We've finally at long last booked our flights! Zero hour happens at 8:30am on Wednesday, May 30th. We fly out from St. Louis to a connection in Salt Lake City, then on to Portland. The only catch is we're all flying standby, so please, pray that we all get a flight on the first try. I'd rather not be stuck in an airport in Salt Lake City for three days. However, for only $83 a ticket, I'll take what I can get.
Once we all arrive safe and sound in Portland, Katelyn's cousin, Carol Ann, has graciously offered to come pick us up and drive us to Eugene where we can stay the night at her place. Then we'll get up bright and early on Thursday morning, be driven to Florence, dropped off, and start walking. Honestly, it's almost hard to believe that it's actually going to happen. If I weren't sitting here in St. Louis with the other three right now, our backpacks filled and ready for us, I'd hardly believe it myself. But here we are.
Amidst all of our last-minute errands and group work we have left, I've had some time to read about thru-hiking, the term used for long, extended hikes of 2,000 miles and more. I guess we're not that special after all; people do this sort of thing all the time. We're not even the first ones to make a walking documentary - we've been in contact with Lee Kazimir, who just finished making a documentary about his walk from Madrid, Spain to Kiev, Ukraine. He gave us a lot of advice on what to take and what to watch out for.
The thing that I keep in mind is that each case is different. As Lee explained, since there will be four of us, we won't have to worry about getting lonely like he did; we'll just have to worry about not killing each other.
The other thing I've learned about long-term hiking is a tip we've heard over and over again: It's all about your state of mind. You can be the best hiker in the world with thousands of dollars worth of gear, but if you don't want it badly enough, you'll be ready to go home by the second week. I guess it's the same as with everything in life: if you want to make it happen, you will find a way. I try to keep this in mind as our leaving date looms closer and closer, and I'm constantly thinking about how far we've come since Lauren and I first talked about this idea over a year ago, how much time and money and daydreams we've invested in this trip, and I know we're going to be okay. Because all four of us want this very, very badly.
Then there are people, like Joe Hawkes-Cates and Vicki Watts from Active and Creative Teen Theater in Springfield, who hold an open mic fundraiser for us and raise $401 in a single night, on a Friday no less. They also donated all of their concession money, money that would usually go to their organization. There are old teachers from high school and friends from college who will write checks to us from $20-$50, and in spite of my deepest gratitude for their generosity I also begin to feel a gnawing fear, a large tug of responsibility because now it's not just the four of us who are invested in this walk; there are people who have given lots of time and money and love and support to make this happen for us and I really, really don't want to let them down.
I don't really know how to end this particular post, so I'm just going to say all that there is left to say:
Thank you to all of you who have already proved that you believe in us. It has given us the courage to believe in ourselves, too.
On the Oregon Trail
Lauren, Katelyn, Matt and Jonathan
9 comments:
Matt, the four of you have made it easy to believe in you and support you. Your desire to do this, your drive and your faith -- and I'm speaking of you all -- have interacted to inform US and infect US with its power. Yes, we are all with you. And we trust you all to do the very best you can as you make this journey of exploration and discovery. As someone said, it's not the destination, it's the journey, and you all are traveling yours.
Wow, I can't believe that you guys are actually doing this. It's so amazing. I mean to give up everything you know and to hike across america, not knowing what is going to happen? I have to say it again WOW. I am definately going to try and keep in touch with you guys while you are on your hike. I really want to know whatis going on. It's so interesting. I semi would want to do it do but....bad back you know. Keep the updates coming.
Hey Matt! I think your website is just great! I really admire all that you and your friends are doing; it is inspiring to us all that anyone, no matter what age, can really make a difference and do what ever they want if they put their mind to it. As cliche as that sounds, it's true. I wish you four the best of luck. Your mission is truly inspiring and motivating.
Yall gonna walk across shit, woot.
black people, raise on up
Go Gorloks!
Album droppin' this summer!!!!:>);)
<3 God Bless <3,
~Benny~
Matt,
In 5th grade you did a report on Stephen Spielberg. Remember asking me if you could explode cranberries in a pressure cooker in our kitchen the way his Mom did for him? Remember I said "NO WAY?!"
Remember, a year later, convincing Dad & I to help you sink your Playmobil island for your Atlantis movie? At midnight Dad was in the pool and I was on the edge of the pool, holding the daylight floodlamp as high as I could while you tried to film the sinking of Atlantis.
Remember convincing Mrs. Polhman that your graduation speech would really be O.K.?
You have always had a way of coming up with creative ideas and creative ways to accomplish them! Now you've found three soulmates who have the same creativity and the same dedication that you do.
One thing that impresses me the most about Stinky Feet is your faith in America. It's not something you've expressed directly, but it's in every thing you've planned, talked about and hoped to do.
Every generation has it's "moment" that makes them grow up. For your Grandmother, it was December 7; for my generation it was the Kennedy assassination; for your generation it was 9-11.
Yet, when we listen to you talk about your faith that people will help you along the way, that you will find people who want to share their stories, that you will accomplish you goal, that you will see the "real America," I realize that a great part of what you're doing and going to do is share your belief that America is a good place to live, and that it's people are good people. Stinky Feet's faith and enthusiam is what gives us faith in you -- and the courage to let you go.
Mom
Hmm, i don't know if it a good thing to follow matt's mom on this comment board, but I have to say something!
I agree with Robin in that, because of who you four are, that is what makes me believe that you guys can do this. You are amazing people and have faith that is limitless in each other and yourself. Do not lose that!
I am glad to brag about you to my friends :)
Good luck, be safe, you will be missed at Webster!!!
Love, love, and more good karma vibes to be sent your way,
Beth
Me and my schlong are super excited about your sojourn across America! I'm a gonna do a special radio show in honor of your departure from STL!! Muffin top is gross; let's make it history!
P.S. Need a fifth member for the walk? Post me on Facebook.
This message is for all of you, I'm Katelyn's cousin, Linda. I wish you all wonderful weather and great footage for your documentary. I'd also like to temper your faith in people with common sense and to trust your instincts when they tell you someone or some situation is not what it seems. Keep together and have a great time. We'll be watching for any updates to the blog. Go Stinky Feet!!
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