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Folks to Thank

Here is just a miner tribute to all the people who have helped me along the way. All of you, your kindness, generosity and, for the vast majority of you, care for a complete stranger are what make the telling of this trip worth telling to prove the world's not as bad off as its perceived to be.

ELJ Design

Thank you so much Erica for all of your help and sticking with me throughout the entire walk despite all my shenanigans.

Clif Bar

You guy’s just rock. Thank you so much, we’ve also given you a special side thanks at the bottom because you rock so much. Sorry if our pictures of thanks were kind of crappy.

D.A. Cox

thanks for hooking us up through out the south. Good times, good times.

Blue House

Savannah, GA – Don’t know if you guys remember us or not, but it was great meeting everyone there and knowing there was a place to flop down for free at.

Wash Park Perk & Pub

To everyone from the old shop we all worked at during my stay, thanks so much for being the good folks y’all are and making me decide to make Denver my new home when this is done. Good luck to you Kimmie and Al with the new biz, we know you’ll treat us right.

Ingrid Johnson

Thank you Ingrid for coming along with me in the beginning. I hope all works out for you, from what I hear it sounds like you’re doing fairly well for yourself again back in New York. Feel free to write me if you wish, I’d love to hear from you sometime.

Lois Johnson

Thank you for all your support of me. I’m sorry it didn’t work out between Ingrid and I in the end, but at least she’s back in school again. Thanks again, I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.

Dudley

Vidalia, GA – Ingrid and I just loved meeting you, thank you for insisting we take down your number and address. I hope you’ve gotten the cards I’ve sent and thanks for your calls along the way on the road. Good luck to you on your adventure when you start it.

Eden Campground

Eden, GA – Despite being flooded your campground was still a beautiful stretch of land worthy of being a garden in Eden. Thank you so much for letting us stay meeting the lot of you.

Sandra's Seafood

Blichton, GA – Thank you again for that meal back in March, your food there is delicious.

Chris and the gang at Subway

Statesboro, GA – Howdy to you all down overt here. Thanks again for bringing me out that night, I loved meeting everyone and hanging out with y’all.

Shavonne Wehner

Swainsboro, GA – Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and generosity that day in Subway. I hope all works out well for you.

Corey Bernard

Swainsboro, GA – Corey, sorry we haven’t responded to your emails yet. I’m going to try and make a point of it, but I’m a bit of a flake. Anyway, thank you for bringing us to the Blade for our first interview and it was great chatting with you while we were there.

The Blade

Swainsboro, GA – Our first interview. Thank you for taking the time to hear our story and print it, we had fun doing it and meeting everyone there. Corey thanks for bringing us in and Mick thanks for housing us that night.

The Kerseys

Swainsboro, GA – Thank you so much for putting us up that night and for all the hospitality you showed us. You were the first to take us in on our trip.

The Penny Saver

Kite, GA – All of you folks Ingrid and I will never forget. Never before had either of us met people with hearts the size of yours, running out in to the rain to get Ingrid dry clothes, buying us lunch and wandering the store to see what else you could possibly give us, and going at length to find a home for us to stay in that night. Thank you, thank you all of you Betty, Deborah, Pat, Jennifer (our four moms as we called you), Louis, and thank you Jo Harry for letting us stay in your house down the road. Friendliest town in Georgia.

Mr. Rowland

Kite, GA – Thank you very much for the use of your house that night. I hope all has worked out well with you and your new worker. I also hope that your new worker and has family have found all they were looking for here in America.

The Johnson Journal

Kite, GA – Thank you for interviewing us and your fantastically fun article on us.

The Harrells

Sparta, GA – Thank you so much for taking us in and teaching me how to eat fish properly so I don’t look foolish in front of anyone else. We had a great time with you all and thank you as well for all those cookies, cakes, and pies you sent us off with.

Marlene and Garfield

near Sparta, GA – Thank you for letting us set up camp on your lawn. We didn’t get to talk much, but the little we did it seemed you folks have quite an interesting story. Hope all works out well with you.

