Day One Hundred Twenty-Eight
Monday, August 13, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today was nice and cool. I started before the sun came up in order to walk as much as possible before the temperatures reached eighty. The strong breeze also aided me on the walk.
I felt good today, but I began to tire after ten miles, and the asphalt is starting to hurt my legs.
Tomorrow, I will begin at mile marker 97. I got a lot of sleep when we got back to the hotel in Chadron, so hopefully I will be rested for tomorrow.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 1091.1 miles
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Day One Hundred Twenty-Seven
Day One Hundred Twenty-Seven
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
After two consecutive days of walking twenty miles, I was anxious to see how I would handle today's section of the pilgrimage. My ankles were sore, my feet hurt somewhat, and my legs were tired. However, I maintained a twenty minute/mile pace, if not slightly under that -- I will continue to push myself. If my pace falls under twenty minutes/mile, it will be time to either pull back on the mileage or take a day of rest.
Hopefully, I can continue these long days for the next six days while I have Ann's help.
Thankfully, the weather was great, with above average wind speed and cool temperatures in the morning. I will be reducing the mileage hoping I can finish out the week strong. Tomorrow, I will be starting at mile marker eighty at Hay Springs, NE.
At 6:00 P.M., I went to Saint Patrick's Catholic Church to attend a Knight's of Columbus meeting.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 1074.1 miles
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
After two consecutive days of walking twenty miles, I was anxious to see how I would handle today's section of the pilgrimage. My ankles were sore, my feet hurt somewhat, and my legs were tired. However, I maintained a twenty minute/mile pace, if not slightly under that -- I will continue to push myself. If my pace falls under twenty minutes/mile, it will be time to either pull back on the mileage or take a day of rest.
Hopefully, I can continue these long days for the next six days while I have Ann's help.
Thankfully, the weather was great, with above average wind speed and cool temperatures in the morning. I will be reducing the mileage hoping I can finish out the week strong. Tomorrow, I will be starting at mile marker eighty at Hay Springs, NE.
At 6:00 P.M., I went to Saint Patrick's Catholic Church to attend a Knight's of Columbus meeting.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 1074.1 miles
Day One Hundred Twenty-Six
Day One Hundred Twenty-Six
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Thankfully, the mosquitoes were under control at the start of today's walk which made it much more pleasant. However, the temperature climbed fast and early and remained hot the rest of the day. There was a slight breeze to make the 93 degree temperatures barely tolerable.
When the big semi's pass me, I take off my hat and sunglasses so I can dry off my face with the wind after the semi passes me by (feels good).
Tomorrow, I will be starting at mile marker 63.
Finished today by attending Mass at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Chadron, NE. After Mass, I received a blessing from Father Todd K. Philipsen.
Today's Distance: 20 miles
Total Distance: 1,057.1 miles
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Thankfully, the mosquitoes were under control at the start of today's walk which made it much more pleasant. However, the temperature climbed fast and early and remained hot the rest of the day. There was a slight breeze to make the 93 degree temperatures barely tolerable.
When the big semi's pass me, I take off my hat and sunglasses so I can dry off my face with the wind after the semi passes me by (feels good).
Tomorrow, I will be starting at mile marker 63.
Finished today by attending Mass at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Chadron, NE. After Mass, I received a blessing from Father Todd K. Philipsen.
Today's Distance: 20 miles
Total Distance: 1,057.1 miles
Day One Hundred Twenty-Five
Day One Hundred Twenty-Five
Friday, August 10, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today started out bad, bright and early at 5:40 A.M. with high humidity and no breeze. I was literally swarmed by mosquitoes for the first 3.5 miles.
After those 3.5 miles, a breeze came up and it stayed cooler. The scenery started changing as well as trees and shade appeared on Highway 20, keeping me cooler. I reached Fort Robinson where we stopped to eat at their restaurant, spent time looking around the fort, and visited the horses on my sister's request (her son, my Godson, works with the horses and carriages at Colonial Williamsburg).
In 1948, when the military abandoned Fort Robinson, they allowed locals to disassemble the wooden stables. We found out that the Sage Motel we were staying in in Harrison was built out of the rough cut lumber from the stables in Fort Robinson.
Will begin tomorrow at mile marker 43.
Today's Distance: 20 miles
Total Distance: 1037.1 miles
Friday, August 10, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today started out bad, bright and early at 5:40 A.M. with high humidity and no breeze. I was literally swarmed by mosquitoes for the first 3.5 miles.
After those 3.5 miles, a breeze came up and it stayed cooler. The scenery started changing as well as trees and shade appeared on Highway 20, keeping me cooler. I reached Fort Robinson where we stopped to eat at their restaurant, spent time looking around the fort, and visited the horses on my sister's request (her son, my Godson, works with the horses and carriages at Colonial Williamsburg).
In 1948, when the military abandoned Fort Robinson, they allowed locals to disassemble the wooden stables. We found out that the Sage Motel we were staying in in Harrison was built out of the rough cut lumber from the stables in Fort Robinson.
Will begin tomorrow at mile marker 43.
Today's Distance: 20 miles
Total Distance: 1037.1 miles
Day One Hundred Twenty-Four
Day One Hundred Twenty-Four
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started today at 6:05 A.M., air was still, no breeze, swarmed by mosquitoes -- muggy all day. Rolling terrain, no trees in sight, hot all day, no fun; This is one of those days you just have to get through. Made it to mile marker 23.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 1017.1 miles
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started today at 6:05 A.M., air was still, no breeze, swarmed by mosquitoes -- muggy all day. Rolling terrain, no trees in sight, hot all day, no fun; This is one of those days you just have to get through. Made it to mile marker 23.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 1017.1 miles
Day One Hundred Twenty-Three
Day One Hundred Twenty-Three
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today has been a great and challenging day, starting at the Covered Wagon Motel in Lusk, WY. We drove to Highway 20, mile marker 52, walked approximately three miles before I encountered road construction. The road construction re-routed me, so I followed the rail road service road for four miles. Where the railroad met Highway 20, I had to climb up to the overpass over a shaky barbed wire fence to join Ann. She drove me 5.2 miles to the Nebraska border. In Nebraska, I walked along Highway 20 to mile marker five during the day and walked around Harrison, NE where we are staying at the Sage Motel. I walked the 5.2 miles I couldn't walk when I passed the construction zone. At 7:00 P.M. we drove to mile marker five and walked to mile marker six where I marked the coordinates for the day.
I am now three miles west of Harrison, NE. Temperatures were in the high 80's.
Today's Distance: 17.7 miles
Total Distance: 988.1
*I forgot to count the distance I walked on July 8, so my total distance is actually 1,000.1 miles.
Note: The most interesting thing that happened to me today was while I was walking the last mile in the evening. A red car drove past me, turned around, and a young woman (25-30 years old) got out, crossed the street, and handed me a liter of Aquavista water. I introduced myself and learned her name was Shota (Show-ta), an Ogalla Sioux. I told her about my 26 years in Tohatchi, NM teaching on the Navajo Reservation, and I promised to pray for her.
The greatest part of being a pilgrim is the kindness and faith you experience in others. Her last words to me were, "stay hydrated."
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today has been a great and challenging day, starting at the Covered Wagon Motel in Lusk, WY. We drove to Highway 20, mile marker 52, walked approximately three miles before I encountered road construction. The road construction re-routed me, so I followed the rail road service road for four miles. Where the railroad met Highway 20, I had to climb up to the overpass over a shaky barbed wire fence to join Ann. She drove me 5.2 miles to the Nebraska border. In Nebraska, I walked along Highway 20 to mile marker five during the day and walked around Harrison, NE where we are staying at the Sage Motel. I walked the 5.2 miles I couldn't walk when I passed the construction zone. At 7:00 P.M. we drove to mile marker five and walked to mile marker six where I marked the coordinates for the day.
I am now three miles west of Harrison, NE. Temperatures were in the high 80's.
Today's Distance: 17.7 miles
Total Distance: 988.1
*I forgot to count the distance I walked on July 8, so my total distance is actually 1,000.1 miles.
Note: The most interesting thing that happened to me today was while I was walking the last mile in the evening. A red car drove past me, turned around, and a young woman (25-30 years old) got out, crossed the street, and handed me a liter of Aquavista water. I introduced myself and learned her name was Shota (Show-ta), an Ogalla Sioux. I told her about my 26 years in Tohatchi, NM teaching on the Navajo Reservation, and I promised to pray for her.
The greatest part of being a pilgrim is the kindness and faith you experience in others. Her last words to me were, "stay hydrated."
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Day One Hundred Twenty-Two
Day One Hundred Twenty-Two
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at mile marker 34 on Highway 20, dividing the mileage in two parts today for a total of eighteen miles, finishing at mile marker 52. Only a few hours away from Nebraska, temperatures in the low 80's. This morning was slightly humid and foggy making it hard to see for the first two hours -- my sunglasses were fogging up.
Today finishes my first week with Ann, walking 119.1 miles for an average of seventeen miles per day.
Today's Distance: 18 miles
Total Distance: 970.4 miles
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at mile marker 34 on Highway 20, dividing the mileage in two parts today for a total of eighteen miles, finishing at mile marker 52. Only a few hours away from Nebraska, temperatures in the low 80's. This morning was slightly humid and foggy making it hard to see for the first two hours -- my sunglasses were fogging up.
Today finishes my first week with Ann, walking 119.1 miles for an average of seventeen miles per day.
Today's Distance: 18 miles
Total Distance: 970.4 miles
Day One Hundred Twenty-One
Day One Hundred Twenty-One
Monday, August 6, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked seventeen miles on Highway 20 toward Lusk, WY. Spent four miles walking alongside the railroad tracks. Pleasant weather, temperatures in the low 70's, partly cloudy most of the day with a good breeze.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 952.4
Monday, August 6, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked seventeen miles on Highway 20 toward Lusk, WY. Spent four miles walking alongside the railroad tracks. Pleasant weather, temperatures in the low 70's, partly cloudy most of the day with a good breeze.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 952.4
Day One Hundred Twenty
Day One Hundred Twenty
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked from finishing point 8.5 miles outside of Douglas following Appleton Road to Highway 20, from mile marker nine to mile marker seventeen to finish the day.
Spent the rest of the day resting, tired, sore. I need to be ready for tomorrow.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 935.4 miles
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked from finishing point 8.5 miles outside of Douglas following Appleton Road to Highway 20, from mile marker nine to mile marker seventeen to finish the day.
Spent the rest of the day resting, tired, sore. I need to be ready for tomorrow.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 935.4 miles
Day One Hundred Nineteen
Day One Hundred Nineteen
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Ann and I toured Fort Fetterman in the afternoon. I have always loved history and I enjoyed the museum.
