Linden, IA. These two dogs shown in the video followed me for a quarter of a mile. Not wanting to repeat what happened the other day I return them back to their home. This is becoming a reoccurring event and time consuming.

1/19/13
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Chicago, IL. The wind in Chi-town is no joke! Anytime the weather has you leaning like a Michael Jaskson video there's a problem. I did almost lost my hat walking across the bridge going to Union Station.

Most of the newspaper vending machines in the photos are fallen victims of the wind including the metal ones!

2/11/13
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Marion, IN. This photo was taken early morning on the Cardinal Greenway Trail on my way to Peru, Indiana.

1/26/13
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Reinbeck, IA. This dog initally approached me barking and then just wanted to walk & play with me. She walked with me about half a mile, running, playing, digging, sniffing, and after almost causing a car accident I decided to bring him to a farm house I had spotted and so I left her with the nice lady that opened the door.

This is the fourth time this has happened where a dog decided it wanted to follow me on my journey. The lady tied the dog, and gave her some water & food. This wasn't my dog, but I slightly felt sad leaving her. The canine tried to follow me but couldn't so she just stared at me as I walked away.

3/15/13
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Des Moines, IA. The Ides of March is the 15th of March, the date Julius Ceaser was assassination. It's marks my younger brother's birthday (Taeman), next day my birthday, the day after that Saint Patricks Day, the start of great weather, and of course my low haircut season.

Much respect to GM Eddie Sauls III (and WM Dominique Strodes, two great brothers I will speak about in another entry), for taking me to the barber and to Martavious at Platinum Kuts for the great cut. I'm now more aerodynamic!

3/16/13
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Lemont, IL. After walking through Chicago's west side down Ogden, through Cicero, walking then for quite a while, I finally ended up in Lemont, Illinois. Where the my host Michelle, a teacher, offered to put me up for the night in her beautiful home.

Arriving there after dusk her youngest two children greeted me at the driveway with excitement. I came in, Michelle welcomed me, and introduced me to her family. That night was a busy school night involving a soccer game, kids going out with dad, homework, preparing for a Florida soccer match road trip, and a minor visit to the ER.

Michelle was a great host, we talked a bit while eating in the kitchen. The family had a great energy about them, it was great seeing them interact with one another.

The next morning I woke from a restful sleep, washed up, and went down stairs to the kitchen. On the kitchen counter I discovered Michelle had prepared me breakfast and lunch labeled with my name before she went to work. Honestly, I place that moment in my Top 5 things that happened to me on this trip. It was totally unexpected, put a big smile on my face for the whole morning, and instantly brought me back to elementary school when my mom, who passed 18-years ago, would have prepared lunch neatly packed in my plastic dark blue Batman lunchbox.

Michelle and her family were phenomenal, I really felt like family! During my visit she also spoke very highly of her students, who I hope are all treating her well.

2/13/13

Munster, IN. Kim was definitely a sweetheart. As the evening concierge, she offered me a great rate at The Hampton Inn, gave me the best route into Chicago (so I could live to talk about walking through Southside), and overall she made it a great stay.

The fact that we are in the same field and execute customer service on a high level gave us much to talk about as well as my journey, health, etc. I'm glad I met Kim, whom I'm still in contact with, she was awesome!

2/4/13

Center Point, IA. Today is gonna be tough! A break will have to me taken every ten miles or so. We'll see how far I get tonight.

Things I will accomplish this week:

-Meet WM Lloyd Green in Waterloo.
-Finish ALL postings before Saturday.
-Get mi pelo cut low for the season.
-Celebrate my birthday (March 16th) in Des Moines, Iowa.
-Enjoy a great time meeting my Prince Hall brothers in Des Moines.


3/12/13

Saint John, IN. This photo was taken outside The Shrine of Christ's Passion. As you can see its a beautiful sculpture of the Virgin Mary. Don't know what it was but something drew me to stop from walking (towards Chicago) and take time to admire this statue.

2/4/13

Chicago, IL. After staying a day in the diwntown area of Chi-town (The Loop), I really wanted to visit the outskirts and hang with real Chicagoans. Alison and Ian were my answer as well as fantastic hosts!

They provided a great room to stay in which was nice and cozy. I was given great tours of the neighborhood and attended some great local functions with Alison & Ian. Ate so many excellent vegetarian/vegan dishes and met a lot of cool people.

Alison even took the time to stitch my torn glove and showed me how to stitch my hat -- which I truly appreciated. My stay there was wonderful!

Food Not Bombs. During my walking tour with Ian we grabbed some food, because I was hungry, from an Indian restaurant then we proceeded to Humboldt Park. At the park we volunteered for Food Not Bombs, a non-for-profit that serves free surplus vegan and vegetarian food from local stores to those in need. I met some great people and I enjoyed this occasion very much because I believe it's important to serve others especially the less fortunate.

Once this journey is complete and I return to New York I would entertain the thought of setting up a Food Not Bomb chapter either in my hometown of Mount Vernon, NY or in Manhattan. I'll figure it out as time progresses.

Wicker Park. As we were walking through the park we noticed a group of people blowing up red balloons. As we approached, Ian noticed they were some his friends and what they were doing was blowing up balloons for a random pop-up art exhibit.

They were attempting to fill the empty fountain with red balloons. We helped them blow up quite a few balloons, said our good-byes, and left.

Below are some very cool neighborhood art pieces.

The Wormhole Cafe. Before ending the night with Alison at Native Foods restaurant; Ian, Jeremy, Minku, and myself went to sit back and relax at Wormhole Cafe. It's a very hip almost Internet cafe that caters to a young crowd. They offer a variety of delicious coffees and pastries. They even had an 8-bit Nintendo system connected to a large old school floor TV where I watched a first timer who did very well at Megaman 8.

2/9/13