6-17

Spent another day at Double M campground.  It ended up storming pretty bad in the evening.

6-18

Before leaving I met Heath who owned the campground.  He was very friendly and told me if I experienced any trouble to give them a call and they would come help me.  Heading out I got to Harrisburg and got a hotel room for the night.  The woman gave me all the discounts she could after I explained what I was doing. After getting everything in my room I went to go get something to eat.  I went to a little Mexican restaruant down the road and order some enchiladas.  Halfway through my meal a woman came up to me and asked, "are you tired yet?"  I didn't know what to say, all my gear was in the room, how did she know what I was doing?  Still puzzled she explained that she was Joel's brother, Joel is the one who picked me up and drove me into the Double M camp, and she was driving by when we were loading up my cart.  I told her to tell Joel thanks again and continued on with my meal.  The waiter passed and asked if everything was alright, I said yes and asked for my check.  He told me the woman, her name is Becky, paid for my meal.  After dinner I went to the Kroger and Becky happened to be there.  I thanked her for her kindness and gave her some crucifixes blessed by Pope Benedict.  She was so thankful and said she always wanted something blessed from Rome.

6-19

Walked 27 miles today in 90 degree heat.....won't be doing that again.  About halfway I got to road that would take me into the campsite, but there was an electronic construction sign that said the road was closed in 5 miles on June 19th, so I pulled out my phone and looked at the date, June 19th....oh man.  Well there were some utility workers up ahead and I asked them if I could get through and they said yes it was clear.  So I trucked along and as soon as I got into the construction zone, this was about 1:00 PM all these trucks started showing up with all their construction equipment.  The zone was a few miles and I reached the end I watched as they were giving motorists alternate routes and making them turning around.  Deo Gratias, I got there just in time, literally.  Well I basically rolled into the campsite, it is a beautiful one.  There is a lake to fish and the grounds are pristine along with all the facilities.  I walked to get something to eat, set up my tent, and passed out.

6-20

Stayed an extra day at Arrowhead, hung out all day in the air conditioned club house.  I only left for the all you can eat wings at the restaurant in town, in which I ate until I hated myself.

The Office - Michael Drives Car into lake

6-14

In the morning after Mass I met up with Gene a local knight of Colombus who took me out to breakfast and dropped me off at the next little town.  This cut about ten miles out turning a two day journey into one to my next town of Henderson.  Getting into Henderson I was picked up by Pat the new Grand Knight of the Henderson Council who got me dinner (some really good chicken) and dropped me off at the knights hall where I spent the night.


6-15

Made my way to Moranfield, my last stop before entering Illinois.  About 8 miles from town a man in a station wagon named Edward picked me up and drove me to the Knights Hall.  I dropped my gear off, took a shower (Deo Gratias.  My whole life I have taken showers for granted, that and my health.  The only time I think of my health and give thanks for it is when I'm sick.  And than I have a pity party for one). After my shower I headed to Mass and went to bed early, walking in the sun takes alot out of you.



6-16   "The Machine Knows"

This was me with my GPS.  This is a video (I forgot to clarify that with Cliff Claven on Jeopardy a few posts ago, so just click on it and enjoy)

Left Morganfield and crossed the Ohio River once again into Illinois.  Another state bites the dust, but I am going to miss Kentucky.  The people there were so wonderful.  Well, following my GPS blindly (I swear it seems I put more faith in my GPS than in God) I headed toward the campsite and I ended up going down a road that ended up being closed with a big ditch dug in the middle.  Turning around I headed to the next town and tried again, this time my GPS sent me down a road that ended in a private residence.  Like Michael Scott above I told myself there can't be a road here but I kept walking,  I was made aware of this my a farm hand on a 4x4 and the owner on a golf cart wondering what I was doing.  So once again I had to turn around and try again, all the while being chased by a storm.  A friendly motorist drove by and told me I was going to get wet.....thanks Isaac Newton.  With about 8 miles to go to the campsite a truck pulled over and asked if I wanted a ride, my angels name was Joel and Deo Gratias cause I was getting tired.  Getting to the camp ground I headed to the top of a hill where the primitive campsites were.  There was a family there who ended up inviting me over for dinner.  I truly enjoyed spending time with Chris and Anna and their 2 children.  The kids were troopers, you see this campground is a horse park.  And when you have horses you have horse poop, and when you have horse poop you have horse flies.  I was in my tent and it was like a horror movie listening to them buzzing all around waiting to bite you.