In the evening, we attended Mass at Saint James Catholic Church. After Mass, I received a blessing from Father Demetrio Peñascoza. Father Demetrio is from Spain and belongs to the Augustinian Order.
Walked nine miles to Douglas, WY, through Douglas to Appleton Road, and walked 8.5 miles outside of Douglas.
Today's Distance: 17.5 miles
Total Distance: 918.4 miles
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Ann and I toured Fort Fetterman in the afternoon. I have always loved history and I enjoyed the museum.
In the evening, we attended Mass at Saint James Catholic Church. After Mass, I received a blessing from Father Demetrio Peñascoza. Father Demetrio is from Spain and belongs to the Augustinian Order.
Walked nine miles to Douglas, WY, through Douglas to Appleton Road, and walked 8.5 miles outside of Douglas.
Today's Distance: 17.5 miles
Total Distance: 918.4 miles
Day One Hundred Eighteen
Day One Hundred Eighteen
Friday, August 3, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked 17.5 miles outside of Douglas, WY. Started on Highway 93 and walked nine miles through Douglas to Appleton Road, Road 59. Temperatures were in the mid-80's, warm but very pleasant -- did have problems with mosquitoes.
Hoping to reach Highway 93 tomorrow.
Finished walking Tank Farm Road today, turned right on Orphan Road -- Highway 28 to Highway 93, stopping at mile marker nine, nine miles to Douglas.
After walking, went with Ann to the Pioneer Museum. Was very impressed and surprised with how many items were in the museum. Enjoyed taking time to walk through it.
Today's Distance: 17.5 miles
Total Distance: 900.9 miles
Friday, August 3, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked 17.5 miles outside of Douglas, WY. Started on Highway 93 and walked nine miles through Douglas to Appleton Road, Road 59. Temperatures were in the mid-80's, warm but very pleasant -- did have problems with mosquitoes.
Hoping to reach Highway 93 tomorrow.
Finished walking Tank Farm Road today, turned right on Orphan Road -- Highway 28 to Highway 93, stopping at mile marker nine, nine miles to Douglas.
After walking, went with Ann to the Pioneer Museum. Was very impressed and surprised with how many items were in the museum. Enjoyed taking time to walk through it.
Today's Distance: 17.5 miles
Total Distance: 900.9 miles
Day One Hundred Seventeen
Day One Hundred Seventeen
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started walking at 8:05 A.M. and walked to the highway lot off of Highway 26. After that, I walked on the gravel road for another 3.5 miles for a total of seventeen miles today. We drove to Douglas where we stayed at the Super 8 for the next four days.
From the Johnston Power Plant, turned onto Tank Farm Road, Highway 27. Will be following Tank Farm Road tomorrow, and hopefully I can reach Highway 93 which is nine miles north of Douglas, WY.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 883.4 miles
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started walking at 8:05 A.M. and walked to the highway lot off of Highway 26. After that, I walked on the gravel road for another 3.5 miles for a total of seventeen miles today. We drove to Douglas where we stayed at the Super 8 for the next four days.
From the Johnston Power Plant, turned onto Tank Farm Road, Highway 27. Will be following Tank Farm Road tomorrow, and hopefully I can reach Highway 93 which is nine miles north of Douglas, WY.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 883.4 miles
Day One Hundred Sixteen
Day One Hundred Sixteen
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
The last 23 days were spent working at the hotel in Colorado which makes a total of 45 days away from the road. The future will see even more days away from the road, unfortunately. Thanks to the sacrifices my family made, we were able to take control of the hotel from extremely poor and dishonest management.
I put a management team in place so I could take this pilgrimage to pray for life. Obviously, that did not work out in my favor, but hopefully I'll be able to walk at least 2,000 of the 2,900 miles on the road. While I'm working between the Colorado hotel and the New Mexico RV Park, I will be walking as much as I can so as not to fall shy of the distance I promised to walk.
My sister, Ann Merkley from Williamsburg, VA flew into Casper, WY from Richmond, VA to help follow me for eighteen days. Ann arrived at 8:15 P.M. after I had walked fifteen miles that day, placing me fifteen miles east of the of the Casper East RV Park on Highway 26.
Since I only have eighteen days to walk, I will be pushing myself past my limits to cover as much ground as possible before I have to go back to work.
There are no mileage markers, so I will not be able to pinpoint where I begin and end each day.
Today's Distance: 15 miles
Total Distance: 866.4 miles
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
The last 23 days were spent working at the hotel in Colorado which makes a total of 45 days away from the road. The future will see even more days away from the road, unfortunately. Thanks to the sacrifices my family made, we were able to take control of the hotel from extremely poor and dishonest management.
I put a management team in place so I could take this pilgrimage to pray for life. Obviously, that did not work out in my favor, but hopefully I'll be able to walk at least 2,000 of the 2,900 miles on the road. While I'm working between the Colorado hotel and the New Mexico RV Park, I will be walking as much as I can so as not to fall shy of the distance I promised to walk.
My sister, Ann Merkley from Williamsburg, VA flew into Casper, WY from Richmond, VA to help follow me for eighteen days. Ann arrived at 8:15 P.M. after I had walked fifteen miles that day, placing me fifteen miles east of the of the Casper East RV Park on Highway 26.
Since I only have eighteen days to walk, I will be pushing myself past my limits to cover as much ground as possible before I have to go back to work.
There are no mileage markers, so I will not be able to pinpoint where I begin and end each day.
Today's Distance: 15 miles
Total Distance: 866.4 miles
Day Ninety-One
Day Ninety-One
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
I walked thirteen miles, three miles past Logan, UT when I received a message to go back to the hotel to take care of business and replace the managers. Laura never did get to see her friend.
Today's Distance: 13 miles
Total Distance: 851.4 miles
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
I walked thirteen miles, three miles past Logan, UT when I received a message to go back to the hotel to take care of business and replace the managers. Laura never did get to see her friend.
Today's Distance: 13 miles
Total Distance: 851.4 miles
Days Eighty-Nine & Ninety
Day Eighty-Nine
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Had to deal with Colorado hotel problems in the morning, and was not able to start walking until 10:30 A.M. Temperatures were in the nineties when I finished today.
Today's Distance: 12 miles
Total Distance: 824.4 miles
Day Ninety
Friday, July 6, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked fourteen miles -- ten miles from Logan, UT where Laura is looking forward to seeing a friend from high school. Thankfully, today was a nice, warm day with a cool breeze.
Today's Distance: 14 miles
Total Distance: 838.4 miles
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Had to deal with Colorado hotel problems in the morning, and was not able to start walking until 10:30 A.M. Temperatures were in the nineties when I finished today.
Today's Distance: 12 miles
Total Distance: 824.4 miles
Day Ninety
Friday, July 6, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked fourteen miles -- ten miles from Logan, UT where Laura is looking forward to seeing a friend from high school. Thankfully, today was a nice, warm day with a cool breeze.
Today's Distance: 14 miles
Total Distance: 838.4 miles
Days Eighty-Seven & Eighty-Eight
Day Eighty-Seven
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Arrived at hotel.
Today's Distance: 18.4 miles
Total Distance: 795.6
Day Eighty-Eight
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
*Happy Birthday to my son, Daniel
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at 6:10 A.M. and it was cold until 7:30. Route 102 E, 300 N, through Garland, to Highway 30, turned right on Highway 30 to mile marker 102.
Today's Distance: 16.8 miles
Total Distance: 812.4
Day Eighty-Six
Day Eighty-Six
Monday, July 2, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
17 miles -- finished crossing the distance from Utah 30 to Highway 83 in Utah. Tomorrow, I will attempt 18.4 miles to Motel 6 in Tremonton -- finishing 2.4 miles of Highway 83 and 16 miles of Highway 102.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 777.2 miles
Monday, July 2, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
17 miles -- finished crossing the distance from Utah 30 to Highway 83 in Utah. Tomorrow, I will attempt 18.4 miles to Motel 6 in Tremonton -- finishing 2.4 miles of Highway 83 and 16 miles of Highway 102.
Today's Distance: 17 miles
Total Distance: 777.2 miles
Days Eighty-Three, Eighty-Four, and Eighty-Five
Day Eighty-Three
Friday, June 29, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today's Distance: 12 miles
Total Distance: 733.1
Ahead/Behind of Schedule: I don't want to think about it.
Day Eighty-Four
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today's Distance: 14.1 miles
Total Distance: 747.2 miles
Day Eighty-Five
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Attended Santa Ana Church and received a blessing from Rev. Patrick Revse, SJ
Today's Distance: 13 miles
Total Distance 760.2
Friday, June 29, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today's Distance: 12 miles
Total Distance: 733.1
Ahead/Behind of Schedule: I don't want to think about it.
Day Eighty-Four
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today's Distance: 14.1 miles
Total Distance: 747.2 miles
Day Eighty-Five
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Attended Santa Ana Church and received a blessing from Rev. Patrick Revse, SJ
Today's Distance: 13 miles
Total Distance 760.2
Day Sixty-Three
Day Sixty-Three
Saturday, June 9, 2018
*Happy Birthday to my sister, Ann
Crossbearer's Log:
I had to abandon the walk to go to Ouray, Colorado to replace the current manager and housekeeping staff at the family-owned hotel.
Laura had to clean up our computers crashing and supervising the complete reconstruction of the system all while dealing with unhappy customers whose reservations were lost in the crash. Her paper system was successful, albeit stressful.
I mainly became a housekeeper for the next twenty days. If anyone ever had to work as a housekeeper, they would never again leave a messy room. It is back-breaking work, especially for a 68-year-old man.
After twenty days of not getting to walk, we were able to resume the pilgrimage on day 83.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
*Happy Birthday to my sister, Ann
Crossbearer's Log:
I had to abandon the walk to go to Ouray, Colorado to replace the current manager and housekeeping staff at the family-owned hotel.
Laura had to clean up our computers crashing and supervising the complete reconstruction of the system all while dealing with unhappy customers whose reservations were lost in the crash. Her paper system was successful, albeit stressful.
I mainly became a housekeeper for the next twenty days. If anyone ever had to work as a housekeeper, they would never again leave a messy room. It is back-breaking work, especially for a 68-year-old man.
After twenty days of not getting to walk, we were able to resume the pilgrimage on day 83.
Day Sixty-Two
Day Sixty-Two
Friday, June 8, 2018
*39th Wedding Anniversary -- Happy Anniversary, Debbie ❤️
Crossbearer's Log:
I started walking at 8:45 A.M. at mile marker 31.3, and I walked 1.7 miles before finally turning on the Emigrant Trail Road. The road is a good gravel road with a steady climb for eleven miles to an elevation of 5,400 ft. I walked approximately a mile and a half past the crest of the hill on a downward descent.
