The journey of a lifetime is starting to take shape in my mind. I think I have finally settled on an outline of what that journey will look like, a major travel adventure.
Care to hear about it?
No walkabout for this old man
Listen, I’m in pretty damned good shape for someone seventy-three, but I’m not going to attempt to walk across this country. I may be a dreamer, but I’m a realistic dreamer. I know, I know, it’s just one step at a time, putting one foot in front of the other, and repeating that about six million times, but the sheer logistics of it is enough to give me a migraine.
Still, I want to visit small towns across this country, and I want to do it in some way other than just driving a car. I had considered riding a bike across the country, but the Rocky Mountains are formidable, and this has never been about me pushing myself to new physical limits. No, this has been more about seeing this country and meeting people, and I think I finally settled on a solution which will meet all of my needs and desires.
Remembering back to childhood road trips
I think I was five the first time my parents took me on a road trip to Iowa. Now, this was 1953, so be advised, as you read this, that there was no interstate freeway system at that time. Going from Tacoma, Washington, to Charles City, Iowa, required driving two-lane roads through backwater towns all the way, averaging about forty-or-fifty miles per hour the entire distance.
It was a magical trip for my younger self. I remember, clearly, the roadside cafes. I remember the rest stops on the side of the road, and my dad casually talking to the locals, the farmers, the ranchers, the shopkeepers, and just the people sipping lemonade under giant oak trees on hot, dusty afternoons. I have a memory of friendly people, helpful people, laughing people, without a doubt, memories colored by the optimism of youth but still, fairly accurate I believe.
Which leads me to today
I wonder about my fellow Americans today. I see so much hatred on the news. I read so much hatred on social media. And I wonder, is that how it is today, angry people, divided by political and religious beliefs? Or are there still Americans, along the backroads of this country, who are like those vague memories of my youth, helpful people, friendly people, people quick to laugh and willing to lend a helping hand to a traveling stranger?
And that is my quest . . .
To find out the answer to that question. I want to meet my America one handshake at a time, and I want to do it without driving along modern freeways, but rather taking the road less-traveled.
I suspect that my gut feeling is correct, that 99% of the people I meet are basically good people. When you strip away the b.s. about politics, there is very little that differentiates us all.
At this point, I have a vision. I want to take a bike tour of this country, with Bev and the dogs following along in our vehicle. We will see America in twenty, thirty, forty-mile chunks. One day I will ride the bike to a backwater town, where Bev will have set up camp. The next day she will ride the bike another thirty or forty miles, where I will be waiting in camp, and we will hopscotch our way across this country, meeting as many people as we can, and I will chronicle it all in writing and through YouTube videos, and doesn’t that just sound like a grand adventure? I will let you all know, daily, what part of what state we are in, and hopefully some of you will be able to drive out to meet with us, and my heart is racing just thinking about it, and I hope you will be a part of it all.
There you have it. The plan is in place. First, we have to get Bev through her own adventure, backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail, but once she finishes that, sometime in 2023, we will be ready to meet America, one handshake at a time. I can’t change the world. That’s too big of a dream, and my name is not John Lennon, so I can’t even imagine his vision. But I can make the world a little bit better, spread a little bit more love and empathy, one handshake at a time.
I hope to see you out on the backroads! Be sure to follow us on Youtube as we chronicle our adventures.
Oh, the wonder of it all!
Sue, I apologize for the delay in responding. One thing led to another, then my old mind forgot and, well, here I am. Thank you for your kindness. You truly are a wonderful person, and I deeply regret that we will never meet in person. This online friendship thing is a strange one, indeed, and it does not lend itself to strong bonds, not the type you find face-to-face, but you I do consider a true friend. I wish you nothing but happiness, and I send you hugs and love from afar.
Dear Bill.. What a wonderful idea, one handshake at a time… I know the news ( which I rarely watch these days ) is full of negatives and we pick up the haters because the media outlets seem to project them as the norm…
It’s been my experience how ever when you get out into the communities that people all over the world even in the poorest parts… And I have been to some during my years ( Sri Lanka) back in the day of Tamil Tigers and bombing hotels in the 90’s on a business trip… The media showed a Capital in chaos, while I experienced poor people who were very friendly just trying to make ends meet..
And basically Bill that is all most of us want… We want to get on with life, each other, and survive .. Yet we are pitted against each other, given labels, made to feel separate etc… Causing divisions and disharmony..
