News Coverage and Contacts

Walker and Organizer Lyn Hanush, from Paso Robles, California, will travel with a team of walkers, meeting people, sharing ideas, praying for our nation and enjoying the experiences as they participate in the various facets of Americana they encounter. 

The Great American Journey
A Tax-Exempt Project of Seek Him First Ministries

2307 Mesa Vista Court, Paso Robles, CA 93446-6315
Phone (805)227-6391  Fax (805)239-3165  E-mail lynshfm@juno.com

SUMMARY OF NEWS COVERAGE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

This map shows our overall route - to see a state by state itinerary you can also go to the State Information Page

Great American Journey Connections

We have gathered here some links and connections to websites and people who have helped to make The Great American Journey possible, or who have helped along the way. This is our way of saying "Thank You" to many of them. We invite you to visit their websites and get to know them. If it is appropriate we encourage you to utilize their services. Also, if their website has a "Guest Book" or a link to contact them, we encourage you to let them know that you came to their website through your interest in The Great American Journey. It would be neat if many of you would thank them for their assistance in The Great American Journey. Thank you.

MOTORHOME

We prayed for the use of a motorhome, but God answered through Jeff and Pennie Hoops of Paso Robles with the GIFT of a motorhome to Seek Him First Ministries. Having the motorhome for the entire Walk will save a tremendous amount of cost, and save the walkers from having to camp out in tents a lot. The motorhome was quickly dubbed "The Castle" by the walkers. Thank you, Jeff and Pennie, for being a part of The Great American Journey.

Jeff and Pennie are business brokers and appraisers. If you have a business or equipment that needs to be appraised or sold, consider them. Contact them at: www.thehaleygroup.com or hoops1@tcsn.net

MOTORHOME REPAIRS AND RECONDITIONING

The motorhome had not been used for several years so we had Geoff Lyons, Lyons Auto Repair, of Paso Robles, work through the entire motorhome and repair parts that had deteriorated. Geoff has been taking care of our personal autos for four years, so he knows what Lyn is doing, and is always careful to make sure that her vehicles are safe. Geoff and his co-workers spent many hours carefully going through the motorhome. Thank you, Geoff and crew for your careful checking of the motorhome for Lyn.

Lyons Auto Repair is a full service auto repair facility located in Paso Robles, California. If you are looking for reliable auto service we highly recommend Lyons Auto Repair. Contact them at (805)238-0477

MOTORHOME DETAILING

Since the motorhome had not been used for several years it could use a good through clean-up. This service was contributed by Meridith Love and ServiceMaster of North County, Paso Robles. They did a thorough tip to stern cleaning of all drawers, cabinets, stove, refrigerator, etc, plus a thorough carpet cleaning.

ServiceMaster cleans homes and businesses, with major emphasis on carpet and upholstery cleaning. Call them to come out and give you a quote on your cleaning needs. Call them at: (805)238-9618, or by E-Mail at: smasternc@tcsn.net

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

The websites you are looking at were set-up and developed by Tony Dowden, Mary Carpenter, M.J., and Sandra Garzon. This was all voluntary work given to help you keep up with the progress of the Great American Journey. Sandra Garzon developed the website for Lyn's two hiking clubs in San Jose and Atascadero. Please visit that site and see what hikes those groups are planning. Go to: www.calfootprints.com

PASO ROBLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

We received some very generous help from Cathy David, President of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, as we attempted to make contacts across the country along the route of The Great American Journey. The staff of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce went through Lyn's list of towns along the route and accumulated a list of the appropriate Chambers of Commerce. Then Cathy sent a personal letter to each of those Chambers telling them of The Great American Journey and encouraging them to join with us in the venture. As a result of these letters we have many contacts along the route. Many are helping to find sites for the motorhome, and some are even planning special events to welcome the Walkers as they come through their areas.

