Good Ridance (February)

Downtown Clare..........6 Miles Today; Forrest is so happy that February has finally run its course. For runners and walkers the whole month was a challenge. With February being a short month, one of my goals was to record a 200 mile month. Forrest can now say he did it!With the weather and my medical test, I was a little concerned of falling just short. Anyway for this week I logged exactly 50 miles, and for the month of February Forrest walked 212 miles. My wonderful journey is coming to a conclusion around the 10th or 11th of March. Although my walking won't stop, I'll began a new adventure, which has yet to be determined. Forrest's present journey is in its 26th month ( over 5600 miles) of visiting and writing about 18 of this nations great states and its people. Stories from the flat lands of west Texas, the prairies of Nebraska, to Waterloo, Iowa and the 5 Sullilvans Brothers, to North and South Dakota and learning a whole lot about the life and times of the American Indians and their culture. Then on to Paynesville, Minnesota, home to Medal Of Honor recipient Spc. Kenneth L. Olson (US Army Vietnam), Duluth, Minnesota where the ore ship The Edmund Fitzgerald embarked on it last and fatal trip into Lake Superior. To the stories of the majnificent Michigan'a Upper Peninsula (The Yoopers). It is going to be extremely difficult for Forrest to come up with a trip to match this one. So on that note it's on to Clare (my Irish town) Michigan about 7-8 miles south of my present location on Michigans Old US-27. My goodbye today is the same as yesterday......Go mbeannai dia duit (May God Bless You) Walk Forrest Walk

Luck Of The Irish

6 Miles Today; As Forrest writes in his blog today, he is on cloud nine. Twenty four hours ago that wasn't the case. Last night while I was getting ready for a colonoscopy procedure, as I was drinking that awful stuff and fasting, all that was on Forrest's mind was "How Was I Going To Get My Walk In..." I knew I couldn't go outside this morning because my procedure was at 8am. I really felt weak and hungry but at 4:30am with the bathroom close by I did 6 miles on the trusty old treadmill in 1hr 40 min. With the luck of the Irish this story has a happy ending. The doctor gave me a clean bill of health, and said "see you in 5 years." OK that's my update, now lets talk about Harrison, Michigan, population 2,100. Harrison was founded in 1891. The town was named after William H. Harrison, this nation's 9th President. Harrison has a really cool motto, "20 Lakes In 20 Minutes." There is also a very nice state park located near by called Wilson State Park. Since Forrest is in a Irish County and with St Patrick's Day near I sign off with a Irish farewell, Go mbeannai Dia duit (May God Bless You) Walk Forrest Walk

Maybe Just Maybe

7 Miles Today; Forrest is seeing signs of spring. It was 42 degrees and sunny today. Also I'm in a good mood also because I had my taxes done, and Forrest gets a refund this year. Tomorrow I'll be in Harrison, Michigan. That's 92 miles left on this journey. So good-bye for today, and hello from from Harrison tomorrow. God Bless, Walk Forrest Walk

In Memory of Brandon Gordon Dec 22, 1992-Feb 22, 2009

May the road rise to meet youu. May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face.May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.

7 miles today, Walk Forrest Walk

Farewell To Brandon Today

7 Miles Today; Not much happening today it was nice walking. It's supposed to be bad weather later, snow, rain, sleet. Forrest is now in Clare County. Now doesn't Clare County sound Irish? Roscommon just didn't fit the Irish mode. Forrest is 9 miles north of Clare, Michigan. I have a funeral this afternoon to attend. My friend and neighbor Brandon, God Bless, Walk Forrest Walk

Irish County

7 Miles Today; Forrest is getting accustom to the very cold weather. It was 12 degrees with a wind chill of 5 early this morning. The road was OK, just a few icy spots. Roscommon County is my location. I'm 16 miles from Harrison, Michigan. This county is one of the 5 that the State of Michigan renamed in honor of so many Irish immigrants. More tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Houghton Lake, Michigan

This Is A Huge Lake...........9 Miles Today; Forrest was in the walking mood today. It was cold, 19 degrees but very sunny. My hips didn't feel all that great today. I think it is due to the snow covered roads. Now lets see where I am located. I'm on Old US-27 heading south at the intersection of M-55 and Interstate 75. I'm also along side of the largest inland lake in the Michigan.. Houghton Lake, it's something like 45 miles around this lake. My next town is Harrison, Michigan some 23 miles south of this location. So Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk....FYI...Brandon's Funeral is expected to be so large that it is being held at Michigan State University's, Munn Ice Arena. They say it will be filled to capacity (6,400).

