Training has Commenced

I have been starting slow, walking though my woods and some new awesome spots I have found. I am looking for suggestions especially longer 10+ mile trails that are close. I will be tracking all my mileage, making notes of what to bring and do for the real thing, and getting a better gauge for how long the whole country may take me. Ideally I
would like to walk 6,000 miles prior to taking off across the country, but that ability to accomplish that goal depends on when I am able to leave. But as of now I have hiked 29.6 miles in the last two weeks. In addition I have been trying to camp out when I can only have once so far but surely more in the near future. Certain have a ways to go but I have learned a few things along the way.




Rule #1 : Flip-flops do not constitute as hiking appropriate attire.

Unfortunately it took me 2 mishaps to realize this one, even though I am pretty sure most non-hikers could have told me this too. Clearly I have much to learn. In my first mistake I went hiking out in the woods at Oakley Corners with my Daddy one Sunday after church wearing flip-flops and tripped over a tree root, didn't fall or anything just caught the bottom portion of my big toe and ripped all the skin right off it. Didn't hurt much but sure did bleed everywhere good thing there wasn't any bears sniffing out human blood or I would have been a goner for sure. You think I would have learned but less than a week latter when my mom, sister, Tessa and I went down to NYC for the day what do I wear? Flip-flops and not even good ones, cheap ones that left me with 6 blisters and mighty sore feet. So no more flip-flops while hiking or walking the city for that matter for me.




Rule#2 : Beware of Bugs

One of the trails I went on was massively invested with ants I counted over 78 massive ant hills on the trail in less than a mile. And they weren't the nice kind either, but the mean red biting kind, not sure how many bits they got of my but it wasn't fun.




Rule #3: Never Underestimate Ones Appetite

Perhaps it is simply because I am not used to doing much all that active, but its been crazy how hungry I have been and how much I seem to wanna eat. I have always had a huge appetite, but it is getting worse defiantly going to have to find a way to curb that or better ways of acquiring and carrying filling foods with me while I hike.




Rule #4: Dirty is no longer Dirty

I have experienced a whole new kind of dirty, literally covered in mud head to toe and that was only after less than a ten mile hike one day. I expected that hiking across the country was going to be a messy one but have a feeling it is a whole new level of what I can imagine.




Rule #5: Always dress in layers

I get super hot when I hike even if it is in the shade and super cold at night. Will certainly be wanting a warm sleeping bag and the ability to have shorts and a tank top in the day for the summer.




Thanks for keeping up to date with my progress and I will be sure to fill you in. Also great news I have been making great progress in my funds have collected over a dozen dimes!! My funds total $1.30 from 4 amazing supporters. Be sure to stay tuned, I will announce the winner at the end of the month.

Dime a Dozen

I would just like to say I now have 10 cents toward my walking across the country fund xD.  Thanks to my Grandpa that gave me a dime after taking me out to the movies last night.  Thank you!!!   A couple more dimes and who knows I may just have enough!  But seriously even a dime can go a long ways.   I also got my business cards in so if you want one or know a people that would be interested let me know they have this website on them as well as my contact info.

Wanna Help?

Give Financially
So clearly a 7 month journey across the trip can't just happen with out some financial help. I mean we all have to work to put food on our plates not to mention all the bills that come up right? Well just because I have decided to walk across the country my bills and need for food, supplies, lodging, etc will not go away in fact much of that will go up! I plan on being as frugal as I can, camping out most of the time, stocking up and carrying what I can etc, but I still have to pay all my bills and I won't exactly be able to work while I am walking across the country, that's where you come in. Even if it is as small as a dollar it all adds up and every little bit will help me make this a possibility. For some additional intensive other then the satisfaction of being able to say you were apart of me walking across the country and all the inside stories, knowledge, adventures and pictures I will share with you I am offering so additional benefits. Anyone that can donate $60 or more (roughly a penny for every mile I will be walking) will get there name or a name of there choosing on one of the shirts I will be wearing across the country. Also anyone that gives $100 or more will get honorable mention by name in my book when I write about all my adventures, and a free copy! No promises on the timeline for the book though. Giving is quite simple and you don't have to give that much, remember every bit helps, you can give the money directly to me or simplyclick the donate picture on your right to pay by credit/ pay pal. If I miraculous raise more than I need to make it across the country (Funds are going to only be covering the cost of food, lodging, supplies needed for the trip, not for my bills, entertainment etc.) all addition funds will be going to support missions in Africa. An additional perk is every month I will randomly draw one donor that will win a prize or have the option of making me doing there choice of humiliating activities, to an audience of there choosing.

