If you see Skip, drop us an email, maybe send us a picture, his mother wants to know what he's doing.
Seriously, let us know when you see him and we'll get your comments posted to the website.
I saw skip today. He walked into the Comfort Suites in Palm Desert, CA just before 5:00pm and asked if he could get a room. He looked tired, sweaty, and maybe a little dirty. It is close to 100 degrees out here in the California desert, so you can imagine what it is like to walk all day in the heat. He is actually quite lucky that it is a bit cooler than normal for this time of year. I talked to Skip briefly about what he was doing, and offered him a room for the night in the hotel. Good luck Skip!
Regards,
Charles Lee
Owner
Cynthia
My friend and I spotted Skip walking across the San Carlos Apache Reservation on his way to Globe Arizona this morning. We had no idea who he was or what he was doing. We didn't stop to talk, but got the web site address on the second sighting. He will be in Globe this afternoon. That is about 90 miles from Phoenix. According to his itinerary he was to go through Willcox and Tucson. He will have to had south to get to Tucson and then another 60 miles or so east to get to Willcox. That doesn't seem to be the way he is heading. Anyway, he was moving right along. All the best to him.
Jerry Grace
Claypool, Arizona
Colin Keane gave Skip a helping hand in Texas.
I normally drive back from Midland to Austin via Interstate 20 through Abilene and then Hwy 183 all the way to Austin. On Monday evening past, I changed my route because I knew there would be better cell phone coverage driving back via Ballinger, Brady, Llano…you get it, the Hill Country route. I needed cell coverage as I was planning my upcoming SXSW activities.
Six years ago I had a bad experience picking up a hitch hiker but in recent times I’ve attempted to overcome that barrier. Will I did last Monday night. I picked up Skip. He was standing at the corner of Hwy 87 and Hwy 71 right on the south side of Brady, Texas. I recall thinking to myself, “why not, he looks like a decent chap”. Skip’s carrier was broken and he needed to get it back to the ‘REI’ shop in Austin for a free repair. I live in Austin so we loaded up and tied down his carrier in the bed of my pick up and off we drove the 126 miles to Austin.
Ironically, after about 50 miles on the road I realized that that was Skip the night before in Sterling City wearing night reflective gear and a flashing red light on the back of his head as he walked north bound along Hwy 87. As I drove past him on my way to Midland on that Sunday evening I remember thinking “what on earth is a Mom and her baby in stroller doing out power walking at this time of night.”
As we drove back to Austin from Brady, I quickly became intrigued and fascinated by Skip’s adventures thus far across the U.S. and indeed also his stories about the Czech Republic and soon I found myself interviewing Skip as we drove, I wanted to gain an insight into his experiences. Upon reflection, I was being selfish as Skip was probably tired and there was me bombarding him with questions.
Pizza Hut in Llano, Texas, helped fill holes in both of our stomachs, a long days driving for me and a long days walking and hitching for Skip.
I got Skip back to Austin late Monday evening. I think the common thing we will both take out of this experience was the irony of me being Irish born and the day being the eve of St. Paddy’s Day and also for me personally, a new word…..“Kismet” (a term Skip taught me).
Just to be very clear about something here folks. Skip is no “hitch hiker”; I deliberately used that term loosely to paint the picture. He is only hitch hiking back over turf and ground he has already walked upon as he needed a repair to his carrier. I truly believe he will complete this trek and walk every mile from coast to coast that he has set as his goal.
Regards,
Colin Keane
Lynn just saw Skip on his way to Austin.
"I just saw Skip this morning, at first I thought "what is this guy doing" as someone in a truck dropped him off at the HEB in Bastrop, Texas. I saw the stroller and knew there was no baby in it, so you can imagine, I thought he was up to no good.
Skip stood there and got all geared up and the last thing he did was attach his sign on his back. So I jotted the web site down and here I am.
Although I did not have a camera, I do want Skip's Mom to know he looked good, clean, healthy and ready for the trek to Austin, Texas only a 30 mile or so stretch. He looks like he's had a few good meals along the way and really has some good walking legs. Skip, I don't think you really want to wear black the Texas heat, I know it hides dirt real well but you will be HOT. It is suppose to reach 80 degrees today.
Sorry, Skip I wanted to ask what you were up to, but the person I was with would not pull over after you started walking. I should have gone over while he was pumping gas. Skip, you are going to love Austin!"
Good Luck on your many adventures,
Lynn from Austin
Tina Saw Skip in Lafayette
Dear mother of skip,
I saw him today in lafayette, la. He was on the corner of ambassador caffery & Dulles dr. Saw his sign and looked up the website while waiting for the light to turn green. It was lunch time and I saw on the blog that be likes burger king. So don't worry mom he has enough whoppers to last him for today. (feb. 5).
Tinas. Phone
Bevery Akers saw Skip in Gulfport.
"My husband and I were sitting in traffic in Gulfport on Hwy 90 on Jan. 19th when we passed you. I took your picture as you walked by and then looked you up when I got back to Atlanta. I am a teacher at Sweetwater Elementary in Douglas County, GA. I enjoyed reading your blog!Are you on your own, or do you have a film crew with you? Anyway, I'll be back to check onyour progress. Keep on walking!!"
Dear Mother of Skip,
I am watching Skip and 3 of his cohorts filming outside the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County at 310 North Tryon Street in uptown Charlotte, NC. He's wearing shorts and a short sleeved shirt. It's kind of chilly, so you might want to send him a jacket. Everyone is smiling, but can't seem to get just the right shot of him walking. Looks like a silly, good-hearted group. The two guys with beards are especially cute. Watching them all has made my day working at the library a little brighter.
Erika - Telephone Reference
Our thanks to Ashley Ayscue, Photo Editor of the The Daily Dispatch in Henderson, NC for this shot of Skippy on the road.
Where is Skip headed today?
Skip has experienced some amazing generosity in the wonderful town of Monroeville, Alabama. Read about his experience at Walking Distance.
Map Skip's Progress
Where has Skip been so far?
What's Skip's route?
Major cities Skip is traveling to are:
So far Skip has been to:
Hartford and Bridgeport CT,
NYC, NY
Trenton NJ
Philly
DC
Wilmington Delaware
Baltimore, Columbia and Silver Springs, Maryland
Richmond VA
Raleigh and Charlotte NC Greenville SC
Atlanta,
Pensacola,
Montgomery and Mobile,
New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Beaumont, TX
Houston,
Austin, San Angelo
Midland, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Skip is on his way to:
Las Cruces, Derning, NM,
Willcox, Tuscon and Phoenix, AZ
Coachella, Indio Thousand Palms, Banning, Fontana, West Covina, LA, Santa Monica, CA