 Interesting lamp post.....

 Statue of St. Anne and little Mary at St. Mary's in Morganfield KY

 Stained glass imported from Austria in the 1800's.

6-9

Spent the day at Otter Creek.  A bad storm was supposed to come during the night.  The ranger drove by and said if it gets bad to get into the bathroom.  I have no idea what happened I slept like a rock, a tornado could have came by and threw me into Kansas.....which would have been awesome, would have saved me some walking.

6-10 Jim and Brandenburg Danny

Short walk today.  It was only about 11 miles to my next town Brandenburg.  About a mile out of town I saw a car pull over ahead of me.  I was convinced it was a police officer.  As I got close a man got out and said "Are you Harrington?"  Knowing it was a knight I said yes sir.  His name was Jim and is such a great guy.  He explained how he had left his house and forgot something so ran back in, at the last second he checked his email and saw the message Rick had just sent.  So, he decided to go out looking for the "knucklehead" as he put it.  He gave me his number and told me to call him when I got into town.  Jim let me into the knights hall and we went out to lunch.  I hung out at the hall for the day and waited for the meeting.  I met some wonderful knights and really enjoyed the meeting.  Afterwards during the meal Danny offered to take me to his house to sleep in his guest room.  Still living the refuse nothing I gladly accepted.  Danny is a farmer but lives in the suburb.  He explained he and his wife had to get off the farm, it was like living in a "fish bowl", working all day in the field and having to constantly look at it.  I met his wife Jackie and wonderful children and the slobbering dog Lucy.  I enjoyed the hospitality very much and getting to know them.

6-11

In the morning Danny drove me to Hardensburg.  So being there early I did some reading at the library.  About 4:30 I headed to the church, St Romuald's.  It is the only church in America named after this saint.  And it is neat for me since the plan is to end my pilgrimage at the Camaldolese monastery in Big Sur Califorina which is a sister monastery of the one he founded 1000 years ago in Italy.  Rick got a hold of the current Grand Knight, Pat, who came and met me at the church.  I was able to attend another knight's meeting, it was my third meeting and third election in a week.  Jim from Brandenburg came to the meeting so it was good to see him again, he's such a good guy.  After the meeting Pat took me to his home where I met his wife Janet.  I slept in their guestroom and once again was so thankful for the hospitality.

6-12

In the morning Pat and Janet made breakfast.  It was supposed to be a scorcher, which it ended up being.  Pat had to work at about 11 and was going to take me with him towards work which would have cut down a large chunk of the mileage.  But like Mary at the wedding at Cana, Janet interceded and said lets leave early and take him further down the road.  They ended up taking me all the way down to Owensboro.  They were so great and enjoyed my time with them and getting to know them.  (the knights of Kentucky refuse to allow me to sleep outside or to even walk:)  they have been so great).  I had seen on my phone there was a Catholic store in town so I started making my way towards it (most guys I guess enjoy Home Depots, well Catholic stores are my home depots)  I came across a Catholic Church and asked if I could receive communion.  I met Sr. Kim who gave me the Blessed Eucharist and enjoyed getting to know her.  Leaving the church I went to St. Maxmillian Kolbe book store.  As I entered I asked the woman behind the counter if I could leave my backpack behind the counter since I didnt want to turn around in the store with it on and break something.  We got to talking and I asked if there was a park I could sit and wait till I heard from the knights.  I could have went back through town to the river where there was a park but it was just to hot, I was hoping there was one nearby.  But without hesitation she gave me the key to her house and said I could go and wait in the air conditioning.  I couldn't believe the offer and how quickly she made it.  I can be very selfish, and often before an act of charity I often weigh the pros and cons, will I need that money....do I have the time.  Her quick response was truly a lesson, and as in every town I've been given an angel, Kelly is my angel of Owensboro.  So I waited at her house and she arranged for me to stay with the Carmelite nuns.  After work we loaded up my cart and she drove me over.  They gave me a two bedroom cabin with a kitchen, 2 t.v.s......I have to say, the life of a pilgrim is hard.  She also arranged for me to have dinner with Fr. Cash, he had just arrived today being re assigned to Carmel House and Chaplin of the hospital.  I enjoyed our dinner and the conversation very much.

