I am over halfway on my trip to cross America on foot! AMA!

How many Pokemon have you caught?

416 I don't play much because it eats battery so fast

Trainer level?

18 but I have like 500 pidgey candies and a bunch of eggs saved up. I'm waiting til Denver to cash it in

Do you hatch a lot of eggs? I'm lvl 21, with 857 caught.

If I want to, I can hatch eggs faster than I can get them so I decided to save up and hatch all 9 with a lucky egg when I take my next break

Two questions...

What kindness have you experienced from Americans on your journey? What unkindness have you experienced from Americans on your journey?

Kindness all the time. People stopping to see if I'm alright or give me bottles of water. Buying me lunch or just straight up giving me money ( I'm keeping track of everything I get to donate to the national park service when I get through)

Unkindness: I had some one tell at me to get off the road once...

I heard some homeless people get spit on a lot, glad you haven't been shamed just for looking like you're down on your luck.

Haha I don't think I look homeless but I probably really do

Ohhhhhhh man you gave me a laugh. "I don't think I look homeless"

Oh, maybe he doesn't look too bad, let's check out his blog...

OH MY GOD ITS FOREST GUMP!!!

Hahaha ohhhhhhh man. I really wish you the best man. Maybe next year or in a few years you can walk from the northern part of MN to Texas, I'll have a burger with you or something!

Haha yeah I look pretty gnarly. Don't forget I have a baby stroller with a backpack in it as well

Advice for someone who has thought about doing something similar?

Carry a backpack wherever you go and slowly increase the weight lol look at where you want to visit and try to think of what the best time to leave will be. Late March though early may is the best imo

A few questions, how are you getting back home?

Besides walking, do you do anything else to pass the time? Music, taking pictures, reading?

What do you do to pass the time when you're not walking?

Have any organizations offered to donate $X per mile?

What family do you have back home and what do they think of this?

Ninja edit: I think what you're doing is really cool, though I don't have the self discipline or money to do such a thing.

This may take a couple edits to get down.

While walking I usually listen to audio books or music. Or just think about some facet of my life I think needs attention.

When I'm stopped I usually browse the internet, read a real book(I'm working on Frankenstein atm), or do language lessons on memrise

No financial backing I just have a small GoFundMe I plan to donate to national parks on my site

My parents were against the trip but they got on board once I convinced them I was going no matter what their opinion. This way they at least get check ups where I am.

I'm not sure how I'm getting home yet but it will be in style.

And thanks for the support!

How do you stay motivated to keep walking on days where you're exhausted? Somewhat related--how did you train for this one?

Good luck!

Most days I don't have a goal. I just walk until I get tired or find a good place to sleep. I can walk pretty much all day now. If I get tired I look at my map to see how close I am to a town and make a decision based on that.

There's really nothing you can do to train except walk long distances lol.

Are you playing Pokemon Go while you walk?

Not much, it eats a lot of battery and Pokemon don't spawn in rural locations

Craziest thing you've saw so far?

I swear to god I met a man how was actually a fey creature in disguise. I'm not usually one who goes in for supernatural stuff but this guy was just...wrong

details please?

I was in music shop in a small town in Missouri. The owner came to talk to me about his wares. He was a short round faced man that was going bald. But instead of a beard or mustache he had what looked like short whiskers. When he came up to talk to me I thought he had a cold or allergies because he kept sniffing but as we went on talking I noticed it was more like that fast sniffing dogs do and he was only doing it when he was close to me. He was getting my scent. I quickly finished up at the shop and got the hell out of there.

Holy fuck... Do you still remember the shop's name/address? I wonder what he/it really is

Unfortunately I can't even remember the new of the town lol everything blurs together eventually but I'm fairly certain it was near st Louis.

EDIT: it was the vintage guitar store in wentzville

Found a video of people who work there. http://fox2now.com/2015/02/20/in-your-neighborhood-old-friends-vintage-guitars/

Good sleuthing but it wasn't them. I thought it might be the owner with different facial hair but no. When I went there was only one person there working and he wasn't in the video

What do you plan to do after you've finished your trip?

Two things really stick out. Either open a Viking themed tavern/inn or get my teaching certificate and teach English as a second language.

What's your scariest experience during this walk?

Guy offered to let me stay in hi yard. He seemed nice so I agreed then he started acting very sketchy so I made an excuse and left a he followed me in his truck

If you were to do it again, what would you do differently? Also is this something that is better done alone or with friends?

