No Way Home : Producer Notebook

How to Donate to "No Way Home" Jacket Drive

A coat donated to the "No Way Home" Jacket Drive.

/ CBS
If you have a coat you'd like to donate to "Early Show" Weather Anchor Dave Price for the "No Way Home" Jacket Drive, Dave would like to personally pick it up on his trek back to New York City. He'll be passing through the following cities Thursday and Friday:

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati Art Museum 7 a.m.

Columbus, Ohio
The Statehouse, Broad and High St. 1:30 p.m.

Wheeling, W.Va.
Cabela's parking lot, The Highlands Shopping, Dining & Entertainment Complex; Cabela Drive (Exit 10) off I-70 4:15 p.m.

Pittsburgh, Pa.
KDKA, One Gateway Center Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222
5:45 p.m.

Harrisburg, Pa.
Harrisburg Mall outside Bass Pro Shop 3601 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, Pa. 17111
10:00 p.m.

Friday
The Early Show Plaza 59th and 5th Ave, New York City
7 a.m.

Dave Stops By Ohio Museum

"Early Show" Weather Anchor Dave Price has just one day to make it back to New York City in the "No Way Home" series. While passing through Cincinnati, Ohio, Dave stopped by the Cincinnati Art Museum and chatted with the museum trustee who arranged for his travel.

The video below was filmed using Dave's Windows Phone.

The "No Way Home" Drive for Jackets: A Cross-Country Journey for Warmth

Dave at the start of his journey in Anchorage, Alaska, wearing his first coat.

/ CBS
By Dave Price

If you've been tracking my progress from Alaska and across the Northwest, you know that I've come across an incredible cross-section of generous folks, worked quite a few odd jobs and that I've had some trouble with my jacket.

Special Section: No Way Home
How to Donate to "No Way Home" Jacket Drive

On day one in Anchorage, I ripped a three inch gash through the front of it. Then, on my way south through Seattle, I left it in a car, never to be seen again.

Late yesterday in Coeur d'Alene, Kiana Sandusky, a youth pastor in town, and her husband Jason, were kind enough to give me a warm (and stylish I might add!) black winter coat. But in my haste to head east, I left that one behind, too, at the hotel where I'd been working as a housekeeper.

In his haste, Dave left behind his donated jacket at the Holiday Inn in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. This photo was taken using a Windows Phone.

/ CBS

Down on my luck and with a chill running through me (not a river), I spent last night in my car, traveling across Montana in a snow storm.

This morning, I found this email from a viewer:

"I've noticed that the theme of your journey is becoming coats. I have been lucky enough with my life, great kids, good income, roof over my head. So each year, I try to do a 'Secret Santa' gift and share it with my kids (30 and 28), just so they know that our family shares the blessings in our lives.

Here's my offer: I will pay you $600. In exchange, you would: A) go to Staples or a stationery store and have 1,000 business cards, postcards or fliers printed, urging people to donate a used coat to the less needy. B) I ask that you use your best efforts to distribute as many of the cards as possible in the next 24 hours.

Why am I doing this? I believe that you have the ears of enough people that my $600 might buy 30 or even 50 coats. I am hoping that you bringing the request to people will multiply the ultimate result of my 'donation' with hundreds of coats. So the good gets spread all around.

Since this is anticipated to be my Secret Santa gift, I ask for anonymity if you accept my offer."

The note brought me to tears. I thought it would be a fitting way to earn the final money it would cost to get home and add another dimension to the trip. It was now not only a fun and adventurous week, it had meaning and made an impact as well.

So with that, I bring to you my final push to make it back on time: The "No Way Home" Drive for Jackets . . . bringing warmth across the country.

My goal is to collect as many new and used coats for the needy in the final days of my journey back to New York. And hopefully the spirit giving which I've been so aware of throughout the country this week will extend far beyond Friday. Thanks for traveling with me today. Good Night.

-Dave

If You'd Like to Donate:

Already people have started donating. Reed Jones from Bozeman, Mont., dropped off two bags filled with coats this afternoon.

Reed Jones owns The Earth's Crust Pizza in Belgrade, Mont. He offered Dave a job making pizza today, and showed up at the airport with jackets when we put the word out.

/ CBS

Tomorrow, I'll start in Cincinnati and I'm going to attempt to weave my way back home before the show ends on Friday.

If you have a coat you'd like to donate, I'd love to personally pick it up on my trek home. I'll be passing through the following cities tomorrow and Friday:

Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati Art Museum
7 a.m.

Columbus, Ohio
The Statehouse, Broad and High St.
1:30 p.m.

Wheeling, W.Va.
Cabela's parking lot, The Highlands Shopping, Dining & Entertainment Complex; Cabela Drive (Exit 10) off I-70
4:15 p.m.

Pittsburgh, Pa.
KDKA, One Gateway Center  Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222
5:45 p.m.