The folks at VZ Grocery

Greensboro, GA – We enjoyed your company very much as we rested at your store for a while. Thanks again.

Sleepy

Thanks for the ride downtown again in Greensboro.

Walnut Grove Baptist Church

Watkinsville, GA – I don’t think all of you could have made our day any better, especially on what happened to be my birthday. We can’t thank you enough for all your prayers, donations, blessings, and just general good spirit. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Krimson Kafe

Watkinsville, GA – Krimson, you’ve got a great shop there, we loved it. Thanks for your post in the guestbook.

Richard and Alison

Athens, GA – Thank you for having us for those few days in April. We loved meeting and visiting with you two. At some point we’ll have to get together again in NYC or where ever with Cox as well.

Cheetah Marie’s

Monroe, GA – Thank you Amy not only for letting us camp out in your backyard and all but for creating a fantastic coffee shop. Jessica, thank you as well, you were great company to hang out with while we listened to the music.

Bonnie Bruce

Loganville, GA – Thanks for all your messages in the guestbook. I love to read them and hear your support.

Kelsey Everett

Snellville, GA – Thanks for your assistance that day and for sharing our trip with your students. That was a real treat to find out about.

The Moons

Cartersville, GA – Thank you so much for taking us in on that rainy, blustery night and for everything you did for us. We had a great time with you guys.

Bill and Laura

You two know I love ya. Thanks again for setting us up with your Aunt and Uncle as well as for that REI gift certificate. Its been coming in handy.

Johnny and grandmother

Cartersville, GA – Thank you so much for taking us into your tornado shelter when those two twisters were threatening the town. It was a good time too, for us, talking to you two and meeting you.

William and family

outside Rome, GA – Thank you for taking us in from that rain and letting us stay in your pop up camper as well as for the food.

Auto driveaway

Thank you so much for your service otherwise Ingrid and I would have been stranded a good while longer up north on our hiatus.

Lookout Mountain Camp

Mentone, AL – Thank you folks for letting us camp down on your grounds, it was absolutely beautiful. Mostly thank you for going out of your way and giving us a ride back to Rome so we could start up where we left off.

Michael Daly

Mentone, AL – It was great talking with you on the way down to Rome. Thanks again for driving us. Sorry we didn’t connect in Denver.

Dirt Town Deli

Summerville, GA – Mark and Crystal, thank you for letting us crash down in your backyard. We loved sitting in that deli of yours listening to your father talk and talk and talk.

Melody Whaley

Menlo, GA – Thank you so much for lunch that day at the Feed Bag. Your generosity embodies the spirit of Georgia that Ingrid and I found there.

Rock Ridge Retreat

Valley Head, AL – Thank you Kelly, Josie, and Lorie for inviting us to join you at the retreat, we never would have suspected doing something like that. And a special thanks to Edwina for being so gracious to not only let us sit in, walk on fire, and feed us that night, but also for letting us camp out on your grounds and giving us the spiritual zeal we needed that embodied the ideal of what this walk means to me.

Joan and Mike of Ider

Ider, AL – Thank you Joan for giving Ingrid a ride to the barn, and mostly for letting us camp out there out of that torrential rain storm. Mike, thank you so much for that meal that evening, we never ate better in the tent.

Kevin Holcomb

Ider, AL – Thank you for the food as well with everyone bringing us food we ate quite well that night and the barn was great.

Jason Money

Bridgeport, AL – Thanks Jason for having us and showing us a great time while we stayed with you. We’re all going to have to get together at some point with Cox and paint the town red which ever town that might be.

Miriam

South Pittsburg, TN – Thank you for taking us in for the night and your job offer in the stables. If we weren’t racing winter we’d have definitely helped you out with that.

Alan Alley

Sewanee, TN – It was great meeting you Alan, and congratulations on your own trek.

The Corner House and the Cox’s

Cowan, TN – Thank you Don and Bobbye for having us, feeding us, driving us around, and making sure I had friends to stay with down the road. You were excellent parental support for the few days we were with you, and the day or two afterward when you could still find me.

John and Ester

Lynchburg, TN – Thank you both for having me, I thoroughly enjoyed your hospitality the night I was there.

