Stained Glass Window - 11/8/14

One of my donators whom I did not know and had never met called me and set up a meeting time as she wanted to present me with a special gift commemorating my completed walk.  Mrs. Adrienne Szulczynski of Chicago had commissioned one of her friends from work, Mr. Bill Veer of Freeport to create a stained glass window in honor of my walk.  This beautiful window was an unexpected and thoughtful surprise and was an unbelievably touching gift. I truly appreciate the effort and expense that went into this creation.

Presentation of Donations - 10/13/14

On Monday, October 13th I drove out to the Illinois State Counsel Headquarters of the Vietnam Veterans of America in Rock Island to turn over the $22,440 worth of donation checks that I had collected to date to Mr. Butch Huber, Head Administrator, and Mr. Fred Barks, Secretary, of the Illinois Chapter. Further late donations were mailed out to the Counsel Headquarters throughout the months of November and December, bringing the total donations to date for "Walk Illinois 2014" to $23,560.

Epilogue: Saturday, August 30

After 20 days and 435 miles of walking, several encounters with dogs, a number of days in the rain, a couple of wicked storms, many police checks, several close calls with inattentive drivers, and miles and miles of corn and soybeans, I finally completed my mission of Walk Illinois 2014. It was a very difficult but tremendously gratifying experience. I was absolutely blown away by the group of friends, relatives and neighbors who met me at the border in South Beloit. This walk was something that I have always wanted to do and during the last few days of my walk, I broke the $20,000 plateau in total pledges. I want to thank the hundreds of people who made pledges towards my cause and the hosts and coordinators along my route who so graciously welcomed me into their homes for the night and fed me after a long day of burning calories. My pledgers and my hosts were my inspiration when the road got long and my body got tired. I will contact everyone shortly with instructions  on how to make your donation. This has been the experience of a lifetime and hopefully in a small way, some lesser fortunate Vietnam Veterans will benefit from your donations and generosity.

Day 20: Saturday, August 30th

Just south of US20 to the Wisconsin state line: 20 miles: Left the motel after the rain cleared at 6:30 A.M. Headed north on IL 120 thru Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe and finally thru South Beloit. US 51 finally rejoined IL 251 just south of the border. Continued to the Wisconsin state line, arriving at 1:35 P.M.

I was quite surprised upon arriving at the finish of my walk as a great amount of family, friends, and neighbors were there to greet me. Officer Johnson of the South Beloit police department was nice enough to give me a police escort for the last 1/4 mile of my journey.  435 miles completed... zero miles to go!!! 

A special thanks to everyone who took the time out to be a part of my arrival at the end of my journey. 

Day 19: Friday, August 29th

Rochelle to south Rockford at US20 junction: 21 miles: Dropped off by Guy Bays at 6:05 A.M. Started walking thru Hillcrest, past Holcomb, past Davis Junction, to New Milford where I was met by my good friends Jerry Tax and Phil Mertes and treated to a nice beef sandwich for lunch. After lunch and a visit, I was dropped back off to finish today's walk, stopping near Rockford, just south of the US20 junction at 1:45 P.M. I have a room at a motel for the evening, as my host in Rockford is on vacation at this time. I have now put 415 miles behind me and I have just 20 miles remaining to walk tomorrow to complete my 435 mile trek. It is definitely the light at the end of the tunnel that I am seeing.

 I

Day 18: Thursday, August 28th

Three miles north of the Lee County Line to Rochelle: Dropped off by Dennis Weiler at 6:05 A.M. and started walking north thru Compton, where my name was on the community sign board, walked across highway US 30, to just south of I-88, where I was met by my friend Jerry Blum (a retired teacher who taught with my son Kevin at Buffalo Grove HS), who drove his bike out for a short road trip. Jerry brought burgers, fries and sodas for a roadside lunch. This was literally meals on wheels. After lunch I proceeded across I-88 (again, very tough to do with my three wheel vehicle, as no one will slow down to give you a break) and into Rochelle (in latitude reference, even with the north border of St. Charles), arriving at 1:30 P.M. I was greeted by my host Guy Bays, Commander of VFW Post #3878, the Mayor, Chet Olson, and several members of the VFW post. I have a motel room for the night where I am resting, compliments of the post members. I will be treated to a rib dinner at the post later this evening. Leg is solid, blisters are tolerable. 41 more miles to go.

