This record of my walk across the United States contains almost 1500 entries. For a brief overview of the trip, check out the abridged version of my blog.


Howdy, folks! It's been a year now since I plunged into the Pacific at Rockaway Beach, but I still find myself thinking about and learning from my journey on an almost daily basis. I've spent a good chunk of the past year working through everything that happened to me on my walk, and I think the major lessons remain unchanged since I briefly summed them up last August. But I have a lot more to say about them now that they've been simmering in my brain for a full twelve months. So if you like lengthy, detailed elaborations, then you're going to love... (more…)

Day 157

Thoughts on the Red Line

August 30th, 2010



I'll need months of contemplation and reflection before I can fully and coherently discuss everything I've learned on this walk, but I think the two most obvious lessons are these:

1) Have some faith in this world. Things aren't as bad as they tell us. We may all have different political opinions and different religious beliefs and different cultural norms (I'm a liberal atheist Jew. Did you know that? Does it matter?), and many of us probably couldn't stand to be around each other on a regular basis, but most of us would, it turns out, extend a helping hand (or sandwich, or beer, or couch, or shower) to a stranger in need. I walked 3100 miles across this country and didn't encounter a single person who tried to hurt me, or steal from me, or damage my possessions. This isn't a place that needs to be feared. It's a place that needs to be explored, and appreciated, and celebrated.

2) There's beauty everywhere. Keep your eyes open, and keep your mind open, and you'll be amazed what's out there, right under your nose, just waiting to be discovered. You don't need to go to the Best This or the Most Spectacular That; just take a stroll around the neighborhood. I blindly followed directions from Google on my walk, making no effort to see anything special, and look at everything I found that I thought needed to be shared with the world!

But enough with the blabbing. Let me just send out a sincere "Thank you!" to everyone who helped me on my trip. Your generosity astounded me, and I'm extremely grateful for every bit of kindness I received. And thanks to everyone who followed along online and offered words of encouragement. It's always heartening to know other people are interested in what you're doing. Thanks for making me feel special!

Okey dokey. Stay strong, people!

Day 152

It is complete.

August 25th, 2010

Day 152

Ocian in view! O! The joy!

August 25th, 2010


Day 152

The last-mile crew!

August 25th, 2010


Day 152

Waiting for the train

August 25th, 2010


Day 152

Oh hello there

August 25th, 2010




Day 152

Rocks and then some rocks

August 25th, 2010


Day 152

More Tillamook Bay

August 25th, 2010


Day 152

Datsa lotta oyster shells!

August 25th, 2010


Day 152

Tillamook Bay

August 25th, 2010



Getting close!

Day 152

Overgrowth

August 25th, 2010



Who'd have thought the track was laid so recently?

Day 152

Did you know?

August 25th, 2010



You can always tell how old a piece of rail is: it's written right on the side!

Day 152




This one could double as a stickball dugout.