I feel once you get upon your road trip you may well be pleasantly surprised by the warm hearts out there… Yes there are always a few bad apples ready to spoil the barrel…
But in the main I believe people have good hearts and good souls…
Wishing you and Bev well with your trip and with the funding of your trip…. You have my very best wishes and prayers for a safe and wonderful experience as you travel to meet your fellow countrymen and women as you shake their hands one at a time…
Much love to you both Bill and Bev… <3
Sue <3
Go big or go home, my friend. I don’t have time left to think small, Zulma. I want to go out in a blaze of glory; at least know that I gave life everything I had. As always, you are appreciated.
Hi Bill.
No one could ever accuse you of thinking small. lol
It sounds like a fabulous adventure and I can’t wait to read all about it.
Have a great day, Bill.
Irish, I haven’t figured out how to ride a bicycle across the ocean yet, but I will let you know when I do. 🙂 I will gladly accept that cup of coffee from you and the Mickster.
Sounds an incredible journey and ideal for you both, only wish Italy was on your route and Mickster and I would be there waiting to greet you with a coffee and welcome mat!! Bravo Bill!!
Bill, I think there is a better than average chance we will make it to Mass. Keep the porch light on for us.
Bill, what a great way to see the country and meet people. We certainly plan on meeting you and Bev somewhere here in the northeast and I can’t wait to see how this adventure goes for you. I suspect it will be everything you dreamed it would be.
Bill, I can almost guarantee we will make it to PA. If so, you can bet I will let you know where we are. Thanks for the invite.
Sounds like a plan, Bill. I invite you to visit my small town in PA. Mountains and mountain streams, great fishing, and a lot of people that will shake your hand. Hope to see you!!!
Bill Kovacic
Steady, friendly, and wanting to make a difference…I like that, Ann, and I thank you. The only way this trip could be any better is if you were along the route.
Peg, thank you so much for taking the time to read my musings, and it was lovely talking to you on our walk today. Good luck with that remodel of yours.
Liz, I love that memory. Thanks for sharing it. I plan on being that annoying old man who says hello to thousands of people along the way. LOL
It sounds like you have a great plan. In the 60s my in-laws drove and camped one summer down from Canada south through America. My husband was a toddler at the time. They told me many times about their travels and my father-in-law used to get the map out to show us the route. I hope that your adventure proves to be just as memorable and that you get to shake many hands en route.
Bill, this is a wonderful dream that can be fulfilled! I admire your choice and I’m near certain your discovery will be good, friendly people for the most part. And I love that your first road trip was to Iowa in 1953! I was born in Iowa in 1953!!! Wonderful stuff to chew on … and prepare for, for you and Bev too.
This is such a great idea and, to me, it sounds so you. Steady, friendly and wanting to make a difference, one hand-shake at a time. The pace sounds nice and leisurely too. I have no doubt that you will make a great impression on all those you meet and so spread a lot of goodwill and love.
Will you be keeping a record of some, or all, you meet?
I think that’s entirely possible, Denise. I will be in California while Bev hikes the PCT, so maybe then.
Sounds like a worthwhile venture. I’d love to see you along the way and shake your hand as well as Bev’s. See you on the other side of wonder.
You are so right, Mr. Bill. I was just thinking about you yesterday and how you always kept yourself away from forums. You are, indeed, a wise friend. I’ll be careful and take your advice. Thank you very much, Sir.
Blessings always!
Misbah, my advice for you, for your own sanity, so that you will remain in favor of sites like HugPages, is to stay away from the forums. They are breeding grounds for angry, spiteful people, and they are no place for a loving, caring human being such as yourself. It’s a lesson I had to learn the painful way many years ago, and I pass it along to you now. Why put yourself through the vitriol of unhappy people? You don’t need their validation.
Be well and stay happy, young lady.
Lol! I loved that you said, “I may be a dreamer, but I’m a realistic dreamer.” Realistic ones are good and wise, I guess. 🙂
That’s a great thought, Mr. Bill. I liked your today’s blog. I enjoyed the idea of America, one handshake at a time. I laughed when you said: “I can’t change the world.” That’s too big of a dream, and my name is not John Lennon, so I can’t even imagine his vision. ” I just tried to explain my vision to someone the day before yesterday on the forums when I got ignored by one and criticized by others, resulting in a 4-week forum ban. Life is so cruel at times! What’s great is that I am still alive. As they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I hope I am just evolving stronger. At least a nice thought to keep me satisfied 😉
I am sending best wishes to you and Ms. Bev. Take care and enjoy life!
Blessings always!