Walk America

Tybee Island, United States @ Tybee Island, United States

2011-10-24T13:35:19.000Z

Maps, colds and Crab Cabs @ Savannah, United States, Georgia

2011-10-29T20:48:37.000Z

We’re on the eve of walking, watching Murder She Wrote in our motel room on Tybee Island. That’s right, we’re living the high life.

Our starting date has been pushed back a couple of days, mainly due to Lucy’s weakness in succumbing to a cold (cue me coming down with something worse). We’ve spent our time here planning our route, walking on the beach, recovering from jet lag, watching Jeopardy and buying supplies, mainly from the marvellous outdoor emporium REI; a giant warehouse full of every piece of walking gear imaginable (put it this way, they had a whole aisle full of fold-up toilets).

The one thing we’ve been thwarted in our search for so far is maps. Yep, despite oodles of fold-up toilets in REI, despite the other outdoor shop we went into having an aisle full of safes (because every time I go on a hike, I want to lug a half tonne safe around with me), not only has no-one stocked any maps, but they’ve looked positively confused at our requests. So, it looks like we’ll be relying on the mini GPS screen for all of our navigational needs.

So, now focus turns to tomorrow’s walk. Our first challenge is getting down to the beach from where we begin our coast to coast walk (we could walk, but it would feel pretty counterproductive to add an extra 2 miles walking to the beach just to walk back again later). So, we’re hoping to take advantage of the services of Crab Cabs; a name that Lucy finds disproportionately amusing. Then we need to find some food to fuel us through the day. So far, I haven’t been impressed with what the local supermarket has on offer; microwavable macaroni cheese which took 18 minutes to cook, and to be honest was no better for it, the highlight so far. I think we need to venture to the shop down the street which promises the world’s best ice cream instead tonight.

Tomorrow’s walk doesn’t promise to be fun; unless walking beside, and occasionally on, a busy highway is your idea of a good day out (in which case you probably need a new hobby). But once done, we should be in Savannah again, from where our walk will really begin in earnest.

Day one done! @ Savannah, United States, Georgia

2011-10-30T19:51:33.000Z

22 miles walked...day one complete!

A bridge too far @ Savannah, United States, Georgia

2011-10-31T14:39:01.000Z

Some people have a fear of spiders. Others snakes. Some people don’t like fire, heights, crowds or clowns. My fear is much more legitimate than those; gephyrophobia (that’s the fear of bridges, duh).

Bridges are clearly unsafe. Four piddly little pillars hold up a huge piece of concrete, with hundreds of vehicles crossing at 70mph each day, with perilous drops towards certain death either side.

Yesterday’s walk took us across four bridges in total. Clearly, this was an example of Lucy’s poor route planning (NB: Lucy wishes it to be noted that this is not the case, and that there were no other possible routes. I still blame her, mind. Her and the bridge manufacturers). These weren’t small footbridges over babbling brooks either (that would be bad enough anyway), but major crossings of large rivers by Highway 80. With no pavements.

Somehow we survived, and I didn’t even need to sacrifice Lucy to the Bridge Gods (believe me; if I needed to, I would have). Certain death unsurprisingly occupied the front of my mind for most of the day; I only broke from it to discuss with Lucy that the massive birds flying over our heads were probably eagles (or other large birds of prey) and not pigeons (NB: this version of events is disputed). Unfortunately, this is not a new conversation, as Lucy often manages to completely skew the sizes of various animals (giraffes are tall, but they’re not the same size as a ten storey building).

In other news, today we didn’t walk (well, not very far), as Savannah’s a very nice place and we thought better to take our rest day here. It also gives the weaker one of the couple an extra day to recover from her cold. Of course, it has nothing to do with the fact that our motel does Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast.

Shorter day today, but lots of nice pine trees! @ Bloomingdale, United States, Georgia

2011-11-01T21:42:05.000Z

25 miles to Pembroke @ Pembroke, United States, Georgia

2011-11-02T16:58:38.000Z

and very tiring it was too!

Claxton, United States, Georgia @ Claxton, United States, Georgia

2011-11-06T11:50:40.000Z

Pembroke to Claxton @ Claxton, United States, Georgia

2011-11-06T16:33:32.000Z

Nick's ankle's time to go today!

