Anonymous

Yesterday, Terry Caesar Hudson from the Children's Wish Fund told me that she had gotten a call from somebody that wanted to donate to the cause. We'd raised over $30,000 by that point, but I was pleased to know that contributions were still trickling in.

Trickling is actually a poor choice of words, at least in this case, because this donor told Terry that he wanted to take whatever …

I’d Like to Thank…..

The journey concludes Tuesday afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I’ll be rolling in there around 1:00 PM.

Can we all agree that awards shows are lame and tedious? Whether it’s the Emmys, the Oscars, the Grammys, or the Espys, these shows all boil down to one thing: we have to sit around and listen to a bunch of self important windbags prattle on about themselves so we can find out who won the various awards, when finding out who won the awards is the only reason we tuned in to begin with.

Stretch Run

Winding our way into Zionsville Monday. Day ends around 5:00 at the Marsh Store in Boone Village. Stop and say hello if you’re in the neighborhood.

Two days left. Less than 30 miles to go. I've had visions of getting to within 100 yards of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tuesday, stepping into a pot hole, and breaking my leg.

That, boys and girls, is the true definition of pessimism.

Monday's Journey: Lebanon to Zionsville

Mileage: 15.8 (we'll actually go over the 500 mile mark Monday. Do I get extra credit?)

On the …

Mistaken Identity

Sunday is a day of rest. Three days to go.

Funny story. Friday night, we checked into our campground in Thorntown, and I went about the business of hooking up the water and power. There was a couple in the slot next to ours, and when they saw me we exchanged waves. After that, I went back into the RV and got on line so I could update the website.

Meanwhile, The G Man, who is driving us to the finish line, went next door and, …

Why The Kids?

Three more stops. I’m starting to think I might make it. We’ll be at the Marsh Store at 2250 N. Lebanon in (duh) Lebanon Saturday afternoon.

Winding Down

Colfax is Friday’s destination. Ever heard of it? Neither have I.

It occurred to me today, really for the first time, that this journey is coming to an end. Next Tuesday, I'll roll into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, turn this fabulous RV back into the folks at Camping World, and then get ready to go back to work. NBA training camps start in less than two weeks, the Pacers have a pre-season game three weeks from Saturday, and we'll soon start the long …

Fans

We’ll end Thursday’s walk at the Marsh Store at 3825 Indiana 26 in Lafayette around 5:00. If you’re in the area, stop by.

As I was walking through downtown Crawfordsville this morning, I was standing at an intersection, waiting on a red light, when a guy approached me and asked, "What's wrong with the Pacers?" As is the case with a surprising number of people that ask me this question, he didn't even wait for me to respond. He simply walked with me for two blocks, sharing his theories, which were rather vacuous …

The Culture of Camping

Less than a week to go. Stretch run starts Wednesday.

When I was a kid, I spent some time in Scouts. Not the Boy Scouts – I washed out long before I reached that level – but the Cub Scouts, where almost all of my friends landed and thrived before moving on to bigger and better things. In Cub Scouts, we learned about a lot of things, but none of it really resonated with me. Still, I was on the fence in terms of whether or not I liked the …

Knowledge is Power

Tuesday’s stroll takes us into Crawfordsville. Kevin Lee, Indiana’s most ubiquitous broadcaster will be along for the walk.

In the four weeks or so I’ve been tromping around Indiana, I’ve gotten quite an education. Averaging a little over four hours a day wandering the back roads has given me time to listen to quite a few podcasts, and it’s amazing what you can pick up listening to the likes of NPR, MSNBC, Fox News, ESPN, etc. I’ve also had a lot of down time at night and have used it to do a lot of …

There’s Nobody Home

We go over the 400 mile mark Monday. The stretch run is near.

What do God, the Detroit Lions, and Yours Truly have in common? Sunday is a day of rest for all of us.

See you tomorrow

Monday's Journey: Greencastle to Raccoon

Mileage: 15.2 (80,256 steps. Approximately).

On the iPod: The Dan LeBatard Show, The Very Best of Sting and the Police CD

Fatigue Makes Cowards of Us All. Including Me.

Looking forward to a Sunday off.

The above quote has been attributed to both George Patton and Vince Lombardi. I don't really know who should get credit for it, but I do know that it's true.

