Practicing for my April Walk and
My objectives for this walk are four fold. First, I am hopeful to raise significant charitable contributions for two worthy organizations…the Alzhiemer’s Association and the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association.
Also, I am looking forward to seeing some of the old and even original buildings, businesses and Midwest scenery available along the original 1913 route and placing them on line for others to view.
Further, I expect to meet a host of great Hoosiers along the way that will share some time with me and with whom I can talk about both the Lincoln Highway and Alzheimer’s.
Finally, I want to celebrate my 63rd birthday by walking the 170 mile distance over 2 weeks just to prove I still can! Please check out the information on the links page where some really good organizations and materials are presented, plus visit the page on Alzheimer’s so you can see the extent of its reach in society. Or..come on along for the walk!
History
While growing up in Goshen, IN, the Blairs lived just one block off Lincolnway East. It never occrured to me to find out why this road (Route 33) was called Lincolnway during those early years. In the mid 1960′s I went off to college (Hanover College) well away from northern Indiana, then pursued a career that had my family moving around the country to a variety of great places…none too close to Goshen, however.
When I retired several years ago, we moved back to northern Indiana and built a home on Lake Tippecanoe. One day I happened upon a brochure about something called the Lincoln Highway and found out that the old Lincolnway East route in my hometown was actually part of the first transcontinental highway in the US dating to 1913. That led to some inquiries with both the national and state associations so I could learn more.
Well, after just a couple of meetings and some valuable history lessons, I was hooked. I got active on both the state and national levels, attending conferences and meetings, buying the research books, supporting both organizations as often as possible. I have even driven 2/3 of the route over the past two years so that only the Wyoming to San Francisco drive remains. If you want to see some pictures of other states and views along the Lincoln Highway, let me know!
The LHA nationally and the INLHA in Indiana are both not-for-profit organizations that are accomplishing great things to commemorate and beautify this great road, to remind us all of the part the highway played in developing the auto industry and America’s tourism business, to educate our youth (and some of older youth) to its fascinating history, to support the road through state legislatures, and more. Of course, we are always on the lookout for new members and new sources of financial stability.
About 3 years ago I also got interested in Alzheimer’s as my father in law (Leo Radkey) reached his 90′s and was deteriorating physically and mentally. He was a tough old bird and it was rough to see him go but he lived a long, interesting, and meaningful life and eventually passed away. Watching his mind go a little at a time during those years was difficult, but it got me studying ways we might slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s or slow down its growth in any of us through puzzzles, training, exercise, music, and mind stretching games.
Later it dawned on me that these two seemingly unrelated topics…my father in law’s Alzheimer’s and the Lincoln Highway actually have something in common. Both relate to MEMORIES. The great memories of the glory of the Lincoln Highway as it stretched from Time’s Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco…and the wonderful memories that Leo shared with us of his life plus the ones we had of being with him over the past 50+ years.
So, I am combining these topics into one long walk…170 miles along the original 1913 route of the Lincoln Highway through Indiana in order to see the sights of both yesterday and today along the route, plus to reflect on the thoughts of Leo and what he meant to me and my family. I plan to raise thousands of dollars of contributions to be split equally between these two important organizations and am paying all of my own expenses along the way so that all proceeds of pledges and donations can be split and shared with the two organizations.
It is important for me to thank the Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana for assisting me on this effort and for providing literature that I can share with those I meet along my walk who are interested in the subject. I also want to thank the many volunteers at the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association for their efforts in creating pledge cards, preparing press releases, scoping out diners and hotels and landmarks, and supporting me in so many ways.
See you along the Lincoln Highway!
Dear Jeff,
You will have my support on your walk across Indiana on the Lincoln Highway. The Indiana Volkssport Association ( INVA ) is proud to have you as one of our members. Thank you for promoting the American Volkssport Association ( AVA ); our website can be used as one of your links. Sincerely, Don Vartanian, INVA President
Great getting to know you, Don. Hope you get well real soon and will see you out on the road!!
