November 2005
Kentucky I, Tennessee I, Mississippi, and Alabama
 Tobacco curing |
 Tennessee River, locks and a papermill |
 Kudzu |
 Logging trucks |
 Dogs |
 Kudzu after a frost |
Kentucky I
Dear Friends,
I’ve officially cheated for 3 miles walking across America. The first ¾ mile was in California during 2002 when arrest was imminent if the walk continued over a dam. A 30 mile ride netted ¾ mile.
The other 2 ¼ miles happened as the walk entered Kentucky illegally from Illinois via the I-24 bridge over the Ohio River. A deputy drove me 6 miles off the interstate, 2 ¼ I wasn’t allowed to walk. The Walk Across America grand total mileage would be 3 miles more had I been able to keep walking instead of taking these two rides.
I was treated with dignity and respect by the deputy and almost everyone else in Kentucky, thus I’m looking forward to part two someday.
It continued to be brutally hot during the short stay in one of the tobacco states.
| Kentucky I Stats October 3 - 6, 2005 3 nights homeless 51 miles were walked |
Tennessee I
Tennessee was more of the same. For the most part, I was treated like a real person. The weather cooled for a couple days which felt good. There was the Tennessee River, locks, paper mills, and kudzu.
| Tennessee I Stats October 6 - 12, 2005 6 nights homeless 119 miles were walked |
Mississippi
This state was the quickest entrance and exit of the entire walk. I camped 1 mile into Mississippi one night and the next night camp was set up one half mile from Alabama. In between, three men from the Mississippi D. O. T. were extremely nice to me. “We thought you might be an angel.” They were wrong, but it sure felt good.
Much timber grew in the northeast corner of this state. There were many logging trucks, and the highways were tight and foggy.
| Mississippi Stats October 12 - 14, 2005 2 nights homeless 21 miles were walked |
Alabama – “The dog and chip state”
Thus far, this state has more dogs running around loose than any place the walk has been. Also surprisingly, 75% of Alabama is wooded and the roads are filled with timber related trucks.
 Traffic jam at the chip mill |
 After the timber harvest |
 Heading back for another load |
It frosted six nights in a row the last part of October. This made for much better walking and sleeping conditions. After that, November went back into the 80’s again.
Alabama produced three “first time” events. A woman threatened to kick my “butt”-only she used another word. A gang banger in Birmingham stated, “Old man, you’d better be through here by dark or you’re gonna get beat.” I heeded his advice and quit for the night a few miles beyond the city. Also, I was really hassled in my legal home on a Sunday night by 3 police officers. I thought it was safe to sleep in a Church of the Brethren where I had permission and the authorities had been notified earlier. Hopefully this doesn’t start a trend. Overall, Alabama treated me pretty decently.
There was another first in Alabama. Along the road, I found a case of potato chips (24, 1 ounce bags) in excellent shape. They were very good, thank you!
There were only three Churches of the Brethren in Alabama, but I was hosted royally by all of them. Thank yous for food, lodging, etc. to: Community Church of the Brethren; Treiva Oakley; Lorraine & Albert Tadlock; Marion Presbyterian Church; Kevin, Erin, & Doran Ball; Carol & Dave Clark; Frank & Willie Thornton; Jeff & Amy Williams; Fruitdale Church of the Brethren; Liz & Maurice Price; Steve & Ann Petcher; Robb Brannan; Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren; Citronelle Men’s Prayer Group; Steve Worth; and Brethren Disaster Response.
Special thank yous to: Paul Cesare & Jen Bosserman-for walking shoes pair number 11; Johnson Outdoors of NY-for tent poles; Kim Givens & Ann Petcher for a haircut, the first haircut I’ve ever had by two people at the same time; Amy & Jeff Williams for a flannel shirt; Marie Williams-for sewing many walk items; and Veronica Barnes for typing and emailing for me.
The last five days in Alabama turned nice and cool again, as the Florida border closed in.
| Alabama Stats October 14 - November 20, 2005 8 nights hosted 29 nights homeless 497 miles were walked |
In Christ’s Love,
Don
October 2005
Illinois - Land of Contrasts
Dear Friends
For only the second summer of the four walked, wild fruit was plentiful. The early fruits (blackberries and raspberries) mostly dried up, but the apples were abundant from wild trees. There was even a peach tree with golf ball size fruits on the ground. Man they were good!
Illinois was brutal hot and humid for the entire four months the walk was there, except for about ten days. This makes three summers out of four with well above normal temperatures. Fifty degrees is a nice temperature for me, eighty is very hot to walk and sixty-five and above at night means sleep is accomplished in sweat. But… it didn't rain much, bad for farmers and good for me.
