Pilgrim completes his journey
Published 12:01 pm Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Dan Reinke reached his cross-country destination of the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia on Sunday, Aug. 11. He had been traveling from the Pacific Ocean since Sunday, May 5. The goal of his self-described pilgrimage was to inspire other Christians to live out their faith more fully. — SUBMITTED
VIRGINIA BEACH—Dan Reinke can now say that he’s seen America from sea to shining sea.
Starting at the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, May 5, the Minnesota pilgrim reported to The Tidewater News on Monday that he reached his cross-country destination of Virginia Beach on Sunday. Reinke was walking through Southampton County and Franklin when the newspaper learned of his travel plans and interviewed him (“Walking by faith” Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013).
His purpose, he said then, was “to inspire Christians to live out their faith in their everyday lives.”
There was no special sign that compelled his journey, he said, just a feeling.
After he left Franklin, Reinke said, he made his way through Carrsville, and later decided to check into a motel for a bed and shower.
Though he said he walked most of the journey – 2,514 miles worth – Reinke wasn’t above taking a few rides now and then, and did get a couple of smaller ones along the way over the weekend.
“Everything behind me has blended together and I’m still sorting through,” he said. “I arrived at the parish church of St. Matthew’s in Virginia Beach, and stayed with the pastor when the storm hit Saturday. It was the hardest rain I’ve ever seen. I was thinking I was lucky I’m not walking in it.”
After setting up camp at First Landing State Park, Reinke said he walked the last 15 miles to the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, Aug. 11, and “enjoyed every step.”
Using a pedometer, he calculates to have walked 5,404,877 footsteps, using only two pairs of shoes the whole way.
At the seaside, he shucked off the boots and dove in.
“I’m taking it all in and going slow,” the 25-year-old said from his cell phone on Monday morning. He added he rented a bicycle and was pedaling around the boardwalk. “It’s kind of a cool finish.”
Reinke said he plans to enjoy the area for a while and leave for home on Thursday by airplane. What will happen afterward he said is unknown for now.
“I’m just putting it in God’s hands,” Reinke said, “and going where I’m led.”
To learn more about Reinke’s journey, visit www.DanReinke.BlogSpot.com
