Jeff Newell blocks the early morning sun from his eyes as he cruises down Highway 530, at a easy 16 miles per hour, on his John Deere tractor July 11 in Arlington. Ron Wachholtz follows behind as the two raise money while driving their tractors to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. They are raising money for the American Diabetes Association. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Jeff Newell blocks the early morning sun from his eyes as he cruises down Highway 530, at a easy 16 miles per hour, on his John Deere tractor July 11 in Arlington. Ron Wachholtz follows behind as the two raise money while driving their tractors to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. They are raising money for the American Diabetes Association. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Slow ride: From Arlington to Alaska on a John Deere tractor

Two friends are making the 6,000-mile round trip at 16 mph to raise money for diabetes research.

ARLINGTON — Jeff Newell is taking in the view from about 10 feet up, cruising at 16 mph on his John Deere tractor.

He’s on a road trip to raise money for diabetes research and education.

Newell, a local business owner, is driving from Arlington to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He’s making the trip on a bright green tractor he bought at an auction and restored.

“I got the most wore-out one I could find,” he said. “I tore it all down to nothing, rebuilt it. It’s basically a new tractor.”

The rebuild took nine months.

He had a goal from Day 1 to take the tractor for a 6,000-mile round trip.

“I’ve done it before on a motorcycle, pretty much the same route,” he said. “We’re just making it happen this time on tractors.”

His friend, Ron Wachholtz, is driving a second tractor. Both are towing trailers with camping supplies. The load includes motorcycles for any side trips.

The trailers have large green and yellow banners painted on the sides that say “Driving for Diabetes” and have a link to donate online.

At first, Newell had no plans to make the trip a charitable effort. Then he decided if he was going to do this, he wanted to do it for a cause.

Newell, 56, has lived with juvenile or Type 1 diabetes since he was 11. Preventing diabetes and someday curing it “would ease a lot of human suffering,” he said.

He set a goal to raise $500,000. Donations go to the American Diabetes Association. Newell is paying for the fuel and supplies.

“I see a lot of people grow up with diabetes, and they don’t do so well with it,” Newell said. “For some reason, it affects everyone different.”

He wants people to be aware of the signs and get tested. Signs can include hunger, fatigue and excessive thirst.

“Some people hear that you’ve got diabetes and look at you sideways, but it doesn’t have to be like that,” Newell said. “You can live a normal life. There are diabetic athletes and actresses or actors. You get good days, you get bad days.”

Newell left Arlington on July 11 and expects the trip to take up to eight weeks.

He mapped a route that relies on back roads. He plans to cross into Canada north of Oroville, then head up through British Columbia and into the Yukon Territory before he crosses back into the United States at the border with Alaska.

He’s been looking forward to slowing down. Newell lives on the same property he grew up on near Arlington. During test rides on the tractor, even down familiar streets, he noticed how the slow pace and high vantage point changed his perception.

“Most of us live pretty fast our whole lives,” he said. “I’ve done that a lot. You don’t notice all that’s around you.”

He expects to average about 16 mph on his trip, depending on terrain and traffic.

“If you see us, be patient on the road,” he said.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

How to donate

To follow Jeff Newell’s journey and donate, go to www.gofundme.com/johndeerealaska.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Dahlia Society members Doug Symonds and Alysia Obina on Monday, March 3, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How to grow for show

10 Snohomish County Dahlia Society tips for award-winning blooms

State Attorney General Nick Brown's office posted a release announcing $720 million in nationwide settlements with eight drugmakers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. The state could receive more than $16 million, the release said. (Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)
Snohomish County to receive portion of latest $16M opioid settlement

While the amount of money is still unknown, funding plans are already in place to help with drug abuse prevention, treatment and education.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.