Jen, Kailey, Sydney, and Kendall made me a card to encourage me on my trek.
Just to be clear, I should note that I've met many more friendly, generous people than I can fit on the blog. In addition to what you've read about today, I've also received water, soda, candy, a sandwich, an invitation to lunch tomorrow, and countless honks and words of support.
Day 118
Card-carrying cuties
July 22nd, 2010
I think you’re turning into a “walk star” matt!!! You have fans!!
groupies!
Roadies!
It is truly remarkable and fantastic that two young men are currently walking from the east of these United States to the west. Matt Green’s taking the northern route and Mark Baumer’s on the southern.
But unlike Matt’s progress internet page, Mark’s was not designed for allowing the building of an interactive “Hobo Nation” per say. Nonetheless, Mark’s page has its own inspirational merits. Mr. Baumer’s trek from Florida to California is also extremely challenging with its high humidity, scorching desert heat, and the southern Rockies range. Oddly, it would appear, the much touted ‘southern hospitality’ has been sparse over Mark’s journey through the Sunbelt states. But through it all, both men have managed to maintain their unique quirky sense of humor along with an iron will and indomitable courage – they are both well prepared (I am thinking they should get each other’s email to share stories and personal experiences).
It’s hard to fathom the inner core which drives these young men to this undertaking, and I am fairly certain that it is not their intention to be any sort of messenger. Nonetheless, they embody a crucial message (at least for me) with their singular pure act:
Beauty and goodness exists everywhere. All you need to do is just take a lingering moment, look around, open yourself up, and soak it all in.
PBS & Discovery Channel should see a documentary opp in these brave souls who journey across America on their own: Matt Green, Mark Baumer, The Horse-riding Guy, and more. This is an elite group of people, and I for one would watch a documentary based on them and their adventures.
Others have posted here a ways back about this other guy not being prepared enough for his walk. I mean the south in the summer? Maybe not such a great idea but none the less a huge undertaking. I know I couldn’t do it so kudos to him and to Matt too.
Well said! I have followed Mark’s journey too. Having just returned from the Mojave Desert where it was 117 degrees, I can’t imagine doing what Mark has done. But they sure have made my internet brousing more interesting.
Montana Rocks! Such great people! Thanks Jen, Kailey, Sydney and Kendall for making Matt an encouraging card and supporting him. You are all so beautiful. Matt, I assume you are keeping a journal? Would really make an awesome book!
It sounds to me like you’re trying to say the other people that helped are ugly.
“Yeah, others helped out but none were as photogenic as these ladies.”
oh My….dont read that one as being from Jeff as in Joisy.
Go back dude. Lots of cuties.
Jeff from Joisy, I’m so glad you responded. I was thrown at first, thinking “did Joisy Boy Jeff, the one I have a little crush on because of his great-positive-character-ridden comments, really just say that?” Relieved to notice it wasn’t you, but JeffE. Whew! Now JeffE, opportunity to redeem… :)
JeffE – you know you owe a realy nice family a realy “strong” apology. Look at the picture. These people took time out of thier day to track down Matt and give him a “at a boy”. They have posted on this page. They are reading your comment…and the difference is they know Matt first hand now. Matt finds beauty in Dung Beetles playing soccer w/poop…..so you are just way out of line on that comment. Do the right thing. If not, don’t keep doing the wrong thing on these pages.
*blink* *blink*
really Jeff E you need to go back and see all the other beautiful people that have helped Matt out. In some ways your negative comment makes you not so much one of the beautiful people, know what I mean dude?
I couldnt help but notice ,the scenery behind those cuties is breathtaking!sure beats the 115F in arizona.
Yes, your site is my every-night goodnight message, which reminds me of the goodness in people I tend to overlook (distracted by work, media, politics, etc). Thank you for sharing your days with us.
Ditto, Marianne!
We had a wonderful time talking with you today. My twin and I, after we got home talked about what an amazing person you are. Keep going!! Your doing great! :)
How exciting – you got to actually meet Matt! Ya’ll have great smiles!
Your card carries the wishes of everbody in the Hobo Nation, WALK ON and be safe!!
Yay! Thank you to you and the girls, Kailey, for being so sweet to Our Matt!
–cute bunch–
The little girl looks like she’s looking at like a rock star or something?!
Blues Brothers Movie:
Jake Blues… “you, how much for your wife,” ha ha ha ha ha …
Jake Blues.. how much for the little girls? the women? I want to buy the women …
Matt, you bring the best in all of us
The hills are alive, with the cards of cuties! Great smiles, glad Matt had such delightful encouragement!
Groupie, Candice in Alabama :)
P.S. Flickr Zoom – you can see the wishes on the card that blue shirted cutie is holding “Walk On….”
Oh the stories you could share about all the people you meet Matt. Still hoping for a book about the trip in the future.
Enjoy the lunch!
Matt you are doing a wonderful thing…and though I don’t know you other than this trip…I find in you, things all of us long for…and hope to be…but what you have pointed out to me (and I imagine others) is how wonderful this land is…these wonderful young women and all of the others (both men and women) you have shown over the whole trip…both cute and un-cute are part and parcel of a wonderful and great America…above all that is image that permeates all your experiences…I love it…
Well put Jim…you are right on. :)
Thank you Jen, Kailey, Sydney, and Kendall for surprising Matt with a wonderful card! You live in a GORGEOUS part of our country. The Hobo Nation thanks you!!
Tears. Beautifully said, Jim in AR via MN.
Well put Jim. I too have found it very uplifting how fellow Americans along the way have stepped up to give Matt a hand and a heart felt welcome. I leave this blog with a smile, unlike watching our evening news. Matt’s journey gives me confidence that so many people trying there best to do good will pull America out of its current doldrums.
*their best…..gosh I hate it when I press submit before I read what I typed :-/
Angels.
Makes me think of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtErpdSM4uE
“One day I rode away from home
I’m a’ traveling back and it won’t be long
I’ll see you again in a little while
You’re my darling sweet, my welcome smile”
I wanted to honk when I saw Matt. But he was on the phone. I am going to my cabin in Lincoln for the weekend and am hoping to see him again.
Aww you should have honked anyway. How neat to have seen him. Guess he’s easy to spot out there with such a low population you can tell easily he’s not from around there! he he.
I love that you didn’t honk because Matt was on the phone – very considerate :).
I’ll just second all of the positive comments, here – such a great adventure.
Matt, YOU ARE A GOD! (not really, but you know what i mean) Hahaha!