Ed (remember super Ed from Brunswick Maryland) called me tonight and told me he could attend the Supreme Convention.  Beep...Beep...Beep...let me back up the truck here.  Awhile back Peter, past state deputy of Maryland who has been getting me in touch with all the past state deputys of each state, called and asked if I was going to go into Texas.  I said I wasn't planning on it but I'm game for going anywhere west, north, or south just no east.  He told me of the Supreme convention which is the yearly international knights of colombus meeting which was being held in San Antonio Texas.  First we figured out the mileage and amount of days and I could probably make it in time, the convention is Aug 6,7, and 8th.  But after I hung up I thought about it and didn't want to be under a time crunch so I decided I would just keep going on my way and wherever I'm at (which will probably be in Kansas somewhere) I'll leave my gear at a knights hall or church and hop on a Greyhound to San Antonio.  Calling Ed, he showed interest in going, and said he would have to check his schedule.  Knowing what this meant I told him he needed Lisa's OK, which he admitted.  Well today Lisa gave the OK and also we will be staying at Ed's brothers who lives in San Antonio.  Not only is this convention going to be amazing in and of itself, so many of my angels who have helped me along the way will be there; and some like Darrell of West Virginia who I only talked to on the phone, I will be able to finally meet and thank in person.  And if this isn't all amazing enough, Fr. Ben my spiritual director will be in Texas at the time of the convention so we will be able to get together somewhere for a few days after the convention. God is so good.

6-13

Stayed at Carmel house an extra day.  Went to Mass, such a beautiful chapel.  After Mass one of the sisters asked if I wanted to stay for breakfast.  The Carmelites run a retirement home here and so I ate with the residents.  I sat with Melvin and really enjoyed learning about him.  he spends all his time running the genealogy of fellow residents, its his passion.  I had a gift for Kelly so walked back to the Catholic store and since she had the day off and gave it to Maureen who was working.  It was fun talking to her since she was from Detroit and her sister still lives in Livonia which is where I live.

 After Pat dropped me off in Owensboro I decided to stop in a diner and plan out my day.  Pat and Janet had made me breakfast so I wasn't hungry.  I looked at the menu and thought two pancakes will be pretty light....and these are the two pancakes they gave me.

 The Crucifix above the altar at St. Joseph/St. Paul in Owensboro

Me infront of the Knights hall in Brandenburg

 A beautiful painting at Carmel with all the great Carmelites

 The Crucifix above the altar at Carmel

 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

6-6

Started to make my way towards Georgetown.  Google maps had me taking some back roads which ended up leading into a quarry.  It was explained to me the road had been closed for 50 years so had to backtrack and start over.  I passed through horse farm country which was beautiful and met Mel who took my picture infront of an old hemp farm and said he was going to try to get into the local paper.  Getting into Georgetown  I arrived at Mickey's home.  We had a great steak dinner and headed off to a knights meeting in the nearby town of Versailles.  I am so thankful for the hospitality of Mickey and his beautiful wife Teri and daughter Linsey.  After the meeting we were talking back at the house and Mickey was concerned about the road I would be traveling, once again it had no shoulder, so he worked in the town that was my next destination and so we decided that I would drive with him in the morning.

