“Old Guys” traveling nation for Alzheimer’s awareness

By Staff, 10/17/17 1:58 PM

PRESCOTT – It began in Tennessee with three “old guys”, Michael Cunningham, Darrell Cruse and Jimmy Taylor, deciding to take their covered wagons and mule teams from Tennessee to California to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s.

Cunningham decided to plan this trip in memory of his mother who died from the disease. The trip began on Sept. 11 as the trio headed along backroads looking for a southwesterly route. Cruse dropped out of the trip, but Cunningham and Taylor are continuing.

The two made it to Prescott shortly after lunch Tuesday. They said they’ll be glad to stop and talk to anyone, about pretty much anything, not just Alzheimer’s, as they head toward California. They said they should arrive somewhere in California by February 2018.

They’re taking their time and not pushing either themselves or their mules. They average anywhere from 15-22 miles a day, depending on terrain, weather conditions and the ability to find somewhere to camp. At times they’ve been invited to make camp at people’s farms, where they’ve been fed and their mules cared for.

For the most part, they live in their wagons and do what they can to gather supplies for themselves and their animals. Their journey is being recorded on Facebook for those interested in following them as they head toward the West Coast. Those interested can go to Facebook@HARNESSING MEMORIES WAGON TRAIN. They’re also accepting donations for the awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease. Donations can be made to Harnessing Memories Wagon Train, c/o Bank of Perry County, P.O. Box. 457, Lobelville, TN 37097.