I finished the day four and a half hours later for a total of 14.1 miles.
Today was hot, mid-80's, no breeze, but it was nice to get off the asphalt of the six inch shoulder on Highway 30. I saw four snakes on the road today. Fortunately, they were all dead.
The distance from Montello to Tremonton is 132 miles and, so far, I am 58 miles from Montello, 74 to Tremonton.
Today's Distance: 14.1 miles
Total Distance: 721.1 miles
Ahead of Schedule 101.1 miles
Friday, June 8, 2018
*39th Wedding Anniversary -- Happy Anniversary, Debbie ❤️
Crossbearer's Log:
I started walking at 8:45 A.M. at mile marker 31.3, and I walked 1.7 miles before finally turning on the Emigrant Trail Road. The road is a good gravel road with a steady climb for eleven miles to an elevation of 5,400 ft. I walked approximately a mile and a half past the crest of the hill on a downward descent.
I finished the day four and a half hours later for a total of 14.1 miles.
Today was hot, mid-80's, no breeze, but it was nice to get off the asphalt of the six inch shoulder on Highway 30. I saw four snakes on the road today. Fortunately, they were all dead.
The distance from Montello to Tremonton is 132 miles and, so far, I am 58 miles from Montello, 74 to Tremonton.
Today's Distance: 14.1 miles
Total Distance: 721.1 miles
Ahead of Schedule 101.1 miles
Day Sixty-One
Day Sixty-One
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started walking at 8:55 A.M. from mile marker 13.8 with temperatures in the low seventies to low eighties with a nice breeze all day.
My legs were tired at the beginning of the walk and my left knee was stiff. However, after the first mile, my legs felt great the rest of the day.
There were several semis and road construction vehicles, so I had to be on constant alert on the highway. My pace was approximately 19:20 min/mile, and I finished 13.3 miles -- 1.7 miles shy of turning East on the Emigrant Trail. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and getting off the highway for a change.
Note: Finished two months of walking -- tomorrow will be day one of month three.
Today's Distance: 13.3 miles
Total Distance: 707 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 97 miles
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started walking at 8:55 A.M. from mile marker 13.8 with temperatures in the low seventies to low eighties with a nice breeze all day.
My legs were tired at the beginning of the walk and my left knee was stiff. However, after the first mile, my legs felt great the rest of the day.
There were several semis and road construction vehicles, so I had to be on constant alert on the highway. My pace was approximately 19:20 min/mile, and I finished 13.3 miles -- 1.7 miles shy of turning East on the Emigrant Trail. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and getting off the highway for a change.
Note: Finished two months of walking -- tomorrow will be day one of month three.
Today's Distance: 13.3 miles
Total Distance: 707 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 97 miles
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Day Sixty
Day Sixty
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
I left the Pilot Motel at 6:00 A.M. and drove through a time change, entering Utah where I started walking at Mile Marker 4.1 and walked to mile marker 17.1. Started walking at 7:28 A.M. and walked an average 18:24/mile.
Every day the scenery changes. Even though I have been walking along Highway 223 NV/ 30 UT, the traffic has been decent, temperatures have been in the high seventies/ low eighties, and there's been a pretty steady breeze. Regardless, I am looking forward to getting off Highway 30 and onto the Emigrant Trail. I should be there by Friday.
Today's Distance: 13.7 miles
Total Distance: 693.7 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 93.7
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
I left the Pilot Motel at 6:00 A.M. and drove through a time change, entering Utah where I started walking at Mile Marker 4.1 and walked to mile marker 17.1. Started walking at 7:28 A.M. and walked an average 18:24/mile.
Every day the scenery changes. Even though I have been walking along Highway 223 NV/ 30 UT, the traffic has been decent, temperatures have been in the high seventies/ low eighties, and there's been a pretty steady breeze. Regardless, I am looking forward to getting off Highway 30 and onto the Emigrant Trail. I should be there by Friday.
Today's Distance: 13.7 miles
Total Distance: 693.7 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 93.7
Day Fifty-Nine
Day Fifty-Nine
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
I got an early start, leaving at 6:23 A.M. My starting point was Mile Marker 23 just outside the driveway of the Pilot Motel. I walked to the Utah border just past Mile Marker 34 (11.2 miles), arriving at the state line at 9:54 A.M.
After crossing into Utah, I ran into road construction for the next 3/4 mile. Surprisingly, the construction workers seemed to be very cautious of what I was doing, even though I took extra precaution through the work zone. I did not see the need to slow down.
It will never cease to amaze me the kindness others have towards me as I walk down the road. After crossing into Utah, I walked an extra 4.2 miles for a total of 15.4 miles for the day. Finished just after mile marker 4 on Highway 30 in Utah.
Today's Distance: 15.4 miles
Total Distance: 680 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 90 miles
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
I got an early start, leaving at 6:23 A.M. My starting point was Mile Marker 23 just outside the driveway of the Pilot Motel. I walked to the Utah border just past Mile Marker 34 (11.2 miles), arriving at the state line at 9:54 A.M.
After crossing into Utah, I ran into road construction for the next 3/4 mile. Surprisingly, the construction workers seemed to be very cautious of what I was doing, even though I took extra precaution through the work zone. I did not see the need to slow down.
It will never cease to amaze me the kindness others have towards me as I walk down the road. After crossing into Utah, I walked an extra 4.2 miles for a total of 15.4 miles for the day. Finished just after mile marker 4 on Highway 30 in Utah.
Today's Distance: 15.4 miles
Total Distance: 680 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 90 miles
Day Fifty-Eight
Day Fifty-Eight
Monday, June 4, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at 8:45 A.M. and walked eight miles before stopping for rest and a lunch break. Two people stopped to talk to me on the morning portion of today's walk. At 1:15 P.M. I started to walk the last five miles of the day, and four people stopped to see if I needed help. One couple was from Germany -- they gave me cold water and took a picture.
Finished the days walk at 3:00 P.M. Hopefully I can recover enough to get an early start tomorrow on my way to the Utah border. I started the day on Highway 233 at mile marker 10 and finished at mile marker 23.
Today's Distance: 13 miles
Total Distance: 664.6 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 84.6
Monday, June 4, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at 8:45 A.M. and walked eight miles before stopping for rest and a lunch break. Two people stopped to talk to me on the morning portion of today's walk. At 1:15 P.M. I started to walk the last five miles of the day, and four people stopped to see if I needed help. One couple was from Germany -- they gave me cold water and took a picture.
Finished the days walk at 3:00 P.M. Hopefully I can recover enough to get an early start tomorrow on my way to the Utah border. I started the day on Highway 233 at mile marker 10 and finished at mile marker 23.
Today's Distance: 13 miles
Total Distance: 664.6 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 84.6
Day Fifty-Seven
Day Fifty-Seven
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Slept in late to go to 9:30 Mass at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church. The priest from Elko could not make it, so we had a communion service instead of Mass. Afterwards, we packed up, left Motel 6. filled the gas tank, and drove to the Oasis Exit. We exited at 178 on I-80 and started walking at 12:10 P.M. down Highway 233. I walked 9.9 miles until I reached Mile Marker ten.
We drove to Montello, thirteen miles North to stay at the Pilot Motel. I have thirteen miles to walk tomorrow until I reach Montello, and thirteen miles the following day to reach the Utah border (FINALLY).
The walk was pleasant, surprisingly. I expected it would be tougher after three hard days, but I walked through a valley with mountains on each side. The sagebrush and dry climate reminded me of the Navajo Reservation.
I wore shorts for the first time today and got burned on the back of my legs. At this point in my life, I will never learn.
Today's Distance: 9.9 miles
Total Distance: 651.6 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 81.6 miles
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Slept in late to go to 9:30 Mass at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church. The priest from Elko could not make it, so we had a communion service instead of Mass. Afterwards, we packed up, left Motel 6. filled the gas tank, and drove to the Oasis Exit. We exited at 178 on I-80 and started walking at 12:10 P.M. down Highway 233. I walked 9.9 miles until I reached Mile Marker ten.
We drove to Montello, thirteen miles North to stay at the Pilot Motel. I have thirteen miles to walk tomorrow until I reach Montello, and thirteen miles the following day to reach the Utah border (FINALLY).
The walk was pleasant, surprisingly. I expected it would be tougher after three hard days, but I walked through a valley with mountains on each side. The sagebrush and dry climate reminded me of the Navajo Reservation.
I wore shorts for the first time today and got burned on the back of my legs. At this point in my life, I will never learn.
Today's Distance: 9.9 miles
Total Distance: 651.6 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 81.6 miles
Day Fifty-Six
Day Fifty-Six
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
This is the third day of my push to get off I-80 and follow another route. My legs were tired, but I still managed to walk under twenty minute miles even though I had an eight mile steady climb to Summit Pass (Mile Marker 373). My tired legs appreciated the following downhill slope for the next five miles.
Started today's walk at 8:00 A.M. and walked 13.7 miles -- looks like I am five days from the Utah border.
Today's Distance: 13.7
Total Distance: 641.7 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 81.7 miles
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
This is the third day of my push to get off I-80 and follow another route. My legs were tired, but I still managed to walk under twenty minute miles even though I had an eight mile steady climb to Summit Pass (Mile Marker 373). My tired legs appreciated the following downhill slope for the next five miles.
Started today's walk at 8:00 A.M. and walked 13.7 miles -- looks like I am five days from the Utah border.
Today's Distance: 13.7
Total Distance: 641.7 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 81.7 miles
Day Fifty- Five
Day Fifty-Five
Friday, June 1, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at the Motel 6 off Exit 352B at 8:15 A.M. because before that, it was windy and cold (low fifties). The wind did die down but starting temperature was 55 degrees.
Continue from 352B and took the first left turn along a service road (Do Not Drive) north of I-80. The Frontage Road added approximately a half mile to the distance compared to staying on I-80.
When arriving at Exit 360, I crossed to the south side and walked the next five miles along the service road south of I-80.
It was pleasant being away from the interstate noise which made for an easy walk. I averaged 19:05/mile. Will start tomorrow from Exit 365 East walking against the traffic.
Today's Distance: 13.7 miles
Total Distance: 628 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 78 miles
Friday, June 1, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at the Motel 6 off Exit 352B at 8:15 A.M. because before that, it was windy and cold (low fifties). The wind did die down but starting temperature was 55 degrees.
Continue from 352B and took the first left turn along a service road (Do Not Drive) north of I-80. The Frontage Road added approximately a half mile to the distance compared to staying on I-80.
