Monday, March 21, 2011

I'm Hiking Across America

Friends of mine:
Hi.
I'm hiking across America. Yes, I'm walking and camping across the continent. Coast to coast. The idea has grown on me over the last few months and I have decided to do it. I'm young, without obligation, healthy, and eager. I find myself tied down by only an intense, emotional desire to maximize comfort and I recognize and resolve to slice that chain of vapor and make west.

I'm leaving tomorrow morning: Tuesday, March 22, 2011. I'm excited and nervous about the trip. The nervousness has set in only recently though it has cured thick. As with you, I wonder where I will find a place to set camp each night. My planned route is fluid and ready to bend as needed. The thrust is such: head south through New Jersey to Delaware, avoiding Pennsylvania. Proceed around the Chesapeake bay on US 40 West toward Washington DC. From the capital, head west through Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and on. Through the midwest as best I can aiming for Boulder. From Boulder I want to fix a route that minimizes my time in any desert and proceed upon that route to San Francisco, California.

Demand for a blog has moved me to create one. I hope you will read and comment as I move along. I have no cause or banner to trumpet on this trek. I am doing it for myself, for my own edification, for my own joy and pleasure. I hope I will get to know my country and the people that belong to it and to me (and me to them, I have no delusions of superiority).

I have been keeping the existence of this plan tight to my chest, and I'm hopeful you all will follow along as I go. I am sorry for this impoliteness - it comes from a bit of personal oddness, eccentricity, or wrinkle of character and hopefully you find it to be a part of my charm and not an insult. I have made my preparations and it is time to begin.

Love,
Dan
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17 comments:

  1. JoannaMonday, March 21, 2011 at 10:48:00 PM EDT

    What a great trip. Best of luck! Can't wait to read all of your posts along the way. Please update frequently! I wish I could tag along somehow.

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  2. JoannaMonday, March 21, 2011 at 10:49:00 PM EDT

    This is Spanish's better half btw....

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  3. JohnMonday, March 21, 2011 at 11:54:00 PM EDT

    Dan - I admire and envy you. Have fun. Keep an open mind, open heart, and open plan!

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  4. JonathanTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 12:02:00 AM EDT

    Awesome!!!

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  5. gooooseTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 1:40:00 AM EDT

    Can I camp with you in the DC area? Do you have a phone? If not, how can I contact you?
    -goose

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  6. Medium Distance Book ClubTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 8:07:00 AM EDT

    Wow, Dan. I think this is great. And I can't wait to see you when you've finished! Enjoy it.

    Goose has a good point - are you taking your cell phone?

    Vicky

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  7. jubadubaTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 9:03:00 AM EDT

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. jubadubaTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 9:04:00 AM EDT

    That sounds amazing. Good luck!

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  9. UnknownTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 9:39:00 AM EDT

    Good luck and I hope you get want out of the trek.

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  10. AnonymousTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 9:51:00 AM EDT

    Good luck Pete! I hope you have a safe and amazing trip. Lots of pictures and blogging needed!!

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  11. UnknownTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 10:04:00 AM EDT

    i'm excited for you, dan! have lots of fun and keep us posted so we can live vicariously :)

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  12. maor segalTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 1:21:00 PM EDT

    Good luck buddy, be safe and have fun. Keep posting!

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  13. ReedTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 2:57:00 PM EDT

    Hey Pete,

    I found my way back to the internet just in time to see you off. Be safe and enjoy your time in the wild!

    A few things to remember. Don't leave pasta boiling at your campsite for 4 hours and never take up a conversation with Christian Anderson if you can avoid it.

    Love,

    Peelie

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  14. ReedTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 2:58:00 PM EDT

    Sorry for the double post. I couldn't help but laugh when you said you were avoiding PA.

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  15. NicoleTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 3:24:00 PM EDT

    Pete! This is amazing! This is Nicole by the way. Peelie and I were hiking this weekend and talking about hiking all along the Appalachian trail but this is so much better! I hope you have a great time, and stay safe!

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  16. Brian CariddiTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 6:40:00 PM EDT

    Good luck!
    -- The Cariddi's

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  17. The Big PTuesday, March 22, 2011 at 8:06:00 PM EDT

    Pete!

    Make sure to bring extra extra socks.

    Good Luck Bud

    -BP

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