Day 127
The best sign twelve dollars can buy
July 31st, 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:
Why not just paint over the new sign? But then it would cost more than twelve dollars ..
Paint needs to be childproof and edible. It can’t have any lead in it, like the stuff made in China, not even wall paint. It must be approved by the FDA, one never knows when Hamsel and Gretel might come knocking.
So, all in all, you’re looking at a nickel and dime job, at least; plus tax, that is. But, because it’s you, because I’m such a hairy guy and because it’ll soon be Xmas, we’ll do it for twelves, OK?
almost there…..say hello to the folks at the Rocky Point Ranch!
I’ll give you thirteen but no more.
Why’d you buy that sign, Matt?
Matt, Good to meet you on the road.I have some nice photos of you. hopr you survived the hailstorms.
Mike
Mike! share those pics on the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Matt-The-Adventurer-Green/117230118318137?ref=ts
Matt, once you get to Oregon, would you please consider walking back home? At the rate you’ve made this trip, it would still be pretty close to your original 9 month plan …
You could go through the middle of the country, since you’ve just done the top.
I’m getting really nervous that I’m in a few short weeks I’m not going to have “Matt’s pictures” to look at a couple of times a day …. And dang, I’m gonna miss this!
One thing I must observe…the only two Glenda’s I know (get that “I know”) in this world and they are on this website…I am amazed…and also happy, no honored, to know both of you!!!…
Glenda(the other one), obviously docu-hoboing across America like this requires non-trivial expenditures of time and money (broadband provider fees for example), plus a civil engineering average wage loss of around 60K for 9 months. It’s entirely possible that if you’d consider making a monetary contribution along with your request for Mr. Green to continue his trek for your entertainment, he would no doubt give it serious consideration.
True, too true. But, then again, how much would it have cost to walk to Saint James. Or to go down the other way and meet the Pope? Tell, pray tell.
Say you wanted to go from NY to DC, Chris. What would be the challenge, where’s the fun, if it’s all downhill. Boring, even if you are wearing a hairshirt and all.
I guess if you really wanted to, you could walk backwards from DC to NY, with the cart behind you so it wouldn’t be towing, but pushing on your back, shaftwise, see?
Nonsense jibberish!
Yeah Matt, Im with the other Glenda, you and your traveling have created alot of Hobo Nation junkies out here and we are already wondering what happens when your done.
Travel safe
He flys home and gets on with his life, adventure over. He has said this before.
Wow just read the article about your adventure. I am totally impressed and a bit inspired to set my own journey! But being honest, I will never have the energy or will power to live up to your simple yet ever so complex walk!
I am going to keep a check on you!
Peace and many blessings to you! Be safe and most of all, enjoy beautiful America!
Sometimes a name (maybe Brinson’s) says it all to the locals. On the other hand if Brinson’s does not make it then take the Brinson’s sign down and use the former name Valley Home and Hardware Supply.
My question is – whatt did Matt need that cost $12.00? new bungee cords, batteries, tire or what?
Maybe it was Yuengling. That is about the cost of a 12 pack.
Well for $12 they could have gotten a cheap gallon of paint and painted over the old one eh? But at least they tried something. Oh well.
I see by your red line last night you should be crossing into Idaho today sometime by the looks of it. Another state down, 3 more to go and those are gonna be shorter than any others. Looking forward to new pics.
(Note: Not actually whole states, more like just corners and pieces. Idaho top, corner Washington and across Oregon).
Okay…so nothing to do waiting for a report from Matt…I stumbled across this…photos of America, in color, years 1937-1943 or something like that…could study for hours…but maybe you would like to see them…rural and small town mostly…enjoy… http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2010/07/26/captured-america-in-color-from-1939-1943/?source=ARK_plog
Jim
This is magnificent. I hope others looked at these pictures taken in the 40’s. I noticed 3 pictures from TN. One was the building of Douglas Dam by TVA (Tennesee Valley Authority). This dam is about an hour and 15 mins. from my home in Maryville. We have 9 dams with locks in our state that are a part of the TVA used as power stations and for flood control.
Another photo was of upper east TN and it is probably in Greene County or the general vicinity of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol. The river looks like it might be the Nolichucky (Indian name). There is a neat place to stay on this river called Nolichucky Bluffs. I know the owners, Pat & Brooke Sadler. Here is the link to their place –
http://www.bbonline.com/tn/nolichuckey/
The other photo was of a foundry in Chattanooga. It is about 2 hours from my house.
Thanks for sharing!
Don
Wow – Another to bookmark – Explore as Time permits!
Oh my goodness Jim!! Those are OUTSTANDING!! I love to look at old photographs. Guess that’s why I fell in love with photography so long ago. I don’t go anywhere without my camera and thankfully, I have a very patient husband who allows me to just shoot whenever I want. When we’re on vacation, he will pull over at a moments notice if I see something interesting.
Thanks for sharing!!
What an amazing collection of photos from yesteryear in America. I really appreciate #58 of the shepherd on horseback with his dog in Montana, especially after following Matt across that state. Makes me realize that Matt’s images are in fact providing a visual slice of life in America circa 2010. Thanks for the link Jim.