Jeff,
As President of the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association and past president of the national Lincoln Highway Association, I want to thank you for putting this walk across Indiana into place. I know you will be sharing the Lincoln Highway story with many Hoosiers and tourists as you walk across the corridor. Increasing awareness of the Lincoln across our state is very important to tourism and preservation efforts. I will walk a portion of the old road with you as my schedule allows and look forward to supporting both the causes you are walking for. Here’s to your health and the spirit in which you walk – step by step- from the Ohio-Indiana line through Dyer, Indiana! God bless your journey!
It is a real pleasure working with you, Jan. Thanks for all YOU do!!
Jeff: What a grand plan! Be sure to keep a good supply of those LHA membership brochures with you. I’ll be a happy camper if you can generate a few of hours of new member work for me! Will you be giving us a report in Tahoe? Sure hope so.
I will be talking up the Lincoln Highway Association for sure. Thanks for the support, Jay.
Jeff:
I look forward to supporting your jaunt and hearing of your progress. I must say I was shocked to hear of your age and wonder if this is a typo? I thought you’re 47?
Drew McCartney
Mountain Lakes, NJ
Thanks, Drew. Playing golf in Myrtle the week before the walk is just the ticket! I know I play golf like I was 47…or is that my 9 hole score?
Hey Jeff!!!
Great idea, I support it totally. You can count on us for a donation for sure. Plus, do you want some company? I would love to come and join you for a stretch. Contact me and lets work out a day when you will be along a pretty stretch of road and I will come walk with you that day. What are friends for??
Elizabeth Gorski
Jeff – when I heard,was it at an INLHA meeting or conference call, that you were planning to do this Walk, I thought good for you! Thank you for doing this for both organizations. I can’t do the “walking” with you, but I will “hook up” with you at Bonnie Doon’s and offer any other support during the Walk! God bless you on your journey down the old Lincoln Highway! Joyce Chambers, INLHA Secretary
You are the best, Joyce. Thanks for being such a great friend and supporter of me and the Association!!
Jeff, I would sure like to know when you plan to enter Ligonier! We are just S. of Goshen. We could meet you at Fashion Farm and walk with you into and through our
Lincoln Highway City. It would be our pleasure to show you our Lincoln Highway Historic sites. As you leave we can walk the small stretch of 1 of the few remaining “original brick sections of the Lincoln Highway”! I support both your causes and wish you good health and safety. God bless!
Hello Patty. Thank you for the note! I am actually traveling east to west and will pass through Ligonier on April 18. I start that day at the Kimmel House, will actually walk down that strectch of original bricks south of town which you mention, and plan to end up a bit past the Fashion Farm later in the day. I would be delighted to visit with you or your team and see the Lincoln Highway sites. I will call your office soon to confirm if this works for you. Thanks again!
Are you coming through Goshen?
Hello, Kathy. Yes…I will walk through Goshen on April 19. Tentatively, Mayor Allan Kauffman is going to walk with me some of that day, too, if his schedule permits. I am hoping to have breakfast at the Olympia Candy Kitchen on the next morning, the 20th before walking on further west. Will you be around? Hope to see you then, Kathy. By the way readers…the Olympia is one of the great local restuarants and candy purveyors in all of the US…worth stopping in to visit and dine.
Ditto the Olympia & its fine food & candy! We plan visits around eating @ the “O”! Good luck, bro!
Wow…my favorite (and only) sister just chimed in! Wish you were here, sis. Love you lots.
I can’t imagine going to Goshen and NOT visiting the Olympia (especially around Easter time).
Quick change in plans in order to DEFINITELY get to the Olympia. Tthey are closed for breakfast on Wednesday (I forgot) so we went in today for a quick fix! All the best Gayle!
Hi Jef,
Your dual motive for walking the Indiana LH trail is indeed a memorable twin – in a way for me, too.
First of all, one of my best and long term American friends from IU fell victim of Alzheimer’s in her midfifties and had to give up her bright academic career way too soon. Visiting her now for about 15 years in her nursing home every time I am back in Bloomington always is an urgent call for remedial action – your initiative is a response to that call.
