Information about States

GREAT AMERICAN JOURNEY

Review of States

(As originally appeared in Foot Prints Newsletters by Lyn Hanush)

The various states along the Great American Journey route were featured in issues of Foot Prints newsletter for several months. These are excerpts from those issues.

Our 15 state listing with the approximate times for each state is shown below. Keep in mind that these times are tentative and depend on many things. (I have estimated mileage for each state along the tentative route and worked out the number of days planned at 15 miles a day, five and a half days a week – this allows for sightseeing and visiting people we meet.)

	1) Washington -- 5/12/03 to 6/15;
	2) Idaho -- 6/16 to 6/22;
	3) Montana -- 6/23 to 8/17;
	4) Wyoming -- 8/18 to 9/4;
	5) South Dakota -- 9/5 to 9/18;
	6) Nebraska -- 9/19 to 10/25;
	7) Kansas 10/26 to 11/30;
	8) Missouri – (part A)- 12/1 to 12/22;
	Time off for Christmas 12/23 to 12/28;
	9) Arkansas -- 12/29/03 to 1/14/04;
	10) Missouri -- (part B) -- 1/15 to 1/22;
	11) Kentucky -- 1/23 to 1/27;
	12) Tennessee – 1/28 to 2/8;
	13) Mississippi -- 2/9 to 2/23;
	14) Alabama -- 2/24 to 3/20;
	15) Georgia – 3/21 to 4/6;
	16) Florida -- 4/7 to 5/26/2004

You’ll notice there are really only 15 states we go through, but we go through parts of Missouri two different times – that’s just the way our route turns.

We still gladly welcome any who wish to join us for portions of the walk. Please note – you will need to make your own lodging arrangements and pay your own expenses, such as camp and food costs, etc.

We have GAJ United States map magnets available. These have our route through the states marked with beginning and ending dates for the walk, our website information, and phone number. You can put this on your refrigerator to remind you to think about our team, pray for us, and check on how we’re doing. If you’d like one of these red, white and blue reminders phone, write or e-mail me.

**********************************************

Contributions to this walk may be made throughout the time of the GAJ payable to "Seek Him First Ministries". A receipt will be mailed to you at the end of the year.

WASHINGTON

We expect to walk approximately 393 miles through Washington taking about 26 days, from May 12 to June 15, 2003.

Some interesting facts about this state:

	Admitted to Statehood November 11, 1889 as our 42^nd state;
	Nickname – The Evergreen State;
	Population – 5,894,121;
	Capital – Olympia;
	Highest point – 14,411 foot Mount Rainier;
	Lowest point – 5 feet below sea level at Ebey Island in Snohomish County;
	State Bird -- Willow Goldfinch;
	State Flower – Pink Rhododendron;
	State Tree – Western Hemlock;
	Song – Washington, My Home;
	Motto – Bye and Bye.

Washington is a land of snow-capped peaks that stretch high into the sky. We should be able to find plenty of opportunities for adventure as we tour this great state. Our walk will begin at the Peace Arch, which commemorates the friendship between the US and Canada, in the northern corner of Washington just above Blaine where our 1993 walk ended. We’ll work our way down through Bellingham on roads that parallel Hwy I-5 until we get to State Hwy 20. We’ll be on Hwy 20 across the state as we wind through the North Cascades. We may be able to be on trails some through here. I have driven this route and I can tell you it is BEAUTIFUL! Perhaps we‘ll have time to hike some short trails into the Cascades -maybe along the Pacific Crest Trail a bit. We’ll have lakes and rivers along the way, and can probably take a day off to visit the Grand Coulee Dam about 60 miles off our route. Following Hwy 20 through Kettle Falls we turn south to Colville where we leave Hwy 20 for awhile to walk along Hwy 395 into Chewelah. (By the way, whenever possible we’ll walk on side roads and trails.) In Chewelah we’ll get to visit my young-older sis and her family, and maybe some or all of them will join us for awhile. From Chewelah we head east and soon join Hwy 20 again as we continue into Idaho.

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. – T. S. Eliot

IDAHO

This narrow part of Idaho will only be 56 miles and will take about 4 days, from June 16 to June 22, 2003.

Interesting Facts:

	Admitted to statehood July 3, 1890 as the 43^rd state;
	Nickname – Gem State;
	Population – 1,293,953;
	Capital – Boise;
	Highest point – 12,662 foot Borah Peak;
	Lowest point –The Snake River at 710 feet;
	State Bird – Mountain Bluebird;
	State Flower – Syringa;
	State Tree – Western White Pine;
	Song – Here We Have Idaho;
	Motto – It is Forever.

