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.

Day 271

DATE: Sept. 28
MILES: 810.9
Finally got caught up over the weekend. Still in Alabama, west of Tuscaloosa, but just a few miles from crossing into Mississippi, the seventh state on my eight-state journey.

Day 254

DATE: September 11

MILES: 749

I'm just outside Fayette, Alabama, or what the town's website calls "The Souths [sic] Best Kept Secret." There's this enticement: "Fayette enjoys a temperate Southern climate, plenty of fresh air and clean water, and folks who understand the value of hard work. It is an unbeatable combination, one of which we are justifiably proud." Air, water and workers. Also, the city website is for sale.