June's Hair Design

Shelbyville, TN – Thank you June for that free haircut. It was fun doing that interview while getting chopped, made me feel a bit like Capone.

The Herald Chronicle

Winchester, TN – Thank you for taking the time to interview me and your kind words. Many of my friend Cox’s friends read the article and contacted me through this site.

The Times-Gazette

Shelbyville, TN – Thank you for taking an interest in my story and the article you wrote up. I had great fun doing that interview, thanks.

Rosi and Betty

Poplins Crossroads, TN – Your home cooked food and company was a welcome break from walking. Thank you again for hollering to your porch for a visit.

Pat Smith

Columbia, TN – Thank you Pat for all your emails of concern and enthusiasm and especially for all your hospitality while I stayed the night in your home.

Shawn Black

Dickerson, TN – I had one of the best nights out on this walk so far with you. Thank you for taking me in, bringing me to your dojo picnic, and then insisting we go out and hit the town that night. Say hey to Betty for me if you see her as well as Jeff from the picnic. Thanks again, good luck to you as well.

The Youngs

Cumberland City, TN – You folks are the happiest, most content family I’ve ever met in my life, and I’ve spanned the spectrum a bit. Thank you so much for having me over night, sorry I couldn’t stay longer and help out in return. Thank you Janson as well for being great company while I was there.

Stewart County Library Girls

Dover, TN – Thanks girls for your continual guestbook entries. I loved reading them as I went and knowing you were still following along.

Iron Kettle

Grand Rivers, KY – Anita, thank you for the meal as well as your enthusiasm for my little adventure. I loved meeting you and your husband.

Dairyette

Lone Oaks, KY – Dairyette Dan what can you say along with thanks for all your enthusiasm and supplies. That camel back pouch just made it to Denver but has now died, thank you so much for it.

Hoopers, and the Simms

Paducah, KY – Thank you for the supplies you helped me along with, as well as your good guidance as far as mixing cotton with hiking and other such tidbits. I stopped in at Neptunes but couldn’t remember your buddies name. Thank you again for housing me, feeding me, and having me come to church with you all, I had a great time.

Robert the Post Master

New Grand Chain, IL – I had a great time just chatting things over with you while I had lunch. Thank you for letting me eat inside in the air conditioning, that heat was coming down. Good luck on your candy business.

Woodard’s

Jackson, MO – To whoever that was that bought me breakfast that day thank you very much. I thought I’d figured out who you were, then I found I was mistaken, thank you though for your anonymous generosity, I hadn’t even told anyone my tale there.

The Davis’

Millersville, MO – What better luck could I have had to meet a family of nurses when my eye spends the day irritating me. Thank you all for having me that night I had a great time meeting you. Damien, I’m still keeping my eye out for interesting trucks for you, but I’m not sure how good I am at spotting what you’d like.

Sitze’s Café

Fredericktown, MO – Thanks Danny for the good food at your café and hanging out to visit with me.

Russ Patton

Fredericktown, MO – Thank you fro bits of advice and keeping me good company while I hung out in town. Good luck on those trails.

The Tidwells

Fredericktown, MO – Thank you for taking e in and showing me a good time as well as all the hospitality you gave me.

The Skinners

Farmington, MO – Shannon, it was great meeting you and your family. Thank you so much for inviting me over and taking me in for the night.

Tom near Potosi

Potosi, MO – Thanks again, Tom, for that water it was a great treat. Good luck to you and I gues your wife by now. Congratulations.

The Henderson’s

Sullivan, MO – To the folks who cut me a break on my missing $2.74 and covered the whole cost thank you so much. I had a great time while staying there, I hope you’re enjoying Massachusetts.

Blah, Chris, and Sarah

wanderers – I had a great time meeting you hanging out with you all at Meramac. Hope everything worked out with you.

The generous person in the general store

Drake, MO – I never figured out who this was either, but thank you fro the money. It went to a delicious sandwich there.

