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

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 these towns up on what we’re doing and where we’re going, so folks seem to be aware of what we’re trying to accomplish. It doesn’t seem quite so hot, and my legs feel a little more lively when people drive past and wave or honk their horns.

We had lunch at a truck stop in Bryant. This provided me with my first experience mingling with the over the road types, all of whom – including the women – look like they could pound me into submission with one hand while quaffing a cold frosty with the other. Around 3:30, I headed back to US 27 for the seven mile waltz into Portland, where I was scheduled to meet folks at the Marsh Supermarket there. As I walked into the parking lot, I was greeted effusively by a jovial guy in a blue suit who turned out to be Mayor Bruce Hosier. Why is it that virtually every small town politician I’ve ever met seems far more interesting and genuine than some of these gasbags that populate state and federal government? Bruce, for example, is a former MAC basketball official and regaled me with some good Dan Dakich stories before revealing that he wanted to present me with a proclamation. Now, I know for a fact that there have been mayors that were excited when I left their towns, but this is the first time a mayor has ever claimed to be thrilled that I was there, and I was more than a little taken aback.

After that, Rob Weaver, the Grand Poobah of long time Pacer affiliate WPGW Radio in Portland did an interview with me to help promote the walk and made an extremely generous donation to the cause, and Dave Eber, the store manager of the Marsh here, loaded us up with enough food, water, and Gatorade to last us for 1,000 miles. A few of the station’s listeners stopped by and ate with us, and a good time was had by all. I’ve always said Portland was one of my favorite NBA cities, and while that’s still true, it’s now only my second favorite Portland.

HEALTH UPDATE: Three days in, and I feel terrific. Well, with the exception of blisters on the big and little toes of my right foot. How does that happen, and the middle three remain unscathed? Anyway, I just sliced them open with a razor blade and motored on. I’m 20 years older than Jermaine O’Neal, and it turns out that I’m still tougher than he is.

Friday’s Journey: Portland to Albany

Miles: 18.5 Miles (293,040 inches)

On the iPod: Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below CD, The Dan LeBatard Show

Check out today’s photos on my Facebook (Mark Joseph Boyle) page