I'm in a state that touches the Pacific!
Day 132
Warshington
August 5th, 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:
Hooray for Matt!!! Washington here he comes!
If I were in Matt’s well-worn shoes, instead of following Google’s walking directions from where he is now, I would cross the Columbia River to Oregon at the Bonneville Dam, and follow the Google walking directions from there via the Historic Columbia River Hwy. into Portland, rather than staying on Hwy 14 on the Washington side. It’s scenic beauty at it’s best, going by numerous waterfalls, Crown Point overlook, etc., and into the heart of beautiful Portland across the Burnside Bridge (great city view!). He will miss those incredible views by staying on Hwy 14 to Vancouver WA. But, alas… I’m not in those well-worn shoes, so who am I to second-guess the Hobo King! :-) He’s well into the Washington Paulouse now with about 425 miles to go!
http://www.wildnatureimages.com/Historic%20Columbia%20River%20Highway%202.htm
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Multnomah_Falls_from_the_base.jpg
That is gorgeous Lori!
It’s all downhill from here Matt, congrats…
I’m thinking in 18 days you’ll be standing there with your toes in the sand at Rockaway Beach. Keep On!
You think so….18 x 24 is 432 miles…..I think he has about 500 to go give or take…good wishing…. for sure in a month we will all be doing other things…
Exactly I will be back at work. Summer is over here comes school :(
Hoo-ray, indeed.
YOU’RE ALMOST THERE!! How exciting! Can you even believe it?
Take your time getting to the end of OUR trip… I don’t know what we’re all going to do once you’re done and we can’t look forward to living your (our) daily trip experience?
I absolutely agree! What are we going to do without our daily dose of Matt and his pictures.
What a sense of accomplishment you must feel! I’m excited for you and all of us sharing this trip with you!
Peace, from Michelle in Providence
Welcome to my state! I don’t think it is on your agenda, but one of the best kept secrets of Washington is the trip around the Olympic Peninsula. Words can not describe this wonderful area of Washington.
For all you followers of Matt, take the time and search the internet for information of the Olympic Peninsula there is just so much to see and do. Honestly, especially in the summer time you will find more Europeans in the Olympic National Park than Americans, it’s that much of a secret!
Anyway, enjoy your travels Matt.
Indeed!
John, we traveled the Pennisula in 1980 while on a two month camping trip with our family. We watched Mount St. Helen’s errupt again that afternoon, then drove to Port Townsend (?) where we took a ferry to Vanccouver Island and Victoria. We’ll never forget that beautiful part of your state. We live in West Virginia where it is green all the time. That part of Washington was so welcome after weeks of dry soil and little growth.
This is the first time I have commented, but have been following the blog since the end of June. What will we do once the trip is completed? :(
I was just in the olympic peninsula in Feb and even though it was somewhat cold it was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! i never wanted to leave
How exciting!! We all feel so much a part of your journey and we will miss the updates when you are done. You have a few best sellers in the making, I’m thinking a coffee table book of pictures, and another journal of your (our) travels.
Woohoo! Only the dinosaur riders call it Warshington though! =P
Amanda – Matt’s legs might feel like Rip Van Winkle’s but he’s eons from being a dinosaur rider kiddo. ;-)
Actually, I’ve never heard Washington pronounced with an “r” by natives or anyone in the west, and I’ve lived here all my life. But on trips throughout the south, midwest, and east, I was amused to hear “warshington”. Just like Oregon is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable at home and throughout the west, but on the last syllable as you move far from the Pacific Ocean.
welcome to the west coast……..
I agree with Jose; what will we do now??? its been fun!! cant even believe you are almost done already!!!!
Welcome to WA Matt!! You’re getting close. The area you’ll be heading through now will be pretty darn hot, so stock up on water whenever you can. It will not look much like the WA that is found on the western side…more desert-like.
John, I agree…the Olympic Peninsula is quite gorgeous! I’ve been through there a couple of times and have plans to spend at least a week there. So much to explore!
Second to last state!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!
Go Matt!!!!!
Warshington!
Spoken like a true native. Wish I was there to see ya in my old stomping grounds.
Safe travels through the Palouse region.
– Brent
Oh my Gosh Matt – you are almost there! Way to go Matt!
By the way, Matt – Is that Awesome Silo # ????
You’ve gotta be so excited this morning! What a sense of accomplishment and the end is in sight. Good for you, sad for us here. We’ve loved coming here everyday and getting our daily dose of Matt pics, local information for the locals of course, history lessons, music videos, stories galore and so much more. It’s been fun and we’re still gonna have fun while you continue on the last legs of your journey. Way to go Matt!!
Be sure to stop so you can warsh your clothes at the warshateria. ;-) Here’s me….warshing I was walking with you.
My grandma (my dad’s mom – God rest her soul) used to “warsh” everything – she’d “warsh” the windows, do the “warsh” (laundry), “warsh” the dishes, etc. I don’t think the word “wash” was in her vocabulary. I loved her to death. She was a good old fashioned grandma. So Matt, as my grandma would say “Welcome to Warshington!” Be safe and have a good day!
Great Going Matt!!! You missed the Washington Blooms Day Run by a few weeks,But hell your almost in Oregon Just a Hop Skip & a Jump away!!!
Welcome to Washington! Keep on walking:)
Way to go Matt – Almost there!
DID ANY ONE ELSE NOTICE HOW HE SPELLED WASHINGTON FOR US TO CATCH W A R S H I N G T O N THIS SHOULD BE SPELLING FOR D C ONE. AS THEY SAY THE BEST ONE IS THE LAST ONE.
