POST 1075; MARCH 09, 2013; JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

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Slept in until 7am this morning, having slept the night thru...first time in many weeks that I slept so good.  Packed up and walked to a Breakfast restaurant. 

Please say HELLO to ANN and the Girl Scout, KIYA, who were selling Girl Scout Cookies.  Ann said she saw me walking yesterday...so, we chatted for 29 or so minutes, was gifted a box of cookies, and as usual, was reluctant to leave such nice ladies.

Surf City is on Top Sail Island which stretches a bit off shore for about 40 miles.  To reach the island, one must cross the above Lift Bridge - or walk to the North end of the island, where there another bridge...and further on, a ferry boat back to the mainland.  I took the lift bridge.

Eight miles from Surf City, Highway 210 reconnects with US 17 at the village of Holly Ridge.

Please say HELLO to Jamal Siag, wh doubled back on Highway 210, parked and waited for me to catch up.  We had a very interesting conversation for at least 20 minutes.  I assured Jamal that I would not divulge our conversation...nothing wrong with it...in fact, somewhat fascinating and pleasant.

About 10 miles further North on US 17, came across the above sign...Camp Lejeune Marine Training Base.  US 17 paralleled the Marine Base for another 8 miles or so...bombs and big guns going off as SAM & ME walked along.

Again today, I was challenged to keep moving.  After each 45 minutes or so, was so beat that I stopped SAM, stood behind her, lowered my head onto her Solar Panel and fell asleep standing.

Reaching the village (one service station), I was so pooped and a bit dizzy, stopped in for a bottle of Coca Cola, sat at a table, took a few sips, lay my head on the table and fell fast asleep.

Awaking, an angelic voice was saying:  Bruce....Bruce....Bruce. 

I looked up into the eyes of ...you guessed it...the angle !  A complete stranger, but she said we had dinner last evening in the same restaurant.  Only after I finished and was gone, she asked the waitress - with whom I had been talking about my walk - ...what that guy with the reflective jacket was all about.

Please say HELLO to:  left to right... husband BRENT, sister JENNIFER, angel CHRISTI, daughter WHITNEY, , AND MOM KAYE.

After returning home last evening, they tracked me down on SAM and ME, read some blog entries and wished they had spoken to me last evening.

They decided they would go out this morning to make some errants and try to find me as SAM and ME walked toward Jacksonville.

They did find me...SAM parked out side...fast asleep inside the shop.

Invited them to pull up chairs...we chatted for 1/2 our or so, whereupon Angel Christie suggested we put SAM in the back of their pickup truck so they could drive me to a motel in Jacksonville...quickly said YES before they changed their mind.  Took all of 10 minutes to drive to the motel.  While hubby Brent and I off loaded SAM, A.C. disappeared...only to return in a couple minutes, handing me a magnetic door card...Your room is 133...no no, it is all taken care of.

Needless to say, I am thoroughly speechless.

having been drinking bottle after bottle of water and coke...much to much to avoid decimation of my red blood cells...see blog of LAMAR HOSPITAL, Colorado two years ago, where I nearly died by self-consumption of my Hemoglobin (red blood cells) due to drinking too much - and not eating enuf to replace while walking the Great Plains.

So, this evening, Paul, manager of my hotel, directed me to an Italian restaurant a couple blocks away, where I indulged in one of the finest plates of Lasagna ever.

Tomorrow, plan an early start (Daylight Saving Time starts tonight, I am told)
with our objective a small town some 19 miles from Jacksonville...still on US 17 heading for New Bern.  Will be interesting to see how it compares on Old Bern, Switzerland, where I have visited a number of times beginning back in 1958.

Enuf already...my soaking hot water bath is complete...tummy is full...1/2 gallon of orange juice ... and a bucket of ice...sits next to my bed...

Off to catch some zzzzz's

POST 1074; MARCH 08, 2013; SURF CITY, NORTH CAROLINA

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BRRrrr,,,first night in my tent was:  unfamiliar, uncomfortable, cold;  took an hour to figure out how to put all the tent pieces together; the air mattress leaked; needed a blanket inside my sleeping bag; needed a larger pee bottle (no way I'm gonna go outside)

Without benefit of anything for breakfast (no stores around the KOA where we spent our first night), finally got underway at 8:30am.

In the South, road signs dot the roadways giving local historic people / events.

