Since the start of planning for this Quest, many people have indicated their desire to follow my trek, hoping to learn more about America’s National Parks, as well as to see if I can break the record. Following is a list of interested parties. I thank them immensely for having the zeal to educate themselves in our country’s history and its lands.

NovaCare Rehabilitation - One must be physically fit to accept the challenge of many activities in various parks. Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park is a 2,000-foot climb, over 2.5 miles. Timpanogas Cave National Monument requires a 1,000-foot elevation change from Visitor Center to cave entrance, over 1 mile in distance. Kayaking for 2 hours off Santa Cruz Island in the Pacific Ocean, at Channel Islands National Park, needs plenty of arm endurance. The NovaCare team in Hartville provides a wonderful fitness facility to build stamina and brawn. All the equipment one needs to keep heart healthy and improve leg, core, and arm muscles is on-site.

Thanks are extended to Isaac and Ciera for creating a “Where’s Thomas Wright” tracking map, so the staff and clients can monitor my travels. Here is hoping many find their own ways to the various parks across this great land.

St. Jacobs Lutheran Church - The congregation wishes me well on my adventure. My family has had membership for 12+ years.

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company associates - Working for 40+ years at the number one tire company in the world builds many friendships. The team at the Akron campus plans to bug me every day of my Quest via this website’s blog feature.

Wright, Davis, Cunningham, and Potter Families - This will be a long list, so will say thank you to the entire crowd. Of course, special mention to my parents, Bruce and Audrey… my wife, Elizabeth… my daughter, Anne… my son, Kyle… my brother, Mike, and his wife, Carla. ETC.

Lake Elementary School - The 5th Grade classes at Lake Elementary will be following me through the Quest. An initial presentation was given to the students in their Cafetorium two weeks before my start. The 240 students had many questions. The majority said they would easily win a wrestling contest with a grizzly bear, when told a story of bears begging for handouts from the openings at the top of car windows back in the day. My daughter Anne and son Kyle attended Lake Elementary many years ago when the old school building existed. Today’s students have a wonderful new building in which to learn.

North Canton City Schools - My son, Kyle, attended this excellent primary and secondary school system. The staff and students Hoover High School have been invited to follow my park-to-park journey. The Hoover High School newspaper, The Viking Views, interviewed me prior to “Time Zero”.

Tom and Elizabeth’s friends - The list will grow over the course of the year…

Ralph and Ruth Berrier… Dave and Kelly Knachel… Tim and Polly Murray… Bill and Becky Nicewarmer… Joe and Jackie Novotnak… Rich Zimmerman… Rich and Lisa Shepherd… Mike and Brandi Lemen…

Virginia Tech - My alma mater published a story in 2017 when at that time I completed the journey of visiting all 417 National Parks (the count at that time). The media department will be following up with a new story for the Quest.

De La Salle Blackfeet School - This school is located in Browning, MT. It is a member of the American Indian Catholic Schools Network. I had the privilege to stop and meet the students and staff. I hope the presentation I gave the boys and girls inspired some to consider trekking across the country to see national parks.

National Park Travelers Club - A number of club members will be following my trek. I will meet with some at various parks along my path. Eight will travel with me in Alaska to the parks north of the Arctic Circle and down the Alaskan peninsula.