When I started The Wish Walk almost four weeks ago, the miles would fly by. Sure, I'd be tired at the end of the day, but I never felt that I couldn't do at least another three or four miles if necessary. Now, as we close in on …

Hello, Americans. It’s Friday.

The above, for those of you that may not be aware, was the signature phrase that Paul Harvey used to open his radio show for decades. Some would see my use of it here as plagiarism. Others would see it as a form of tribute, and still others would see it for what it really is: a cheap way to label a blog from someone too lazy to come up with something creative.

Today, I'll be walking …

Slick

Look for me on US 40 Friday. It takes us all the way to Brazil (Indiana, not South America).

We're in Terre Haute today, which gives me an excuse to say a few words about my long time broadcast partner, William Robert (Slick) Leonard.

Terre Haute is Slick's hometown. He grew up here, and played basketball and tennis at Gerstmeyer High School. He's a member of the Indiana University Hall of Fame and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, and would be in the Naismith Memorial …

Four Hours I Could Have Lived Without

Terre Haute is a large city. I hope they keep their dogs on leashes.

With such smooth sailing through the first tree weeks of this walk, I was starting to think we might get to the finish line without any glitches.

I wish.

Tuesday after lunch, I started out for Clay City. It was a beautiful day, I felt good, and I was looking forward to the stroll. I was about forty five minutes into it when our fabulous (gratuitous sponsor mention) Camping World RV …

4 Hours I Could Have Lived Without

Terre Haute is a fairly large city. I hope they keep dogs on leashes there.

With such smooth sailing through the first tree weeks of this walk, I was starting to think we might get to the finish line without any glitches.

I wish.

Tuesday after lunch, I started out for Clay City. It was a beautiful day, I felt good, and I was looking forward to the stroll. I was about forty five minutes into it when our fabulous (gratuitous sponsor mention) Camping World RV …

More Thoughts and Observations From the Road

In addition to learning some things out here, I'm averaging a little over 16 miles per day pounding pavement on this trip, which means that I've got a dangerous amount of time for thoughts to be percolating. In no particular order, these are some of the things I've learned and thought about lately:

We've hit quite a few McDonald's on this trip, mostly because of the free WiFi. Almost …

My New Friends

Clay City is our next target. I have heard that there was a move afoot in the ’60′s to change the name to Ali City, but I haven’t been able to confirm that.

Last weekend was interesting. I spent some time with Jacqueline, Pete, and Alex, three folks I never would have met had I not decided to limp 500 miles around Indiana, and getting to know people like those three has been one of the truly delightful experiences I’ve had along the way. On the other hand, I was robbed Saturday – in broad daylight, no less – which I could have done without.

It’s Sunday. We’re Closed

Monday’s stroll takes us to Spencer. We’re closing in on 300 miles.

As I've mentioned on prior Sunday's, if God thinks it's a good idea to lay low on the Sabbath, who am I to disagree?

Check back Monday, though. Met some interesting folks this weekend, ran afoul of a criminal, and got hopelessly lost in my RV campground. Full disclosure to come.

Monday's Journey: Bloomington to Spencer

Mileage: 17.4 (This is the equivalent of walking from one end …

Ron Artest and I

No walking Sunday. My feet are grateful

When I decided that I wanted to try and challenge myself with a 500 mile walk this summer, I wondered what toll, if any, the experience would have on me. I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find out that (with the notable exception of several blisters on my feet) I’ve done pretty well physically. The only other issue I’ve had has come on days where I’ve got longer routes (say 18+ miles) …

Think Outside the Box, Indiana

21+ miles of hills and twisting roads Saturday between Nashville and Bloomington

Friday afternoon, I walked through a town called Gnaw Bone. I mention this because one of the things I've noticed is that Indiana isn't distinctive enough. Specifically we have counties that are named after other states (Delaware and Ohio), cities (Miami), and even countries (Switzerland). Plus, we have cities that also exist in other states (there's a Carmel in California, though it's …

A Day in the Life

Columbus (Indiana, not Georgia or Ohio) to Nashville (not Tennessee). Come on Indiana…come up with some original names for your towns.

