Day 132
Downtown Tekoa
August 5th, 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:
love the murals, seams like an artsy place
City hall 1909-looks like a happy face. And very colorful museum there. Did you go inside at all?
Looks like City Hall is hungry for silver vans. Very nice.
That’s funny, Michael. I see what you mean.
Found more vintage photos on site from last post. Here are many of this town, circa 1938:
http://content.statelib.wa.gov/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/whitman&CISOPTR=306&CISOBOX=1&REC=6
Too cool. The phone number for Cohn Motor Company in 1938 was 47. Wonder who had trouble remembering the number?
You always have such great links Karen Too… thanks for doing that…
Thanks, MN Roxanne, and you’re welcome. It’s fun to find them.
I guess citizens of Tekoa are known for their sweet tooth. I noticed in the vintage photos the names of two businesses: The Sweet Shop and the Sugar Bowl Confectionery. That last one looks like an old fashioned soda fountain. I wonder what selection of candy 25 cents would have gotten you back in 1938? I think there is also a pic of the local trestle bridge that showed up on the wall mural. Thanks for the link Karen. Why do I suddenly have a craving for licorice?
I see nothing but a white screen…they still block my matt pictures..but they can’t block the spirit. I googled your path and see a visual…..nice. surely nice.
They HUMANITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hobo Nation has been blocked! And yet, the spirit carries on! Onward, Jeff, to Rockaway!
Karma…that is all I will say.
Museum AND library. That must be an honest to goodness public library because it says, “Make a splash” on the window. That was the ALA’s official Summer Reading Program theme. Cool!
update!: Matt is 437 miles from touchdown. If he walks without sleeping (what you think dorinda) he would be done in 6 days 3 hours……I’m not thinking that is gonna happen….but that is the update. Now to you Jane….
LOL !!! Why not Jeff?? Don’t you walk in the wee hours of the morning? No, Matt needs sleep for sure but he does seem to be up with the sun to walk and then down with the sun in the evening to rest. Surely don’t want our adventure over THAT
Darn! hit wrong key. I meant to say ” THAT quick”!
yes..wee hours- before the sun kisses the horzon good morning. Got caught in a Heavy tropical storm today. Hope matt’s walk is safer. At least my wife came to get me ..OUR matt is on his own. But you said it, I think, the end is in sight. But I think he will take the time to not rush and breath each bit of fresh air and touch each flower….and wave at each and every being he passes.
Also, it’s been some time since Matt took a break. Don’t you think he’ll be taking a day or two off soon? Matt, I’m surprised you didn’t take a couple of days to rejuvenate at Coeur d’Alene. Lord knows you deserve it. I hope you’ve planned a break soon so you can be strong for your final stretch. Matt, please rest! OK – now the mom in me is coming out.
I would doubt Matt would take a break now. I think he wants to get this done. And he’s gotta get a “super charge” of excitement for being almost done. A rush of adrenaline from crossing the state line that like he said touches the Pacific ocean. Would be nice though if he took a break in Portland seeing as how he’s going to be going through there.
Ummm. Matt…
if you hotwired that van you could make it in time for me to win the “guess when Matt gets to Rockaway contest”
Otherwise, I’m up hobo creek without a stick with a bandana hanging on the end with my food in it. (What DO you call those things?)
whaddya think?
ummmm
un palo con una ahorcadura de pañuelo en el fin con mi alimento en ello
asi es. Gracias, mi estimado hermano, Jeff.
Google infoms me that this stick is called a “bindle” stick, or….
surprise of surprises…
a HOBO stick!
I believe its called Bindlestiff : a hobo who carries a bindle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobo#Hobo_lingo_in_use_up_to_the_1940s
I was looking for the name of the actual stick>>>
Bindle stick collection of belongings wrapped in cloth and tied around a stick
Bindlestiff a hobo who carries a bindle.
Prego!! I publicaly say, anyone (I mean you my brother) who takes their vacation time and uses it to the betterment of god’s children (young and old), most especialy those in need, ranks with all the top, blessed people we have met along this Journey of Matts… my little attempt at spanish was my Thank You. August 10th..Is coming and I recall that to be your date. If he is not there he will be almost there….and that gets you a Yahoooo I almost won.
What’s the earliest date on the pool Jeff? Did somebody ever submit a date in August for Matt’s touchdown in Rockaway Beach, Oregon?
I’m probably the earliest. I guessed August 10th.
That’s my birthday! But I doubt that will be Matt’s finish-line day.
look above..
I did. Jeff did you get my date for the pool? I haven’t heard back from you yet to see if you needed more info from me.
Yes I got it…will email tonight from home promise.d
Jeff
Did you get my dates. Two consecutive dates. Either or?
Yes Jeff, did you get Don his dates? Do you prefer blondes, brunettes or redheads Don? he he. couldn’t resist that one Don.
So 437 miles to go, at an average of 23 miles per day = 19 days until Rockaway. Twenty five miles per pay puts him there in 17 days. I wonder if he’ll take another “rest day” or two before then??
Welcome to Washington! I was born in Spokane and went to college at Washington State University in Pullman…you’re basically in my backyard! Keep on Truckin’!
Joel, carelful. If Matt shows up in your back yard, he will pitch a tent and sleep there.