6-7

Mickey and I drove into Frankfurt, the state captial, and he dropped me off at the Catholic church, Good Shepard.  I parked my cart behind a dumbster out of the way and went into the church.  There was adoration at 8 and I prayed for awhile and was able to meet Fr. Charles.  I told him who I was and that I was leaving my cart behind the dumbster for the day until Rick from Louisville picked me up later in the evening.  Since there was Mass at noon I asked if it would be OK if I took a nap behind the church since I was extremely tired.  He said that would be fine so I went to my cart and got out my sweatshirt in case it got cold.  After about 15 minutes I hear someone say, "Is anyone back there?"  Getting up I turn the corner and find, I'm sure you can guess it, a sheriff car.  Going up to them I say who I am and what I am doing.  I explain I was in for adoration at 8, was taking a nap till Mass at noon, and had already talked with Fr.  Well, it was the maintenance man who had called and he was their with the deputies.  After 3 rounds of the same exact questions I said I would leave if they wanted me to.  They looked at the maintenace man and he nodded yes since there was a day care there and so they told me they would escort me off the property.  This made me so happy.  I never dreamed I would be escorted off of church property, to be able to unite with our Lord who was rejected out of his own temple and by his own people.  Going behind the dumpster I got my stuff ready and turned the corner to find Fr. talking to the deputies.  He told them it was OK and I could stay.  I could tell the maintenance man was still unhappy I was staying.

This incideent taught me a valuable lesson.  All that maintenance man had to do was talk to me.  And afterwards if he wanted to call the police that's fine.  But many times I give alms to the poor and just walk away, I never talk to them.  I need to give alms of my time as well.  They are human beings and maybe just need a little interaction.  Maybe they not only need money but someone to talk to.  Imagine how much we use our cell phones in a day, we all need that interaction.  And so I will do my best to be the ear, that the Word can speak to me in the poor and hungry.  Also, how quickly we judge in this society.  We are an untrusting society because we don't trust ourselves.  In the first town that called, if I drove up in with a stolen Lexus with a trunk full of drugs, I'm pretty sure no one would call the sheriff.  I bet someone would have actually said hello.

Well back to my day, laying back down behind the church I got a phone call from Jim, a local knight.  He came by with his wife Gertrude and gave me the "Frankfurt" tour.  It was a wonderful day, we went to the Capital building, the Vietnam memorial, Daniel Boones grave, the Kentucky museum, a fair, lunch with Fr. Charles, and of course Mass.  I thank them for everything, they taught me so much: not only about Kentucky and Frankfurt; but in charity.

Rick picked me up and drove me to his home in Louisville.  Dropping off my gear and picking up his
wife Celesta we went to dinner at a great outdoor seafood restaurant.  I enjoyed the food and the company.  And it was exciting to hear that their nephew got drafted by the Boston Red Soxs the previous day.

6-8

Early in the morning Rick, Celesta, and I drove to the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville for Mass.  After Mass we prayed the Rosary at an abortion clinic.  Outside the clinic was a 97 1/2 year old nun who has been showing up for who knows how long, God bless her.  I hope that the holocaust of our children will end in her lifetime, I pray it ends today.  After breakfast we sat down infront of the computer and started to plan the rest of my route in Kentucky.  I figure Rick knows the state and won't led me wrong so let him and God choose my path, I'll just provide the legs.  I was really in need of rest day so Rick drove me to Otter Creek Park which is outside Fort Knox.  I'm going to stay here today and tomorrow for a rest day.  At the campsite I met Judy and Bridgett and had a wonderful time with them around the fire.

I must say that in my travels I have met so many great Knights, but have found behind almost all of them great queens.  Their wives our just as incredible as they are.  I have seen first hand how they support their knights and help make them the charitable men that they are.

 Rick and I with a second class icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

 Rick, Celesta, and I in front of Churchill downs in Louisville

 This was actually taken upside down but in the south east corner of Kentucky there is a piece cut off and surrounded by Missouri and Tennesse I think.  What happened was that an earthquake in 1811-1812 changed the course of the river and cut that piece of land off.