Pray
One thing God continually reminds me of is to never underestimate the POWER of prayer. I am going to be depending on prayer support throughout this journey, majorly. This is certainly not an easy task and I will not be taking this lightly. Yes, I am ecstatic about all I will see and experience along the way, but like life it is not all wonderful. I will be full of many ups and downs and many challenges I haven't had the foresight to see. Not to mention being away from friends and family for so long having rather limited human contact many times and only with strangers when I do. I would love prayer for the safety of the journey, financial support, for strength and determination to finish it, for God to use it as I know he will to teach and mold me further into the women he designed me to be, for loneliness, etc. But most importantly, I am seeking prayer for the spiritual impact and influence of my trip that God would use me and this trip in a whole different level among my friends and family as they here of my trip and experience the impact it makes in me and all those that I am able to meet on the trip. I know this trip is drawing a lot of attention and I have been getting all kinds of questions and interest and know the impact possibilities are limitless. I know God is calling to go on this trip, and it is very little to do with my own ambition. I think its cool and I am excited but it is far from something I would come up on my own as random and adventurous as I am, its still a little too risky and too much of a commitment for me to be totally comfortable with. But God wants me, so I am going, but please consider praying for me and for all those this trip will impact.

Host
Second to Food the biggest need I anticipate is lodging, I have mapped it out and have many camping sites throughout nearly all the trip, but I would love an occasional break if you happen to live or know someone that lives somewhere near my route. I can get you estimate dates and keep you updated as best I can when I am getting closer. But if you are interested in, and able to host me for a night or know someone that might I would absolutely love that possibility. In addition I am looking for churches to attend along the trip, I am working on mapping them out, but if by chance you know of one I would greatly appreciate it.

Join me
Clearly leaving home, loved ones, jobs, responsibilities, etc, behind and hiking across the country rain, shine, sleet snow, mountain, dessert, sleeping on the ground, carrying all your possessions on your back for 8 months is not something most people can even consider. Nonetheless if you can, consider coming! I would love the company, and you don't have to do all 6,000 miles maybe just for a day or two or a few miles if you are able to make it to where I am. I am working on a tracking app so you can tell where I am most of the time, so you can come join me any time for as much as you would like.

Inform Me
I am new at this hiking more than ten mile thing and haven't had all that much experience camping before either, nor have I been in the vast majority of states I will be living in for the upcoming 8or so months! I defiantly am eager to hear anything you know or any tips, tricks, pointers, suggestions you have. Also if you have any hiking supplies you aren't going to be using and think would be beneficial, I would love to be able to use them.

Spread the Word
There is no telling what the impact it might have on people, so tell your friends and family if you can't help directly maybe they can or maybe it will open the doors to some amazing conversation, share my website, my story I will love you for it. The more people know the more determination I will have and the more impact I can have. I also have business cards made up for anyone interested.

Participate
Between now and when I start walking, I will be having a number of fundraisers that you can participate in. Also if you have other ideas I would love to hear them. Including but not limited too...

Bottle Drive
Avid Soda drinker like my formal self, or just have lots of cans/ bottles that have collected up sitting in your garage? Well why not put them to use? Starting now leading up to the day I head out, you can either drop off you cans and bottles at my house or call me and I will come pick them up.

Bonfire
I will be having a Bonfire $5 admission full of games, fireworks, smores and more at my house latter in the summer, date TBA for anyone that wants to come or support my efforts you can always donate more.

Coin Drive
Have lots of coins lying around your house, car or wherever? Why not put them to use, donate them to me walking across the country. No need to worry about rolling or counting them just get them to me or let me know and I will get them from you. Even better, Win by doing it. Whoever "walks" the furthers in this drive, will be honored and win a special prize. Pennies are equivalent to one mile, nickels five and so on.

Yard Sale
I am in the process of collecting years and years of "STUFF" much of it never used that has been sitting around in my room attic, basement, garages etc. I literally have everything from baby toys to dryers, televisions, game systems, electronics, clouting, furniture, organ, movies, books, you name it and prices will be unbeatable. So come out date is not set in stone yet but likely August 11th

I am hoping to walk the country from my home in Upstate New York to the cost of DE then Westward to Northern California over 6,000 miles in all! My goal is to begin on Earth Day, Monday April 22nd. Although I am still in the early stages of planning, I will likely me following much of my route along the American Discovery Trail . It is sure to be an adventure of a life time. I would love any help you can offer, either in terms of fiances, tips, places to stay for a night etc. This is certainly going to be one of if not the most challenging experiences of my life where I will be dedicating at least six months time, I estimate 6 grand (roughly a dollar a mile) in expediences, and I can't even imagine the energy and stamina it will soak out of me after 6,000 miles! I have no idea what God will do through me and in me on this journey and I am excited to find out! Stay tuned as I plan to find out more details about my trip, preparations, and my progress on saving up to go.