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, August 31, 2012

Almost done!

I had the privilege to ride with Joseph Rivers today near Cocoa Beach. He is a professor at Full Sail University where I will be attending this fall. I'm almost done!



4 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey, John! Can you send your bike route so I can ride in with you to your last destination?!

-Michael Davise
Student Music Business Bachelors @ Full Sail University

Greg said...

John is it possible to stream the dipping of the tire live? PLEASE! Or at least give us the time you plan to up load the video so we can see it before the tire is dry.

Cami said...

Hey! There are a few of us at Full Sail that ride! Two of us up in the Career Development office... I ride with Joseph Rivers sometimes too! We look forward to meeting you in person here at Full Sail.
Make sure you email me at camis@fullsail.com

You are inspiring... and I can't wait to meet you in person!

Cami Smith
Career Development,
Full Sail U

kodiakbiker said...

Hey, Miechael, Greg and Cami! I don't think I can ride with anyone else. There simply isn't enough road left :)

And I believe I will be able to capture the moistened tire for you guys!

I can't wait to meet you guys in person either! I can't wait to meet Full Sail in general!