I’ve got some pretty neat news. I’ve decided to take something that has been in dream status for years and actually make it reality.
On March 1, 2011 (238 days from now) I’ll be starting a walk across the United States, from coast to coast. The idea of actually doing it has been on my mind constantly for the last 5 months or so, and I promised myself in February that if by July I was still obsessed with the thought of doing it that I’m going to commit. So yeah, today I’m committing to hauling my ass across America, and you are all witnesses to it.
It will take me from Delaware to California – with Washington D.C., Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah and Nevada in between. The starting point is Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware, with the end point being Limantour Beach In Point Reyes, California.
I’m expecting it to be a 8-9 month trip, but it’s really up in the air. I will be in no hurry. All I know is that I’ll have simple supplies: a backpack, clothing, my laptop and some food and and I’ll be walking West. I’m going to follow the American Discovery Trail through Nebraska. From the Nebraska/Colorado border I will probably just print off some Google Maps walking directions and go from those until I hit the Pacific.
It will end up being somewhere between 3,000-4,000 miles. Quite exact, I know.
I’m purposely not doing a ton of planning for this trip. I want it to be a crazy adventure where I’m put into uncomfortable (yet still safe, don’t worry about good ol’ me) situations on a daily basis and am forced to deal with them. When I wake up in the morning, I don’t want to know where I’ll be spending the next night (unless some kind people offer me a place to stay in advance, of course). Whether a family invites me into their home or I pitch my tent under a bridge or in a field full of cows, I’ll find something. I want to LIVE in the truest sense of the word.
I’m going on this trip for many reasons. But three of them really stand out right now.
1. I want to see what I’m made of. I think too few people really test themselves. Life is so comfortable at home, I need a little less comfort.
2. I want to find what America is really all about. I want to meet the REAL PEOPLE who help keep this place afloat. The people who work hard every day to provide for themselves and their family.
3. Redemption. My last attempt at an extended trip was a miserable failure. I’m not kidding one bit when I say there isn’t a day when I don’t think about the big wuss I was when I lasted 6 days on a supposed 6 week hiking trip last summer. I got homesick and I was afraid to not be home. It’s as simple as that. It’s embarrassing and I’m totally, 110% dedicated to NOT letting the fear control me again.
I’m beyond excited to get this started. I’d leave today if I could but a walk of this nature has a somewhat limited period of time when it is possible. Leaving March 1 will get me through the more mountainous regions in the West before the snow comes, and will be late enough that my start in the East won’t be too cold.
I will absolutely be updating you all as things progress. There will be a post coming up detailing my ideas on possible sponsorships, the site for the walk and stuff like that.
get free updates when I post again by rss or by email. if you really want to make my day then you can share this post with your network. you rock.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I just put it on my calendar, so now it’s official :-)
Nate-
This so cool. I’m pumped for you.
Holler out when you get to the midwest!
-Joel
Hey Nate!
Sounds totally awesome! I really want to follow your progress when you do a journey like this.Don’t you think it would be cooler to do this trip with one of your best friends?
Good luck!
Diggy
That’s amazing. Good for you for going for it again after fear got the best of you last time.
Will you be recording your trip? Flip camming it up or something? You’ll definitely find some amazing stories worth sharing.
Good luck (=
Hey Nate,
Wow! That is a serious stroll. It is great that you have publicly declared your commitment. There is no backing down now.
What an awesome and exciting idea! Sounds like something that is going to be really challenging, but ultimately rewarding.
@ james – Knowing that it’s in your calendar gives me so much comfort. Thanks haha.
@ joel – I definitely will, thanks man!
@ diggy – I will have a blog where you can follow me with pics and videos. As far as going with friends… I am planning on having some people join me. It’s going to be really open. If someone wants to join me for anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks that’s fine!
@ david – That’s what it’s all about, right? Getting over that nervous/uneasy feeling for the purpose of growing and becoming a better person all around. And yes, a Flip cam will be in order :-)
@ john – It is a pretty serious stroll! And yup, no backing out now. I’m doing this thing for real. Yeah!
@ stephanie – It sure will be! And you know all about that as you’re getting close to your own epic journey around the world.
Thanks everyone, you made my day.
Brilliant stuff Nate. This is exactly something I’d love to do at some point in the next few years. I’m not sure what country I’d walk across though; walking across my home country of Australia would really just be spending an inordinate amount of time in the desert. But nevertheless, this is awesome.
Good luck. :-)
Holy crap, that is insane. Get the blister plasters out, or bubble wrap your feet…or even steal someone else’s feet.
@ david – Thanks! Glad to read that this is something you think about doing as well. Doing it in Australia would be wild! Much more harsh of an environment than I’ll be dealing with.
@ jonny – It is a little insane, huh? All the more reason to do it. I hadn’t thought of bubble wrap as a blister solution, definitely something to ponder :-) And foot theft is a serious problem here, I don’t want to make it worse….
Thanks guys!
Hell yeah man! This sounds awesome! I love seeing when someone steps out of their comfort zone to follow their dreams and embark on an incredible journey. Looking forward to following your journey Nate!
Good luck! I look forward to following you on your journey (by way of your blog, not like on Forrest Gump when everybody is running behind him)
Best wishes for a trip that I have no doubt will change your life in the most amazing ways!!!!!!!! Take lost of pics.
@ mark – Thanks man! I appreciate your enthusiasm about this.
@ jesse – Haha thank you. And yeah I’m not counting on a mass of followers behind me.
@ andi – I will be taking tons! Videos too. I’m really excited to see how this trip changes my life and opens my eyes to new things.
Woah, that’s quite a goal! Kudos.
I strongly suggest you look up couchsurfing. It’s a way of staying at people’s houses, which has the great benefits of (a) it’s free, and more importantly (b) you meet lots of real people, and they meet you. And there’s not too much schedule with it; most people won’t take reservations more than a week or two in advance anyway. Your big goal will inspire a lot of people to host you. So if you’re not on the site already, get an account now and flesh it out, and stay at some local couches between now and March to establish yourself and get used to the process.
Meeting people is VERY important. Otherwise the trip can become just a long slog. And it’s hard to meet people if you’re staying in hotels.
Will you be recording this? I strongly suggest taking along a small video camera (and waterproof bag) and taping random things you see, and when it’s all done you can edit it together into a sort of movie. (Though if you plan to make this public, make sure you have the permission of the people you film)
Oh, and I suggest this too: At the very start of your trip, stand on the Pacific coast looking east, and dip you heels into the water. When you get to the other side, dip your toes in the Atlantic. Perfect bookends for the trip. (Make sure to record them)
Good luck with everything!
@ sonicsuns – Thanks for all the suggestions! And I totally agree about the importance of meeting people, that’s really what it’s all about for me. Couchsurfing is definitely something that I will be using regularly. As for recording… yes, I’m going to get a Flip camera or something else like it. I’ll be using a regular camera as well. I want to capture as many memories on film as I can!
Huge goal. Love it. I’m sure it will be life transforming. Way to go Nate.
@ lach – Thanks a bunch!
Very Awesome Nate!!
When you have a route posted let me know! … Me and a buddy are leaving four our trip in 3 weeks time… I’d love to collaborate and share ideas etc.
You rock it brother!