Day 133

My first night in Washington

August 6th, 2010



When I told Jed what I was doing and why I'd stopped at his house, he went straight to the backyard and fired up the grill, and I spent the rest of a really nice night (no mosquitoes!) with this very friendly family.

From left to right: Jared, Trish, Jed, Maggie, Sara, Kinsey, Rob


180 Comments

  1. Lisa in Goldsboro NC says:

    Another sweet family! Adorable baby! I bet they had some good eats for you! Thanks for taking Matt in!

    • Craig (Yeah...From NC!) says:

      Matt… you are a very lucky man. I know some days are all hills and (up hills) but you find a “bunch” like this
      that take you in feed you (they’d probably clothe you also) hand a few days then a gracious exit…
      the life of a hobo can’t be ALL BAD!
      I’d say your guardian angel has been working over time since you started!

  2. Lisa in Goldsboro NC says:

    Yea,,,,,,I FINALLY POSTED FIRST!

  3. young says:

    C-o-m-e listen to a story ’bout a man named Jed,
    A Warshingtonian who kept his family fed,
    But then one day he saw hobo trekkin’ engineer,
    Jed was so thrilled he fired right up the BBQ…

    • RAYMOND in ALABAMA says:

      WHAT A NICE WAY TO SAY THANKS FOR TAKING CARE OF OUR FRIEND

        • Karen Too says:

          Hi again, Raymond in Alabama. Didn’t mean to be so abrupt when making my earlier post. If you want to write me directly about this, I can post my e-mail later, but really just wanted to give you a friendly “heads up.”

          • Candice in Alabama says:

            Karen Too – I too was wondering about the ALL CAPS, but the link you sent had a possibly good explanation in a response:

            Rochelle Frank 17 months ago

            I know a man, a very talented artist, who always uses ALL CAPS. It is much easier for him because he has a spinal cord injury with no use of his right hand, or most of his body and only limited use of his left. I have to remember that he is not shouting.

            • Candice in Alabama says:

              P.S. Having been the object of intolerance, I practice tolerance, whenever possible.

              I also found this little blurb, which I find kind of funny (on researching tolerance):

              Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you’re a mile away and have their shoes

              • Michelle says:

                In this case, I thought he was emphasizing his THANK YOU to that wonderful family.
                Peace, from Michelle in Providence

            • Michael in Atlanta says:

              Sometimes ALL CAPS is just ALL CAPS. Certainly, depending on context, no offense should be taken when they are used, unless there is a reason to think otherwise.

          • RAYMOND in ALABAMA says:

            I was not shouting are anything, at times I get busy with business I own, then forget to turn caps off because one engineering program I use has to have caps turned on and I get so used to seeing them I think nothing of it till its to late, but I wanted the family to really see on the one post that I was amazed at the way they showed their kindness especially Jed.Sometimes I post while on phone and forget also. By no means would I shout at anyone because I love to read everyones post it makes my day brigher the kindness people show to someone they have never seen, which shows in this world we live in there are still a lots of very nice people everywhere you just have to get out find them or let them find you. I get busy also and use all small letters ar times also but I appreciate you calling my attention to it. Thanks and I enjoy taking to everyone, Trusman

            • Barb C. says:

              Raymond in Alabama, You didn’t offend me. I didn’t give it a thought. In the big scheme of life it is one of those tiny little things that people shouldn’t worry about. You know that old sayin’==don’t sweat the small stuff!!!! So with that in mind CAP away.
              P.S It’s easier for us older folks to read!!!!!

            • Candice in Alabama says:

              Whew….Raymond, I’m glad to know all is well with you. Hope no one took offense at my preachy soap box reply! I’m off the soap box. Next?

              • RAYMOND in ALABAMA says:

                It was well said, and in our fast lives nowadays we do forget to notice somethings. But i liked what you said about walking a mile in someones’s shoes, I have always lived by that motto. THANKS AGAIN.

          • RAYMOND in ALABAMA says:

            post email

            • Karen Too says:

              If I upset anyone, I’m really sorry.

              I sure didn’t mean to offend anyone, and I did think about that maybe it was easier for some people, for various reasons, to use all caps.

              Raymond, please feel free to write me at karentoony@gmail.com, and again, I hope anyone upset, offended, etc., will accept my apologies.

              Way back when, someone had to tell me about using all caps, not realizing that it could be perceived as yelling.

      • Barb V from Michigan says:

        {{{{group hug!}}}}

    • deanna valenti meyer says:

      young….that is just awesome!!! :)

    • Barb V from Michigan says:

      Nice!

    • Julie in Cincinnati says:

      That’s great!

    • Donna in MI says:

      Thanks Young,

      A tribute to Jed and his family! from the Hobo Nation/Planet. I think the Hobo Nation should live on the Hobo Planet!

  4. MN Roxanne says:

    Awesome family !!! Thanks for feeding Matt – Jed and family!!!

  5. Ruthie of CA says:

    Lovely picture book family…Thanks for feeding Matt in so many ways.