Shorter day to Collins today @ Collins, United States, Georgia

2011-11-07T13:35:55.000Z

Collins to Vidalia @ Vidalia, United States, Georgia

2011-11-08T15:48:52.000Z

Mt. Vernon, United States, Georgia @ Mt. Vernon, United States, Georgia

2011-11-11T19:13:23.000Z

Mt. Vernon to Little Ocmulgee Park @ Little Ocmulgee State Park, United States, Georgia

2011-11-12T16:10:35.000Z

Very tiring day today - time for a rest tomorrow! @ Eastman, United States, Georgia

2011-11-13T17:16:14.000Z

99% humidity today...I love air conditioning!, Bit cooler today, much more pleasant!, Unadilla to Montezuma @ Hawkinsville, United States, Georgia

2011-11-16T16:36:44.000Z

Nice day's walking @ Unadilla, United States, Georgia

2011-11-20T17:09:33.000Z

Short...but nevertheless tiring! @ Montezuma, United States, Georgia

2011-11-20T17:12:13.000Z

Montezuma to Ellaville @ Ellaville, United States, Georgia

2011-11-23T17:28:33.000Z

Ellaville to Buena Vista @ Buena Vista, United States, Georgia

2011-11-23T17:31:42.000Z

Buena Vista to Cusseta @ Cusseta, United States, Georgia

2011-11-23T17:32:59.000Z

Cusseta to Columbus, without bags...makes it so much easier! @ Columbus, United States, Georgia

2011-11-25T13:25:23.000Z

First stop in Alabama! @ Highway 80 Barn, United States, Alabama

2011-11-28T14:58:02.000Z

Finally in Tuskegee! @ Tuskegee, United States, Alabama

2011-12-03T15:14:03.000Z

A nice night's sleep in Shorter @ Shorter, United States, Alabama

2011-12-05T15:29:45.000Z

In Montgomery, after traversing many a very busy road @ Montgomery, United States, Alabama

2011-12-05T15:31:29.000Z

Wet and wetter @ Hunter, United States, Alabama

2011-12-06T17:09:47.000Z

Cold and creepy to the creek @ Prairie Creek, United States, Alabama

2011-12-08T18:46:09.000Z

To Selma @ Selma, United States, Alabama

2011-12-10T16:05:42.000Z

Our longest day so far...very tiring! @ Uniontown, United States, Alabama

2011-12-11T20:38:24.000Z

A long day to Demopolis @ Demopolis, United States, Alabama

2011-12-12T17:37:28.000Z

Towards Bellamy...but not quite there! @ Highway 80, United States, Alabama

2011-12-15T23:17:41.000Z

To Cuba. No, not that one. @ Cuba, United States, Alabama

2011-12-15T23:19:07.000Z

26 miles to Meridian @ Meridian, United States, Mississippi

2011-12-17T16:51:25.000Z

Nick's ankle goes kaput! @ Newton, United States, Mississippi

2011-12-18T21:11:22.000Z

Through the national forest to...Forest @ Forest, United States, Mississippi

2011-12-23T19:10:57.000Z

Pausing for Xmas @ Pelahatchie, United States, Mississippi

2011-12-23T19:11:03.000Z

Walking off the Christmas dinner @ Jackson, United States, Mississippi

2011-12-27T18:57:45.000Z

52 miles in the past two days...tiring.... @ Edwards, Montserrat

2011-12-28T17:34:26.000Z

To the Mississippi @ Vicksburg, United States, Mississippi

2012-01-01T09:26:40.000Z

Bridge, crossed! @ Tallulah, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-06T17:15:37.000Z

Not the Indian one... @ Delhi, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-06T17:16:57.000Z

Rayville, United States, Louisiana @ Rayville, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-06T17:18:27.000Z

Rest day tomorrow, woo! @ Monroe, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-06T17:19:44.000Z

To Calhoun @ Calhoun, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-08T16:59:36.000Z

Calhoun to Ruston @ Ruston LA, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-09T19:35:08.000Z

A rainy 18 miles to Ruston!

To Arcadia, the home of the Bonnie and Clyde ambush @ Arcadia, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-13T21:07:38.000Z

26 miles to Minden @ Minden, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-13T21:08:43.000Z

Tiring, tiring, tiring! @ Bossier City, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-14T20:49:16.000Z

Our last day in Louisiana @ Greenwood, United States, Louisiana

2012-01-15T19:08:17.000Z

Texas, baby! @ Marshall, United States, Texas

2012-01-17T21:15:38.000Z

Long day to Longview @ Longview, United States, Texas

2012-01-18T20:40:36.000Z

Big day to Big Sandy @ Big Sandy, United States, Texas

2012-01-19T20:46:40.000Z

A wander to Mineola @ Mineola TX

2012-01-21T17:42:11.000Z

Survived a dog attack today - woohoo!

