Previous
Weeks

Week 1: March 24th through March 30th
Week 2: March 31st through April 6th
Week 3: April 7th through April 13th
Week 4: April 14th through April 20th
Week 5: April 21st through April 27th
Week 6: April 28th through May 4th
Week 7: May 5th through May 11th
Week 8: May 12th through May 18th
Week 9-10: May 19th through June 1st
Week 11: June 2nd through June 8th
Week 12: June 9th through June 15th
UPDATED 5/19: NEW PHOTOS FROM WESLEY!

Journal Entry from Wesley
Location: Acworth, GA

Wow, I actually made it all the way to the end of the day before writing anything. Today was a beautiful day. 70's without a cloud in the sky. The breeze is still going. I had to get the sunscreen back out. The crickets are really going at it tonight (not like that! I mean they're making a lot of noise. Jeepers!). The last couple days, I've been traveling through heavily Latino areas so today I had lunch at a Mexican restaurant. A real one. I was the only person there that didn't speak Spanish fluently. I got lots of looks. Good food and that Grapefruit Jarritos drink is awesome. Man, I love grapefruit.

So, I'm in Acworth now. I'm staying in an empty office in an office building. I met Pete Brumfield washing his car and asked him some questions about the town, he took me to a phone I could use to call mom, took me to Krystal for some dinner (my first time) and offered to let me stay in the office building that he owns. It's right next door to a church. So, I made it to evening service and it was a really great sermon. It was exactly what I had been thinking about today. God was talking.

I just realized that I'm sitting at a desk in an office typing an email. That's funny.

I'm gonna get to bed earlier and get an early start tomorrow. I'm hoping to cover quite a few miles. We'll see where I end up.

Journal Entry from Wesley
Location: Roswell, GA

As expected, I had a great time visiting with the Woods and their guests Bob and Mona Wood(coincidence not relation). We went to the Golden Corral this morning for breakfast and stuffed ourselves. I'm still walking that off and it's past noon. One thing I particularly liked was that they kept conversation going past the usual questions. Bob and I talked about Alaska and his trip there. I'd love to go. Ooh, a spider with black and yellow stripes just crawled on my leg. cool. I'm in Roswell right now. It's basically still Atlanta. Lots of businesses and apartments. oh and cars. Soooo many cars. It sure is different in the city. It's a mix of good and bad. I don't have to carry as much food or water but finding a place to stay at night is totally different. I can't just pull off into the woods. I took a nap on the grass strip in a parking lot today. Not nearly as transcendental as the pine forests. But, the cherry blossoms are everywhere.

Right now, I'm laying on a very soft field of moss in the shade of a small wooded area. This is what it's about. Still in the city, cars rushing by to get somewhere where they aren't and me enjoying the moss and watching the helicopter seeds fall through the trees.

Oh, a couple miles back I met a nice couple that were managing the local Bruster's(great ice cream). We talked for quite a while and he gave me some coupons for free ice cream at the next Bruster's I find. Yay! Well, I guess I got carried away in my walking and walked right past any places to stay. The man I spoke with at the drugstore told me there was plenty up ahead but I guess he was an evil agent.

I met some nice kids working at a gas station on the edge of Roswell and they explained that the area was extrememly snotty rich people that would try to have me arrested just for walking(well, at least then I'd have a place to stay). So, one of them took me up the road a bit past the snob-central and there are supposed to be woods up ahead where I can stay. I'm at the grocery store getting some dinner and funny looks. Money makes you so ill-adapted to everything that you don't own. So, we'll see where I stay tonight. I'm sure it'll be fun.

Second Journal Entry from Wesley
Location: Woodstock, GA

I'm at the Suburban Lodge extended stay motel. Good rates and they cut me a few dollars off because they're nice. The bad news for the day is that a church failed me for the first time. I was turned down by the New Home Church in Roswell when I asked if I could pitch my tent on their property. Oh well. I was gonna ask them if they knew of any churches nearby that loved God but figured that wouldn't be appropriate. Maybe I'm spoiled.
I'm finally getting out of the city. I'll be able to find some woods by tomorrow. Oh, by the way, I'm in Woodstock. So, there's some important news that I've been waiting to share and today seems right. The peach fuzz on my chest has become something that if it were on a peach, I wouldn't eat it. That's right, walking across Georgia puts hair on your chest. I'm sure you all are so excited.
I guess that's the news for tonight.

Journal Entry from Wesley
Location: Lilburn, GA

I had a great night in Stone Mountain. The sun is shining through the clouds today and the weather forecast is finally good for a while. It's nice to have a break from what was the longest wet streak ever for Atlanta in April(I read that in the paper this morning). I'm headed to Lilburn. My next state maps were mailed to me there. Yep, not too much more of Georgia. I don't have very far to get to Lilburn from here so, I'm taking my time. I'm gonna get packed up now.