We are headed for Topsail Island...first place there is a motel since leaving Wilmington.  After sleeping (?) two consecutive nights in airports, I was more than a "little" tired and without much energy.

SAM is much TOO HEAVY.  There is no way I can push SAM across America without removing at least 1/4 of her weight.  Had to stop to rest every hour...in the final 10 miles to Surf City (Top Sail Island), had to stop every 5 to 10 minutes, head down on SAM's solar panel, to recover...not good as my body simply refused to go on.

Please say HELLO to Matthew, who stopped to "see what you were all about".
We chatted for at least 20 minutes...Matt asked if I had a "donate" button.  He asked if he could help me out $$--wise.  OK...but he had only $3.00, which he gave me. 

Must re-think the "donate" button, as many folks really taken by this old guy's crazy effort...and I know they really do want to participate in our walk...their way to join in.

Please say HELLO to Deputy Justin, who stopped to question me, reported my walking presence into the Police System, and cautioned us not to walk on the highway...as it is VERY dangerous...Yes, Deputy Justin, it is.

Deputy Justin gave me his business card, requesting (demanding) that I phone his office when we finally settle in for the night...he seemed truly concerned that I would make it that far.  So, when I took my room at Surf City, I did call in that I did make it all in one piece.

In all, we were stopped and admonished by no less than four (4) police today...all because of motorists phone in about some guy walking on the highway.  In truth, except for separated highway (US 17 was sometimes a divided highway) there is mostly NO berm...i.e., no place to walk without actually walking on the pavement.

The State Patrolman told us that it is against the law to walk on the pavement in North Carolina...with the unsaid warning that police have SAM and ME in the system and are watching out for us.

Since Highway 120, where we were then walking, has NO place to walk, we continued walking on the pavement as Mr. State Patrolman pulled away.

Please say HELLO to Lacy.  Walking past the home of Lacy in Surf City while looking for an "open" motel, Lacy hailed us...seems Lacy saw SAM and ME three or four times as we walked the final 10 or so miles to Surf City.

A gentleman whom I failed to get a photograph, became an important person...as we walked into the Vacation Resort town of Surf City, this gentleman stopped his car, asking if we needed help.  Said we were looking for a motel for the night as I was totally exhausted and needed a place to recover. 

He pointed out a motel a couple blocks away...then drove off.  I thanked him and SAM and ME walked and rolled over to the motel, only to find that it was closed for the season...like a mirage, "the man" again drove up beside us, apologizing that the motel was closed...but he knew of three or four more...whereupon, he again pointed the way to the next one and drove off.

The second one was also closed.  Again "the man" drove up.  Now I was a bit cautious, but he said he would drive around until he found an open motel.  To his credit, he again appeared, saying that the LOGERBACK INN has rooms for $65.00...and pointed the way...only for more blocks.  SAM & ME dragged ourselves to LOGGERBACK INN, registered, and the desk man refused my Credit Card..."the other gentlemen has already paid for your room".

Geeze...and I don't know who this man is.  The desk clerk handed me the address of the man in the car - no name, no phone -...just in case, says he you might want to send him a note.

THANK YOU, MR MAN.

Walked to a small Italian Restaurant a couple hundred steps from the LOGGERBACK INN, where I was welcomed by half a dozen "family", and enjoyed a Ceaser Salad and Spaghetti with meat sauce...and a welcome Beer.



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POST 1073; 03/07/2013; WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

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POST 1073; MARCH 07, 2013; WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

Alternate routing via Atlanta – Wilmington pulled off OK this morning, arriving at 10:00am.

Ron picked me up at the airport and drove directly to his office/warehouse where SAM has been stored. Got immediately to work removing SAM’s batteries and front wheel 36 volt DC motor... Left all SAM’s electrical wiring installed. Also kept both solar panels.

Spent the next three hours packing up SAM for our journey. Left Ron’s at 2:00pm, and began walking and rolling north on US 17 towards Columbia, North Carolina.

SAM is rolling right along, but is still much too heavy.

Stopped in at SUBWAY, where two ladies – mother and daughter – paid for my lunch. Spent some time chatting with them…mentioning I was looking for a motel for this evening…but there are none within many miles of SUBWAY. They suggested setting up camp at KOA, where they are staying at the moment. Decided that was a good idea as I certainly do not remember out to set up the tent…would be good practice.

KOA cost is $25.00 for bare bones camping spot. Add water and electricity for $6.00.