Secondly, preparing now to follow your Indiana footsteps in September of this year on my solo motorcycle tour of LH from De Wert Ohio to Laramie Wyoming revives my appreciation for associations like LHA which keep the old American roads alive. I came across that historic awareness in recent years when solo riding Route 66 – but sadly noted it amiss when riding the Dixie Highway.
“Your walking days are not over yet” to parafrase Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. You will be walking, I calculated, about 625.000 steps including sidesteps. About 10.000 steps for every year of your age. Enjoy every single one of them. I will be walking along on your blog.
Harold de Bock, Hilversum, Holland
Thank you for a terrific note, Harold. And I look forward to meeting you later this year when you are riding your motorcycle along the route. Perhaps I can interview you for our national and local publications! I could have done without the 10,000 steps for each year comment though!!! Makes it seem terribly long.
Jeff, Carol and I are getting in shape to walk with you. Even though you’re eight years my junior, maybe you’ll be able to keep up with the old man. Asking my friends to participate with some donations, hope we can raise some funds and awareness for both projects.
Dan
Great Dan and Carol. I am so looking forward to walking with you two. I can’t think of many nicer people to spend time with!
Jeff. What a great idea. You have my support.
Jeff – excellent idea and looking forward to supporting you. Good luck and hope that you have GREAT weather!
Craig & Melissa
Jeff, I applaud your initiative and you can count on my $ support of these two great causes. Coincidentally, I drove on this road earlier this week when I visited my son at school in South Bend. I grew up in Fort Wayne, IN so not far from Goshen; and I have fond memories of growing up in the area as well. Wishing you good weather and I suggest buying “gel-in soles” in advance!
From one Hoosier to another…I wish you well.
Thanks so much, Chris and Pam. Hope you are both doing super!!!
Jeff,
Thank you for the walk across the Indiana Lincoln Highway to support both ILHA and the Alzheimer’s Association. As the Mayor of New Haven, I would like to walk with you along our stretch of the Lincoln Highway, and perhaps if time allows we could host an educational oportunity along with our local Heritage Association. Looking forward to meeting with you on April 15th. If you need anything please do not hesitate to let me know.
Wow…this is great, Terry. We met briefly when I came over for the dedication of the Lincoln Highway post there at City Hall. I will send a note to your email acocunt as well and look forward to finding a way to connect. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
Hi Jeff. Look forward to meeting you while you travel across Noble County on the Lincoln Highway. In am the editor of the Albion New Era – a weekly paper published in Albion every Wednesday. Hope to see you on April 17 sometime. Since I am a county commissioner – will be in metings on April 18.
What is your schedule for the 17th. Assume we will also be coming through Churubusco. We also have a newspaper there.
Let me know. Thanks. Joy LeCount
Thank you so much for the note, Joy. I will send a note to your email account as well. Yes, you have studied my web site well. I will leave Ft Wayne on the morning of April 16 and end the day at the Turtletown Plaza right outside Churubusco. I plan to have dinner at the Magic Wand that evening and have breakfast at the Ramble Inn the following morning before heading back up the LH. On the 17th I will make my way up through Merriam and Wolf Lake, ending up at the Kimmell House to spend the night. I, too, hope we can connect somewhere along the route, depending on your schedule.
Jeff:
You can count on Eleanor and I to support your efforts! As it turns out, I’m planning to drive to Ann Arbor on the 18th and could join you for the 17th — let me know if that works for you.
Congrats on a great idea and supporting a great cause!
Jim
It works great, Jim. I was out on the road again this week and have adjusted that day to “only” 14 miles so would love to have you. We can warm up on the golf course in Myrtle in a couple of weeks!! Bless you and Eleanor….
Hi Jeff,
Congratulations on dreaming up such a wonderful adventure. I would be honored to support you and these worthy causes. Best of luck to you on the walk.
