Eyes Of March

5 miles today: Last day of March, and not soon enough for Forrest. Not the best of days for outside activities. My totals are 225 miles for March and 616 miles so far in 2008. Today was just a routine walk, temp. 43 degrees and overcast. I'm waiting for my brother Tom to get back from his place of business so we can leave for Atlanta this afternoon. I just have to put this in my blog. You talk about southern charm: Forrest was on the receiving end yesterday. Forrest met the nicest couple. Bob & Linda Whitaker of Saluda, North Carolina, about 25 miles north of here. Bob and Linda own the Saluda Mountain Jamboree a beautiful brand new 1200 sq. ft facility. Tom and I got a personal tour of the place. This place made my highlight list for my southern trip. So here is a shout out to Bob & Linda. God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

A Little Bit Of Michigan

5 miles today: Brrrrrrr, That's right, it feels a whole lot like Michigan weather this morning. Overcast and 42 breezy degrees. Forrest told his brother Tom "What's the deal, I thought South Carolina never got this cold." Anyway it's on the Atlanta tomorrow to meet up with the Dewitt Baseball Team. Now fast forward to Kansas. Forrest is just a few miles outside of the very nice Dodge City. But all things must come to and end. As I look ahead, these lonely days on the road do not offer much scenery. About 30 miles is the next town, Jetmore KS, pop 900; just 1 stoplight & village limit sign. Then 30 miles is the next town Ness City it is the county seat, pop 1500. Ness City is most noted for it's beautiful and well maintained 4-story bank building downtown. It is proudly called "Skyscraper Of The Plains" Lets not forget every 5 years Old Settlers Reunion is celebrated in a big way; the next is June 2010. Take this to the bank!! Forrest can not get into trouble with this route. Walk Forrest Walk

Forrest's WW

7 miles today: A wild week (WW) for Forrest. Total of 52 miles for the week. Now lets go over all the happen in the last few days. Sunday 13 miles, Monday newpaper, Tuesday Ohio, Wednesday North Carolina dogs, Thursday South Carolina weather. Last but not least Friday Dodge City Kansas. And of course, every single day Forrest is looking over his shoulder for tri-girl. I know she is out there somewhere. Walk Forrest Walk

"WHAT?" There's No Santa ??

6 miles today. What a difference a day makes. Twenty four hours ago I walked in the hills of northern North Carolina. Today I walked my miles in a gated community in South Carolina. The weather a sunny 77 degrees. By the way, my first day this year of wearing my walking shorts. Now about No Santa.....That was the feeling Forrest felt when I finally arrived in Dodge City today. It was a modern city, nothing like I thought it would be. It was a shocker, no Boot Hill, no dirt main street with horses tied up outside the businesses, no Marshal Dillon, no Miss Kitty, no Doc, no Festus, no Burt Reynolds. He play Quint the blacksmith (1962-1965). Forrest feels bad about the snow in good old Dewitt. WRONG, no he doesn't as long as he is here. When Forrest gets over his pitty party about Dodge City, I'll gas up and head north with the cornhusker state in my sights. Walk Forrest Walk

Deliverance 2

7 miles today: Wow, what a day for Forrest. He will never forget this morning. I felt like I was in the remake of the movie Deliverance with Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty. Here is how my story starts out. Only this could happen to Forrest. Forrest checked into the motel at sunset about 20 miles south of the West Virginia/North Carolina border. I asked the lady about a safe route for my walk. She said “rat over there” (yes, she said rat). What she didn’t tell me was, NOT AT NIGHT. Well this morning I bounded out of the room at 5:20am with the intention of 45 minutes out, and 45 minutes back for an uneventful 5 miles.. WRONG! Somewhere along way these dogs are just going wild, barking like crazy. Forrest is already past the driveway thinking how in the world can I turn around and go back by those man eaters. The dogs about 3 or 4 or 5 of them, Forrest was too scared to go back and take roll call. Their howling & barking sounded like Forrest was dealing with “COON DOGS”. I’m thinking my only option is walk until the sun comes up and get directions from a friendly native. After walking and praying those dogs weren’t behind me trying to decide if they wanted me for breakfast or brunch, Forrest came across this guy (I know he could have easily got the part of the good old boy with the shotgun in the movie Deliverance) getting into his pick-up. I explained my situation to him and he said “just down the road a piece it’s not very fur (yep he said fur) hang a left. Well that left turn was another 30 minutes or so. Then my Angel appeared. (it’s daylight now) This elderly lady was getting her morning paper. After the same story to her she guided me back to the motel. Another 3 miles added to my morning jaunt (I know if was another 3 miles because I checked it with the car later). Forrest got back to the motel at 8:10 am. Two hours and 50 minutes after I left. After my experience, Dodge City seems like a retirement home compared to what happen to Forrest. To end this session Forrest is now safe and sound at my brother Tom’s house in South Carolina. Forrest might consider doing laps around Tom’s pool for tomorrow’s entry in my log book. Walk Forrest Walk

