What is A Long Walk Home 2004?

The Concept

An overweight, middle-aged, man with a shaved head, a teddy bear, a portable computer, cell phone and a PayPal ATM card attempts to walk from Round Rock, Texas (a small town just north of Austin, and best known as the home of the world's number one computer manufacturer, Dell Inc.) to Everett, Washington (a small city, north of Seattle, best known as the home of the first Boeing Commercial Airlines factory). This is a walk of approximately 2700 miles (according to the preliminary route calculated by Microsoft MapPoint 2004).

After listening to the dangers our population faces from terrorists, murderers, drug dealers and tourists being mauled by flocks of wild geese, I decided to do something about it. But what? I considered becoming a vigilante, carrying an M-16, shooting geese first and asking questions later. But that just didn't seem like it would make an appreciable difference. I considered joining the military or the police department, or maybe the Federal Bureau of Avian Enemies (FBAE). The last job seemed the most exciting. I could just see myself as a member of the FBAEBP, the Federal Bureau of Avian Enemies Border Patrol, America's last best hope against those marauding geese. None of choices seemed quite right. Even though I was in mortal fear of the geese, I didn't think that I'd add much to the image of the United States. I'd be just another cog in a machine somewhere.

While contemplating those choices, and reading about the image that America has in the foreign press, how Americans are greedy and self-centered, and how we care only for ourselves, an idea began to emerge in my twisted little brain. What could I, a simple (some say minded) American guy, do to prove that the world was wrong, and that we Americans are caring, gentle people who care more about our fellow human beings than we do for ourselves? And then it came to me: I'll walk across country, to see my father, who I haven't seen in six years. This would satisfy the need to show that America is safe. But how about the caring part? Well, I'll ask my fellow Americans to sponsor me by donating small amounts of money to this website for food, shelter, and other things I would need along the way; or they could help by allowing me to sleep on their porches or in their garages at night. Other ways that my fellow Americans might help would be to offer me dinner, or just say hello as I pass through. In order to show my appreciation for those who offered me any type of kindness or support along my way, I'd recognize them on a page of honor, here on my site. For businesses that were kind enough to provide aid and comfort along the way, I would recognize them here on a page that is dedicated to the greatness of American Business.

So, A LONG WALK HOME 2004, is a celebration of love, safety and and the greatness of America and Americans. Please join with me in this endeavor. And allow me to say in advance, I really appreciate all that you have done to make this trip a success. Thank you for your support.