Lindsey and Mike Mueller

Jefferson City, MO – Thanks both of you and your dad for taking me in that day and taking me out at night. I had a great time just being out with you both. Lindsey, thanks again fro also setting me up with your friend in Kansas City. I hope everything worked out well with her. Keep in touch.

The lady outside California

California, MO – You didn’t have to feed me that day, you know, but I’m quite glad you did. Thank you. Hope everything works out with you and your fiancé and your cats are adorable.

The Kings

Pittsville, MO – I hope you all had a successful move after that break down in Pittsville. Enjoy your new home and I loved meeting you all.

Cup and Saucer

Kansas City, MO – To Nick, Kadi, and everyone else I met there, I love your shop and had a great time hanging out there. Whenever I’m in KC again you can guarantee I’ll show up and visit.

Joseph and Leslie

Kansas City, MO – I had a great time meeting you two and loved hanging out over there those few days. Sorry I got into a strange mood and took off the last night, something just hit me and I had to go. Thanks again, I had a great time.

Inn at Weston Landing

Weston, MO – Mike and Cyndee, it’s a pity we didn’t connect, I would have loved to stay in your bed and breakfast and chat with you two. Thanks for looking for me though.

Pat’s Steakhouse

outside Weston, MO – Thanks Pat for the delicious meal and the stories of the other travelers that had come and gone through your place, dignified or indignant.

The Chriss’

Everest, KS – Thank you all for taking me in, I was having quite a time trying to find a plae to camp out there, but mainly I loved hanging out with you all. Tell Gavin I say hello.

Checkers (the bar)

Fairview, KS – I loved meeting all you guys in there, that was a great time. Thanks again.

Greg Klaus

near Home, KS – Thanks for the Dew. I loved your guestbook post, great meeting you.

Jane and Cheryll

Marysville, KS – Thanks for picking me up, you two, and going for a bit of a joy ride. Thanks for the food as well, it was great meeting you.

The Bakers

outside Washington, KS – Thank you for that meal. The waitress didn’t give you away, don’t worry, I’m glad she gave you my card. It felt good reading your message in the guestbook. I had figured it out thinking that night remembering your daughter had run back in before you all took off. Thank you it was greatly appreciated.

The Craft’s

outside Washington, KS – Thanks Russ and Wilma for everything, the lunch, the water (pure as can be). You all were great to meet as well as your daughter and her boyfriend. Thank you.

Critters

Mankato, KS – Thank you for the good company and good food during my stay in town.

The man in Lebanon

Lebanon, KS – I’m sorry I don’t think I got your name, but thank you for the food and drink that evening. I was dying when you saw me.

The man out of Kensington

Thank you for that money. You came out of nowhere, handed me $20, and disappeared again. Thank you so much.

The Advocate

Belleville, KS – Thank you for taking the time to interview me and your kind words on my adventure.

The Herkimers

Belleville, KS – Thanks Kathy, Paul and family, you guys were great to put me up for the night and all your hospitality. I hope you all enjoyed the game.

The Ryans

Norton, KS – Carol Ryan, I had the absolute greatest time talking with you while I stayed. You and Don are great people, than you again for having me. Good luck to you, as well as your daughters, with everything.

Chad Jacobsen

Oberlin, KS – Chad congratulations on completing your cross country run. It was nice meeting you at the library.

The Frontier Café

Oberlin, KS – To the folks who make the absolute best mushroom Swiss burger down US-36, thanks. And thank you to the ladies I met there for that money, the waitress was quite happy.

The family camping in Atwood

Atwood, KS – Thank you for the cake and ice cream, its was delicious.

Two Lees Steakhouse

McDonald, KS – Garold and all you folks down at Two Lees I absolutely loved meeting all of you there and hanging out that night. Thanks for all the drinks, the meal, and mostly the conversation. In particular thanks to Rex and Frank, a conversation like that was what I had been thirsty for after months of drifting ever westward.

Garold Lee

McDonald, KS – Thank you, Garold, again, for taking me in that night, for the food, letting me sleep at your place, everything. Thanks.

St. Francis pharmacy

St. Francis, KS – I didn’t catch your name, but thank you for helping me out so thoroughly on my shoe problem.

