Day 130
The start of a hazy day
August 3rd, 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:
The open road beckons! Have a great day Matt.
I regret to inform the Hobo Nation, That Matt Green, the Hobo, having started his trip in Rockaway Beach, NY is
only 507 walking miles to his destination. That leaves roughly 22 days or so ………
Hobo Planet, Jeff! I can’t believe you…
Let’s hope the mountains slow him down. So I can win the pool, if nothing else. *L*
oops forgot my own proclamation. I am Jester for the day…bring out the food samples……
Well, he’s going to just have to turn around and walk back then! What will I do to occupy my lunch time at work if
I’m not hanging with Matt and the H.N.?
That’s Hobo Planet…
Hi Jeff, Isn’t Matt walking 15 miles a day. When you figure it out it comes to about 31 days . Is he walking more than 15 miles a day?
Saundra, Yes his average is higher now, per Matt. When he started he was averaging 15 miles a day. Not counting the six hour truck up the gravel mountain road, he told me he was averaging just about 23 miles a day. I am thinking the closer he gets the more “push” he puts in his strides. But yea..more then 15 miles a day. I think you are pretty close on the pool. I am sept 15th. tonight I will post the dates given up until my date…..
Jeff, what is the link for the pool again? I know you posted it recently, but I don’t have time right now to search it out. I want in! Thanks.
mattwalkingpool@yahoo.com
got 5 new entries yesteday.
And at least one more today! Whoo-hoo!
I like how they have taken this old railroad tressle and paved it, put the safety rails on it and painted it. Idaho must be very trail freindly. Or did they know Matt was coming thru???
Yes, Idaho has converted many old railways to bike paths, all over the state. Matt recently went near Silver Mountain. For a fee, they will truck your group to the top with bikes and flashlights. The old mining railway was converted to a bike path, takes 2-3 hrs to get to the bottom. Has many long tunnels and old cemetaries along the way, and beautiful scenery. And for those talking weather, Matt is heading for mid 70’s here in the Portland area and mid 60’s at the coast.
Happy walking, Matt. Enjoy the beautiful sights along the Coeur d’Alene River & lake!
I have really enjoyed your adventure Matt, Thanks for allowing us to follow along. I love the out of the way places that you find, even some of the things in my own state that I never knew existed.
can’t wait til you reach cour d’ layne take a picture of the floating green (pretty sure it still exists). enjoy the northern idaho scenery!!!!
Yes, the floating green does still exists (my hubby par’d it once!). Unfortunately, Matt’s proposed route won’t go by that part of the lake (North end). He will completely bypass Cd’A. He will have some spectacular scenery on the East and South sides of the lake, though. Here’s the link to the resort & golf course to check out the part he’ll miss:
http://www.cdaresort.com/
Beautiful spot but doesn’t look like a place that a hobo would stay…
You are right MN Roxanne
If Matt stayed at this place he would be hobbing not hoboing.
Looks like a very nice resort though.
I love this shot!
I just really love the geometry of this bridge – I vow to walk across it myself – one day!
I love this shot too Candice.
Such an adventure! I’m so enjoying your trip across the country and the insights into the people & places you’ve encountered along your way. What wonderful images you have shared with us! I do hope that someone has warned you though that from the forrested north of Idaho, next week you will enter the desert of eastern Washington. Don’t get me wrong, it’s very, very beautiful in it’s own way, as every place you’ve been has been, but the area past Spokane is nothing like the rainy western side of the mountains that most people associate with Washington state. Stock up with an extra gallon of water, enjoy the wonderful scent of sage & watch out for coyotes!
I’ve been wondering the same thing, Dianne. I assume Matt’s done his homework and knows what to expect, but I think some of our fellow Hobo Planet members may be surprised when Matt posts pics between the Palouse & The Dalles. It’s similar to the far eastern part of Montana.
The trail seems to be beckoning you to come and enjoy the day even if it started to be a hazy one. Happy walking today, Matt!
Beautiful bridge and scenery! I love bridges. Have a good and safe day Matt!
I hope you have a beautiful day Matt. Here today in St. Louis the high is supposed to be 101. I can’t wait for fall!!!