When arriving at Exit 360, I crossed to the south side and walked the next five miles along the service road south of I-80.
It was pleasant being away from the interstate noise which made for an easy walk. I averaged 19:05/mile. Will start tomorrow from Exit 365 East walking against the traffic.
Today's Distance: 13.7 miles
Total Distance: 628 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 78 miles
Day Fifty-Four
Day Fifty-Four
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Left the hotel in Elko to a hotel in Wells. Started at 9:00 A.M. and walked 13.7 miles to Motel 6. Started on the gravel road parallel and south of Interstate 90 and followed it to the Motel 6 in Wells.
Temperatures were in the low seventies with cloud build up, and winds started picking up the last two miles with the temperature dropping to the high fifties. Started raining lightly the last five minutes.
After two days on I-80, it was nice to get off the interstate. In Wells, I met Jose who contributed $14.00 to a sonogram machine. We had a nice visit and told him I would see him at Church on Sunday.
Today's Distance: 14.2 miles
Total Distance: 614.8
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Left the hotel in Elko to a hotel in Wells. Started at 9:00 A.M. and walked 13.7 miles to Motel 6. Started on the gravel road parallel and south of Interstate 90 and followed it to the Motel 6 in Wells.
Temperatures were in the low seventies with cloud build up, and winds started picking up the last two miles with the temperature dropping to the high fifties. Started raining lightly the last five minutes.
After two days on I-80, it was nice to get off the interstate. In Wells, I met Jose who contributed $14.00 to a sonogram machine. We had a nice visit and told him I would see him at Church on Sunday.
Today's Distance: 14.2 miles
Total Distance: 614.8
Days Fifty-Two & Fifty-Three
Day Fifty-Two
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at 8:45 A.M. at mile marker 325.5 on I-80. Walked along I-80 for 13.6 miles, finishing at mile marker 339. Felt good the first ten miles walking roughly 18 minute miles. The last three miles, I slowed my pace to around 21-22 minute miles. I realized when finishing that most of the walk was a gradual uphill climb, with the last few miles becoming steeper. Tomorrow the goal is to walk thirteen miles to Wells, Nevada. Legs are tired, so I may have to break the workout into two parts in order to make it to Wells. Look forward to taking a rest day on Thursday in order to be able to climb up Peqoup Summit (approx. 7,000 ft).
Today's Distance: 13.6 miles
Total Distance: 600.6 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 80.6 miles
Day Fifty-Three
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Rest Day -- Number eight.
Ahead of Schedule: 70.6
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at 8:45 A.M. at mile marker 325.5 on I-80. Walked along I-80 for 13.6 miles, finishing at mile marker 339. Felt good the first ten miles walking roughly 18 minute miles. The last three miles, I slowed my pace to around 21-22 minute miles. I realized when finishing that most of the walk was a gradual uphill climb, with the last few miles becoming steeper. Tomorrow the goal is to walk thirteen miles to Wells, Nevada. Legs are tired, so I may have to break the workout into two parts in order to make it to Wells. Look forward to taking a rest day on Thursday in order to be able to climb up Peqoup Summit (approx. 7,000 ft).
Today's Distance: 13.6 miles
Total Distance: 600.6 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 80.6 miles
Day Fifty-Three
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Rest Day -- Number eight.
Ahead of Schedule: 70.6
Day Fifty-One
Day Fifty-One
Monday, May 28, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started past mile marker311 on I-80 East and walked on the side road to the interstate to exit 317. From there, I decided to walk on I-80 East facing traffic. In Nevada, you can walk on the interstate in=f you are facing traffic, are not intoxicated, and not soliciting. By the time today's walk was over, the distance walked was 14.4 miles. 19.08 minutes/mile in four hours and forty minutes. Temperatures were in the sixties with fog for the first hour and a half, but thankfully sunshine for the rest of the day.
Todays Distance: 14.4 miles
Total Distance: 587 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 77 miles
Monday, May 28, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Started past mile marker311 on I-80 East and walked on the side road to the interstate to exit 317. From there, I decided to walk on I-80 East facing traffic. In Nevada, you can walk on the interstate in=f you are facing traffic, are not intoxicated, and not soliciting. By the time today's walk was over, the distance walked was 14.4 miles. 19.08 minutes/mile in four hours and forty minutes. Temperatures were in the sixties with fog for the first hour and a half, but thankfully sunshine for the rest of the day.
Todays Distance: 14.4 miles
Total Distance: 587 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 77 miles
Day Fifty
Day Fifty
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today I wanted to begin early and be able to attend 10 AM Mass. My legs were so tired from the long walk yesterday that I chose to give them more recovery.
Went to 10 A.M. Mass and afterwards, Father Dan Hussey gave me a blessing for the Pilgrimage. Father Hussey is an Irish priest, his first assignment was at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, NM. He was a parish priest in the Diocese of Gallup for thirteen years, and it was nice talking to him.
He suggested we have lunch on him at Dos Amigos operated by George and Sarah. Anytime I received a gift, I always take the cost and forward it to a fund for a sonogram machine; meeting George and Sarah was an honor. I enjoyed meeting them more than I enjoyed eating their great food.
Finally started walking at 2:20 P.M. in the rain. It stopped after a mile and a half and temperatures were in the 60s the rest of the day.
Today's Distance: 7.4 miles
Total Distance: 572.6 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 72.6 miles
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today I wanted to begin early and be able to attend 10 AM Mass. My legs were so tired from the long walk yesterday that I chose to give them more recovery.
Went to 10 A.M. Mass and afterwards, Father Dan Hussey gave me a blessing for the Pilgrimage. Father Hussey is an Irish priest, his first assignment was at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, NM. He was a parish priest in the Diocese of Gallup for thirteen years, and it was nice talking to him.
He suggested we have lunch on him at Dos Amigos operated by George and Sarah. Anytime I received a gift, I always take the cost and forward it to a fund for a sonogram machine; meeting George and Sarah was an honor. I enjoyed meeting them more than I enjoyed eating their great food.
Finally started walking at 2:20 P.M. in the rain. It stopped after a mile and a half and temperatures were in the 60s the rest of the day.
Today's Distance: 7.4 miles
Total Distance: 572.6 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 72.6 miles
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Day Forty-Nine
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 40°51.2378'
W 115°44.5912'
Elevation: 5,084 ft.
Course: NNE 16° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Started early today because I wanted to get to our hotel today before it rained, a distance of 21.7 miles. Walked a mile to the tunnels, made a two and a half mile loop to the north around the Humboldt River, walked along the railroad tracks of the Union Pacific, connected to Idaho Street, past the long runway of the Elko Airport. Walked 4.9 miles along Idaho Street, but stopped to have Cornish Pasties at B.J. Bull's restaurant.
After lunch, I had to walk two more miles to finish for the day. I was racing the rain back to the hotel. Man vs. Rain, Thunder, and Lightning. I was three minutes away when it started to sleet. Almost won.
Today's Distance: 21.8 miles
Total Distance: 565.2 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 75.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 40°43.6965'
W 116°2.4434'
Elevation: 4,923 ft.
Course: E 90° T
Ending:
N 40°51.2378'
W 115°44.5912'
Elevation: 5,084 ft.
Course: NNE 16° T
Day Forty-Eight
Friday, May 25, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 40°43.6965'
W 116°2.4434'
Elevation: 4,923 ft.
Course: E 90° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Started walking at 7:55 A.M. from Exit 271 off I-80. From there, I proceeded to the gravel road south of I-80 which led to the dirt road eastbound to Carlin and followed that road to Chestnut. I finished my walk even with mile marker 284 on I-80.
Today provided an easy thirteen mile walk, and I even stopped to eat three rolled tacos at a Mexican Restaurant off of Exit 281 on Chestnut Road. The tunnels are a mile ahead.
Today's Distance: 13 miles
Total Distance: 543.5 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 64 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 40°39.5196'
W 116°15.3917'
Elevation: 5,952 ft.
Course: E 86° T
Ending:
N 40°43.6965'
W 116°2.4434'
Elevation: 4,923 ft.
Course: E 90° T
Days Forty-Six & Forty-Seven
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 40°39.5196'
W 116°15.3917'
Elevation: 5,952 ft.
Course: E 86° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Rest.
Ahead of Schedule: 58.5
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today started at 8:00 A.M. at Exit 261 on Interstate 80, Nevada. My goal is to reach Exit 271 and stay off the interstate by walking a gravel road on the north side of I-80.
Started by walking on the paved road north of I-80 which turned to gravel, but it wasn't much longer until it turned into small and sometimes larger rocks.
For over seven miles, all I did was walk up and back down large, steep hills. By the time I looked over at the buildings off Exit 268, I had to make a choice to stay on the rocky hills I was on or go off 268 which offered a downhill slope leading to a building and eventually to I-80. I decided my knees have suffered enough for the day, so I walked the last three miles on the interstate.
Walking on the interstate is rough because of the heavy traffic, mostly semi-trucks, going by at high speeds. By the time I was done, I was glad to be off the interstate. It took me about nine and a half miles to cover the distance from Exit 261 to 268.
Researched roads online for tomorrow and discovered a gravel road on the south side of I-80 all the way to Carlin and past the tunnels beyond Carlin. We'll see what happens tomorrow.
Today's Distance: 12.5 miles
Total Distance: 530.5 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 61 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 40°39.8214'
W 116°26.3883'
Elevation: 4,902 ft.
Course: NNE 15° T
Ending:
N 40°39.5196'
W 116°15.3917'
Elevation: 5,952 ft.
Course: E 86° T
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Days Forty-Four & Forty-Five
Monday, May 21, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 40°39.8214'
W 116°26.3883'
Elevation: 4,902 ft.
Course: NNE 15° T
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
11:17 A.M. Late start today to help me recover from yesterday's walk. Goal was to walk along T-S Road that ran alongside T-S Ranch and parallel to I-80. Approximately seven miles later, the road led to the westbound I-80 Beowawe Rest Stop.
From there, I continued along the fence line of I-80 (on the north side of the fence) and walked about one and a half more miles to the Beowawe Exit -- Highway 306. The one and a half miles after the rest stop was slow-going, ground was rocky, overgrown with weeds, gopher holes, an extremely uneven ground.
After seventeen straight days of walking (twelve miles/day) , tomorrow will be a day of rest.
Daily Distance: 8.5 miles
Total Distance: 518.5 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 78.5 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 40°41.5635'
W 116°34.3215'
Elevation: 4,601 ft.
Course: E 94° T
Ending:
N 40°39.8214'
W 116°26.3883'
Elevation: 4,902 ft.
Course: NNE 15° T
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Rest.
