Day 123
Another day in the woods
July 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
Subscribe to my email list
Here's my progress so far:
Hey, I’m first!!! Beautiful, peaceful looking trail.
Looks like a great road that your on now.
I have many people ask me “Why is Matt walking across America?????”
according to Matt………………To get to the other side.
“put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be………….”
We all get so excited when we are first to post. LOL
Anyway, just in case there are bears in the woods I saw this article in on one of the Houston TV websites about Jim Hanna using pepper spray on a bear and it worked. He’s a link to the article. http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/24405684/detail.html
Just thought you might like to know that it works and Jim Hanna, with all of his animal experience uses it.
Regarding Pepper Spray to repel bears. A couple years ago I read an article written by a couple guys taking a motorcycle trip through Canada to Alaska. At a gas stop along the way they were given advise on how to handle bears, both black and the grizzly type.
The gas station owner, who was well seasoned in the wilderness, advised that they have a few small bells on a string. This of course causes noise and typically the bears scoot away from an encounter as they would just as soon not be bothered with you. This is especially true with black bears as they are not as aggreesive. Pepper spray was recommended to repel if the noise did not work and the encounter became more personal.
Also he advised that they know how to read the bear droppings in order to know if they were in an area with black bears or grizzlies. They would know if more caution was needed should they be in a grizzly area.
Black bears eat a lot of berries and such so their droppings will typically have evidence of berry seeds. On the other hand grizzly dropping will most times contain small bells and smell like pepper.
I was reading and reading thinking “hmmmm….good information to know” then you pulled a funny! GOOD MORNING!
:0)
LOL !!!!! To Funny!!! Good one .
um, does a bear s**t in the woods?
Larry, really LOL! Be safe, Matt
Great last line!
@ Donna in Texas…..see posting of July 27, 2010 at 10:56 am #13123…..beat ya to it!
Ah brother Farley you just can’t help yourself can you. We know you’re in there.
Now you are in a par tof the country where I will envy your every step (unless, of course, it leads to a bear).
And what beautiful woods they are!
I like how there a “baby” trees mixed in with the “adult” trees.
Matt-you’re almost there!
I’ve been following since the beginning but only posted once before. I was wondering-who’s going to welcome Matt :) to Rockaway? I’ll be there, i have a lot of family that live in that area and they’ll all be there. I’m hoping it will be a big crowd.
Wish I could be there! :)
Depending on when he gets to Rockaway…I’m hoping to be there as well!! Matt is a Hobo Celebrity you know. :)
I’ll be in Seattle till Sept 12th so if it works out… I’ll be there… otherwise I may look him up in Oregon somewhere along the way while I’m visiting there. I’m thinking there will be a nice big crowd for our “walk star”. :-)
lets enjoy this journey with Matt and not the destination as its the journey that matters the most, not the end of it.
I love dirt roads, they always seem better than paved ones, especially when they’re all nice and worn down and its a smooth drive / walk.
Such a beautiful road. It brings to mind the Robert Frost poem….
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
My first post, but I’m a long time “voyeur” of Matt’s journey. I hope to join the Rockaway Oregon party as we only live about 2 hours away. Greetings to Matt and his many friends in the Hobo Nation….
Welcome to the Hobo Nation, Kier, and thanks for the Frost poem excerpt. Lucky you that you will be in Rockaway, Oregon.
I never tire of seeing Matt’s photos here, and I never tire of those trees. It’s my good fortune to live in an area, and a house, surrounded by views like this one, and I can spend hours out on my front porch in my magical, enchanted forest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_forest
The trees along the sides seem to welcome you to enter this peaceful road. Safe travels Matt!
Now that’s my kind of road right there; one eye on the scenery and one on bear patrol! Matt, thanks again for the wonderful pictures, and the opportunity for vicarious adventure.
Probably should have posted this when you posted the first picture of this dirt road, Matt, but I just thought of it. Thought a bit appropriate, “Where the Blacktop Ends.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhsO7LnwyBI
Is Matt walking on this road?! Surely this isn’t a state highway?!