Tim Mitchell
Thnaks, Tim. I hope you and youor family are doing great. Come on down and walk with me if you have the time!
Hello Jeff,
What a great cause (s), you have our support. It doesn’t seem that long ago we were having dinner at that diner in Indiana last July and you were filling us in on your involvement with the LHA. We’ll keep tabs on you during your journey. Best wishes, Steve and Karen Smith
Love you guys and hope all is well in New York plus we can see you and the family this summer! All the best to you both.
Jeff – Only you could inspire a Minnesota native to support your walk! You will bring such joy to those you meet along the way….always the big smile and stories to tell. What a wonderful task for your father-in-law, the State of Indiana, and you!!! Let me know where to send my donation!! Look forward to updates and Good Luck! You couldn’t get Hickey to walk part of the way with you??
Patty…as always , you are such a great supporter. Hope you are personally doing just great. I will add you to the list of those I send routine updates to. Hickey is far too lazy for something like this!!
Jeff,
It was great to hear from you and read about your adventure and cause. You can count on my support! I’ll walk down the hall and make sure Connelly doubles my contribution. Can you say “glucosamine-chondroitin”? Good Luck!
Kevin
You bet…glucosamine is definitely in practice. Thanks for the support. Kevin!
Jeff,
I have read with interest your plans for the walk. This so Jeff Blair….meeting the challenge and giving of yourself. Please stay in touch and you have my complete support. Kathleen sends her best as well.
Doug
Thanks so much Doug. Hope you and Kathleen are doing just super.
Jeff, It was really neat to read your article. We will be praying for all of you. Blessing’s and we’ll be believing for a great adventure. Love Jim and Sharon
So kind of you to write, Jim and Sharon. I look forward to sharing with you when we return!!
Jeff, Our thoughts and priers are with you today ! Your friends in France,
We love you guys and hope we can connect again soon. Also, we hope the repairs are going extrememly well. We definitely accept your prayers!!
Have a great walk!
So proud of you doing this was for a very good cause.GHS people are the best!!!Will help the cause let me know where to send check
Thank you so very much!!! I will write you when the walk is complete and tell you where to send a check.
Jeff, What an amazing thing you are doing! As national president of the Lincoln Highway Association, I want to thank you for bringing the old road to the attention of so many people, and offer the support of our members in your endeavor. Please let us know where to send checks. Best wishes!
Thanks so much, Bob. It is a privelege to work with you on the LHA and to represent Indiana. Checks can be made out to the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association where we will be splitting the amounts received 50-50 between the Alzheimer’s Association and the INLHA. Both are charitable contribution organizations. The address for mailing in a gift is 402 W Washington Street, South Bend, IN 46601.
Cool idea, Jeff. I’ll be happy to donate to both worthy causes. It would be great if you could blog your progress, so the rest of us could follow along. Good luck and be careful!
Thanks, John. I will notify you and all others who have indicated they would donate on where to send a check once I finish the walk (which is starting tomorrow!!). I am defintiely packing up the computer and will provide a blog entry along with some pictures every night. I will put a link on Facebook as well so one could get to the site easily. Hope to see you again one of these days, John…perhaps at our 45th HS reunion in September?? I have really enjoyed your bike trips!!!
Jeff,
Good health and good luck on your trek. Please let me know when you finsih where we can send our donation. Sounds really fun.
Best,
Bill
Thanks, Bill. It is no cross country run like we did in the mid-60′s…more of a long walk for someone in their mid-60′s! I will notify you when I am done on where to send a donation. All the very best.
Jeff, Will be thinking/praying for you—Dan, Carol, Tom and any others joining you throughout your adventure. Will be looking forward to all your daily updates. Will be glad to make a donation! Ron/Becky
Thanks so much, Ron and Becky. Starts tomorrow already!!! I will notify you when I get back on where to send a donation. You are the best!
Jeff,
We want to know how your day went today. It was a lovely spring day – the redbuds are popping and the tulips are blooming!