Idaho is a state of breathtaking scenery with numerous unspoiled wilderness areas. If you’re tired of smog and noise, Idaho is the place to be. Our route takes us through a narrow portion of the state along a large river. We’ll be close to many lakes and recreation areas and may be able to take time for a side trip or two. If you want to walk just a few days with lots of good scenery, this just might be the place.

Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see. – Anonymous

MONTANA

We have 657 miles of Montana to walk through -- about 44 days, scheduled for June 23 to August 17, 2003. I’ve actually added in some flexible time for Montana since we will be walking through National Forests quite a bit, and I hope to take side trips to both Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. We may wait until Wyoming to visit Yellowstone, but I’ll count the time here just in case.

Some interesting facts about this state:

	Admitted to Statehood November 8, 1889 as the 41^st state;
	Nickname – Treasure State (also known as the Big Sky Country);
	Population – 902,195;
	Capital – Helena;
	Highest point – Granite Peak at 12,799 feet;
	Lowest point – Kootenai River at 1800 feet;
	State Bird – Western Meadowlark;
	State Flower – Bitterroot;
	State Tree – Ponderosa Pine;
	State Song – Montana;
	Motto – Oro y Plata Gold and Silver;
	Economy: Agriculture – cattle, wheat, barley, sugar beets, hay, hogs. Industry – mining, lumber and wood products, food processing and tourism..

Montana is home to an abundance of wildlife such as: grizzly bears, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose and bald eagles. We’ll see rolling hills, river valleys, deserts, peaks and plains as we walk along.

We enter Montana in the Cabinet Mountains and into a different time zone. We will find ourselves at an elevation of over 6,500 feet. Our walk continues through beautiful forests, past lakes and rivers, through an Indian Reservation, past the Moiese National Bison Range, more lakes and mountains and finally out onto the vast plains of Montana. Our path will take us down through the Crow Indian Reservation where we’ll take time to consider the Little Bighorn Battlefield area. From there we head down into Wyoming.

WYOMING

Our walk through Wyoming will cover about 212 miles in 14 days, plus we’ll add a few flex days for visiting local events and sights. We expect to be in Wyoming in late August and early September.

Interesting facts about Wyoming:

	Admitted to Statehood July 10, 1890 as the 44^th state;
	Nickname – Equality State;
	Population – 493,782;
	Capital – Cheyenne;
	Highest point – Gannett Peak at 13,804 feet;
	Lowest point – Belle Fourche River at 3,099 feet;
	State Bird – Western Meadowlark;
	State Flower – Indian Paintbrush;
	State Tree – Cottonwood;
	State Song – Wyoming;
	Motto – Equal rights;
	Economy: Agriculture – Cattle, sugar beets, sheep, hay, wheat. Industry – Mining, chemical products, lumber and wood products, printing and publishing, machinery, tourism.

We enter Wyoming just east of the Bighorn National Wilderness Area – perhaps we’ll take some time to explore this wilderness a bit.

We will be east of the Continental Divide which bisects this state along the jagged spine of the Rockies.

Continuing south and east we’ll walk through Thunder Basin National Grassland heading for the southwest corner of South Dakota. In the Thunder Basin Grassland area we should see many sheep and cattle grazing. This area is also home to the world’s largest herds of pronghorns.

In some of our flex time we might enjoy horseback riding, or maybe a rodeo or two.

Temperatures should be in the 70's and 80's most days and 40's and 50's at night.

We leave Wyoming just east of Mule Creek Jct. and enter South Dakota along Hwy.18.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Here we’ll walk through just a small corner of South Dakota – about 77 miles and 5 days, about September 5 to September 18. We will have a few extra days of flex time here as well.

Interesting facts:

	Admitted to Statehood November 2, 1889 as the 40^th state;
	Nickname – Mount Rushmore State;
	Population – 754,844;
	Capital – Pierre;
	Highest point – Harney Peak at 7,242 feet;
	Lowest point – Big Stone Lake at 962 feet;
	State bird – Ring-necked Pheasant;
	State flower – Pasque Flower;
	State tree – Black Hills Spruce;
	State song – Hail, South Dakota;
	Motto – Under God the people rule;
	Economy: Agriculture – Cattle, hogs, wheat, soybeans, milk, corn. Industry – Food processing, machinery, lumber and wood products, tourism.

In South Dakota we hope to take time to see Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and the Crazy Horse Memorial (a work in progress). Also Custer State Park has some spectacular geological formations and one of our nation’s largest herds of bison (around 1500 of them). This is a beautiful state and we will be walking just south of some of the most beautiful portions. Our flex time will allow us to enjoy the beauty and natural wonders of this state.

NEBRASKA

We plan to walk about 429 miles through Nebraska in about 29 days, about September 19 to October 25. As in each of the states we’ll have flex-days to allow for weather and other unforseen circumstances or activities.