New Surroundings

5 miles today: Well here I am, a country kid in a hotel room in a big city. Springfield Ohio, with my brother Jack. While he is doing business, Forrest is mooching. I complained to him, "What, no Pool". Where's the buffet? It was nice seeing Brother Jack. After my shower & continental breakfast Forrest is heading to Spartanburg, SC to mooch off my other Brother Tom. It doesn't get any better. 17 miles to Dodge City KS. Walk Forrest Walk

Bundle Up

7 miles today: Boy, was it cold and windy Forrest had to put on his Arctic gear. I'm 22 mi away from civilization. Forrest has been on the stretch of road 30 miles and all that I've seen is a historical marker for the Chisholm Trail. I sure glad I wasn't planning on using Chisholm Trail Camp Ground, because there isn't any. It's so isolated here, NASA could use Hwy56 as an landing strip for their space shuttle. Forrest is taking his show on the road to Atlanta. If Regis & Kathy can take their TV show to Florida I can take mind down south to see my brother. One thing for sure is my walking gear will be the lst thing packed. All have to do is find a computer to update my blog. Walk Forrest Walk

Brrrrrrrr Its Cold

7 miles today: Forrest calculated wrong today: I left at 5:45am for my 2hr walk without a hooded-sweatshirt. It was 21 degrees and breezy. Here it is almost 9am and Forrest still can't bend is fingers normally. With no stocking hat & light gloves Forrrest paid the price. I'm schedule to leave for Atlanta Ga. Thurs. and meet up with Coach Mike Brya and his Dewitt High School Baseball Team, but with bad weather in the forecast, Forrest might get out of Dodge early. Speaking of Dodge City. The phrase "Get the hell out of Dodge" was made famous by the TV show "Gunsmoke" in which villains were often commanded to "get the hell out of Dodge." The phrase took on its current meaning in the 1960s and 70s when teenagers began to use it in its current form. Now back to the back roads of Kansas. Forrest is now a short 22 miles from Dodge. I can't wait. Walk Forrest Walk

Cowboy Up

13 miles today: Everything was just right for Forrest today, cool sunny weather. Temperature about 45 degrees, no wind. My time was 3 hr 43 min. The wife was about to call the police, it seems Forrest wrote down approx arrival time as 10:45, instead of 11:45. The Mrs. was getting a little antsie until she saw her little boy come diddy-boppin into the sub-division with no care in the world. All Forrest could say when he got yelled at was, "WHAT". This isn't right, I should be talking about Kansas instead of this other stuff. Forrest is approx. 29 miles from Dodge City. Unless I get hit by a tractor, there not much news until I get to the Long Branch Saloon and meet up with the folks from Gunsmoke. (How about those Spartans) Walk Forrest Walk

Winters's Last Blast ??

6 miles today. Great week, Forrest logged 52mi. Four inches of snow last night reek havac on the roads for my morning walk. So I waited until this afternoon & just had to deal with water & slush. Temperature of a sunny 46 degrees, made my walk bearable. Now back to Kansas. Forrest will be crossing the Chisholm Trail. The Chisholm Trail carried cattle to Dodge City, Kansas, as well as points farther north in Nebraska, the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana. Because Texas is where the cattle were that's were the trail begins. Anyway Forrest can't wait to get to Dodge City. I want to see the saloon where Marshal Dillon spent a lot of his time. Don't suppose Miss Kitty was the reason. Forrest wonders. Walk Forrest Walk

Back To School

9 miles Today: Now that I've have passed through Sublette Kansas, Forrest has 48 miles to bone up on the history of this part of the USA. I can't wait to learn all about Dodge City. Forrest is looking at another 50 mile week, if I log 6 miles tomorrow. Today it was cold, 22 degrees. My fingers are stiff from the cold. Yes I had gloves on. (Light ones) Forrest went 14-2 last nite NCAA) Walk Forrest Walk

1000 Miles From Nowhere

8 miles today: Just like the song in my blog title says, Dwight Yoakam the country singer who also wrote the song must have been in this county when he got the inspiritation to write. Forrest is 7 miles west of Sublette Kansas, pop 1600. The community was named for william L. Sublette, trailguide & trapper. That's it------after that it's 50 mi. of flat land to the next town, Dodge City. A nice walk today, 28 degrees, sunny, a bit windy. Forrest took his pooch (I mean Jessie-Marie) along. She had to stop 4 times to mark her spot. I told her forrest was on the clock but she wouldn't listen. Got to get my game face on. MSU68 Temple 62 Walk Forrest Walk