A Very Sad Day

Friend & Neighbor

8 Miles Today; Our Brandon passed away at noon today;

Brandon, Born Dec 22-- died @ 12:22, Feb 22, and his jersey # is 22 May you rest in peace. Walk Forrest Walk

A Heavy Heart

7 Miles Today; Forrest is doing his blog with a very heavy heart. Our friend, neighbor, and the little guy down the street who would pop wheelies with his bicycle in front of my house is now clinging to life in a Grand Rapids Hospital with bone cancer. Cancer can destroy his body but his spirit and smile will live on forever. Brandon , I will always see you on your bike whenever I look out my front window. Brandon, God put you on this earth for a reason. I and everyone you've ever known knows why. God Bless You and your Family, Walk Forrest Walk

Hello, Crawford County Michigan

8 Miles Today; It was very cold and windy today. The wind chill was around 5 degrees. Forrest had a little emergency this morning. My bride and the dog (Jessie-Marie) went for their walk without their Forrest early this morning. About an hour after she left I get a call.....she fell and hurt her wrist. (cell phone) So Forrest took her to ER. Good news, no broken bones, she has a bad sprain. Lots of ice. She should be ready for the bicycle in about a month. So from now on if my bride goes walking with Forrest, here are the rules.....one leash for Jessie-Marie and one leash for Joanne. Anyway Forrest got his walk in a little bit late. OK let see where Forrest is located, he just crossed into Crawford County. I'm about 7 miles from Grayling, Michigan on US-72. Crawford County is a county of about 550 sq miles, with an approximately 14,500 population. The county seat is Grayling. The origin of the county name comes by a guy named Col. William Crawford, A Revolutionary War soldier killed in 1782 while fighting the American Indians in Ohio. However there is some disagreement on this story. Personally Forrest thinks Indian names are appropriate for any of our state's county's or towns. What's so special about this fellow Col. Crawford??.....maybe politics.. Crawford County is home to Camp Grayling, this nation's largest National Guard training site and the largest military installation east of the Mississippi River. Camp Grayling's 147,000 acres is used for year around training for all of our country's active and reserve of all branches of our military. Yesterday I stopped at Bear Lake in Kalkaska County and today Forrest visited Lake Margrethe in Crawford County. See-ya in Grayling tomorrow, until then God Bless, Walk Forrest Walk

Winter At Its Best

7 Miles Today; Forrest must be crazy, anyone in their right mind would not have ventured out in today's weather. Winds gusting to 25-30 mph. Wind chill 1 degree. Temperature 19. So what does Forrest do.....he just puts on an extra wind breaker and heads outside. It really wasn't that bad. I had good footing and thats all I ask. After today I'm approximately 14 miles from Grayling, Michigan. Right now I see a sign that says Bear Lake one mile. No sight seeing for Forrest. He is on a MISSION. Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Forrest Dodged A Bullet

7 Miles Today; The bad weather predicted for today went north of here. Boy, Forrest is happy Mother Nature took it easy on us folks today. The roads were wet but at least they were clear of all the ice and snow. The weather was damp and overcast with a temperature of 35 degrees. Well today Forrest is back in open country. I'm on Michigan US-72 about 20 miles west of Grayling, Michigan. I'm 7 miles east of Kalkaska, near Crawford Lake. It looks like I'll be in Kalkaska County until Friday. So I bid you farewell from the middle of nowhere. Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Downtown Kalkaska

9 Miles Today; Forrest felt like walking today, so I added a couple more miles just in case the winter storm that is forecast for tonight arrives before daylight tomorrow. Today it was a little windy, and very sunny. The temperature was around 32 degrees. The roads were dry and that makes Forrest a happy camper. Forrest finished today's route in 2hr/31min.....I made it to downtown Kalkaska this morning. Kalkaska, population 2,250. Inquiring minds what to know just how many of America's county seats have a statue of a "Giant Trout" in its town square? This ranks with the world's largest statue of a WALLEYE in Baudette, Minnesota. Forrest wrote about "Willie The Walleye" in my blog on Nov. 7th 2008.. The name Kalkaska is thought to a Chippewa word meaning flat or burned-over country. Settled in the 1840's logging was the first important industry. Discovery of deposits of oil and natural gas in the 1970's led to the construction of a Shell Oil Company processing plant. This event had a major economic impact on this area. With over 275 miles of streams and rivers within Kalkaska County's borders, it's no wonder Kalkaska is known throughout North America for its magnificent trout fishing. Each year The National Trout Festival is held here. Tomorrow Forrest is changing direction. I'm will be on Highway 72, heading east toward Houghton Lake, Michigan. That's it for today, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk.