L O L
Oh I feel it!!!…the anticipation comes through almost every word written…”Calm down, now.” (my Mom used to always say, and add a “Calm down.” for emphasis)…”We have to learn to wait”…and that is something “I” always said to my kids and now grandkids…it will all work out in some grand plan…and what is that grand plan???…I have no idea…so: “Calm down, now…Clam down”…(it always seems to work for my Mom…a little harder for me.)…
I look forward to the end…for Matt it has to be a goal reached…that is good…and this has not all been “fun” for him…so being over will be good for that reason…but for all of us…the many reasons we keep coming back, day after day and for many, month after month…those reasons will be processed in many ways…and most will be good…
So all of this…I have enjoy beyond my words to say…and though there are a number of days yet ahead…this has been “all good”…and will be…thanks y’all…
TEKOA- means “CITY OF TENTS” from HEBREW
Very Interesting- history lesson ofr the day
http://www.tekoawa.com/foundingoftekoa.html
Love these old small towns with lots of history!
Okay, which window is the mayor’s office?
OH NO!!! Slow down!!! What am I going to have to look forward to once he gets to Rockaway?!?!? Its like that Movie with Jim Carey ( Truman I Think).. The screen will go blank, no more “trekking “along with Matt and back to the grind of sitting behind a desk without the “I wonder where Matt is today”….. What a sad sad day that will be =(
oh now….vlekempt again…tissues anyone…
I’m going to miss the great pictures and awesome reading!!!
I have tissues, and the box is in the shape of a cut piece of watermelon =) and what is vlekempt? and Jeff.. if you need a tissue you are more than welcome to use one of mine…. it may be slightly used but still better than a piece of used toilet paper! Have a Great Night!
chrissy…..ok that is it I am moving to Ohio after all this!!!
verklempt….I spelled it wrong above….I used to think it was a yiddish word…but it is german in origion…but it means choked up. Mike meyers did a skit on Saturday night live and this was one of the Tag lines……
Thanks for the tissue offer. I may need one used or not. Not a cryer…but man it will be sad when……but it isn’t yet.
You too on the good night…Matt he’s dreaming of the final mile by now.
See Jeff?? You really do need to move here to Ohio! Matt has many fans here in the “heart of it all”! : )
Matt has been on quite the journey with the end in sight. I’m just hoping he won’t pass my area by while I’m on vacation!!! I’ll be so sad if I’ve waited all this time and won’t even get to meet him. :( If that’s the case, I’m hoping to be at Rockaway when he gets there…
This journey means a lot to Matt…and also to a lot of us. It’s been really awesome getting to know some of you…the Hobo Planet….you are all a great bunch of people!! I’m not sure Matt even thought about how his journey would bring together so many people. It’s all very neat and I’m glad to be a small, small part of it.
Guess who’s verklepmt now Jeff? :)
Congratulations, Matt. You have found the spiritual path to freedom for both body and soul. Never stop exploring. It is a virtual IVY LEAGUE education that cannot be bought or bartered. There is only ONE success: to live in freedom with all terms that are self-prescribed. Enjoy nature in its most bountiful, unspoiled splendor. Banish all established practices of social engineering, conformity, corporate subjugation and mind control. Greedy and evil spirited corporations have taken the best of everything for themselves, as they continue to leave beggary, obscurity and quiet desperation in their wake. NATURE is free for everyone, regardless of one’s station in life. I look forward to your walking tour completion, and the wondorous discoveries you’ve encountered along this magical journey!
is there a way to see the route he’ll take to rockaway Oregon???
Click on ‘details of my trip’ on the imjustwalkin.com homepage, then click ‘my route’. It will give you the google maps walking route.
or just pick his point where he is now….as start and end as Rockaway beach oregon on google maps get direction and remember to hit Walking…….that will give you an idea….
Cool beans! You’ll be in Seattle real soon! It would be nice if some of my co-workers and I could meet you here! :)
Sorry Gina but Matt’s route isn’t taking him into Seattle. He’ll go through Portland though on his way to Rockaway Beach. He will hit Kennewick(?) from here and then onto Portland and then to Rockaway and beyond!
Thanks Lori. Not sure if this very long link will work….but this is the route.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Beach+91st+St+and+Boardwalk,+Queens,+NY+%28Rockaway+Beach,+NY%29&daddr=Cross+Bay+Bridge+to:Atlantic+Ave+to:7th+Ave+S+to:West+Dr+to:W+179th+St+to:W+53rd+Ave%2FE+Main+St+to:S+Torrence+Ave+to:W+Foster+Ave+to:43.083182,-89.373779+to:35+St+SE%2FOld+Co+Rd+10+to:S+1st+Ave+and+S+Pacific,+Rockaway+Beach,+OR+%28Rockaway+Beach,+OR%29&geocode=FWlDawId67SZ-ykXXpR2RmjCiTFQ3U0_MgYN2w%3BFV9pawId6peZ-w%3BFbjcbAIdhwGX-w%3BFV6RbQIdztGW-w%3BFeJXbgIdyFiX-w%3BFRBPbwIdLsuX-w%3BFVKWeQIdePrJ-g%3BFQx7ewIdkPPH-g%3BFcyBgAIdSVrG-g%3B%3BFaC5ywIdMsU2-g%3BFXz-twId6sCc-CkH79vBpcyUVDEs74AwOW8O9g&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=9&sz=12&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10&dirflg=w
I noticed the warning in the yellow box above the walking directions: “Use caution – This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths.” How’s that for an understatement? I’m glad it didn’t deter Matt from his cross-country odyssey. I think they need to add other travel cautions to the list: gravel roads, swamps and discarded Mountain Dew cans, to name a few.