Buzzard Alert

8.5 miles today: Today's lonely walk was in 2 hr 25 min. and Forrest means lonely. I'm between Liberal and Sublette Kansas a distance of 38 miles. Forrest is 15 mi from Sublette. so far I've seen absolutely nothing. I see a crossroad every 5 miles.. North East of me is Dodge City. What the heck, Forrest loves history. I'm changing my route. My new vector is Hwy 56 east out of Sublette, Forrest straping on his gun belt, and wandering over to that there town. I still got approx 60 nothing miles on Hwy 56 before I get to saloon city. Forrest is signing off becaues I've to figure out my NCAA HOOPS. Walk Forrest Walk

Close Call

8 miles today: Weather today was not the best , light rain with some freezing. I couldn't use the sidewalks. I got home before the roads started to get slick. Forrest's time was 2hr and 18 min. My wound from yesterday made it thru with flying colors. Forrest has got a great cut man in his corner. So far Kansas is BORRRRRRRRING. Walk Forrest Walk

Aye Laddie

7 miles today. "Top of the morning to ya" Dallas Guy/Tri-Girl does that sound Irish enough. Today it was cold & windy 30 degrees.. About 3 miles from home Forrest felt pain in his right heel. When I arrived and took off a bloody sock I found a stone wedged between my sock & shoe. Oh well Forrest will have 24 hrs to get into game shape. As the little woman (wife) would say to her man---"Suck it up and deal with it" she didn't really, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. P.S. Tri-Girl, Forrest is keep a close eye out for Dorothy. Walk Forrest Walk

New Scenery

6 miles today: I'm finally on a different road. Hwy 83 North is my new route for the next 2.5 months. My destination is Cedar Bluffs Kansas on the Kansas/Nebraska bourder which is about 230 miles from here. According to the map, Forrest could use roller skates, yes,. roller skates. That's what they called them in the "Old Days". Also no towns, Forrest will have to have supplies flown in. Hey, my cousin the real Forrest made it thru the desert, no reason this Forrest can't make it. Now back to business, here I am in Liberal Kansas, Pop 24,000, Liberal proudly carries the title of "Pancake Hub Of the Universe" it was named for the earlly day settlers who were "liberal with the scarce supply of water". there it is, Hwy 83 North, I've got to go. Next check in is Garden City Kansas approx 70 north. Until tomorrow, "May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY. Walk Forrest Walk

Great Week

7 miles today: For the week, 56 miles. This puts 6 miles from Liberal Kansas. Tomorrow is my last day in Sooner Country, since Forrest is only 4 miles from the "state line". This morning's walk was from 5:25 am until 7:30 am because Mike Brya is picking me up a 8 am, Mike got awarded the 10am Class D Championship Game. You see, our little Mike is all grown up now. Not only is a school teacher, head baseball coach, he is a accomplish "basketball referee". So I'll take our camera and try to get a picture of Mike in action for his parents, since they are in Flordia on vacation. Lansing Catholic Central plays in the Class B Champion Game against Flint Powers, also is a catholic school. Got to go, Basketball is calling Forrest............Walk Forrest Walk

Getting Close

7 miles today: As of today Forrest is in Tyrone Oklahoma, Pop 900, approx 13 miles from The Jayhawk State of KANSAS. I'll be in the City of Liberal Kansas Sunday. My location on my map on the blog is right on the mark. It looks like I'll be in Kansas for some time. Time to take a shower. Forrest has basketball all day long. TV (college) also live, State of Mich. Basketball Class A & B Semi's. which I'll be attending. Walk Forrest Walk

What A Difference A Day Makes

7 miles today: 1 hr & 56 min. approx 12 min better than yesterday's time. When Forrest feels healthy he got to watch so he does not get a speeding ticket. Walk Forrest Walk

Purple Heart ?

