resting, but we've entered North Dakota to see if he can add to the mileage and nights out records. Stay tuned for the next reflections for the results. Thanks to Dan for giving me food and fellowship.
In Christ's love,
Don
April 2004
Iowa Part I
Dear Friends,
 No parking in the entire state? |
 A short sign post or a tall snow drift |
After crossing the dangerously narrow South Omaha Bridge, Iowa greeted me with a WELCOME and NO PARKING sign. I figured this meant no parking for the entire state and wondered how walking would be for this homeless transient crisscrossing Iowa for three months. Would I get into trouble “no parking” while sitting on a guardrail for a rest?
Overall law enforcement wasn’t as harsh as I’d been used to, negative behavior towards me were less from the general public, and Brethren hospitality continued to be excellent.
Weather and road conditions were another story. ‘Course walking Iowa in January and February isn’t the most brilliant idea I’ve ever dreamed up. The winter of 2004 turned out to be a real one. Twice as much snow fell as usual, and there were many days below zero with windchills pushing 30 below. Praise God I wasn’t in Minnesota this winter as Iowa was plenty cold enough.
My feet are bone bruised from walking gravel shoulders throughout 99% of Iowa. I walked main roads as usual, but Iowa doesn’t have paved shoulders. Nine hundred sixty-one miles of gravel was difficult, to say the least. Icy conditions wreaked havoc on my knees, also.
The walk entered Iowa January 10, 2004, and exited April 16, 2004, for Minnesota. Of the 97 nights spent in the state, 80 were safe and 17 were unsafe. 961 miles were walked.
January and February thank yous for food, lodging and other gifts of love go to: Earl and Laura Harris; Peace COB; Jane Nelson; John, Donna, and Eileen Wagner; Salem COB; Janice Rogers; Fred Stapleton; Margaret and Lawrence Dage; Monroe County COB; Eunice and Lloyd Nichols; Don and Helen Cook; Helen Hamman; Blakesburg Christian Church; Ronald and Frances Goode; Greg Jones and family; Fairview COB; Chuck and June Grove; Ottumwa COB; Blanche and Leon Cartwright; Libertyville COB; David, Nancy, Kayla, Danae, and Joy Oliver; Becky Miller; Betty and Gordon Oliver; Tim Oliver; Karen and Richard Williams; Ray, Cheryl, and Caroline Reeves; Paul Coffman; English River COB; Herb and Marianne Michael; Iowa City Brethren Lay Fellowship; Beth, Marcus, and Dirk Miller; John and Sue Huffaker; Ken and Noren Gingerich; Maureen Morgan and Steve Hanken; Cedar Rapids Brethren/Baptist Church; Robins COB; Phyllis and Russell Benedict; Amana Guest House; Bob, Linda, and Josie Olson; Janet and Bill Korns; Jim and Becky Jones; Tim, Phyllis, Rachael, David, and Caleb Peter; Aaron, Mickey, and Abbey McGoneghay; Frances and Vernon Merkey; Connie Burkholder; Mike and Laura Huffaker; Ankeny COB; Lynn Williams; Grimes 1st Presbyterian Church; Randy and Kathy Johnson; Karen Rittgers; and a double thank you for those I’ve left out.
A new world’s record for carrying my pack was set by David Radcliff of Illinois. His 21 1/2 miles shattered the old 15 1/2 mile record. Brother, I’m expecting you to push the record to triple digits when I enter Illinois a year or two from now.
 Amish buggy |
Another rare occurrence happened near Kalona where there is quite an Amish Community. These folks still use Monday as wash day. I saw more laundry on the line February 9, 2004, than all the other walk days combined. It’s nice to know some still get along with a natural clothes dryer.
 Large bowling pin |
Whoever said Iowa doesn’t have scenic attractions was wrong. I was privileged to be near the largest bowling pin I’ve ever seen in Marshalltown. My back pack looks mighty small next to it. And I won’t forget seeing a dozen eagles all at one time in Ottumwa, nor the flock of 50 pheasants that flew up in front of me from their sanctuary under the snow.