Church of the Brethren and others hospitality was excellent for the most part. This is the largest thank you section so far. June and July thank yous for food, lodging, etc., to: Karen, Charley, and Kenny Bridges; Jim and Becky Griffen; Howard Schockey; Tony Saputo; Dale, Penny, Courtney, Sammy, Evan, Andrae, and Brenden Dinterman; LaPlace Church of the Brethren; Jodie, Derek, Torie, Josiah, and Isacc Agar; Bill Nickerson; Becky from the Salvation Army; Eric Volkel-Barno, Melinda, and Andrew Barno; Terry Link; Marsha, Allen, and Emily Krall; Kres, Elizabeth, and Becka Lipscomb; Springfield First Church of the Brethren; Fletcher Farrar and Mary Jessup; Jan Stoller; Joan Boatz; Astoria Church of the Brethren; Gary Schultz; Woodlands Church of the Brethren; Jeanine and Ernie Shanks; Camp Emmanuel; Debbie Taylor and Love Community Church; Tammy and Kevin Kessler; Canton Church of the Brethren; Virgina Everist; David Radcliff; Larry and Barbara O'Neil; Chris, Jenny, and Molly Stover-Brown; Hannah Edwards; Amy Heckert; John and Michelle Elder; Leonard, Vicky, and Wendy Matheny; Peoria First Church of the Brethren; Christine Hoecker; Dana McNeil; Church of the Brethren General Board; Marilyn Kiefaber; Peter Yordy; Philip and Peggy Yordy; Panther Creek Church of the Brethren; Annie and Jerry Sales; St. James Evangelical Congregational Church; Dan McFadden; Judy and Neil Brinkmeir; Harry and Cindy Wilkinson; Anna Pomazal; Chuck and Jane Pomazal; Dixon Church of the Brethren; Dale and Alice Wickert; Pat Ball; Camp Emmaus; Church of the Brethren Illinois Junior High Camp; Jim Miner; Barb, Tim, Alex, and Cheyenne Krehl; Uldine Baker; Dean and Sue Coppernoll; Pat and Earl Miller; Yellow Creek, Freeport, and Rockford First Church's of the Brethren; Church of the Brethren Illinois Senior High Camp; Mike Garner; Polo Church of the Brethren; and Richard and Joyce Person.
August and September thank yous for food, lodging, etc., to: Franklin Grove Church of Brethren; Dale Erisman; Lelia Place; Ruth and Lloyd Shipman; Judd and Kay Peter; Christ Connections Community Church; Jeff Rugg; Ginger Florence; Dennis Webb; Naperville Church of the Brethren; Ron Olsen; Jim, Elvira, Elizabeth, and Nate Lawdenski; Faith Church of the Brethren; Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford; Ralph Miner; Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren; Jeanne Ardith Davies; York Center Church of the Brethren; Carolyn, Mike, Hannah, Jonah, and Renee Neher; Douglas Park Church of the Brethren; Shirley Petracek; Christian Peacemakers Team; Chicago Fourth Presbyterian Church; Richard Williams; Allison Hutchinson; Chicago First Church of the Brethren; Orlando Redekopp; Barb Dugan; Ruth from Monee (Gas City); Zion Lutheran Church of Chebanse; Ryan from Buckley; Rex Richardson; Margaret Hicks; Champaign Church of the Brethren; J.P. from Paris; Jim Clark; Oak Grove Federated Church; David and Vicky Johnston; Allison Prairie Church of the Brethren; Tim and Dottie Ridgely; Eric Poole; Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren; Pat Rothrock; Debbie Baker; Sharon and Gene Gardner; Kenny Rutherford; Martin Creek Church of the Brethren; Carson and Donna Tullis; Hurricane Creek Church of the Brethren; Tom and Linda Dooley; Marlene Carpenter; Charlene and Bud Leitch; Carlyle United Methodist Church; Guy Ball; Christi, Jeremiah, Jacob, Blake, and Nikki Aeschleman; and Vienna First United Methodist Church.
 Jamie Zaccharius & Guy Ball |
 Senior High Youth Campers from Camp Emmaus |
 Chicago skyline |
 Chicago sidewalk and poverty |
Special thank yous to: Keith Cummins and Julie for teeth cleaning; Dale Sesse for glasses; Eric Volkel-Barno for typing, emailing, and CD work; Phil Miller for a haircut; Chuck Pomazal for a new reflective vest; Pat and Guy Ball for medical help; Jeanne Ardith Davies for typing and emailing; Carol and Darrell Needham for shoes, pair #10; Jewel McNary for maps; Kenny Rutherford for a watch; Carson Tullis for new glasses; Christi Aeschleman for typing and emailing; Ed Garrison and Clarene Dunn for initial church contacts.
