Auburn & Opelika

Ms. Alex, my current kick-ass hostess, joins me for the first of today's miles into Auburn. She's going to her friend's house, who lives just over a mile away, and she's enjoying walking it for the first time!

Ms. Alex, my current kick-ass hostess, joins me for the first of today's miles into Auburn. She's going to her friend's house, who lives just over a mile away, and she's enjoying walking it for the first time!

Walking through Auburn University this afternoon, a very run-living college town, and alma mater of scores of famous alumni, including: Bo Jackson, Charles Barkley, Lionel Richie, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, NFL star Cam Newton, and many, many others. Students from the engineering bldg, pictured behind me, treated me to dinner at Mama G's, a local student favorite.

Walking through Auburn University this afternoon, a very run-living college town, and alma mater of scores of famous alumni, including: Bo Jackson, Charles Barkley, Lionel Richie, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, NFL star Cam Newton, and many, many others. Students from the engineering bldg, pictured behind me, treated me to dinner at Mama G's, a local student favorite.

Once I arrive to the White House, how will I return home?

“How do you plan to get home?” is a common question I receive from many of the people I’m meeting across the miles. Truth be told, I’ve resisted deciding on an answer to this question, not only because I can’t predict the developments and potential opportunities which will unfold amid the conclusive miles of the Walk, but I also cannot predict how my mind and body will be faring as thousands of miles of walking wrap up at the White House.
Recently, I posed this question to friends on Facebook, and invited their suggestions. I received a variety of interesting answers, and aside from requests that I crab walk or bear crawl 3,000 miles home, I  also received suggestions to fly, bus, take the train, ride a horse, hitch-hike, bicycle, or even walk back. Well, after thousands of miles of walking across America reach their terminus, I think the last thing you’ll find me seeking to do is turn around and walk thousands more miles back home. I may have some things in common with the great Forrest Gump, but not that!
A this point, not only is walking home far from my desires, I also don’t feel attracted to the idea of flying home. After a years-long journey of walking across America, flying would seem to slice off the experience far too abruptly. “No, thanks.” Just as a marathon runner often “walks it off” after running dozens of miles, winding down their momentum step by step, I like the idea of winding down my momentum as I gravitate home to the Evergreen State.
A treasure trove of tips toward more community-integrative living, my friend Elena suggested I check out an on line ride-sharing network, which, since I met Elena via an on line travel-hosting network on my way through Silicon Valley, is something that really appeals to me. We’ll see what comes of this…
After reaching the White House, I may remain on the East Coast for weeks or longer, without a fixed date of departure. Once I do head home though, probably via some network which Elena mentioned, I’ll simply travel home the same way I traveled here: absent of stone-etched prescription; listening to (and following) my gut; and, enjoying the journey all the way home.

Flying out of Tuskegee!

After receiving some super-helpful support vehicle assistance amid my snail's pace in recent weeks, I'm back on the road with cart and everything. 16 miles today will bring me to the west side of Auburn. I began before dawn, and I'll finish before noon. This works out well on these hot humid days in the Deep South. Today should be just shy of 100. I may be opting for more of these early-morning departures before I know it!

After receiving some super-helpful support vehicle assistance amid my snail's pace in recent weeks, I'm back on the road with cart and everything. 16 miles today will bring me to the west side of Auburn. I began before dawn, and I'll finish before noon. This works out well on these hot humid days in the Deep South. Today should be just shy of 100. I may be opting for more of these early-morning departures before I know it!

Yesterday's 16-mile walk included the George Washington Carver Nutrition Trail-- a sidewalk stroll replete with instructive signs for healthy living. (Inspiring!) After yesterday's early start, having finished before it grew too blisteringly hot, I'd planned a similar early departure for today. A surprise AM storm cell has altered those plans. It's supposed to clear up this afternoon, but I'm supposed to meet a local family for a dinner then. I'm hungry for more miles today, and I'm confident that I'll earn at least some-- I just have to figure out how/when...

Yesterday's 16-mile walk included the George Washington Carver Nutrition Trail-- a sidewalk stroll replete with instructive signs for healthy living. (Inspiring!) After yesterday's early start, having finished before it grew too blisteringly hot, I'd planned a similar early departure for today. A surprise AM storm cell has altered those plans. It's supposed to clear up this afternoon, but I'm supposed to meet a local family for a dinner then. I'm hungry for more miles today, and I'm confident that I'll earn at least some-- I just have to figure out how/when...

Con Te Partiro

After spending nearly ALL of July with Diane & Mindy, locals whom I met here in Montgomery County, and who’ve offered to do some support vehicle driving for me– carrying my stuff forward as I made it on foot all the way to Tuskegee, today I part from them both, and also from their sweetheart pets.
It’s been a wonderful experience to spend time with locals in Montgomery, Alabama. Not only was I allowed time to catch up with personal communications, do video work, and more– much more importantly, Diane & Mindy introduced me to their fascinating worlds– worlds which I’ve spent some time documenting, and which I have every intention of writing more about…

Diane, George, Johnny, Mindy, (Mindy's Mom), Susan :)

Diane, George, Johnny, Mindy, (Mindy's Mom), Susan :)

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Chunker & Buddy, Diane's darling dogs, both of which I'll definitely miss too!

Chunker & Buddy, Diane's darling dogs, both of which I'll definitely miss too!

Tuskegee

Tuskegee

I narrowly escaped the worst of the afternoon thunderstorms during today's 15 miles to arrive here to Tuskegee, and now we're back to 95 degrees! Fun Stuff!

Making it to Macon County

Today, after weeks within Montgomery County, getting to know the locals, their culture history, I proceeded into Macon County.

Diane & Mindy, sweet locals from Montgomery County, have been playing a support driver role for me, and promise to do so all the way to Tuskegee, which I’ll reach in a few days. In the between time, I’ve been working on catching up on communications in addition to putting together new videos which I plan to soon be posting to the website (via my YouTube page: www.enjoythewalk.org/takestepsfwd).
Rural Alabama is beautiful. Though much of it comes in downpours, Alabama receives more inches of rain per year than we in the Pacific Northwest receive, oddly enough, and I find I’m actually a fan of rain that comes, dumps, and disappears. That said, walking within a neighborhood of thunderstorms can quickly become VERY intimidating.

Entering Macon County, Alabama

Entering Macon County, Alabama

"Rustic" rural bridges of Macon County

"Rustic" rural bridges of Macon County

Macon County's Fields of Gold... What a lovely summer stroll!!

Macon County's Fields of Gold... What a lovely summer stroll!!