I love, love, love this picture! Hazy mornings mean cool weather for a while. That’s how we’ve started the day here in Vancouver, WA. I’ll take it. Happy Walking!!
what lies ahead, a hill, bumpy rocks…civilization again…I do not know…..step forward and cross the bridge…on the other side resides……………………………………………………..
Hi hobo nation! I have been following Matt’s journey since May and went back and read everything before May that I had missed. I just want to wish Matt good luck on his last leg of his journey. It’s exhilarating to read all of the encouraging comments and see the kindness that the nation has shown Matt on his walk. I’m sad to see the end is in the near future but I believe Matt has renewed everyone’s faith in our country and I commend him for that. Good luck Matt! The end is near and we will miss seeing the humor in your pictures when it comes.
Same here!!!
Btw, this is an awesome picture!
you are taking a most interesting/non direct route aren’t you! i have been to plummer id and when you get to washington you may end up close to Step Toe Butte–which is an awesome site!! from the top one of our family friends said it looked like you want to shake out a quilt.
enjoy the wheat fields, the pea and lentil fields, the rolling northern pallouse region and in washington enjoy it all.
continue to enjoy your trip-can’t wait to see how you enjoy the columbia river area.
I love this photo….like a crazy metal worm hole to the Delta quadrant. ;-)
hehehe I like that!
Farscape? or Star Trek?
Star Trek Voyager. ;-) Not to ruin it for you, but the crew makes it home from the Delta quadrant.
Dear Hobo Nation, time is ticking away and soon the end to the pictures and adventures will stop. I just want to take this time to say THANK YOU to Mr Matt Green and all of the special people he has encountered. Everyone has a special photo or memory of this journey and I will remember the vicarious journey with fond memories. Keep on walkin Matt
I feel the same way, Ruthie. It’s like being on a vacation we don’t want to return from, but alas…Matt, you have touched so many lives. I hope you have found some answers as well. Be safe…
Well said, Ruthie & Anna, and I echo both sentiments.
Matt, I believe photography may be your calling.
Matt…..I need to speak to you when you are finished with your walk about.
Oh Oh I think Matt is about to get a “talkin to” about that finger of his that keeps showing up in his pictures….
does anyone know if matt’s cart has brakes? i was looking at the pictures and it looks like brakes might come in handy going up and down mountains and big hills.
I believe he’s wearing the brakes on his feet.
Yes it does.
I figured it out, Matt! Instead of walking back across the country through the eventually snowy mid-west with your extra time, you should walk down to Rockaway Beach, California just outside of San Fran! Then us Californians would have a chance to buy you lunch! You can just zigzag around the 101 freeway all the way down!
I vote for that too! I’m in Marin County and would definitely make the trip to cheer him on…
I also am in favor of that idea…but I bet Matt will be glad to be done at his original stopping point. Maybe some day!
How about continuing just a little bit further south of San Francisco to Monterey…? I think Cannery Row there would be a very appropriate destination.
We already know that Matt reads Steinbeck, perhaps it was one or more of his other works that also inspired this adventure- “Travels with Charley: In Search of America” (1962); “The Pastures of Heaven” (1932); “The Long Valley” (1938); or “America and Americans” (1966) ?
In honor of Steinbeck, I already have a title for the book that Matt should write about this journey…”The Clamato’s of Wrath”.
OK. Maybe not.
Or “The Wrath of Clamato”!
The Search For Clamato.
I like it!!! Then I could also partake! (although that drive to Oregon wouldn’t be such a bad trip – it’s a beautiful drive)
Awesome pic thanks Matt be safe :)
Excellent centering of the bridge in the shot, Matt.
Looks like a nice, smooth road ahead.
Beautiful shot!
Another wallpaper!
I have thought over and over to myself that Matt makes this look so easy. After all, he is mostly posting pictures. With little or no text, you never hear about being tired, wet, hot, etc. I know it has been rough, but I am sure he has enjoyed every minute of this journey. I think he should be on Larry King Live when he finishes. :)
Somebody contact ” Letterman”.
I was just thinking, what are we all going to do when Matt’s journey is completed? We won’t have a place to see his awesome pictures, read his funny captions, and interact with one another!! We’ve been following Matt each and every day for the past few months, is it supposed to end just like that???? will this just be a chapter in our lives that just ends with no continuation??