Interesting facts about Nebraska:

	Admitted to Statehood March 1, 1867 as the 37^th state;
	Nickname – Cornhusker State;
	Population – 1,711,263
	Capital – Lincoln;
	Highest point – Panorama Point at 5,424 feet;
	Lowest point – Missouri River at 480 feet;
	State Bird – Western Meadowlark;
	State Flower – Goldenrod;
	State Tree – Eastern Cottonwood;
	State Song – Beautiful Nebraska;
	Motto – Equality before the law;
	Economy: Agriculture – Cattle, corn, hogs, soybeans, wheat, sorghum. Industry – Food processing, printing and publishing, machinery, electric equipment.

We enter Nebraska east of the Oglala National Grasslands. We’ll go south to the Chadron area, then east towards Rushville. We head south again to the Smith Lake State Wildlife Area. We’ll be near quite a few lakes between here and Stapleton as we head southeast. We’ll also be near the Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area further east. We pass near the town of Worms going east, then head south to the other side of Interstate 80 and continue south into Kansas.

Temperatures during the time we’re in Nebraska should range from 66 to 81 during the day, and 33 to 56 at night.

Nebraska’s rich soil yields bountiful crops of corn and wheat. Cattle graze throughout the state. Prairie lands still abound. There are 23,000 miles of waterways and about 250 public lakes. There are great places for canoeing, boating, swimming, water skiing and tubing. Fishing is available also, as well as wind-surfing, sailing and even scuba diving.

Besides the many water sports available, there are also opportunities for mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking. Come join us as we walk through this great state.

KANSAS

Continuing our writing about the states we’ll be walking through, the next featured state will be Kansas. -- October 26 to November 30: We plan to walk about 407 miles through this state. As in each of the states we’ll have flex-days to allow for weather and other unforseen circumstances or activities.

We enter Kansas near the Lovewell Reservoir and Lovewell State Park and continue south for awhile to the Beloit area. Then we head east to Clay Center. We’ll be north of Abilene and could take a side trip there to see the Eisenhower Center and other points of interest. Then it’s on to Randolph and soon we’ll cross through Tuttle Creek State Park and across Tuttle Creek Lake. At Westmoreland we begin to drop down to the south again, going through Wamego and continuing south over Federal Highway 40 which leads to Topeka. We’ll continue our southward trend through Alma and on to where we’ll connect with the Santa Fe Trail. Weather and circumstances permitting we’ll follow that for awhile, maybe as far as Baldwin City. From there we work our way down to Garnett, then continue east to Trading Post and the border into Missouri.

Here are a few things Kansas can show us: Amber waves of grain – rippling wheat dancing in the wind across the vast prairie lands; covered wagon or stagecoach rides along with cowboy shootouts; the Yellow Brick Road that leads to a replica of Dorothy’s house where she lived with her dog, Toto; and the Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center, home of the world’s largest collection of space suits.

I’ve heard Kansans say that they like living in Kansas because there’s nothing to block the view. It will be interesting to see what views we will have as we walk through this state heading to our destination still six months ahead of us.

Interesting facts about Kansas:

Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, was a native of Kansas. Pizza Hut came into existence first in this state. Local inventions were the autopilot, the helicopter and the O’Henry candy bar.

The winds that blow fields of grain and flowers also seem to blow in ideas, visions and dreams. This is where "The Wizard of Oz" was dreamed up.

Along the northeastern border of Kansas flows the great Missouri River. The Arkansas River wends its way through much of the state, and there are also a great many lakes throughout the state.

Did you know that it once was illegal to serve ice cream on cherry pie in Kansas? Of course we all know that Wild Bill Hickok, Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson are a part of the history of this state.

State Facts:

	Admitted to Statehood January 29, 1861as the 34^th state;
	Nickname – Sunflower State;
	Population – 2,688,418
	Capital – Topeka;
	Highest point – Mt. Sunflower at 4039 feet;
	Lowest point – Verdigris River at 680 feet;
	State Bird – Western Meadowlark;
	State Flower – Sunflower;
	State Tree – Cottonwood;
	State Song – Home on the Range;
	Motto – Ad astra per aspera (To the stars through difficulties);
	Economy: Agriculture – Cattle, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, hogs, corn - Industry – Transportation equipment, food processing, printing and publishing, chemical products, machinery, apparel, petroleum, mining.

Temperatures during the time we’re in Kansas should range from 24 to 72. Winds blow across this state throughout the year, so we may experience quite a wind chill factor in the time of year we’ll be here.

We can expect to meet hardworking, interesting people during our time in Kansas. Come join us as we walk through.

