Cross-country walk brings man to Montgomery County

Question:  “Is it close enough to walk?”

Answer:  “Depends on how much time you have.”    

Alastair McCandless is taking the time-well over a year-and figures the trip from eastern Delaware to western California is walking distance.  

McCandless, 35, hiked across Montgomery County Sept. 19.  

He reached Elliott at mid-morning and spent an hour or two before resuming his journey.  

Covering about 20 miles a day, he's gotten a lot of exercise and a nice suntan, but that's not the purpose.  

A close friend of his lost an arm and an eye in Afghanistan.  McCandless, who did not serve in the military, felt an obligation to do something for those who paid dearly in the service of our country.  

He joined the Wounded Warrior Project, a charitable effort that provides assistance to veterans who have lost limbs or suffered severe brain trauma.  

McCandless believes to the extent he left his job as a restaurant manager in Greenville, South Carolina, and, last April 23, started his walk from ocean to ocean to raise awareness.  

He's worn out three pair of shoes and figures he'll go through several more.  

He's met a lot of people-most of them supportive-and been so weary he was tempted to give up.  

He often starts his day not knowing where he'll pitch his tent that night.  

Asked about his experience in Iowa his first word was “libraries.”  

Iowa people, he said, have treated him well.  They've welcomed him, fed him, given him shelter for the night.  

But he was particularly impressed by the number and quality of libraries.  

McCandless does a blog and makes regular entries at online libraries, such as the one in Elliott.  

“From what I've seen,” he said, “even the smallest towns in Iowa have an up-to-date library. Tell them I appreciate it. And ask your readers to please consider a contribution to the Wounded Warriors Project.”  

McCandless has a goal of $10,000. As of this writing he's raised over $6,000.  

Those interested in his daily entries, or making a contribution, will find him at thoughtsaskew.blogport.com.