Rt. 36 Grille and Pub

Idalia, CO – Thanks for all your help and your food. I loved your diner.

Pastor Ralph Datema

Idalia, CO – Thank you so much for all you did for me. All the food, offering up your house, then going out of the way to prepare it for me. Thank you again, it was sorely needed and appreciated.

Mike and friend

Anton, CO – I enjoyed meeting the both of you, and good luck to you on your pursuits. Thanks again for the money you gave me, and the tour.

The Post Master of Lindon

Lindon, CO – Thank you fro letting me sit in out of the sun, the ice cold drink, and for cooking up my hot dogs for me. I had a great time chatting with you while I ate.

Andy Hinds

Denver, CO – Thanks Andy for all your banking and finance advice and expertise. We’ll be back in Denver this September so we’ll see you again soon.

All the folks at LPS

Moonachie, NJ - Thought I’d give a big hello to you guys since my mom and sister tell me there’s quite a bunch of you following along at the office. Thanks for your messages in the guestbook and all your support.

Waffle House

everywhere – Oh Waffle House, we love you where ever you are.

Subway

everywhere – What can we say? Never a bad experience there. Always good food but infallibly great people working there.

Checkers

everywhere - $.69 shakes. I say no more.

Big Bad Bob

Westminster, CO – The one, the only. Thanks for everything, but most of all the 2 Loretta songs. I can’t stop thinkin’ of ‘em.

Tom and the kids

Ft. Collins, CO – Thanks again for having us that night. Best of luck to you with your kids and everything. Thanks again.

Ted’s Place

Ted’s Place, CO – Thanks again to you folks, Paula in particular, for letting us stay on your land. We loved hanging out there, it seems like you regularly get all sorts of adventurers there.

Curtis Holiday

Tie Siding, WY – Thank you Curtis for putting me up that night and taking care of me. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and chatting with you and you greatly helped me in making a huge decision in my life. Thanks again. Good luck to you as well.

The Folks at the Virginian

Medicine Bow, WY – Thank you folks, particularly my waitress, for the good food you provide for me there at no cost. I loved hanging out there with all that history to take in.

Wayne and Marlene Rhodes

Ferris, WY – Thank you so much you two for feeding me tucked away from that wind out there. You two were so kind, thank you for emptying your cabinets to me and more importantly giving me good company to talk to way out there. Thanks again.

The Elkhorn

Bondurant, WY - Thank you for your smiling cheer and unannounced discount on that stormy day. Your food is fantastic but most of all you filled the hunger for company I was seeking.

Karen Furgeson

Ririe, ID – Thank you for letting me crash on your front lawn that night. I know it must have been a bit of an odd situation when your niece showed up but I greatly appreciated it.

Walt and Hailey Petersen

Idaho Falls, ID – Thank you both of you for your hospitality and letting me crash on your lawn. I had a great time meeting the both of you.

Addie’s

Boise, ID – 501 W. Main St. Thank you Heidi for the meal that day and for great company while I was there. I hope to see you again as I pass through officially this time. If not, it was great meeting you and the food there is excellent. Good recommendation on the omelet.

Old Chicago and the folks there

Boise, ID – 730 W. Idaho St. Good times and good folks, and not to mention great cheesecake. Thanks all of you there who I hunt out and chatted with, you made the night for me. I hope to see you all again as I pass through on the official round as well.

Emily Suderlund

outside Arco, ID – Thank you, Emily, for being so giving with all your food out on that rest stop. I’m most thankful though for your friendliness. I had a great time talking with you and hope we stay in touch. I’ll mail the picture out to your folks as soon as it’s developed most likely this fall.

Lex and Val

Carey, ID – Thanks so much for taking me to the springs, lunch, dinner, and fantastically good conversation and hospitality. I had such a great time with you guys, thank you so much.

Animal

outside Tollgate, ID – You brightened the hell out of my day, thank you so much for the P-38, the tuna, and for just getting me to aim a high powered scope down the interstate. Thanks again.