A double thank you to all of those I have forgotten to thank.
All kinds of people walked with me in Illinois. Dan McFadden of the Highland Avenue Congregation upped his record for the most miles walked across America to 92. Annie Sales of the Franklin Grove Congregation walked 42, the second most. Guy Ball of the Dixon Congregation is in third with 39. Jim Batterman formerly of the Woodlands Congregation, and now residing in Houston, Texas is in fifth with 26. Camp Emmaus in rural Mt. Morris was the sight of the most at one time to ever walk with me, 91 campers and counselors from the Senior High Camp!!!!! And the Junior High Camp included 45, good for third place all time. Jamie Zaccharius (age 12) and Guy Ball (over 21) walked 16 1/2 miles with me, July 18th. That day Jamie walked the second most miles with me by any young person on the entire walk. I am grateful for all that walked with me. I am even more grateful to those who carried my pack on their back.
And then there is my good friend Barb Dugan who drove from Pennsylvania to walk with me. This was a huge treat. But as usual the huge majority of the time I walked without human companionship.
Illinois had skyscrapers, the tallest of the walk. Such riches tied up in buildings in corporate America. Illinois yielded the second most money from their streets and highways. It was everywhere. Poverty abounded in much of the state too.
Law enforcement was as ornery as the weather. The general public was more ornery than not. There was more Church of the Brethren rejections in Illinois than the prior three plus years west of the Mississippi. It is a wonderful feeling when I know there is at least floor space at night for this homeless person. I have a hard time when we put politics, busyness, selfishness and other excuses above sharing a sleeping space with a Christian brother.
Illinois began after crossing the Mississippi River for the third time and ended when the walk crossed the Ohio River for the first time into Kentucky. I am glad this state is over.
| Illinois Stats May 29 2005 - October 03, 2005 71 nights hosted 56 nights homeless 1393 miles were walked |
In Christ's Love,
Don
June 2005
Arkansas II & Final Stats, Missouri II & Final Stats, Missouri/Arkansas District Wrap-up
Arkansas II
Dear Friends,
 Occupied house |
The Walk entered Arkansas for the second time, this time from Louisiana. Poverty in the Mississippi River delta region of Louisiana extended into much of Arkansas. Abandoned places for me to sleep in were harder to find as dilapidated buildings were mostly occupied.
Spring and I raced north together. Along with the wonderful flowers and colors of the season go mosquitoes, ticks, snakes, etc., thus it was “pedal to the metal” time.
Food, lodging etc. thank yous to: Teresa from the Portland post office; Phillip from DeWitt; Common Ground Baptist Church of DeWitt; Thurman and Opal Andrews; A. W. Curtis; New Hope Church of the Brethren; Kevin Murray; Emmanuel Baptist Church of Piggot; Janice, Dave, Jim, and John Copelin; and Eugene and Jan Lee Mann. Special thanks to Opal Andrews for mending about half of what I own.
There are now two cities I have no desire to return to due to overzealous law enforcement. The first was Salt Lake City, Utah, and the second is Forrest City, Arkansas. It’s tough enough when two officers or cruisers meet me “at the pass.” When three do, it gets ugly. Forrest City became the first “3 cruisers, 3 officers, surround-the-suspect” place for me. “Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be drifters. Try to raise ‘em to be doctors or lawyers.” At least I think that’s the way the song goes. Someone supposedly saw me on America’s Most Wanted. On the bright side, at least someone wanted me.
| Arkansas II Stats March 8 - March 28, 2005 6 nights hosted 14 nights homeless 305 miles walked |
| Arkanas Final Stats 12 nights hosted 17 nights homeless 366 miles walked |
Missouri II
 Redbuds |
 Dogwood |
 Jim Protiva |
 Maurice Bosserman |
With spring bearing down on me the Walk crossed the St. Francis River into the Missouri “boot heel.” Not long after that, spring caught up with the Walk during a 250 mile westward swing to Springfield. The redbuds and dogwood sure are pretty in the Missouri Ozarks.
I also caught the worst “regular sickness” of the entire Walk on this westward trek. The only good thing about it was that sleeping places were dilapidated or open enough that I could cough and hack 24 hours a day and not mess anything up.