Kalkaska County (come visit us)

Trout Fishing Meca........8 Miles Today; Forrest did 8 miles today so he could be exactly on the Antrim/Kalkaska County Line. I had a very short visit in the Irish county of Antrim, so I decided to add two of the five Irish named, Michigan Counties to my journey. Get ready, Roscommon county and Clare county, Forrest is on his way. With St Patrick's Day just around the corner, everyone should be getting out the GREEN. Tomorrow Forrest will be reporting from Kalkaska. So until then, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Mancelona, Michigan

Mancelona, Dec 2008.........9 Miles Today; My walk today went well, on a scale of 1-10, Forrest gives it a "6". The weather was sunny, 20 degrees and some snow on the roads. Forrest had a few episodes of almost loseing his footing. After I found this picture of Mancelona taken in December, Forrest had better quit complaining about his weather problems. When people say that this area gets their share of snow, you better take it to heart. (2 ft a year avg.) Forrest is just 2 miles from the Mancelona city limits. Mancelona with a population of 1,410 is the largest town in Antrim County but for some reason is not the county seat, Bellaire has that distinction. The origin of the town name, is the the daughter of the town's first settler was named Mancelona. In the early days, iron ore was the life blood of this area until about the mid-40's. Farming now is big, "Potato's" seem to grow well here. Mancelona also is a destination for folks to retire to. Forrest almost forgot to mention, my pal Ernest Hemmingway showed up in my researching information about Mancelona. It seems Ernie wrote about Mancelona is some of his writings. Ernie sure did get around Michigan. With all the snow they get here, Forrest wonders "WHY???" Have a very nice Sunday, until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Snow Is Back

Valentine's Day Snowfall.....7 Miles Today; Well the weather man was wrong again..He said on the news last night that one possibly two inches of snowfall during the night. How does SIX INCHES of the white stuff that greeted Forrest this morning. I got my miles in but it was no picnic. I stayed in the car tracks since no plow had been through. I was surprised, today's route was just 6 minutes longer that normal. Outside of wet feet and a little discomfort in my right hip my day went just fine. Forrest had a nice week for walking. I completed 54 miles. Today Forrest entered Antrim County. I'm still on US-131, eleven miles north of Mancelona, Michigan. The population is near 23,000. The county seat is Bellair. The name Antrim, is taken for County Antrim, in Northern Ireland. Before it was named Antrim, it's original named was "Meegisee, meaning "eagle," which was the name of a Chippewa chief. FYI, in 1843 because of the increasing number of Irish settlers in this state, the Michigan State Legislator renamed 5 counties, giving them Irish names. Besides Antrim, the other four are as follows, Clare, Emmet, Roscommon, and Wexford. Forrest has lived here all his life, and never knew this about my Irish ancestors. I learn more by writing in my blog than I ever did in my school days. That's enough for today, there might just a a pop quiz on this subject at a later date. Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Charlevoix Mi. (Vacation Paradise)

Charlevoix, Mi. Lighthouse.......8 Miles Today;

Forrest had a very nice day for walking. Nothing hurt for change. The big difference for me and how I feel is the road surface. If I can walk without having to worry about my footing then everything just seems to fall into place. Today it was 35 degrees and a little windy. When my hip doesn't hurt Forrest knows the track is fast. OK, now let get back to where the wealthy have their yachts and expensive summer homes. I'm taking about Charlevoix, Michigan. Charlevoix County was founded in 1840 and was originally called Keskkauko. It was renamed in 1843 after the French explored Pierre Francoix-Xavier de Charlevoix. It was officially organized as a county in 1869, taking part of Emmet County and part of Antrim County. The very first settlement was on Beaver Island in 1847. Charlevoix which is now the county seat was founded in 1878. No matter what direction one looks, everything is material for a magazine cover. Charlevoix County is Mother Nature at her utmost splendor. Tomorrow Forrest enters Antrim County. The name is taken from County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Until tomorrow, I leave you, with this popular Irish saying, "May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his Hand." Walk Forrest Walk