Just back from dinner with the Mayor of New Haven and now downloading pictures. Day one was just terrific…good weather, good friends, great people of eastern Indiana.
Jeff,
I believe you are to start your walk today. I have been praying that you will be able to impact many on your jaunt across Indiana. You have certainly been a positive impact on me and I’m certain the Lord intends to use you to touch others along the way. Godspeed to you, I look forward to reading the reports of your journey.
Bless you, Mike. My prayers are with you, too! We finished day one today and had a terrific time. Blog will follow.
Jeff-My brother Dan and sister-in-law,Carol are walking with you.
I trust you’ll have a good,safe and prosperous time.
We are through day one and had a terrific day together.
Jeff,
Congratulations on completing your first day!! Watch the weather this weekend. It’s not looking too good….
Cheers,
John
Hi GLU,
I hope that the walk has started well and that you enjoy every step of your journey along the way. Thinking about you and sending support your way!
Whitney
Hi Jeff,
You probably don’t remember me, but I was in your brother Jack’s class at GHS – many moons ago. I now live in Syracuse, home of Lake Wawasee. You will be passing by the campus of the school where I taught for 24 years (I am now retired), West Noble Middle School, and an historic site called Stone’s Trace, a tavern and stopping off place for travelers on horseback in days of yore. Both are just South of Ligonier and a major intersection with another historic highway, Route 6, The Grand Army Highway. Kudos to the Olympia Candy Kitchen, still the best food around!! Enjoy your meal there! Will you be heading on through Elkhart and South Bend? Good luck on your trek along the LH and memory lane.
Sure I remember you! We are vitually neighbors these days as we live on Lake Tippecanoe. I am very aware of Stone’s Trace and will be by there in a couple fof days. Traveling from Churubusco to Kimmel House tomorrow and then on to Ligonier. Goshen the following day, the 19th. Mayor Patty Fisel and others are meting my group near Stone’s Trace and walking some of the way through town with us. We will eat dinner at the Fashion Farm that evening. Mayor Allan Kauffman walking through Goshen with us. Tough day today due to weather but I will get caught up on my blog tonight anyways. Hope you are doing great and thanks so much for the encouraging words.
Dad,
“There goes my hero”
The Florida Five could not have a better hero. You and Mom tell us all the time how proud you are of us, well you both make us proud everyday. Alzheimers has effected this family at a very young age – the cause and the awareness really hit home.
Thanks.
Good luck, and look forward to the stories.
Tim, Luz, Sofia (7), Mia (5), Vincent (3)
We are having a blast. More info tonight. Jen is hopeful to walk tomorrow. MUCH LOVE!!!
Best of luck to you Jeff….can’t believe your age, but then I can’t believe mine either. Not sure you remember me, but my mother also died of Alzheimers, so I will be visiting your site to see how to contribute.
Wow..so great to hear from you, Marilyn. I tried to reply last night but the connection was not that good so I don’t think it took. Where are you these days and how in the world did my blog cross your screen. I hope you are doing just great. I am updating the last two days walks tonight so look for more northen Indiana shots. I remember you as tall blonde and 17…are you still that??
Where would that be? I will do my best to provide a good eta!
Jeff:
Hopefully these recent storms moving across the mid-west missed you?
We want to encourage you and hope that the weather is amazing during yoiur entire walk.
Stay safe and if you run across any alligators give me a call and I will come and remove them from your path. LOL
Regards,
Gator Man
You truly are the Gator Man, Dennis. Thank you for the note. Weather has not been great and perhaps worse tomorrow…but we trek on.
Way to go, Jeff! A great individual effort that spurs other to support! Any chance you will be passing through the little town of Hanna? Do you know when? If so, we would like to greet you.
Mike…not this time! I elected to follow the original route across Indiana this time and that goes further north through my hometown of Goshen. Maybe next year?? Thanks so much for the note and the support!