Day 17: Wednesday, August 27th

Peru to past the Lee County Line: 21 miles: Pushed my three wheel vehicle through the motel property to the highway shoulder and began walking north at 6:00 A.M. Walked past Troy Grove, thru Mendota and stopped for the day at a road intersection three miles north
of the Lee County line (which for reference is at the same latitude as Oswego) at 1:40 P.M. I was picked up by my host, Dennis Weiler, Commander of American Legion Post #657 and brought back to his home in Compton. I will be spending the night in his mother's house next door, as she is presently in a nursing home and have been provided with a bedroom and shower. I will be attending a cook out later this evening with Dennis, his wife Pat and family along with several members of  Legion Post #357. I will be turning in early to rest up for tomorrow's trek to Rochelle.

Rest Day - Peru (August 26th)

I looked over my map and route info as I rested today in Peru, and  to date, I have covered a total of 351 miles in 16 days of walking. I now have approximately 84 more miles to walk to get to the Wisconsin border. I spent a couple of hours this morning having coffee and donuts with the locals at my host Bob Ankiewicz's cafe in downtown Peru. I also had a visit from my wife Marie who made an emergency shoe resupply run. It seems that the couple of rainy day walks where my shoes and I got totally saturated, blew out the side stitching in one of my pairs of shoes. With only four more days remaining to walk, I had her bring out my well traveled old hikers and walkers as replacements. They should provide more give and more room for my somewhat swollen and blistered feet. That now makes two blowouts on this northern phase of my walk; one pair of shoes and one tire (actually just a flat tire) on my three wheel cart, which was repaired using a tube sealer. I had Marie treat me to lunch as a reward for her resupply efforts. I will continue taking it easy today and tonight (at the risk of being labeled a slacker) and will be up and on the road again at dawn. I hope that the light I am seeing at the end of the tunnel is real and not an oncoming train.

Day 16: Monday, August 25th

Just north of Lostant to Peru: 21 miles: Dropped of north of Lostant by Jennifer at 6:10 A.M. Walked thru Tonica, past Oglesby, over the Illinois River Bridge and on into Peru. I was met just north of the bridge by Bob Ankiewicz, my host, a Navy Vet and the Commander of American Legion Post #375 in Peru. Bob treated me to a nice lunch, then after lunch, I continued walking north across I-80 (which incidentally is very difficult to cross while pushing a 3 wheel stroller) stopping at the Holiday Inn Express where I am being housed tonight through the efforts of Bob Ankiewicz and all the members of American Legion Post 375. I am relaxing for a while and later this evening Bob and his wife are picking me up to go out for dinner. Tomorrow is a rest day and I really need it because the heat and humidity have been stifling.

Day 15: Sunday, August 24th

Minonk to Lostant: 21 miles: Dropped back off in Minonk and started walking at 6:20 A.M. Walked thru Rutland, thru Wenona and a mile past Lostant, arriving at 1:30 P.M. Picked up again by Jennifer Tooley and brought back to her house in Rutland. It was a very hot and humid day so I am sitting in a lazy boy relaxing and rehydrating. I have been told that I will be having home made lasagna for dinner (I failed to post that yesterday I had delicious home made  tacos for dinner) and will again be sleeping on a very comfortable couch in the family room. The modifying of my northern route to 10 days caused the original stopping town of Rutland to now be between two new stopping points. Jennifer was gracious enough to agree to pick me up and drop me off twice plus allowing me stay at her house for two nights.