MISSOURI

Missouri – 12/1 to 12/22 & 1/15 to 1/22: We plan to walk about 256 miles in December, then through another part of this state after Arkansas. The second portion will be about 81 miles. As in each of the states we’ll have flex–days to allow for weather and other unforseen circumstances or activities. Weather could indeed be a concern during this time of year. Temperatures at the time we’re in Missouri should range from 17 (brrrrr) to 46. We will take our break for Christmas at Branson, Missouri.

We enter Missouri the first time near Amoret and head toward Butler and Montrose. Soon we’ll head south towards Bolivar and east to Lebanon. Now south again between sections of the Mark Twain National Forest, and we’ll exit into Arkansas just south of Gainesville, MO. Then after our trek through Arkansas we again enter Missouri in the southeast corner of the state near the small town of Holcomb. We head north and east to exit into Kentucky near Dorena, MO.

Interesting facts about Missouri:

Lewis & Clark blazed a footpath across this state in 1804 on their great expedition to explore the west. This state is, of course, the birthplace of the 33^rd president of the United States, Harry S. Truman. Most of us remember the recent floods of 1993 that did so much damage to the river towns along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Then, for all you baseball fans, 1998 was the year that the St. Louis Cardinals’ Mark McGwire set a record of 70 home runs in a regular season.

Missouri is host to some beautiful underground caverns. Through this state run the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails, as well as the sad steps of the Cherokees along the Trail of Tears near Cape Girardeau. The short-lived pony express was once headquartered in St. Joseph.

State Facts:

	Admitted to Statehood August 10, 1821 as the 24^th state;
	Nickname – Show Me State;
	Population – 5,595,211;
	Capital – Jefferson City;
	Highest point – Taum Sauk Mountain at 1772 feet;
	Lowest point – Saint Francis River at 230 feet;
	State Bird – Bluebird;
	State Flower – Hawthorn;
	State Tree – Flowering Dogwood;
	State Song – Missouri Waltz;
	Motto – Salus populi suprema lex esto (The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law)
	Economy: Agriculture – Cattle, soybeans, hogs, dairy products, corn, poultry and eggs; Industry – Transportation equipment, food processing, chemical products, electric equipment, fabricated metal products.

ARKANSAS

Arkansas – 12/29/03 to 1/14/04: We’ll be walking about 165 miles in the northern part of the state. We can expect temperature ranges from 29 to 57 – a little warmer than our Missouri travels.

We enter Arkansas between two large lake areas, and head east to cross over Norfork Lake into Henderson. Continuing on we pass through Salem, Ozark Acres, Pocahontas, Corning, and exit Arkansas just east of Piggott.

Arkansas boasts the only public diamond mine in the country (Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro), where visitors may keep what they find. This state is often called the Diamond State because of such diamond finds as the 40–carat Uncle Sam, the 16–carat Amarillo Starlight, the 34–carat Star of Murfreesboro and the 15–carat Star of Arkansas. Since Murfreesboro is in the southwestern part of the state, we’ll not likely get there.

For those of us who are Wal Mart fans, we’ll probably not get to Rogers, AR either. Rogers is where Sam Walton opened the first Wal Mart store in 1962. This is in the northwestern part of the state.

Between 1673 and 1881 there was plenty of controversy over the spelling and pronunciation of Arkansas. When Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette explored the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers the name appeared as Akansea in their journal. In 1680 Rene-Robert Cavelier La Salle recorded the name as Acansa. On still another map in 1722 the territory was listed as Arkansas, then later yet it was spelled Arkansaw. Finally in 1881 the General Assembly passed a resolution that the state name be spelled Arkansas, but pronounced Arkansaw. The capital (Little Rock) got its name from a small green rock which Benard de la Harpe proclaimed "la petite roche".

Fishing, birdwatching, boating, swimming, water skiing, scuba diving are all popular water sports in Arkansas. Other popular sports are hiking, mountain biking, and spelunking.

State Facts:

	Admitted to Statehood June 15, 1836 as the 25^th state;
	Nickname – The Natural State;
	Population – 2,673,400;
	Capital – Little Rock;
	Highest Point – Magazine Mountain at 2753 feet;
	Lowest Point – Ouachita River at 55 feet;
	State Bird – Mockingbird;
	State Flower – Apple Blossom;
	State Tree – Pine;
	State Song +++ – Arkansas and Oh, Arkansas;
	Motto – Regnat populus (The people rule);
	Economy: Agriculture – Poultry and eggs, soybeans, sorghum, cattle, cotton, rice, hogs, milk; Industry – Food processing, electric equipment, fabricated metal products, machinery, paper products, bromine, vanadium..

KENTUCKY

Continuing our writing about the states we’ll be walking through, the next featured state will be Kentucky. This name is based on the Iroquois Indian word "Ken-tah-ten," meaning "land of tomorrow."

