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.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Change of plans!

Alright, so maybe I did fall off the face of the earth there for a second.. or a week. I would blame it on uploading difficulties or no access to wifi if it weren't for the fact that I just haven't uploaded because I have been having a blast! Kansas was pretty much like reliving "Fivol Goes West". I don't know how to describe it any other way. No water, no shade, lots of sun. Half the time I was in Kansas my phone was over heated and not wanting to work so I didn't capture much of its beauty. But trust me, you didn't miss much.

After Kansas comes Missouri, or as cyclists like to call it misery. The Ozarks sent fear down my spine so I made the decision to go north and follow an old railroad track that has been turned into a biker trail known as the Katy Trail. This allowed me to blast through "Misery" in two days!

Then Kentucky, land of hills and dogs eager to chase... enough said.

And now for the news that this post is titled after. There has been a change of plans. I am no longer going the extra 1000 miles to the coast in Virginia and then down through North and South Carolina. I am taking a shortcut through Tennessee and Alabama.

Ive made this choice for 2 reasons. 1000 extra miles is a long way to travel. And I think I am beginning to run out of steam. The mental game of touring across America has beaten me the past couple of days and I know I can finish the trip but my mind wants me to do it quicker... Nothing will be affected by the change in course, in fact I think the documentary and such may gain some from a change in direction :)

Anyway, there is the news.

Now hopefully I can get these blogs posted...

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

John,

It's Pat from Free Spirit Bike Jerseys in Homer and I want to let you know that I'm originally from TN, my family is still there, and my cousin owns a bike shop in our little mountain town of Sewanee where your mother will be relieved that you'll be very well taken care of. Call me if you want directions 907-435-7077/1-877-842-3429

Enjoy reading your blog,

Pat

Sjohnson said...

Well it sounds like you won't be rolling by our Bike Shop in Georgia. But have fun anyway!

kodiakbiker said...

My Georgia route is basically the same, so I will be able to see you. I am still coming to Statesboro before heading south. I'll just be entering from the west instead of the north. where exactly is your shop?

Anonymous said...

Hello John, I have been talking to other cyclist at Full Sail. I am going to try and get a few of us to keep you company when you hit the Daytona, Florida or close by. I have emailed your family with my phone number. If you or your family can keep me posted as to when you will be in that area I will meet with you and ride south with you for about 100 miles. Will love to hear some of the stories you most have.

Joseph Rivers (professor at Full Sail University)

jrivers@fullsail.com

Laura Metz said...

We will be praying for cool breezes. Hope you get a break from the heat. Thanks for the updates!
Laura, Madalyn, Carl and Mary.