Oops! Sorry! I just read back a couple posts and see that Matt has stepped off the highway for awhile. Man…he must have great faith in that bear repellent to venture so far off the beaten path!
Just wonderin if there is a way to post the route that Matt is following? I tried to guess his plan but am at a loss. If that path is a secret or is unknown then I’ll wait for the coffee table history to review. I seem to keep running out of road on Google.
John, Matt’s route is posted to a link on the ‘details of trip’ page. Under route and timetable. Zoom in for the detailed route.
Matt, I am probably not alone here in having some pre-withdrawal symptoms in anticipation of your trip ending. I so enjoy checking in each day. Here’s a thought: you need to do the South and Southwest. I have tried to find an equivalent Rockaway to Rockaway type of thing and I think I have it: Long Beach, California to Long Beach, North Carolina. That’s ocean to ocean, and will take you through entirely different parts of the country. What do you say? As for financial concerns, etc., write a book about your first journey, and add a tip jar to your website. You are too gifted a walker to return to the daily grind. Just a thought … :)
I like this idea very much, especially since I’m not far from Long Beach, CA and I could be part of the send off crowd! The southern route is beautiful, too!
Oh yeah, right on Tim!!! Great idea. I already miss Matt.
This is beautiful but yes do be careful. Of bears and forest fires. Don’t know if any fires are in your path but please be safe as I’m sure you are. We all just like to say it so you know we care.
okay so I’m weird I wanted to post on day 123. Because of the number sequence…lol. Anyway, I haven’t been posting but I love reading the comments and looking at the pictures. Hobo Nation keeps me entertained thats for sure…
does anyone else have “the long and winding road” stuck in their head?
Day 123 on date 7-27.
Dorinda
On October 10, 2010 it will be 10-10-10! How cool is that?
Are you still showing me the LOVE or have you thrown me to the bears?
Da bears! No not the real bears Don. I’m still showin’ the love. I know about the 10-10-10 date but this coming month will be – 8-9-10, What will we do to celebrate that day on here? Who knows but I’m sure it will not go by unnoticed.
Matt
Yes I am GREEN with envy that I am not doing this in person instead as a part of the MATT GREEN HOBO NATION. I will bet that when you stand still it is so quiet you can hear a pin drop! The wind rustling in the trees and the smell of fresh air are, I am sure awesome!
Thank you for this experience for everyone who have become a part of the HOBO NATION-how would all of us ever met if you had not provided us the PRIVILGE of enjoying your adventure with you!
This is one happy HOBO NATION MEMBER!
HOBO DON
Hi, Hobo Don. Check your e-mail. I looked up Maryville, TN, and there are some equally spectacular areas in which you could walk locally, even just around the lovely town. If walking is not your thing, then bike, drive, etc.
Karen Too
Yes we are fortunate to have about 15 miles of paved walking/biking trials in Maryville-Alcoa area. The 2 cities are about 29,000 in population with about 120,000 in the county (Blount). We also have paved walking/biking trails running parallel to US 321 in Townsend, TN (the gateway to the Smoky Mountains) that go to the Park entrance.
69 miles of trail on the AT (Appalachian Trail ) are in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are over 900 miles of trails in the Park and I have been on most of them at one time or another. The highest peak on the AT is 6,643 at Clingman’s Dome in Tennessee. The trail starts at Springer Mountain, Ga and ends in Katahdin, Maine for a total distance of 2,175 miles.
This is about 1,000 miles less than Matt’s trek.
Info. on AT – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail
Stay in touch.
Hobo Don
Well… before I lived here, I lived in the Mtns of NC for 6 years. I guess of you get use to it.. most things are the same day in and day out, but I guess if you were on a dirt for the bulk of the day one turn may look and the same as the next.. hince the one pic.?
After further though-
This reminds me of this song.
Substitute Matt ofr She’ll and 3 wheeled cart for 6 white horses!!!
