Japanese man rolls through Hillsboro on 3,000-mile journey
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Kenichi “Ken” Yamashita rolled into Hillsboro (literally) Tuesday, Aug. 3 from California. His mode of transportation? Rollerblades.
Yamashita, 62, is traveling U.S. 50 from west to east a distance of approximately 3,000 miles.
He stopped by The Highland County Press Tuesday afternoon.
Yamashita said he's averaging 30 to 35 miles per day and was spending Tuesday night in Hillsboro. He stays in motels when he can and carries a tent and sleeping bag in his backpack.
Born in 1948, Yamashita says he is dedicating his journey to the American troops who helped rebuild his native Japan after World War II. "I am 62 1/2 years old and I am sending my message about hope and thanks,” he said. "America rebuilt my country."
Numerous newspapers along U.S 50 across the nation have published stories on Yamashita. He has appeared on the front page of The Durango Herald in Colorado and in the Peabody (Kan.) Gazette-Bulletin.
He is on Facebook and on Twitter (in Japanese) at twitter.com/kenyamashita62.
Kenichi “Ken” Yamashita rolled into Hillsboro (literally) Tuesday, Aug. 3 from California. His mode of transportation? Rollerblades.
Yamashita, 62, is traveling U.S. 50 from west to east a distance of approximately 3,000 miles, with a destination of Cape Cod, Mass.
He stopped by The Highland County Press Tuesday afternoon.
Yamashita said he's averaging 30 to 35 miles per day and was spending Tuesday night in Hillsboro. He stays in motels when he can and carries a tent and sleeping bag in his backpack. He plans to reach Chillicothe Wednesday evening.
Born in 1948 in Tokyo, Yamashita says he is dedicating his journey to the American troops who helped rebuild his native Japan after World War II. "I am 62 1/2 years old and I am sending my message about hope and thanks,” he said. "America rebuilt my country."
Numerous newspapers along U.S 50 across the nation have published stories on Yamashita. He has appeared on the front page of The Durango Herald in Colorado and in the Peabody (Kan.) Gazette-Bulletin.
He is on Facebook and on Twitter (in Japanese) at twitter.com/kenyamashita62.
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