The Peace Valley Church of the Brethren, with the help of two others from the Cabool Church of the Brethren, set a new walk record for continuously carrying my pack on their backs for 29 miles. This was a huge gift, especially considering my “walking pneumonia.” Of course my reputation is forever tarnished as I’m not capable of holding up trees and walking at the same time like Jim Protiva can do. And Maurice Bosserman can carry my pack and be on the phone at the same time. Phew, I can’t even pat my head and rub my belly simultaneously, let alone walk across America and do something else like Maurice and Jim can.
Pack number two busted for the 3rd time. I told Jim to quit carrying heavy trees, but he was as stubborn as a Missouri mule. Praise God the Peace Valley Church of the Brethren traded me a new pack for my old one. If you see Jim hauling trees on his back with my old pack, you’ll know where he picked up the habit. Pack number 1 lasted 5,339 miles and pack number two did 9,132. Thanks to the Peace Valley Church of the Brethren for my new backpack. Also, thanks to Ronnie Loomis, of the Cabool Church of the Brethren, for reinforcing with leather known weak spots on my new pack before it became weak.
Food, lodging, etc. thank yous to: Cindi and the Campbell Sugar Shack; Fern Fowler; Farrenburg Church of the Brethren; Broadwater Church of the Brethren; Cindi Sanders; Gene Myers; Victory in Christ Church of God; Jim, Judy, and Isaac Protiva; Bernice Bosserman Flora; Cheryll Stellmen; Charlie Erickson; Sandy Bosserman; Ina and Elmer Fike; Peace Valley Church of the Brethren; Clara and Rolan Norsworthy; Roger and Carolyn Schrock; Kathlyn Coffman; Carol and Pip Pippen; Cabool Church of the Brethren; Tammy and Kevin Clary; Greenwood Church of the Brethren; Dick and Phyllis Wolfe; Adam from Wright County; Tim Carr and the Norwood Liberty Faith Church; Weldon and Linda Sikes; Good Shepard Church of the Brethren; Linda Leicht; Penni Medley; Jim Brown and Joyce Bybee-Brown; Ida Mae and Warren Campbell; Turkey Creek Church of the Brethren; Ronnie and Dianna Smith; Christy Helmig; Osceola Church of the Brethren; Earle Zeiler; Ray and Paula Carroll; Barbra Davis; Marion Landes; Don and Dorothy Scofield; Messiah Church of the Brethren; Mildred Wattson; Jamie Elder; Hazel Lauver; Kansas City, Kansas First Central Church of the Brethren Dinner Bunch; David from Orrick; Jason Frazier; Millville United Methodist Church; Marolyn Frazier; Rockingham Church of the Brethren; Bethany Church of the Brethren; Vicki O’Dell; Helen and Frannie Hays; Louie, Jean, Crystal, and Adam Takac; A double thank you to everyone I’ve left out!
Special thanks to Roger Schrock for a new poncho and typing and e-mailing for me; Nathan Betz for computer and C.D. work; Linda Sikes for sewing, new pants, new water bottle holder, etc; Dianna Smith for sewing; Paul Landes for typing and e-mailing; Kurt Heckeroth for computer work and the Stevens family from McPherson, Kan., for vitamins.
Cass County, Missouri, is a place I have no desire to return to. Sheriff Deputies harassed me on the highway because someone supposedly called in that I was walking in the road. After being transported 3 miles to the jail in handcuffs; they went through my pack like a tornado. Then I was released when they couldn’t charge me with anything and walked the 3 miles over again. Talk about feeling violated! Praise God most law enforcement isn’t that way! In fact, two different police officers were extremely nice to me the next day.
The Walk crossed the Missouri River for the fifth and last time on May 16th. Mile number 15,000 occurred in Missouri just one mile from the Mississippi river bridge that leads to Illinois. The Mississippi River was then crossed for the third and last time, I hope, May 29th.
| Missouri II Stats March 28- May 29, 2005 32 nights hosted 30 nights homeless 748 miles walked |
| Missouri Final Stats 40 nights hosted 44 nights homeless 1,117 miles walked |
All but one of the Missouri-Arkansas Church of the Brethren District Congregations hosted me. Thank you for your hospitality!!! Thanks to Sandy Bosserman and Barb Davis for making the initial church contacts.
| Missouri - Arkansas District Final Stats 52 nights hosted 61 nights homeless 1,483 miles walked |
In Christ Love,
Don
March 2005
Texas II, Texas Final Stats, Louisiana, and Southern Plains District Wrap-up
 Owl |
 Picking cotton |
 Dusty & dry |
 Raining cats & dogs |
 Trash along the highway |
 Money from along the highway |
 Crawfish mound |
 Wacky crawfish |
 Chemical plant |
Texas II
Dear Friends,
I know Texas is the Lone Star State, but after walking it for 3 months I’ve got a few new nicknames for this BIG place.