Kentucky – 1/23 to 1/27: Entering into Kentucky at Hickman in the southwest corner of the state, we’ll have a mere nine miles to walk in this state. However, since it is the state of my father and some of his ancestors I have allotted several days to do some family exploration. I’m hoping that some of my brothers and sisters will join me here to visit some of the family home places together. Most of them have already been to Kentucky to do this, so they could help me find these places easier. Our family history is rooted in Owens County in the northeastern part of the state, so this will be a side trip from the walk (about a 300 mile detour). We can expect temperatures in Kentucky to range from 24 to 43 in the time we’ll be there.

Three specific things about Kentucky –

1. It was an early passageway to the west as settlers traveled through Cumberland Gap’s Appalachian mountain pass to reach the vast interior. Dr. Thomas Walker led the first documented expedition through the Gap in 1750. Then in 1769 Daniel Boone passed through the Gap to begin settling the Bluegrass region. Between 1775 and 1810 more than 200,000 people passed through on their way to new territory, leaving behind their familiar world. The Cumberland Gap area is now a national park – it is located along the southeast border of Kentucky. The Daniel Boone National Forest is home to narrow valleys that are dotted with ancient, erosion-carved rock arches. This includes Sky Bridge, a natural arch that stretches 75 feet atop a lofty ridge that overlooks the Red River Gorge.

2. Kentucky is also home to numerous caves. Mammoth Cave has 350 miles of explored passageways, and is in the record books as the world’s largest cave system.. The nearby town of Horse Cave is home to Kentucky Caverns with intricate onyx formations.

3. For a good look into the past check out My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown. Featured here is a mansion that inspired Stephen Foster to write "My Old Kentucky Home" in 1853. Did you know that in 1809 Abraham Lincoln was born in the town of Hodgenville, KY? Of course, who could forget that Colonel Sanders created his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices in his Corbin, KY restaurant? This state has been home to the famous Kentucky Derby for over 125 years. And, for you corvette fans, the one millionth Corvette came off the assembly line in 1992 at Bowling Green.

Hiking is a big thing in Kentucky where the term, "riding shank’s mare" simply means heading out on foot. I guess you could say we’ll be "riding shank’s mare" all the way across the USA. There are over 500 miles of developed forest trails in Kentucky.

I think we’ll make good use of the extra time in this state either before or after walking our nine miles. There’s much to see and do.

State Facts:

	Admitted to Statehood June 1, 1792 as the 15^th state;
	Nickname – Bluegrass State;
	Population – 4,041,769;
	Capital – Frankfort;
	Highest point – Black Mountain at 4,145 feet;
	Lowest point – Mississippi River at 257 feet;
	State Bird –Cardinal;
	State Flower – Goldenrod;
	State Tree – Tulip Tree;
	+ State Song – My Old Kentucky Home +;
	Motto – United we stand, divided we fall;
	Economy: Agriculture – Horses, cattle, tobacco, dairy products, hogs, soybeans, corn; Industry – Transportation equipment, chemical products, electric equipment, machinery, food processing, tobacco products, coal, tourism .

TENNESSEE

Tennessee - 1/28 TO 2/8/04 - 123 Miles – Dave may join me in this state to celebrate together our 44^th wedding anniversary – February 6. We’ve figured we only need eight days to walk through this state and we’ve allowed fifteen, so that should give us some time off to celebrate Tennessee style.

Let’s take a look at some of the facts I’ve come up with about Tennessee. In 1866 it was the first Confederate state to re-enter the Union after the Civil War. The Grand Ole Opry (originally the WSM Barn Dance) began here in 1925.

My sources for Tennessee tell us to slow down, relax, and enjoy tranquil mountain vistas, elegant Southern mansions and pioneer settlements where history is relived on a daily basis. Walking all this distance has put us in the slow lane already, so maybe we’ll be able to take a side excursion to Savannah and nearby Shiloh National Military Park in the southwest part of the state where an 1862 Civil War battlefield is preserved. It sits along the now peaceful Tennessee River, but it once had about 110,000 soldiers engaged in fierce combat. Now there are rows of simple white headstones and historical markers to remind us of those two days in April of 1862.

Lynchburg is quite a bit east of where we’ll be, but an interesting bit of information from there concerns the Jack Daniels Distillery. They’ve been producing their whiskey there since 1866, but it is in a dry county so when going through this distillery a glass of lemonade is offered at the end of the tour. Unfortunately most of the places suggested by my source are in the middle and eastern parts of the state, and we’ll be in the western regions. A side trip to Nashville 132 miles away might be possible from where we connect with a major highway that leads to this city -- home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as well as the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland among other places of interest. I do believe our route will give us some wonderful, less known but intriguing places as well.