Paly that Yke – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twNcvqtXOII
thought not though and for not ofr – I must be ADD, MSG – (is that a food additive or an issue I have) or I am dyslexic. If the latter I am in good company – http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_was_dyslexic
You get a demerit Don….maybe 2! :)
Not quite “our Matt” – but an interesting video: http://video.yahoo.com/watch/7960155/21082042
Candice…that is a very interesting video, but where’s his cart? Where’s his extra pair of shoes? He’s no Matt, that’s for sure!
:)
For sure – he’s no Matt – but I thought it was an interesting “walk across America”.
Thanks for sharing, Candice. I also thought it interesting he didn’t have supplies with him (except the one bottle of water), but then from a creative point of view, the video was more about his walk across America, and less about whether or not he had supplies. I’m guessing he was well-prepared for the actual walk. As one who dabbles with a bit of video/movie making myself, I thought the video was well-done and a celebration of Mike’s walk.
With CGI (computer-generated imagery) you can walk across the country without ever leaving the editing suite. You can also change the colour of your T-shirt without ever taking it off. I also didn’t notice anybody invite him in for a meal or a place to rest his head for the night like our Matt.
Saw a story on Yahoo earlier today stating a RV containing a producer, a director, a cameraman and the “walker” drove the route, stopping every so often to shoot a scene. Relatively little actual walking involved. FAKE !
I just looked at the route detail close up for the first time. Matt’s walking on my parents street, right in front of their house! We’ll need to plan something!
Get your signs ready now! Tell the neighbors and be on the look out. Get the grill and fridge stocked and email Matt of course and let him know. That’s gonna be awesome. Good luck! Let us know.
When he’s near if you email him directly with their address he’ll know ahead of time for lodging… then can plan his walk accordingly. That’s what I did when he stayed w/my folks in MN. It just depends on when he walks by if it works or not. But you can always have a refreshment stop!!
Where’s that, Kim?
Just west of Portland, OR. Near Beaverton. So it’ll be awhile yet.
Yep, know where that is. I lived in the Portland area for many years. Heading down there for a visit in two weeks. Matt will be within about 10 miles of where I live now in N. Idaho when he passes through the Coeur d’Alene area soon. If I’m in town when that happens, I may see if I can track him down to offer some ‘sustenance’. Good old Idaho huckleberries (like muffins or something) would probably hit the spot. :-}
Yum, huckleberries. I’m sure he’d love that.
We were in Coeur d’Alene a few weeks ago, went to Silverwood. My son is vacationing at Priest Lake right now. Such a beautiful area, I’m happy Matt gets to see it.
Lori that would be so nice of you if you could do that. I’m sure Matt would enjoy it as you would too.
OH-W-W-W-W!!! Priest Lake!! My FAVORITE-IST place in the WHOLE world! I was there a couple of weeks ago, and for several summers, my family & I would rent a house on the lake for a week. It’s the most peaceful, serene place I’ve ever been.
I will have to notify my Sister soon, she lives in St. Maries ID about 45 miles south of Coeur d’Alene. I was there last year for a family reunion and stayed right on the shore of the St.Joe River. Beautiful…..
I wouldn’t wait to long. Matt is farther along than when these pictures are posted. That’s something to always take into consideration when trying to pin point where he is. Hope she has a beverage or place to sleep depending on what time of day it is when he passes that way. Hope she gets to see him.
When I first saw this photo, I thought I heard a banjo playing.
Still can’t get that out of your head huh?
No comments from Jeff today he must be working…..
…he’s probably trying to catch up on all the work he hasn’t done because he’s been posting on here instead! ha ha. Unlike Jeff not to post for a day. Does that mean Jeff is MIA? I did here from him through email today though so he can’t be that far away. Where’d you go Jeff? I know it’s not vacation time yet.
read/watch this guys & gals… i don’t know what to think of it
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/popcandy/post/2010/07/watch-this-one-guy-walks-across-america/1?csp=34life
I thought it was fun to watch…thanks for the link!