I started out with just a backpack and got a stroller during my second week. I would totally start with the stroller from the beginning if I had a choice.

Also I thought of this yesterday, I wish I had a little book for police to sign whenever they stopped me. Or maybe just get everyone I talked to to sign it.

I'd recommend going it alone unless you are really, really good friends because you would probably get on each other's nerves a lot

Also I thought of this yesterday, I wish I had a little book for police to sign whenever they stopped me. Or maybe just get everyone I talked to to sign it.

That is a great idea.

What has been your best meal so far? Worst?

Also, tell me more about the "fey creature". Sounds interesting.

Worst was definitely a burrito Mexicana I had in Kansas. It had way too much guac. Best was a Japanese restaurant in downtown Nashville where I had unagi

I posted my interactions with the changling in another post. There's not much to add lol.

Unagi is not something you have, it's something you are.

I ate fresh water eel nigiri... What word did you think I was using?

When you were in Kansas, did you eat at any of KC's iconic BBQ joints?

I stopped by Arthur Bryant's because you sort of have to. It was good but I prefer Jackson style over KC style

Best was a Japanese restaurant in downtown Nashville where I had unagi

Ichiban?

That was it! Thanks

“He used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary. 'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,' he used to say. 'You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings

I read through your IAMA and you made me think of this quote. I am going to give you a few deep ones to occupy your thoughts in the miles to come. I am interested in your answers.

What things did you not expect being swept off to?

What perspective do you hope to gain from this as you march off into the rest of your life?

Is this largely an unplugged experience for you? How has that shaped your thinking?

Are we as divided as a people as our politicians suggest, or have you found a common underlying theme for America that we can unite behind as a people?

Do you find yourself preoccupied with subsistence thoughts, or do you find yourself losing material awareness and drifting into ideas?

Nothing really unexpected has happened so far but that's mostly cause I'm paranoid and expect bad things.

I hope the trip is making me better at being me I have a bad habit of changing myself for other people and I'd rather be more independent.

It's not really an unplugged adventure. I have my smartphone and a lot of power banks.

Most of my time is thinking of the future after the walk when I'm not actively cursing Google maps or looking for a place to stay.

How many times have you fallen over?

On the trip? A dozen or so

I have soylent which is a meal replacement powder you mix with water.

How do you make that work for you? I've tried Soylent, but I would think the amount you would have to eat/drink in a day would be really kinda prohibitive with Soylent. I mean, the average while hiking the Appalachian Trail is something like 6000 calories a day, and that's a lot of Soylent.

I just use a bag a day then eat fast food. I'd say I consume about 3k calories a day. If I'm hungry, I just make more soylent but a pack a day plus a couple packs of peanuts and a Gatorade will be good most days

[removed]

Pretty much everything. Relationships back home, future plans, what kind of food I want most, blacksmithing, jousting, video games, repairs I have to do, etc

Sometimes I just listen to music and think nothing

I like blacksmithing and thinking about it sometimes but I lack the tools and time to try it

Me too! That's what I'm thinking about. How to do it for the cheapest possible.

I've used a forge made from the deck of a lawnmower flipped upside-down, drum brakes as a coal catching system, and a hair dryer as the air source. You should be able to look it up on YouTube but it worked like a charm!

Awesome!

Some people who try these long distance journeys wind up getting killed by a car.

1) What are you wearing and or doing to make sure you don't wind up like so many bikers and joggers before you?

2) Also, is it just that we only hear about the ones who die tragically and so there is media selection bias? How many people are there pulling these stunts that we never hear about?

Definitely bias. It's not hard to stay safe as long as you pay attention. I have a reflective vest for when I walk before sunrise

have you considered hitch-hiking around Ireland with a fridge? (after you've finished obvs)

Well now I have... What size fridge?

like a normal one, not a fridge freezer. It's from a book

Haha I suspected as much

Approximately how many bugs do you think you have accidentally eaten?

At least five. Unless you count the ones I accidentally inhale through my nose. Then about 100

That much solitude has surely given you a lot of time to think. What are some of the deepest insights into humanity that you have discovered? Also, what food/restaurant do you crave the most back home.

With my generally low level knowledge of how to build a fire, I'm still lightyears ahead of early man. That really got me thinking of how much information we have just because our ancestors collected it and passed it down. It made me feel like part of a legacy I hadn't given much thought to.

Food is definitely Bojangles. Haven't seen one in 2 months

I work at bojangles, if you ever stop by NC I could hook you up.

