Day 152
Farewell fog
August 25th, 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:
I loooove this shot… I looooove cows! (in a “they’re cute” sort of way)
And, so excited to be first – that I rushed – I want to say Congratulations… I’ve enjoyed your journey and you have inspired me to get into nature more often and appreciate the small things (and showing my kids the appreciation of nature) and to be open to showing more kindness and expecting more kindness from strangers!
My mom sells Mary Kay, and one of the sayings Mary Kay used to have is “treat everyone as if they’re wearing a sign that says ‘make me feel important.'” Basically the same thing as giving respect and kindness usually means you get it back from others.
amen!
I’m also having at least one adventure or something I would consider photoworthy – per day – and posting a photo of the day on facebook… kind of “I’m just walking”-ish!
Great idea, LaraPenny! I think I’ll try it too!
I love cows, too! But in a hamburger sort of way.
So funny Janine! Whenever I have something not-so-nice to say about someone, such as “Politician-to-be-named is a complete idiot,” I end the sentence with “And I mean that in a friendly Christian sort of way.” Ba ha ha ha!!
:0)
Congratulations on finishing your journey, Matt!!
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
Wonderful, Dennis! I think this is Tolkien. Perhaps we have all been inspired by Matt to walk new roads.
Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though I oft have passed them by,
A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, East of the Sun.
— Tolkien
Oh how pretty! Sunlight burning off the morning fog. I love the cow on the far right…you’ve piqued his interest for sure!
…..sunlight burning off the morning…..cow induced methane gasses……
What a great photo! I love cows too!!
Congrats on your journey. It must be so sureal to be finishing it.
Are those Tillamook dairy cows???
Those are HAPPY Tillamook Dairy Cows….
:)
I wonder if Matt is as sad to see his journey end as we are? Of course, now its back to “reality” for him, and in a way for us too. I know I’ve been living vicariously through Matt these last few months, looking forward to a time in my life where I could be just as “footloose and fancy free” as he is right now.
Enjoy the last day of your journey, Matt!! Congratulations on showing us all that there is a lot to learn if we just slow down a bit and really look around us.
and an “amen!” here too!
Two Words (and a link):
“Funky Dung”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9TPf6OMA3Y
awesome shot. haunting
Love the shot! Even the cows are mooing farewell to our hobo. I’m sure you must have a huge smile on your face now as you near Rockaway Beach. Only a few more hours .. congratulations again Matt! It was a great pleasure to follow you and see America through your eyes these past 5 months. Hats off to you!
Karin told us of the “cow smell” he would come upon. Farewell Cow’s! Farewell Fog….but a tribute to our London mates out there.
Good luck on your last few miles! I’ve been following you for a while (about from the middle of your trip), and i’m impressed. Thanks for showing sides of the USA, that an outsider might never see.
Welcome Anna, Matt has also shown some of us here in the states things that we have not seen, even living here.
Looks just like the cows we have. Remember the cows Matt?
looks like an old rockwell painting…Americana…as for fog that is how I will be feeling after this trip..what to do now?
Gorgeous!! Your adventure has been amazing. Do you think you’ll write a book?
Looks like even a couple cows wanted to get a glimpse of Matt as he heads down the final stretch.
I hope someone films his arrival and let all of us see it. Do you think someone will?
I hope someone does too. I’d love to see it.
I think they’re all wondering: “What kind of milking machine is that guy pushing?” Udder confusion.
Ba ha ha ha! You’re udderly hilarious Stephen!
Certainly, this isn’t YOUR farewell photo… Don’t we get to see you on the beach like how you started your trip? And a report of who was waiting for you and how you celebrated? PLEASE?
Congrats, Matt. Thank you for allowing us to make this trip with you!
Steph
The Rockaway Beach,OR. Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Matt to Rockaway Beach. We will meet him in the Wayside, near our office which is a RED CABOOSE!! We have a small party planned for him, his parents and his girl. He wants to take a dip in the Pacific Ocean, and I warned him…it’s cold! He will not care, as it will be the end of a miraculous journey I’m sure.
Thank Matt for choosing beautiful Rockaway Beach, OR. for your distination….we are honored!
Sincerely,
RBCC
Yay! There’s a welcoming committee and a party! Looking forward to seeing all about it on the Chamber’s website!!
We’ll all be checking your website for photos with family and the people who come to meet him. After all we’ve seen, we will be sorely dissapointed if we can’t see the party. heehee Thanks so much for putting on the grande finale!!
Thank you RBCC!
I’m hoping the local news will film his arrival, if not, then I’m looking forward to pictures from your site. Thank you RBCC.
His girl? I didn’t know he had a girlfriend? That’s never been brought up here. hmmm…..
that’s what I was thinking too…
perhaps ‘his girl’ is the person who took his picture when he was in that stream!
His girl or girls….I hear you all screaming like Matt is the next Elvis. If there is a girl – you got a winnah…but he might leave on a adventure now and then.
Matt’s parents should you read this… Well Done!!! Well Done!!! I am honored to know your son through this trip.
I hope he does not mind our muse… We are greatful for this moment in time ( we being Hobo Planet) we had to spend with him. Hopefully CNN would make Matt a hero for 2010 – in a time when America is having some trouble.. Your son has lifted a nation or bigger.
St. christopher (one of matt’s good luch charms) please give Matt safe passage to the coast.
Been following this blog from the start…just now posting. Figured I’d better start while the journey is still underway. Gonna miss ya, Matt! I’ve never been one to manufacture too much meaning in relation to what your trek means philosophically or socially, but it’s definitely been inspiring! It’s made me hunger for more simplicity, more lightness of being, more joy… There I go, getting all philosophical!
me too, G.!
Yet another amazing photo! It must feel so incredible to be on the last day of your trip. Even though we got to experience your trip through the blog, it must be on a whole other level to actually be doing it. Congratulations on being (almost) done, and thanks so much for sharing your trip with everyone! You’re definitely some kind of superhero, or at least future American legend.
I love this picture!
That’s an awesome picture!
Matt- the cows are looking at you!!! They seem very interested in you too. They probably wonder what you’re doing out there at a time of day like that. he he.
“Just some cows in a field with too much fog…hard to see ’em”…Now that is the way some would see this picture…
When our #4 son was young and on the bus to school, the bus went by a lake with trees around it…it was a Minnesota fall…and the sun was just up…he looked and saw that picture…and just said out loud, “Man, that’s beautiful.”…the kid sitting next to him, looked up and said, “What?”…Jeremy said, “Look.”…the kid looked up and saw nothing…
I prefer to see the beauty, serenity, happiness and quietness there is in this world…no doubt Matt does too!!!…
Beautifully said Jim.
Awesome pic
EMILY YOU WERE CORRECT ALL ALONG….4 COWS!
See! I told you guys! It only took Matt walking 3100 miles to prove it. Thanks Matt!