Day -2

Getting in the zone

December 29th, 2011



I start my new walk in 36 hours!


83 Comments

  1. jojo says:

    Awesome, good luck, I will be sure to follow, I had a great adventure with you on your last journey. You inspired me!

    • Karen Blount says:

      I agree. I can see myself trying to be the first to comment on a picture (I hope you’ll be taking pictues) as I did on your last journey. Looking forward to seeing New York through you eyes and feet. Good luck!

  2. wyclif says:

    Happy New Year and good luck on your new journey, Matt. I followed your walk across the US and now I just signed up for your email updates again. I’m looking forward to seeing the NYC boroughs through your eyes.

  3. Peacefulbird says:

    Ah, oxymoron indeed!

    A feat of feet –
    feeding a mighty curiosity
    feeling your way improvisationally
    fiercely determined.

    I’m with you in spirit –
    my blessings in your pocket.

  4. Col Clay says:

    Hey, good luck Matt! Happy New Year as well.

    Cheers, from Col, from Tasmania, Australia

  5. Alan Kennedy says:

    I have never been to New York City looking forward to following you on the web sight.

  6. Karin says:

    Happy New Year and Good Luck! I have never been to NY so am looking forward to learning more. I followed you on your last trip to Oregon (being from Portland). Am just looking forward to learning through your eyes, the city of NY. I hope you get lots of goodies…..
    Karin from Paros (Greece) now Karin from Prague (Czech Republic)

    PS If you like walking NY, then perhaps you can walk Prague in the future. It is a fantastic city also!

  7. HKS says:

    Best of Luck Matt!
    My one concern , I hope you go back to your own bed every night to sleep rather than camping on the streets of NYC.

  8. Santi says:

    Hi Matt,

    OW! Two years walking! You’re my hero! Good luck in your new adventure! We’ll follow your posts and pictures in your blog from Spain like we did it in your last journey.

    Good luck again and happy walking new year!!!!

    Cheers!

  9. Barry says:

    Matt,

    Pick up a GPS and try Geocaching along the way, during your adventures in Central Park, this cache alone will take you to every bridge and arch in the park. all 32 of them. There are many other Geocaches in NYC, might be a new hobby for you, and help you find a few more hidden jems in the big apple.

    http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=6ab444b2-21b4-4b3f-af59-bc378f4455bb

  10. KarenToo says:

    Hi Matt,

    Wow. Two years, a million minutes, and 7500 miles is ambitious, and you’re the person to do it. Like everyone else here, I have questions, but I’m sure the answers will come in due time.

    As I said in my reply via e-mail, I spent 30+ years living, working, and playing in NYC, so it will be particular fun to see the city through your experience, revisit old favorites, and see parts I probably never knew existed.

    Wishing you, your family, friends, and everyone on here a joyous, auspicious New Year.

    This is a wonderful end to an old year, and an exciting beginning of a new year.

    Happy New Year, and Happy Trails.

    • Jeff still in Joisy says:

      Welcome back KarenToo…! Sorry about the snow. Bet Matt’s not

      • KarenToo says:

        Hi Jeff, and good to see you here, too.

        Was thinking about Matt walking in the winters of NYC, and so it is good it’s a mild one right now.

        He is the Million Minute Man…on a March? Ha ha.

        Okay, not a march per se, nor is this about social activism in the sense of the Million Man March, but the name is bound to come up for the alliteration alone. ;-)

        At the rate he’s going, some day he will be the Million Mile Man.

        Best of luck, Matt. :-)

        Despite what the news portrays, there are a lot of friendly people in NYC, but do be careful.

        Cool picture of you with the map on your face.

  11. Larry from NJ says:

    Good Luck Matt. I followed the walk across the U.S. and I’m really looking forward to the NYC walk. I’m sure it will be very interesting. Be safe.

  12. Harriet Lovick says:

    You are an AWESOME person to take on such an adventure!!! I really enjoyed hearing from you on your last ttrip!! Take Care and Be Careful!!
    Sincerely
    Harriet

  13. Trish from WV says:

    How exciting! My son met you near Richfield Ohio and we followed you across America. Now I am looking forward to seeing YOUR New York!