I was already in NC T.T Asheville was fun.

2 questions, super serious.

Would you rather fight 1 horse sized duck, or 100 duck sized horses? What's your favorite cure for blisters?

Horse sized duck no question. I wouldn't want to fight a thousand duck sized ducks much less something more dangerous.

Best cure for blisters is ignoring them til they become callouses

How often did you think about quitting? Ever feeling alone out there?

Probably every few days or so. It's less thinking about quitting and more thinking "I could get to Denver and then wait til spring to cross the mountains."

I don't get very lonely cause I have a phone and talk to people all the time

What inspires you to keep going?

Someone said I wouldn't make it when I was planning the trip and every time I feel like quitting, I remember them. So spite mostly and the knowledge that if I give up now I'll regret it forever.

Are you planning to go on similar "adventures" in the future?

Most likely lol I'm not the kind of guy that likes to be in one place very long. I might do the Appalachian trail next

Sounds great, good luck crossing the US!

Thanks!

I've heard that many people who do this tend view the individual states like different countries by the end of their trip. Any opinions on this statement?

P.S. I'm planning on doing this same thing at some point. I hope to see you on the road.

I hadn't really thought about it like that. I mean the people don't differ that widely but I would totally believe you if you dropped me somewhere in Kansas and told mi I was in a different country than Tennessee.

And good luck with your adventures. Let me know if I can help in any way

How long did it take you to save up for your adventure? Do you ever feel like quitting? How do your friends/family feel about you doing this adventure?

I saved for about a year but I also had a little of just general savings.

My family disliked the idea at first but decided to get on board so they could keep tabs on me. It varies with my friends. Some say it's really cool and they wish they could do it, some say I'm stupid. I've even got 1 "this is a bad idea but I'll support your wishes" lol

Where do you poop?

Restaurants and gas stations mostly

Most embarrasing moment ever?

In 6th grade I went to my first school dance and decided to try to be outgoing and get a dance with a girl. I didn't have a crush so I picked randomly but it was dark so I asked the same girl like 4 times throughout the night. Well she finally got ticked of and yelled to leave her alone right as the music died. I just stood there with everyone staring at me until I slowly backed out of the crowd. I didn't go to anymore dances

Have you ever been given a wedgie lol? If yes by who/explain.

I think I got one in like 4th grade. I don't remember much

What has been the most interesting thing you've seen in your journey? Any interesting animals or rock formations?

I saw an Asian blues guitarist in Nashville

Having fun?

Very much

I assume your walk will be heading south now that winter is approaching, will you be getting into new mexico?

I'm actually still on the fence about whether I should head south after Denver. If I do, I thin the closest I get to NM will be the four corners.

Which shoes/sandals?

Introvert/extrovert/ambivert? Do you talk a lot to people?

Estimated cost for now?

I'm on my third pair of shoes. They're kernel mid high shoes that work pretty well. They're waterproof which is a big plus.

I'd say I'm more of an extrovert. I love explaining what I'm doing when people ask.

I'd say I'm at a little over 4k in cost which is way above what I expected but lower than what I prepared for.

Thank you for answering.

So you are the one who starts the conversion? I have done few trips on my own and ppl were usually nice but I always had problem to chit-chat longer that 5 sec or to start at all. :)

No I'm pretty conspicuous. People always ask me where I'm from or where I'm heading. Which is a great opening to slip in my well practiced introduction.

Would you consider getting a dog companion for the rest of your trip? How many hippies have you met on your journey? Have you had an 'enlightening' moment?

I have dogs follow me every now and then but I'd never get one to intentionally come with me for several reasons.

I'd say about a dozen hippies so far. It's hard to tell them from regular outdoors people til they show you their rock collection.

No big aha moments so far other than realizing I'm much happier without a few toxic people in my life.

I currently live in Colorado, would you consider going through Colorado Springs?

It may happen but I'm currently thinking of going north from Denver to go around instead of over the mountains

When do you plan on hitting denver?

Hopefully this time next week. I plan to stay in a hostel for at least a week to recover from everything Kansas and Missouri did to me

So are you avoiding the mountains?? For me personally stuff like that would be the highlight. I do a lot of hiking / backpacking in my free time, the only long distance walks I'd consider doing are through national parks.

Are you making any extra effort to see national parks and stuff?

It honestly depends on the weather. I should get to Denver in the next week which would mean crossing the mountains in September. I've been told that this might be a mistake by more than a few people. I really enjoyed parts of the Appalachian mountains when I went over them though

What's your favorite state so far and your least favorite state?

