My name is Jack Morris and I’m walking across America. Why you might ask? Well, that question seems to be difficult to provide with a single answer. The short answer is that I wanted to accomplish something epic! A grand story that I could tell around a camp-fire, or even pass down to future generations of the Morris clan. The long answer is a bit more complicated, but goes something like this:
,About a year ago the company I worked for was acquired by a larger, publicly traded company. While this can sometimes be a good thing, the odds were probably not in my favor. It was at this time that I wondered what I would do if I lost my job? As a guy who usually has a Plan A,B & C…I had nothing! My plan was to be 110% focused and I will be successful. But just in case I lost my job, what would I do? I knew that I would need to start from scratch AGAIN. At 40 years of age, I knew that to be competitive, I would need to be physically and mentally fit to be competitive in the workplace. This is when my Plan B of Walking Across America began to take hold and sit stand-by until the need would arise.
The need arose on April 1st, 2010. Yes, that would be April Fool’s Day to you and me! My position was eliminated and now I was unemployed. After a few days of denial, and attempting to land a similar position, I accepted my inevitable fate. Some people may look at this time in their life as a significant low-point. I chose to make it a magnificant high-point! Something that I will always remember and potentially be the catalyst for the next chapter in life. My Plan B was now going to be dusted off and placed into action!
PLAN B
With absolutely ZERO scientific study, I chose to walk from Jacksonville, FL to Seattle, WA. Simply because Seattle was my home and Jacksonville was almost an exact diagnal line across America. Google has an excellent mapping feature which provides Walking directions across the entire country. All I needed now was to figure out how much time would be needed, how far I needed to walk in a day, and all the supplies I would need to carry with me. The end result was:
- Total Distance: 3000 miles
- Miles per/day: 25 miles
- Time needed (available): 130 days, or until September 10th, 2010
- Personal Funds: $25.00/day
- Food/Water: Whatever I can carry for a single day
You might be asking yourself why I needed to be back on the 10th of September? First, let’s not forget that I need to get back into the workplace. Second, I had committed to my good friend Barry’s wedding, which will take place only a few days after my return.
Other than the above mentioned plans, there was way too many variables to plan at a much deeper level. Every day would prove a challenge physically and mentally. The next steps would be to purchase my gear and train as much as possible before the planned start date of May 1st, 2010.
While I didn’t know it in the beginning, my journey across America would become much greater than one self. Each step I take and every path I cross seems to be inspiring and motivating those around me! Not wanting to limit the potential magnitude of my journey, I chose to dedicate my walk and it’s proceeds to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Children’s Hospital has a long sucessful history of helping Children and giving them the gift of a healthy and happy Childhood. In addition to many of my friends children; my own son was helped by SCH at only 2-weeks of age.
If you would like to read more about Seattle Children’s Hospital and their many success stories, please go to: http://www.seattlechildrens.org.
THE PLEDGE DRIVE
Every donation event should have definite beginning and end date. I have chosen to have a 100-Day pledge event beginning June 3rd and ending September 10th, 2010. During the event my team will be providing daily information about Children’s Hospital and how YOU can help contribute to our pledge drive. Donations will be immediately accepted or you can choose to pledge a donation upon completion of the walk. If you are not in a position to donate, all I ask is that you pledge to tell your friends and family and point them to my website.
THE ORIGINAL ROUTE PLAN
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TRAINING
I had been walking as a form of exercise for several months. About 3-weeks before my departure, I stepped up the training regimine to 10-miles in the morning and 10-miles in the evening. My estimation is that this would give me the needed foundation of strength to build upon.
THE CART
My Berg Design ‘Runabout’. The highest quality piece of equipment I could find for the journey. For more information, please go to: http://www.bergdesign.com.
THE GEAR
I have lots of stuff! Too much stuff to be exact, but I assume its better to be safe than sorry. Without listing all of my contents, I’m carrying the following:
- Camping Gear (Tent, Pad, Sleeping Bag)
- Clothing (Several pairs of shorts, shirts and socks)
- Shoes (One pair that I plan to replace every 500 miles)
- First Aid Equipment
- Toiletries
- Tools (Duct Tape, Wrench, etc…)
- Sun Cream & Bug Spray
- Cooking Supplies (Stove, Cup, Bowl, Spork)
- Food/Water (Enough for up to 2-days)