That’s the same video Candice posted earlier. It was fun to watch.
yeah, that’s the thing… it’s fun to watch but its like a joke to what our matt is doing here… maybe it’s just me but i think they did that just to advertise levi’s.
You are correct sir.
Still enjoying your beautiful photos. Safe travels, and thanks for the pictures of this lovely country and the friends you meet along the way.
Hello Matt!!!! I’m so happy for you, you’re close to your destination! :D
You’re in our prayers.
Mia
Ah Matt, when you get to OR, get lots of pictures of your welcoming commitee! It’ll be grand. Until then, I will keep up with you and say prayers for your safety. Take care out there.
Lisa
I’ll walk with a partner.
Well – Is “our Matt” in a dead zone again?
Yep. We may not hear from him until tomorrow.
LOOKS LIKE A HORROR FLICK BIT….
dodododo..no photo’s, bears in the woods, decapitated tree’s onthe outskirt of woods……ladies and gentleman…Matt Green has entered….The Dead Zone…….where reality is in our imaginations..until we see photo;s to prove or disprove common thought…..
I’m just going to watch that red line keep extending – as long as it follows his PLANNED route – no worries!!
If it takes a wild deviation- Thoughts of bears and/or cougars and/or mountain lions will be passing through my worried head.
oof….OR if the red line STOPS extending – ! Yikes!
Well there you are! Saun in Ohio was looking for you yesterday. Thought you were working. Ha! working, yeah right. Working at playing all day. : ) But then again you do have to work sometime. We’ll forgive you this one time.
Hope Matt’s Dead Zone doesn’t last to long. We will all turn into zombies then won’t we?
(My comment was meant for Jeff of course but the way they fall in order didn’t want Candice to think I was talking about her. Sorry if you did Candice. )
I didn’t! I see that Matt’s Red Line is moving as expected – just no Matt posts – YET!
(0)-(0)
*
—–
weill my face came out all Picasso-ish. That’s how I feel when I can’t access the hobo.
*sigh*
Hello,
I just discovered your site (I was posting some nasty comments against our #!@#& president in a right wing newspaper site when I saw a link to yours – SO THANKS TO FIGARO.FR ! -).
It is all the more captivating me that I am a great fan of American country, under the angle of wild spaces, beautiful empty landscapes, mythology of the road. Your journey makes me dream, here I am at work, I will take time to come back to your site when I am at home in order to dream (and forget our president :-).
Doesn’t matter what country you live in, Yann, we ALL complain about our politicians! Welcome to the “Hobo Nation”.
Given the location of the last posted pic yesterday a.m., I’m guessing Matt’s somewhere in the vicinity of St. Ignatius, MT, possibly a bit farther. Around there, he should have good cell coverage, because it’s a main hwy just a few miles north of Missoula. If he isn’t quite that far yet, there could be some ‘dead’ spots due to the mountains. I’m sure we’ll hear from him soon.
Matt is going to have a beautiful walk along the Flathead & Clark Fork Rivers to Thompson Falls the next few days. Just did a motorcycle ride on that road last week. I know he’s basically following the walking route shown on Google Maps, but there are a couple of other ways besides what Google shows to head over to I-90 from where he is. If he cut over on State Hwy 135 to St. Regis, he could stop by Quinn’s Hot Springs resort and soak away the tired muscles in the mineral pools there! Ah-h-h-h!
A couple years ago, I thought it would be a good idea to start walking at least 10,000 steps each day. So I bought a pedometer and started tracking myself.
You, take the idea of walking for health, and (pardon the pun) ran with it!
I think this is a wonderful site/project, and I hope you reach your goal!
I’m having withdrawals because there’s been no posts today. Sigh… How can I break up the long mundane day behind my desk without updates from the winding road?
Where are the MattFacts when you need them?
Just keep posting here and we’ll all help you through it. You’ve got friends here who can be a support to you. Holler any time you feel you’re about to go down and someone will hear your cries. Stay in touch. And keep checking in every couple of hours. Or minutes if you need to. : )
Withdrawels will need to be addressed as in a few weeks…it will all come to an end…Unless Jason leaves the link up…we can all gather on the last post…..and party till the sun goes wild on us….