Day 14: Saturday, August 23rd

Hudson to Minonk: 22 miles : Dropped off in Hudson by Bob Sears and his red truck. Took off at 6:10 A.M. Walked thru Kappa where I was met by my friends George Miller and his wife Janine. George walked a mile with me, we shared a chocolate donut and they were off and on their way to Georgia to visit relatives. I then continued past El Paso, past Panola where I took shelter in an old barn from a wicked rain torm. The door was open but the residents of the barn were two hound dogs. It took me about 5 minutes to calm them down and for them to allow me to sit out the storm with them. I resumed my walk about 45 minutes later, walking past  Woodford and on into Minonk, arriving at 3:20. I was picked up by my host Jennifer Tooley who lives in and is the village clerk of Rutland.

Day 13: Friday, August 22nd:

Heyworth to Hudson: 21 miles: Took off from Heyworth at 7:00 A.M. as I had to wait for a very intense  lightning storm to pass. Walked in a steady rain all day past Randolph, thru Bloomington, thru Normal and on into Hudson, arriving at 2:15 P.M. Picked up and dropped off at a motel in Normal by Bob Sears, son in law of JoAnn Sweeney, my original host, who is out of town this week expecting the arrival of a new grandchild. Bob will drop me back off in Hudson tomorrow morning. The rain stopped one half hour before I got into Hudson. Everything I have with me is spread out throughout the motel room drying out.

Day 12: Thursday, August 21st:

Maroa to Heyworth: 20 miles: Left from Maroa at 6:20 A.M. Walked thru Clinton, Wapella and on into Heyworth, arriving at 2:15 P.M. Picked up at US 51 and US 136 by my host Gary Simpkins. Gary and his wife Carol are the curators of Simpkins Military History Museum located adjacent to their home. The museum is a truly remarkable collection of military memorabilia from the Civil War to the Afganistan War. I was provided a delicious home cooked meal and a cozy bedroom for the night.

Day 11: Wednesday, August, 20th

Decatur to Maroa:  14 miles: Well, here I go again, heading north from Decatur towards the Wisconsin border. Left downtown Decatur at 11:10 A.M. Walking through the north side of Decatur in a steady rain, thru Forsyth in a light rain and then into Maroa. Arrived in Maroa at 4:15 P.M. Picked up by my host, Mike Miller, and driven back to his house in Forsyth. Leg is fine and feet are feeling very well. Mike and Jane Miller treated me to a very nice dinner and a bed for the night.

Wednesday, August 20th

Resumption of Walk: My son Timothy and I are on our way to Decatur this morning so that I can resume my trek from the spot where I had to suspend my walk three weeks ago. I will now be walking the northern portion utilizing ten walking days and one rest day. I have coordinated my new route and itinerary with my hosts and with their help and cooperation, I should be ready to roll. I would like to personally thank all my hosts and pledgers for all the good wishes and encouragement that I received after being forced to suspend my journey to heal. It is raining quite hard and I will let the thunder and lightning pass before starting out.

Day 10: Wednesday July 30

Moweaqua to Forsyth: 25 miles: 

Left at 6:00 A.M. Walked thru Macon, Erwin and arrived in downtown Decatur at noon.  Unfortunately, I was not able to continue on from Decatur into Forsyth for my scheduled stop.  The severe pain caused by my shin splints in my left leg, combined with the extreme blistering on the bottoms of my feet, were causing me to limp while walking the last three days.  I could feel discomfort arising in my right knee and hip due to compensating for the limping in my left leg.  I could feel that other parts of my body were beginning to be affected; therefore, I did not want to cause any permanent damage by continuing to walk.  I made the decision to suspend my walk so I could heal up, and I will begin again sometime in the near future from where I stopped in downtown Decatur.  

