The Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald caught up with 71-year-old Emory Duick and his quest to walk all of Route 66.
According to the newspaper, Duick had made his way to the Albuquerque area two days ago. He has less than 1,000 miles to go to Santa Monica, and covers about 10 miles a day.
Duick said he has received a heartwarming reception all along the route.
“A lot of people have been empathetic with my cause,” he said. “When you get outside the big city, there’s a friendliness there. There’s an openness there that’s genuine. Here they took it to heart.” […]
Duick said the worst thing that happened to him on the walk was a sciatic nerve attack in Oklahoma City.
“I’m not hurting,” he said. “I just can’t push off. The power isn’t there. I’ve worn three pairs (of sneakers) out and I’m on my fourth pair. I had blistering in the beginning but my feet have toughened up over 1,300 miles. All I can do is take it one day at a time and pray to God to help give me strength to do it.”
Duick said he’s doing the walk to inspire fellow senior citizens to a more active lifestyle. He figures if he can walk 2,300 miles, ordinary folks can squeeze in a little exercise.