1,000 MILES...1.7 MILLION STEPS

Checking in from Northport, AL …

The first number is correct, checked daily by GPS.  I did hit the 1,000 mile mark on Monday morning, April 23.   The second number assumes that my average stride is a yard long.  Both numbers are pretty daunting especially when I consider that this marks approximately one third of the journey.  In many ways, the trip has seemed quick to date; in other ways, it has felt long.  But I have been aware of the support of family and friends on every step.  Couldn’t have made it this far without each of you.   Special thanks to my wife Brenda who does all the dirty work and puts up with me.  Only 2,000 miles and 3.4 million steps to go.

Roll Tide …

Monday afternoon, was a thrill for a football fan like me.  We visited the Paul W. Bryant Museum that chronicles the history of Bama teams that have won an astounding 14 national football championships.   This is a shrine to the Bear, but there are countless gridiron heroes and achievements that are showcased.  Names like Johnny Mack Brown, Don Hutson, Bart Starr, LeRoy Jordan, Ray Perkins, Kenny “Snake” Stabler, Joe Namath, Steve Sloan, Wallace Wade, Gene Stallings and Bear Bryant.   After leaving the museum, we got a  private tour of Bryant-Denny Stadium from Associate Athletic Director Ronny Robertson that had been arranged by our son Matt.    What a great facility on a beautiful campus.  Ronny, a linebacker on the ’73 national championship team, was a gracious host showing us all around the stadium including standing at midfield.  Can’t imagine what it would be like to be playing in front of 101,000 rabid fans.

The afternoon ended with a visit from a new friend, Cheri Smith, who brought gifts of Bama gear.  Cheri is a seller on eBay, who has worked with our son Jeff.

We have so many more pictures from todays events as well as days prior.  Please check out and “like” our Facebook page, Heart Trek USA, to see more pictures; especially the one of me standing beside the Bear Bryant statue and the UA Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Just a couple more days in Alabama.  Here is the projected schedule:

Tuesday, April 24 … from Coker to Reform, AL

Wednesday, April 25 … into Mississippi on US 82

Thursday, April 26 … to Columbus, MS

 

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