Day 1

DATE: January 1

MILES: 20.7

Since I finished up 2010's walk early, I was able to apply what I walked post-goal to the new year. So, I'm off to a rousing start at 20.7 miles. Past the New Orleans airport, and heading west.

Forward in 2011

I have lined up a new destination for 2011's walk. To be revealed -- amid no fanfare -- on January 1.

Day 356

DATE: December 22

MILES: 1,077.1

I'm here, at Lafitte's in the French Quarter. Not only am I nine days ahead of schedule, but I counted 29 days I didn't walk at all. That means I only spent 329 days on the road.

Walking between now and Dec. 31 will count for next year's walk. Where to? Check back Jan. 1.

Day 348

DATE: December 14

MILES: 1,050.8

I'm in the home stretch, now entering the greater New Orleans area.

I've got 26 miles to go, though according to my map-tracking, I seem a lot closer than that to the French Quarter. Over the year, I've been following several pages of walking directions, and there's a good chance I flubbed a turn or two.

In any case, the goal is still 1,077 miles by Dec. 31, so if I have to virtually walk around the block a few times to hit that distance, I'll do so. The good news is, I'm ahead by 6 miles currently, and well on track to hit the bar before New Year's Eve.

Day 323

DATE: Nov. 19

MILES: 977

I'm finally in a town with some history: Purvis, Mississippi -- an important railway depot; the scene of some troublesome tornados and hurricanes; and, in the early 1960s, part of Project Dribble, where the feds set off a couple underground nuclear bombs nearby.

Also, I'm caught up and have just 100 miles to go.

Day 312

DATE: Nov. 8
MILES: 921
On U.S. 11, just south of Sandersville, Mississippi. Nothing to report.

Day 302

DATE: October 29

MILES: 885.1

Now in Mississppi, south of Meridian and just north of Enterprise. On US-11S which is pretty much where I'll be for the next month or so, a straight shot downstate to Louisiana.

Not much on record about Enterprise; seems they had a flood in 1902. (See above.)

I'm also about 20 miles behind, but hoping to close that gap by the end of November.