Man Traversing North Escambia On A Mission To Walk Across America From Top To Bottom
December 2, 2025
When Tim Hickle decided he would retire after 40 years as a buyer in the construction industry, his wife said he needed to find something to do. And he did.
Walking across America from north to south.
“So I went online and I searched the things to do when you retire, which is a horrible idea,” the 64-year-old said Monday afternoon on Pine Barren Road near McDavid.
“But I found this guy that walked Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. It was something I thought I could do. The more research I did, the more I found there were just hundreds and hundreds of people that go from coast to coast each year.”
He eventually settled on a north-south route from northern Minnesota, at the northernmost point of the U.S. at the Canadian border, to Key West, Florida. He retired in May and started his walk on June 8; he hopes to reach Key West by the end of February.
He’s made it over 180 days and 2,700 miles to North Escambia. He has about 900 miles to go.
He crossed into Florida on Sunday and spent Sunday night at Lake Stone near Century before hitting the road again. He planned to spend Monday night at the Bogia Boat Ramp on Bogia Road off Highway 29 before heading to the Molino Fire Station by Tuesday night.
As he walks, he pulls what he has nicknamed the “Copper Kettle”. It’s a simple camper cart he designed and built that carries his supplies and provides a place to sleep. The cart weighs about 120 pounds. “It has a memory foam mattress, sleeping bag, pillows,” he said. “Anything that needs to stay dry goes inside.”
Hickle is not walking to raise money or draw attention to any cause.
“It’s just a personal goal to walk from the far north in the Lower 48 to the far south in the Lower 48. There’s a lot to be said for downsizing to the point where everything I need fits into 22 square feet. I don’t mean to be anti-commercial or anything, but less is more for me.” Along the way, he recharges electrical items as he can, items like his phone and caution lights for the back of the camper.
Hickle is keeping in touch with his wife back home in Colorado as he walks, joining her when he can by phone or video—especially on Mondays when he helps her babysit their grandchild.
“We are about to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary,” he noted. He is going to miss that anniversary as he walks. One of the best parts of the walk, he said, is meeting people.
“I’m doing this at a walking pace so that I can have human interactions,” he said. “I can have a conversation with someone by the road that is getting the mail or mowing their grass. We are going to have some kind of interaction.”
“They are really the high points of his journey.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Smokey Bear, Florida Forest Service Visits Jim Allen First Graders
December 1, 2025
Smokey Bear and the Florida Forest Service recently visited with first grade students at Jim Allen Elementary School.
With a special story, they learned all about fire safety and the importance of asking trusted adults for help. They also had a chance to meet Smokey and share high-fives.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Lodge Donates Food Boxes To Families In Need
November 30, 2025
For Thanksgiving, Cantonment Masonic Lodge No. 322 partnered with Manna Food Pantries to donate 37 food boxes to local schools for families in need.
The food boxes, including turkeys, were donated to Ernest Ward Middle and Jim Allen Elementary schools.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Farm-City: Volunteers Harvest Thanksgiving Dinner For 1,000 Needy Families
November 28, 2025
Earlier this week, students and volunteers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties worked in fields near Jay to harvest vegetables that will help feed about 1,000 needy families for Thanksgiving.
The event at the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center is part of Farm to City Week and brought the bounty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences farm to the needy in the city.
The students were from agricultural programs and organizations, including FFA members from local schools.
The produce was distributed to 500 families in Escambia County and 500 more in Santa Rosa County along with a turkey and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving meal from Feeding the Gulf Coast and the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Balloons Over Broadway: North Escambia Students Learn True Story Of Macy’s Parade Balloons
November 27, 2025
Thanksgiving means the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Last week, students at several North Escambia elementary schools held parades of their own after reading the book “Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade” by Melissa Sweet. The book brings to life the inspirational story of the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons in the parade. The book tells the story of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a fascinating imagination.
The collage illustrations coupled with Sweet’s storytelling portray Sarg’s joy in his childhood inventions and his ingenious balloon creations that still bring delight to viewers around the country.
For photos from Byrneville, McArthur and Lipscomb elementary schools, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Turkey Trot Raises Funds For Outdoor Play Improvements
November 26, 2025
Pine Meadow Elementary students took part in Turkey Trot 2025 over two days last week.
The event raised money for upgrades to the school’s outdoor play area – with a goal of $15,000 to resurface the basketball courts, replace the sun sails over the playground and purchase a 9-square-in-the-air frame for the older students.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lipscomb Second Grade Students Create Thanksgiving Cookbook
November 25, 2025
Lipscomb Elementary School second grade students in Betsy’s Eggart’s class worked together to create an extra special Thanksgiving Cookbook.
They gifted copies of the cookbook to Principal Kristen Danley, Assistant Principal Kanisha White and Curriculum Coordinator Holly Griffin.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate FFA And Student Volunteers Package Over 63,000 Meals For The Community
November 24, 2025
On Friday, Tate High School’s FFA, along with other clubs, organizations, athletic teams, and volunteers, joined together to package 63,808 meals for the community through Meals of Hope
“Food insecurity is real within Escambia County,” said Melissa Gibbs, agricultural educator and FFA advisor. “It’s important to FFA and other local organizations to partner together and help fight food insecurity for many within the Pensacola region. This gives our students hands-on experience while encouraging them to work together to meet the needs of our community.”
They exceeded their goal of feeding 60,000 with the Meals of Hope project by packaging these meals in under three hours.
All packaged meals will be distributed to families throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Top-tier sponsors include the Escambia County Florida Farm Bureau, Big John’s Heating and Air, Richard and Marie Gibbs, Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, and Tate FFA Alumni.
Thank you to our sponsors and student body for coming together to support our local community,” said Principal Laura Touchstone. “It’s gratifying to see our students giving back, helping to fight hunger, and supporting local families in need. Tate FFA continues to focus on growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Together, with Tate FFA, we’re strengthening the heart of our community and growing a legacy.”
Volunteers included current students from Tate FFA, Tate Softball, Tate Baseball, Tate Student Council, Tate Yearbook, Tate FFA Alumni, and Ransom Middle School FFA/Ag programs. Special guests were Isabelle Jenkins, Florida FFA state secretary, and Steve Harrell, Escambia County Public Schools’ director of workforce education.
Meals of Hope is a nonprofit organization that is committed to bringing people together to fight the hunger epidemic.
Photos by Tate High Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students, Employee Of The Month
November 22, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School named their employee and student of the month for October. Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Miguel Espinoza, eighth grade; Dillan Stuart, seventh grade; Addisyn Steege, sixth grade; and Robin McCall, PE coach. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Eagle Scout Project Drains Flooding, Brings Relief To Panhandle Equine Rescue
November 20, 2025
Panhandle Equine Rescue (PER) in Cantonment is breathing a sigh of relief following the successful completion of a much-needed drainage project spearheaded by a local Boy Scout.
Thomas Beck, with Boy Scout Troop 632, chose PER as the beneficiary of his Eagle Scout Service Project, installing a French drain for the main barn to combat chronic flooding issues caused by heavy downpours. The project, completed during a very productive day at the facility, is expected to significantly improve conditions for the horses and volunteers.
Beck selected the non-profit PER for his project because he felt their mission was worthy of the effort.
The new French drain system will divert water away from the barn, a critical improvement that addresses a long-standing challenge and ensures a drier, safer environment for the rescued horses.
Boy Scout Troop 632 meets at Windy Hill Baptist Church in Beulah.
Pictured: Thomas Beck’s Eagle Scout Service Project was the installation of a french drain around the barn at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment. Beck is pictured above, far right in the top row. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