Took the $31.00 camp spot, which has electricity on the site…also have the restrooms and showers only 75 feet from the tent.

Took some time to remember how to set up the tent, but finally got it.

Spent the next hour opening up all of SAM’s items. Will sleep on it for tonight…and in the morning, will cull out all items I don’t absolutely need.

My new waterproof shoes are a failure…there are small “friction” knobs on the bottom of the sole. Walking while pushing SAM – we covered about 4 miles -, caused the knobs to pain the bottoms of my feet.

Have changed to the new NIKE shoes. Will still use the waterproof shoes on days when it rains.

Hope to complete purging SAM’s provisions and be back on the road by 9:00 am in the morning.

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POST 1072; MARCH 06, 2013; DETROIT, MICHIGAN

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POST 1072; MARCH 06, 2013; DETROIT, MICHIGAN



For the second night in a row, I will be sitting all night in an airport.

Last night, I flaked out in Seattle SEA TAC…

Tonight, I am…because of the rather significant storm wracking the East Coast…cooling my heels in the Detroit, Michigan airport.

Flew from Seattle to Detroit…then changed planes, arriving at the Norfolk International Airport…plane was 10 minutes from touch down when the pilot advised that we were not allowed to land because of nearly hurricane force winds quartering the runways. Our airplane, the Pilot advised, was not capable of landing in such strong cross winds…alas, we returned to Detroit.

I rushed to Delta “HELP” desk, where I was given a new boarding pass for the next flight to Norfolk. Waited another hour at the new gate, only to be told the flight was CANCELLED due to continuing high winds in Norfolk.

Help Desk gave me a third boarding pass…which routed me to Norfolk via New York City. I refused that flight.

Meanwhile, in Norfolk, Karen’s friend Geri, was waiting at the Norfolk airport to meet my flight. I could not telephone from the airplane, so half a dozen people were fretting over my being “lost”.

Finally reached Craig…WHERE ARE YOU…Geri waited and waited and waited.

Greg informed me that Karen had rescheduled her surgery (to do with her battle of cancer) and would not be mobile for at least 5 days.

Now, I felt like a heel for being the cause of so much turmoil. I decided it would be best if I did not hang around Karen’s home while she was in recovery, so I arranged with Delta to fly from Detroit - via Atlanta - to Wilmington North Carolina – where SAM has been in storage going on 2 years.

So, I finally indulged in a delicious dinner at the airport, found a sitting area with ½ couches – not long enough to stretch out, but OK to catch a bit of sleep. It is going on 48 hours since I last slept.

After checking out SAM, I will walk back to Karen and Craig’s house in Columbia, North Caroling – about 100 miles north on US Highway 17 from Wilmington. Karen should be somewhat recovered by then. Will visit two or three days…then set out on SAM & ME Walk and Roll the 3,100 miles back to the Peace Arch in Blaine, Washington…our starting point in March, 2010.

For the moment, I am very sore from sitting in cramped aircraft seats, having to find alternate routing, and being overly hungry.

Is now nearly 10:00pm. Will post this and try to get some sleep. Delta says they will post my 6:00am Atlanta departure gate to Atlanta.

Delta did not charge me additional $$ fees for my change in routing. Because the problems were “act of God”, Delta does not give effected passengers any food chits, no hotel, and normally charge a substantial fee to change itinerary.

All in all, my lucky day.

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POST 1071; MARCH 05, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

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POST 1071; MARCH 05, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON



Coming up on ZERO hour; i.e., a few words for the blog, pack up the Mini, my four tuna salad sandwiches, pull on my new waterproof shoes, turn out the lights, and start walking.

Bus leaves at 7:00 pm…now 4:30…

Could call a taxi to the bus stop…1.5 mile away, but I am, after all, somewhat of a walker, so will walk to the bus.

Plane leaves SEA TAC (Seattle Tacoma International) at 5:45am in the morning…meaning I get to spend the night at the airport. Hope the snow storm has moved beyond Detroit before we are scheduled to land at 1:30pm (local).

Since we already shipped off two boxes for SAM’s provisioning, have little to hand carry.

Do have a negative or two to consider:

Sent all my heart medication with SAM’s boxes. Forgot to hold some back for myself. Supposed to take the meds every day. Of course, since 1995 – when the heart attack occurred - , have cheated by skipping a few days here and there. Confided in my Cardiologist that I was cheating…his response…oh well, been 18 years and your still alive…just keep doing what you’re doing.

