Day 145
It seems more like the highway has adopted me
August 18th, 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:
You wont be adopted for too much longer :(
I wonder how long Matt will sleep or stay in bed when he gets home and finally gets to sleep in his own bed. I would be in mine for at least 2 days after a trek like this.
2 days!? I would be in the hospital… ;-)
I mean I would probably be in a hospital too but imagine how great it would feel to finally sleep in your own bed. Actually I think I might stay in mine for a week :D
Sleep well Ashley. We will wake you in a couple of weeks. By the way .. matt will be done then……save your napp..for a while.
only YOU can prevent forest fires!
I dont think I could return to life as I knew it after a journey like this.
Several years ago, a friend walked the entire Pacific Crest Trail. After she got home, there were many nights when she could only sleep in the back yard under the stars.
I think more than the highway has adopted you at this point. It’s been a pleasure to follow your progress, keep on truckin’!
I agree Joel…. we’ve all adopted Matt and the roads he’s walked on this journey…
Another Oregon scene which makes me think of The Great Smoky Mountains. Beautiful – again!
Aah what a great road for a moto-cycle, looks cool and quiet and peaceful. has anyone noticed that Matt is to go thru Idiotville, Washington or close to it, wonder about Town with name like that.
Matt could “Zigzag” around Portland but try to stay out of “Boring”. Talk about names of towns-there are some really good ones across this good ol’ US of A.
In Idaho there is Hope and a resort near it called Beyond Hope.
Been there!
My sis used to live in Boring…. ;-)
The highways are better for having know you. Adoption is not required. You are family now.
That it has! What will you do when the road ends?
I see an awesome mailbox ..
You caught that to Gigi. I saw it first thing looking at the pic and looked at the bigger size pic in flickr to make sure. Matt, does this make awesome mailbox #40-something? Can’t believe Gigi and I are the only ones to comment on it. Did anyone else catch it in there? That’s got to be one hard driveway to get in and out of though. Especially in the winter.
I’m glad the highway adopted you Matt, hope it takes real good care of you along this last legs of your journey.
Yep, I caught it, too. It was the first thing I saw after reading the sign. I was thinking the same thing about the driveway; no matter which side of the road the house is on, it’s a tough drive.
Where’s the Adopt-a-Hobo sign?
Matt I should warn you, of what (maybe is to come) IF by chance the wind is blowing in your direction, and you start to smell a funny smell….(sort of like following a very large giant who has farted ) don’t worry! It will only be Camas, on the Washington side of the river. What is Camas? Well, it is actually a very lovely town which has a great Thai restaurat and some great antique stores. BUT it sometimes stinks because there is a paper mill there.
Anyway, just wanted to fore warn you! I mean you might think it is your socks or that you had run over a skunk, or something.
love the description of that warning… a large giant farting… ha ha… I’m lol here… thanks for warning Matt, Karin….
fe fi fo fum…I smell the ………of a giant one.
We used to have one here in Pasadena, TX where I live and people around here often call it “Stinkadena”. Now it’s shut down and we all appreciate the lack of smell. But because we are on the Houston Ship Channel where there are many chemical plants we sometimes have their odors. None are as bad as the papermill though.
Do they make toliet paper at this place? If so that might account for the smell.
Karin in Greece – your comment “sort of like following a very large giant who has farted” just begs the question: When,where and how often have you followed flatulent giants, and why? Inquiring minds just like to know… :-D
Oh my…I’ve the church giggles now, really laughing and getting teary eyed!! I’m at work, trying to be quiet, but I’m still laughing!!! A fart I can imagine. A giant too. But a fart from a giant?? What must that sound like????? Ba ha ha ha!!!
that’s so funny Karin in Greece… a very large giant who has farted… LOL!!!!!
Just as I clicked on to the site for my daily fill of hobo nation, the Fats Domino song ” I’m walkin’ ” popped into my head!
And now we can all have this popped into our heads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y29RZpHnkq8
There’s a large giant living NW of me. When the wind blows just right or their is a stagnant air mass – that giant stinks! :)
Candice
If you have been through Chattanooga up I-75 to Knoxville there is a Bowaters paper plant in Calhoun, TN just before Athens, TN. You would smell this place if you have been on this stretch of I-75.
I’ve probably smelt that giant as well! I think there’s also a gassy giant somewhere up 231 going toward deSoto Caverns.
Looks like ahead you are walking where the sun don’t shine
The body only needs so much sleep. After my walk I think I slept 10 hours in a bed. But HUNGER is a whole different thing. I wanted to eat everything. And refrigeration was an amazing thing….eat part of something, put it in the cool place and take it out and eat it later? WOOHOO! My feet were in need of healing so walking barefoot or in socks or flip flops was so nice.
and what praytel walk did you do??
Just a little walk, me and a cat a couple of states over to where I wanted to live next…..nothing like Mr. Matt’s marathon walkaton.
I like this sign “Adopt A Highway Program” with YOU underneath. If “YOU” (that is all of us) would all not litter than we would not need the “Adopt A Highway Program” – sad to say we all know this will not happen, but wouldn’t it be great if it did?
Our country would show even more beauty and cleanliness!!! We can all do our part to help by not littering and being a part of an “Adopt A Highway Program”. You can walk and pickup litter at the same time, so you are getting exercise as well!!!
the adopt a highway program is more than just litter clean up. it is also a way for the roads to be maintained, signs kept intact, greenery kept from obstruction.
That does look like a dark curve in there doesn’t it? Such beauty you have their in Oregon.
Shoot!-should be” there” not “their”. Proof read Dorinda, proof read. You saw what happened when they left the “R” out of Dentistry. lol.
Dorinda
It is ther.
I hear people say it this way all the time so it must be correct!-I do this all the time and also transpose letters and everything else you can think of!!! But we are having fun. Hope you are doing well!!!
That sign is fantastic! It is the responsibility of us all to keeps the roads which we use clean. :) Now, if only everyone would think that way… no more cigarette butts and soda cans! (So, what’s the canned drink of choice in Oregon? Or maybe there are less litter bugs there…)
Is that an awesome mailbox in that shot?!
A dark green cave for the Mattmobile. Nana nana nana nana MattMaaaaaannnn!