In this episode, I reconnect with friends in Tupelo, Mississippi, whom I first met in May of 2000 while backpacking the Natchez Trace. The Natchez Trace was just a small segment of my walk from San Diego, CA, to Calais, ME. We reminisce about our time together and attending the Passion OneDay 2000 conference in Memphis, TN. Matt Robinson, who owns Change Skateboard Shop in Tupelo, Also shares about the Change Tupelo Festival, which he organizes each year. Ron and Heather Brandon share about their life on their farm, rental unit construction, prison ministry, and homeschooling. Links mentioned in Episode

Change Skateboard Shop in Tupelo

https://changetupelo.com/

Kairos Prison Ministry

https://www.kairosprisonministry.org/

Passion One Day

https://passionconferences.com/about/

Reclaim Arts Academy

https://redeemingthearts.org/

In this episode of my 16-month walk across America, I cross into Louisiana from Texas and then make it to the Natchez Trace in Mississippi. Meeting wonderful people who show me the meaning of hospitality every step of the way.

In this episode: My backpacking trek from California to Maine continues as I leave Austin, TX and continue my cross-country hike east through College Station, Nacogdoches, and Marshall, TX on a Texas College tour. I also get to assist in building a lake.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Donald S. Frazier, Director of the Texas Center at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX. 

My journey to backpack across America began in San Deigo in Sept. of 1999. I took a brief layover in Marble Falls and Austin, TX, in 2000 while en route to Maine. I had set out from Austin on March 2, 2000, to coincide with Texas Independence Day. 

So in honor of Texas Independence, I wanted to have an expert as a guest who could share with the many non-Texas listeners (and plenty of Texans, too) why we are proud of our Texas heritage. 

In this episode, after a six-week break, I make my way from my hometown of Marble Falls to Austin, TX, stopping to camp at one of my favorite places in the world - Krause Springs. BJ, my husky/red healer mix puppy, begins his walk, and it is a little rough at first, but he does well. Our adventure is now underway.

In this episode, my guest Ethan West hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail and followed that up with a kayak trip down the Texas Llano and Colorado Rivers to the Gulf of Mexico. 

In this episode, my guest is Laine Melikian, who Peddled 2,000 miles from Virginia Beach, VA, to Georgetown, TX. Laine shares his adventures during many rain-slogged miles from the East Coast to Central Texas. He also raised funds for Wendy's Wish in honor of his mother, who passed from cancer.

Some old video clips he and his friends made from their travels are included here:

https://vimeo.com/68824756

Ride for the Wish 2013- Update #1

In Episode 9, my Christmas special. I picked up from the previous episode of the walking adventure just past Brady, TX. I then make it to Marble Falls, TX - my hometown, for Christmas of 1999. And I get a puppy to raise as I make the continuing trip up to Maine. I know that I will need to give my new hiking buddy some time to grow, so pause the walk for eight weeks and take up a few jobs to replenish my travel budget and replace my broken backpack.

In this episode, I cross the New Mexico/Texas border and scramble to take refuge from the elements. I have a great welcome in San Angelo, TX, and break my backpack 80 miles from home. 

In this episode I hike from Datil to Carlsbad, New Mexico. I meet amazing people, see some amazing sites, and learn a lot of history. My travels take me through Roswell, including the Bottomless Lakes, the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Museum. Then finish up with Carlsbad Caverns and Sitting Bull Falls.

https://journeylong.com/

Some sound effects provided by https://quicksounds.com“