Deer Park Man Passes 775-Mile Mark in Cross-Country Trek to White House

Deer Park resident Robert Whaley’s cross-country trek to the nation’s capital reached a key milestone Monday, November 2, as his team finalized plans to depart Ogden, Utah, having officially surpassed the 775- mile mark of his 3,000- mile journey. Navigating through the Rocky Mountains on foot, Whaley has now completed roughly a quarter of his overall goal as he prepares for the grueling stretch through Wyoming. Whaley, who set out on foot to carry an American flag from eastern Washington to Washington, D.C., is trekking to raise national awareness and support for building an accessible veterans memorial park in his hometown. The current memorial in Deer Park lacks dedicated accessibility, a barrier Whaley—who has persevered through multiple surgeries related to multiple sclerosis—is determined to change. "Even through the struggles, it's all worth it! Never forget," Whaley said during a pause on the trail, reflecting on the arduous miles behind him and the mission ahead.

Leaving Ogden, Whaley’s immediate route takes him northeast through high-altitude terrain toward Woodruff, Utah, before crossing the state border into Evanston, Wyoming. From Evanston, the team will push eastward across the windy high plains of southern Wyoming to reach the state capital, Cheyenne. After leaving Cheyenne, the journey continues east into Nebraska, where Whaley plans to connect with the Northern Route of the American Discovery Trail—a continuous network of footpaths that will guide him through the heartland toward the capital. Despite facing logistical setbacks, severe mountain weather, and physical strains along the way, Whaley’s support team reports that they have adapted their route and schedule to keep pushing forward. With over 2,200 miles left to cover across the central and eastern United States, the timeline to reach his final destination at the White House will be March or April.