You don’t know me but your old friend Mike Maloney emailed me to tell me about your walk. His wife Karen is a very dear friend and sorority sister from Purdue. I see them both every summer over a weekend, usually in July, for a visit with college friends, and Mike is a dear to put up with us. He is a great guy, and he says you are too!!! Sounds like it–with your walk raising awareness for two very worthy issues. Good luck, and sorry its such a lousy day in Goshen for you today. I have lived here all of my life,and I am sure we have mutual friends. Maybe we will meet you someday.
Would be my pleasure, Jane. Sounds like we know at least one good friend mutually, probably more. It WAS a tough day today, but we stayed on scheudle and met some more great Hoosiers along the way. Breakfast at County Seat in the morning and then off to Elkhart and Osceola. Much Happiness!!!
Jeff and Crew,
What an honor to meet and greet all of you yesterday! What a great way to promote the Lincoln Highway and raise funds for Alzheimer’s research! How creative to make the “memory” connection! Wishing you God’s protection and blessings for a safe journey. Please plan to revisit us and share your experience. Mayor Patty Fisel
You and the people of Ligonier could not have been nicer, friendlier, or more helpful.We had a wonderful time at Stones Trace with Doc, at the LH bricks with the whole gang, over lunch with you, at the CVB with Doc and Bety, touring downtown, and over dinner with the Beckers. Thank you so much for your support, Patty. We wil definitely be back to do a closer look at your fine city.
Jeff,
I was brought to tears upon reading your fascinating account of the purposes of your venture. I am deeply touched, of course, by your connection to dad’s situation in his final days, but also by the connection to memories of Lincoln Highway. I admire the effort and know you too well to think you would not accomplish your goal. I am proud of you! Love, Tom, Janet, Kristin & Bryan .
Hi Jeff!
You rock!!! Uncle Leo is certainly smiling down at you…he would be so humbled by your efforts in his name. My personal thanks for what you are doing for the Alzheimer’s Association. Put me on your list to notify where I can send a donation in memory of my mother…another victim of Alzheimer’s Disease. Love to you, Carol, and Jen!
Blessings,
Elaine
Elaine…this is great. Arlene was a super woman and deserves this sort of recognition too. Thank you for the support!
Jeff:
Endurance and persistence are traits of success! I encourage you to endure through some of these not so pleasant weather days to reach your goal. Makes me reflect on some of those “long nights” back in Tulsa putting the City of Faith together with you buddy.
Great effort on your part. You are making us all proud.
God bless,
Gator Man
Thanks for the good thoughts. I certainly DO recall some long nights together in Tulsa…and could not have been happier than working closely with you, Dennis.
Hi Jeff,
Your turbulent weather conditions are, in fact, a classical blessing. You are in the league of the legendary Odysseus. During his Odyssee back from Troy to his beloveth and faithful wife Penelope, Odysseus had to fight all kinds of dangers & temptations (you are giving in on LH rightfully so, I am reading in your blog) . He also had to battle Poseidon’s very unfavorable weather conditions until his guardian god Pallas Athene decided: enough is enough – and created the winds that after 7 years sailed him back to his home island of Ithaka. I trust you will be relieved by your guardian angel as wel, shortly. And if you happen to run into thunderstorms before that, rest assured that lightning is a sign that even the supreme God Zeus is also accompanying you. And I also trust that upon your arrival back home you don’t have to kill obnoxious suitors that harrassed Carol during your absence like Odysseus had and was glad to do. Enjoy the journey!
Harold
This is too much, Harold. We have GOT to meet when you are here this summer. Thanks for reading.
Hi, I’m a reporter from the Herald Argus in La Porte and we’d like to do a story about you coming through town. Could we get permission to use the photo on this blog?
thanks
Both my husband and I have had family members that were victims of Alzheimer’s. We would be honored to walk with you from Sample Street and Lincoln Way to the downtown Post Office. We are both in our 60′s and recently retired. We live just off of Lincoln Way on the river. I remember the old Lincoln Way into downtown and was raised just off of Lincoln Way in Mishawaka on Monmoor Street where my mother still lives. You will be passing it on your way into South Bend. The first McDonald’s in the area was on LHW and has since been torn down. The Bonnie Doon’s is still were it has been since I was a child. You will be passing that too. I would suggest stopping in and getting an ice cream cone or Bonnie Burger. Too good to pass up! In our neighborhood we have a street that intersects with Lincoln Way, named Arch Avenue which is named after a WWI hero and supposedly was responsible for the first shot fired in that war. Please contact me and give me a time frame of when you would be getting near the Miami and LW intersection. Is there a way to contact you?
