Health

Walking Across America: The journey reaches Indiana

Jim Ostdick's trek to raise money for and awareness of local trails and parks hits the 700-mile mark
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San Benito County adventurer Jim Ostdick's walking journey across America reached Indiana this past weekend, during which the intrepid retired teacher surpassed the 700-mile mark, "a big day for this old hiker," he said.

In an email to BenitoLink on Sunday, April 16, Ostdick recalled how a few days prior a "nice couple from Reily, Ohio took me to dinner at a college hangout in Oxford (home of Miami University). Last night a family in my campground invited me over for pork chops and fried potatoes. And today, a teacher and his buddy pulled over and served me a homemade turkey, bacon, and avocado sandwich on a ciabatta roll. I'm eating like a king on this trip!"

Ostdick's journey from Delaware to California is designed to build the R.E.A.C.H. endowment funds and raise awareness about the value of parks and trails.

"I hope the good folks of San Benito County are rallying to make their pledges and to get their friends to do the same," Ostdick said. "In between meals, I'm working hard over here, folks!"

For more information on R.E.A.C.H., click here: http://reachacrossamerica.org/pledge-page

 

Adam Breen

Adam Breen has been a San Benito County resident since 1980 and graduated from Sacred Heart School and San Benito High School before earning a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fresno. A father of two sons, Adam has taught newspaper, English and yearbook at SBHS for the past decade, after six years as a magazine editor for Santa Clara University. He previously was editor of the Hollister Free Lance and content director for BenitoLink.