Merrie Chapman, Truth Staff
Saturday, June 12, 2004

NAPPANEE - Residents will be seeing an unfamiliar face gracing the roadways and bicycle/pedestrian path along U.S. 6 today.

The bright, optimistic smile of Joe Hurley, a retired newspaper columnist from Connecticut, will be seen traveling through the city today.

Hurley describes himself as "an old guy who's going to walk the entire 3,600 miles of Route 6, discovering America foot-by-foot."

His travel through Nappanee will be part of Hurley's ongoing quest to do just that. He is seeking to discover the spirit of America and its people.

There are no hotel reservations on this trip. Hurley relies entirely on friendly, compassionate supporters

whom he meets at each stop to offer him lodging and food.

Hurley began his long walk in March starting in Massachusetts. Since that time he has traveled through six -- Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and now Indiana -- of the 14 states outlined on his goal map.

Today, Hurley will be seen walking into Nappanee from Shipshewana where he visited Friday. He spent the night there after learning about the Mennonites, Hutterites and Amish religions.

During his journey through Nappanee, Hurley will visit Amish Acres Restaurant and Round Barn Theatre located right on U.S. 6. He then plans to continue following the selected route through the trail's end in California.