  6. Gigi says:

    Did you finish your bowl of ice cream Matt?

    Thank you Jed and family for taking care of our hobo. Great family pic, even baby Kinsey is smiling :-)

  7. RAYMOND in ALABAMA says:

    THERE ARE NICE FOLKS EVERYWHERE, IF ALL PEOPLE WERE LIKE THESE WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY AOUT LOCKING OUR DOORS AT NIGHT. THANKS FOR HELPING MATT OUT, A GOOD HOME COOKED MEAL WILL GIVE HIM LOT’S OF ENERGY AND WILLPOWER TO KEEP GOING, AGAIN THANKS

  8. deanna valenti meyer says:

    Woot! Woot!! Thank you to Jed & his family!! We (the Hobo Planet) love to see the smiling faces of those Matt has encountered along the way.

    BTW, your Red & White kitchen is just lovely!! Lots of energy going on in that kitchen. :)

  9. Don in Tennessee says:

    Jed

    Thanks to you and your family for taking care of Matt. I am sure matt enjoyed eating from the barbacue grill. Again, nice people Matt has met and so welcoming and friendly.

  10. Old Hippie says:

    Another great American family!

    Funny how they aren’t had to find in this country.

  11. Mom says:

    Thank you for being so kind to our son!

  12. Julie in Cincinnati says:

    Thanks for your kindness and hospitality to Matt! I’m so glad he started his journey through Washington with such nice people. And Matt, I’ll bet you were thrilled to have some good home-cooked dinner.

  13. Don in Tennessee says:

    Jed

    I had an aunt who lived in Washington for 60 plus years who died on Thanksgiving Day 2008 at the age of 96. She was a retired school teacher who lived in Colville most of her life but in her latter years lived in an assisted living unit on Rockwood Blvd in Spokane.

    When I graduated from college in 1973 she and my uncle tried to get me to come out for a week before going to work. I told them I had to start work. I never did get to Washington to see either one of them although they both were in TN several times.

    Matt is living his dream of more than 2 years ago and we are following his trek and the beautiful photograhy. Matt planned his trip meticulously and he is enjoying it!

    All of you young people out there need to live your dream! You are only young once.

    • Jeff R says:

      Don in TN:
      “young” isn’t the only time we can enjoy our dreams. Another Chinese saying: “May you have a long and healthy life, and die young.” Why do only the Chinese think of these thing?

  14. Amazing! It’s wonderful what all you’ve not only seen in your journey, but also how many helpful and friendly people who have helped you along the way. I’ve been following you mostly on Flickr, and it’s been great to see what you get to see. I wish you further a smooth and beautiful journey :-) Greetings from Holland!

    • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

      Welcome Holland to the Hobo Planet family! Glad to have you along for the commenting and journey. Hope you stick around with us here and follow Matt to Rockaway Beach.

  15. Candice In Alabama says:

    Many Thanks to Jed & his lovely family for taking care of “our Matt”.

  16. Hold on!!!…is that Schwann’s Ice Cream???…a good old Minnesota brand…but sold all over the nation…if it is…well, Matt you had some of the best ice cream in the world…looking at it…mmmm…it may be chocolate…but whatever…Schwann’s is the best ever…

    If it’s not…then hope it was okay…

    • Lori says:

      The Schwann’s trucks swarm all over the rural areas of E. Washington like a hoard of locusts (only in reverse). It’s an easy way to get certain food items when you live 50 or 60 miles from the closest grocery store — like ice cream which would melt before you got it home! I used to buy quite frequently from Schwann’s about 20 yrs ago when I lived in rural E. Washington for a few years… GOOD STUFF!

  17. Donna in MI says:

    Thanks everyone for taking care of Matt. He has quite a following of the Hobo Nation….oops Hobo Planet, who are living vicariously through him. It was so kind and generous of you to show him some Washington hospitality.

    • Anna One in CA says:

      Speaking of Matt, is he staying put for a couple of days. Haven’t heard from him since Friday. Happy R&R, Matt. Be safe…

  18. Donna in MI says:

    I just found this article about Matt published August 1, 2010 on the nydailynews.com site. Here’s the link.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/08/01/2010-08-01_the_real_long_way_to_rockaway_bklyn_man_walks_across_usa_just_to_clear_his_head.html

    • Thanks for the link Donna in MI!

    • Donna in MI says:

      To Matt’s Mom and Dad, family & friends,
      There’s a nice picture of him on this website (minus his hat) that you can download, save and then zoom in. It’s probably been a while since you’ve seen a picture of him. It looks like he’s doing GOOD!

    • JuJu says:

      THAT is the article I read! Very cool!

      Here’s to luxury for Matt’s accommodations for the remainder of his travels! Who doesn’t love a good BBQ?

