Jerie Larsen, my partner, my editor, my soul mate, and my head honcho for fundraising, who has supported me through the peaks and valleys of my "challenging" projects.

Laura Larsen Merrick, my step-daughter (Jerie's daughter), my sparring partner, who caught the vision early on and has supported this project 100% from the start She's now my Number One fund-raiser and captain of my promotions team. She has provided so much financial support, ideas, and inspiration.

Carl Merrick, my compadre, my "son-in-law" (Laura's husband), who has provided financial support, promotional ideas, valuable contacts, proofreading of proposals, and pertinent humor.

Helen Glover, mi tia fabuloso, who is always there to support us with encouraging words, affection, humor, and her generous support in spite of her worries, which made it possible to move forward with concrete plans.

Mel Glover, my big brother, who also has diabetes. He and his wife Tammy got me interested in the Road to Santiago nine years ago when they gave us a book called Off the Road by New York Times writer Jack Hitt. Sons Mel III and Matt, as well as daughter Tina have been supportive, helpful, and encouraging.

Dan Bob Nolan, my close friend, fellow carpenter, and generous sponsor, of the Clark Currier Inn, who helped facilitate many things before I left not the least of which was a back-up pair of spectacles.

Cho Cho Sincavage, my goddaughter, extraordinaire, who contributed not only a nice donation but also a pocket statuette of St. Joseph to accompany me on my journey.

Elaine Sincavage, my friend, Cho Cho's mother, expert opinion, and generous supporter, who has provided me with valuable insights and support for many years.

Philip Mallard, my long time friend going back to '60s college days at Hiram College in Ohio, and business collaborator who not only facilitated the purchase of a used laptop computer for this trip, but also has supplied me with computers and software for many years in return for editing and publishing expertise.

Jeff Kane, my talented webmaster, who has designed and executed this Web site from his Ocean Song Web Design office in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Our working relationship goes way back to our school days at Governor Dummer Academy when we single-handedly established a photography lab, darkroom and all, to produce our 1965 yearbook. Jeff also loaned me an Olympus digital camera to make it possible to add photos to the Web site.

Peter Gernold, my friend and fellow biology teacher from Hiriam College days, always there when I need him with generous support and resourceful ideas, not to mention an engaging sense of humor.

Kay George, my special friend and long-time client, who has always been supportive with expert knowledge, talents, skills, and funds.

Andrea Bursaw, my editor and proofreader of proposals and letters, who facilitated the purchase of airline tickets, who also is friend and sitter for Rudzick, my big old marmalade cat.
Dennis and Debbie Skillman & family, my friends, fellow sushi connoisseurs, and fellow hikers, loaned me a spacious backpack and shared experiences and knowledge about hikers' footcare.

Lisa (Bannasch) and Bart Chapin & kids, (Laura's step-sister), my friend and former employee, who has been a generous and enthusiastic supporter, along with Norma Bannasch Larsen, a fellow traveler, with supportive insights from her own challenging personal journeys.

Bob Mosscrop, my accountant, friend, and former Jaycee member, who has generously contributed to this crusade. He has a big heart — travels to Lourdes frequently to provide invaluable support to disabled individuals seeking comfort at that inspirational destination.

David and Beth Dudley, my cousins, friends, and owners/managers of Ocean Point Inn, a beautiful vacation spot on the rocky shores of Maine, who have been enthusiastic supporters and generous donors. We were like brothers growing up together summers on Plum Island and an uncle's farm in South Dakota.