Actually, I do have a one-day dose…hopefully enuf to carry this old body for another week or so until I reach Wilmington, North Carolina and SAM’s boxes. We shall see !!

Also, am still fighting the intestinal problem…now going on two months…bloated, constipated, and a bit nauseous…but, then again, am still kicking, so will head on back to North Carolina, convert SAM back to a “pushmobile” – by removing her electrics -, and hope returning to 8 – 10 hour daily intense walks will straighten out my tummy.

Other than that, I be OK.

See ya’all on the other side.

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POST 1070; MARCH 04, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

POST 1070; MARCH 04, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON




Before anything else, I wish to make my sincere apology to my long time friend and sailing companion…Dr. Les Blackwell. Les telephoned me today, reminding me of our many social and sailing moments since my return to Bellingham back in October 2012.


In fact, the first thing Les did was to put me up for nearly two weeks in his yacht…as I searched for a place of my own….followed by taking me sailing on TRUMPETER…followed by a number of afternoon lunches and evening dinners at his home and – with his lovely wife, Dr. Lynn…both Les and Lynn are PHD professors, retired – at some new (new to me) restaurants about town.

Well, happens on a recent blog, I commented on being disappointed that I missed spending time with my many friends in Bellingham. In actual fact, Les and Lynn swooped me up the moment I arrived back in Bellingham… even though they have both been quite occupied with their own important considerations.

My blog comments were out of line and not completely true. I also wish to thank Wendell and Erlene…as well as Bob, Pam and their family, with whom I have enjoyed a number of memorable moments since last October.


Friendships…and family ties…are to me, the most important reason for being allowed to experience life on this, our Planet.


In 24 hours, I leave Bellingham, travel to North Carolina, retrieve SAM from storage, and once again, walk from Ocean to Ocean.


Have put together a single carry-on containing my Mini, Piccolo, and a couple sandwiches to tide me over until meeting Karen and Craig in Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday evening.


Yesterday, participated in a 2.5 mile run/walk around Lake Padden…together with four lovely ladies…thank you for waiting for me as I huffed and puffed walking to keep up with you. I should be back to Bellingham in time to join you in your ½ marathon in September.


This will be my last night in my apartment for many months…always a bitter sweet moment … meeting, enjoying so many wonderful and exciting people…knowing that a bit of me is left behind while a bit of each of them is taken along.


Difficult to imagin living without experiencing these past three years walking America.

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POST 1069; MARCH 02, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

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POST 1069; MARCH 02, 2013; BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON



A lot of media has been evident since the February 15, 2013 ASTROID which exploded over CHELYABINSK, Siberia, injuring many and causing millions in $$ damage.

At near midnight on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1979 (or perhaps 1978), I was treated with a low-level asteroid flyby. Walking with Cri in her home village of ASCONA, Switzerland, an asteroid crossed from East to West about 2 degrees above the GOTHARD PASS (the major route from ZURICH to MILAN).

Ascona lies on the West Bank of Lago Majore about two miles north of the Italian border; i.e., we were looking north towards the Gothard Pass when the asteroid crossed in front of us.

The path of the asteroid was essentially HORIZONTAL to the Earth’s surface and took 6 to 7 seconds to cross the horizon. Its trajectory was on the North side of the Alps, as it appeared from behind the mountains to the east of Gothard and disappeared behind mountain tops to the west of Gothard.

I estimated that if the asteroid did hit Earth, it impacted someplace in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.

I did not report the sighting…nor have I found any information on it.

Perhaps someone reading this post happened to see the asteroid crossing.

All logistics for my travel from Bellingham to Wilmington, North Carolina are in place. Have not finalized my route beyond De Kalb, Illinois.

For certain, SAM & ME will walk to De Kalb to spend time with my sister Carol; then have a number of options: Highway 2, Highway 12, Highway 20, Highway 30…or perhaps even backtrack to circumnavigate the north east….Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, etc.

I just ask that folks sharing roadways with SAM & ME to please watch their manners. Most back roads we walk and roll are narrow with little or no side berm.

SAM & ME must therefore travel much of the time ON THE PAVEMENT, sharing with 18-wheelers and texting drivers.

Among other challanges will be to find camping spots...where we will be welcomed to set up our tent for each night.