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.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Walden, CO July 7-11

I had an extended stay in Walden, CO for a couple of reasons. I didn't want to draw attention to the MoPed guy that couldn't see where he was going, but if he hadn't t-boned me he would have gone over the guard rail and over a cliff! So... he is alive and my bruised hip got a good rest in Walden after the soaker storm fried my battery back-up to the solar power system and my Canon Rebel T2i that I use to do my documentary filming. My bike is unharmed, but I can't say the same for his MoPed. This video is from the camp area in Walden where I spent more time than I planned. Thank you to everyone that has donated sponsorship help to me, whether it has been money, food, lodging or encouraging words and prayers. Without it, I would be DONE!




Posted by at 12:01 PM

2 comments:

Bartokhound said...

Did you film this on a merry-go-round?! Call me technologically-challenged, but how on earth did you spin around like that?!

Glad you're OK!

Kayla

July 13, 2012 at 11:53 PM
kodiakbiker said...

Haha! I just saw this comment! I spin while I talk, hope it doesn't make people dizzy!

July 19, 2012 at 9:25 PM

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