 Gretchen, Jim, Fr. Charles and me

 I'm calling sexism.  In the capital building they have all these dolls of the first ladies of Kentucky and the dresses they wore to the inauguration.  Well there was one Woman governor and I saw no Ken doll dressed up in a tux.

 Daniel Boones grave.  He was orignially burried in Missouri but Kentucky convinced them to give them his body.  But now Missouri is saying they still have it and they gave them another body.....

 This sun dial is incredible.  On the ground are around 1200 names of soldiers who died or went MIA in the Vietnam War.  The way it works is the tip of the point of the sun dial points to the soldiers name the exact time and day that he died, so that each soldier gets his own memorial day.  Someone way smarter than me thought this up.  I would have just had it point at the same spot and made the names removable.

 Gretchen and Jim have had 5 foregin exchange students.  One of them from Germany called this the Kentucky White House.

5-31

I ended up staying an extra day in Huntington just in case my bladder infection didn't clear up.  I walked to the campus of Marshall to get a sticker for my water bottle. (all the stickers were for cars so I got a pin for my backpack which of course broke in 2 days). I also wanted to go Good Will Hunting on them and wow them by solving some complex math problem.  So I walked the halls and found a math class.  I don't know what their teaching those kids but they must have confused English with Math cause there were letters in the equations.  Determined to show how smart I am I walked off campus to the elementary school and went into Ms. Worthington's 2nd grade class.  I asked little Susie in the front roll if she liked apples?  She said she did.  So I turned around and solved the problem of the day (2+6-4=3), I than dropped the chalk and said how do you like them apples? and walked out.  Leave on a high note they always say.  Feeling pretty proud of myself I went and had some beers with my best friend Ben Affleck.  True story.  (I understand if you have never seen the movie Good Will Hunting this makes absolutely no sense).


6-1

Attended Mass and packed up my gear. I know in my previous post I gave Fr. Dean 3 out of 4 stars but I broke the first rule of being a reviewer and wrote my review to early.  Fr. Dean ended up making me breakfast which bumped him up to 3 1/2 stars and than I forgot the little kitten victoria another quarter star so Fr. Dean, drum roll....3 3/4 stars....oh yeah Brian took me to the grocery store, 4 stars.  Your at the top.

So today had me leaving West Virginia, crossing the river into Ohio, walking in Ohio and crossing into Kentucky; 3 states in one day.  Got pulled over in Ohio, the officer was very friendly and just wanted to check on what I was doing.

Getting into Ashland Kentucky, I stopped by the church and said a quick hello to our Lord.  I met Liz who was a very genrous and wonderful woman.  I than called John, my knights contact for Ashland who picked me up and brought me to his home.  John and his wife Denise truly made me feel welcome in their home, they showed me what southern hospitality is all about.  I am so thankful for their generosity and the lesson in charity they taught me.

6-2 Happy Corpus Christi

Attended Mass with John, Denise and Denis' mother.  Denis' mother is from France and she was telling me how I needed to visit France someday.  I told her I wanted to go to Lisieux (I pronounced it La-sue) she looked at me puzzled.  I said Liseiux again, she looked at John and said what is he saying?  He had no clue what were talking about.  I finally said "St. Therese" and her face lit up and she said "(Lay-zooo, Lay-zoooo,Lay-zooo).  So, I got my first French lesson.  After Mass I went out to breakfast with John and the current Grand Knight and the future Grand Knight.  Afterwards we loaded my cart up and John took me out of town a little ways, he felt so guilty just leaving me on the side of the road, God bless Him and thank you to  him and Denise.