    • hks says:

      BTW I love the comments in the NY Post article. Being a native New Yorker from Flushing ,Queens my self I completed understand what some New Yorker must be thinking about Matt after reading the article, “Boy this guy is nuts!” “Who would ever want to leave Brooklyn?”
      For me, ever since I left the city to go to upstate NY for college, NYC was never the same ever again. I realized that every one that stops to say hello to you on the sidewalk in not about to con you or mug you. That living in fear with your guard up all the time is not healthy.
      I still have friends and family there and visit them and take my kids there to show them all the places in lived/worked/loved in NY as a kid, but I don’t miss living there any more.

    • Candice in Alabama says:

      Thanks Dorinda for the link – BTW – what is Matt doing with his hands in that picture? He looks a little sun burnt (nose & ears).

      • Donna in MI says:

        Candice,
        Possibly cupping his ears so he could hear whoever he was talking to that took this picture. Although you can’t see it in the picture, I would guess that some noisy traffic just went by.

      • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

        (*whispering* ummm…candice-it wasn’t me, sorry. it was donna in mi. who posted it)

      • Barb V from Michigan says:

        Clearing his head: “It was March when Matt Green decided to take a break from his engineering job and set out on a walk to clear his head.”

    • Anna One in CA says:

      thanks for the link…interesting. and nice to “see” matt.

  19. Angela says:

    Yay, welcome to my home state of WA! we’ve been watching you since waaaay back in Wisconsin or something – enjoying your trip vicariously. :) thanks for the blog!

  20. Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

    What a great man Jed is along with his entire family there. I’ll bet he was thrilled to be able to fire up that grill for you. Who doesn’t love a good bbq? Glad you got to be in a house and eat a good meal for a change. Thank you Jed and family for helping a hobo out.

  21. curious george says:

    flickr doesnt display where this was taken; only when

  22. Thanks to Jed and his Family for your hospitality, and thanks to Matt for showing me that the America I grew up believing in is still out there, alive and well. I just read the phrase, Hobo Planet for the first time tonight, I’m feeling really good about being a part of that. Roll on, Matt!

  23. deanna valenti meyer says:

    Welcome to the Hobo Planet “A touch of Dutch”, Angela, Curious George & Papa Soji! Glad to have you here. Many of us following have been following for a while, some more recently…but all of us have somehow “bonded” together to cheer on our Chief Hobo. :)

    Jim….I agree…there is nothing like Schwan’s ice cream. It’s one of my faves. Out here we have Tillamook Ice Cream…made in Tillamook, OR. Mmmmm….Schwan’s quality indeed. If I’m in NY…the best thing there is Spumoni. There is an awesome bakery on Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria that has the best stuff. Mmmm….my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

  24. Roe says:

    Great job, young, well put!

  25. Karen Too says:

    Many thanks to another fine group of people looking after Matt.

  26. Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

    On a side note…Hey Big Scott- did we lose you? You didn’t post anything on the last few picks. I hope that you will continue to follow along with us. It was nice having you along here is the hobo planet and hearing from you. Thanks once more for all you do.

    • Big Scott says:

      Nope I’m still with my new H0B0 family, I’m in the middle of building our new Log Home (Bizzy) I’ll write when I can.
      The Eastern part of the Northwest has a lot of Great people and our Matt found some,But then a gin this Country has a lot also like ALL of you!!

      • Candice in Alabama says:

        My Goodness, Big Scott – building a new log home AND you find time to keep America clean AND you find time to post here! You are amazing Big Scott. :)

      • Patty says:

        I’m envious Big Scott! Building a log/timberframe home is my dream but since I can afford the land OR the home – not both – guess it will just remain a dream of mine LOL

      • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

        Aw, gee thanks.. Glad to hear you’re still here with us. I was worried we, I, offended you in some way. Happy it wasn’t that.
        Sounds like you are one busy man there. Are you getting help building this home of yours? What a big project. Good luck with it all. And your road clean up! he he.

  27. Janine says:

    Thank you Jed, Trish & family for taking care of Our Matt!

  28. Bill says:

    So what’s the name of the book going to be? Goodness of America

  29. Jeff in Joisy says:

    Hello up there! I am lost way down here at the bottom of the page…but thanks for taking care of Matt..Welcome to all the new posters…..and all the ol’ posters too. (notice I did not say old).

    Thanks to a good family. After I read..I imagined the scene…nock nock, Hello can I help you, My name is Matt and I was wondering if I could pitch my tent tonight on your property. I won’t take up to much space…..
    Honey I am firing up the grill….we have a guest….and boy does he have a story to tell us.

    eats look good, Ice Cream looks yummy. Peace to all.

    • Michelle says:

      Hey Jeff, what part of ‘Joisy’ are you in? I grew up there.

      • Jeff says:

        I am from Yonkers New York City….but lived in Cedar Grove, Little Falls, Clifton and West Paterson….since I was 5.
        so for fourty some years essex and passaic counties

    • Patty says:

      LOL Jeff – “old” would certainly be appropriate for some of us anyway – I tease and always get a chuckle when I mention I am old as dirt and even helped God out with the recipe for dirt ; )

      • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

        LOL !!!!! Oh my Gosh!! Now THAT’S a good one. I’ve gotta remember to try that one. Thanks Patty for the laugh.

