Day 138
I-82
August 11th, 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:
Now that’s one long, lonely highway.
but on the plus side- no political signs.
I see the back of a sign board Martha ..
Keep off the long and lonely I-82 Matt. You’ll reach Oregon faster by following your own route and that would probably be Tomorrow! Kind of bittersweet for us following your walk but we’ll be here cheering you on. Walk on!
Its illegal to walk on the interstates. I would stick to the country roads more scenic and a less of chance of getting ran over by a semi…. ;)
DEFINITELY watch out for Semi’s! Even in bumper to bumper traffic moving like 2 MPH, my husband was sandwiched by one! And that was in a car. I can’t even imagine what it would be like walking!!!!!
Stay safe!
There’s nothing out there-it’s so desolate. But that’s the way the west is, desolate for miles on the interstates. Gotta make sure you gas up when you can and keep it that way cause it’s a long way between stops. But Matt doesn’t need to worry about gassing up. If anything, carb up for energy to walk. What a view this is though. Nice shot of the land. I like it even though it does look lonely. Glad you showed us this so we can see where you are.
you know is it right to say..go on a interstate anywhere in the country and you can see this exact same picture? I always think it as I travel down interstates….if it weren’t for signs I would never know what state I am in. In Tennesse once I rember this “picture”, In florida, in ohio, in PA…..In Mass
I looked ahead on the google map. Once Matt gets near the Bonneville Dam he should get some awesome pictures and video. Here’s a link with some info on the dam http://imjustwalkin.com/2010/08/11/i-82/#comments
Ok I copied the wrong link try this one lol http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2141/places/12119/index.html
Thanks for the link, and notice the photo credit at the bottom: Brett Hansen.
(The guy running for coroner is “Hansens,” but I still think it’s kind of funny given the pun.)
Saun…that area IS definitely gorgeous…the closer he gets to it, the prettier it becomes…then it’s beautiful all the way to the coast. :) He’s almost to my neck of the woods already….
time for bed
Greetings from Snoqualmie! and I must say this is THE UGLIEST part of my great state of Washington. It’s too bad he has to cross thru this area. Loved the Palouse and look forward to miles along the Columbia River. Can’t wait for the rest of the journey. Be safe.
Welcome Amy to the Hobo Planet. And might I say I hear quite a bit about your neck of the woods every winter. That’s some snow you get out there. Looking forward too to all the beauty out there. So far what Matt has posted with the river it’s gorgeous.
It is only ugly, in your perspective, I like the “aloneness” of it, if I may make up a word! Matt’s walking path must be high above the interstate to get that great shot!
When I worked in Death Valley I was amazed at how people saw the same scene so differently. One person would say, ‘how can you stand to live in this desolate place? There’s nothing here.” And the next person would say ‘You’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. It’s so peaceful here!’
I love that part of our state. It’s beautiful. There are places that you can see for miles in all directions and the texture of the land is amazing.
Looking at Matt’s route plans it looks like he’s going to be following along the Columbia river on the Washington state side until almost past Mt. Hood. Then he’ll cross over into Oregon. I can’t wait to see pics of Mt. Hood and if he an Mt. Ranier. I hope he’s able to get shots of them and post them. Hopefully he posts them. Can’t always rely on that but I can keep hoping.
Whoops….I think I congratulated Matt a couple days ago for crossing into Oregon… : (
Hi, Can someone help me puh-leeeze! Does anyone remember what state or day or month when Matt showed the pictures of Sapphire Mining? I’ve been going back through the pictures and thought it was in July but didn’t see them, maybe I’m off. Man, I’m going to miss “lurking” and reading everyone’s comments when Matt’s trip is completed….sigh….
hello @K. the pictures you are looking for are somewhere between days 1 and 138, if i recall correctly.
Hi Khandeeinla! Do you mean the Yogo Sapphires? Matt took a picture of a billboard advertising it on July 16, Day 111. On the comments to that picture I posted a link on the yogo sapphires. Hope this helps.
Wonder on what Matt is standing to get this shot.
As others have said, it does look like a lonesome stretch of highway, but to Matt I bet it looks like the road home.
I think its an overpass if I remember correctly there is one between Kennewick and Umatilla.
From this pic you would never figure out why Washington is the “Evergreen State”. But don’t fear there is lots of it down the road.
Watch out for the wind in the Columbia River Basin….unless you want to fly the rest of your trip. Maybe you could rig a little sail to your cart, hop on, and just windsurf the trail.
I hope he gets to see and photo windsurfers down the way. They are a real treat.
similar view from google street view
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=safari&q=kennewick&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kennewick,+Benton,+Washington&ei=zddjTLGpJ4_aOKas0IsN&ved=0CB4Q8gEwAA&ll=46.188388,-119.255991&spn=0.032621,0.077162&z=14&layer=c&cbll=46.188458,-119.255906&panoid=b6RL5M3sGONWdb5lxoNRjA&cbp=12,133.73,,0,-0.11
I sure am glad you get to walk the back roads where the scenery is much prettier…. and we get to enjoy it with you.
Thanks for the welcome Dorinda, I’ve logged in every day and enjoyed the journey but I had to pipe in when I saw the I-82 pictures because regardless of the kind words I believe this interstate in the middle of the desert is not the prettiest site!
Can’t believe he’s almost finished! So excited for him and so disappointed for the rest of us living vicariously thru the blog.
Oh there’s Jeff’s favorite word again, vicarious! Hey Jeff, how come you didn’t jump on this one and respond? You’re missing it dude.
You’re welcome Amy. Always glad to hear from another one of Matt’s followers.
Say hi to my family as you pass into Eastern Oregon! They are in Pilot Rock and Pendleton. I imagine you won’t be heading that way!