NORTHAMPTON CO., Va. -- "Pastor Dan" Bird has been noticed by dozens of Eastern Shore of Virginia residents during the past week. It's hard not to notice a man carrying a large metal cross over one shoulder as he walks south along the shoulder of Route 13.
Bird, who was traversing the Machipongo area in Northampton County on Friday afternoon, is from Delaware.
This is his fifth year hiking the nation's roadways with his unusual burden, he said. On this trip, he started out from Wilmington, Delaware on April 12.
Bird works in construction when he is not out walking, but he said that is less and less often now.
"I go all over the United States," he said.
His purpose in carrying the cross, which has small wheels at the bottom, during his hikes is mainly to encourage Christians. "It lifts them up," he said.
One woman stopped her vehicle along the highway, hopped out and asked to take a photograph together with Bird, which he allowed.
He said the cross also serves as "a warning to all those sinners out there."
"It's something the Lord wanted me to do," Bird said.
