By Jan Landon
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When Norm Fox pulls  into Tallgrass Creek during the afternoon of April 26, he has 8,000 miles behind him.

Fox is making his final stop on a tour of all 18 Erickson Retirement Communities. He has visited Erickson communities from Texas to Massachusetts and most recently, Monarch Landing and Sedgebrook in Illinois.

A banner welcome
A banner in the Tallgrass Creek lobby greets him with: “Welcome Norm!Thanks for saving the best for last!”

“This is the last one, number 18,” he says as he walks toward the Tallgrass Creek guest suite. His welcoming party includes John Harned, executive director of Tallgrass Creek; residents Tom and Judy Harned; and Tina Ballard, business analyst at the community.

Fox, a retired aerospace engineer, acknowledges he is a little tired and looks forward to spending Sunday resting in the guest suite and visiting with Tallgrass Creek residents. The two bedroom suite—available for residents’ friends and family who come to visit—has a stocked refrigerator and plenty of room for relaxing.

In the spotlight 
The most surprising aspect of his 38-day trek has been the attention he has received, Fox says with a laugh while answering questions from reporters.

His spur-of-the-moment decision to visit all of the communities built by national developer Erickson Retirement Communities came after he realized he would be close to many of them as he traveled around the country to see family and friends.

Driving is certainly familiar to Fox. He was a member of an RV club for many years, and after he retired from his aerospace career, he worked as a tour bus driver.

A special brunch
On Sunday afternoon, Fox is in the middle of the Blue Sky Restaurant during the weekly brunch. He and other diners are treated to music from the Strolling Strings from Shawnee Mission North High School in northern Overland Park.