"If you waste your time a-talking to the people who don’t listen
To the things that you are saying who do you think’s going to hear?
And if you should die explaining how the things that they complain about
Are things they could be changing, who d’you think’s goin’ to care?"
- "To Beat the Devil" Kris Kristofferson

lost and FOUND

Lance Armstrong's bike was returned to authorities. The other two bikes are still missing.

A.P.B.

Someone stole Lance Armstrong's custom bike, as well as three others in California. This is a picture of it.

There is a reward being offered, so if anyone has any info.

Till next time......

This is my last post from the southwest. Thanks to all, for your support, love and understanding. I'll put together all the statistics and a more specific thank you list once I get back. Right now, I wanna go home......

Inspired

My feet have stopped walking east
My strength faded
My battle was the loneliness of the road
Yours is for your life

My feet have stopped walking east
My strength growing
Your battle is now my battle
MY battle is for your life

My walk across America has come to an end. I will be flying home from Phoenix, AZ on Saturday, Feb. 14th. This adventure has changed me, physically and mentally. I have seen beautiful sunrises and many beautiful sunsets. I've laughed and I've cried. The people I've met along the way have been amazing. Thank you all for sharing this with me.

People have told me that I inspire them. Wow, that's a tough thing to conceive. Truthfully, I'm the one whose been inspired on this journey. Stories of loss and survival have touched my heart. Jordan LeAndre who sparked this whole adventure. Savanaha Pederson, the manager at the Super 8 in Safford, AZ, whose sister is battling with cancer. Scott, a survivor whose followed me since day one. Caryn, who has won the battle with ovarian cancer and is fighting breast cancer now. Jack Hoeger, from the LIVESTRONG video a few posts back. My "Ma", everyday I try to make you proud. YOU and countless others are my inspiration. And you should be an inspiration to everyone.

I walked 521 miles, roughly the distance from New Bedford, MA to Richmond, VA, to raise money and awareness for cancer. WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO? Whether it's walking in a 3k or running the Boston Marathon. Having a bake sale or a hot dog eating contest. You don't have to do much to make a difference, but you do have to do something.

I'm a member of the LIVESTRONG Army now and I will fight this fight by your side.

Day 35 total: 0
Jesse Walks America total: 521 miles, a life time of stories, and a heart full of hope.


p.s. On February 24, Caryn will be going to Pennsylvania to have surgery. My last request from the southwest, is that everyone who reads this will keep her in their thoughts. So you can put a face to the name, here's Caryn

Bat Cave

Today I had plans to get a ride from Las Cruces to Carlsbad, my new friend Ramey had to go there to the caverns to do a photo shoot. We had a good ride out and got to Carlsbad Cavern around noon. Here's the cave opening

It was amazing and when I get a link to all the pictures Ramey took I'll put them on here. Thanks for the ride and the great time, Ramey.

Houston, we have a problem.

Woke up today, at Ramey and Ben's, to some of the scariest clouds I've ever seen. The possibility of thunderstorms, snow showers and rain. The mountains I had to walk towards were not even visible. What do I do? Find a CouchSurf and bunk down for the day. Thankful, it wasn't hard and I'm back on the campus of NMSU at Jen's. Thank you Ramey and Ben for the hospitality.

Here's how the weather broke down - rain: nope ; snow showers: if 2 minutes equals a shower ; thunder: not a peep. What we did get was cloud cover and wind like crazy. The wind was blowing like the big, bad wolf "I'll huff and I'll puff and..." well you get the point, 30 mph gusts for like 5 hours.

Now the fun part. I had a sort of melt down today about the "walk". Do I keep going? Is anyone really paying attention?

The lack of press interest really has me baffled. I guess my delusions of grandeur before this walk started were true delusions. I thought everyone would be all over this because everyone seems to have a cancer story. WRONG! I can't even get a small town paper to write a blurb. This had me questioning everything. What can i do? How come things aren't the way I expected them to be?
"It's the first quarter of the big game and you want to toss up a hail Mary. I'd like to be pimps from Oakland or cowboys from Arizona, but it's not Halloween. Grow up Peter Pan, Count Chocula"

I DO have a cancer story and I don't want my kids to have one. So, I guess I'm gonna walk. I made a promise to a beautiful girl that I'd meet her in Fort Worth to celebrate a belated Valentine's Day and I don't lie to her.

I know the last few days have been kinda of boring for readers but the adventure is just getting started. If you leave now you might miss the good parts. Please stay tuned and donate to one of the organizations, so the only stories we tell have happy endings.

Day 34 total: 0
Jesse Walks America total: 521.4
Jesse Walks America total times I've wanted to go home today: 17
Jesse Walks America total times I went home today: 0