State Facts:

	Admitted to Statehood June 1, 1796 as the 16^th state;
	Nickname – Volunteer State;
	Population – 5,689,283;
	Capital – Nashville;
	Highest point – Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet;
	Lowest point – Mississippi River at 182 feet;
	State Bird – Mockingbird;
	State Flower – Iris;
	State Tree – Tulip Tree;
	+ * State Songs – The Tennessee Waltz; Tennessee, My Homeland; Tennessee; When It’s Iris Time in Tennessee; My Tennessee; and Rocky Top +;
	Motto – Agriculture and Commerce;
	Economy: Agriculture – Soybeans, cotton, tobacco, livestock and livestock products, dairy products, and cattle. - Industry – Chemicals, transportation equipment, rubber, and plastics.

* Six state songs – I guess they just couldn’t make up their minds, or maybe they didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi – 2/9/04 TO 2/239/04 – 136 MILES. This is one of four states on our route that I’ve not been in before. The other three are: Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida.

MISSISSIPPI FACTS

	Admitted to Statehood December 10, 1817 as the 20^thstate;
	Nickname – Magnolia State;
	Population – 2,844,658;
	Capital – Jackson;
	Highest point – Woodall Mountain at 806 feet;
	Lowest point – Gulf Coast at sea level;
	State Bird – Mockingbird;
	State Flower – Magnolia;
	State Tree – Magnolia;
	+ State Song – Go Mis-sis-sip-pi +;
	Motto – Virtute et armis (By valor and arms);
	Economy: Agriculture – Soybeans, cotton, poultry, cattle, dairy products, rice and catfish; Industry – Apparel, furniture, lumber and wood products, food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment.

From my list of facts about Mississippi we see that in 1902 President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt was on a hunting expedition in Sharkey County. He refused to shoot a captured bear and this resulted in the creation of the now world-famous teddy bear.

Did you know that Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, MS on January 8, 1935? We’ll be about 25 miles from there should anyone just have to see his birthplace. ((((((((((

Here’s a good one – In 1884 at Phil Gilbert’s Shoe Parlor in Vicksburg the first pairs of shoes (right and left foot) were sold in boxes. Another Vicksburg first was Mrs. Mamie Thomas as the first woman rural mail carrier in the United States, delivering by buggy to the area southeast of the town in 1914.

Did you know that our Memorial Day celebration was born in this state? On April 25, 1866 when the Civil War had been over for a year, the ladies of Columbus, MS decided to decorate both Confederate and Union soldiers’ graves with beautiful bouquets and garlands of flowers. Memorial Day has become an observance of recognition of all war dead.

Greenwood, MS is home to Norris Bookbinding Company where the largest Bible-binding plant in the nation is located. – Ever wonder where your Stetson came from? John B. Stetson learned and practiced his trade of hat making in Dunn’s Falls near Meridian, MS after the Civil War.

Here’s one I’m sure you were all waiting to hear about – David Harrison of Columbus, MS invented the Soft Toilet Seat. Over 1,000,000 are sold each year! – Also, the first football player on a Wheaties box came from Columbia, MS. It was Walter Payton. – The International Checkers Hall of Fame is in Petal, MS.

More people from Mississippi died in the Civil War than from any other Confederate State – 59,000 of the 78,000 who entered the Confederate military were either dead or wounded at the end of the war.

Here’s a quick list of some little known facts about Mississippi: Pine Sol was invented in 1929 by Jackson native Harry A. Cole, Sr. Belzoni is called the Catfish Capital of the World. Vardaman is known as the Sweet Potato Capital of the World. Greenville is called the Towboat Capital of the World. Root beer was invented in Biloxi in 1898 by Edward Adolf Barq, Sr. Yazoo County is the largest of Mississippi’s 82 counties. Finally, the Mississippi River is the largest in the United States and is the nation’s chief waterway. It’s nicknamed Old Man River.

We’ll be bisecting the Natchez Trace Parkway somewhere between Mantee and Cumberland. This parkway began as an Indian trail more than 8,000 years ago. It extends from Natchez to just south of Nashville, Tennessee, and has now been named as an All American Road by the federal government.

Mississippi is a state of great hospitality; beautiful mansions with columns and verandahs that capture the romance of the Old South; monuments that reveal the noble victories and the crushing defeats of the Civil War; the Delta Blues born in the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta; and finally, it is a state of pristine beauty with a variety of recreational activities to suit anyone.

We’ll be in this state less than two weeks, but we shouldn’t have a lack of things to do. I look forward to meeting the wonderful people of this state and enjoying the many things we’ll be able to see and do.

ALABAMA

Our featured state in this issue is Alabama We’ll walk through this state from February 24 to March 20, 2004 -- approximately 251 miles. This is another of the four states on our route that I’ve not been in before.

