Finnegan’s historic walk continues through Pa.

After taking a three-day break because of a snowstorm, Rockville Centre native Daniel Finnegan and his companion resumed their walk across the United States as they made their way through Pennsylvania.

At press time, Finnegan. 23, and Abby Bongaarts, 24, were strolling in Hanover, Pa., just north of the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. Over the past week, they went through picturesque scenes in West Chester [where they were when the snowstorm hit], Coatesville, Lancaster and York on their way to Gettysburg along Route 30.

Their walk began in Long Beach on March 1. Finnegan said he feels just as fine physically as he did when the trip started and has gotten used to a routine.

“It’s been great,” he said. “A lot of people are being real welcoming as possible. It’s been really cool getting into the more rural areas.”

According to his blog on the Walk Across America website, the pair met an army veteran in Coatesville and talked to him about growing up in the town and his time in the service while helping him shovel his sidewalk. Another resident there thought Finnegan and Bongaarts were homeless and offered them soup.

“Often people see our cart and assume we are homeless,” Finnegan wrote. “They avoid eye contact with us, looking away before reading our sign. What has struck us about some places is how friendly people are to us, despite thinking we might be homeless.”

A woman in York recognized Finnegan and Bongaarts through the walk’s Facebook page, told them her son and friends were all taking about their trip, and donated money to their JOIN charity, which raises awareness for and assists the homeless.

Finnegan and Bongaarts had housing and one night in a motel set up for them through March 21, but they will have to start camping outside after that. Temperatures there on Wednesday night were supposed to dip into the 30s.

The Herald will continue to provide weekly updates on Finnegan's travels.