Update from the Road: Walking Across America

by Adrienne Wilson on

My favorite part in telling people that I’m walking across the country is their reaction. I don’t
expect anyone to fall out and faint because I’m not walking the whole length of the country on my own and the idea isn’t
new considering Fat Man Steve should be just about done with his months
long walk on May 8th, but what does surprise me are the number of people who act as if it’s something they could easily
accomplish. Um, sure okay. Even with all the planning and preparation that was made well before me and the 11 other
Americans walking across America with me arrived in NY last month there is still a ton to learn and figure out.

For the most part it’s safe to say my walking days have been fairly mellow and free of drama or headache with
the small exception on Maryland’s hilly state roads. Thus far I’ve walked through Princeton, NJ, West Philadelphia /
West Chester, PA, Rising Sun, MD and did an unofficial walk through Washington D.C. My story however is not the same
for some of my fellow team members. Ken describes America’s roads as Urban Jungles where Urban Bushwhacking must be placed in effect in order to
survive walking along America’s tangled highways and then there’s certain highways and roads you can’t walk on or you’ll get
ticketed $300 as found out by both Ken and Tanya. Who knew?

I suppose what I’m really trying to say to all
those making a walk across the country seem as simple as a walk through Central Park is follow along and see what all
12 of us think as we do it for the first time or read up on
some of the folks in the past who’ve done a similar walk. They’ll be more reports to come, but just let it be known –
it ain’t an easy task.

(Photo taken on my walk through West Philly.)

Contest: Moses on the Move – Week One

by Adrienne Wilson on

After seeing the results from Karen’s Where’s
Walrond contest I feel it’s time to place one in effect myself, but before I jump into the meat and rules of
the challenge it is very important I make known how Moses came about. You see, it was never my intentions to bring a
stuffed, fuzzy, Holy Folks, companion to keep me company on the long journey
walking across America, but things just sort of happened that way. I’ll provide you with the condensed version.

It was a cold early morning in NYC and the team had just made it to the CBS Early Show, where we would shout and go crazy
when the older guy with the cue cards instructed us to do so. Our mission was quite simple: Spread the word about health and fitness by letting folks know we’re walking coast to coast
and tracking all our steps with a pedometer. Between the breaks I went down to the catering table to fuel my
practically frozen body with a nice, warm cup of hot chocolate. It was at that time Moses fell into not only my life,
but the entire group’s life. The catering fellow reached down into a box, pulled out a tiny, stuffed man with a large,
stuffed smiling face and asked me to name who the biblical man was. I was clueless and just before I could open my trap
to utter my final answer of um, Goliath one of my fellow
walking cohort, Jaime, blurted out the correct answer.

"That’s Moses."

"Yes, that’s Moses," I said.

Naturally I pretended to know the correct answer all
along, ashamed of my inability to recognize even the stuffed Ten Commandments placed on the doll’s hands, but I made
sure I offered the doll to Jaime (who refused) before becoming the official parent of our new unofficial mascot and
walker. So now that he is a part of the team you’ll see him here in photo safari across America, but don’t think Moses is limited to the great
outdoors. He loves the wild indoors as much as anyone else.

Now onto the contest… Over the next couple of
weeks I’ll need your help telling me where Moses is in the country, but you’ll have to be pretty specific. The city and
state will be provided for this first set of clues, but you’ll have to check out the Steps Across site to see where in America Moses and the rest of us are
over the next couple of weeks. The correct answers will score you some pretty cool and exciting gear for your own
future travels or walks across the country, compliments of myself. And I promise they’ll be exciting so long as you
stick around. Here’s the first set of clues and photos:

Moses was as much on the move as any New Yorker
during his stay in the Big Apple and to prove it he stopped at two pretty popular places.

Clue: While a few of the girls perused the cosmetics department in this famous department
store located between 34th and 35th on Broadway, Moses decided to hang back in the comfy chair at one
particular counter. When it comes to make-up you could say it’s just what the doctor ordered. While he
waited he noticed several tourists snapping pictures of the beautiful flower show inside the department store.

What is the name of the store and make-up counter Moses was at?

Clue: Earlier that same day Moses was seen sitting on the counter (not drinking) at this popular
Times Square dive restaurant and bar where the folks have real Noo Yawk attitude
according to City Search Editor’s. Located at 8th Ave and W 44th Ave, the place has gotten many a good review at City
Search as well and has an overall rating of 9.4. Moses thinks it’s pretty cool too.

What is the name
of the restaurant and bar?

Good luck and look out for Moses across the country.

Disclaimer: Moses is by no means an official mascot, member, walker, or representative of the Sportline Steps Across America program. He just likes to tag along.