If you are planning a visit in the California Central Coast, contact the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce at: (800)406-4040, (805)238-0506, prchamber@tcsn.net, or through http://www.pasorobleschamber.com

CITY OF PASO ROBLES

Lyn and The Great American Journey Team will have special access to town mayors and city councils as a result of an introductory letter from Paso Robles Mayor Frank Mecham. Lyn will be an ambassador of Paso Robles, but this will also help to get publicity and attention in the local communities. Thank you, Mayor Mecham for your partnership with us as we cross America with a message of unity and encouragement.

You can find out about the City of El Paso de Robles at: http://www.prcity.com

CONCRETE, WASHINGTON

The walking team was greeted and hosted at Ovenell's Heritage Inn. This is a quaint working cattle ranch with guesthouses, cabins, and Bed & Breakfast options. Check them out at: http://www.ovenells-inn.com or contact them at (360)853-8494, or breakfast@ovenells-inn.com

RADIO INTERVIEWS

KPRL, Paso Robles  1230 AM    Joe Benson

KGDP, Santa Maria

  , Broken Bow, Nebraska

Tupelo, Mississippi, Mar 30, 2004 (?)

WJEC-FM, Vernon, AL, April 6, 2004 Curt Smith & Eric Otts

NEWSPAPER COVERAGE

Paso Robles Gazette, April 18, 2003 (Mike Phillips) "Woman Plans 4,500 mile walk across America"

Paso Robles Magazine, May, 2003 (Bob Chute)  "Walking Across America!"

Methow Valley News, Methow Valley, Washington, June 4, 2003 (Carol Stull)  "Grandmothers walk through valley on Great American Journey"

The Independent, Chewelah, WA, June 19, 2003  "Walkers set distant destination"

Priest River Times, Priest River, Idaho,  July 9, 2003  (Suzy Sterner)  "Trio blazes trail across America"

The Newport Miner, Newport, WA, July 16, 2003 (Mike Denuty)  "Walking Across America"

Montana News, Billings Montana, August 25, 2003 (Donald) Christian Internet News

Billings Gazette, Billings, Montana, August 26, 2003 (James Hagengruber)  "Religious trio heading to Key West on foot"   (Also published in the Internet version.)

Paso Robles Gazette, August 29, 2003 (Anne Quinn)  "A closer Walk with thee / Paso woman on 4,500-mile walk of faith / They expect to end their journey in Key West. Florida by May 26, 2004"

The Sheridan Press, Sheridan, Wyoming, September 12, 2003 (Pat Blair)  "They're walking and praying across America"

Sand Hills Express Internet News, Broken Bow, Nebraska,  October 29, 2003,   "Three California women began walking from Washington State diagonally across the United States all the way to the tip of Florida . . ."

Custer County Chief, Broken Bow, Nebraska, October 30, 2003 (Kerri Rempp)  "Women walking across nation"  Printer paper version and Online Edition. (Click here for Custer County Chief article)

Franklin County Chronicle, Franklin, Nebraska, November 11, 2003,  "It Was A 50 Year Dream That I Am Living Now"

Salina Journal, Salina, Kansas, November 15, 2003 (Sharon Montague.) "Women pray as they walk ... Yearlong walk takes them from Florida to Washington state"

The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, California, November 19, 2003, (Larissa VanBeurden) "WITH PRAYERS, SHE WALKS/ Paso woman endures snow, snakes and soreness in her 4,500-mile journey to spread goodwill." This was the Lead Article on the FRONT page of the Tribune, covering about 1/3 of the FRONT page, plus about 1/4 of page 6 where it was continued. The story was also put on their On-Line Edition, and was posted on the Associated Press Wire Service. (Click here for The Tribune article)

The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, California, December 12, 2003, (Larissa VanBeurden)  "Paso Robles Grandmother hiking across U.S. . . . 4,500-mile trek with granddaughter, friend spreads prayer message."  (A reprint of the San Luis Obispo Tribune article.)