        • katzien in austin says:

          I used to work with a woman who was hip, had an attitude and was always cracking jokes. She was up there in years, and would jokingly say “I’m so old I fart dust.” Imagine hearing that in dramatic and over-the-top southern accent. Ba ha ha ha!!!!

  30. Candice in Alabama says:

    Mmmmmmmm…..Ice cream AND potato chips!

  31. Michelle says:

    In certain parts of Africa, villages had look-outs posted at the edge of the compound. Their purpose was to watch for travelers and when they passed by, they would offer them accommodations. It was considered a blessing to do so. Wonderful to see there are people in this country with open hearts!
    Peace, from Michelle in Providence

  32. Dawn in IL says:

    I am getting excited for Matt that he is getting closer to his final point. But I am also becoming sad because it will mean the end of his journey as well. As someone once said “All great things must eventually come to an end.” Thank you Jed & family for taking care of “our Hobo”.

  33. Michelle, I agree with you. Given the context I thought of it as a very emphatic, THANKS! Kinda like Lisa’s shout of JOY! at being First Poster on this image’s thread.

    On another subject, when I lived in Texas I discovered Blue Bell ice cream, GOOO-ood. And doing a little research just now, I find it is available here in Virginia! I see a road trip in my near future.

    • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

      Perhaps a WALKING road trip??? You could always call up Matt and ask him for some pointers! ha ha. But of course walking you wouldn’t be able to bring any home so you’d have to stay there and get your fill.

  34. Space Cadet's Harsh Mistress says:

    If these are the Jetsons, the who is Rosie? Any clues, Dorinda from Meteor?

  35. Trish in Washington says:

    We had a great time with Matt, and wish him all the best! Glad he enjoyed the meal and company. Yes, that is Schwan’s ice cream and it is the best!

    Go, Matt, Go!

    • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

      Thanks Trish to you and your family for feeding Matt. I bet it was so much fun listening to him tell of what he’s doing and how far he’s come. Glad you got to meet him and share.

    • Janine says:

      It’s Trish! Hooray! You and your family are now Hobo Planet VIPs!

    • MN Roxanne says:

      Schwan’s is the best… delivered to our door here in MN…. Isn’t Matt great?? Such an inspiration… thanks again for taking him in.. Go Matt go is right!

  36. Julie in Cincinnati says:

    Welcome to Hobo Planet Trish!!! Many thanks to you and your family for taking care of Matt!

  37. Saun in Ohio says:

    Just read through all the post. Really, someone is having issues with all cap letters come on.

  38. Must be a rest day or so???…and where are all the sleepy heads this morning???…well, I go off to church…will check back later…is this website working???…more later…

  39. Candice in Alabama says:

    Matt must be taking a much needed break/rest. Hope all is well with EVERYONE and that all have a great day! Sending Best Wishes to ALL from Candice in Alabama!

  40. charlie says:

    we’re like little lab rats….keep feeding us tidbits and we’re ok. withhold and we start getting the jitters. what will happen to us when the experiment ends?

    • Anna One in CA says:

      Charlie, LOL!…. And, I too posted earlier because I wondered where Matt was. hopefully reading the Sunday paper and having some good food.

  41. Linda says:

    Matt you’ve met some incredible people on your journey. I hope you keep in touch with some of them when you go back home. I wonder how it will be when you return to NY after being away for so long. I bet it will be hard to settle down to a day to day thing waking in the same place.

    safe trip

  42. John in Redford says:

    Well, apparently there are quite a few people who have elected to hold their breath until Matt climbs out of that very deep valley, recharges his batteries or resumes his march after a brief rest from the trail! MATT – PEOPLE ARE TURNING BLUE ACCROSS THIS NATION WAITING FOR YOUR RETURN. This is not a “Where’s Waldo” book – this is serious. You do realize that you MUST and will be required to keep walking after you dip your tootsies in the Pacific.

  43. Donna in MI says:

    I just checked the red line on the little map. He’s on the move! Yeah! No rest for the weary! He’s a walkin’ man on a mission! He’s just in a “dead zone”. Little map shows that last night he was abt. 5 miles east of Washtucna (pop. 260 in 2000) on Washington State Route 26. It might be a while before we hear from him.

    • Donna in MI says:

      Details of his route shows he will take State Rte. 260 from Washtucna to Kahlotus – 15 miles. He might get cell coverage there from nearby Connell, (pop. abt 4200 abt. 15 mi. west of Kahlotus). At Kahlotus, he’s taking the Pasco Kahlotus Rd. along the Snake River to Pasco. If he gets cell coverage in Kahlotus, (strong signal to upload pictures), we’ll get our fill of new pictures later today. Yeah!

