Mission Statement

IWALLK AMERICA

This project of simple living and walking instead of driving has evolved through many different stages to where I am now.

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On the Odyssey Journey, it was all about learning what it is like being on the street every day. I slept at my sister's house, but 7 days a week I was out of the house at 6:30 am and did not return until 9:30 pm. I experimented with different kinds of writing on this blog. There were some great experiences. At that time, the mission was: walk, explore and write.

On the Manifest Destiny Journey, the physical goal was California, by way of street level travel. It was borne out of necessity. I was truly homeless. The endeavor turned out to be a fantastic adventure. Many things happened that seemed to me to be more than just coincidences. One thing that became apparent to me was just how entertaining it could be for people to follow along. There is still a book coming about that journey, with the first volume (New England) to be published and available for sale sometime in August. At that time, the mission was: follow a rough travel plan, walk, ride buses and trains, learn how to rough camp, but stay in motels or with friends whenever possible, meet new people and report from the bottom of society.

On this A Living Magazine Journey, I have used the experience gained from the first two journeys to hone my skills in long distance walking, navigation, rough camping and being regular with my blog posts (posting about every single day). Besides being extraordinarily challenging, it has been full of uncertainties. Many improvements to the efficiency of the work have made for a better experience. One example of this kind of efficiency is in what I am taking with me. On the last journey I had the backpack filled, with other items like a homemade tent-tarp attached via various bungee cords, plus an army utility vest and a Camelbak canteen. This time around I have pared everything down to the single backpack; no more vest, Camelbak or other items outside of the pack. This time the mission is: to follow a more organized travel plan, walk, ride buses and trains, rough camp as often as possible, with motel stays less than once per week, meet and profile people along the way and report - like a daily magazine might - on (1) homelessness, (2) ideas for simplifying domestic life, (3) social and cultural issues, with commentary and (4) the natural wonders of the land, animals and plants--including many pictures, videos and audio.

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The above explanations are rough and will be tightened up as I find better ways to explain my reasons for journeying as I am. The entire project is a work in progress and a developmental process.

My motivation is personal, spiritual (but not socially religious), cultural, ecological.

I do it for my friends, especially those who have been so generous with their financial and moral support. I would not do this if they weren't right here with me via internet day and night.

[Information current to July 2015.]