Oh that one will be like a bazzilion posts on it. Can you imagine? I hope the site doesn’t get shut down. Can Jason really do that? Do sites get “turned off” after a goal is reached? I’m new to this posting stuff so don’t know what happens at the end of this journey.
well not turned off..but there is a certain cost with having a site. some are just left to linger on…..we will have to contact Jason and see. Once he reaches the “goal” Matt might want to come back and post ..post walk updates, photo’s etc.
one day at a time Dorinda. One day at a time.
PS…thanks for scaring those mean beasties away. They haven’t bothered me in a while.
I hope they leave the blog site up long enough for me to go back and read ALL the posts (the newly added posts – since I last caught up!).
Glad I could help. We’ll have to keep a can of the “beastie” spray around just in case though.
Matt is walking on Jacko Canyon Road right about now. Out of woods safely….unless a bear is….no ..go away bad thoughts.
Thanks for the update Jeff. I guess today I will have to be content with charting Matt’s course on Google Earth.
Glad to know that I’m not the only one starting to think about withdrawals…… No pics today and I’m having withdrawals! I don’t even want to think about what it’s going to be like when the journey ends. Maybe Matt can post pics and comments about the walks he takes near home. And……maybe we can email him pics of walks we take in our hometowns and he could add comments. Yes, I’m thinking of ideas for the future so we don’t have a Hobo Nation of Matt-addicts going thru withdrawal….. :-D
You know Julie – I was commenting off-site to another person from Ohio about that same very thing…starting up a blog page so us “addicts” have a place to go and communicate when this is all over. I lothe facebook…so we were thinking up other options…..Must be in the Ohio water. We are working on it I hope.
Jeff, I would like to be included! You have my e-mail, so please let me know what you come up with. Thanks
Great minds think alike! I’m not on facebook either. Can’t wait to see what you guys come up with – Matt-approved of course :-) Are you in Ohio too?
Oooohhh…ooohh!! That is an awesome idea! This Hobo Nation has grown by leaps and bounds since the beginning. Where will we all go without our daily updates? I’m totally having withdrawals right now. Glad to know that even though Matt is “off the grid”, he is still movin’ along.
Facebook is the devil! I’m on it, but only because it’s the only way to keep track of my family. I can’t stand all of the gibberish/games, etc on there. Ugh.
Well seeing as how I only drink spring water….But I like your statement about it being in the Ohio water because I do cook with it so it makes sense.
So, Jeff, we need to discuss this as you know and most are willing. If there is a cost for a website you know we’ve got you covered for the cost. I don’t know what it is but I’m sure between us all we can come up with some ideas, etc. We look to you our Jeff and ask: will you? Or will Matt? Maybe even Matt will so he can join in on it with us. Wouldn’t that be just the awesomest?
O, I love the light! There is a forest fire near flathead lake, you must be getting the smoke filtered sunlight through it..Sunsets have been Amazing this week because of it!
The red line is creeping along Matt’s projected path – must mean Matt is safe from the bears.
Wow– looks like you are going to have several more days in the trees. Are you planning to drop into Arlee when you hit pavement again?
I don’t think he’s going through Arlee. Route shows hearding West on 200 at Ravalli Junction, about eight miles north of Arlee.
Our Matt is in a great part of the country, Hope he is loving the camping in the forest. Wish I was there. Lets hope he gets out of the dead spot soon so we have some new pictures.
I have many people ask me “Why is Matt walking across America?????”
according to Matt………………To get to the other side.
“put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be………….”
Does anyone know if there are any cameras along this route???…like the ones along 200???…we missed Matt on the last one I guess…but caught him on one earlier…anyone have the information on cameras???…(been checking up on all you every day…but not a lot to say I guess…other mysteries of life to deal with)…anyway, anyone know about cameras???…
I’ve checked on Montana & Idaho webcams. Haven’t found any more along his proposed route. They are only on the interstate, not where he will b walking.