      • Donna in MI says:

        If we don’t hear from him today in Kahlotus, possibly we’ll hear from him tomorrow. Google’s “walkin’ man’s route” shows Kahlotus to Pasco is 45 miles. I’m thinkin’ he should get cell coverage 30 miles outside of Pasco as he comes down the Snake River. Pasco’s population is approx. 54,000, which is a part of the Tri-Cities of Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland, total estimated pop. of 230,000 as of 2009.

    • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

      Population 260 ? That’s it? My graduating class had over 700 people in it! I can’t even fathom how small a town that is. wow.

      • Janine says:

        Right?! I have more coworkers than that. And that’s not counting the employer as a whole, just my department!

    • Barb V from Michigan says:

      My sister lives in Hooppole, IN – population 200. This was what the sign said when I first visited her a year ago April. Fun times. I think another family has moved in since, bringing its population to 204 or so. :)

  44. Trish in Washington says:

    Matt is in an area where cell coverage is nill. I was wondering how he is doing, myself. The weather has cooled off some, but windy. Lots of dust in the air from the ongoing harvest. No doubt you will see some pictures of how we harvest all of these hills. It is impressive.

    Go, Matt, Go!!

    • young says:

      So this is partly where all the planting, growing, and harvesting of the grains that feed the country , us “city slickers,” and the world come from. GOD BLESS the farmers of America for they who feed us. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

      (oops, please excuse my ALLCAPS faux pas KT…lol) ;-)

  45. Well, I was going to wait until a new post…but while we wait…I wrote something about Matt and all of us yesterday…click on my name in “green” above this post or go to http://www.jre1.wordpress.com

    And if you read it…at the bottom a “comment” left there is soooo good…from “Ruthie” about Matt’s website…very poignant and very good…you will love her “take” on Matt’s website…tissue time???…I don’t know about that but very good…enjoy…while we wait…

    • Jeff says:

      hay jim, nice blog. Agree with your comments…and it is fine to mix in the religion…because for me..this whole thing…darn near three months for me….has been like a unfolding and realization of many sermons I have heard through the years – no matter what church I was in..be it my catholic home base or others I have joined for various occasions.

      Peace and blessings to all on this blog. Took a coupled days myself away and came back..to my first night in warshington…again. I’ll say this again in the near future but thanks to all…for being friends…99.8% are considered such…don’t know about that chucky guy though…..But like Jim kind of states…It is part about Matt…but it is part about all of use out there……

      • Lisa in Goldsboro NC says:

        Hey Jeff, I just wanted to add a little to your already astute comment on the religious aspect of this journey with Matt. I had a very deep thought one day quite a while back that when Matt started out on this he probably had many hours, days and such that he felt alone. But we can all see him through his pictures and we are all here, strangers to him, but we care about this individual as though he has always been in our lives. Praying for him, waiting to hear that he made it through another day and so on. But what struck me the very most was that there really is Someone that we cannot see right now, who is watching over us and praying for us and that really does care. That made it even more real to me that we are never alone. Just like Matt.

    • Gentle Giant says:

      That’s great Jim I’ve really also spend alot of time reading Matt’s blog and reading what everyone has to say but don’t get into posting much, I guess I’m just to Gentle of a guy and Jeff your also right on and yes Jin Ruthies comment was so good. This has also Helped me Jeff in alot of ways.

    • Stephen says:

      Jim, thanks for the perspective on this Hobo Planet community experience we’re all feeling. I think Matt’s daily adventures touch us all in ways that surprise us… from the images he captures to the friendly people he meets. Usually, as observers of extraordinary challenges, we are happy to go along for the ride. But in this case, at 3 miles per hour, we are so fortunate to have been invited to go along for the walk… one step at a time.
      Keep your toes pointing west Matt! Best wishes from Ottawa, Canada.

    • Barb V from Michigan says:

      Jim, WOW! Thanks for sharing your blog. I feel like I just had my daily devotion. I look forward to reading more of your blog. And Lisa, well said and AMEN!

  46. John in MI says:

    In a way I kinda like the “dead zones”, because then we get a barrage of new photos (and we also get the chance for some idle chatter!)

    • Janine says:

      When you go back over the past photos, you can always tell when there’s a break in Matt’s postings because the Hobo Planet posts a couple hundred comments on one picture. *LOL*

  47. deanna valenti meyer says:

    Jim…that is just awesome!! I agree…we’ve all become sort of addicted not only to Matt’s journey, but also to all of the “Planet” that has come together. I think the comments are what reeled me in…all of these great people out there enjoying the journey. What started out as a link for Matt’s family and friends has turned into something more than probably most people ever expected. I’m glad to be a part of it.

    Stay Safe Matt…we’re all out here waiting for ya to come outta that dead zone. :)

  48. Mom says:

    We have heard from Matthew and he’s fine …… but he’ll probably be in the dead zone until late Tuesday.

    • JuJu says:

      Thanks for the update!

    • Gigi says:

      Thanks Mom for letting us know. I’ve gone over the site again from Day 1 and posted comments on some of the pages which looked a little lonely.

    • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

      Thanks Mom for letting all of us here know. It’s very nice of you to do that. We all care for your son very much and wish him the best and safest travels. We, I, have had so much fun following along with his adventure and just love his eye for photography and his humorous captions. I am sad though that we won’t get our daily “fix” of Matt photo’s but at the same time grateful he is okay. Thanks Mom once again for your generosity in letting us know Matt is alright.

    • Candice in Alabama says:

      Thank you Matt’s Mom, for letting us know Matt is okay.

    • MN Roxanne says:

      Can’t wait to see all his new photos… thanks “mom” for letting us know….

  49. JuJu says:

    for giggles to pass the time for everyone else
    check out http://www.neatorama.com/ or http://www.omg-facts.com/
    Maybe someone wants to give either site a heads up on Matt’s expedition
    and its near completion?

  50. John in Redford says:

    Jim in AR – Its funny but there is a certain warm fuzziness that I get, and it seems many others do as well, when viewing and participating in Matt’s travels. There is no doubt that Matt and his travel blog help to minimize the craziness that we all face each day. It is and has become a welcome diversion. The Desiderata helps to keep me balanced and Matt, apparently, has the similar ability based on the people he has met and the response from the folks who wait for his next installment.

  51. Ruthie in CA says:

    Thanks Mom….what would we do without Mom?

  52. Craig (Yeah...From NC!) says:

    REAL JEFF!?? WHERE R U?

    • Jeff says:

      pinch, pinch…yes I am real. Would you believe kidnapped by aliens in green buggies?? No I did not think so….
      I spent the weekend out with the kids and family, Waterparks today- Hambletonian Horse Race yesterday. Thanks for caring Craig….summer is almost over….checking in for new stuff…and passing on the “muse” so that I too can keep balance in life.
      Peace to ya. Will send a email tomorrow on the other side.

  53. charlie says:

    today’s technology will allow a girl sailing solo around the world to call from the middle of the pacific ocean, a mountain climber to call from the top of everest, and our soldiers (god bless them all) fighting in afghanistani deserts……but matt walks thru a ‘dead zone’ and there is nothing to be done about it?!

  54. Julie in Cincinnati says:

    Ok, I’m thinking that many of us are going thru “Matt withdrawal”. The good thing is that us “Mattaholics” have each other to talk to while we wait for Matt to make it back. And many thanks to Matt’s Mom for letting us know he’s ok. I know there have been some dead zones along his journey but it still gets a little worrisome when he doesn’t post for a few days.

    • Jeff says:

      Mattaholics….I can see it now….we are all headed for Intervention episodes……(no offense…just humor ment on this one)

      • deanna valenti meyer says:

        hee hee!! That made me giggle Jeff. :)

      • Gayle Opie says:

        Jeff, Maybe we can have one big, mass intervention. They could make it a 2 or 3 part episode.

        • Jeff says:

          yea might take us a whole season…there are so many. But we can recover easily..In the end it is all about Love. No matter how you slice, dice or look at it. Love of something, someone, someplace, somewhere.

          That is what I like about that show. It is all about love and caring. It does not always end in a fairy tale ending..but as least love tries to triumph.

      • Gentle Giant says:

        Me to Jeff

  55. Bethenia says:

    Hi. I have been following Matt since the first article on Yahoo News (can not remember where he was at the time though). I have been following on flickr because I noticed that all the captions titles and photos are all the same thing and I already use Flickr a lot. But I came here to find out where he has been and realized I have missed out on a whole Hobo Matt subculture. I am just glad to see that so many other people are touched by what he is doing. I know he says he is just walkin but he is encountering so much more than I think he probably ever expected. And it really warms my heart and makes me cry at some of the posts from Matt. *although sometimes I cry from just laughing so hard at the witty photo captions.

    Well, nice to see you all here and from now on I keep myself updated through this blog, even though his journey is almost over.

    But how is he getting home? I mean, after walking all that way, do you end it by just hopping on a plane? I think he should just go south and end next time in vitginia and then go down to north carolina (where I am from) and walk across again to california and then down again to walk across to florida or something.

    • marcus says:

      rough ‘commute’ to the beach, eh, Bethenia?

    • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

      Yep pretty much, hop on a plane and head home is what I believe Matt has said is his mode of transportation back home to NY. I would think it would be weird after walking all that way and then getting on a plane and be home in a few hours as opposed to 5 months.
      Anyhow, Welcome to our Hobo Planet Bethenia! Glad you decided to venture over and see how the “other half” are living vicariously through our leader Matt. Some of us here click on the flickr pictures when we want to see something up close with more detail so we can read or see what’s there. I’ve noticed lately that a “Matt following” has kind of sprung up over there to. Matt’s nation just keeps growing and growing. lol.

      • Nick in Ohio says:

        You used the word “vicariously” Dorinda… Jeff loves that word.

        Welcome Bethenia to Hobo Nation!!

        • Jeff says:

          I love Dorinda too…but don’t tell her that!! Vicarious….ahh when this is all over…and we are older and grayer…any time I hear this word…I will remember each and everyone of you and Matt’s incredible journey.