State Facts

	Admitted to Statehood December 14, 1819 as the 22nd state;
	Nickname – Yellowhammer State;
	Population – 4,447,100;
	Capital – Montgomery;
	Highest point – Cheaha Mountain at 2407 feet;
	Lowest point – Gulf of Mexico at sea level;
	State Bird – Yellowhammer;
	State Flower – Camellia;
	State Tree – Southern Longleaf Pine;
	+ – State Song – +-- Alabama;
	Motto – We Dare Defend Our Rights;
	Economy: Agriculture – Poultry and eggs, cattle, nursery stock, peanuts, cotton, vegetables, milk, soybeans. Industry – Paper, lumber and wood products, mining, rubber and plastic products, transportation equipment, apparel.

Did you know??? Alabama introduced the Mardi Gras to the western world. – The world’s first Electric Trolley System was introduced in Montgomery in 1886. – Montgomery is the capital and birthplace of the Confederate States of America. – The Confederate flag was designed and first flown in Alabama in 1861. – The town of Enterprise has a Boll Weevil Monument to acknowledge the role this destructive insect played in encouraging farmers to grow crops other than cotton. – Baseball player Hank Aaron was born in Mobile in 1934. – Baseball player Willie Mays was born in Westfield in 1931. – In 1995 Miss Alabama, Heather Whitestone, became the first Miss America chosen with a disability. – The word Alabama means tribal town in the Creek Indian language. – Tallulah Bankhead, a star of stage, screen, and radio during the 1930's to the 1950's was born in Huntsville in 1902 and died in 1968. – Nat King Cole, known as the man with the velvet voice, was born in Montgomery in 1919 and died in 1965. – Alabama resident, Sequoyah, devised the phonetic, written alphabet of the Cherokee language. – The Birmingham Airport opened in 1931. At that time a flight between Birmingham and Los Angeles took 19 hours. – At the Battle of Mobile Bay Admiral David Farragut issued his famous command, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead." This took place on August 5, 1864. Temperatures in Alabama could range between 41 and 69 while we are there.

Here are the projected temperatures for all the states we’ll be walking through at the time we’re there (see state listing with dates on page 2).

	WA – 43 to 80; ID – 44 to 79; MT – 46 to 90;
	WY – 45 to 86; SD – 48 to 77; NE – 33 to 81;
	KS – 24 to 72; MO – 17 to 46; AR – 29 to 57;
	KY – 24 to 43; TN – 29 to 54; MS – 39 to 62;
	AL – 41 to 69; GA – 41 to 78; FL – 56 to 87.

Keep in mind that some of the southern states will have high humidity when we’re there.

GEORGIA

Our featured state in this issue is Georgia. We’ll walk through this state from March 21 to April 6, 2004 -- approximately 205 miles.

State Facts

	Admitted to Statehood January 2, 1788 as the 4th state;
	Nickname – Peach State;
	Population – 8,186,453;
	Capital – Atlanta;
	Highest point – Brasstown Bald at 4784 feet;
	Lowest point – Atlantic Coast at sea level;
	State Bird – Brown Thrasher;
	State Flower – Cherokee Rose;
	State Tree – Live Oak;
	+ – State Song – +-- Georgia On My Mind;
	Motto – Wisdom, justice, and moderation;
	Economy: Agriculture – Poultry and eggs, peanuts, cattle, hogs, dairy products, vegetables. Industry – Textiles and apparel, transportation equipment, food processing, paper products, chemical products, electric equipment, tourism.

Did you know??? – Facts about Georgia Okefenokee Swamp encompasses over 400,000 acres of canals, moss draped cypress trees, and lily pad prairies in Georgia. Okefenokee was derived from an Indian word meaning the trembling earth.

Saint Marys, GA is the second oldest city in the nation. Georgia joined the Confederacy on January 19, 1861.

The first steamship sailed from Georgia across the Atlantic and was named "The City of Savanna".

The largest annual Poultry convention in the world is hosted by Georgia; and in Gainesville, the Chicken Capital of the World, it is illegal to eat chicken with a fork (my favorite).

Stone Mountain near Atlanta is one of the largest single masses of exposed granite in the world. The world’s largest sculpture is located on the face of Stone Mountain. The sculpture is of Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee. Lee’s horse, Traveler, is also carved here.

Georgia is the number one producer of peanuts, pecans, and peaches.

Hawkinsville hosts an annual "Shoot the Bull Barbecue" competition where people enter tasty barbecue concoctions in a famous cook–off. Funds raised benefit the Civitan International Research Center in its search for a cure for Down’s Syndrome and other developmental disabilities.

Georgia, largest state east of the Mississippi River.

For watermelon lovers - Cordele claims to be the watermelon capital of the world.

Here’s an important one for many of us – Coca-Cola was invented in May 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton in Atlanta. His bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, suggested the name and penned it in the flowing script still famous today. It was first sold at a soda fountain in Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta by Willis Venable.