Thank you for doing this for all afflicted with Alzheimer’s and for those whose memories we cherish. Sincerely, Gina DeLaruelle
Thank you for the note, Gina. I sure hope we can connect!! We will be having lunch at Bonnie Doon (a favorite of mine) around 12:00 noon and need to be in the center of South Bend at 1:45. Does this allow enough time to walk together in your neighborhood? How about trying to call me in the a.m. at 574-527-4227?
What a wonderful thing you are doing! Thank you on behalf of all of those who you are helping with the awareness and donations! Safe travels to you!
Hi Jeff!
I’m the editor of http://www.iheartplymouth.com, a web site dedicated to promoting goodness in the local community. We also have http://www.iheartculver.com . . .
Plymouth is part of the old Lincolnway… Please let me know when and where you may be as you pass through and I can meet up with you for some added promo/awareness! email me at info@iheartplymouth.com –
Andrea Cook
Andrea.. Unfortuantely I am walking the 1913-15 version of the Lincoln Highway which goes north through Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend. At least this time. Maybe next year?/
Jeff,
It was a pleasure to meet and walk with you and your wife today. Thank you for meeting me and giving my husband and I the opportunity to walk with you. Sorry for slowing you up. You have a pretty good stride and I was barely hanging in there. Of course talking and walking at your pace was a challenge. Larry and I walked very, very slowly back to our neighborhood. Hope we meet again someday. Thanks for the photo op. You and your wife are very special people to give your time and energy to help raise money for both Alzheimer”s and the Lincoln Highway Assoc. We were happy to make a donation to both causes. Have a safe walk to the border.
Sincerely, Gina DeLaruelle
All the best, Gina!!! You are certainly one of my highlights to the trip.
Jeff,
Sorry not to have connected with you on this adventure before now. I won’t bother you with a long list of excuses, but the list is long between travel, guests, illnesses, etc., but we’re so glad to know of your adventure and the many positive reactions from friends old and new. Best of luck as you finish the walk. Stay dry if possible and watch out for potholes.
Dick
Thanks for the good thoughts , Dick. We are avoiding the potholes and as you well know…there are some man-sized ones here and there. We also are over 100 road kill sightings to date. Yuk.
Jeff —— You Rock ! Hope you are having the time of your life ! Wish I could be there to walk a few blocks with you and for your cause.
Thanks, Deb. It is going well…though more rain in the forecast. How is the new bar? Hope you are doing just great!!!
Jeff,
I wish I could have showed you so much more about La porte, not enough time. It was good to see you, your wife, daughter, church friends, Jan, Bill, Bruce and Maria. Thanks Maria, for the ride back to my car. Glad the weather was good from New Carlisle into La Porte, not so good from Westville to Valpo in Black Hawk country. You’re doing a great job! Jim
I agree…not enough time to see everything. Next time I do this (???) Ii need to allow twice as much time so I can rest a day here and there and use that day to look at old buildings, historical markers, hear more local lore, etc. Thanks for all you did, Jim. You are a good friend!
Jeff, good luck on your walk. I grew up 2 houses from Pike St. (US 33) aka Lincoln Hwy. The Lincoln Hwy goes through Sacramento where I live. If you ever drive that portion be sure to let me know, you can spend the night here. It pretty much follows Interstate 80 (I’ve spent my entire life no more than 10 miles from Interstate 80). There are some portions still intact of the old road. They called it Hwy 40 here. Take car, Bill Sullivan
Great to hear from you Bill. I still ned to drive the last portion from Cheyenne to San Francisco so I just might be calling for that room one of these days. All the best.