There has been talk of a blog or such to keep the banter with all of us going. Need to find people willing to be admins on the page. Contact Jeff and ask some more there. What do you say Jeff? Time to get something more concrete yet? We’ll talk I’m sure.
As long as they aren’t boots…..I’ll have talk with a friend who has been toying around with the possibility. No promises, not like I am running for an election, but Dorinda is right that someone will have to Administer the blog…and I for one don’t have alot of time for it.
Will post shortly because time is passing and Matt is on a rolllllll downhill by now.
I second that, Flavia. I’ve been thinking about that too, lately. The more I see that red line on the map advancing toward Matt’s final destination, the more I wonder how will I live with one less “nightly ritual” I’ve been doing religiously since I read about him on yahoo.
Matt,
although the walk hasn’t ended yet, we want to go ahead and thank you for what you’ve done — you’ve touched so many people’s lives (be that good-hearted citizens you met along the way, and all of us here who keeps following you from the comfort of our own homes).
We love you!
Marisa&Keith
Maybe I haven’t been observant but what ever happened to Glenda I and Too???…have we gone too far West of something???…
Does anyone know how long this site will remain after Matt gets back to NY? Wondering if he will keep it awhile so he can go through and read the comments and look at his pics on a regular monitor. Here’s a thought: How about a contest of sorts for the HN? Voting on the pics in certain categories ie: Best Awesome Mailbox……Best Water shot…..Best Mountain shot……Funniest caption……..Most Bizarre…..etc???
Jason Eppink is the one who runs the site for Matt. He monitors it so Jason, what is going to happen to this site please after Matt is done???
We haven’t discussed this, but my assumption is we’ll leave it up for at least another year.
remember to submit it to the archive !
http://www.archive.org/web/web.php
Thanks for responding, Jason. BTW – I drilled into your link and checked out some of your other work. Love what you’ve done! The sidewalk video on segregating New Yorker’s from tourists was hilarious. Knowing that you’re a videographer, I look forward to a video recap of Matt’s journey. (hint-hint)
..and check out the Astoria Scum River Bridge. awesome idea!
http://jasoneppink.com/astoria-scum-river-bridge/?pid=326
Thank goodness – It’ll take me another year to go back and read ALL the comments – !!!
YEEAAHHH!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!! Oh that would be so good. Yes, we could all go back and read again and enjoy the photos some more and have a place to “meet” daily. Thanks Jason for your quick response.
I will also miss the pics and all the comments. Can’t believe Matt only has 507 walking miles left WOW. Thanks Matt for letting us come along for this amazing walk.
I’m so jealous right now…tonights sky is going to be astounding, from meteor showers, Planet triangulation of mars saturn and venus in the west, the space station will be flying over to the kicker…..A solar Tsunami will be bringing out a Northern lights display…Enjoy the beauty!
I was up till after midnight trying to see that glorious northern light show they talked about but didn’t see any here in central MN. I hope the clouds stay away enough tonight to try again. I hope Matt has a chance to see some great night sky away from all the city lights.
It’s partly cloudy so I don’t know if I’ll get to see them, but They shouldn’t be too bright until about 3-4 am…So I’ve still got a few hours, I’ll just use the time to get some work done, which means I’ll have time to see my friend from Seattle tomorrow!
Same here in Michigan, Roxanne. Hoping to catch a glimpse of them tonight as well.
Unfortunately Matt won’t see much tonight. Multiple forest fires raging in Canada and in northwest Washington have completely obliterated any view of the sky. The smoke haze is thick over this entire part of the country.
Just to let every one know Matt’s in a Dead Zone He should be at Trail of the Coeur D’Alenes going towards St Marries Lake and can not use his cell phone
Thanks Big Scott! Again you rock with the wealth of local knowledge. I for one appreciate it and all you’ve done and do. Keep following along with us. I enjoy it.
Have you gone back and looked at the rest of Matt’s postings? Takes a while to catch up to all of it but it’s worth it.
Kool I’ll do that, Dose this mean I’m in the Hobo Plant Club?
