POST 1056; FEBRUARY 08, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

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Yesterday, ventured out onto the roadways, finally walking 6 miles to the local  Mall, where I found and purchased a new pair of walking shoes.  Really wanted another pair of BROOKS, but that company showed NO interest in my walking some 13,000miles in 5 pair of their shoes, so I returned to JC PENNYs, where I found a duplicate of the NIKE Air MONARCH shoe I used for my most recent (March 01 - June 24, 2012) walk from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to the Peace Arch, Blaine, Washington.

Was very pleased that local JC Pennys charged only $50.00 for the NIKE, whereas I paid $125.00 for the BROOKS.

Please say HELLO to Drew Belstock, the JCP Shoe Salesman who assisted me in locating and purchasing my new NIKE Monarch.

(Looking good, Drew !!)

From my apartment, I walked the back roads to reach the Mall.  The above image is of Baker Creek...a swampy area lying a few hundred yards a bit North of my apartment.

Returning from the Mall to my apartment, I walked the above roadway...in the distance - behind the low lying hills, lays our volcano, Mt. Baker.

This abandoned railroad right of way used to carry passenger trains and logging trains from Mt. Baker downthe flanks of the Cascade Mountains to the Bay of Bellingham.  Far as I know, it is the only remaining right of way not yet improved into a walking trail.

Have contacted my friends in Columbia, and Wilmington, North Carolina to set up preliminary logistics for my return to Wilmington to retrieve SAM (my Solar-Powered Self-Propelled cart). My current objective is to return to Norfolk, Virginia via DELTA AIRLINES, be picked up by Craig and Karen, spend a day - or few - at their home in Columbia (Karen says "my" room is all made up waiting for me), then drive the 100 miles to Wilmington, where Ron just today tells me SAM is waiting and raring to go.

If events go as I envision, this adventure - my 5th walk across America - will commence the first two weeks of March...only 3 weeks away.

That will mean I must leave my apartment unoccupied for about 4 months as I walk back with SAM.  Anticipate expenditures to be about $100.00 per week to complete the crossing.  With SAM, will be self-sustaining, camping all the way.

Before leaving Wilmington, I plan to remove SAM's motor, batteries, controllers, and perhaps one of the two solar panels.   This will reduce SAMs weight by 100 pounds.  She currently weighs 175 pounds without my tent, sleeping bag, clothing, & food / water.   Much  for me to negotiate the steep (8%) mountain passes crossing the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia...I can push SAM UP the hills, but SAM is too heavy to safely descend those 8% - 5 mile long mountains.

My logic is making this crossing NOW in lieu of waiting later is that:

1.  I can do the crossing at $400 /month.no $$ beyond sitting at home.

2.  I am recognizing some degradation in my health..must get it done NOW

3.  To tackle Lisbon/Beijing, must await $$ beyond current availability.

Wanted to chat for a bit about my MANY meetings and "conversations" with wild animals during the past three years...including a large snake, a gorgeous rare Red Fox, numerous cattle and horses, a Red Wing Blackbird, and a large completely YELLOW butterfly who  hitched a ride on my vest for about 30 minutes..., not to mention chats with various plants...

But, that will have to await a later blog...Oh, yes, and a 10-minute conversation with a "house fly", who sat on my bath tub staring at me as I jabbered away to him (her?).

Today, walked another 6 miles to break in my new NIKE shoes.

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