[ NOTE: I apologize for the delay in writing this entry.  A busy schedule after finishing my walk coupled with the lack of sleep over the months catching up with me made it difficult to get my thoughts together.  I’m now relaxed and in good state of mind. ]

Los Angeles, CA.  On July 20th, 2013 at 11:00 am I finally made it to my destination of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California located in South Los Angeles.  From my start in New York it took exactly 7 long months and 22 days to reach Los Angeles, but I finally made it!

For the last 2-miles several people joined me for the final leg.  Including WM Dorian Glover of New York, Malcolm Douglas, PM Walter Davis, and several other great individuals.  During that time-frame there were several people honking and expressing signs of support for my efforts.

Mixed feelings of joy, appreciation, peace, accomplishment, along with exhaustion (both mentally and physically) all overwhelmed me simultaneously.  I’m glad I didn’t get teary eyed towards the end as I had a probably over couple dozen times over the course of the trek.  My continuous smile shown throughout the last day was result of accomplishing my mission, the huge love & support shown, and the fact I was finally going back home!  

My journey would not have been accomplished without the hundreds of people who supported me along the way.  Even with its flaws we live in such as great nation, to experience the amount of generosity I have received during these almost 8-months has been astounding.  Now with my super busy life back here in New York I will still continue writing entries and posting photos  thanking as many across the country as I can who assisted in some way (I have a long list but didn’t have time while walking).  

I want to the thank the following people & organizations who helped me out tremendously the last couple of days of the walk and immediately after:

MW Lovell Morgan, Grand Lodge Officers, Brothers & Sisters of Most Worshipful Prince Hall Jurisdiction of California, PM Walter Davis, MW Dorian R. Glover, Jody Lepore, Malcolm Douglas, Ron Gamble & Anissa Brathwaite, Brother Headley, PM Kevin Malone,WM Donny Jones & the Brothers of High Desert Lodge #107 (Victorville, CA), Pastor Birdgette and the entire Belmont Baptist Church congregation, The Hugyiks, The Bacons, American Diabetes Association of California (Sunnyvale, CA area), JetBlue, and everyone else who graciously donated, or supported my worthy cause in the L.A./San Francisco area.  

Until next entry PEACE!

5/9/13
SoilTrek.com

Davenport, Iowa. On my way out of town I was very hungry and wanted some breakfast to get me going. The local Subway restaurant was closed as well as all the other eateries, I guess because it was early Sunday.

Not wanting to start walking on an empty stomach I saw two gentlemen walking the opposite way I was going and so I asked them where I could get some food. At first they were a little hesitant, but by my attire and manner they could tell I really needed food from somewhere.

One of the gentlemen was Matthew and he told me to follow him to a place that serves meals. We walk into the place and it turned out to be a soup kitchen. I normally serve food at one of these places, however now I was on the receiving end and had no shame about it.

Matthew kind of stayed away in the corridor and so I interacted with the other individuals there. Most seemed to have fallen on hard times and had a tough past. Some of the guys there didn't want me there because I wasn't homeless and thought I was getting preferential treatment from the staff which I was totally unaware of. The rest had great interest in my journey and had a barrage of questions.

Before Matthew and I left, I said my good-byes to the guys and to the staff before the facilities manager handed me a music CD sang and recorded by her, which was a great gesture.

From that point after leaving the soup kitchen Matt and I was together a majority of the time. Which was cool because until then mostly everything I did was solo dolo.

Before Matthew and I left, I said my good-byes to the guys and to the staff before the facilities manager handed me a music CD sang and recorded by her, which was a great gesture.

From that point after leaving the soup kitchen Matt and I was together a majority of the time. Which was cool because until then mostly everything I did was solo dolo.

We went to church together that same day after a lady recognized me from the TV news and invited me. I got a great tour of downtown Davenport along with video I shot on the Skybridge where I met some of Matthew's good friends.

That last day was extremely cold due to the brutal wind, I was one layer short of being okay but I manned up and just dealt with it. Matthew had a non-verbal urge to join the trek I was on. It would have been great however I'm glad he chose to stay and iron out some challenges he was facing.

Matthew was definitely a great guy to hang with, we said our good-byes that day, however our paths will most certainly cross again.

3/3/13
SoilTrek.com

Dear Google Maps,

Thanks for the scenic view, but how am I supposed to get across?

Sincerely,
Sterling


4/17/13
SoilTrek.com

Omaha, Nebraska. Finally reached Nebraska after having to slow down due to waiting for some important snail mail -- Woohoo!

Even better than that we have reached our donation goal of $10,000 for the American Diabetes Association! I want to specially thank Ward, Mr. T, and every single person that gave something!

For all of those that have YET to make a tax-deductible donation of at least $1, have a friend/family member affected by Diabetes or just thinks what I'm doing is awesome please click HERE to give.

The new goal has now been set to $20,000 and we need all the support possible. Once again 100% of proceeds donated (online or in-person) go to the American Diabetes Association, I am self-sponsored.

Thanks again to all those that MADE it happen and those that WILL make it happen -- Let's make it happen!


3/29/13

Cleveland, OH. This was part of a photo shoot I had with the great Janet Century! I really like this photo LOL!


12/25/12
SoilTrek.com

Cook, IN. As I walk I am accompanied with my small American flag attached to my pack. It serves as a reminder of how great this nation is and has the potential to be. Through this journey I've come to better realize its significance and the fact that it represents different things to different people. I believe everyone should have some idea of what their nation's flag means to them.


2/3/13
SoilTrek.com

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
SoilTrek.com

Tiskilwa, IL. I come across so much wildlife I decided to record this herd of deer who jumped from the trail and galloped into and through the woods once I approached.

2/23/13

Chicago, IL. Yes, I made it to Chicago and was too busy to post but now I'm determine to catch up. In the photo above my new buddy Guan Carlo and I took a tour of Sears Tower... I mean Willis Tower's Skydeck.

For a small cost you can have a great, mesmerizing view of Chicago especially at night! The views, which I photographed below, remind me of scenes from The Matrix and also Tron. I was in awe, these were views you couldn't even capture in New York City.

Above is photo of Lisa who I met while visiting Willis Tower. She was visiting Chicago from Wisconsin pursuing a position in the energy field. From what I can tell she's a very driven young lady and I know she will find the perfect position.

Below are some great mostly southern views of Chicago from Willis Tower.

2/6/13