So far I'd have to say Tennessee was my favorite but I'm biased since that's where I'm from. It's just had the best scenery, the right distance between big cities, and I got interviewed by a paper!

So far Kansas has been the worst. It's boring to look at 98% of the time and the towns are 30-40 miles apart with no good places to guerilla camp in between

What food do you crave the most?

Probably either steak or my home baked Mac and cheese

What gear are you using? Backpack, shoes, cooking equipment ect?

Well I'm not using any cooking equipment.

I've got two bags, one is a camelbak fourteener that I keep on my back with 3 liters of water and one is a Big ass kelty I keep all of my food and another 8 liters of water in. I push this one in a jogging stroller and yes I look like a crazy person

Shoes are merrell mid high shoes I got from a Cabela's. I'm not exactly sure of the make.

11 liters of water? That ain't light, dude... how much water do you go through?

Depends on the heat of the day but I'd say 4 to 7 liters a day. The reason I have 11 is incase I have a long stretch where I can't refill. I've only run out once but I hope I never do again because it was terrible.

When do you thing you'll be finished? And then what, walk home?

If I keep up my average, I should be done by mid October. I will take some sort of vehicle back. Whether it be plane, train, or cruise ship, I haven't decided

A cruise ship to Tennessee might be difficult...

I'd go from SF to Miami then fly back

I should add - that I am in awe of your achievement no matter how you travel home.

Well thanks !

How many pairs of shoes have you worn through?

I'm on my third and they're holding up quite well

So you actually started at Charleston SC?

Was it right on the Atlantic Coast waterfront?

Yup and I'm going to end on a Californian beach so I go from coast to coast literally

You said that you are wearing Merrels. If you did this again, would you buy those shoes again?

Yeah my first pair lasted forever. I switched brands for my second Pair to save money but they only lasted like 3 weeks and weren't completely waterproof. So I went back to merrell and I'm so glad

So.... what size are the blisters?

Its almost all callus now

When you say you sometimes sleep in "dark places people won't stumble upon other times," what does that mean? Have you been stumbled upon unexpectedly yet?

Sometimes I sleep off on the side of the road, in forests, in cemeteries, behind stores. I've been caught twice, both times at churches. They called the police who made sure I wasn't wanted then they let me stay because I was a traveler looking for shelter and churches love that.

How freaky is sleeping in a cemetery?

Honestly it's kind of nice. Apparently there's this new fad of putting glowglobes on tombstones though. That was a little freaky when I woke up before sunrise the next day

So are you technically homeless? Sorry if this is personal.

Kinda I guess? Not really since I have the option and means to stop whenever I want

So what do you do for a living? How are you financially stable?

I'm not! I'm hemorrhaging money. I was lucky though because my grandfather used to be a landlord so I got to live rent free while I saved money for the trip while working at a restaurant

Have you encountered any hostility along the way (i.e. has anyone thrown anything at you, called you a name, swerved to look like they were going to hit you)?

One guy yelled at me to get off the road. That's in so far

For all this travelling how do you keep your gadgets charged, and where do you keep your money? (as in cash or credit?)

Power banks, solar chargers and fast food restaurants

I pay for everything with a card but always have cash on me

how did you fund this? I want to do this, but across europe. Also what language/s are you learning?

Basically it's lucky circumstances, a wealthy grandfather, and a well paying food service job. I also try to be frugal

Oh and I'm learning German, French, Spanish, and qwenya while brushing up on Japanese

you think I could get a little from your wealthy grandfather haha? I have a great track record as a grandson...

I could probably get you cheap rent in Elizabethton Tennessee xD

i'm actually from Tennessee. Born and raised in Memphis!

Im actually pretty sad I didn't get to go to Memphis. I really like Memphis style barbecue but it was too far out of the way :(

if you do go, hit graceland and beale street!

Will do

You have already climbed over 5600 feet above sea level. How does that strike you?

That's about a third of the way up the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Any chance you might just go ahead and climb the rest of the way up Mt. Elbert?

Hah that's awesome. I don't think that'll happen on this trip but I might do it for completion sake.

Have you run into any predators? How much bear spray do you have?

Just ran into a snake actually. I don't have any bear spray. I have a hand gun which was sufficient for black bears and dogs but I plan on getting some spray before I get too deep into grizzly country

Where is the best place where you have slept throughout your adventure?

