One year ago today, on the auspicious date of “March Fourth,” two cross-country walkers, Andrew Forsthoefel and George Throop, happened to bump into one another.
Our paths crossed on a sunny Sunday morning, as Andrew was five minutes into his day’s walk from Franklin to Jeanerette, Louisiana. I had just said farewell to Franklin host Paul Fitch, who was on his way to the local Catholic service. Paul had invited me in for another evening, but as the weather was great, I was ready for more miles this Sunday. Instead of quickly returning into the house to pull together my belongings and prepare to leave Franklin, the morning weather was so bright and beautiful, that I just had to stand outside for a few minutes, close my eyes and bow into the sun, feeling gratitude for the glorious goodwill of the world around me. Upon opening my eyes, over the five-foot hedges of Paul Fitch’s front yard I saw the bobbling head of a clean-cut young man carrying a backpack, with a small flag and sign attached. Neither his image nor his visage met the profile of many of the homeless & aimless youths I’ve met across the long miles. There was something special about this man, currently walking across this small Louisiana town, distant from any big city vagabond concentration.
Upon getting his attention, I learned that he was walking across America. I asked him if he’d like to come in for water and/or bananas; I was obviously very enthusiastic about his story. He happily accepted my invitation and followed me into the house, having no idea that I didn’t actually live there, and that I too was walking across America.  I brought him inside, and showed him my Chariot full of gear, signs attached: “WALKING ACROSS AMERICA.”

Andrew’s eyes immediately doubled in size with this surprise– it was as if I’d transformed into a Unicorn before his eyes– he was in disbelief, and later admitted that he thought he was on Candid Camera.

We ended up calling off our respective walks for the day, giving us time to get to know one another, “talk the walks,”  and see if super-cool host Paul Fitch wouldn’t mind hosting us both upon his return.

Everything worked out like a dream!

Our hosts contacted print and TV media in Morgan City, Louisiana, who came out for the story the following morning. The story two cross-country walking bumping into one another ended up being broadcast across hundreds of newspapers and TV stations across America, and the story even received an ounce of international coverage as well!

Here’s foot of my brief VIDEO interview of Andrew:

ALSO, POSTED ONE YEAR AGO ON ANDREW FORSTHOEFEL’S BLOG:

It’s rare for me to run into fellow travelers on the road. After over 1,400 miles, I only need two fingers to count the number of times I’ve met one of my biking, walking, hitching colleagues. I met some hitchhikers outside Greenville, South Carolina and in Pascagoula, Mississippi I crossed paths with Bong Song, a South Korean who has spent ten months biking around the world (not thirty minutes later, he ran into another South Korean bicyclist who was also biking around the world, Daniel. They’d run into each other in Pakistan, parted ways with a “good luck and keep in touch” and then serendipitously, accidentally, beautifully met up again on Route 90!) But such moments are few and far between, especially because I’m walking highways and byways, paths that are normally driven and places that are normally lived in or passed through promptly. Which is why I was so blown away to meet George Throop, another cross-country walker.

I was five minutes into my walk yesterday when I came across a tall gentleman taking in the morning rays. “Morning,” I said. He greeted me in kind, and then asked what I was doing. “I’m walking across the country. Everyone has an amazing story to tell so I’m walking to listen,” I said. He nodded his head and then he asked if I wanted a banana and some water. “Sure,” I said, and as we were walking into his house he goes, “You’re really going to like my story.” Entering the living room, I saw a souped up baby carriage with the sign “WALKING ACROSS AMERICA” draped over the front. “Holy sh%!” I said.

I ended up spending yesterday with George. Our incredible host, Paul Fitch, and lovely friend Michelle took us down to the bayou to try the loquats and admire the sugar cane fields. We traded stories and thoughts all night, after stuffing ourselves with the piping hot delicious crawfish etoueffe Paul cooked up. I’ll just say this about that: I had two more bowls for breakfast today.

It’s an amazing experience to meet someone with a similar calling, and so good to be able to look into the mirror and be reminded of how excited I am about what I’m doing right now and about how right this is for me at this time. Because there are those moments when I doubt and fear, and when it feels endless and pointless and painful. Speaking with George, spending time with Paul and Michelle, breathing in this beautiful day today…I think I might follow Bong and Daniel and circumnavigate the globe. On foot. Well, I’ll just start with Jeanerette, Louisiana, the next town over, and go from there. One foot in front of the other.