Oh, wow! Matt’s heading up Thompson Pass Road, according to his ‘red line map’. A few days ago I emailed him saying I was wondering why Google Maps would be directing him along NFS 7623 instead of T. Pass, after leaving Thompson Falls, since it was probably unpaved, and over 1,00 feet higher at the summit. I was honored by a reply from our “Hobo King” saying that when he got there, he would check out what looked best for him. His red line isn’t yet to the point where we can see if he’s chosen the more remote & higher elevation Forest Service Road, or the pass road.
Thompson Pass is approx. 4800 feet, with a GREAT view down the valley on the Idaho side. If he goes that way, I hope he gets some pics of the funky little old mining town of Murray ID as he passes through… GREAT burgers at the Spragpole Inn there!
Keep on chuggin’ Matt!
just read your article in the daily news… And the Steinbeck quote, boy it sounds like a wonderful adventure, Take me too!Are you reading My adventures with Charlie?-J*
Here’s the link for others who might be interested:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/08/01/2010-08-01_the_real_long_way_to_rockaway_bklyn_man_walks_across_usa_just_to_clear_his_head.html
Better pictures– three of them– in the paper paper.
Thanks Aunt Barbara for the news link! That’s awesome.
Just looking back over the photo post and comments and I noticed the reflection in the glass above the door. Really neat reflection of the mountain there. I like it.
I have figure out why Matt keeps putting his finger over the camera lens.
He is SHADOW DANCING while walking – http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=dsAJoObS4bg&feature=related
That did not work-
Here it goes again – http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=6899
Just checked the red line on the small map and it seems Matt will be crossing into Idaho tomorrow. Wow, Matt, you walked across Montana in just 29 days, what a feat!
Take care Matt. As always, I keep you in my prayers and wish you happy and safe walking.
I just checked the “red line” at 9pm Pacific Time, and it shows Matt in IDAHO — Burke Canyon, about 4 miles from Wallace, ID. Maybe he’s even in Wallace, already, but just not showing on the map yet. It’s a historic silver mining area. Lots of very interesting history around here. Looks like he went over the forest service road where elevation is the highest he’s seen yet (even in Montana at Rogers Pass). He’s made it to the final time zone!
Take a break to check out the Bordello Museum in Wallace, Matt… ;-}
Thanks Lori! When I checked the map an hour before you did he was still in Montana but very near the border.
Yes! Matt is in Idaho! At least the red line shows it. I also am checking in just past midnight Eastern time and as Lori says it shows him almost into Wallace, ID. Can’t wait for the pictures from this little trek. And Matt made another mile stone that I didn’t realize until Lori pointed it out that he’s in his last and final time zone. Thanks Lori that’s something I never thought about but so true. Yeah for Matt but I feel sad at the same time because it signals the end is near. : ( But! there are still pictures to be seen and comments to be made so onward and upward!
Jeff, what is it that buzz light year says? I can’t remember it. Oh yeah now I remember, “To infinity and beyond!”
To infinity and beyond…….I’ll get you to watch the kid movies, I will…..
Long weekend. Hay I read we are succesfully in Idaho….Lets all celebrate tonight by eating baked potatoes……From Idaho only…….
If he was near Boise, we’d eat potatoes. Since he’s North we should feast on huckleberries!
Matt,
I totally understand why you are doing this. It’s for personal reasons. I want to walk across the country someday too! For me, it’s because I want to see what it is like; to feel a little adventure; to maybe help some worthy causes, but mostly because it is a personal challenge for myself. I have been shopping for lightweight equipment for a couple months now, just pricing out and weighing things.
My wife thinks I’m crazy and has told me, “Have fun! Have a nice walk!”
Any advice or suggestions on equipment (types, qty, etc) would be most helpful and appreciated!
Good luck on your trek! Have a great adventure, and be sure to stop every now and then to take a look around and smell the world (just a reminder)!
Matt lists everything he has with him here: http://imjustwalkin.com/details/
Just read about this site on my cellphone’s news headlines here in Australia. Great story! As a man who has walked out on a few boring jobs in my own lifetime, I salute you sir!!! :-)
Walk on.
Hi Gaz from Australia! I read every day and I’m from Italy and there is a man from Holland who reads too. To satisfy my own curiosity, what other countries are following Matt’s journey?
a whole heck of alot. We had Indonesia or Singapore one day, germany, england, one of the baltics, netharlands, norway….haven’t seen african nations yet…..That is why we had to change from Hobonation to Hobo Planet.
Three more states and it will be all over. Enjoy while you can.
Here we go again no pics yet today. Hi Gaz from Australia, and Sarah from Italy welcome
Welcome to the Hobo Planet!! Matt is making quite a name for himself out there in the world. :)
WOW! I’ve been enjoying Matt’s travel photos for months, thinking what a neat way it is to see America. And an added bonus, finding relatives (perhaps?) in MT! Good excuse to head north! Thanks, Matt for sharing your journey.