What, you might be wondering, is a day on the road with The Wish Walk like? Of course, it’s entirely possible that you’re not wondering about that at all, in which case the next several paragraphs will be a complete waste of your time. Feel free to venture on to the numerous x-rated and NASCAR websites that so many people find interesting. I won’t be offended.

Today is a little bit …

Yes. They’re Pajamas. What Of It?

We’re off to Columbus Thursday. That’s Columbus, Indiana. Not Ohio or Georgia.

I’ve gotten quite a few comments on my attire as I’ve progressed on this journey.  I wear a Wish Walk t-shirt, but that’s hard to see because I need to wear one of those bright yellow vests that highway crews wear to draw attention to themselves so I won’t get flattened by a semi, a garbage truck, or a family rampaging down the highway en route to a late summer vacation.

My pants, …

Did Abe Lincoln Ever Live in North Vernon?

Tomorrow, we move on to Seymour, with stops in Columbus, Nashville, and Bloomington to follow this week.

I've mentioned several times since I've started this journey how much I've been impressed by the kindness and generosity that seem to be commonplace in the towns we've passed through over the last two weeks, and today I add honesty to the list.

One of my many negative character traits is an absent mindedness that is, in all likelihood, unrivaled in the history of mankind. I'm not talking …

My RV Driver Fired Me

Tuesday’s target is North Vernon, which will put us over the 200 mile mark.

Today marks the start of the third week of Mark’s Excellent Adventure, which means we have yet another RV pilot in the mix. The first two guys were strangers to me. Scott was slotted in at the last minute of Week One, with some help from (gratuitous sponsor mention) Wheaton World Wide Moving, and Gary handled the RV last week. Both guys did a terrific job, and what could have been a difficult …

Shhh….

Assuming I don’t keel over or get flattened by a semi, we’ll closeg in on 200 miles today.

It's Sunday. Why aren't you at church? Or the synagogue? Or the mosque? Or watching one of those religious con men on television?

Don't you know that Sunday is a day of rest?

Monday's Journey: Milan to Holton

Mileage: 18.1 (31,856 yards, or 18,272 yards fewer than Peyton Manning has passed for in his NFL career. He may have more yardage than I do, at least on this day, but I feel …

It’s Not the Destination, Stupid. It’s the Journey

I’ll be in shutdown mode Sunday, gearing up for a jaunt into Holton Monday. We’ll hit the halfway point of the trip late next week.

Last night, I went to a high school football game.

I don't suppose there's really anything noteworthy about this. Hundreds of thousands of people attend high school games all across America on Friday nights in the Fall, true, but I hadn't been to a game since the last time I broadcast one, back in the day when I was barely older than the players I watched in Milan last night, and it …

I Could Have Been a Hell’s Angel

Saturday, we leave Batesville and head for Milan. Just 16.2 miles until my next day off.

Not a lot of time to write today, because I’m heading to a high school football game tonight, but I did want to mention a little bit about my night with the bikers in Metamora.

It’s not really quite as exotic as it sounds. I met a guy named Brian in Laurel Thursday afternoon. He had just finished his mail route and mentioned that his wife’s sister and her husband owned a place in …

Critters

Heading for Batesville tomorrow. Might take in a high school football game. Stay tuned.

Today, boys and girls, I went to the zoo.

Not literally, but I had enough interaction with a variety of animals that it seemed that way. It started this morning at our campground in Connersville. I left the RV to take out the garbage, and was startled to see a pair of rabbits waiting expectantly at the bottom of the steps. In my experience, rabbits are inclined to run at the first whiff of …

Over 125 Miles In and Still Standing

Metamora or bust Thursday. Supposed to be some sort of a tourist attraction, and I’m told that scenes from the movie Rain Man were filmed there. Looking forward to seeing it.

Random observations - in no particular order - after a week on the trail:

• If I could get the folks at Camping World to give me this RV, I’d sell my house and move in. And I hate camping.

• If I had a dollar for every church I’ve seen on this journey, I could start my own religion. Though I suspect a religion based on whiskey, cigars, and Family Guy would have limited …

Danny The Police Dog and Her Friends

We’ll get to Connersville at around 5:00 Wednesday and will make a stop at the Marsh Supermarket at 2200 Park Road. I’m told that the store manager is Bill Russell. The Bill Russell? If so, I’ll have a full report.