Day Forty-Three
Sunday, May 20, 2018
*My wife, Deborah's Birthday
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 40°41.5635'
W 116°34.3215'
Elevation: 4,601 ft.
Course: E 94° T
*My wife, Deborah's Birthday
Crossbearer's Log:
Started walking at 8:15 A.M. with a goal to walk 14.1 miles if I am able to maintain a 20 min/mile pace. Four hours and forty minutes later, I finished at 12:55 P.M.
Felt good for the first nine miles. The endless days of walking primarily on asphalt surface has taken its toll on my legs, leaving me sore in my ankles, knees, feet, and achilles tendons. I have been walking for fifteen days straight and I can feel my body telling me to rest. If I do walk tomorrow, it will only be to the Beowawe Rest Stop on I-80, approximately ten miles.
Today's walk started out cool, but got hot and muggy with no breeze. Thankfully, the last six miles were breezy, overcast and cool.
Daily Distance: 14.1 miles
Total Distance: 510 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 80 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 40°36.7394'
W 116°48.4530'
Elevation: 4,523 ft.
Course: ENE 67° T
Ending:
N 40°41.5635'
W 116°34.3215'
Elevation: 4,601 ft.
Course: E 94° T
Monday, May 21, 2018
Day forty-Two
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 40°36.7394'
W 116°48.4530'
Elevation: 4,523 ft.
Course: ENE 67° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at mile marker 13.6 on Highway 305, 5.4 miles to Battle Mountain. Even though the pace was over 20 min/mile, I felt good.
I finished my walking on 305 and headed East on Highway 304 connecting onto Mulshoe road which I will follow, keeping between the railroad tracks and Interstate 80 to Rexies. While I was walking along Mulshoe Road on my way to Elko, Nevada, only four cars passed me over the course of 6.2 miles.
At 5:00 P.M., Laura and I went to Mass at Saint John Bosco Church in Battle Mountain. The Church was small and beautiful with kind and friendly parishioners. After Mass, I received a blessing from Father Elberto Melendez.
Daily Distance: 13.5 miles
Total Distance: 495.9 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 75.9 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 40°34.2896'
W 117°1.2978'
Elevation: 4,792 ft.
Course: Stationary
Ending:
N 40°36.7394'
W 116°48.4530'
Elevation: 4,523 ft.
Course: ENE 67° T
Day Forty-One
Friday, May 18, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 40 34.2896'
W 117 1.2978'
Elevation: 4,792 ft.
Course: Stationary
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked for a total of five hours and thirty-five minutes, but divided it into two parts. The morning portion lasted three hours and forty minutes where the evening portion lasted one hour and fifty-five minutes for a total of 16.1 miles. Temps in the high 60s. Nice day for a long walk.
Looking forward to tomorrow and finally being able to walk through Battle Mountain after leaving Austin eighty-eight miles ago.
Daily Distance: 16.1 miles
Total Distance: 482.4 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 72.4 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 40°21.9481'
W117°2.9502'
Elevation: 4,838'
Course: SSE 153° T
Ending:
N 40 34.2896'
W 117 1.2978'
Elevation: 4,792 ft.
Course: Stationary
Day Forty
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 40°21.9481'
W117°2.9502'
Elevation: 4,838'
Course: SSE 153° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Today was one long, steady uphill climb from mile marker 83 to mile marker 96.5 for a total of 13.5 miles. The uphill incline did not slow me down because it was not so much steep as it was just that the uphill lasted today's entire walk.
My feet were hurting from wearing my new pair of shoes yesterday, but they started to feel better roughly four miles into the walk. It was a fairly easy day as I averaged 18:45 min/mile. I'm hoping by the time I make it to the Midwest hot summers, I can average 17 min/mile and get off the road before the day's weather hits the 90s. The best news for today is that I am 22.5 miles from Battle Mountain. I should be nine miles out by tomorrow and five miles beyond Battle Mountain by Saturday, then I'll be on my way to Elko, Nevada.
Daily Distance: 13.5
Total Distance: 466.3 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 66.3 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 40°10.7655'
W 117°5.9235'
Elevation: 4,839 ft.
Course: S 183° T
Ending:
N 40°21.9481'
W117°2.9502'
Elevation: 4,838'
Course: SSE 153° T
Day Thirty-Nine
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 40°10.7655'
W 117°5.9235'
Elevation: 4,839 ft.
Course: S 183° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Started today's walk at 8:45 A.M. 3/10s of a mile before mile marker 69 and walked to mile marker 83 (14.3 miles).
The last three days, the walk was similar to a roller coaster -- up, down, up, down, up, down.
Since I had to re-route the walk again on account of five days of rain, I am now heading to Battle Mountain. Battle Mountain is ninety miles from Austin, where we packed up after five days at the Pony Canyon Motel.
My first pair of shoes fell apart, so I started on my second pair -- hopefully I can go a little farther with them.
For thirteen miles, I averaged 17.30/mile and I was able to move down the road without spending much time on Highway 305. Looking forward to tomorrow and moving closer to Battle Mountain.
Daily Distance: 14.3 miles
Total Distance: 452.8 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 62.8 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°57.6730'
W 117°9.4901'
Elevation: 5,080 ft.
Course: SSE 157° T
Ending:
N 40°10.7655'
W 117°5.9235'
Elevation: 4,839 ft.
Course: S 183° T
Day Thirty-Eight
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Ending:
N 39°57.6730'
W 117°9.4901'
Elevation: 5,080 ft.
Course: SSE 157° T
Crossbearer's Log:
The road that cut over to Highway 306 was too muddy to use, so I had to continue walking on Highway 305.
Ate breakfast before walking today in Austin, and I only walked 6.7 miles starting at 10:10 A.M. My legs needed the rest before getting more mileage tomorrow. Surface was mostly flat and the highway was surrounded by beautiful mountains. Temps in the 50s. Felt great.
Daily Distance: 6.7 miles
Total Distance: 438.5 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 58.5 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°55.1465'
W 117°8.0267'
Elevation: 5,246 ft.
Course: S 186° T
Ending:
N 39°57.6730'
W 117°9.4901'
Elevation: 5,080 ft.
Course: SSE 157° T
Friday, May 18, 2018
Day Thirty-Seven
Monday, May 14, 2018
Again, I apologize for my inability to post daily. The coffee shop with the WiFi is closing in ten minutes, so I'll update more tomorrow.
Beginning:
N 39°45.6972'
W 117°8.5379'
Elevation: 5,399 ft.
Course: WSW 256° T
Ending:
N 39°55. 1465'
W 117°8.0267'
Elevation: 5,246 ft.
Course: S 186° T
Again, I apologize for my inability to post daily. The coffee shop with the WiFi is closing in ten minutes, so I'll update more tomorrow.
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at 8 A.M. with a goal of walking to Carico Valley Road. Finished walking 11.8 miles later at 11:50 A.M.
The temperature for today's walk fell in the forty degree range with beautiful snow-capped mountain views as well as grass valleys. My biggest problem for today was the lack of shoulders to walk on. This lack of shoulder room meant I either had to cross the road every time I saw a vehicle or be close to a reflector post to hold onto while I stood off the road on a slope.
For the last three days, I have been walking through the Toiyabe Mountain Range which should last until I get to Elko, Nevada. Looking forward to getting off the asphalt tomorrow for the next thirty miles as I leave Highway 305 thirty-two miles north of Austin and connect to Highway 306.
Daily Distance: 11.8 miles
Total Distance: 431.8 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 61.8 milesCoordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°45.6972'
W 117°8.5379'
Elevation: 5,399 ft.
Course: WSW 256° T
Ending:
N 39°55. 1465'
W 117°8.0267'
Elevation: 5,246 ft.
Course: S 186° T
Day Thirty-Six
Sunday, May 13, 2018 (Mother's Day)
Beginning:
N 39°36.0511'
W 117°9.6109'
Elevation: 5,730 ft.
Course: NNW 332° T
Ending:
N 39°45.6972'
W 117°8.5379'
Elevation: 5,399 ft.
Course: WSW 256° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Because I pushed myself so hard yesterday, I took my time getting started today to ensure a good recovery. Started at 10:15 A.M. and walked for three hours and forty-five minutes.
Today's walk began at mile marker 39 on Nevada Highway 305 and I finished the day .7 miles past mile marker 50. It only rained for three out of the approximate twelve miles. Overcast day with the snow-capped mountains in view, and the temperature was in the forties throughout the walk. The humidity also contributed to the comfortable circumstances for this day of the pilgrimage. I only needed a jacket for the first mile, and there was light traffic all day.
Daily Distance: 11.7 miles
Total Distance: 420.0 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 60 milesCoordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°36.0511'
W 117°9.6109'
Elevation: 5,730 ft.
Course: NNW 332° T
Ending:
N 39°45.6972'
W 117°8.5379'
Elevation: 5,399 ft.
Course: WSW 256° T
Day Thirty-Five
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°29.1247'
W 117°14.2439'
Elevation: 5,781 ft.
Course: S 184° T
Ending:
N 39°36.0511'
W 117°9.6109'
Elevation: 5,730 ft.
Course: NNW 332° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Began today at mile marker 115 on Highway 50 East, 8.9 miles outside of Austin, Nevada. Highway 50 connected to Highway 305 North, and I stopped at mile marker 39. The walk today took five and a half hours for a total of 17.1 miles.
Started today's walk at 8:10 A.M. and the first eight miles provided a light and steady sleet storm. The last mile before I connected to Highway 305, it started snowing. After the snow, it rained six of the last eight miles. The only consistent thing about today's walk was the thirty degree weather.
After walking the last two weeks with the sun beating down on me, today was a welcome relief.
Daily Distance: 17.1
Total Distance: 408.3 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 58.3 miles.
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°29.1247'
W 117°14.2439'
Elevation: 5,781 ft.
Course: S 184° T
Ending:
N 39°36.0511'
W 117°9.6109'
Elevation: 5,730 ft.
Course: NNW 332° T
Day Thirty-Four
Friday, May 11, 2018
I try to stay as up-to-date on the blog as I can, but it's all WiFi-permitting. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Daily Distance: 16 miles
Total Distance: 391.2 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 51.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
I try to stay as up-to-date on the blog as I can, but it's all WiFi-permitting. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Crossbearer's Log:
Left Cold Springs Station Resort after a three-day stay. Started walking at 7:15 A.M, and the first two miles were spent climbing approximately 500 feet. The rest of the day had as many ups and downs as a roller coaster.
The first two miles were also cold and I wore my rain jacket. At mile twelve, the sleet came -- stayed for twenty minutes. The sleet brought the cold and I had to put my rain jacket back on. Did not stop walking because I wanted to finish sixteen miles before Laura showed up.