Big Scott
Yes you are a part of the Hobo Planet because you are a part of Matt’s photography and trek and because you are a great stewart of taking care of this earth. Welcome and keep posting!
The world needs more people like you Big Scott. If you finish litter cleanup in Idaho, we could sure use you in TN also.
Scott — Not only are you a member of the Hobo Planet, you are MEMBER EXTRORDINARE because you’ve actually met our Highness, the Hobo King! :-)
Dude, Scott! You’re a Hobo Planet VIP!
Big Scott…we imagine…you lived the dream…..You were passed by chance, shared to the world…and now..a legend of Hobo Planet. Smile and enjoy. Your fame is now longer then 15 minutes, with us.
Big Scott, you landed on the Hobo Planet the moment you encountered Matt! As a matter of fact, I vote you ambassador in charge of keeping this planet clean.
Thanks! I’ll take that Honer. This is more than a club this is a family that I’m glad to be a part of, I know now there’s still a lot of Cool Great Wounder full people in this Country…
Thanks Big Scott!
Those clouds look low enough they’re covering the tree tops. Ugh, it does look like a hazy, gloomy day. Hope it cleared up for you.
Forest fires in Washington are coming under control and the air quality should be better later in the week. British Columbia fires are still raging.
wow, sorry to hear that. I know I heard on the TV yesterday that a fire started near Sisters, OR and had to check if it was any where near where Matt has to go. It isn’t but still worry with him out there on some very desolate roads that he could get caught up in one. Thanks for the local information Belle.
Matt’s in a beauty zone free of cell phone towers…. love this shot of the bridge… great start to the morning.
Anyone know anything about this bridge? I know Matt was recently walking a trail built on an abandoned railroad ROW but this bridge appears to be too small for a railroad. I’m trying to judge the scale by the railings and it looks too narrow and too short for a train. Is it a new bridge built for the trail?
The Path that Matt’s on now is (Trail of the Coeur D’Alenes) where the old rail Road track use to be & the Bridges are Train Trussel’s
Any bridge or old railway that can be converted for walking and biking is cool with me. This is a great shot and this is not a bridge to nowhere like some that have been built.
This looks so inviting and peaceful!
Don, you should try the “Virginia Creeper Trail” that goes from Whitetop to Abingdon. 35 miles long and is mostly down hill. Great for mountain biking.
Over 15,000 comments! Awesome! Matt’s the man!
there are two times in life you can’t choose.when your born and when you die.almost all the rest you have a choice.to be filled with joy or sadness.quoted from a real smart old school dude.”P.0.V. the way we get by,…PBS channel 13,…right now. go matt,…go
Matt always seems to find just the perfect shot! I am praying that there is a book forthcoming at the end of his wonderful adventure. I have hopes of flipping through pages, at a future date, and re-living a journey well spent!
Hopefully will hear from Matt today…the “red line” says it is movin’ right along…
Just stumbled across your site the other day, LOL I clicked on the news link on google and your story was on the list for local news :)
I live in Rockaway Beach Or. I gotta tell you there isn’t a lot that goes on in our town, so something like this is really cool, and exciting :) You have got to get pictures of the Red Caboose at the Wayside when you get here, should make for an interesting picture :) Good luck on your walk!!
Matt H. from Rockaway OR, welcome to the Hobo Planet! So pleased to have our first resident of Matt’s final destination join us in supporting & encouraging Matt on his journey. Also, a wee bit jealous that you most likely will be part of his “welcome” committee. Spread the word about Matt!
Hello!!! Welcome and thanks! Glad you found Matt’s story and his website. Will be nice to have even more local information now from you if you stick with us here, please!. This walk will make for plenty of excitement in your town now if there wasn’t before. Do you know if plans have been made yet for his welcome? Hope so, we’ve heard talk that there is. Keep us informed please! Thanks!
@Andrew in VT – More on the trail here:
http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/trailofthecoeurdalenes.aspx
Thanks for sharing the link – I’m going to check it out and save it to the “explore as time permits” folder.
YOU CAN TELL THE POLITICIANS DO NOT LINE THEIR POCKETS IN IDAHO, LIKE THEY DO IN ALABAMA OR THIS RAILROAD BRIDGE WOULD NOT BE PAVED.