As I was getting set to leave (gratuitous sponsor mention) the Long John Silvers in New Castle this AM, I was greeted by our law enforcement escort and his police dog. The dog's name was Danny, and it turns out that she's a narcotics dog and a protection dog and - and this I found extremely amusing - afraid of cats. Finding this out was analogous to discovering that Chuck Norris fears Barney …

Why?

Tomorrow, we leave New Castle and head for Cambridge City. Does anyone know why this town is called New Castle? Is there an Old Castle somewhere around here? I didn’t see it.

That's probably the question I've been asked most often since leaving Fort Wayne and starting this journey last Tuesday. The answer, in a nutshell, is simple.

I'm a savant.

In other words, I'm good at one thing, and one thing only. I'm not a believer in false modesty, so I will just say right out that I think that I'm very good at what I do. But I'm also realisitic about my …

And on the Seventh Day…

Got caught up on laundry and correspondence at the beautiful Prairie Creek Reservoir campground in Selma, Indiana Sunday. On to New Castle Monday. Meet me at the Long John Silver’s at 520 S. Memorial Drive at 5:00.

Though I don't claim to be a religious scholar, I am familiar with the biblical version of how God got the ball rolling. And, if I'm not mistaken, after a rollicking six days in which everything possible was addressed, God decided to rest on the Sabbath. I figure if it's good enough for The Big Man in The Supreme Throne Room, it's certainly good enough for a peon like me.

I'll check in …

The Safari

I’m resting Sunday. If you can find me out here, I’ll buy you dinner. Monday, we’re off to New Castle as the adventure continues.

I figured today's walk would be the easiest of the first week. It was only 15 miles from Albany to Muncie, the skies were overcast - which meant that I would avoid being charbroiled - and the temperatures were only in the upper 70's.

I figured wrong.

The local law enforcement agencies along our route have gone out of their way to accommodate us. They've provided advice on routes, …

Rolling Right Along

Saturday, we set sail for Muncie. Stop and visit with us at 5:00 at the Marsh Supermarket at 1500 W. McGalliard

Not a lot to report today. People in Indiana continue to amaze me, though that shouldn't be the case. I've lived here long enough to know the character of the people in this state, so the fact that they're so generous - even in a time of economic distress - shouldn't surprise me. Still, I'm gratified by how well we've been received in the four days since we started, both in terms of attitude and …

Portland, Oregon? Portland, Maine? I’ll take Portland, Indiana

Friday we head for Albany. We’ll be stopping in Red Key, so look for us. We’ll let you buy us lunch.

Day three of the journey was relatively uneventful early, although I continue to be astounded by the generosity of the people in Indiana. On several occasions Thursday, people came out of their houses alongside US 27 to bring me water and even a few dollars for The Wish Fund. Our support group, headed by Krissy Myers and Matt Lowstetter with the Pacers , has done a great job keeping the media in …

Amishville, USA

We’ll roll out of Berne around 10:00, then stop for lunch in Bryant, and arrive at the Marsh store on West Lincoln in Portland at 5:00. Stop by and say hi.

That's the name of the campground we're staying at tonight, primarily, I'm assuming, because we're in the heart of Amish country. Today's leg consisted of traipsing from Decatur to Berne, mostly along US 27. I saw a few buggies containing Amish families, and while there weren't a lot of homes out there, I was struck by the fact that the ones I did see had no power lines attached. In many cases, …

Day 1: So This is Decatur

The first day of any adventure tends to be the most difficult, and it turns out that The Wish Walk is no exception.

By the time we pulled into Fort Wayne last night, it was 11:00. Not to worry, though; we had the address of an RV campground and figured we were all set. Alas, it turns out that the internet is not foolproof, and our alleged campground was nothing more than an elementary …

Twas The Night Before The Wish Walk….

It's almost midnight in Fort Wayne, and in less than nine hours I'll start a journey that I've been waiting to begin for months. For me, it's not really about walking 500 miles, although I certainly plan to do that. It's not even about raising money for the Indiana Children's Wish Fund, though I can't imagine a better cause.

For me, this is all about challenging myself. It's about setting …