Walk across America

Im ecstatic that others have this goal.

This is a very long term goal of mine as I am currently in the process of becoming an Officer in the USMC. I am thinking I may do this while carrying a full combat load in order to raise money for wounded soldiers.

I am graduating from college in the Spring of 2010 and I have always wanted to walk across America. Is anyone interested in going? It would be an east coast to west coast trip, but everything from the route to start date is negotiable.

What kind of costs are involved in doing this?

Any comments about this would be great. :-)

Im 23 years old and Live in Northern Virginia. Prince William County.. I’d love to walk across the United States, I’ve been thinking about it for quite sometime now. I want to do it to see the Country. I have always been differant then my family when it comes to things like this. I look up at the stars are night alot and just let my mind become empty im an Amature astronomer too and i love to think and talk about otherworlds or other things other then just Wars and Politics. I’m a nature loving person, i’m one those people who would volunteer to help animals or the planet.. So i think walking across the US would help me find myself more then i know. To get away from living in the house all the time..

The only problems i have are money and my body size… Im 5”11 295 pounds so im an overweight guy.. I dont think that would stop me from doing this but it could keep me at a slower pace then others. I know i can do this.. What kind of supplies would i need for something like this ? How much money ? I dont think I could afford a hotel every night so i would probably camp outside.. It would be nice to hav a walking Partner or 2 doing this so im not alone.. Would anyone walk with someone thats overweight tho ? I dont have any medical problems other then that and im Young.

I’m a 23 yr old british guy looking to do this in the near future. I really would like to find someone to do the trip with. Im very flexable on dates and routes, so please drop me a line if anyone is interested. Id like to set off as soon as possible (any time in the next 8 months or so).

I will be heading out before to long. Going to be leaving from Asheville NC and head west til I hit Cali. Once there I will work on one of my other goals, but that is another post all together. I am going to take it slow. I will have a few things with me during my journey. One being a mini laptop so I can still work on my writing, along with a small solar charger. Some days I will do nothing but walk, others I will just sit in my tent and enjoy the spot I picked out. I will take side trips to sight see and enjoy all the scenery I can. See you west coasters soon!!

If you would like to join on an April 2010 departure with us, please contact us at walkforsuccess@gmail.com

You can find more information about the group at http://walkforsuccess.wordpress.com

Mission Statement:

As young adults from a rust belt city, many adolescents suffer from a blurred version of the meaning to success. Without many resources, we rely on the television and media to define our definition.
Our goal is to reach out to as many growing adults and, while doing something different than your average, give an effort to show there are different personal definitions and different routes to that goal. Whether it is school, the military, or some sort of service program, we believe there’s a possibility for a positive outcome for the future of a growing child. We know that it’s not an easy straight path toward a new beginning but a hurdled, bumpy, and pot-holed ridden road that just needs some patchwork and determination to get through.
As we take this trek, we will stop along the way to speak with adolescents to inspire, give our life experiences, and show that anything that you envision is possible. We will provide different personal inspirational experiences, through our blog, for when there doesn’t seem like there’s any other way. We want to instill a sense of hard work, confidence, determination, and an overall sense of success.
We hope to complete this venture and in doing so, lead our generation with a voice that will continue to sound.

My friend Jon and I have decided that in the summer of 2011, we will walk from New York to San Francisco. His birthday is April 5th and mine is October 30th. The ultimate plan is to travel between those two dates, giving us about 200 days which we both feel is very reasonable. Obviously, we are in the very early stages of this but I believe that we are both strong minded enough to do this.

im starting this on sept 11 from wenatchee washington im goin to walk to the coast of wasington down to cali from there im going to the east coast in whatever way the road decides to take me.

Well, I’m still going. I’ve gone 1,100 miles so far. Amazingly my pack keeps getting heavier as my legs become stronger. I weighed it the other day and it is now 65 lbs—which I know is too much, but it doesn’t seem to be slowing me down or bothering me.

I’m averaging anywhere from 15-20 miles a day, sometimes more, rarely less.

I took about a week and a half off when I reached home in Indiana. This was a great idea because it allowed my blisters to completely heal and I haven’t gotten any since. I just took about 4 days off to look after a motel (the manager had to leave) in exchange for free stay in Missouri.

The worst part is being by myself all the time and sleeping in some uncomfortable places. I’ve started sleeping under small bridges in the country. It’s good protection from storms and a good place to hide from anyone who may accuse me of trespassing. I sleep on the ground in cornfields a lot—I just lay my mat on the ground and use my sleeping bag as a blanket.

I read a lot to pass the time. I keep a journal. I’ve met incredible people with incredible stories (from murder in the 1940s, playing minor league baseball in the Jim Crow south, to Mennonites trying to save a tent city). I’ve had frightening experiences (involving drug addicts, bad neighborhoods, homeless hookers, and stalkers outside my tent in the woods miles from civilization at midnight).

I’m running low on money and have a feeling I won’t make it to my destination, which I changed to San Diego. I may purchase a bicycle once I reach the southwest—New Mexico or Arizona. It will probably be safer than trying to walk through it alone as well. I’m not sure what to expect yet. If I don’t walk all the way I’m okay with that. This is about the experience, not some goal. I knew from the beginning that a few thousand dollars would be difficult to maintain for this journey.

Right now everything is going well. I am a few days from Kansas City and more family!

This is what I want to do in the next couple years.
I think it would be a great experience.

I would love to do it with someone.
Some pointers on places to stay and places that allow work trade opportunities..exchange work for food.

anyone have any ideas??