Finished the day approximately eleven miles from Austin, Nevada after five hours and ten minutes, averaging under 20 min/mile.
Expecting snow tonight, might have a late start tomorrow.
Daily Distance: 16 miles
Total Distance: 391.2 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 51.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°34.0454'
W 117°30.6510'
Elevation: 5,904 ft.
Course: S 190° T
Ending:
N 39°29.1247'
W 117°14.2439'
Elevation: 5,781 ft.
Course: S 184° T
Ending:
N 39°29.1247'
W 117°14.2439'
Elevation: 5,781 ft.
Course: S 184° T
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Day Thirty-Three
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Total walking time was four and a half hours. I am 27 miles from Austin, Nevada. Storm coming in tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get most of my walking in before it rains.
Daily Distance: 14 miles
Total Distance: 375.2 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 45.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°31.3025'
W 117°44.6206'
Elevation: 5,222 ft.
Course: ESE 104° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Since yesterday was a split day, ending late, I was not in a hurry to start early. Had breakfast in Cold Springs where we are staying in a cabin. By the time we arrived at mile marker 91 on Highway 50, it was 9:45 A.M.
Today was hot, not because of the temperatures, but because there are no shade trees and no breeze. The sun was sure hot though in the clear skies. Thankfully, it is supposed to be cooler tomorrow with a 50 percent chance of rain.
Walked from mile marker 91 to mile marker 105, elevation 5,200 ft. The last two miles of today's walk were between two mountains -- very colorful reds, greens, grays, blacks, orange, whites, and browns. I was thankful for the scenery. Finished at an 1860's overland stage line stopover site with partially standing walls.I had to duck three times today because of loud booms that sounded louder than a thunderclap. When I asked the owners of the Cold Springs Station, George and Barb, what it was, the jets from the Fallon Naval Air Station drop bombs in the valley.
Total walking time was four and a half hours. I am 27 miles from Austin, Nevada. Storm coming in tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get most of my walking in before it rains.
Daily Distance: 14 miles
Total Distance: 375.2 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 45.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°31.3025'
W 117°44.6206'
Elevation: 5,222 ft.
Course: ESE 104° T
Ending:
N 39°34.0454'
W 117°30.6510'
Elevation: 5,904 ft.
Course: S 190° T
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Day Thirty-Two
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
Crossbearer's Log:
Got a 6 A.M. start today and walked for five hours. Stopped to take pictures of the Overland Stage Buildings two miles west of Cold Springs Station Resort. Finished the morning walk by 11 A.M. Fourteen miles.
At 4:50 P.M., I started the evening portion of my walk during which I walked seven miles in two hours and six minutes.
Today was mostly a long, steady climb with a few slightly downhill and level walks. Started at what Laura calls the "Shoe Tree" at mile marker 70, 4,600 ft. to mile marker 91 on Highway 50, 5,200 ft.
Cool weather, in the seventies, nice breeze. Because of my early start, I was able to avoid most of the days heat. I feel good for now, looking forward to tomorrow.
Daily Distance: 21 miles
Total Distance: 361.2 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 41.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°17.6524'
W 117°59.1898'
Elevation: 4,689 ft.
Course: W 261° T
Ending:
N 39°31.3025'
W 117°44.6206'
Elevation: 5,222 ft.
Course: ESE 104° T
Ending:
N 39°31.3025'
W 117°44.6206'
Elevation: 5,222 ft.
Course: ESE 104° T
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Day Thirty-One
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today, we packed up and left the hotel we stayed in for five nights in Fallon, Nevada. At 7:43 A.M., I started walking along Highway 50 from mile marker 56, and walked four and a half hours to mile marker 70.
Nothing special about this day's walk. Just a straight fourteen miles in the wide open spaces the desert provides, only highway, no trees. Went over Drummond Pass, 4,600 feet. I passed Middlegate station, where Laura and I returned later for lunch, three miles back. Had a 1/3 lb burger with fries and devoured it because my stomach was growling for the last few miles of the walk.
We drove forward approximately twelve miles to Cold Springs Station. It was originally a stop on the Pony Express route. It has an RV Park, cabins, motel, gift shop, and restaurant. Very clean. High quality.
Tomorrow, I am looking for a 6:30 A.M. start so my first two hours will be in cool weather.
Daily Distance: 14 miles
Total Distance: 341.2 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 31.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°16.8610'
W 118°14. 9626'
Elevation: 4,111 ft.
Course: N 354° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Today, we packed up and left the hotel we stayed in for five nights in Fallon, Nevada. At 7:43 A.M., I started walking along Highway 50 from mile marker 56, and walked four and a half hours to mile marker 70.
Nothing special about this day's walk. Just a straight fourteen miles in the wide open spaces the desert provides, only highway, no trees. Went over Drummond Pass, 4,600 feet. I passed Middlegate station, where Laura and I returned later for lunch, three miles back. Had a 1/3 lb burger with fries and devoured it because my stomach was growling for the last few miles of the walk.
We drove forward approximately twelve miles to Cold Springs Station. It was originally a stop on the Pony Express route. It has an RV Park, cabins, motel, gift shop, and restaurant. Very clean. High quality.
Tomorrow, I am looking for a 6:30 A.M. start so my first two hours will be in cool weather.
Daily Distance: 14 miles
Total Distance: 341.2 miles
Ahead of Schedule: 31.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°16.8610'
W 118°14. 9626'
Elevation: 4,111 ft.
Course: N 354° T
Ending:
N 39°17.6524'
W 117°59.1898'
Elevation: 4,689 ft.
Course: W 261° T
Day Thirty
Monday, May 7, 2018
Total Distance: 327.2 miles
Ahead of schedule: 27.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°17.9059'
W 118°28.4217'
Elevation: 3,919 ft.
Course: W 264° T
Ending:
N 39°16.8610'
W 118°14. 9626'
Elevation: 4,111 ft.
Course: N 354° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Started walking at 7:17 A.M. and finished walking four hours and fifteen minutes later.
Today consisted of walking Highway 50...all day. Most of my thirteen miles was through the Fallon Naval Air Base, which meant jets flying overhead. There was a long climb at the beginning of the walk, but the rest of the way was downhill or flat. Tomorrow it looks like I will be starting with an uphill climb of about five miles.
When we got back to Fallon, we walked down Maine Street (Historic and Downtown). In one of the stores, a lady named Julie gave me a mug that reads, "I Survived Highway 50."I still have about twenty-three miles on Highway 50 before it's true, but I am optimistic.
Highway 50 was given its name by Life magazine in July of 1966 -- America's Loneliest Highway. I concur.Daily Distance: 13 miles
Total Distance: 327.2 miles
Ahead of schedule: 27.2 miles
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°17.9059'
W 118°28.4217'
Elevation: 3,919 ft.
Course: W 264° T
Ending:
N 39°16.8610'
W 118°14. 9626'
Elevation: 4,111 ft.
Course: N 354° T
Days Twenty- Eight & Twenty-Nine
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°29.6485'
W 118°53.6717'
Elevation: 3,985 ft.
Course: E 84° T
Ending:
N 39°17.9059'
W 118°28.4217'
Elevation: 3,919 ft.
Course: W 264° T
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning and Ending:
N 39°17.9059'
W 118°28.4217'
Elevation: 3,919 ft.
Course: W 264° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Today, I was looking forward to a good start. Start time 7:05 A.M., so far, so good. One minute later, a swarm of mosquitoes descended on me for the next hour. I called Laura after two miles to pick me up. During that time, I talked to my son, Daniel, and learned that I had ninety miles of dirt roads and trails where the Chinook would never make it. After 3.3 miles and hundreds of mosquito bites, I headed back to the hotel to reroute my course.
The best route I could find was through Middlegate with forty miles on dirt roads. I rerouted my pilgrimage back to Highway 50 and started on my way to Middlegate.
Started again at 12:45 P.M. which provided me with hot, dry weather and no shade anywhere to be seen. Kept a close eye out for rattlesnakes.
Attended 5 P.M. Mass at St. Patrick's, and afterwards, Fr. Antonio Quijano gave me a blessing. Beautiful, peaceful Church.
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°29.6485'
W 118°53.6717'
Elevation: 3,985 ft.
Course: E 84° T
Ending:
N 39°17.9059'
W 118°28.4217'
Elevation: 3,919 ft.
Course: W 264° T
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Rested. Fallon, Nevada.
Coordinates:
Beginning and Ending:
N 39°17.9059'
W 118°28.4217'
Elevation: 3,919 ft.
Course: W 264° T
Day Twenty-Seven
Friday, May 4, 2018
Beginning:
N 39°29.6485'
W 118°53.6717'
Elevation: 3,985 ft.
Course: E 84° T
Ending:
N 39°36.0270'
W 118°46.9119'
Elevation: 3,939 ft.
Course: SSE 168° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Today, I started roughly six miles west of Fallon and turned North on Highway 95 for another nine miles.
My current goal is to make up ground to increase the mileage for the total pilgrimage. At the end of the day, my daily mileage was 14.9 miles, my total pilgrimage miles are 300.8 and I am 30.8 miles ahead of schedule.
Started walking at 7:55 A.M. The first six miles, I maintained a twenty minute per mile pace, but there was a lot of traffic getting to Maine Street off Highway 95.
I was unable to get internet access yesterday, so I was unable to plan my route to Battle Mountain. I am still trying to find a way to get there without travelling through Austin (195) miles.
Today, I walked for five hours.Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°29.6485'
W 118°53.6717'
Elevation: 3,985 ft.
Course: E 84° T
Ending:
N 39°36.0270'
W 118°46.9119'
Elevation: 3,939 ft.
Course: SSE 168° T
Day Twenty-Six
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Beginning:
N 39°26.2699'
W 119°6.8074'
Elevation: 4,142 ft.
Course: NE 51° T
Ending:
N 39°29.6485'
W 118°53.6717'
Elevation: 3,985 ft.
Course: E 84° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at 8:55 A.M., finished at 1:45 P.M., walking 12.3 miles today and having a total of 278.7 miles. This put me ahead of schedule 18.7 miles.
I was tired, my legs were tired. So I chose to take it easy on myself and not push too hard. Fortunately, I was able to walk the first ten and a half miles on gravel from the old Highway 50 which ran parallel to Highway 50 approximately 100-200 feet away. This provided for a nice, peaceful day.
After ten miles, Highway 50 veered right heading into Fallon. At that point, traffic became heavy and I had to walk on the shoulder of Highway 50.Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°26.2699'
W 119°6.8074'
Elevation: 4,142 ft.