I'm at David and Connie Wood's house in Lilburn. It was more walking than I expected and I'm glad. The weather was so great I didn't feel like stopping. I took a nice short nap in a church yard. But, this road I was on for most of the day would have a heck of a time wearing a shirt. It didn't have any shoulders. I was on the side of hills sometimes and racing across overpasses. Hopefully, the roads tomorrow will have shoulders at least a Wesley wide. I had a great dinner tonight complete with ice cream. The Woods have company from Michigan as well so we're having a little party. Recalling stories from before I was born. I always have a lot to add to conversation (not that any of it is ever relevant). I'm heading towards Roswell tomorrow but I'm not sure how far I'll make it. Things are really different here because it's all basically Atlanta. I'll be in the city for a bit more. And anybody who's ever been here knoows that Atlantans (Atlantards as I like to call them) drive like insane speed-freaks with one eye and no bladder. Bless their hearts (saying that makes any mean thing I say ok!). We'll see how it goes. I'm excited about walking tomorrow (much like a lot of other days) because the sun is back. Having the sun makes all the difference. Like night and day. oooh so bad.

Journal Entry from Wesley
Location: Stone Mountain , GA

I'm in Stone Mountain eating at a Caribbean restaurant. It's good. I just got back from hiking to the top of Stone Mountain in the rain. Why is it that I'm so stupid sometimes. I decided that it's because it makes my life more fun. So, I got to the top which isn't that long of a hike but I was still wearing my pack. I got to the top and took the hanging tram thing down. I got to see the other side of the mountain(the side with the monument carved into it). Then, I walked back around the mountain in the rain and back across town. Yep, I got into Stone Mountain a lot earlier than I planned so I had some extra time. I didn't realize that the park was this close,I just walked towards the mountain. So, I got plenty of walking in today and I'm pretty tired.

I'm at the Higgins home in Stone Mountain. I've met Nancy Higgins so far and I'll be going to the Sycamore Coffeehouse soon. The coffeehouse is part of the Higgins ministry here. Tonight is open mic night and, no, I won't be singing. I'll be sleeping on a very big, very comfy couch tonight.

I just got back from the coffeehouse. There were some very good musicians playing tonight. I met lots of people. It's nice to be around people that are into music. Makes for some fun conversation.

I'm realy glad that I got the chance to visit Stone Mountain. It's a neat town. I'm also excited about the rain stopping soon. I'm sick of it. I watched the weather channel last night and I swear that meteorologist was laughing at me. "Well, it's pretty easy to see where the problem area is", he says making a vague gesture to show the absolute clearness of the sky over the entire map of the U.S. He then bringps his hand to an accusatory point right on the spot where I saw a little star stating"you are here". Then he started laughing. Or at least I thought he did.

Still, I'm inside again tonight so I don't care if it rains. nah nah, stupid weatherman. I'm sorry. That was childish. I'm gonna go to bed now.

Journal Entry from Wesley
Location: Stockbridge, GA

Today was different than any other day though similar to yesterday. I took it easy and ate a lot. Yep, life is good. I got some golashes or "Totes" as some people who are more hip to brands might call them. I like calling them golashes more. That word makes me feel like a little kid and an old man at the same time and silly both ways. It's a fun word. Wait! It's an onimonopia (though I realy don't have a clue as to how to spell that word). I think spelt should be a word. The past tense of spell. Ok, I think maybe too much word nerd is coming out. You can tell it's been a relaxing day. I did unpack all of my stuff and pick out the things that I've decided I don't need. It's good to get rid of some weight. I'm also making some adjustments to make me more rain proof. I have a rain cover for my backpack but there are still spots that get wet. Like where the straps attach and the cover doesn't quite fulfill its title. I couldn't figure out a way to have something cover both the pack and I (which would avoid that problem) without making it impossible to take my pack off for a break without getting wet. I'll see if I figure something out later. So, I'm lining my pack with garbage bags and making sure all the things in pockets are in zip-locs. Having golashes will hopefully make a very big difference. If my feet stay dry, I'll be great. Wet feet are terriblr for blisters. Man, the one I got the other day was so big I almost had to draw a map. It feels much better today and some of my other callouses are coming along nicely. I'm so proud. Well, this post was plenty long for not having walked any. I'm such a chatterbox. I think that's a nice way to say bigmouth. hmm, maybe yacker. But, doesn't yack also mean to vomit? Ok, I'm gonna go for a walk around the neighborhood.

Second Journal Entry from Wesley
Location: Stockbridge, GA

Wow, I didn't expect to be writng a second post on a down day. No, nothing that amazing happened. This probably has more to do with me not being ready to sleep because I'm still getting adjusted to the time change. Very difficult to really adjust when I have no steady schedule. I think I've had a different bedtime every night.

I was just thinking about the walk I took today. I walked probably 2 and a half miles around the neighborhood. I don't think people really understand how much fun walking is. I guess I'd say it's a hobby of mine, even. It's a time to think and enjoy. I rarely think about it being an actual task, much less a chore. Having a bunch of weight on your back sometimes affects that. I even like the feeling of my backpack sometimes. The solidity and feeling of self-sufficiency(even if just an illusion). I don't know if I should even bother trying to explain it. My least favorite part of walking is the feeling that where I am at the moment doesn't matter and I have to get somewhere else. That's rarely a problem. Especially when every step is new. Man, this is a dream to be walking without ever needing to turn back. So, all of the amazing people I've met and the awesome events and seeing God work make this walk so much more. But, even stripped down to all of the time between towns and people, there's still walking and yes, I really do love it.