          Nick I also had forgotten how great the state of Ohio and it’s people are.

          • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

            shhh…..don’t tell jeff, but he’s loved too!!

            Yes, I used the word vicariously because it fit and knew someone loved that word. lol. And the great state of Ohio is great. Jeff you can live here, Ohio, vicariously through our comments. Is that a correct usage of the word?

            • Julie in Cincinnati says:

              I’ve got an idea! How about Jeff walk throughout the great state of Ohio?!? He can stay with each of us in the various parts of Ohio, post his pics and thoughts and others can travel vicariously through Ohio with him……. Come on Jeff – whatdaya say? We really are friendly people and you’d love everything here. There’s lots to do and lots to see.

              • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

                That would be a great idea but he’d have to bring along his wife and kids. Don’t know if they’d want to do all that walkin’. lol. But I like the idea. What about it Jeff??

              • Dee in Alaska says:

                How about walking to Alaska? We have had people ride horses to Alaska, drive a tractor, ride a bicycle, drive an old car and have had ones that have come from the southern tip of South America all the way to Prudhoe Bay. I love following Matt’s journey. I guess I’m a Hobo at heart!!

              • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

                Dee in Alaska:
                That would be so cool to do that! A car from the southern tip on South America to Prudhoe Bay!?? That’s one LOOOONNNGGG trip!! I’ve often thought how would one drive from here all the way down to south America. I’ve thought about it because I won’t fly I only drive and if I can’t drive it I don’t go. My father always wanted to go to Alaska and never made it. Pictures make it look absolutely beautiful but I don’t like cold. And I know there are many times when it’s WARMER there is Alaska then it is here! lol. Go figure! But someday I’d like to make it to all 50 states, oh shoot, that’ll have to be 49 as Hawaii is out in the middle of the ocean and I won’t go there. Oh well. Maybe Matt will and I can then see it through him!

          • Jeff says:

            My wife got mad at me for taking my 2 hour walk this morning – so I am not sure she is packing her bags for that trip. My kids would not last a hour….my sneakers are ready…but I must get timberline’s…the right one. I might take you up on the offer ladies. Thanks for sharing my laughs. all of you Ohio-ites. Vicariously or not…I have seen alot of Ohio. Many fond memories. I was talking to someone yesterday about walking the state of NJ…just for starters…..but wait we digress…….Where is matt…we can not continue vicarious anything until he loads up some new stuff…..I am betting on a new mailbox….and maybe some wierd art….

            • Julie in Cincinnati says:

              Ok, the wife and kids can follow along in the car behind you. Or, they could drive ahead of you and plan some activities to keep them busy til you get to that destination. Ok, Matt needs to hurry up and post or we’ll all be planning to walk around the world pretty soon :-D

            • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

              Uh oh Jeff- you better be good or she is gonna kick you out. Then you’ll really have to come to Ohio. lol.

  56. charlie says:

    KAHLOTUS to PASCO: appx 3 days walking
    PASCO to ROCKAWAY BEACH: appx 20 days of walking.
    T-Minus 23 days and counting!

  57. Jeff says:

    If charlie is right that would be August 31st and I have not takers for that date……we all win.

    • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

      YEEAAHH!!!!! We all win! I like that. I’m surprised, do you have many open dates like that Jeff? By your posting that now you’ll have several I bet that want that date. Wouldn’t it be something if it happened that way? But we all do win anyway by being able to share in this man’s adventure across the US.
      I’ve wanted to ask several of our posters here how many tunnels run along the interstate out that way? I know Matt’s not hit any that he’s showed us but there’s gotta be some there somewhere. I like to find the routes with no tunnels if possible to get from here to there.
      You were missed by some here today. The balance in the force was off and many felt it.

      • Jeff says:

        amen to the top and thanks to the bottom. I have my calander in hand. I was waiting for a page without 132 comments on it…will post on one of the new pages that appear. The force may have been off here…but my girls were all smiles…so the force was with them all the way! : }

        • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

          Well that’s good and that’s what’s important- All smile on the girls. Glad you all had fun.
          Looking forward to that page of dates.

    • Lori from Calif. says:

      I’ll have to enter the lottery for that date – it’s my birthday too!

  58. Lisa in Goldsboro NC says:

    May the force be with us.

    • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

      Yes, so we all don’t go through Matt withdrawals at the same time.! After all, someone’s got to remain sane to pull the rest of us through.

  59. Michelle says:

    He is literally in a hole in the ground now, so he won’t get any type of coverage until he gets up out of it and away from the basalt. (Though this tells me he doesn’t have AT&T, because we do have coverage in Washtucna with them.) :)

    The map looks like he took the old abandoned rail line that is the proposed Columbia Plateau Trail down to Kahlotus, though it’s not gotten any further than proposed…

    Aaaand, make sure to keep an eye out for the Juniper Dune Wilderness area. You can see it at the tippy top of the highest point along the “rabbit trail” (aka Pasco-Kahlotus road).