Plains is the home of Jimmy Carter, our 39^th President.

FLORIDA

Our featured state in this issue is FLORIDA. We’ll walk through this state from April 7 to May 26, 2004 – and that will be the end of our walk! Read on to see what makes Florida special . . .

State Facts

	Admitted to Statehood March 3, 1845 as the 27th state;
	Nickname – Sunshine State;
	Population – 15,982,378;
	Capital – Tallahassee;
	Highest point – Britton Hill at 345 feet;
	Lowest point – Atlantic and Gulf Coasts at sea level;
	State Bird – Mockingbird;
	State Flower – Orange Blossom;
	State Tree – Sabal Palmetto;
	+ – State Song – +-- Swanee River;
	Motto – In God We Trust;
	Economy: Agriculture – Citrus, vegetables, nursery stock, cattle, sugarcane, dairy products. Industry – Tourism, electric equipment, food processing, printing and publishing, transportation equipment, machinery.

Did you know??? – Facts about Florida

*Two national parks can be found within the borders of Greater Miami – the pristine Everglades National Park with its great hiking trails and Biscayne National Park with its glass-bottom boat rides.

*Orlando attracts more visitors than any other amusement park destination in the United States.

*Cape Canaveral is, of course, America’s launch pad for space flights.

*Florida is not the southernmost state in the United States – Hawaii is further south.

*Clearwater, FL is the United States city with the highest rate of lightning strikes per capita.

*Gatorade was first developed by the University of Florida Gators – thus the name, Gatorade.

*The first suntan cream was invented in 1944 by Miami Beach pharmacist Benjamin Green. To develop it he cooked cocoa butter in a granite coffee pot on his wife’s stove.

*Key West has the highest average temperature in the United States. (Hmmmm, that’s where we finish our walk on May 26!)

*The Saint John’s River in Florida is one of the few rivers that flows north instead of south.

*Okeechobee Lake is the largest lake in Florida.

*On May 20, 1970 the moonstone was adopted as the official state gem, but it is not found naturally in the state of Florida. It’s not on the moon either, but it is in California. (

*Not surprisingly, the official state reptile is the American alligator.

*The first automated teller machine especially for rollerbladers was installed at a bank in Miami.

*On February 19, 1999 the world’s largest strawberry shortcake was set up in McCall Park at Plant City. It was 827 square feet, and 6,000 lbs.

*Fort Lauderdale has 185 miles of local waterways and has become known as the Venice of America.

*There are two Withlacoochee Rivers in Florida – one in the north central part of the state, and one in central Florida. Except for the name they have nothing in common.

QUIZ TIME

Here are a few questions submitted by Dellie Chapman to see how well you remember the information presented in these State Reviews. Answers are someplace on this webpage. (

1. The name of this journey is:
a) Crossing America b) Walking Across the U. S. c) Great American Journey

2. Mt. Rainier is in:
a) Washington b) Oregon c) California

3. Which state has a narrow part at its northern end?
a) Florida b) Idaho c) Tennessee

4. Montana is known as the:
a) Blue Sky Country b) Grey Sky Country c) Big Sky Country

5. Little Bighorn Battlefield area is in:
a) Montana b) Wyoming c) Idaho

6. The Journey will go:
a) straight north b) diagonally c) southern route

7. Wyoming is bisected by the:
a) snow capped mountains b) extinct volcanos c) Continental Divide

8. South Dakota is known for carved presidents at:
a) Mt. Everest b) Mt. Rushmore c) Mt. Vesuvius

9. A memorial for a famous Indian in South Dakota is:
a) Sitting Bull b) Tonto c) Crazy Horse

10. Nebraska’s capital is:
a) Washington b) Lincoln c) Jefferson

11. Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz" hailed from:
a) Nebraska b) Missouri c) Kansas

12. Missouri is the birthplace of:
a) President Bush b) Harry S. Truman c) Franklin Delano Roosevelt

13. The capital of Arkansas is:
a) Little Rock b) Plymouth Rock c) Granite Rock

14. Which of the following originated in Tennessee?
a) Metropolitan Opry b) Grand Ole Opry c) Carnegie Hall

15. Champion horseracing in Kentucky is known as the
________________ ________________.

16. Kentucky boasts the famous:
a) Dinosaur Caves b) Painted Caves c) Mammoth Caves

17. Georgia is known as the:
a) Apple state b)Pear state c) Peach state

18. ________________ is the last state to be hiked.

19. The Journey will end in:
a) Miami b) Key West c) Key Largo

20. The total number of states on this Journey will be
a) 50 b) 25 c) 15

Home	Contacts	Walk Schedule	State Itinerary
Mileage	State Information	Hiker's Diary	Lyn's Hiking Stories
Team Reviews	Links