WOMAN'S WALK ACROSS U.S. BRINGS HER TO CAPE

Inspired by Peter Jenkins' book about his walk across America in the 1970s, Betsy Castle is living her childhood dream.

About 16 months ago Castle left home in Seattle, Wash., on foot with her dog, Malcolm, on a trek to Delaware. She is on her third pair of boots as she takes the back roads toward her goal.

Castle had arranged a stop in Cape Girardeau where she spoke to students at Franklin Elementary School Friday about her trip. She also talked about her interest in wild salmon and watersheds and raised awareness by showing a video of the salmon's life cycle.

"I like being outdoors, and I like to walk a lot," Castle said.

"Even though I have been walking so long, I still get blisters on my feet."

Along with answering questions, Castle also asks them of her audience to find out more about the area she visits.

She was especially interested in the Mississippi River, which Franklin principal Jim Watkins showed her prior to the program.

The school's student council also presented her with a monetary gift.

She has walked for the last month in Missouri, traveling up from the Ozarks though Arab and Advance on her way to cross the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau.

Castle is prepared to live just about anywhere. She carries a tent, food, a small one-burner cookstove, a water pump to purify drinking water and two changes of clothing.

"Malcolm eats real well," she said. The dog often gets table scraps and even better from their hosts.

Sometimes Castle arranges with people to set a jug of water on her route every 10 miles or so, especially in the desert.

"I have to support myself, but it doesn't take a lot of money to travel this way," she said.

She earns money by working odd jobs for people she meets along the way, and sometimes she is invited to stay in their homes. She also sells T-shirts that feature her trip.

The boots which Castle wears are donated by a boot company. She ships her worn-out boots back to the factory where they are studied.

While she misses contact with her family, her boyfriend meets her every couple of months to walk with her for a stretch.

Castle plans to finish her walk sometime close to Christmas. Her parents will fly out to walk the final miles with her before she flies back to Seattle with memories of her dream fulfilled.