7 miles today: What a struggle today, 2hr 9 min (bad bad bad) right hip gave Forrest trouble. Maybe yesterday I walked different & didn't realize it. It was a sunny 40 degree day the conditions are not a excuse. According to my log, the last week of Aug last year forrest was in a lot of trouble with hip pain. But he will survived. So I will get through this. My miles are 35 with 3 days left this week. Walk Forrest Walk

No Spirit Today

8 miles today: It was a good thing I didn't take the DOG with me today. It was tough going. The weather was fine (a little windy) sunny & 30 degrees but my legs felt like logs. I was lucky to finish. Bad time also. 2hr 46min. Walk Forrest Walk

Daily Double

7.5 miles today: Treadmill for the early workout 2mi (auto program a nice workout) My road work was a piece of cake. 5.5 miles. It's so nice to have a fast track. (there I go again with horse racing lingo) Walk Forrest Walk

Nothing Else To Do

12.5 Miles Today: Nobody home except me & the Dog. So I walked 3hr 33 min. in bright sunlite & a temp. of 30 degrees. Just right. Walk Forrest Walk

Hero

7 miles today: Jessie-Marie & Forrest set out on a beautiful sunny morning. Temp. about 22 degrees but with clear roads & my ipod set to Irish Music this Lad was home it seem like in a flash. My week total was 49 miles (I should have squeezed in 1 extra mi., 50 sounds better) Today I'm standing in Oklahoma on the city limits of Texhoma, Oklahoma. Forrest is 62 miles S/W of Liberal Kansas on Hwy 54. So for the next week and 1/2 I'm a Sooner. Buy the way your wondering what is with the Blog Title (Hero). Mickey Mantle (Mr. Yankee) is from Ok. My walking total since I left Dewitt 1 Jan 07 is 2810 miles. Can we say 3000. Where will Forrest be when he hits the majic number. I should start a pool. Forrest is low on $$$. TOP OF THE MORNING TO YA Walk Forrest Walk

Adieus Texas

7 miles today: Let me start out by correcting a mistake in my blog yesterday. I'm approaching the Texas/Oklahome State Line not the Ok./Ka State Line. Once I get into Oklahoma I've a 62 mile short walk across the panhandle to Kansas. Well today I did a solo. It was cold & windy/overcast. The good news, the surface was clear & dry. 2hr 30sec. Thank-you everyone for the nice comments to my blog. It's about the guy in Dallas, that said the real Forrest was gone 3 years. Does that mean I have to grow a beard?? Walk Forrest Walk

Roll Them 7's

7 miles today: Forrest had better stop if he sees a Indian Reservation because I need to get to a casino. I need spending $. Everything is coming up 7's this week. I'll be at the Ok./Kan. border this Saturday. Well today was nice I took Jessie-Marie, & on a scale of 10 she was a 11. I gave her a extra scoop ice-cream (real vanilla). Mom is on the disable-list. She has right knee problems. Doc. appointment Apr. 4. She's got her trip to Denver starting tomarrow. Pop those Advil's hun-bun. Forrest is on the ready to do 7mi in 7 days . The weather today was 26 degrees & light snow on the ground. Walk Forrest Walk

Boomer Sooner

7 miles today: This weekend Forrest will be in the great state of Oklahoma. Today was cold 11 degrees wind chill, but the sun was shinning & the body felt wonderful. 2hr even......Walk Forrest Walk......

Normal Routine

7 miles today: Clear dry roads, 24 windy degrees. My new shoes are starting to come around. My time was l hr 58 min. Can we say SPRING yet. Walk Forrest Walk

Ahhhhhhhhhh

7 miles today. 50 degrees & CLEAR ROADS. Forrest was looking for a "Toll Booth" I thought I was required to shell out a few shekels. Nothing like a fast track (horse racing term). Walk Forrest Walk

Forrest's Benchmark 500

7 Miles Today: The first of September 2006 I thought walking was an avenue to lose weight, Since I'm not big on strick dieting, walking seemed like something to try out. So my journey began . Everything went fine until a blister on my right foot (due to new shoes) sidelined me for one day (Oct. 19th) The next day (Oct 20th) little did I know my life would change. Now today March 2th 2008 ( 500 consecutive walking days and still counting) I'm 65 lbs lighter and feel like 44 instead of 64. My stats for the 500/days are 2840miles or 5.7miles/day. My shortest walk was 3.5mi on May 14th & the longest walk was Oct. 15th, a total of 11mi. Six pair of shoes, the last 4 where New Balance. A note on my trip-- I started 1Jan07 from Dewitt to El Paso & back , it is going well. I'm in Texas, close to the Oklahoma border, my walking totals are 2590mi since Jan 1,2007 or 6.1 mi/day. Wow, that's a 10K per day. I end this post with this saying from an old tv commerical from the U.S. Navy "IT'S NOT A JOB IT'S A CAREER" I wonder how the next 500 days will treat me. WALK FORREST WALK

"499"

6 miles today. All on snow covered roads. The good thing was I had decent traction. Forrest had 48.5 miles this week. I'm pleased, with the weather & all. I'm glad February is in my rear view mirror. Walk Forrest Walk