Winter Is Back

9 Miles Today; Forrest's two days of warm weather is over. Even though the roads were dry it was extremely windy there were gust up to 30 mph. I was dressed properly so I wasn't cold. The temperature hovered around 30 degrees this morning. Today Forrest changed highways. I am now heading south on US-131. Forrest's location is 4 miles north of the village of Boyne Falls, Michigan. This is the home of the famous Boyne Mountain Ski Resort. I read they average some 12 feet of snow every year. Forrest would hate to shovel that stuff. More on the Boyne Falls area tomorrow. Until then, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Let It Rain

Petoskey Stones.....7 Miles Today; Forrest finished his walk this just ahead of the rain. It has been raining most of the day. I just love it. It's 49 degrees and most of the snow is gone except where the big piles are located at the end of driveways etc. Tomorrow Forrest will visit the town of Petoskey, Michigan population 6,100. My buddy Ernest Hemmingway, show up again in my blog. Forrest mentions him in his blog last month about fly fishing in and around Ralph, Michigan when would slip away from his surroundings at Walloon Lake, near Petoskey. Petoskey is also famous for a high concentration of Petoskey stones, the state stone of Michigan. Petoskey is also the boyhood home of singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens. The name "Petoskey" is said to mean "where the light shines through the clouds" again, give credit to our Native American Indians (The Odawa ) for all the beautiful names bestowed on our Michigan landscape. The city of Petoskey was named after Chief Ignatius Petosga, who founded the community. Petoskey's father was a French Canadian fur trader and his mother was an Odawa (Ottawa) Indian. Much colder and high winds for tomorrow, so until then God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Feels Like Summer!

8 Miles Today; Wow, what a day. A week ago it was below zero, today it will set a record for this date. The old record is 57 degrees. Right now it's 55, and expected to get to the mid 60's by 3pm. Now that's what Forrest calls nice walking conditions. Rain in the forecast for tomorrow, so until then God bless Walk Forrest Walk

Pellston, Ice Box Of The Nation????

7 Miles Today; What a nice day for walking, temperature 40 degrees with a little bit of wind. Forrest seemed to be flying, since he was wearing much less clothing this morning. I changed my route. I was going to take Interstate 75 south all the way home some 200 plus miles. Forrest decided to veered off on to Michigan US-31. I'm now 18 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge in a town called Pellston, Michigan Population 775. Pellston's motto is "Ice Box Of The Nation" Pellston recorded Michigan's record low temperature of -53 Fahrenheit in the year 1933, and every winter is regularly call out in the Nation's weather reports, along with town like Big Piney, Colorado and International Falls, Minnesota as one of the coldest spots in the USA. ( Note:) Forrest visited International Falls on Nov. 17th of last year. My BLOG story about International Falls says that the phrase Ice Box of the Nation is a registered trademark of the city of International Falls. So I guess two towns like to be called "Ice Box".....not Forrest, he likes it a little bit warmer. My next town to write about is neat place called Petoskey, Mi. So until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Just Keep Walking Forrest

8 Miles Today; Another wonderful day for walking... 40 degrees and sunny. God Bless, Walk Forrest Walk

Fast Track

Annual Labor Day, Tower Walk..8 Miles Today; Fifty degrees and sunny, need I say more. God Bless, Walk Forrest Walk

I'm Here (My Bride's Birthday)

Forrest Made It, St Ignace Mi.......7 Miles Today; What a great walk this morning. The weather was perfect 20 degrees, no wind. There was also a little more spring in my step. Not only is my hip discomfort gone away, I've made the journey across Michigan's UP. Forrest entered Michigan Dec. 25, 2008 at the town of Ironwood. Now 44 days and 326 miles later I'm here in St Ignace Feb. 6 (Joanne's Birthday) Forrest would tell her age, but he wants to live to walk another day. The stories from Iron Mountian, Watersmeet, Escanaba, Norway really made my walk memorable. Last but not least all that I've learned about our Native American History will stay with me forever. Now my problem is how am I going to across this 5 plus mile bridge when they don't allow pedestrians. Hmmmmm, inquiring minds want to know.......... The sun will come out tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad

7 Miles Today; Forrest was out on road today a 5am. WOW! was it cold....but Forrest has had worst days. The bad; was -7 degrees, -12 wind chill.....The good was; dry roads and my hip is feel so much better. I had a tough 3 weeks nursing this old hip back into shape. I did my route in under 2 hrs..just like the good old days. So 2-3 ain't bad....OK you good people of St. Ignace, Michigan turn on your GPS's and search lights just 6 miles left. Forrest is coming to town. My blog is short today because my Brides Uncle Joe (94) passed away and the funeral is in about 2 hrs. Forrest has to get ready. I'll freeze at the cemetery..Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Straits Of Mackinac Just Ahead

7 Miles Today; Forrest should be used to the cold weather, but today it was a dandy. The temperature was 4 degrees with a wind chill of -11. Let me tell ya, that will put icicles on your mustache. The weather man says a break from this cold is due this week-end. I hope so. Forrest would like to get rid of a few layers of clothing when he walks. Yesterday I passed through a town called Brevort. Brevort is a tourist destination for visitors heading west on US-2. after just crossing the Mackinac Bridge. Brevort was settled in 1875 by the Swedes who came here to work in the lumber camps and the fishing industry. The sand dunes are a big tourist draw here. Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Buddy Holly (50 Yrs Ago Today)

........8 Miles Today;..... On Feb. 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash. Their deaths would be immortalized in the Don McLean song “American Pie.”
http://data.desmoinesregister.com/holly/ Forrest was going to write about his location but he will save it until tomorrow. I can say this, I'm getting close.....just 20 miles before I see one of Michigan's & America's most important landmarks. My hip gave me no problems what so ever this morning. That makes Forrest a happy camper. Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk
http://walkforrestwalk.blogspot.com/2008/08/day-music-died.html#comments.. This is my blog entry on the day my journey took me to a town in Iowa, called Clear Lake. The second web site is from The Desmoines Register a few days ago. Forrest

Epoufette, Mi (EE-poo-FETT)

The Mighty Mac..........7 Miles Today: Later today Forrest has a physical exam, (it's been 5 yrs since my last one) so I got my walk in very early. I left at 5:10am and got back at 7:06am. As Tri-Girl always likes to tell me...."Forrest got the Worm this morning". The conditions were great. 20 degrees, no wind & most important "Dry Roads". Today Forrest is located on US-2, twenty-eight miles from the Bridge. I'm visiting today, what once was a French fishing village in 1859. Today Epoufette, is what Forrest calls a "Blinker Light Town". Epoufette today consists of a few cottages by the bay, two restaurants and a motel. In the old days this place was a busy French-Canadian fishing port. Forrest next visit, is the town of Brevort. Until tomorrow, God Bless Walk Forrest Walk

Naubinway, Michigan

Naubinway Harbor.....9 Miles Today; Finally the weather has warmed up a little, Even though it was a little windy the temperature was a nice 32 degrees. The roads were wet from melting snow but Forrest had a surface to walk on. As Forrest gets closer to the bridge he passed through a very interest place this morning...Naubinway might be a spot on the map of Michigan. Looking closer one finds out this is a unique place. Naubinway is the northernmost community on the Lake Michigan shoreline, and the largest commercial fishing port on the Great Lakes. The Ojibway Indian name Naubinway means "Place of Echoes." Naubinway was founded in 1873. Many of the current residents are descendants of the French explorers and the Ojibway Indians. Naubinway is located on one of the best natural harbors on the northern shore of Lake Michigan, a natural port for the lumber ships of the lumber boom of the last century. The lumber boom of the late 1800's finally died around the turn of the century, then fishing became Naubinway's main industry. A unique treat for visitors to Naubinway is the chance to purchase fish caught locally. The age of fish bought in Naubinway can usually be measured in hours, rather than days, weeks or more. One final note about Naubinway, Michigan,..... some of the best sand beaches in the world can be found along the Lake Michigan shoreline around Naubinway. With a very nice day of walking I sign off and look forward to watching the Super Bowl. God Bless Walk Forrest Walk