Course: NE 51° T
Ending:
N 39°29.6485'
W 118°53.6717'
Elevation: 3,985 ft.
Course: E 84° T
Day Twenty-Five
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Beginning:
N 39°22.6352'
W 119°19.8959'
Elevation: 4,488 ft.
Course: S 191° T
Ending:
N 39°26.2699'
W 119°6.8074'
Elevation: 4,142 ft.
Course: NE 51° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked 12.5 miles today. Started at 7:55 A.M. and finished at 12:05 P.M.
Began by walking downhill mostly with a long stretch on a flat surface, followed by a mile of climbing. Finished with approximately a half mile downhill.
Met Joel Egghart and his dog, Duke. Joel contributed four dollars for a sonogram machine. I spent about ten minutes talking to him. Other than Joel and Duke, it was pretty much and uneventful day.
Total Miles: 266.4 + 16.4 miles.Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°22.6352'
W 119°19.8959'
Elevation: 4,488 ft.
Course: S 191° T
Ending:
N 39°26.2699'
W 119°6.8074'
Elevation: 4,142 ft.
Course: NE 51° T
Day Twenty-Four
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°8.5540'
W 119°46.0680'
Elevation: 4,691 ft.
Course: W 278° T
Ending:
N 39°22.6352'
W 119°19.8959'
Elevation: 4,488 ft.
Course: S 191° T
Crossbearer's Log:
Walked from 7:50 A.M. to 12:50 P.M. -- five hours and a total distance of 15.2 miles.
Thankfully, it was a cool day with the wind blowing in my face. The breeze felt good. There was a large dirt area off the highway so, after many days on a hard surface, it was refreshing to walk fifteen miles on mostly a soft surface. It will help my legs recover without having to take off a day to rest.
The first seven miles were mostly flat with about a half mile upward climb, while the last 8.2 miles provided a long steady climb before becoming a steep climb for the last two miles.
This is the first day of the walk where I walked for five hours and maintained an average of twenty minutes a mile. If I am going to achieve my goal of reaching Washington, D.C. in a timely manner, I need to be able to sustain a good pace for five hours.
Since I walked mainly off of Highway 50 and didn't run into anyone, I was able to make good time.
Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 39°8.5540'
W 119°46.0680'
Elevation: 4,691 ft.
Course: W 278° T
Ending:
N 39°22.6352'
W 119°19.8959'
Elevation: 4,488 ft.
Course: S 191° T
Day Twenty-Three
Monday, April 30, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Conveniently started my walk for the day at our hotel at 7:10 A.M. and walked through neighborhoods for the first two miles. Out of the neighborhoods, I connected to Williams Street and followed that for two miles before connecting to Highway 50, which meant a four mile uphill climb and a two mile downhill slope that eventually leveled out for the last two miles. I finished that day five and a half hours later on the east end of Dayton, Nevada.
While waiting to cross a street in Dayton, a woman named Robin gave me five dollars which brought my total to $91.61. At the end of my walk, waiting for Laura to pick me up, a man named K.P. King gave me a bottle of water.
It's pleasantly surprising how many people want to give me water. I must look thirsty.
Walked a total of fifteen miles today! Wahoo!
Day Twenty-Two
Sunday, April 29, 2018
I spent my morning parked in the Douglas High School lot, as school wasn't in session. I was thrilled about getting to workout on a track, with the soft surface. To my dismay, the track was locked -- this made me upset, probably to an irrational extent. So I went to Big 5, bought a soccer ball, and ran some ball work drills, with the beautiful, snow-capped Sierra Nevada's in the background.
Beginning:
N 38°57.5534'
W 119°46.7809'
Elevation: 4,709 ft.
Course: NNW 347° T
Ending:
N 39°8.5540'
W 119°46.0680'
Elevation: 4,691 ft.
Course: W 278° T
I spent my morning parked in the Douglas High School lot, as school wasn't in session. I was thrilled about getting to workout on a track, with the soft surface. To my dismay, the track was locked -- this made me upset, probably to an irrational extent. So I went to Big 5, bought a soccer ball, and ran some ball work drills, with the beautiful, snow-capped Sierra Nevada's in the background.
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at 8:10 A.M. from Douglas High School in Minden, Nevada. Walked 12.1 miles ended at the motel where we are staying at 12:35 P.M. It was slightly windy and cold for the first two miles, so I had to wear a coat. The next seven miles were on level surfaces before I had to climb for the tenth and eleven miles. Thankfully, the last mile was flat.Coordinates:
A man named Fabio stopped to talk and let me know that his girlfriend, Jenna, met me on Friday.
Beginning:
N 38°57.5534'
W 119°46.7809'
Elevation: 4,709 ft.
Course: NNW 347° T
Ending:
N 39°8.5540'
W 119°46.0680'
Elevation: 4,691 ft.
Course: W 278° T
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Day Twenty-One
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Beginning:
N 38°50.9096'
W 119°46.7351'
Elevation: 4,834 feet
Course: N 0 T
Ending:
N 38°57.5534'
W 119°46.7809'
Elevation: 4,709
Course: NNW 347° T
Crossbearer's Log:
I decided to take it easy today. Started at 8 A.M. and walked 7.7 miles to Douglas High School in Minden, Nevada. Finished at 10:50 A.M. with tired legs and a need to rest.
Went to the Saturday Vigil Mass at 4 P.M. at Saint Theresa of Avila in Carson City, Nevada where I met the Grand Knight, Joe and another Knight, Karl (not Marx). After Mass, Father Chuck gave me a blessing.
Need to get an early start tomorrow morning because the intersection of Highway 88 and Highway 395 is not walker-friendly. Hopefully, making an early start my first priority will help lessen the impact of heavy traffic.Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°50.9096'
W 119°46.7351'
Elevation: 4,834 feet
Course: N 0 T
Ending:
N 38°57.5534'
W 119°46.7809'
Elevation: 4,709
Course: NNW 347° T
Day Twenty
Friday, April 27, 2018
Following my dad's route, I came across the most beautiful plain with a winding river running through it and mountain ranges in the near distance. I climbed out of the RV and walked a quarter mile to the prettiest view I could find. I climbed the biggest boulder and just sat there, it my shorts and two jackets, in fifty degree weather. I just sat there and listened to the most beautiful music from my friend, Maria's, youtube channel. I sat there for hours and just my existence was a prayer. I sat there...until my dad called for a ride, and that prayer stayed with me long after I left it.
Beginning:
N 38°45.0857'
W 119°56.5213'
Elevation: 7,115 feet
Course: NNW 327 T
Ending:
N 38°50.9096'
W 119°46.7351'
Elevation: 4,834 feet
Course: N 0 T
Following my dad's route, I came across the most beautiful plain with a winding river running through it and mountain ranges in the near distance. I climbed out of the RV and walked a quarter mile to the prettiest view I could find. I climbed the biggest boulder and just sat there, it my shorts and two jackets, in fifty degree weather. I just sat there and listened to the most beautiful music from my friend, Maria's, youtube channel. I sat there for hours and just my existence was a prayer. I sat there...until my dad called for a ride, and that prayer stayed with me long after I left it.
Crossbearer's Log:
My goal for today was initially walking the last fourteen miles to get to the Nevada border, but my legs were extremely tired and sore so I changed my goal accordingly: ten miles.
In spite the changes to my goal, everything seemed to be in my favor today starting with a slight downhill grade most of the way. As the Irish blessing says, the wind was at my back the whole way making my walk nice and cool.
Walk for the day started at 8:35 A.M. at the entrance to the Hope Valley Campground, and I walked a little over ten miles with the river running alongside the road the entire way. I soon arrived at Woodfords -- a stop for the Pony Express for the few years it was in operation. At Woodfords, I decided to take a detour off of Highway 88 and onto the Emigrant Trail (the trail that the settlers and fortune seekers (gold) used going to California. It was nice getting off the highway and, thankfully, it added very little distance to the walk. The Emigrant Trail was a peaceful one, and it dropped me off on Highway 88 about a mile and a half away from the Nevada state line.
Five hours later, I arrived at the Nevada border at 1:35 P.M.
It has been twenty days walking through California for a total of 204 miles. Three of those twenty days were downtime due to sickness. Today, however, I finally got a little ahead of schedule - those four extra miles.
One state down, ten states and the District of Columbia to go.Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°45.0857'
W 119°56.5213'
Elevation: 7,115 feet
Course: NNW 327 T
Ending:
N 38°50.9096'
W 119°46.7351'
Elevation: 4,834 feet
Course: N 0 T
Friday, April 27, 2018
Day Nineteen
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°42.3590'
W 120°6.2345'
Elevation: 7,959 ft.
Course: N 356 T
Ending:
N 38°45.0857'
W 119°56.5213'
Elevation: 7,115 feet
Course: NNW 327 T
Crossbearer's Log:
We left our base hotel in Pioneer, California after three days of stay. Started walking at 7:35 A.M. with an immediate three mile downhill stretch. At the bottom of that hill, I had to climb again until I reached Caples Lake, elevation 7,804 feet, which was still iced over. After the lake, I started another downhill stretch before beginning the final ascent to a summit with an elevation of over 8,700 feet. The Summit is Red Lake Peak and looked over a frozen Red Lake.
From here on out, the walk is downhill, level, or slight inclines. The last two weeks have been rough with falling sick and all the climbing. I'm hoping the next two weeks will allow me to make enough progress to get ahead of schedule.
Today was an exceptionally beautiful day, beginning downhill, cool, breezy, with an occasional hard climb, but not eight or ten miles like in previous days. The scenery was literally breathtaking, and I finished four and a half hours later for a total of 13.2 miles for the day.
Toward the end of my day, a man named Bobbie Hutton approached me on foot. He resembles the man who plays the cowbells at the Bataan Memorial Death March every year, with shoulder length curly hair. He parked his car a little further up the road and asked if he could walk with me. He told me he had seen me walking for the last three days, and he just had to stop and find out why I was walking. He worked for a Christian Youth Summer Camp in the mountains, and I really appreciated the company. Thanks to him, the next 600 meters went my quickly.
Overall, a really great day. However, I am tired and my legs are hurting. I'm praying for a cool day tomorrow to help me get to the Nevada border, fourteen miles away.
Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°42.3590'
W 120°6.2345'
Elevation: 7,959 ft.
Course: N 356 T
Ending:
N 38°45.0857'
W 119°56.5213'
Elevation: 7,115 feet
Course: NNW 327 T
Day Eighteen
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°37.4159'
W 120°12.8332'
Elevation: 7,231 ft.
Course: WNW 282 T
Ending:
N 38°42.3590'
W 120°6.2345'
Elevation: 7,959 ft.