Inside, the hostel in Nashville was the best. I had great roommates and I was right downtown.

Outside, Webster state park in Kansas. They have an amazing lakeside primitive camping spot with a beautiful view.

Guerilla camping, Galway between st Louis and Kansas City, there was a sex. toy store next to some woods. I went in and asked the guy at the desk if could camp out back and he told me about a path that led to their giant billboard and a little clearing. But we never had that conversation

What would you say is the prettiest part of your journey so far? And what state/area/region has the nicest people?

I really liked the view at reelfoot lake in Tennessee. As well as some of the vistas going over the Appalachians.

For people, I'd say Asheville or Western Tennessee.

How many times did the police question you?

Nearly every day. I've been stopped 4 times in one day before.

I figured as much. I guess carying weed wouldn't be a good idea

Funny you should mention that. I'm right on the Colorado boarder right now. Soon all the weed will be mine!

How often and where do you wank?

Probably once or twice a week. But only if I'm staying at a hotel

What do you use to carry your gear? Backpack, stroller/cart? Or do you have someone help you in a vehicle?

I use a baby stroller lol

The entire continent of the country?

Just the continental US. Atlantic ocean to Pacific.

Just wanted to say that I think your pretty fucking cool for doing this walk. I feel bad that you might be bored so here are some random would you rather questions I found online to answer: Would you rather be 5'4 or 7'7? Would you rather have legs as long as fingers or fingers as long as legs?
Would you rather sweat mayo or sneeze out mustard? Would you rather have an atomic wedgie that stays up your butt for a year or an itch on your back for a year? Would you rather speak any language fluently or be able to talk to animals?
Explain your answers as well please #BORED

7'7. Being tall can be inconvenient but it's better than being short.

If I had to choose, I'd go with fingers as long as legs because it'd be easier to fix

sneezing mustard is obviously the better choice because I sweat so much every day while walking and I've sneezed like twice.

Itch on my back. I don't have a good reason for that one.

I'd pick languages every time. I'm a linguist.

First off what is your main source of money? And also have you ever thought of doing this with someone else(friends, family, etc.)?

I've answered the financial part already.

I actually started planning this trip with a friend but she ended up having a lot of good things happen and wasn't able to go

Do you have social media? Like what do you look like?

There's a few pictures of me on my blog. one got posted in the thread I think

Do you never feel lonely?

I miss particular people but I'm never like yearning for company. I don't know. I mean I can talk to anyone whenever I want. I can't imagine feeling lonely while that's true

Are you worried about developing some sort of foot injury from this? Im kinda speaking from a skewed POV cause I've broken one ankle and fractured the other so it hurts to walk/stand for an extended period of time.

Sort of I already had a broken toe that healed wrong which is annoying. What I'm most afraid of is my foot getting infected while the balls of my Fe and losing a foot or leg. But I've had that fear for time since diabetes runs in my family.

Do you think you could make it all the way up to Alaska?

Also, where are you planning on ending up? I live in the northernmost tip of the continental United States over in Washington, so that would be cool place!

Definitely no Alaska. I'm thinking San Francisco

What do you carry around in your trip?

Boring stuff mostly.

Food and water, Sleeping bag and tent, Fire starters, Extra clothes, Handgun, A rain poncho, Sunscreen, A couple books, And my phone plus all of its stuff.

Wut about alaska and hawaii?

Plan to visit them eventually but walking to Hawaii seems difficult

Your blog is sporadic and lacking content, but I'll bite...

How does your body feel? Have you noticed any changes (weight loss, aches/pains, etc...)?

Have you encountered anything dangerous? People, animals?

Yeah I'm not very good at keeping up with my blog on a daily basis...

There has been some weight loss but nothing drastic, I try to make sure o get enough. I'd say the most noticeable effect on my body is that I've lost a lot of feeling in the balls of my feet but it comes back if I have a rest day. I still have good balance and can move all my toes.

I've only met one guy that gave me the creeps. I got attacked by a dog in Tennessee and got a couple scars to show for it. Overall I've felt pretty safe but I am a 6'2" haggard looking dude so that might have something to do with it.

Why? You stupidly rich and white?

I am white but not stupidly rich. When you take in rent, utilities, and food, I'm spending less than I would at home.

So where the money coming from? Most of us can't just up and leave our life to go walking around

I know. I was in a very special position where I had enough saved up, finished school, didn't have a career or lease, and didn't have anything holding me to one spot. I'm pretty lucky I got the chance