  14. Geoff from Nova Scotia says:

    Hey Matt! Ah, what a treat to walk around one of the greatest cities on the planet. The history, the melting pot of cultures, the tastes and the sounds. New York at 2 miles an hour will be fascinating to see. You get to walk 7500 miles and sleep in your bed at night! Bonus!!! Best of luck! I hope lots of people donate so that you can keep inspiring and enlightening us all.

  15. Darla says:

    Good Luck!

  16. barb c. says:

    Happy New Year Matt. Glad to see that you are off to another adventure. Since I have never been to New York it will be a treat for me to experience the city through your eyes. Good Luck and stay safe.

  17. Kelley in Fl says:

    You should try to get one of the major networks to sign you up as a correspondent! Let all the NYers see their city for a change.

  18. Wendy in Las Vegas says:

    Matt, Your new adventure sounds fantastic. Glad you decided to do another adventure. As a former New Yorker, I look forward to seeing NYC through your eyes. I can’t wait to see your beautiful photos and to read the blogs! I think the pic of you is great!
    Happy New Year!

  19. Martynas says:

    Good luck! Pelase post awesome stuff.

  20. Vea in NC says:

    Matt-I was so excited to get your email! Good luck and I can’t wait to follow along!

  21. Jeff still in Joisy says:

    Big Buildings! When I thought about where next..I never imagined the city itself. I am glad to be able to check your posts, pictures and thoughts. I will find you for those cookies and when possible will follow on your coat tail. Nice to start in the year with the least amount of snow so far..! Peace brother, and remember the rules…White guy means walk, but look…Red guy means ..walk but look (red and white are the guys on the street crossing signs). We prefer HOBO over Vagabond….I suppose.

  22. Mark says:

    Matt, I look forward to following your walk again. The only part of NYC I’ve seen is JFK Airport, so it’s be cool see the details of the entire city. What a great experience for you and I wish you a blessed trip!

  23. Carlee in Canada says:

    hi Matt … back to wish you the happiest of New Years and congrats on your new walk, and OH what a walk it will be !! I’ll be keeping you company every step of the way. PS: I agree with “Kelley in Fl” …. network support would be awesome.

  24. David says:

    You’ve gotta start in Times Square on New Year’s!

  25. Barb V from Michigan says:

    Matt, I can’t wait to the city through your eyes (& feet). Ditto what HKS said: Hope you go home to your own bed each night. But then again, sleeping on the streets of NYC will be an experience in itself. Oh, you brave soul! Let the stalking the walking on this site begin!

  26. Lois says:

    Good luck on your new journey. I’m from LI and lived in Manhattan for 13 years, my parents were both born in Brooklyn and my brother lives there now. I look forward to seeing the images you capture in your travels.

  27. Teal says:

    Walk on with your bad self!!! Can’t wait to see the pictures!!!!

  28. Gigi says:

    This is great, Matt! I’m hoping I could bump into you in the city or in any of the boroughs one of these days. I’d better be sure to have some cookies handy :)

    Have a great walk and a great new year, too!

    P.S. Nice to see some familiar names here :)

  29. cybele says:

    can i come?:) GO TEAM MATT!!!

  30. Paula Kiger says:

    Blessings and safety to you, Matt. Please give my favorite haunts (Upper West Side, both Fordham U campuses, Brooklyn Promenade, Bronx everything, Roosevelt Island, Richmond Hill Queens) a special “hello” for me!

  31. Martha says:

    I was just thinking about you and your previous adventure the other day, and then I got you email about the new walk- how exciting! Thanks for keeping up with us so we can keep up with you. Enjoy and Good Luck!

  32. Nancy in Spring, TX says:

    So excited for the continuation of your journey and to read and see it through your eyes. Safe travels.

  33. colleen says:

    oh that sounds very interesting…..NYNY should love this and be sponsoring you….great for NY travel publicity. Luv the pic. Very clever and good luck! Loved following your last adventure~

  34. Chaser1 says:

    You aren’t sick of walking yet? LoL. Have a blast. Be safe. And take your time this time.

