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)