Florida boy on cross-country trek for diabetes cure is spotted in Warner Robins

By the time 10-year-old Noah Barnes reached Middle Georgia on his walk across the country, the Florida boy raising money to help find a cure for diabetes had already worn out three pairs of shoes.

Noah and his father, both sporting bright yellow ponchos, were spotted here Wednesday afternoon walking north along U.S. 41 at Watson Boulevard.

“This is day 74,” Noah said while taking a break at CVS Pharmacy.

The pair set out on the 4,000-mile cross country trek New Year’s Day from the southernmost point buoy in Key West and are aiming to make it to Olympia, Washington, by November, Noah’s father, Robert, said.

Both will have to buy new pairs of shoes on the way.

Since learning two years ago Noah was a child with special needs, he and his siblings have been home-schooled, Barnes said. In his studies, Noah became inspired by Terry Fox, a cancer research activist and athlete who crossed Canada on foot after having a leg amputated.

“He’s like, ‘I got two legs. This guy’s got one leg. I got this.’ ” Barnes said of his son.

A satellite GPS tracker shares their real-time location on the internet, where people are also able to donate to a handful of diabetes research programs.

Noah’s mom, Joanne, and his siblings ride in a car a mile or so ahead of them. As for lodging, “we play it by ear” Joanne Barnes said.

Noah isn’t the first transcontinental walker to pass through Macon.

Jack Fussell, who lives in Roberta, was 64 in the fall of 2014 when he stopped in Macon on his second such trek in two years. Fussell’s 3,600-mile trek to California was a personal mission to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.

While planning Noah’s march, the Barnes’ encountered Fussell on U.S.A. Crossers, an online web group for past and future transcontinental travelers.

“Jack started paying attention to us because we were newly crossing,” Joanne Barnes said, adding that he welcomed the whole family to stay with him while they’re in town. “ It was just a total fluke.”

Fussell even walked with Noah and his father, “and they hit it off,” Joanne Barnes said.

“He’s given us great advice because he’s already done it,” she said. “It’s like you become part of a club — Crossers!”

For updates on Noah’s journey and to donate to the cause, visit www.noahsmarchfoundation.org.

This story was originally published March 15, 2017 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Florida boy on cross-country trek for diabetes cure is spotted in Warner Robins."