Email We Receive

           I was very moved by the meeting of Robert and Klondike in Sebring, Florida, as I was so close to having missed that great experience.  I was probably two miles down the road when I decided to at least stop and see if they wanted a break from the walking. Though I only took him from Sebring to Avon Park, I will never forget our time together.  Shaking Roberts’s hand and wishing him well, and getting some kisses from Klondike, is something that I will never forget.

The wife just walked up behind me and I had not mentioned anything to her yet about our meeting.  She asked if this was the guy walking up Hwy 27 with a big backpack and a Husky.  Linda saw him while coming back from taking a friend to the doctors up north.  She commented that she admired a person that would take his dog on the road with him.  What a coincidence, the same person.

Linda and I lived in Michigan and ran a volunteer organization called Adopt-A-Pet. It was like a humane Soc, except that we did not have a kennel. All the animals were kept in volunteers home, called holding homes. For 14 years, we always had 9 to 15 dogs in the house that were looking for good loving homes. We cleaned them up, medicated them, house broke and leash trained them. Linda and I took in mostly the bigger dogs, Great Danes, Shepherds, Collies, Husky, Malamutes, etc. After leaving the organization, Linda still wanted to do something for the animals and tried to volunteer at the Animal Emergency Clinic, but they did not take volunteers because of insurance reasons. But with her vast experience in animals they asked her if she wanted a job. So she worked there for almost 5 years and loved it. Late hours, very few breaks and seldom a lunch, but it was rewarding work. Every walk in an emergency. I have asked her if she would like to work part time at one of the local Vets, but she said that would be too boring.

Because of my parents in Florida having stokes, we became Floridians.  The local Humane Society found out about the work we did up north and wanted to know if we would assist them.  They were in dire straights and struggling to get organized.  Well I got onto the Board of Directors and next thing you know, I am the President of the organization.  We have turned them around and are doing great.  We would like to build a new facility but the funding just is not there.  We are working on that.  We are trying to exert most of our effort on education of the young and getting animals into the convalescent homes to the elderly that can no longer have them by their side.  This is so rewarding as I always delight when a tear comes to their eye, when they pet and hug the animals that we bring in.  My German Shepherd is one that we take the most.  Caesar would love to go but he is still a little too rambunctious.  He loves people and kids but could easily knock an elderly person over just by turning around.  He was the one that was 53 pounds when we took him out of Animal Control.

We have another Harlequin Great Dane (Cinder) She also came out of Animal Control and was 13 months old. We were her 5 owner and she was not housebroken.  Girl the German Shepherd was living under a person’s porch in the winter.  She had 7 pups and one had already frozen to death.  She had also never been in a house or on a leash.  Honey, we lost a couple of weeks ago to old age.  She was a wild dog that we trapped about 8 years ago.  She had a litter 7 feet underground and I dug them out.  We found homes for the pups and kept the mom. She also had never been around people.

So there you have my story, or some of it.  I hope you do not mind me sending all this.  Most of my life I was a Technical Writer, but for pleasure, I write to people.  As you can see I get carried away with it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and God’s speed and guidance to Robert and Klondike.  We will follow his adventure to the north.

John Sbiegay
President, Highlands County Humane Society

Hi! 

            We live in Lake Placid FL, just off Route 27. We moved here from Michigan 9 years ago. My husband Duane Dean saw you on October 18th North of Avon Park. He was taking friends to the airport in Orlando.

            Then on our way to KY to see our son and family, on Oct. 19th, we both saw you and your dog. You were between Avon Park & Lake Wales. I was reading in the back seat of our van, and didn't see you at first, but Duane went around the "block" again so I could see the two of you also. We noticed Klondike is also carrying a back pack. It looks like you both are carrying a heavy load. 

            We are back home in Lake Placid and Duane showed me a local Newspaper article about you tonight.

            We think what you are doing is great! We love the outdoors, and have been to nearly all the places in USA, except Alaska, that you plan to visit. In 1995 we took a 3 month trip & toured the NW & Canada. We visited The Alamo, Algoma plateau in NM, CA Redwoods, took our time going up the coast of OR,

spent lots of time in rain forest of WA & Olympic Park, a week on Vancouver Isl., then hiked to the tea house at Lake Louise, then Banff to see the parade on Canada Day. We loved the NORTH RIM of the Grand Canyon. Be sure to read the book about Bright Angel, the donkey that lived there & it's adventures. We stayed in Clarkston/ Lewiston ID. etc. We skipped the raft ride!

            Several years ago we took the VIA Railroad trip from Toronto Canada to Vancouver, B.C. I was born in Helena MT, so we climbed Mt Helena. Also if you get a chance, visit Lewis & Clark Caves in MT. The Bear Tooth Mt pass into Northern Yellowstone is unbelievable!!!!!

            Our son got us a video camera a couple of years ago, and so I too have been photographing our trips around FL & to MI, KY & NC. My name is Joy & I just finished having a book about my life made. It's called "Three Mothers and Forefathers". I only had 10 copies made for friends and family. They seem to 

be enjoying it. I am 69 & Duane is 71. We graduated from a Methodist College in MI. He was in Korea, and stationed at Camp Carson CO when he returned .  He had an 8-5 job and spent every available free time looking over CO & adjoining country sides. We lived in MI until we moved here...had 3 children

who are also adventuresome...but that's another story.  Yes, we took our kids to the Rockies when they were young.

            May God go with you and keep you safe, and be your Encourager.

Good-by,

JD

Hi there,

            Just got thru checking out your site, and I applaud you on all the changes!  It's much more gut level, real, and non-commercial now. I was amazed to see 'The Invitation' there......its a piece I have loved for quite some time, have it on one of my home pages ....

            Just remember that wherever you go, I will be following along.....in spirit, if nothing else. All things are possible. I have much admiration for you, for ignoring those who scoff, and don't believe. Let them consign themselves to a tiny universe.

Kisses for Klondike,

An Old Friend

Hi!

            The site looks great!!! I think the changes are good. I enjoy reading about it! Makes me want to go out and find my inner self. I hope you don't get too lonely out there!!!! I wish you the best!!!!

Take care, 

KK

GO FOR IT! Good luck! Will be reading your log entries as you go along.

CM

Dear Mr. Robert Lewis Knecht,

    My name is {BIM} and I am 17 years old living in Colorado.  During the summer of 2000 you stopped by BSA Camp Alexander for some kind of promotional video {I produced a promotional video for the Pikes Peak Council BSA} and I was working in the kitchen at the time.  I stopped for a little while and we had lunch together.  I told you that I had aspirations of becoming a movie producer and director and we had a lovely conversation about movies we liked and didn't like and why.  Did you ever watch the Postman?

    Congratulations on this expedition of yours.  When you told me about it over lunch I had no idea it was this big.  I'm happy to see that there are still some people in this world who are willing to cross that line between normalcy and daring.  "Expedition: North America" is truly an inspiration.

    If you please, I would appreciate you writing back so I know you got this message. 

Sincerely yours,

    -BIM

     This is {BIM} again saying that I'm sorry that I asked for a reply to the E-Mail that I sent earlier.  After looking through your site I was advised not to do so.  I read through the logs and I am very impressed.  I will be following this thing for as long as your doing it, Mr. Knecht.  Now go kick some assphault!

-BIM