Dwight, IL – Pontiac, IL   19.9 miles For the second time in my cross-country journey I have found myself interrogated by police simply for being a person with a backpack. Now I have no problem with a police officer asking me if I am OK. There was just a tornado in Dwight, the location from [...]

Yesterday marked the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It is among the most controversial Supreme Court decisions in U.S. history, and each year those for and against legalized abortion face off in what seems to be a never-ending battle. As I am fiercely pro-choice, I can accept that some women believe abortion is wrong. [...]

Day 82–Sept. 23 (Pittsburgh, PA-Bellvue, PA, 7.9 miles) Leaving Pittsburgh today I felt conflicted. I was not interested in being part of a G-20 protest that could become violent. And I didn’t think it was my battle. But, with each step I took, I realized that every protest is my battle–our battle–to preserve democracy and [...]

Day 61–Sept. 2 Over the border in Surrey, British Columbia city leaders attempted a truly foul solution to the problem of homelessness. According to an article in the Surrey North Delta Leader, chicken manure was spread around a Whalley social service building on Aug. 14 in an attempt to drive away vagrants. A political relations [...]

Day 26–July 29, 2009 (rest in Pittsburgh, 0.0 miles) Since I began my walk not a month ago I have climbed mountains and walked beside farm fields. I have met amazing and generous people and made lifelong friends. I’ve walked through impoverished communities and been touched as those with almost nothing pulled money out of [...]

Day 23–July 26 (Greensburg, PA-Irwin, PA, 8.1 miles) Loitering is not my idea of a good time. And I doubt most people enjoy loitering. But, when you are homeless, it is a way of life. Since I’ve begun this journey I’ve spent hours loitering. I’ve loitered at Panera, at Starbucks and McDonald’s. I’ve spent time [...]

Day 22–July 25 (rest in Greensburg, PA, 0.0 miles) I have never understood what it is that empowers some of us to always stand up for what is right, regardless of the consequences, while others stand idly by at the injustices of this world. While I was at Target in Greensburg yesterday I met John [...]

Day 20–July 23 (rest in Greensburg, PA, 0.0 miles) Last night, for the first time since I began my trip, I found myself without a place to stay for the night. I spent an hour on a bench outside the Giant Eagle grocery store talking to a homeless man named Rick while I iced my [...]