By CHRIS HARRIS, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
When you’ve been walking all the way across the country, over mountains, plains, fields and streams, it doesn’t seem as if little Somerset, Ky., would present much of a challenge.You’d be wrong.
A reporter encountered Mr. Al Slusser on the steps of the Pulaski County Courthouse Friday afternoon, as the gentleman found himself a bit lost. He was trying to locate the post office — which is on North Maple Street, as any Somerset denizen knows, though Slusser didn’t because he’s from Cottonwood, Arizona.That’s unremarkable in itself. What is remarkable is how he got here — he came to town on foot.
At a spry 71 years of age, Slusser is the oldest man to attempt the feat of walking coast-to-coast across the country. He knows. He’s checked into it.
He drags along a cart containing the bare necessities — food, clothes, camping gear — and wears a hat to shield his face from the brutal July sun. Along the way, he’s collected a number of signed cards, representing the different towns in which he’s stopped, as well as a good deal of media attention — google the name “Al Slusser,” and you’ll find a handful of articles on the man’s incredible journey.
“I’m fulfilling my personal dream and also encouraging others to do the same — to fulfill their dreams, whatever they are,” said Slusser.
Slusser started his trek out in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, on the shores of San Diego, California. He plans to hoof it all the way to Virginia — somewhere around the Virginia Beach area, most likely — and end his walk in the mighty Atlantic.
The trip has taken six months so far, after a three-month break for family illness reasons. He originally set out on October 1, 2009, then returned to Arizona, and set out again on February 7 of this year — his birthday. To commemorate turning 71, Slusser continued eastward.
The mileage from San Diego to Virginia Beach, according to distance-calculator.globefeed.com, is just over 2,336 miles (apparently as the crow flies). Factor in some detours, and the walk might be a bit more than that for Slusser. He stated that he’d like to head up to Washington D.C. to “pray for the nation” on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building.
He estimates that it will take another two months or so to finish the trip, a dream of his since he was only 18 years old.
“After I graduated from high school, I walked and hitchhiked around the state of Michigan,” said Slusser. “Around that time, I remember thinking I’d like to walk from sea to shining sea.”
A patriotic thought appropriate for this Fourth of July holiday, to be sure, but one that stayed in Slusser’s head for many years — “but I never thought I’d be 71 when I did it,” he quipped.
He’s retired now, as a private school administrator and for a while, a vocational rehabilitation specialist, helping the elderly and disabled receive training and get new jobs.
It was those same disabled folks and senior citizens who inspired Slusser, and he said he’s dedicated this walk to them.
“I talked to many of the clients I worked with, and they said they’d love to do this, but couldn’t because of their health or disabilities,” said Slusser, “and I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to do this for all of you.’”
He didn’t really “train,” he said, but he did prepare by walking 10 to 15 miles a day for eight months, as well as going to the gym.
“You have to be in good shape for something like this,” he said. That’s especially true because of the cart he lugs around with him wherever he goes. “It’s 145 pounds when fully loaded, so that makes it an extra challenge, especially on the hills.”
The weather has also been a challenge. Slusser recalls a storm he encountered near Roswell, NM — don’t blame the UFOs — which blew away his tent and sleeping bag. The rain turned quickly to snow, and hypothermia became a real threat to Slusser’s life.
“The good Lord told me, “I gave you a brain; now use it,’” said Slusser, who responded by calling 911. Responders picked him up and took him somewhere to stay indoors. (He doesn’t always camp out; here in Somerset, Slusser stayed at the Regency Inn on South U.S. 27).
Even close to Somerset, Slusser’s trip has proved interesting. On Thursday, Slusser came past Russell Springs in Russell County when he encountered an automobile accident — which happened right before his eyes. As he understands it, a semi-truck was trying to pass a car when the accident occurred. Slusser helped the victims out of the wreckage and called 911, attending to those who needed help on the scene.
He carries on the habit of visiting the mayors or other local officials in the towns where he stops along the way and asked them to sign their name on a card, which he keeps and collects.
“I had the mayor of Somerset (Eddie Girdler) sign a card,” said Slusser. “It’s just a signature which validates that walked through the town. Normally, (officials) give me a city seal or a lapel pin or something like that.”
Don’t expect Slusser to truck it all the way back to Arizona on foot once he reaches the East Coast; he figures he’ll take the train back. That doesn’t mean he expects to be worn out, though.
“Probably not,” he said when asked if he’d be exhausted by the end of the trip. “I’m in pretty good shape.”
And in case you’re wondering, Slusser finally found the post office here in Somerset — with a little assistance from a friendly local reporter.
