Out Of The Wild: An Alaskan's Adventure To Find America

My name is John. I was born and raised in Alaska. I have been hearing how the American Dream is no longer possible for my generation; how the pursuit of a college education will leave my peers and me in crippling debt; and America is no longer the beacon of hope it once was. Too many of my generation believe what they are hearing. I am not going to surrender to such news.

I believe what made America great in the past can make it great again. I know many small business owners that are living their American Dream right now. I have heard these people talk about their dreams. They work harder than anyone I know every minute of every day. These are dreamers that act on their dreams. I want to chase my dream in the same way. My personal motto is, “Risk much, forgive much, and gain much”. I want to pursue a career in film. I want to chase my dream too.

I need to see more of this country to better understand my homeland. I want to meet the people who make this country work. Upon graduation from high school I am riding my bicycle 6,000 miles from Kodiak, Alaska to Key West, Florida to find my America. I am not going on this tour just to ride my bike. My plan is to document the people I meet that have put their dreams to work. I will interview them in their environment and interview the people they serve.

Using my bicycle, a tent, and a camera I will tell this story in a documentary I call “Finding My America”. I will begin in my hometown of Kodiak, Alaska on May 22, 2012. I am partnering with small businesses that will sponsor this trip. I am working with many Subway restaurant owners who are sponsoring me in exchange for a commercial I will make and post on the Internet.

When my trip is complete, I want to share what I learn with everyone. Look for the finished documentary in the late fall of 2012. The blog will serve as a behind the scenes update to chronicle my grand adventure. I am accepting financial support from anyone interested in inspiring my generation to embrace the hard work of bringing America back to a new era of greatness. I hope to tell the stories of the real American dream. I hope to raise enough money to pay for college without student loans. Help me tell this American story. Together we can be the difference.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Nine!

Well this is day 9 and counting.  Tomorrow is Baccalaureate Service for graduation and Mother's Day.  I am packing for the trip.  AND my new pedals just arrived.

I may be planning a detour through Washington DC for an opportunity to work with an organization that teaches kids how to do their own bicycle maintenance and promote cycling.  That is cool.

There still is interest in small businesses that will be willing to be a part of my documentary.  I am filming internet commercials for Subway store owners who want to sponsor my documentary. Several other businesses have offered support. A few more Subway stores have been added to my sponsor list today.

I am humbled at the thought that there are people out there that get what I am trying to do.  I want to earn my American Dream.  I want to earn enough for the college of my choice.  I want to make this documentary and inspire my generation to make America great by our own hard work and vision.  Riding my bike across America is not novel.  It's been done to death. I am heading out to run my own small enterprise of making this film and learning something about my country.  I am trying to keep my overhead low and make this thing work--really work.


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