Ruins of an abbatoir
Day 99
Chimney Park
July 3rd, 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:
Something likened to a slaughterhouse, a very strange word. “abbatoir”
Is there a sign there saying “This is a site of an old Abbatior”
I would so love to see it!
Thanks Matt!
Abbatoir is a french word and sounds so much more romantic than slaughterhouse. Not surprising that such a gruesome place would not be called by it’s rightful name.
Matt
The beauty is just magnificent! I hope to see this part of our unblemished AMERICA soon!
I am gonna post a link that will prove why Matt’s treck is so unlike others. Most people do it for something…Matt is doing it for pure reasons. It is about walking across america for himself and the beauty of it. Here is a couple of kids from Jersey doing it..and they are all roughed up. Maybe they stole part of the idea from Matt. Our Matt giving in many ways….Have a read. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/two_nutley_natives_walk_cross-.html
Brother, peace and thanks for taking us with you. And never complaining about the bad and the ugly and sharing what is good. A wise man once said that….turn the cheak when you need to..and pass forward goodness.
nice post jeff…..this IS a beautiful journey that all get to be a part of b/c of matt!!! I drove this route twice, and it is great seeing the pics that matt posts….looking frwd to everyone sharing in bringing in the new year with each other!!!
Thanks Jeff, fun story! They should have planned their supplies better, as well as their route. Arizona and New Mexico in June/July? Bless their dehydrated hearts, it’s for a good cause. For Matt, it’s just ’cause. ;-) Somebody once asked by Matt wasn’t wearing tennis shoes…..and now we know.
yea..funny I wish them well…but you are right about “the planning”. Sometimes what makes the difference between a good time and a bad time is all in how it is planned out. I am wishing them luck. I just laughed with the thing about the baby carriage in the heat…Matts modified three wheeler is no babe machine…but you can tell by looking at it. Poor kids.
as I say to matt in my emails…one foot in front of the other.
Yes, I can understand their concept and their purpose but doesn’t sound to me like they really planned accordingly for their trek. I mean tennis shoes? They wear out so fast and the desert in the summer? Are they nuts?(no pun intended). Good cause, bad timing and preparation.
You can donate for their walk here: http://coasttocoastforacure.com/
OH and see more about THEIR walk.
Hey,
Sorry but I had to respond to your comment about my walk across the country with my best friend. I can assure you that the walk was our own idea. We purposely planned through the desert to take it to the next level and push ourselves rather than take a more northern route to avoid the weather. We’re also currently averaging just above 24 miles per day, which is faster pace than anybody we’ve read or heard about that has done it. The main purpose of the walk is to inspire people, challenge ourselves in an extraordinary way, explore the country, meet some great people, and raise money for great causes. It’s a great opportunity to give back to those in need and make it a fundraiser. We felt it was a missed opportunity if we didn’t. I just want to wish Matt good luck on the rest of his trip and most importantly, be safe.
ABATTOIR is the Merriam-Webster’s spelling.
Love the pictures…the ones of people are truly my favorites.
“Just put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be……………”
walkin across the USA
with a bunch of online hitchhikers!!!!!!!!
with a lot of (hot)girls ^^
The abattoir was built by the Marquis de Mores in the late 19th century. Hence the French name.
sven your name sounds like we should be seeing you on deadliest catch
Matt: You don’t have to be told that this is an awesome pic! The clouds almost look as if they are coming from the “chimney”! Stay safe and Happy Fourth!
hey if you’re hanging around town i’ll get you a ticket to the biggest tourist trap of them all the medora musical.
It is very admirable what the Nutley guys are doing (Thanks for the link, Jeff). God help ’em. Again, southwest in July? And wearing black to boot! I would never have thought that tennis shoes would wear out that fast. I hope Matt gets a lifetime supply of Timberlands from the company! I’m curious too why they are called Badlands; will Google. Be safe, Matt
The Badlands’ name came from Sioux Indians who called it ‘mako sica’, meaning ‘lands bad’.
It is more commonly said that the Native Americans couldn’t harvest it or plant anything at all.
Don’t you love how Matt has become “our Matt?” I feel the same way. From now on that’s his new name: Our Matt. He sure is gonna have a lot to teach about cross-country walking; especially valuable for people like Rob and Anthony who walk for a cause.
http://www.nps.gov/thro/historyculture/marquis-de-mores.htm
Wow. great photo! Happy 4th – I hope you’re passing through somewhere, where you’ll be able to stop to see the fireworks!
Well, almost a BRICK Washington’s Monument. Beautiful. Thanks to Jeff for posting the link about the Nutley natives. Matt’s journey has amazed me in more ways than one, and one being the logistics of such a journey. His journey/planning has made me think what it would take to WALK to a nearby town, about 10 miles away. I can’t even imagine walking across STATES, except I know via Matt that it can be done. Matt, thank you again, for sharing your journey. Make sure you have plenty of WATER!
Finally caught up to your adventure! discovered your site about a month ago and i gotta say with all the pictures and descriptions it makes me feel like im right there with ya! simply amazing what your doing and if you ever find yourself in durango, co we have a place for ya anytime!!!
Have a safe journey Matt
very fancy word