Wow! You’re almost there! And quicker than the post office….sorry. Way to go, Jeff!
Hi Jeff,
What is your eta for the Ostermann Memorial Monument, tomorrow?
Jim
Jeff, it’s about 1 mile from the border. If the weather is nice I’d like to be there at the Monument to take pictures. Thanks, Jim
We got there about 1:00 and it was rainy and cold at the time. But we took some team pictures there that you will see. Thanks for all your support, Jim.
Hey guys, glad you will finish today. Sorry you had sooooo much rain. Looking forward to seeing you in SSClass soon. Praying for you also.
Mike and Linda Slabaufh
We certainly accepted the prayers throughout the two weeks and sure missed all of you guys. Great to see everyone again this morning.
Hi Jeff,
Very cool that you have put this walk together and now are about to complete your goal! Sorry to read that the weather has been less than glowing but I’m sure your inner spirit has kept you warm and sunny.
My best to you and to Carol and hope to see you before too long to hear your stories. Enjoy the satisfying “high” that you so deserve as you reach Illinois!
Joan
Thanks for the great support and note, Joan. Hope to see you soon. Settling in to Ft Wayne??
Big Daddy – have been following your progress – and am certainly wishing you all the best today as you successfully complete what has been a very exciting and beneficial adventure. Well done!
Love you like a brother, Pit. When is the pig roast…I need to be there!
Jeff,
I hope all of you walkers successfully survived the walk without any major injuries. I admired your spirit and good attitude during your trek. Your determination has accomplished more than any one expected. Thanks so much, Jim
I hear you made it! Congratulations on your journey – a remarkable “feet” for a man of your age. harty har har…
Thanks….I think!
I was a bit worried when I read the title “Last Day”! Oh, now I understand. Congratulations on completing your adventure.
Dick
Jeff,
Congratulations! You did it! Well done!
Look forward to hearing the story of your adventure. Is there plans for a book?
If so please let me know.
Wow! You are all inspirations! One final comment. As the last picture opened (the one of all of you facing the camera at the Illinois State line sign), the first thing that I saw was the crucifix in the background. Bet you didn’t know HE was behind you…but, why not? HE was with you the entire trip….
Love to all….Elaine
Great catch, Elaine. We had tons of people praying for us all along the trip and we prayed together every day, so it is not at all a surprise that He would show up for the picture!!
Jeff:
Congratulations on your journey. I greatly enjoyed our walk together through Goshen. I only regret that it was your worst weather day up to that point. What a way to roll out the welcome mat to your home town. I wasn’t keeping track of the weather after your walk through Goshen. I hope it didn’t get too much worse. Thank God your route didn’t get what Birmingham got!
Thank you, Allan. I enjoyed the walk through Goshen as well. It was great meeting your wife and working with Jo, too. Goshen has a lot of really good people. I really need to give you TONS of credit for the success of the walk. Your introduction of me to all of the Mayors along the Lincoln Highway in Indiana led to some great walks with most, some friendly conversations with each, a lot of press everywhere we went, and ultimately some sizeable cash for two fine charities and that is what it was all about. THANKS A BUNCH, ALLAN!
Tribute to Jeff
A Hoosier named Jeffrey Blair,
A man of character so very rare,
Walked the Hoosier LHway
In rainy weather every day:
Alzheimer’s Ass. won’t ever forget: Jeff does truly care!
Harold, Hilversum, Holland
Jeff:
Congratulations of completing your journey. I’m sorry I missed you. You came through La Porte on Easter and I was not able to meet up with you. I have been following you along the way, however, and our local paper did a great story on your adventure. I just wanted you to know how inspired I am by you. Way to go!!!
Thank you, Kathy. I realized that by “the luck of the draw”, I was hitting La Porte at a bad time to connect. We did have a great time in your fair city and appreciate the hospitality. Maybe next time…if there is one??? Much success to you.