11th Month ~ 11th Day ~ 11th Hour

When you encounter US Military Veteran in your daily activities, thank him or her for their service to our nation. That is why next Wednesday and each November 11th we must honor all of our troops, especially for those who gave their lives in service to our nation. God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Football Saturday

7 Miles Today; Forrest will finish his blog later today, a lot of things to do now. "Forrest" My grandson's first pro football game Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks last Sunday. I think he is a little excited.........................

Sylva, North Carolina

Downtown Sylva, North Carolina

7 Miles Today; Maybe it was the early morning (5:30/7:30). but Forrest didn't come across one person. I missed all my friends on this route. Forrest failed to see The Forgotten One ~ Bernie The Bishop ~ The Posse ~ Johnny Cash ~ Mary Poppins ~ UPS ~ Thelma & Louise ~ or the "Real Bishop". Maybe it was the cold temperature (25 degrees). It wasn't a complete shut out however, a friendly deer did cross the road about 50 feet from the "Walking Man". OK now lets head south to North Carolina where it is suppose to reach in the mid 70's today. Forrest is having breakfast at Lulu's Cafe a popular local restaurant on main street in the town of Sylva, population 2,675. Sylva is the county seat of Jackson County situated amidst the Great Smoky Mountains. Western Carolina University is only 7 miles from Sylva. My next stop on the Hwy 441 is Franklin, NC (10 miles). Until tomorrow I bid you farewell from southern North Carolina. God Bless, Walk Forrest Walk

Jackson County, North Carolina

Jackson County Courthouse

8 Miles Today; It seems like Forrest is stuck on the number 8 as far as miles go. Two reasons, first the weather is cooperating and physically I'm feeling great. A far cry from my kidney stone summer. As you can see by the map on the right Forrest is off the Blue Ridge Parkway and heading south on Highway 441. I just went through Indian Hills, NC located about 7 miles from Sylva, North Carolina. Sylva is the county seat of Jackson County. Jackson County with a population of nearly 34,000 was founded in 1852 and named after Andrew Jackson, President of the United States (1829-1837). Jackson County was the film location for three huge movies. Deliverance with Ned Beatty and Burt Reynolds, The Fugitive with Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones, and a comedy My Fellow Americans starring Jack Lemmon and James Gardner. My map tells Forrest he is about 45 miles (by road) from the South Carolina state line and approximately 90 miles to his final stop on what has been a wonderful Blue Ridge Mountain Journey. Until tomorrow from Sylva NC, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Reflections Of The Blue Ridge Parkway

An American Experience


8 Miles Today; After today's walk I have completed the Blue Ridge Parkway portion of my 3th Virtual Journey. My mission won't be complete until I reach Currahee Mountain, the southern most Mountain of the 31 Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in Toccoa Georgia, Currahee Mountain is approximately 80 miles south of Forrest's present location in Cherokee NC. When I complete my Blue Ridge Mountain Journey two weeks from now I will have logged 700mi in 96 days. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles (755 km), mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. Its southern terminus is on the boundary between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina, from which it travels north to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and becomes Shenandoah's Skyline Drive. Forrest has ended his Blue Ridge Parkway experience but he will always remember every day of learning and writing about this American treasure. Until tomorrow God Bless, Walk Forrest Walk

Swain County, North Carolina

8 Miles Today; Finally a nice day for walking. Today is election day, so Forrest planned his route to pass by the the school where we VOTE. Forrest got to vote and get his walk in. Tomorrow I will be at the official end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Today I'm on the huge Cherokee Indian Reservation. I understand there is a Casino in Cherokee. Guess I'll to check it out. Until Tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Final Days On The Parkway

8 Miles Today; Very cool this morning, temperature in the low 40's, Forrest wore gloves and a stocking cap. My walk was uneventful except for some hip discomfort and a brief rain shower about one hour into my walk. Forrest has about 16-17 miles of winding roads left on the Blue Ridge Parkway until it officially ends in the town of Cherokee, North Carolina. I will be in Cherokee on Wednesday of this week. Until Tomorrow, Walk Forrest Walk