March and April food and lodging, etc., thank yous to: Judi, Jeff, and Mark Neuman-Lee; Leroy and Nancy Tinnean; Panora COB; Betty Davies; Panther Creek COB; Ells Cackler; Dale and Marj Smalley; Beaver COB; Clara Glover; Stover Memorial COB; Thelma and Arnold Leland; Maxwell COB; Jerry and Kathy Waterman; Iowa River COB; Gary and Betty Nicholson; Pearl and Phil Miller; Conrad Assembly of God Church; Lois Kruse; Kirby, Carol, Kollin, and Kylee Leland; Linda and Paul Thomas; Ivester COB; Vicki Draper; Ann and Ed Hogle; La Donna Brunk; Julie Stratton; Jon Laura, Andrea, and Thomas Sager; Tim and Mary Jane Button-Harrison; Bud Epling; Dot Hasler; Hudson UMC; Juanita, Dennis, Jordan, and Jesh Harbaugh-Williams; Carolyn and Brian Rafferty; Ron and Norma Waters; Carolyn Waters; Ruby Williams; Mike, Ellen, and Dan Rogers and Christina; Ashok and Pratribha Patet; Dave Schuknecht; Janice Ackert; Betty Kingery; Ralph and Ardys Letterer; Pearletta and Loren McRoberts; Mike and Janet Edwards; Duane and Twyla Smith; Margaret and Bob Smith; Alice Kingery; Greene UMC-COB; Nashua St. John’s Lutheran Church; Dave and Joann Kramer; Fred and Bette Austin; Fredricksburg, Hillcrest Baptist and Brethren Church; Leola Sullivan; Sharon Isenhower; Frances Speicher; Iva Jean Isenhower; Connie Benter; Kathy Schmadeke. Another double thank you for those I’ve left out.
 16 inch snowfall |
 Hannah carries the pack |
March 15th it snowed 16 inches in Des Moines. What a pretty picture! Praise God I had a safe, warm place that day. It wasn’t pretty walking in slush the next day.
A special thanks to Rosemary Michael, Phil Miller, and Pearl Miller for typing and e-mailing for me. Also, to Kirby Leland, Steve Beck Brunk and Natalie Rieck for photo computer work and Mary Jane Button-Harrison for a haircut.
I am grateful for all those who have carried my backpack and/or walked with me including Hannah Button-Harrison. She, at age 13, became the youngest female to carry my load on the highway, and she did it for 5 miles. Yes, it gets windy when the semi’s go by. Her 22 miles of walking with me are the third most of anyone for the entire walk. Issac Beck Brunk carried my pack 2 1/2 miles which is more than any other 10 year old. He missed being the youngest by 4 days.
Thanks, Iowa; I’ll be back (Lord willing) for Part II sometime in August.
In Christ’s love,
Don
January 2004
Nebraska Part II, Nebraska Totals, and Western Plains District Grand Totals
Dear Friends,
 South Omaha Bridge |
The second and last Nebraska chapter started Dec. 15, 2003, and ended while walking the narrow south Omaha bridge over the Missouri River into Council Bluffs, Iowa, January 10, 2004.
Part II lasted 26 days, with 10 nights unsafe and 16 safe. Two hundred thirty-seven miles were walked.
George Eisele of Lincoln became the first person to walk with me in two different states (Nebraska and Kansas). On Jan. 10 he added Iowa to make it three.
John Andrews, also from Lincoln, became the second person to walk over 20 miles and much of the time he was carrying part or all of my pack.
Winter weather arrived with temperatures as low as -10°F, numerous small snow storms, and almost constant wind chills.
I was blessed to have many people walk with me for much of the 90 miles between Plymouth and Greenwood, Neb. Many are part of the Holmesville and Antelope Park Brethren congregations.
 John Andrews and John Doran |
Nebraska food, lodging, etc. thank you’s to: Ina and Elmer Fike; Jim and Norma Hubble; Bethel Church of the Brethren; Dennis, Sandy, Brent, Curt, Michelle, and Tyra Hermesch; Annette, Lowell, Laura, Silas, and Rosanna Dell; Dave Henning; Jan and Don Epp; Holmesville Church of the Brethren; Diane, Noel, and Nora Ditmars; Norman and Pat Wallman; Karen, Mike, Jason, Brian, and Nathan Meints; Miriam, John, and Aidan Andrews; John and Janet Doran; George and Kathy Eisele; Shirley and Sherm Blocher; Antelope Park Church of the Brethren; Ken and Barb Clark; Kathy and Al Berndt; Vic and Kay Sell; Joyce Petry; Jonas and Beth Lichty; Karen and Harry Swenson; and many others.
Special thanks to John and Janet Doran for much computer work helping me to put together the 2003 “Slide Show.” Myron Coleman’s expertise is very much appreciated too. Thanks to Janet for typing and e-mailing also.
Nebraska totals were 33 days, 342 miles, with 21 safe and 12 unsafe nights respectively.
The Western Plains District walk lasted 277 days and 3,453 miles. It is the first district in which all congregations invited and took care of me. That is 42 out of 42. Praise the Lord, and thanks to all of you!
In Christ’s Love,
Don