    Watch out for snakes!

    • Donna in MI says:

      Michelle,
      Did you happen to see Hobo Matt pushing his cart in Washtucna? He doesn’t have AT&T. He’s got “can you hear me now?” Verizon.

      Little map shows last night he was about 5 miles south of Kahlotus. He had to fill up his supplies either in Washtucna or Kahlotus. He’s still walkin’ on!

      • Michelle says:

        I am so sad that I missed him! I mean, I could probably still catch up to him, but…not quite the same. :)

    • Donna in MI says:

      hmmm……I’m wondering if that bear repellent works on snakes……on second thought, what about his trusty plunger?

  60. Ned in NJ says:

    Serious Matt-ith-drawl

    Hope our Hobo is safe, and putting one foot in front of the other!

    peace

  61. Monkey King says:

    Welcome to Washington. I’m out by the coast here reading about your trip. Might see you on the road later…

  62. RAYMOND in ALABAMA says:

    Matt did you catch up on rest this weekend, if so you deserve it. As you can see everone here has been busy while you were away. Make’s me wonder what will happen when you hit the wet side of the U. S. Later…….

  63. Been to Washington only once…though my aunt and uncle lived there (both gone now) since the end of WWII…they came from Minnesota right after the war…they lived and worked north of Seattle…Bellingham, I believe…she worked in a bank in Mt. Vernon, he for the state…and on a clear day you could see Mt. Baker…it was beautiful area, as I remember…sea food was great…loved the trip…

    And Oregon…once too…Portland area…another beautiful spot…so green and for a Minnesotan coming to Washington/Oregon during February…it was an eye-opener…MN at zero and now it’s green (and raining) and warm…loved both areas…I hear it is a lot dryer this time of year…very beautiful now too…

    Hope Matt enjoys the “greener” side of things on the “west side” of the mountains…I loved the Spokane area too, when I was there…so it is all so wonderful…this great country of ours…

  64. Jane says:

    Opened up my browser this morning, saw this and thought “He’s in freakin’ Washington already!!”

    • Jeff says:

      Blink your eyes and he will be in Oregon b4 U know it.

      • Donna in MI says:

        Jeff,
        Pasco/Kennewick have Verizon stores! Yeah!! He’ll get coverage there. Yesterday he walked abt. 25 miles. Map shows last night he was 5 mi. south of Kahlotus. If he does the same today, he should be about 15 miles north of Pasco tonight. He should be in range of “can you hear me now?” Maybe we’ll be able to HEAR him late tonight, possibly earlier. 3 hrs. time difference for us in the east.

        We’ll probably get bombarded with so many pics, we won’t know what to do! Who’s first? ha ha

  65. Near Walla Walla…ahhh yes, the onions…love Walla Walla’s…so sweet, almost like eating an apple…love those onions… http://www.sweetonions.org/ make sure you watch the videos on this website…carameled onion???…

    Much like Vidalia onions known for their sweetness…and Texas Sweets…all so good…

    Who says America’s not great…with all those great sweet onions…we are top on the list…if you are one who says, “Oh, I can’t eat onions…don’t even cook with them.”…it’s time to wake up to America’s sweet onions…Oh so great…and Walla Walla’s are in season RIGHT NOW!!!…I certainly hope Matt gets to taste some of the Walla Walla’s while in this area…

    We can’t get them in Arkansas…but could in Minnesota…so a few tears shed for that reason (but not from the onions!!!)…

    • young says:

      Jim the ONION KING in AR via MN…

      • Oh ya…I love onions in just about everything…but carmeled onions???…a little much…ya’know, I don’t care much for carmel…it hides the taste of the SWEET ONION….dontcha know…(my Minnesotan comes thru dontcha know)…

        • Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

          I believe caramelized onions are onions sautéed in butter.? And then cooked down to a nice brown? I’m not sure just trying to remember from watching shows on TV that deal with cooking.

  66. Dorinda from Mentor, Oh. says:

    Happy 8-9-10 Day everybody!! Hope Matt is having a good one too.

  67. Roberta! says:

    so… Why DID you stop at Jed’s family’s house and not somewhere different? …just curious

  68. Fran says:

    Wow, what wonderful days are ahead. I visited Washington state last year (my first visit). It was amazing. I was able to stand beside the Pacific Ocean and travel the coastal highway thru Oregon to the “Big” Redwood Nat’l park. I had an amazing trip. I simply can’t imagine how wonderful it will be for you! Good Luck and happy travels.
    Fran

  69. Ruthie in CA says:

    I had a dream last night … A movie with Matthew McConaughey playing the part of Matt Green the name of the movie was imjustwalkin…

  70. Janine says:

    Good morning, Hobo Planet!

  71. Gina Seattle says:

    Matt gotta try some of our amazing Washington Wines while he’s here! Matt is entering Washington’s wine country! :) Can’t wait to see him walking around Sea-town!

  72. Jeff says:

    NEW PICTURES

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