Prologue
For some time now, I've had it in my head to walk across America. I can't say there is any one overwhelming reason for it, or that it is even a worthy goal for a middle aged man to abandon his job for—but I did just that and I intend to complete this walk.
I can't claim a higher purpose, a driving moral or political point or even an all encompassing health issue as my motive. I just haven't been able to rid myself of the notion for some 10 years now. It is not an original idea. Many others, in far more precarious health have done it. (See the links below).
What I want to do is start in Imperial Beach/San Ysidro, California and walk diagonally across the U.S. to the furthest point in the Northeastern U.S., which as far as I can tell is Lubec, Maine. I'd like to take about a year to complete the walk. I want to chronicle the trip, writing about what interests me and photographing the places and people I encounter. I don't need to save the world, but I do need to see more of it, up close, and personal.
I said this idea was not original, so, here are "
The Other Walkers
", people who have done it before me (and many have actually done much longer, harder and tougher walks). People have walked across America for many different reasons—for some there is a need to change the world, a few seek to regain their health while others offer their prescriptions for the soul. A walk across America can raise a profile and thus the volume of the political voice, and some walkers used this to advantage. Then there are those that walk as a memorial for others. Whatever their purpose or motivation, they can all inspire. Read (or view) their stories!
Michael Palin
is here too even though he didn't walk across America; instead he travelled the world and documented it in his televised adventure/travel series. As a comedian, he just busts me up, as an adventurer he inspires me beyond reason; it occurred to me more than once, that if one is going to work a large portion of your life, here is the way to do it, make THE JOB discovery itself. He traveled to Antarctica and slept outside in a sleeping bag when he got there. The international research community wouldn't let him sleep indoors for the night. (Apparently they didn't want to encourage more tourists or some such notion. Yikes.) "Baby, its cold outside" as the old Ray Charles song says... Hats off to you Mr. Palin.
Forrest Gump?
Too many great Forrest one liners to choose from so—let me ask you, on a page listing people who inspire walk/travel across America on foot, I simply couldn't leave Forrest off the list now could I? (And that's all I have to say about that.)
Curser over link shows synopsis
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