Nevada (Missouri) Daily News, December 24, 2003, "The 50-year dream becomes reality"  (Click here for the Nevada Daily Mail article)

Almaden Times Weekly, San Jose, California, January 8, 2004, ( Kymberli Brady)  . "A journey of reflection . . . Almaden woman embarks on “The Great American Journey"  This is an interview and story about Joni (Joan) Balog, and their Almaden resident walking across America.  (Click here for Almaden Times article)  (Almaden Times article, page 2)

The Baxter Bulletin, Baxter County, Arkansas, January 29, 2004, (Frank Wallis).. "Prayer-walk goes through here enroute to The Sunshine State" (Click here for the Baxter Bulletin article)

Almaden Times Weekly, San Jose, California, February 19, 2004, ( Kymberli Brady)  . "Injuries and RV repairs can't stop The Great American Journey  (Click here for Almaden Times Weekly 2/19/04)

The News, Salem, Arkansas, March 4, 2004 (George Jared) "Women walk across America to pray for nation"- (Click here for Salem News article)

 Clay County Courier, Corning, Arkansas, March 4, 2004 (Jim McIntosh). "Great American Journey winds through Corning"

Piggott Times, Piggott, Arkansas, March 17, 2004 (Carla Wagster) "The Great American Journey: praying and walking for America"  - (Click here for Piggott Times article)

The Union City Messenger, Union City, Tennessee, March 18, 2004 (Chris Menees) "Cross country prayer walk passes through Obion County" -  (Click here for Union City Messenger article)

Jackson Sun, Jackson, Tennessee, March 20, 2004 (Wendy Isom).  "Cross-country walkers come to Jackson: Pair use power of prayer at every stop of journey"  - (Click here for Jackson Sun article)

Chester County Independent, Henderson, TN, April 1, 2004 (Mary Mount) Printed version of story: "Taking each step a prayer at a time: Women over halfway through cross-country prayer walking journey"  Internet version of story (March 31, 2004):    "Women undertake prayer walking journey" - (Click here for Chester County Independent 3/31/2004)  (Lead-in for article)

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo, MS, April 2, 2004 (Errol Castens) "Great American Journey" - (Click here for Tupelo Daily Journal article)

Amory Advertiser, Amory, MS, April 7, 2004 (Chris Wilson) "American Journey stops in Amory.  Women pray for communities across the U.S."

Lamar Leader, Sulligent, AL, April 14, 2004 (Keith Bryson) "The Great American Journey" Passes Through Sulligent Area   (Interviewed April 3, 2004)

Lamar Democrat, Vernon, AL, Interviewed April 7, 2004 (Howard Reeves)

Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloosa, AL, April 12, 2004 (Markeshia Ricks)  "Going the extra mile, Friends have walked more than 3,000 miles for God"  (Click here for Tuscaloosa News 4/12/2004)

The Clanton Advertiser, Clanton, AL, April 21, 2004  (Scott Mims) "'Great American Journey' winds through Chilton County"  -  (Click here for Clayton (TN) Advertiser 4/21/04)

New Times, San Luis Obispo, CA, April 22, 2004, (Abraham Hyatt) "Questions for Lyn Hanush, Paso Robles resident who is walking and praying her way across the country."

Eufaula Times, Eufaula, AL, May 5, 2004

The Tallassee Tribune, Tallassee, AL, May 6, 2004, (Bill Moseley) "California walkers motivated by 9/11, faith"

The Wetumpka Herald, Wetumpka, AL, May 11, 2004 (Peggy Blackburn)  "Cross-country walkers make stop in Wetumpka"  (Click here for the  Wetumpka Herald  5/11/2004)

Leesburg Press, Leesburg, Georgia

The Albany Journal, Albany, GA, May 13, 2004, (Sissi Garvey )  "The Great American Journey is a walk of Remembrance, Hope, Unity and Prayer for Our Nation"

The Moultrie Observer, Moultrie, GA, May 19, 2004 (John Mercer) "WALKING ACROSS AMERICA"

TELEVISION COVERAGE

Fox News, Channel 6, Billings. Montana, August 25, 2003

ABC News, Channel 7, WBBJ-TV, Jackson, TN, March 20, 2004

"Great Day Tuscaloosa", WDGM, Tuscaloosa, AL, April 13, 2004, Michelle Glenn

NBC News at 6:00, Channel 10, WALB-TV, Albany, GA, May 11, 2004, Kathryn Simmons (Click here for WALB-TV internet article, 5/11/2004)