My friends Jerry Tax and Larry Kosiek were already scheduled to meet me in Decatur for lunch, so I asked them to bring me home this afternoon.  As of noon today, I have completed 232 miles of my 435 mile trip.  The walk is not canceled... it is only suspended for healing purposes!  I will contact everybody once I have the chance to reschedule the resumption of my walk from Decatur to South Beloit.  

I am currently home resting up.  Here are pictures that my son Kevin insisted that I post, showing my swollen left leg and my blisters (couldn't get the bandages off yet):

Day 9: Tuesday July 29

Oconee to Moweaqua: 26 miles: Departed at 5:50 A.M. Walked through Pana, Assumption and on into Moweaqua. I was met several miles outside town by some boy scouts and their leaders who walked into town with me. Some cub scouts joined us about a half mile from my stopping point. I arrived in town at 4:20 P.M. I was also met by Mr. Ron Hogan who along with his wife Ruth are my hosts for the evening.

Day 8: Monday July 28

Vandalia to Oconee: 24 miles:   Departed Vandalia at 6:10 A.M. Walked into Ramsey and had lunch with Kevin at the Ramsey Cafe. Kevin headed for home and I continued on up the road. I arrived in Oconee at 4:00 P.M. Relaxed and hydrated, while awaiting my host, Ken Tedrick, the mayor, who was not yet home from work. Ken arrived and we went to dinner. Met Mrs. Tedrick. Cleaned up and worked on my blisters and shin splints. Carrying the back pack really tore me up.

Rest Day - Vandalia (July 27)

After a good night's sleep, my son Kevin and I paid a little visit (via 4 wheels, of course) to the Vandalia Statehouse, which was the state capitol building prior to Springfield.

Wouldn't you know it... honest Abe was just sitting there reading a paper... so I joined him.

Then we went to the local Walmart and purchased a 3-wheel push stroller to replace my 2-wheel golf cart.  The people at Walmart (in Vandalia) were wonderful and even discounted the price $50 on behalf of my walk.  This new cart should really help me along my way through the upper 2/3rds of the state.

Now we're off to do lunch, to see a movie (in the air conditioning, of course), to wash some clothes at the local laundromat, then to finish up the day with a nice dinner.  I will get one more good night's rest before continuing my travels in the morning.

Day 7: Saturday July 26

Sandoval to Vandalia: 25 miles 

Stepped off from Sandoval at 6:00 A.M. Walked through Fairman, Patoka, Vernon, Shobonier and into Vandalia at 4:00 P. M.  I had to make a modification to my routine, as carrying the extra weight of the backpack was detrimental to my feet!  Boog Walker (at Fats Tavern in Sandoval) suggested I use a golf pushcart to carry my pack along.  With this in mind, my day 7 trip was completed utilizing the golf pullcart and, with a temperature of 94 degrees (heat index of over 100), it made all the difference in the world.

I said that I would "walk" every mile; however, I don't necessarily have to do it with a 35 pound pack on my back.

I was met by my son Kevin at the Vandalia Statehouse (the last capitol building prior to the state capitol moving to Springfield), and this completes my first full week of walking (7 days and a total of 164 miles, covering the bottom third of the state).  I am resting in an air-conditioned hotel room with my feet up in a lazy boy recliner because I am absolutely exhausted!!!

Tomorrow will be my first (and much anticipated) rest day... the fun continues again on Monday as I set off for Oconee, IL.

Day 6: Friday July 25

Ashley to Sandoval: 24 miles:  Departed Ashley at 6:00 A. M. Walked thru Richview, Wamac, Centralia, Central City and into Sandoval at 3:15 P. M. 

Met my hosts, Mr. Don Padberg (Commander American Region Post 543) and Mr. Boog Walker (proprietor of Fats Tavern in town).  I will be staying at Don's house for the evening.. 

Day 5: Thursday July 24

DuQuoin to Ashley: 25 miles: Departed DuQuoin at 6:15 A. M. Walked thru St. John's, Sunfield, Tamaroa, DuBois and on into Ashley. Met in town by Mayor Fred Johnson at 4:00 P.M. Got a tour of town and back to set up for the night on his back deck. Even the mayor has to get into his work clothes and cut the grass.

