Art galleries, museums, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, music events, photoshoots, restaurants, shopping, and more. She is a very loving, caring, passionate person, and the reason I will return to Cleveland!
Anne gets two BIG thumbs up!!!
Follow my journey from Midtown NYC (Nov. 2012) to Downtown Los Angeles (Jul. 2013).
THE GOALS: (1.) Raise $20,000 for the American Diabetes Association, (2.) Spread awareness about the growing epidemic of Type-2 Diabetes, and (3.) Experience America up close and personal. [MISSION COMPLETE 7/20/13]
Anne is the ultimate host that exceeds expectations. I was expecting to stay two humble nights and relax my body, because I am walking the country, no... didn't happen. Those two nights turned into a full week after she totally exposed me to all the city of Cleveland had to offer and more!
Art galleries, museums, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, music events, photoshoots, restaurants, shopping, and more. She is a very loving, caring, passionate person, and the reason I will return to Cleveland! Anne gets two BIG thumbs up!!! 12/20/12 thru 12/26/12
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Cleveland, OH.
A white lady saw me walking w/ all my gear walking through the snow said "Aww hell no!" I explained my journey, she then said "God bless!" 11/27/12 State College, PA.
-Pennsylvania is awesome, but I hope my thoughts of someday working on a farm leave soon.. cause those that know me know I'll do it! -Woke up from a great sleep in Bald Eagle Park. That park is freakin' huge!!! -Walked 35 miles from Bald Eagle Park, PA to state College, PA. -Walking through the forest for 2-hours at 2:30am was a little nerve racking -Amish country was very interesting. I waved or exchanged greetings with each one I saw, they actually travel pretty fast in those horse buggies. -Dodging the Amish's horse poo on the streets was tiring. -Ate a very delicious breakfast at The Millheim Hotel. I had scarmbed eggs, bacon, home fries, toast, waffles, and orange juice -- all for under $10 (not including tip). I gave props to the cook, who later that night drove by me and told me thank you and also offered me a ride which I declined. -Saw a whole lotta cows & bulls today which was cool. Some where brave enough to approach me while others wither starred or ran off. -Climbed a mound of carrots. -After a full day of walking and fresh burger and 5-hour in my system I ran the last 6 miles in the dark rainy streets with my 50-pound bag on to College Park, PA. Extremely difficult task, but I enjoyed it -- especially the puzzled look from on-lookers. -I reached State College depleted, met with Emily (whom I will talk about later), and slept like a baby. I won't be doing another 35-miles anytime soon. Mileage: 20 (thought it was more)
Peaks: -Stayed the night at my new wonderful friend's house, Dorato, along with her great husband Andrew. It was quite a spiritual retreat! Dorota's "magic powers" had me feeling brand new, we need more positive beings in the world like her. I gained a lot in regards to spirituality that I will carry through my journey. -Met a very nice reverend who prayed for me and gave me a small book, whose title I'll give at some other time. -Offered quite a few rides today. Don't know why, but I politely declined them all. -Was given money at a CVS and also met the nicest cashier, Carolynn. -Pumpkin spice espresso. Valleys: -Walking in fog after dark. -Bear crossing my path. -Not arriving at Dorota's home earlier. Day 7 (Friday)
Peaks: -Chilled out the whole day. -Staying with a couple tomorrow night in Long Pond, PA. -Pigged out last night and today, should hold me for a little. -Everything is great with my son. -Negotiated a good motel rate again. I have to read up on the art of negotiating, it's a fun game. -Programmed iPod to audibly (with human voice) inform me when to a 10 or 30 minute break, and also when to start looking for camp. Sometimes I get so caught up in the music I'll skip break, food, water, etc. -Pizza delivery girl was checking out abs, damn right their on point. -Will lighten my pack load by shipping unneeded items back to NY. -All gear is clean. -Spoke to two of my favorite people today. Valleys: -Lost my US flag attached to my pack. I believe if happened making my way through some brawlic-ass branches last night. These branches tryna hold me back... and they did once they had positioned like a ballet dancer with one leg in the air. That situation didn't make logical sense why I couldn't make it through these branches. So I untangled myself, turned away, and I believe they then took my flag. Now I need a new one. -Been on an insane sugar high the last two days, will try my best to curb it this weekend. Day 6 (Wednesday)
Peaks: - Good sleep, woke up early. - Cooked my first meal on my portable stove (oatmeal and peanut butter) - Spoke to my mentor, Ward. - Finally reached PA. - Found a spot to setup tent for the night right after the sun went down. I will stop my walks everyday between 4-5pm. -PA's farmlands are beautiful. Valleys: - Approached by two unleashed dogs today and was ready with my bear spray. - First campsite looked great until I heard shotgun blasts. Hunting season starts Sunday so I guess they couldn't wait. - Need to wash clothes. - Lost my strip of beef jerky. Was looking very forward to eating it. - So hungry, I'm gonna pig out tomorrow. Day 5 (Tuesday)
Peaks: - After waking up, found a deli 2-hours away, was so happy! - Setup tent early before sunset in trench near river. I will wake early to get more mileage tomorrow. - Stocked up on jerky, gummy bears, and protein bars. - Met a lot of nice people in the town of Independence. -Didn't push it today. Valleys: -Left ankle is tight. -Have to hold off eating until morning so scents won't attract bears, foxes, of wolves. -Pack is lighter, but need it more lighter. Best Things:
-My favorite can driver picked up my Zpack sleeping bag from the post office and drove it to me. -Received encouraging honks from a fire truck, a city bus, and several motorists. -Covered 15 miles today. -Great sleep at a motel. -Walked on a highway and exited off the ramp, kinda cool. -Set great pace today, hopefully will cover double tomorrow. -Reached hotel in enough time to get the last room (where I'm writing this -- why do I have two beds?). -Negotiated a better price with the hotel concierge. I will try this more often. -NOTE TO SELF: Girls in that SUV... just kidding. Worst Things: -Discovered I don't like going downhill with pack on my back. -Both campsites I wanted to stay at were closed. -Shoulders, lower back, toes, upper back, and calves are all sore. -Need to lose more pack weight. All the weight I trimmed was gained back with the addition of the sleeping bag. -To exhausted take pictures, I have to somehow work it into my walks. New Jersey is actually pretty nice! I take back half the bad things I've said about it -- I still haven't reached their bear country. Tomorrow should be an excellent day! Now to take a nice warm bath! Peace! Best Thing(s) - Son's report card was excellent. Met up with a long-time friend in midtown. Gave out tips to building doormen, concierges, and managers -- great feeling. Helped serve food to 100+ people at a Mount Vernon community dinner. Had lunch with April and then dinner with her. Worst Thing(s) - Last day I will see April before my trip, she's going home to Boston. My big food order won't arrive until after I leave. Will have to leave Friday afternoon, due to having to wait for sleeping bag replacement -- so I'll be walking from Friday afternoon until a couple hours after midnight... oh well. Yesterday: Best Thing - Got a lot of boring stuff accomplished including now having life insurance! Hung out and cooked with son (BBQ chicken, mixed veggies, and mac & cheese). Talked with April, who doesn't really want me to take my trip but is supportive. Worst Thing - So many tasks (paperwork) today that I didn't leave the house, so no fresh air, running, or real communication. |
STERLING CLEVELAND
Departure Date:
Friday, November 28, 2012 AuthorRunner, Writer, Thinker, & Positive Energy. Archives
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