To reiterate from a previous post, it's not uncommon for someone to let me stay on their property but not want to have anything else to do with me. When I don't write about where I stayed for an evening, this is usually what's happened.
Day 91
My home last night
June 25th, 2010
wow! I was wondering where you stayed during your several days off…did you reach a friend or family member, or stay in the tent for a few days? Hope all is going well for you and I truly hope you continue to meet people that are wonderful! God Bless…
When you ask people for a spot to stay, do you ever refer them to this website, to show you are ‘legit’? Like, I could see myself being cautious if someone asked me for a spot to stay, but letting them stay on my property. But then, if I saw your site, I would come out and invite you in for dinner!
And the home for Matt’s Walking Pool Finish Date… send your email of the date to the below.
Remember Name, city, state, country, province, desserted island home, Tent Rv..something to identify you as you…and the Mysterious Date you select as Matt’s finish Date. And the creative email I came up with:
mattwalkingpool@yahoo.com
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Lois: I thought the same thing, as I was about today. You must be so careful these days. But I was thinking to just get a yes, pitch your tent here is the goal. Anything else – like cake for breakfast, a nice bed or shower…is BONUS. I would question and ask questions of answers…I think the website would be proof positive.
I hear you, Jeff, having lived a long time in NYC/Brooklyn, before moving to the mountains of upstate NY.
Still, we would have asked Matt to come in for the night, and we would have fed him well, even before seeing his blog. People up here are much friendlier, more relaxed, than in the city.
There is crime, to be sure, but it’s just not the same up here where I’m now living.
Also, one can ask a million questions, but in the end, it’s about a gut feeling.
amen. another nyc’r. cool
This conversion reminded me of a old story that my dad told me many years ago.
There was once a old man who lived by himself, except for a great looking riding horse he had no other material possession. Every morning he traveled from his house to his farm riding the horse and return late at night. Besides taking care of the farm, he spent all of his time taking care of the horse.
A well known village gangster had his eyes of the old man’s horse and threaten the old man that one day soon the horse would be his.
One day, while the old man was returning home late at night, he noticed a tired looking handicapped traveler walking along side the road. The old man offered the tired traveler a ride on his horse to the village. As soon as the fellow hoped on the horse, he removed his disguise as it was none other than the famous gangster. He laughed at the old man as he took control of the horse.
The old man shouted back “You can have the horse, I will never tell any one that you stole it as long as you do me a small favor”. The gangster stopped to listen to the old man. The old man looked at the gangster and said “The fabric of every life on earth is trust, so please don’t tell any one how you got my horse as people will stop trusting all strangers they meet along their journey.”
The gangster thought long about what the old man had said and after couple of days quietly returned the horse.
I’m happy people just let you stay even if they aren’t interested in your journey. I’m so glad too see the country through your eyes.Keep on walkin on!
Looks like last night you decided to ‘bale’ on local hospitality. But, this morning you’re definitely a man out standing in his field (grins).
Ooooh! Good one! Ha ha ha. “Grins too” : )
Funny, Stephen.
Beleive it or not – I was wondering as to why you have not posted single picture of your tent … Great going and wish you all the best !!!!! Thanks a lot for taking us through your beautiful journey through your postings.
Earlier on in the blog, he did post a picture of the tent, and he writes about his plans for lodging at the beginning of the blog.
In case you missed it: http://imjustwalkin.com/details/
thanks for the site for the beginning of his journey….I just started following Matt for about a month now. I wonder how many steps Matt walks daily
Matt, thanks for letting us tag along in spirit. I enjoy your daily posts and love seeing the country through your eyes. I am pleased to see the generosity and hospitality of people across the country. Good luck to you.
Not everyone has a computer or the internet to check out your site, so it understandable when people are cautious. There are a bunch of crooks in the world for sure.
This is true, but thanks to modern technology Matt could show them the website via his phone!!
Adi, there IS a previous picture of the tent, if you go way back to the early days of the walk. It’s in a woodland setting, pitched amongst the leaves. Sorry I don’t remember the date of the post.
The squito’s were out…about day 10 or 12
In some parts Jeff it’s ‘skeeters with a little twang in there.
oops forgot how to abreviate it.
Looks like you had those big bales of hay to keep you company!
You take some gorgeous pictures. I think we all are looking forward to the book that will be coming out after your journey. There are a lot of wonderful people in this great country of ours. Be safe.
!
I have not ever posted anything since I have been following you. I have been following your blog everyday since you were on day 15! You sure do post some wonderful pictures, and have seen some amazing things! I live in Oklahoma, but have been to alot of the states you are walking through. North Dakota is an amazing and beautiful state. I have some friends that live there. I am glad that your journey is going great! Happy trails!!
All I can say is, “I am sooo jealous!” I have always wanted to walk from the Atlantic to the Pacific, but have always had something holding me back, husband, kids, career, etc. I have been to most of the states you have visited so far and it is nice to see the view from a different perspective. I have been following you for a couple of months now and my family and I look forward to your postings! If you are ever in NC, we would love to have you as a guest! Take care!
AWESOME PICTURE!
To be honest….considering all the terrible things one hears about these days, I am AMAZED you have so many open and generous people. The fact that people are so open, friendly and helpful should be one of the real gifts from this trip.