Day 2 of the long long stint...25 miles to Edgewood @ Edgewood, United States, Texas

2012-01-23T21:46:19.000Z

Final day of the long haul, woo! @ Terrell TX, United States, Texas

2012-01-23T21:48:08.000Z

Dallas approaches... @ Mesquite, United States, Texas

2012-01-26T18:19:33.000Z

To the Cowboys @ Arlington, United States, Texas

2012-01-28T21:28:23.000Z

Fort Worth, United States, Texas @ Fort Worth, United States, Texas

2012-01-28T21:31:10.000Z

94 miles in four days, time for a break! @ Weatherford, United States, Texas

2012-01-30T11:38:58.000Z

Up coffee creek without a stirrer @ Coffee Creek, United States, Texas

2012-01-31T21:14:45.000Z

Coffee Creek to Cactus Rose @ Cactus Rose, United States, Texas

2012-02-01T19:27:05.000Z

Ranger TX, United States @ Ranger TX, United States

2012-02-02T13:37:55.000Z

Tiring!

Cisco TX, United States @ Cisco TX, United States

2012-02-04T13:44:51.000Z

Finished in time for lunch today!

Cisco to Baird @ Baird TX, United States, Texas

2012-02-05T16:03:59.000Z

A long, long, long 25 miles, with hills....we don't like hills....

Baird to Abilene @ Abilene TX, United States, Texas

2012-02-06T14:50:10.000Z

19 miles before a nice rest tomorrow

Merkel, United States, Texas @ Merkel, United States, Texas

2012-02-08T21:56:54.000Z

Merkel to Sweetwater @ Sweetwater TX, United States, Texas

2012-02-09T18:10:34.000Z

24 miles of painful feet, breaking in new shoes.

223 campground @ 223 Campground, United States, Texas

2012-02-12T19:07:11.000Z

A freezing night's sleep!

Colorado City, United States, Texas @ Colorado City, United States, Texas

2012-02-12T19:09:57.000Z

Short day in the cold

Another cold night in the tent! @ I 20 Rest Area, United States, Texas

2012-02-17T21:41:54.000Z

To the middle of nowhere... @ Big Spring, United States, Texas

2012-02-17T21:44:42.000Z

Grey day in the oilfields @ Midland TX, United States, Texas

2012-02-17T21:45:28.000Z

First day with trailer! @ I 20 to Monahans, United States, Texas

2012-02-25T15:00:16.000Z

100 miles in four days...tiring! @ Odessa TX, United States, Texas

2012-02-25T15:58:38.000Z

Sandstorm, duck! @ Monahans TX, United States, Texas

2012-02-25T16:01:55.000Z

To nowhere @ I 20 to Pecos, United States, Texas

2012-02-25T16:03:02.000Z

Ola Pecos! @ Pecos TX, United States, Texas

2012-02-25T16:05:10.000Z

In the middle of nowhere! @ Chihuahuan Desert TX, United States, Texas

2012-03-01T17:41:48.000Z

31 miles - longest day so far!

Chihuahuan Desert TX, United States, Texas @ Chihuahuan Desert TX, United States, Texas

2012-03-01T18:02:36.000Z

High winds stopped us in our tracks today!

Chihuahuan Desert TX, United States, Texas @ Chihuahuan Desert TX, United States, Texas

2012-03-01T18:06:19.000Z

To a truck stop...we've never been so grateful for microwaved pizza and burritos!

Van Horn TX, United States, Texas @ Van Horn TX, United States, Texas

2012-03-01T18:09:42.000Z

A bed and shower - woohoo!

A long walk to Sierra Blanca @ Sierra Blanca TX

2012-03-08T20:47:16.000Z

33 miles to be precise! Our legs aren't happy!

Camping out on the Mexican border @ McNary TX, United States, Texas

2012-03-14T21:33:23.000Z

Hot, hot day! @ Fabens TX, United States, Texas

2012-03-14T21:36:12.000Z

Finally in El Paso @ El Paso TX, United States, Texas

2012-03-14T21:39:05.000Z

0.3 miles left of Texas! @ Anthony TX, United States, New Mexico

2012-03-15T20:33:49.000Z

Hello New Mexico! @ Las Cruces NM, United States, New Mexico

2012-03-16T23:09:15.000Z

Las Cruces Airport NM @ Las Cruces Airport NM

2012-03-19T16:14:56.000Z

11 miles before the dust storm descended!

Akela NM @ Akela NM

2012-03-21T16:29:15.000Z

28 miles done!

Deming NM @ Deming NM

2012-03-21T16:39:00.000Z

Yay, a motel for the night!