6-3

Today had me heading up Maysville Kentucky.  I was going to try to set a record and do about 40 miles today.  I was about 8 miles from the town of Vanceburg when I decided to slow down and make it a two day trip when I noticed a mini van turn around and asked where I was going.  I said Maysville and he told me he would take me as far as Vanceburg.  Upon getting in I learned he picked up prisoners and was on his way to pick one up who was shot and at the doctors office.  Larry, was his name and I was thankful cause that cut a few miles off so I could make Maysville that evening.  About 10 miles from Maysville I was walking through the small town of Tollesboro.  I was tired and was quite uncomfortable walking through that town, everyone was outside and was just staring at me.  Not subtle, pretend your busy staring, but just opened mouthed stop what ever your doing staring.  I felt like I was in an outbreak movie when the government worker walks into the town with the haz-mat suit and everyone just stops in bewilderment.  So I just pushed through and at the edge of town the sheriff drove past me and pulled into a parking lot.  Knowing the drill I crossed the street and approached his car.  I introduced myself and told him I was walking across the U.S.  He said he got a call that I was looking into peoples windows......he ran my ID and I was on my way.

I really feel sorry for the person who called, and the whole town for that matter.  How unhappy they must be to make someone feel so unwelcome with their stares and than to call the police on such a charge.  (I texted messaged Fr. Ben and told him I needed to go to confession for being a peeping Shaun.  I just had to know what kind of knick knacks they had, were they secret University of Kansas fans?  I just had to know....I'm being sarcastic I was not looking in peoples windows)  I can't tell you how many times people have told me that they probably did this, or didn't want to help you because you looked homeless.  Upon which I respond so what?  What if I am homeless?  If I am I need your help even more.  I'll tell you what, I would rather be robbed by a homeless person who needs the money than a rich wall street broker (I'm not saying all brokers are greedy but I think you get my point) people steal our money all the time and we invite them to our weddings and childrens birthday parties.  And yet we ignore the cries of the poor on our very corners for the crime of having no home.

So on a brighter note Kelly called and picked me up about 10 miles from Maysville.  He was a wondeful person who taught me so much about the history of the town. He than put me up at the Best Western which was so generous, and it had a pool!  But the whirl-pool was broke....I was going to call Kelly and complain.

6-4

Attended Mass with Kelly and he than dropped me off at the edge of town.  Walking all day I made it to Blue Lick State Park and spend the night on the campgrounds.  I met a fellow traveller riding his bike across the U.S.

6-5

Left the park and headed toward Paris.  I got stopped by a couple on a two seater bicycle that stayed at the Best Western and heard about me.  They were from D.C. and were moving to Seattle.  So they had all their stuffed shipped to their new home and were riding to their new front porch.  I wish them a safe journey.  The way to Paris had absolutely no shoulder, it was about the width of the painted lines.  I had a police officer drive by pointing at me to move over which there was nowhere to go.  The last 11 miles were going to be rough but God sent some angels.  A truck pulled over and asked if I needed a ride.  I said sure.  He asked if I had a baby in there?  I told him no, its my gear I'm walking across the U.S.  He replied, well your not walking from Millersburg to Paris, get in.  He had his whole family with him so I sat in the bed with my cart.  I had already talked to Stan, my contact with the knights for Paris and they were putting me up in a Best Western again.  They originally talked to Fr. but he is having health problems so keep him in your prayers please.  So my angel, Andrew was his name, dropped me off at the Best Western where Stan met me .  I am so thankful to Andrew, there was construction on that stretch and it would have been a rough walk.  I am also so thankful to Stan and the Knights of Paris.  I don't get many showers and had another ruined by finding another tick on my stomach...so gross.

 Bridge from Maysville into Ohio.  The story is this was the practice bridge for the golden gate in San Francisco.  Kelly didn't know but it sounds good enough to me.

 The pool, I was like a little kid in there.

 Stained glass window in Maysville at St. Patricks church.  If you notice under the green at the bottom there are those little clear boxes.  Normally people have their names put in those, but this window was paid for by the Germans during World War 2 and so no one wanted their name associated with Nazi Germany and Hitler so all three are blank.

 The altar at St. Patricks

 Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

 My tent at Blue Lick State Park

 Glad to be off Highway 68, it doesn/t start till tomorrow but people started early so I'm sure the highway was more crowded than usual.

.You can't say you've travelled through Kentucky unless you say you got a ride in the back of a pick up truck.