Day 4: Wednesday July 23

TCarbondale to DuQuoin: 22 miles: Left Carbondale at 6:20 A.M. Walked thru DeSoto, Elkville, Dowell and into DuQuoin arriving at the DuQuoin Firehouse at just before 3:00 P. M. City Administrator Brad Myers met me at the firehouse where I will be spending the night. My hosts at the firehouse are Rick Loyd and David Durkota.

Day 3: Tuesday July 22

Anna to Carbondale:  22 miles: Began walking at 6:15 A .M. Walked past Cobden and Makanda and on into Carbondale. Greeted by Dick Kuehl, several members of VFW Post 2605 and other veterans and citizens of Carbondale. Staying the night at the Haven as the guest of Sherry and Allen Rix.

Day 2: Monday, July 21

Pulaski to Anna : 22 miles:
Stepped off at 5:45 A.M. with the roosters. Walking thru Ullin, Wetaug, Dongola and into Anna. Arrived in Anna at 3:00 P.M. Hosted by Bill Musgrave, Commander of VFW Post 3455 in Anna.

Day 1... From Another Perspective

Hello everyone - this is Kevin Trow (Bill's son).  I wanted to share just a couple of images and videos that I was able to take earlier today as my friend Chris and I sent my father along his merry way.

At the water's edge (the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers):

A video of Bill's first steps along his journey, as he travels through Fort Defiance Park: (note - this video may not be viewable on mobile devices)

Gotta be careful... never know when there might be a surprise drive by:  (note - this video may not be viewable on mobile devices)

A few miles later as Bill "conquered" his first town in Illinois:

...And the very last we saw of Bill as he approached Mound City.  He was roughly 7 miles into his journey:

Keep up the good work dad... only 410 or so miles more to go!!!

End of Day 1

Staying at the Pulaski Firehouse through the efforts of Dave Malone.

Day 1: Sunday July, 20

Southern tip to Pulaski: 23 miles. Left Fort Defiance State Park at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers at 7:15 A.M. Seen off by Dick Kuehl and Dave Caldwell who drove me down and my son Kevin and his friend Chris Bays. Headed north on US 51 through Cairo, Future City, Urbandale, Mounds, Villa Ridge and into Pulaski.  At the Pulaski Firehouse as a guest of Dave Malone. 

The Haven

Travel Day

Departed Union Station aboard the  Amtrak "Saluki" bound for Carbondale at 8:15 AM. Arrived in Carbondale at 2:30 P.M. Met at station by Dick Kuehl, my host and Commander of VFWPost 2605. I was shown around town in afternoon and treated to pizza for dinner with several additional post members, including Ryan McKennedy of VFW Team RWB. Spending the night at the Haven as the guest of Sherry and Allen Rix. 

Hello Family and Friends -

Thank you for following my blog as I walk the 435 mile length of Illinois to raise money for the Vietnam Veterans of America.  I will be stepping off on my walk the morning of Sunday, July 20th from the southern tip of Illinois and, "God willing and the creek don't rise," I will be finishing at the Wisconsin border on the afternoon of Saturday, August 9th.  I would like to thank each and every person/family who has made a pledge of support towards my endeavor.

I will be updating this page daily with comments, pictures, and videos of my trek so that all of you can share in this experience.  Please make sure that you save this webpage to your bookmarks/favorites on your computer or device so that you can easily check in on this "old 20th-Century walker via this new 21st-Century media."


If anyone would still like to make a pledge towards my endeavor, they may do so by emailing their pledge amount to me at  w.trow@comcast.net  and I will contact you after I complete my walk with instructions on how to make your donation.

1968

2014

Bill's 20th-Century GPS!!!
(right click and save, if you'd like to enlarge)