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.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

The First Subway In Alaska

This is Bobbie and Steve Adams first Subway restaurant.  Bobbie Adams doesn't like to cook!  She was fun to interview.

I am in the last days I'll be in Anchorage.  I have a few more things to film and edit before I head down to Whittier, Alaska.  I still have to make a repair to my trailer bag.  The crash I had in Cooper Landing could have been worse.  I am going to fix it with zip ties.


3 comments:

Debbie Adamson said...

Hi John, I have a few thoughts to pass to you regarding your video blogging and how to do it. I'm not sure what kind of equipment programs you are using but you might give Full Sail Media Department a call and explain what you are up against. They might be able to give you some incredible pointers, especially since you are going to be one of their students.

As for your bag, I don't think ties are going to work in your situation considering the miles ahead of you and the continuous strain on that net bag. Is it possible to get a leather bag that will straddle your bike?? If not, at least get a flex trash liner and put inside the net bag and repack your stuff inside the liner. Once it is in there, duct tape all around the bottom and side of the exterior of net bag where the hole is and that will act as a nice and firm reinforcement.

High School Sunday School Teachers said...

No leather. Heavy, will get wet, too cumbersome. That dive bag fabric can be stitched. Make it sturdy.

kodiakbiker said...

Thanks for you solutions! I'll definitely need some as I try to fix the tear!
And the problems aren't major, they just set back a couple minutes :/