Course: N 356 T
Crossbearer's Log:
Started at 8:05 A.M. in nice, cool, shady weather and climbed to 8,000 feet before descending down to 7,000 feet on the Silver Lake Dam. From the dam, I proceeded to climb back up to 8,000 feet again over the next three miles. I completed the day's walk at 11:40 A.M. [Editor's Note: Due to lack of communication], waited fifty minutes for Laura to pick me up.
Tomorrow, my walk will start in an avalanche area (NO STOPPING, NO STANDING, NO PEDS). I'm pretty sure the signs are all talking about me.
Later in the walk, a white truck stopped at a turnout and rolled down his passenger window. We talked for a bit and he asked if he could pray for me. I'm saving that prayer for tomorrow because I know I'm going to need it.
Total daily mileage is 10.1 -- getting closer to California/Nevada border and Carson City.
Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°37.4159'
W 120°12.8332'
Elevation: 7,231 ft.
Course: WNW 282 T
Ending:
N 38°42.3590'
W 120°6.2345'
Elevation: 7,959 ft.
Course: N 356 T
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Day Seventeen
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
I felt sick the past few days. After I dropped my dad off at his starting point, I climbed in bed in the back of the Chinook and tried to sleep. However, I wasn't tired, the Chinook was parked in a slant, and I was unable to get warm. It felt a lot like waiting out a storm. But my cat, Stuart, snuggled which made me happy. Once the Chinook got toasty and uncomfortable, I climbed out of bed and arranged things so I could begin looking for my dad.
I found him at the ten mile marker and the timing was almost perfect. Still feel ill.
Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°32.5824'
W 120°20.5646'
Elevation: 5,946 ft.
Course: S 188 T
Ending:
N 38°37.4159'
W 120°12.8332'
Elevation: 7,231 ft.
Course: WNW 282 T
I felt sick the past few days. After I dropped my dad off at his starting point, I climbed in bed in the back of the Chinook and tried to sleep. However, I wasn't tired, the Chinook was parked in a slant, and I was unable to get warm. It felt a lot like waiting out a storm. But my cat, Stuart, snuggled which made me happy. Once the Chinook got toasty and uncomfortable, I climbed out of bed and arranged things so I could begin looking for my dad.
I found him at the ten mile marker and the timing was almost perfect. Still feel ill.
Crossbearer's Log:
My walk started at 8:15 A.M., walked for four and a half hours, eleven miles, and finished at 12:30 P.M.
The walking was easier today, climbing approximately eight out of the eleven miles. The climbing today, however, was less strenuous than the last few days and three out of the eleven miles were either flat or downhill.
The first hour and a half was nice and cool and shady. The last three hours were warmer, but there was some shade and a breeze.
Total climbing was approximately 1,700 feet, and I started to see snow on the side of the road at 5,800 feet.
My knees are agitated from stepping down and back up on the road to accommodate traffic the last five days. Will ice later on today.
Just before the ten mile mark, a woman pulled off the road and offered me water, which I graciously accepted. Her name was Jenna from Arkansas and I greatly appreciated her stopping to help me.
Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°32.5824'
W 120°20.5646'
Elevation: 5,946 ft.
Course: S 188 T
Ending:
N 38°37.4159'
W 120°12.8332'
Elevation: 7,231 ft.
Course: WNW 282 T
Day Sixteen
Monday, April 23, 2018
Seeing the roads my dad has to walk is terrifying, but I trust that he is in God's care. However, we could not get cell service today so I caught up to him a few times to offer him rest and water. I parked a little ahead and tried to walk with him. I think he was too tired and driven to want to give the cross to me. So I just followed as he heaved his pacing breaths in rhythm with his walking stick.
Window down, read my book, and waited with Stuart.
Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°30.0366'
W 120°30.1153'
Elevation: 4,118 ft.
Course: SSW 209 T
Ending:
N 38°32.5824'
W 120°20.5646'
Elevation: 5,946 ft.
Course: S 188 T
Seeing the roads my dad has to walk is terrifying, but I trust that he is in God's care. However, we could not get cell service today so I caught up to him a few times to offer him rest and water. I parked a little ahead and tried to walk with him. I think he was too tired and driven to want to give the cross to me. So I just followed as he heaved his pacing breaths in rhythm with his walking stick.
Window down, read my book, and waited with Stuart.
Crossbearer's Log:
Departed Sacramento at 6:10 A.M., drove to the "spot" thirteen miles northeast of Pine Grove, California, from the day before in Barton, California. Began the day's walk at 9:00 A.M. and continued my climb for the next five hours. Going is slow. No shoulders on the road most of the day, seems like nine of the ten miles were uphill. Got my first glimpse of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains. Hopefully, since I am now over 5,000 feet elevation, most of the climbing is over.
I feel significantly better today because I paced myself slower going over the mountains. My legs are still weary from climbing last week, and I do not want to be drained for tomorrows walk.
Staying the next three nights in Pioneer, California.
Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°30.0366'
W 120°30.1153'
Elevation: 4,118 ft.
Course: SSW 209 T
Ending:
N 38°32.5824'
W 120°20.5646'
Elevation: 5,946 ft.
Course: S 188 T
Days Thirteen, Fourteen, and Fifteen
Friday, April 20, 2018
Beginning:
N 38°24.6424'
W 120°39.1522'
Elevation: 2,507 ft
Course: E 84 T
Ending:
N 38°30.0366'
W 120°30.1153'
Elevation: 4,118 ft.
Course: SSW 209 T
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Rest and recovery.
Today's Coordinates:
N 38°30.0366'
W 120°30.1153'
Elevation: 4,118 ft.
Course: SSW 209 T
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Today's Coordinates:
N 38°30.0366'
W 120°30.1153'
Elevation: 4,118 ft.
Course: SSW 209 T
Crossbearer's Log:
For the past ten days, we have been commuting to and from Sacramento to stay with my son, Daniel. Today, we left Sacramento at 9:30 A.M. and drove to Sutter Creek to have breakfast before I began walking. After breakfast, we visited Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church. Stopping in this Church we've driven past for the last couple days was important because Saint Katharine Drexel started Saint Michael's Mission in the Diocese of Gallup, NM (St. Michael's, AZ).
At Saint Katharine Drexel's Catholic Church
Father Collins gave me a blessing
Visited one of the Knights of Columbus who was preparing for Saturday night's barbeque dinner at the church
Met two Spanish ladies who wanted a close look at the Lady of Guadalupe Cross I am carrying this week. Maria and Kiki spent about ten minutes with me chatting and admiring the cross. They donated nine dollars to contribute to the purchase of a sonogram machine.
When we arrived in Pine Grove to begin the day where yesterday ended, a couple approached me (Ted and Debbie), chatted, and gave me two dollars. Later, while I was walking, a lady named Amy stopped and handed me a ten dollar bill.
Didn't get to start walking until 12:50 P.M. and walked until 6:30 P.M. The walk was slow and mostly climbing. Did not feel at all well today. Even though I do not want to take time off, I think it best I rest and recuperate over the weekend. Finished today with thirteen miles, giving me a total of 141.2 miles. 140 miles is not where I was hoping to be after two weeks, but I am on schedule.
Arrived back in Sacramento at 9:00 P.M. and intend to spend the weekend resting.Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°24.6424'
W 120°39.1522'
Elevation: 2,507 ft
Course: E 84 T
Ending:
N 38°30.0366'
W 120°30.1153'
Elevation: 4,118 ft.
Course: SSW 209 T
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Rest and recovery.
Today's Coordinates:
N 38°30.0366'
W 120°30.1153'
Elevation: 4,118 ft.
Course: SSW 209 T
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Crossbearer's Log:
Rest.
Attended Mass at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Sacramento with my son and grandchildren. Watched granddaughter, Sophia, play soccer.
Today's Coordinates:
N 38°30.0366'
W 120°30.1153'
Elevation: 4,118 ft.
Course: SSW 209 T
Day Twelve
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Beginning:
N 38°21.5106'
W 120°49.4744'
Elevation: 1,307 ft.
Course: Stationary
Ending:
N 38°24.6424'
W 120°39.1522'
Elevation: 2,507 ft
Courses: E 84 T
Crossbearer's Log
Today, I walked from Sutter Creek, past Jackson heading north east on Highway 88, took a shortcut down Irishtown Road for two miles, arriving and finishing the day in Pine Grove, California. Total time on the road for the day was approximately five and a half hours.
Walking was slow today due to the lack of shoulders on the road.
The five mile walk from Sutter Creek to Jackson went quickly seeing that it was mostly downhill. Once I turned onto Highway 88, however, the climbing began. It looks like I will be climbing up hills for the next seven to eight days of this walk.Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°21.5106'
W 120°49.4744'
Elevation: 1,307 ft.
Course: Stationary
Ending:
N 38°24.6424'
W 120°39.1522'
Elevation: 2,507 ft
Courses: E 84 T
Day Eleven
Wednesday, April 18, 2019
Feast of Saint Calocerus
W 120°49.4744'
Elevation: 1307 ft.
Coordinates: Stationary
Feast of Saint Calocerus
Crossbearer's Log
Rest
Today's Coordinates:
N 38°21.5106'W 120°49.4744'
Elevation: 1307 ft.
Coordinates: Stationary
Day Ten
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Feast of Saint Apollonius the Apologist
Beginning:
N 38°14.1512'
W 121°3.0114'
Elevation: 141 ft.
Coordinates: Stationary
Ending:
N 38°21.5106'
W 120°49.4744'
Elevation: 1307 ft.
Coordinates: Stationary
Feast of Saint Apollonius the Apologist
Beautiful day for me as I sat in a Starbucks and worked on the blog all mid-day (thank goodness for WiFi accessibility). After dad's walk, we went back to my brother's house and spent time with the kids. Dad mostly slept.
Crossbearer's Log
10:50 A.M. at the corner of Liberty Street and Highway 88. Goal for today is to walk five hours, and I walked five hours and ten minutes, finishing in Sutter Creek at the Paul Bunyan statue. I felt great for the first two and a half hours, but things started falling apart towards the end. for the second half of today's walk, I experienced aching and cramping muscles, headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, blurred vision. These problems slowed my twenty minute miles to thirty-five minute miles.
This portion of the walk was a continual climb, mostly steady, but steep in places. Not much to write home about. Today was one of those days where you just have to finish.
At this time, I do not feel well. May stay home tomorrow for recovery.Today's Coordinates:
Beginning:
N 38°14.1512'
W 121°3.0114'
Elevation: 141 ft.
Coordinates: Stationary
Ending:
N 38°21.5106'
W 120°49.4744'
Elevation: 1307 ft.
Coordinates: Stationary
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