You gotta love a good "Mile 0" marker.
Day 62
Minnesota!
May 27th, 2010
I'm walking across America.
That's the idea, at least. I'm walking westward from New York City for nine months or so. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be in Oregon when the clock runs out. If nothing goes according to plan, maybe I'll end up in Peru or Mongolia or Pennsylvania. You can read all about the details of my trip if you're so inclined.
Email me at matt@imjustwalkin.com
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Here's my progress so far:
Welcome to Minnesota! I don’t think I will catch you but I wish you the best of luck on your journey. Sue
Hope everything is pretty much going as planned for you, Matt.
What path are you taking through MN?
I biked from D.C. back to here. It took 33 days.
Good Luck! It sounds very rewarding and memorable too.
Welcome to Minnesota :) not quite sure if you would be walkin in my neck of the woods but the best of luck to you for a safe and enlightening journey.
Brainerd Lakes Area
Sorry I missed you on your trip through La Crosse. We made cookies for you. Hope you have a very happy birthday! Have a great trip the rest of the way!!!
I am so excited you’ve reached my home state! I’ve been meaning to send an email to my friends and family to watch our for you. I expect you’re going to go RIGHT in front of the home of some dear family friends in Clearwater. I also recommend avoiding University Ave (lots of industrial traffic) in St Paul and instead taking Summit Ave (beautiful old historic Victorian homes) which should add maybe 10 blocks but will be well worth it in my humble opinion.
–Anna (Lockaby’s lady)
Hi there,
I am just hearing about your story today for the first time and how appropiate with me being from Minneapolis. I wish I had the balls you did- just up and going for a walk- that is really very admirable.
Best of luck to you on your journey and I look forward to watching some more of your adventures.
Peace,
Shannon
You do realize that only Transportation Engineers take pictures of Mile Markers! Stay safe and have a nice stroll.
Just found out about your journey, …best of luck Matt!
You’re the envy of many of us who dream of what you’re doing. No purpose, no goal, …no expectation, …”I’m just walkin’ “, …how profoundly powerful. I can’t imagine a richer means to experience America and it’s great people…
God Bless and be safe…
Kevin
I wish more people would do what you are doing. Just be. It seems like human beings have a hard time just being. They always have to be doing something “productive”. I say stop being so productive!!! What a long strange trip life is!!! Peace. Chani
Go Green!!
Just read about you in the star and trib! What an amazing choice for yourself. I will continue to follow your trip and pray for you everyday that everyday is a memorable and enjoyable day wishing you constant wellness!
When you said “What’s the point of living the majority of your life preparing for that last little bit?” makes sense and you had the courage to make the adventure now. I envied my son’s partaking of some of that philosophy on his quest to live in Oregon (rather than Atlanta) and am more comfortable with it over time. Only a determined few like you are able to do that–we appreciate your sharing over the internet on a daily basis.
I saw you in Coon Valley, Wis. the other morning. I must admit, not knowing your story, I was a bit confused by the cart and sign. But after reading about you, it all makes sense. Good luck.
Hi Matt – I just read about you online in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Your trip makes me want to get a catsitter and join the adventure to Portland, one of my favorite places. I hope you enjoy Minnesota and all of the upper Midwest. We’re glad you’re here! Enjoy your walk, and thanks for your (perhaps inadvertent) encouragement to the rest of us to live in the moment and see more of our fascinating world. Peace, Cynthia
Welcome to Minnesota!!
Welcome to Minnesota!! Enjoy this area & know that there are lots of friendly people that I’m sure will take you in for a warm meal and/or allow you to pitch your tent in their yard! Your trip is so inspiring, excited for you to be on this journey! It makes all of us second guess what we are doing day to day….Take care, Chrissy
Read about your journey today. Take care and God Bless. Mary from Superior, WI.
Hi..Welcome to Minnesota. I just read your story on Yahoo News….what a great journey. I hope all these words of encouragement help you out each day. I think true peace is found in walking….I may ony walk about 2-3 miles a day but I look forward to it each morning…..I will be thinking of your amazing journey and I hope that you find what you are looking for along the way! We don’t have farm house…but there are plenty of farms around our neck fo the woods……Waconia, MN and a really pretty lake too!! Best of luck!! I will be keeping and eye on your adventure…thanks for keeping a website!
Welcome to the Great State of Minnesota! Like many have stated, you’re living my dream. I am going to live vicariously through you on this journey through your great website. Keep on keepin’ on!!
Matt: Did you ever imagine that in walking alone, you’d be with so many people? I love your adventure. It stirs in me the desire to push out of my comfort zone, and see more of what the world is. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Matt,
We don’t know each other but read about your trek on yahoo.com http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100527/ap_on_re_us/us_the_big_walk
Good luck to you and enjoy the freedom. You’ve helped me remember that anything is possible if you just make a decision to do it…to take a step towards something. Thank you for taking a step.
Jason
Hey Matt!
Welcome to my home, Minnesota! Would be great if I was able to run into you, but if not, good luck and stay safe :)
Jen (Twin Cities)
Ohhhh….I wish I was still living in Minnesota! Good Luck!
What you are doing is so powerful! I read your story on Yahoo, then came to your site and your photos and the sheer magnitude of your journey brought tears to my eyes.
You are in my home state now. MN is full of wonderful and very hospitable people. Good luck and I will be following your journey wishing I could do the same.
Shannon
Welcome to Minnesota! Drop a line if you need to resupply in Minneapolis, it’s a great place to be.
Welcome to Minnesota I think you may be coming right threw were I live on HWY 61 North coming from Wabasha MN. My wife and I live right off of HWY 61 on 522 S High St. Lake City if your close come over.
Bob Davis
Welcome to Minnesota! I admire what you are doing and wish you the best of luck! Enjoy the lakes and beautiful fresh air! :)
You’ll be in the greatest state in the country in a few days. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Get ready for glorious sunrises and sunsets, beautiful wildlife, unbelievable night skies and unpredictable weather. Oh yeah, and a long walk! Have fun and take care!
Hi Matt! I must admit that I’ve become quite intrigued by your journey after reading about it in a local Southern newspaper. I admire your adventurous spirit and wish you peace and many blessings along your path. Oh by the way, enjoy Minnesota…the scenery is beautiful and the people are great (so very hospitable and down-to-earth). May God bless and keep you. Best wishes!
You are the next Forrest Gump!!!
You will be apart of my inspiration when I hike the appalation trail (north Georgia to Maine)
Walk Mike Walk!
I’m one of many who just learned about your journey through the AP story. And just in time as you cross into Minnesota, my home. Welcome, be safe, and wishing you all the best.
You rock dude!!!! What a fantastic experience and such a blessing for you and for those you have and will meet! As posted before, MN is full of really nice and down to earth people who may or may not understand what you are doing but they will be some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet! I grew up in the Twin Cities and I’m so glad that you are taking a route thru my wonderful home state. If you are going to follow the Mississippi to the Twin Cities then you’ll pass right thru So St Paul, my home town.
Also, the mile marker picture isn’t just for engineers =) I’m an accountant and love the open road. The 0 mile marker means you are starting a new adventure because every state is unique and just waiting to be explored!! Love it!!!!!
Stay safe and enjoy every step!!!
God Bless
Cyndi
Love the mile 0 marker.
every day is a mile zero marker in life!
“Mile 0” is popular around this area as a reference to Cape May, NJ. It’s the start of the coastal highway on the Jersey shore and runs north. You see green “Mile 0” stickers on cars from time to time.