Journal Entry from Wesley
Location: Stockbridge, GA

Today was pretty boring. So, stop reading now 'cause there isn't much coming.

I didn't walk today. That's what hikers call a "zero day". I say things like that and it makes me sound like I know what I'm talking about. Then, I say things about PDAs and GPSs. Ooh, maybe I should mention "ripstop" or "gore-tex".

Ok, what I actually did today. I had a great breakfast and went to Bible study with Barbara White. It was a very interesting study on the PreAdamite world. We had lunch afterwards and more good conversation. There's a lot of crappy weather here right now. I was waiting to see if it let up like it was supposed to; but, it just kept going all day worse than a Meatloaf ballad. So, eventually, I just gave up and rode with Barbara to Stockbridge. I sat and thought for a while if I would regret it or not. I'm comfortable with the decision. I'm going to stay here tomorrow too and make some adjustments to my gear to make sure I'm ready for rain. I've found my weak spots (and then got punched in them-woohoo!). Yeah, yesterday's rain was fun for my feet. They were all raisiny when I took my socks off. Ooh, neat!
Oh, hey, who am I staying with? Well, I'm with George and Sharon Katona. My mom went to high school with Sharon or as my mom says, they "ran around together". I don't really know what that means, I just nod. So, I'm trying to get some good stories (dirt) on my mom but have come up with very little so far. I've still got another day. I might have to get Sharon drunk or something.

Let's see has anything else happened? Hmm, I saw some of Married by America last night and Jackie O That show is incredibly terrible. I'll say it again, TV is crap.

I guess that's it for now. I think I might go for a walk around the neighborhood. I'm getting antsy.

Journal Entry from Wesley
Location: Jackson, GA

I had a very restful night. Didn't even think about the rain outside. I had a breakfast of oatmeal, cold cereal, a Baby Ruth and a grapefruit. Now, I'm waiting for the rain to let up. Hopefully, it will long enough for me to get a dry start. I'll give it a little while longer and then I have to go either way.

Today, I'm headed to Locust Grove where I'll be spending the night with a man I met last night, an elderly truck driver named Jim who was blind when he came to the Chief Cornerstone Church and was healed. Yeah, amazing. He can see out of one eye. The other is clouded over. I've heard a few amazing stories of God's power here.

Well, as our military overpowers Baghdad, crappiness infiltrates my world. The clouds made a unanimous decision to rain as much as possible (too much, if they could manage). The trucks agreed to make sure the moisture that missed me on the way down would have a second opportunity as splashes and mists. Apparently, the plan even got past my personal defenses and my legs staged a bit of a mutiny. Fortunately, we still share a nervous system so the secession was called off.

I'm warming up with a cup of coffee and sitting on the sidewalk at a gas station. I'll hit the road in a bit. I think I can make it. Today is Day 15, the last day of my "can I do it/ break in" period. So, I feel it's pretty important for me to walk today. I had to call on some of my stubborn "I-can-do-it-so-screw-you" attitude today. Yeah, I don't use tht one too often. I'm sure I made the right choice. That's all for now. Let's see how the rest of the day goes. I'm praying for no more rain because my shoes are full. hehe!

Second Journal Entry
Location: Locust Grove, GA
Total distance walked (239 miles)

I saw a pretty green tree frog today. It must have had a really rough night of chirping because it fell asleep right on the side of the road all sprawled out. It didn't even look like it was breathing. Musta been tuckered out.

The cars were pretty scary today. I was afraid that they wouldn't see me in the rain. I was wearing my bright yellow rain gear so I looked like a giant banana walking on the side of the road, which didn't reassure me. I like to think that if I were behind the wheel, I wouldn't swerve to hit a giant banana but, I'm afraid that's a situation I'd just have to be faced with first. Speaking of roadkill, I saw some wicked-six death metal album covers today. Maybe for a band called Inverted Skull or Drowning Maggot. Yeah, nasty. The rain helped with that.

I'm at Jim and Barbara White's house now. I just finished a big dinner. My clothes and shoes are in the dryer. Shoes in the dryer sounds like someone falling down a really long flight of stairs. It's good to be here. Today really kicked my butt. I thought I might throw up I was so worn out. I did, however, get a pint of Mayfield's Moose Tracks ice cream and everything is better when all that's in your stomach.

Looking back on the last 15 days, as you might guess, is a really amazing thought. When I think about the road ahead, I'm still very excited. So, the result of the break in period is good. Next 15 days, here I come (at a steadily slow speed).

Previous
Weeks

Week 1: March 24th through March 30th
Week 2: March 31st through April 6th
Week 3: April 7th through April 13th
Week 4: April 14th through April 20th
Week 5: April 21st through April 27th
Week 6: April 28th through May 4th
Week 7: May 5th through May 11th
Week 8: May 12th through May 18th
Week 9-10: May 19th through June 1st
Week 11: June 2nd through June 8th
Week 12: June 9th through June 15th
UPDATED 5/19: NEW PHOTOS FROM WESLEY!