  35. Jared Goodman says:

    Good luck!

  36. Jeffrey Lee says:

    All the Best and a Happy Walking 2years.
    As you walk, please sing ‘New York, New York! New……..York…….!’
    God Bless!

  37. Scott Meis says:

    Really enjoyed the last walk and look forward to following this next adventure. Great storytelling.

    Cheers from SEA.

  38. Lotus says:

    Wow, this is definitely a first for this type of venture. Dont think anyone had ever walked every blok though NYC. What made you decide to pursue this type of walk, and in such a location? Interesting that the journey will take two years as well. Who would have thought there were enough blocks and miles that it would be 7500 miles and two years worth of walking.

    Interested to hear more about your journey. Best of Luck. Be safe.

  39. Stephen says:

    This is just way beyond comprehension but it will be powerful for us all. You are making a difference in very basic ways. Thank you for letting us in. I’m contacting my friends in the city. They will want in on this. Best Wishes, Good Luck.

  40. Paula Carlson says:

    So very exciting — and the city has changed so much — show people what NYC has become – Williamsburg and Bushwick’s renaissance – and think of the food you can eat along the way:) I cannot wait for the adventure to begin! See you on my block! I wish you great weather and comfortable shoes!

  41. Christine from S.C. says:

    Yay, Matt is walkin again and in my hometown. I grew up in (Woodlawn) an Irish neighborhood in the Bronx/Yonkers border! Great to see everyone here again! WooHoo!!!

  42. Julie in Cincinnati says:

    Hi Matt!
    This is wonderful! I can’t wait to see NYC thru your eyes. I’m sure all fellow Hobos are excited to be following you and your new journey again. Good luck and be safe. So exciting!!!

  43. Leigh says:

    A great idea, so excited to follow along.

  44. Janice says:

    Hi Matt,

    What a fantastic adventure! It reminds me of the song, “New York, New York”. You are the vagabond shoes that are longing to stray. Congratulations and I look forward to checking your website. Happy walking!!

  45. Good luck Matt…lots of people will follow…so great to see familiar names here…

  46. Joanne says:

    Matt, I am looking forward to “exploring New York” with you. This will be the only way I will ever see The Big Apple. Best wishes for a rewarding adventure. Thank you for sharing with your virtual followers.

  47. Jim Davidson says:

    Best wishes for a successful journey, Matt. I will follow you now just as I did two years ago. Thanks for including us bystanders in you adventure. Be safe!

  48. Tom in Alabama says:

    Yeah! I love NYC and it will be fun to follow you for two years while exploring that amazing city.

  49. Chad from Holland, MI says:

    Wow, I just happened to check this site today after seeing it in my bookmark list and what a cool surprise to see the next adventure beginning in a couple days! Best of luck to you Matt in your next 2 years (or more!) and I can’t wait to experience NYC from your unique perspective, especially since I have yet to go there!

  50. Claudia in Scottsdale, AZ says:

    Yeah! I am so glad you are walking again. It is so fun to follow along with you – this should be very interesting. Good luck!

  51. Robert says:

    Just to let you know – may this adventure bring peace to your spirit. I thank you for inspiring me to walk and life has never felt greater.

    Best Wishes,
    Robert

  52. Tesla says:

    What a sweet picture! Happy New Year!

  53. deanna v meyer says:

    Love the picture Matt! And it’s nice to see you keeping yourself busy. Can’t wait to follow along with the Hobo nation. Missed you guys!! Happy New Year everyone. :)

  54. Anna One says:

    Great to hear from you again! Will you be sleeping at home a lot too? Just wondering. I have two NY friends here in Marin County, CA and will let them know what you are about to start. Good luck and I look forward to following your experiences.

  55. mindy says:

    LOL, great pic!