KATZIEN AND JULIE PICKED UP ON IT I NOTICED
I once asked my english teacher where the r is in washington. didn’t work out so well for me. I mean she was an english teacher. Congrats Matt! I have been following since IL. Keep on Keepin on!
Way to go Matt! This is the 12th state you’ve taken us along. I know you must be looking forward to reaching the final one while we in the H.N. are feeling sad that your trip is about to come to an end. I’m still rooting and hoping for that book though. Stay safe!
Alright Matt, you’re almost there! I have been enjoying your pics all summer. Smart move staying in the north country – we are getting the usual triple digits down in Texas.
Matt…..One more to go….after the next border approaches….you can always skip the rockaway theme….and as you say…just head for the coast of wa-r-shington….but we need to take a vote….Who wants Matt to end the journey sooner and head for the coast……1,2, 3…..4,5 … Sorry Matt….head to Oregon and Rockaway beach…Majority says you gotta do what u’z got to do.
Congratulations Brother! Peace and safe, safe travels……..”I’m a little verklempt right now”
Whoo-hoo! Congratulations, Matt! Walk on!
May I suggest you amp up the website, because by the time you get to Rockaway Beach OR I can see the comment page overflowing with LOVE.
Sad to see the journey coming to an end!
Oooh, the next few days are gonna make me homesick for sure! I’m a misplaced Washington girl, hoping to get home again soon. Welcome to Eastern Washington! Too bad you’ll walk right Pullman where WSU has the best ice cream EVER at Ferdinand’s. It’ll be hot, but don’t worry, it’s a “dry heat”, much easier to tolerate than high humidity. Just keep that water handy & be prepared to marvel at miles of wheat-covered rolling hills, rivers in the desert, and being able to see forever. Not long now to a gorgeous walk along side the mighty Columbia River & the Gorge, then on to the mighty Pacific Ocean.
Count me in as one of the huge group of people that are going to miss sharing your beautiful pictures and insights on our country. Happy travels.
Looking at the time of your picture of when it was taken I got to thinking. No wonder you’re making such good time the last few weeks – you’re walking from the crack of dawn to sunset.! You’ve had no families to stay with to distract you for a bit. Seems when you were farther east, MN and east you had families almost everyday to stay with and feed you. Now out in the mountains and plains, people are more sparse and you’ve had nothing to distract you and have been just walkin’. Which of course is the whole objective. But it’s been nice to see you sit a spell with a family and a good meal. Happy trails today Matt, or should I have said that a day or so ago?
Welcome to Washington Matt!! I can’t believe you are ALREADY to my state. You are booking it! Thank you for the daily looks at our country. I’m sad to think it will soon be over. Of course, I’m sitting in my comfy chair thinking that! This is a beautiful part of the country though Eastern Washington and Oregon are a special kind of dry beauty. Then you’ll hit the Columbia and bliss will ensue. Would love to run into you somewhere along your route.
PLEASE SLOW DOWN IT WILL ALL BE OVER TOO SOON!!!!!!!!!
I agree! Welcome to Washington Matt!
Yeah! Take a couple days off. At this rate I’m gonna seriously lose the pool! Hahaha.
This is SO exciting! I hope Matt starts to share his feelings as he hits the last stretch of his journey. I’m curious to know what he’s thinking as he approaches the end. I know that I am thinking, “I’m going to need another blogger to live vicariously through pretty soon!”
Good Job Matt.. post extra pics the last couple of weeks so we can go out with a bang.
Ha ha, “Warshington.” That’s how it’s said down south, too.
Check out this old picture I just found. It looks to be the same place, from 1944:
http://content.statelib.wa.gov/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/whitman&CISOPTR=339&CISOBOX=1&REC=9
Here is the link to the main site, for those who are interested. (Search for “Harold Heaton and Son;” that link was too long to post here.)
http://content.statelib.wa.gov/
Cool about Matt being in a state that borders the Pacific. Wow.
APPLES, APPLES & APPLES – Washigton State has great apples – how about some hot apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream!
GOOOOOOD!
And more huckleberries!
OMG, already? Don’t forget to stop in Twin Peaks for some cherry pie! :P
Don’t listen to Angelica OR. the Log Lady. I heard BOB is still running loose up there so forget the coffee and cherry pie if you want to see Rockaway…walk like the wind!
how wonderfully kool!!!! although as some have said there are more splendid sights to see if one were to travel a different road, i so admire that you haved stayed true to your goal and have taken the road less traveled. i hope you have other adventures for us in your future!
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
ohhh, errr, I mean, “yah!” matt!
Washington state so soon?
Well one of my dates ob the pool is Sept 8th my B-day.
Just Just slow the cadence and enjoy nature!
(hehehe)
Peace On you bro!
WOW!!! I’m SO PROUD OF YA!!! What are we going to do when you end!??!?!?! I feel like this trip is flying by!!!!
Part of me is very sad that your adventures are in Washington already.
It’ll be like losing my favorite book…. you can’t to get to the next page, and then again… but suddenly it’s finished, leaving you starved for more. I haven’t had a television since before may anyways, looks like I might have to buy one again when this adventure is finished. (sigh)
He’s not even close to done. Matt will be walking back. Hahaha
HAHAHA JC.. He could always loop to Rockaway Beach, MO before heading back to NY..
http://rockawaybeachchamber.com/index.htm
Welcome to Washington Matt!
None of our researchers here did any searches on Harold Heaton and Son -the name on the silo. I was hoping to find something here on them. What’s up with that?