Harrisburg, Pa.
Harrisburg Mall outside Bass Pro Shop
3601 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, Pa. 17111
10:00 p.m.

Friday
The Early Show Plaza
59th and 5th Ave, New York City
7 a.m.

Follow my Twitter account and the "No Way Home" Special Section for updated drop-off times and locations Thursday.

If you can't make it to any of the locations, tweet us a picture of the jackets you'll donate (@earlyshowdave) or email them to nowayhome@cbsnews.com.

Dave's Has "No Way Home" Jacket Surprise

Dave in his first jacket of the trip. Dave left the coat in the back of a car. He was given another coat, but left it, too, behind at a Holiday Inn in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

/ CBS
"Early Show" Weather Anchor Dave Price gives a glimpse at a an unexpected surprise he discovered in Bozeman, Mont. And, according to Dave, "it's all about the jacket." Stay tuned.

Special Section: No Way Home
PICTURES: Dave Drives On

This video was shot using Dave's Windows Phone.

Dave: Kindness Comes in Tuna on Wheat

Dave riding through Montana in his rental car. This photo was taken with Dave's Windows Phone.

/ CBS
By Dave Price

Another day, another delay. I spent yesterday in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, waiting to catch a ride with an independent auto hauler heading east to Chicago. He was going to drop me in Billings, Mont., so I spent the day at a hotel - cleaning it. Work as a housekeeper is physical and exacting work and I have a new appreciation for the people who take the messes we often leave in a hotel room and turn it into something that looks brand new and inviting.

Special Section: No Way Home
PICTURES: Dave Drives On

I made almost 100 bucks cleaning rooms and then called my ride. He was still waiting to fill up his truck so his departure was delayed. OUT OF LUCK again. Flights were too expensive or too many miles (remember the maximum distance I can travel is 1,000 miles). I was exhausted, but I had to move east and had no time to wait another day here.

I took the money I earned at the hotel and promptly called Avis. Seventy-six bucks got me a car and a way out of town.

Then I called Amber Grant, who had emailed me, asking what she could do to help. She doesn't watch the show, but her friend from Washington, D.C. emailed her and said that I was coming through town. She was kind enough to take me to Subway for dinner. One $5 foot long later, I was on my way - stomach and gas tank full.

For me, kindness came in the form of a tuna on wheat. Not a great day for mileage, but a great day for meeting great people.

Couple Gives Dave a Winter Jacket

Dave shows off his new coat with Jason and Kiana Sandusky, who donated the jacket. Picture taken with Dave's Windows Phone.

/ CBS
Since the beginning of "The Early Show" "No Way Home" series, Dave has had coat troubles. First, he ripped his jacket in Alaska and then left it behind in a car in Washington State. But Jason and Kiana Sandusky, of Family Life Center Foursquare Church in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, luckily heard about his plight and decided to come to his aid with a new winter coat.

Dave Pays for Lunch in Quarters

Check out Dave in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, paying for his lunch in quarters at The Fedora Pub and Grille.

Dave Takes Stock of "No Way Home" Dilemma

Dave uses his phone to call for a ride from the highway after his car breaks down.

/ CBS
By Dave Price

If you're keeping score at home, I'm barely 250 miles from where I started yesterday morning -- NOT GOOD. Winds in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - where I am this morning - are gusting to 41 miles per hour and there's a severe thunderstorm watch.

Special Section: No Way Home
PICTURES: Dave's Daunting Day

Paradise, huh? Just another day of trying to catch a break and make some forward progress! It seems to me that today it's just a little bit tougher to get that done.

The key to facing any adversity - small or large - is keeping a positive attitude and remaining calm. I'm trying to do just that. I have over 2,500 miles to go by road to get home by Friday -- and the odds against me getting home on time are growing with each hour. But I'm going to be strategic in my decision-making and I'm going to try to remain clear-headed even though I've only had a few hours to sleep each night.

I've tried to find new ways to travel this trip (air ambulance/buying a car) -- trying not to repeat some of the same methods that I used the last time -- but it's all backfired so far. But -- to quote the Black Eyed Peas - "I've got a feelin' that today's gonna be a good day." I hope to write you from the Rockies or beyond tomorrow morning. If you have any way of helping me move eastward from here PLEASE email me at nowayhome@cbsnews.com or tweet me @earlyshowdave. I try to answer as many of the emails and tweets as possible, but it's been overwhelming - so my apologies if I can't get back to everyone. In the meantime, thanks for coming on the road with me...it's nice seeing our great country with you!

Dave's in Trouble

Dave hits a snag in his flight plan to Spokane.

/ CBS
By Arden Farhi

Yakima, Wash. - Uhh ohh! Dave's trip has hit a snag. After "The Early Show" this morning, he received an email offer from a private pilot to fly from here to Spokane, Wash. By the time he got to the airport, inclement weather in Spokane made flying impossible.

He's at the airport now, looking for a way east or south. Think you can help? Email nowayhome@cbsnews.com or tweet @earlyshowdave.