Nice day walking by the railways @ Rest Area on I-10 to Lordsburg, United States, New Mexico

2012-03-25T09:01:18.000Z

An exhausting day! @ Lordsburg NM, United States, New Mexico

2012-03-25T09:04:20.000Z

Into Arizona! @ NM AZ border

2012-03-29T17:44:10.000Z

Our penultimate state...

Bowie @ Bowie AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-03-30T17:47:54.000Z

A boiling hot day :(

Time for a rest...our first major town in Arizona. @ Willcox AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-02T17:51:38.000Z

Staying on a ranch...how cool! @ Dragoon AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-02T17:58:59.000Z

Short but beautiful day through a Disneyland style canyon! @ Benson AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-03T21:10:16.000Z

Vail, AZ @ Vail AZ

2012-04-04T17:14:58.000Z

Camping just by the Arizona trail, lovely spot!

Tucson AZ, United States, Arizona @ Tucson AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-05T18:54:51.000Z

24 miles done today, boiling hot...again!

Marana AZ, United States, Arizona @ Marana AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-07T15:58:05.000Z

Nick got a little bit hit by a car today...not the best of days, he's ok, just about! Our trailer is a different story. Hopefully tomorrow will be a bit better!

Hot, hot, hot @ Picacho Peak AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-09T18:16:35.000Z

A scorching 28 miles, we're melting in the heat!

This is far too hot for us! Bring on British cloudiness... @ Casa Grande AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-12T16:38:19.000Z

Staying at an Indian Casino. What hardship, eh? @ Maricopa AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-12T16:42:20.000Z

Sonoran Desert AZ @ Sonoran Desert AZ

2012-04-13T18:08:49.000Z

Friday the 13th saw a flat tire on the trailer, us haplessly wandering into a large dairy farm (not our plan), all topped off by a rainy and windy night camping in the desert.

Gila Bend AZ @ Gila Bend AZ

2012-04-14T18:13:28.000Z

Less bad luck today, a nice 20 mile walk into town.

31 miles of bumpy roads and non-roads @ Sentinel AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-16T11:20:50.000Z

Sampled a date milkshake today....never again. @ Dateland AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-17T11:24:49.000Z

20 miles and then air conditioning :) @ Tacna AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-18T11:26:45.000Z

Rest day today, 12 miles in the morning and then relax! @ Wellton AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-19T11:28:30.000Z

20 miles done before midday @ Fortuna Foothills AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-21T11:00:32.000Z

...what we didn't tell you is that we had to set off at 4:30 am to avoid the hot weather!

Yuma @ Yuma AZ, United States, Arizona

2012-04-22T18:31:01.000Z

Hit 100 degrees today - so only made it 10 miles

Quechan Casino CA @ Quechan Casino AZ, United States, California

2012-04-23T18:36:56.000Z

Another 10 miles in the boiling heat :)

Middle of nowhere CA, United States, California @ Middle of nowhere CA, United States, California

2012-04-26T18:39:35.000Z

A day in the sand dunes, with a nice spot to camp at the end of the day.

El Centro CA, United States @ El Centro CA, United States

2012-04-27T18:43:18.000Z

24 miles done today. We said goodbye to our cart too as we can't push it over the hills to San Diego. So now it's back to backpacks, ouch! We've pushed it from Texas, so not bad going - hope the charity shop can make good use of it!

Ocotillo CA, United States, California @ Ocotillo CA, United States, California

2012-04-29T11:11:18.000Z

First day with our backpacks on again - ouch!

Agua Caliente CA, United States, California @ Agua Caliente CA, United States, California

2012-04-30T11:13:58.000Z

A walk through the Anza Borrego desert today, drank 15 litres of water to cope with the heat, it still wasn't enough.

Butterfield Ranch CA, United States, California @ Butterfield Ranch CA, United States, California

2012-05-01T11:19:37.000Z

A very short day :)

Julian CA, United States, California @ Julian CA, United States, California

2012-05-02T11:22:00.000Z

Hills, hills and more hills!

Ramona CA, United States, California @ Ramona CA, United States, California

2012-05-04T18:00:31.000Z

Walking on busy winding mountain roads with no hard shoulder, not recommended, most terrifying day ever.

San Diego outskirts CA, United States, California @ San Diego outskirts CA, United States, California

2012-05-05T19:04:09.000Z

For some reason it would be a good idea to climb up a mountain on our way into San Diego - fun...

San Diego CA @ Pacific Ocean San Diego, United States, California

2012-05-06T18:24:42.000Z

Finished!