When he started his walk on 27 March 2001 Frank had no idea that the world would change before it ended!

Frank Buykx and his walking companion as far as St Louis, Alex Herbert, started his long walk in front of The Whitehouse on Monday 27th March 2001. The next day he reported that he had completed the first 16 miles of his trip West. He was disappointed that Mr Bush was not able to see him off (he was probably busy writing a speech about how the short term economics in the US are much more important than minor things like global warming). Frank was walking towards the foothills of the Appalachians. They had spent their first night under canvas.

His next report on Friday 30th March found him further along the same trail following the route of a canal, with the Potomac river on one side and the Appalachian mountains on the other. The going is currently quite easy as it is fairly flat. However, it has been cold, on Tuesday night his water bottle froze in the night as the temperature had dropped to -12C. According to the locals this is quite unseasonal! (Note don't worry Frank the forecast for the week ahead has a mini heatwave due to arrive!!)

On Thursday night he had arrived in Harpers Ferry wet and cold after 3 days on the muddy trail in need of home comforts. They tossed a coin about where to stay, the hotel won!

He is walking every day including weekends and has no plan to take any time out at present as it would break the rythm. He is meeting very few people apart from joggers near to car parks as I guess the spring has yet to arrive in this part of the US.

Frank says the view from his hotel room is superb, as you can see from above photo this is a picturesque part of the US.

Tree art