Glen, Joyce, and Dalton

Boise, ID – Thanks you guys for having me. I had a great time and it was great chatting with you Dalton.

Maggie and Emily

Emmett, ID – You girls are great. Thanks again for taking me to church and lunch and making me that t-shirt. It’ll be great to have a treasure like that when this is finished. Stay in touch.

Josh and Monica

New Plymouth, ID – Thanks for that breakfast you two. I had a great time hanging out with y’all and would love to backpack or do some rafting with you sometime.

The Coughlins

Baker City, OR – Dave, Lisa, Jen, thank you so much for taking me in and treating me like royalty. I had such a good time hanging out with y’all as well as seeing your town. Thanks again, keep in touch.

The Heckers

Baker City, OR – Thank you Linda for everything you did. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for us to spend more time together, but thank you for understanding. I had a great time chatting with you over lunch, and thanks again for taking care of those cards for me. It helps out a lot.

Travis and the road workers on the road to Toppenish

outside Mabton, WA – You guys rock! Thank you so, so much for all the ice, water, Gatorade, and drenching cold shower you gave me right there on the side of the road. Thinking back now it’s quite possible you saved me from dying of heat exhaustion. Maybe that’s being dramatic, but thank you so much.

The Vimonts

outside Toppenish, WA – Thank you all so much for bringing me back not only cold sodas but the full report of precisely how far the fruit stand was. It helps tremendously mentally. I did find it and they even let me stay over. Thanks again.

The Fruit Stand by Toppenish

outside Toppenish, WA – Thank you all so much for letting me sit and eat and stay the night in your little cabin. That was a very sweet treat for me out of all that heat that day. Thanks again, I hope everything was in order when I left it.

Shirlee

Cliffdell, WA – Shirlee, you were great. Thanks so much for just making me feel so welcome there at the Whistlin’ Jack Lodge. That was a fantastic breakfast and I really enjoyed talking with you. I’m in safe now, so no need to fret. Thanks again.

Eric and Rich

Cliffdell, WA – Thank you, guys, for the breakfast, that was a surprise, and for the great conversation over said breakfast. Good luck to you Eric on your quest to conquer the Pacific Crest. Thanks again.

The Ranger at Mt. Rainier Station

outside Greenwater, WA – I don’t think I got your name that whole time I hung out there. Thanks for letting me hang out there with you and eat my lunch. Too bad Buzzy’s wasn’t open. I understand why you weren’t into the other place.

The girl at the Food Mart

Maple Valley, WA – Thanks so much for letting me hang out at your Food Mart as you geared up for closing, and for all those hot dogs. Even though I made myself sick on them and nearly blew myself up, they were fantastic. Thanks again.

Aunt Holly

Los Angeles, CA – I think it’s so neat that you took such a fascination to this trip. Thanks, I love ya and can’t wait to see you in Lummi.

Aunt Hea

San Francisco, CA – I loved your posts along the way in the guestbook, Hea. You’re precious, thank you so much for following along with me and my shenanigans. We youngests have to stick together.

Angie

Denver, CO – Baby cakes, you the best. Sorry I dumped your ass in a ditch, I’m glad we didn’t stay that way. I love you, see you soon.

Mom

West Patterson, NJ – Mama, mama! I love ya, sorry for stressing you out so much, but that’s what I’m here for. Thank you so much for just always being there whether walking through some absurdly isolated desert with no food or just feeling a little down in a New York apartment. I love ya, ma. See you soon.

Wendie the Great Sis

Seattle, WA – Wenders, Wenders, what can a little brother say for a big sis like you. I couldn’t ask for a more dedicated person to me in all of my life, whether sibling or otherwise. You dragged me around by my head long enough to get me walking and look at me now. Thanks for everything. I love you too.

A special post for the folks of Clif

We wanted to post this separate than the other posts to say our thanks for sending us two boxes of Clif and Luna bars since we’d mentioned we liked them so much. In particular we’d like to thank Tom Dodsworth for being so friendly and chatty over email with us bout his own adventures he’s been on. Anyway, just saying thanks.


Chris and Ingrid