  56. Alisa11 says:

    I’m looking forward to your next adventure! Pictures of more mailboxes and enlightenment! Let’s put those preconceptions about NYC to rest. I so enjoyed your last journey. Alisa (just up the road from Harvey the Rabbit in Aloha, Oregon)

  57. Tania says:

    We’re excited to see your walk!

  58. KarenToo says:

    Lest I forget later on, my hat’s off again to Jason Eppink for this new addition to imjustwalkin.com.

    Without him, and his creativity, we might not ever have been able to find Matt (and everyone else on here), let alone follow him.

    Excellent work, Jason, and many thanks. Happy New Year to you, too.

  59. Josh M says:

    Looking forward to your updates! I want to do a walk too (I actually asked you for some advice on it a while back), from Delaware to California and back, and I had really been hoping to do it last year actually, but then a lot of things came up, including a move to the US from overseas where I’d been living. I’m looking to try to do my walk next year, and all I can say is that your walk inspired me, and I know your upcoming walk will continue to inspire me!

  60. Diedra from Dairy Queen says:

    Happy New Year Matt!
    The ladies from the Bremen, IN Dairy Queen all wish you luck! We met and took pictures of you during your last walk. Talking to you in person was so awe inspiring! We continued to follow your journey last time and I will make sure that I keep everyone at the DQ updated on this walk as well.
    Kudos,
    Diedra from DQ

  61. Jimmy in Loganville Georgia says:

    Hey Matt –

    I am very excited about this new adventure. I completely enjoyed your last trip. This will be a lot of fun for us all. Happy New Year —

  62. Daniel Kirzane says:

    Good luck! I hope to bring you cookies when you make it to Morningside Heights!

    Thought of you recently when some friends and I attempted to walk around Manhattan. We didn’t make it all the way but look forward to finishing the last 1/3 in the coming weeks. Maybe we’ll pass each other!

    -Daniel

  63. Glenda Moore says:

    I am so excited about your new project! I followed you on your walk across the US, and am really looking forward to the new exploration every day. Good on ya, Matt!

  64. Chris in Wisconsin says:

    Best of luck, Matt. Can’t wait to read all about it.

  65. Saun in Ohio says:

    The clock is ticking good luck Matt…..

  66. Karen Too says:

    As the old Irish blessing says, with one slight change:

    May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.

    We may never meet again.

    Best of luck out there, Matt.

    K.

    P.S. Carrying on with the blessing, may your shoes always be without holes, and may your feet never be sore. ;-)

  67. Julie says:

    Glad you’re doing another walk! Look forward to reading your posts again! Good luck :)

  68. Eddy Robinson says:

    Walk on! Dude… it’s the journey. However, we may never met in person. When I walking I think of you and the joy you brought us all online as you journeyed across the country in 2010. I’m very lucky in life and do get to travel and live in may Cities. I like to walk because I get to meet people like yourself. Say Hello to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens for me as you pass. I spent good times volunteering in the gardens there. I look forward to what you have to share with us. Happy New Year Matt….Walk On.

  69. Owen in Minneapolis says:

    I look forward to your daily adventures. I get to see my favorite city via your eyes. Walk Matt Walk!!!

  70. Carlee says:

    Happy New Year Matt :)

  71. Tna says:

    2 years huh? Are you going to post gear this time….day pack, shoes, and stuff to keep you warm and in the summer cool?
    I’m always interested in tested outdoor gear. Have you ever tried Merrell Barefoot shoes? I recently bought some Merrell Barefoot ballet flats and love them, no blisters or sore toenails. My son has a pair of their lace ups and did get blisters until they shaped to his foot but he loves them in summer as the mesh is very cool. I would also recommend a wool Buff for winter walking. They are so versatile and warm… use it as a hat, a mask, ear muff, scarf and anyway you can think of. Stay warm and know we are all enjoying your up close and personal view of NYC!

  72. Anthony in Raleigh says:

    I’m starting at the beginning after coming in late again to your trip. I can’t wait to see what you find!

  73. Austin E Lucas says:

    I decided to start posting with my middle initial; I’ve posted on this website before and I also decided to start looking at this website from page one for the NYC walk.

    Thanks for this website, Matt.

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