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.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Grandma Subway

This is Bobbie.  She built the first Subway store in Alaska with her son, Steve Adams.  He is now the president of Subway of Alaska.  She is known as Grandma Subway.  I interviewed Bobbie today and enjoyed hours of stories she told.

Today was very exciting.  I spoke with many people who make Subway stores a success in Alaska.  I also filmed hours for the documentary.  Tomorrow I will film on location at one of the Anchorage Subway stores. I spent time on my bike and filmed with my GoPro as I rode through the city.  I have many hours of editing ahead of me.


Posted by at 12:39 AM

4 comments:

Phill said...

What a treasure! It must have been an amazing time to hear stories from the first Alaska Subway pioneer.

May 30, 2012 at 12:45 AM
Anonymous said...

I also like the Subway Grandma story. Is it possible to share some of her stories with your readers?

On another note. Please don't forget your readers/viewers out in blog land who are not in that inner circle that family and friends are. Make regular posts. You've been in Anchorage for a week now and only two posts! What's happening? Why the delay? Let us know you are still on tour and that you are OK.

As a writer/blogger, you don't want to forget your readers/viewers out there wanting to be a part of what you are doing.

May 31, 2012 at 9:32 AM
Unknown said...

Luke spent his day off yesterday catching up on your blog, and he is so excited for you. He was wondering if there is anyway he (or other interested parties for that matter) could also buy a "John's America Bike Tour" jersey. Let us know, we'll also talk to your parents next time we see them about this prospect!

May 31, 2012 at 10:14 AM
kodiakbiker said...

Grandma Subway stories will be told in short on video blogs every now and then :) I am OK and ready to continue the journey, sorry for the drop in postings.

June 2, 2012 at 6:23 PM

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