Dave Gives Update from Yakima, Wash.

Check out the video below to see how "Early Show" Weather Anchor Dave Price is faring as he tries to cross the U.S. in the "No Way Home" series:

Special Section: No Way Home

Dave's Hungry

Dave's $12 extravagance.

/ CBS
By Mary Haynes

Yakima, Wash.-- After Dave was live on "The Early Show," he started to make a plan for today.

Continue »

Dave Spends Night at a Truck Stop

By Dave Price

At 2:30 a.m. in Yakima, Wash., I was at the Gearjammer truck stop. I stopped there for the night. Tami Mohan and her son-in-law dropped me here three hours ago. My camera crew slept at the adjacent Best Western....I cooled my jets in the lobby and the parking lot here. Ryan, the night auditor there, has been terrific. He hasn't called the police to report a loiterer, and he offered me a free banana and some peanut butter -- and I took it. It was a long night -- longer day ahead....let's see where the road takes me today.

Dave's Picks Tomatoes in Fairbanks for Shelter

In Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, Dave picks tomatoes in the greenhouse garden. For his efforts, he was awarded a night's stay.

/ CBS

By Dave Price

This morning I woke up in my "Hotel Room" in Chena Hot Springs, Alaska. It was 20 degrees - IN THE ROOM. The thermostat wasn't broken. It's supposed to be that way. The room is made of tons of ice....and that's about it. Twenty degrees is good, considering it's near zero outside. I worked at the Chena Hot Springs Resort (watch "The Early Show" Monday for details on my work) in exchange for some cash and a place to stay overnight while I waited for my flight from Fairbanks to Bellingham, Wash.

Special Section: No Way Home
PICTURES: Dave in Fairbanks

From personal experience over the years, I've learned that the cold can do one of two things: It can suck out all your energy or invigorate you. For the most part, cold has the latter effect on the great people who choose to call Alaska's interior their home. They do much more than deal with the frigid climate - they embrace it, they celebrate it and try and spread their enthusiasm to those of us who are just visiting. Hiking, sledding, swimming, sitting on a porch and enjoying the view? Sure! Do it all! Damn the thermometer! I learned the spirit of Alaska - the last frontier - isn't just a clever slogan slapped on a sticker....it's a mindset here.

In this tiny community, 60 miles outside of downtown Fairbanks (populated only by the 70 people who work at the hotel and their guests) -- amazing things are happening. There are hydroponically-grown fresh tomatoes, basil, asparagus and other vegetables flourishing in the dead of winter. Their heat is created geothermally -- and they recycle almost everything on their property. Bernie Karl is the proprietor of this "resort" - which is truly on the leading edge of developing and using alternative energy even in the most remote areas. Some call him eccentric, but others call him visionary. But everyone can agree he is entertaining and welcoming. His motto: We got a hug from the earth, and we should try to give it back. Well Bernie, I feel like I got the hug....thanks. I hope to take what I've learned from you and apply it to my own community when I get home. See you soon.

Dave Price Reflects on His "No Way Home" Alaskan Experience

Dave en route to Fairbanks.

/ CBS
By Dave Price

Well, it's not as easy as thought this time. I think I saw too many episodes of "Ice Road Truckers" and "Deadliest Catch." I kinda' thought I'd get here...be crew on a fishing boat make a bunch of money and fly right out to Seattle. NOT. 

Special Section: No Way Home

I'm finally in Fairbanks - yes, Fairbanks - almost straight north of Anchorage - on Day 2. I got a lift from a medical air evacuation company (Guardian Flight) who are repositioning aircraft this afternoon and tomorrow). I will wind up tomorrow - in Bellingham, Wash. They are angels - not just for helping me get to the lower 48, but because of the remarkable work these pilots and nurses do day in and day out. Now, as far as my situation....I am stockpiling money and making new, great friends. BUT, I need to leave. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I have to find work in Fairbanks tonight -- temps will be in the single digits and there will be snow. As exhausting and challenging as this has been so early on in this trip....I'm sad to leave Alaska tomorrow. Do me a favor and do yourself a favor: See this beautiful place and meet these beautiful people. It will change you.

Dave Moving On Out of Anchorage

Dave Price finds a new friend on the road.

/ CBS
By Mary Haynes

Fairbanks -- Last night, Dave spent the night in the locker room of the University of Alaska Anchorage's Men's basketball team. Check out "The Early Show" story here. When Arden and I -- his producers -- met him in the Student Center, we discovered Dave didn't really have much of a plan for Day 2 of "No Way Home."

Luckily, the Medevac Guardian Flight folks got in touch with Dave and offered an open seat on one of their flights to Fairbanks. He, of course, said yes and rushed out - first getting in some work at Kaladi Brothers Coffee before heading to the airport.

But there is one big question here: Why Fairbanks?! That is completely the wrong direction, and it's only Saturday. Interesting turn of events on Day 2.