[ 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!

Washington, Utah.  Thank you to Duwayne, Keoni, & Devin for stopping to say hi on that blistering Wednesday and providing me with those Gatorades, tasty cranberry trail mix, and Jacks Link beef jerky (the best).  You guys are awesome, that definitely made my day -- enjoy the rest of your Summer!  

7/3/13
SoilTrek.com

Moab, Utah.  Mike Corenella & Mrs. Corenella, thank you both so much!  Not only for the water while I was walking into Moab, the advice, the stories, the new Montrail shoe insoles, and the excellent tour of Arches National Park -- but above all that, thank you for your enthusiasm for life!  Keep up the excellent job you and your wife are doing.

Mike Corenella
Moab, Utah
Guided Hiking/Backpacking, Scenic, and Photo Tours
(435) 260-1696
Mike@deepdesert.com
Deepdesert.com

6/5/13
SoilTrek.com

Moab, Utah. Big shout out to Steve, LJ, Mark, Skeeter, and the whole crew at GearHeads!
 
From Fruita, Colorado until I got into town everyone told me I had to visit three places in Moab: Arches National Park, Moab Brewery, & GearHeads. 

Entering the outdoors gear shop I wanted to buy everything I saw, even the unrelated stuff -- there was so much packed into this one store.  The staff were fairly knowledgeable and super friendly.  They assisted me in finding the following items:

* Mountain Time freeze dried dinner meals to cook and eat while camping
* Small propane canister for my portable stove
* 3-Liter Platypus water reservoir, an upgrade from my 2-liter one
* Tactical lighting device with tons of neat features (graciously donated)
* Black Diamond gaiters to keep thorns, rocks, sand, and everything else out of my boots while walking (graciously donated)
* Various Clif meal bars, flavors I never tried before because I like to experiment (graciously donated)

Overall great shop, great people, and thanks again guys -- these gaiters are priceless!

GearHeads Outdoor Store
471 S Main St 
Moab, UT 84532
(435) 259-4327
http://www.moabgear.com


6/2/13
SoilTrek.com 

Moab, Utah. Much thanks to everyone who has made a tax-deductible donation to the American Diabetes Association through my coast to coast walk! We have almost reached our $20,000 goal and are just $2,000 away.

For those that want to donate or to the multitude that have promised to give but haven't yet, today should be that day. Click HERE to donate as little as a $10. It's great that I'm walking across the nation, but the donations have to come in to help this organization and make an impact.

100% of your tax-deductible American Diabetes Association donation goes to diabetes services and diabetes research to find a cure. Diabetes is a growing health issue in this country and we must do what we can to stop it, so please DONATE -- Thank you for your support!

6/6/13

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Fruita, Colorado.  Before hitting the Kokopelli Trail (www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokopelli_Trail) to make my way into Utah, I did this news interview (#7) with Taylor Kanost of News Channel 5 of Grand Junction, CO.  This was recorded right outside the Fruita public library.  Click one of the links below to watch...

Source 1: http://bit.ly/10OVs19
Source 2: Click HERE


5/29/13
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Moab, Utah.  On my way to Moab I ran into Jason, Phil, Alex, & Simon (who took this photo).  They are from The University of Buffalo Geology located in upstate New York.  They saw my sign while driving by and couldn't believe it, these guys were great!  We talked for a bit, they offered me water, and also made a donation. 

5/3/13

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Moab, Utah.  Thank every one that assisted  me with directions, donations, food, water, and supplies during my walk from The Kokopelli Trail in Fruita to the Outdoors Recreation capital of the US.



The stretch I walked was more mentally challenging than walking through the cold this past Winter however very  visually rewarding.  My top issues were: 



1. The intense heat with little shade

2. Insects constantly flying in my face

3. Little shoulder room on the road

4. Water supply getting too hot to drink

5. Constantly having to filter water from the Colorado River

6. Newly acquired Gatorade addiction

Special thanks to the Ashley & Pete for being great hosts, Walgreens staff in Fruita, Subway in Fruita, Henry at Starvin' Arvin, mountain biker that gave me Kokopelli directions, young girl with mom who noticed me from TV, cool dad in shades driving SUV (hope you're in Moab), Tony in Fruita who saw me on TV and donated, Yolie who saw in on the highway & donated, Jayme who donated, Fruita library, KJCT (Shannon) & News Channel 5 (Taylor) in Grand Junction, Lisa who gave me water, the couple that provided me with cold water, the guy who gave me a boiling hot bottle of water (its the thought right?), Tony & his cute family who provided me some food, the bikers troubleshooting the GoPro, all the cars full of young adults showing me love, Kelly for the donation, Phil/Alex/Simon/Jason of the University of Buffalo Geology for the water & donations, Sorrel River Ranch Restaurant staff (you guys were so awesome and food was great!), the gentleman who covertly covered my breakfast, Mike of Deep Desert Expeditions for the water/advice/recommendations, the Denny's staff of Moab, the Moab couple I spoke to before reaching, Mark & Susan of the Louisiana State Museum for being great & encouraging, 

Kari & Chuck who donated, the water rafting dudes who offered water, all the cars that gave me the right of way on these narrow roads, and everyone in the Moab area who honked, yelled, waved in support!



Much love to everyone!

6/2/13

SoilTrek.com

Edwards, Colorado. Out of a Pontiac Firebird stepped a tall young gentleman by the name of William. We talked for a bit about my walk and he made a great donation. After a school bus full of kids pulled up and a short shirtless fat man jogged by I knew it was time to thank William and keep trucking.

Later on that day several miles down the road, William caught up to me and we got a bite to eat. We spoke about a wide array of different topics including our personal lives, where we grew up, current aspirations, hobbies, the importance of traveling, and females.

It was definitely a pleasure meeting and conversing with a young gentleman with such class, holding a clean slate in an world of endless opportunity. I wish William all of the best!

ASIDE: Also big thanks to Corrie (stay awesome), Jesse, the woman that provided me the sandwich & goldfish crackers while I was walking in the rain, and the guys that truck that donated.

5/16/13
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