There are more owls in Texas than in any other place I’ve ever been. Parts of the state are cotton, cotton and more cotton. It’s very dry and very wet. Litter is everywhere and so is money. I think littering is so popular that money is just another type of litter. So… Texas is the owl, cotton, dry, wet, trashy, money state. Oh, I forgot, the friendly state too. Except for the Houston metropolitan area where people weren’t very friendly, this state has been friendly. Overall, Texas is in the top 4 or 5 of the most friendly states of the whole walk.
Food, lodging, etc. thanks to: Jim Kelly; Steve from Muleshoe; Joe from Halfway; Lockney Church of Christ; Darla McClean; Caleb McClean; Jon Jones; Iowa Park First Baptist Church; Martha Johnson; Cheryl & Bryan Mosely; Wade & Thelma Shelton; Dave Parker; Megan Franks; H.B. & Doris Mardis; Kathy, Jimmy & Angie Harris; Molsbee Chapel Nocona Church of the Brethren; Albert & Margarett Fenoglio; David Gregory; Gary from Jack County; Jared Swaim; Claude Herd; Morgan Mill United Methodist Church; Travis & Josh; Bread of Life Ministries; Ruby & Roy Shubert; Jeff McAnally; Lake Hills Baptist Church; Woody; Charity McCurdy; Vivian & Stan Bittinger; Rob Hinnart; Ofelia Hunter; Jose & Glenda Longoria; Larry & Merle Landis; Justo Ramirez; Ester Olvera; Falfurrias Church of the Brethren; Opal Hoya; Jerry & Gloria Rodriguez; Beeville First United Methodist Church; Russell Roberts; Wharton First Baptist Church; Paulette; Jessica; Marie from Houston; Amber, Sarah & The China First Baptist Church; and John Woodall. A double thank you to those I’ve left out.
Special thanks to Lonnie Hooten and Steve & Seth McLean for repairing my pack’s metal frame professionally. Speaking of professionally, Merle Landis gave me a great haircut. For the first time, law enforcement apologized to me, which changed my ornery mood and answered a prayer.
This was by far the hardest stretch of the walk. I was literally 50 feet from the bus station and finally decided not to go in and end the walk. Check out the official 2005 walk photo. I felt worse than I looked. I’m very grateful for the help in Texas and especially the prayers. I’m very thankful the Lord is with me all of the time!!
| Texas II Stats Dec. 7, 2004 - Feb. 14, 2005 10 nights hosted 60 nights homeless 1,134 miles walked |
| Texas Final Stats 13 nights hosted 73 nights homeless 1,375 miles walked |
Louisiana
This state’s southern part is as wet and humid as you might imagine. Crawfish mounds are all over. Some crawfish are wackier than I am walking the main roads of Louisiana. There are super-sized chemical plants and refineries all around the south. Makes me glad I’m walking, as they are scary looking.
Food, lodging, etc. thanks to: Karen, Curtis & Eric Prejean; Greta Ratliff; Lake Charles Community Church of the Brethren; Jim & Jackie Balmer; Roanoke Church of the Brethren; Kristie & Matt Prejean; Madison, Nova and “Barney” Barnes; Mike Nichols; C.J. from Grant Parish; Bill & Barbara Budemer; Dusty Lindsey, Jim Ingram & The First Baptist Church of Bastrop; and Tommy Crenshaw.
Special thanks to Barney Barnes & Ted Gillard for seriously fixing the cloth parts of my pack, Jim Balmer for typing and e-mailing for me, Robin Walker for new rain gear, the men of Producers Rice Drier, Inc., in Elton for taking care of me during a bunch of thunderstorms, Tommy Crenshaw for keeping me dry at his garage, and to the Parsons (Kansas) Church of the Brethren for pair #9 walking shoes.
Like Texas, Louisiana changed as I went to different parts of the state. It became hillier and pine-forested in the central part and then flattened out in the northeast. Also, Like Texas, Louisiana is a big "money on the pavement" state.
| Louisiana Stats Feb. 15 - Mar. 8, 2005 7 nights hosted 14 nights homeless 313 miles walked |
Southern Plains District Church of the Brethren Wrap-Up
This district has the wide open spaces. Nine of the eleven Brethren congregations in the Southern Plains District hosted me. Special thanks to Russell Betz for making the initial church contacts and to all of the Brethren for their hospitality, especially Jim Kelly and Jim Balmer who went out of their way blessing me many times on the road with encouragement and goodies.
| Southern Plains District Final Stats 35 nights hosted 110 nights homeless 2,119 miles walked |
In Christ’s Love,
Don