“I give you three days until you call mom crying to come home, three days!” – my sister
It’s time!
I’m leaving the nest — thankfully, without having been kicked out of it — and setting off on my own, to walk across America! My crazy, wild, wonderful dream that my mom, bless her heart (❤), is indulging by driving me to Cape Henlopen, Delaware.
The start of the American Discovery Trail.
Except, it turns out you have to pay $10 to get into Cape Henlopen soooo … instead, we park on another, nearby road that has free access to the beach. One named, and you might not believe this, I could hardly believe it myself, and I saw it with my own two eyes …
“Virginia Ave”
(Virginia being my full first name)
All the mileage I have to cover, all the days ahead I have to spend alone, on the road, at 18, fresh out of high school, is absolutely terrifying to think about … just like everything else I might have to face is: crazy dogs, even crazier men, murderous drivers, extreme weather, heat stroke, dehydration.
And I have no one who believes in me.
Like my sister, everyone who knows me assumes I’ll be home within the week. And why shouldn’t they?
I’m an overweight, nearly 200lb, socially awkward teen with no friends, and only $500 to my name. Money that I got from selling plasma, alongside all the other desperate people – drug addicts, homeless beggars, and broke college students alike – that do. I’m so shy that in years past I’ve been known to, literally, run away crying from crowds. And I’ve never left home before. In fact, I’ve spent most of the last four years in the confines of my room.
But,
I do not care what everyone else thinks, I believe in me.
And that will have to be enough.
It’s March 9th, too cold of a day to get into the water, so I just stand on the deserted beach by Virginia Ave with my mom before heading into Lewes, Delaware, a quaint little seaside town. We spent most of my first day driving to Delaware from the Carolinas, so I only have two hours of daylight to walk.
That night, I go to sleep feeling fine and dandy, only to jolt awake 10 minutes later, shaking uncontrollably, and in absolute terror of … I don’t know. I don’t know. It’s just, as if, the switch in my brain that controls fear is accidentally turned on and UP to its highest register. I am consumed by feelings of loss and loneliness and impending doom and 🎶 “I gotta have faith / Ooh, I gotta have faith” 🎶 suddenly comes to me in the midst of what I realize must be my first panic attack, and I don’t know where it’s from, what song, the tune is just pulled by some invisible string from the recesses of my mind, but … it’s comforting. And amusing.
Because I’ve been thinking of naming my buggy Faith.
On my second day, in Milton, Delaware, I randomly come across a Saint Patrick’s Day parade and think “wait, it’s Saint Patrick’s Day?” (Nope, they were just celebrating early. 😛 )
And in Redden State Forest, I pass by some motivational garbage that says “have fun!” (thank you!) and soon after that, I come to a street named “The Right Way.”
It makes me smile to think about all the other cross country walkers who’ve seen it and taken it for a good sign, too.
Before long, my feet are covered in painful blisters (I wish I had remembered to take a picture of them, rest assured you are spared the horror of seeing THAT only due to my forgetfulness. 🤣) that force me to limp. It’s dreadful, they’re everywhere. In between my toes, on my heels. I marvel at how one has ballooned my entire pinkie toe.
Luckily, my family has decided to stay in town for my first three days in Delaware – granting me the ability to walk without having to push my 40-pound stroller, and the safety of a motel room to sleep in at night.
The rest of Delaware is … well, a bit uneventful. The American Discovery Trail (ADT) through Delaware is all sidewalks and back roads, cornfields and drab countryside. But it’s also flat, and easy to follow. Two things I appreciate greatly.
And, hey, would you look at that, there’s a Pooh and Tigger Dr! And along the side of the road, a dead owl (that my mom said not to post because “it’s gross and no one wants to see that” but I think it’s cooool)! And, right before the Maryland border, I spy an ADT sign!
Though perhaps the best thing about Delaware is that it takes only 44.6 miles (or roughly three days) of walking before I hit Maryland! 🎉
Which also means I’ve made it three days out …….. suck it, sistaa!!!!!!!! 😈
With this being my first blog post, I suppose I should go into some backstory on why I’m walking across America.
In late 2017, things were strained between my mother & I. Not too much, but enough for me to wonder what I would do if things got notably worse, and I was kicked out on my 18th birthday.
I knew I wouldn’t have any family or friends to take me in.
I knew I wouldn’t want to go to a homeless shelter, or squat in one spot & spend the entirety of my days begging on the streets.
And I knew that, after I stepped off my mother’s porch, the door slammed shut behind me, the first thing I would need to do is walk away.
The question that remained was: where would I go?
And I thought, well, what if I just kept walking?
What if I made an adventure out of my misfortune? Slept on the side of the road, dumpster dived for food, but saw the country all the same. On foot. And, hey, I like sailing, so I thought, maybe, I could walk to California or Florida and try to get a gig on a boat.
Before long, I begin fantasizing about this fictitious future of mine, and find myself liking it. Though only a small part of my brain is on board at this point, most of it is screaming “That’s CRAZY!!!”
And it is, but I like it anyway. More and more.
Until it morphs into this idea of walking completely across America, east-to-west, from coast-to-coast. Just with legitimate funding, and gear, and preparation.
And not out of any sort of necessity, but for pure fun.
Gin, glad to have met you in Harrisonville, MO. I met you at the library and its the place I saw you last as it closed for the evening on July 11th. You told me you were “walking to Kansas” the next morning. When you next are on email, hit reply and tell me where you are. Let me know if you know where you’ll stop next that will have wi-fi, and if you’ll be there long enough to check general delivery. I will keep in touch! Bless you! Rhea
Rhea! Nice to have met you too. ❤ I made it to Kansas! At the library in Ottawa now. 🙂 I’ll be approaching Herington in about a week, and can stop by the post office there. ^^ After that, I’m not sure what towns I’ll be going through, haven’t mapped my route past there yet! 😁
You rock, girl! 😘 I’m so, so amazed at what you’re doing. Can’t wait for more updates!
P.S. You might know me as a certain person who shares a Batcave with you. 👀
AAAAHHHHHHHHH HELLO MY BELOVED!!!!!! 😍 (Thank you for cluing me in on your identity … I was confused for a hot sec 🤣 ) and THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS 😭 OADSNDSKLSCMVJNGKSDDFMV
The dead owl IS cool. And I love the reasoning behind your trip. It seems like the best reply to “what if” EVER. I can’t wait to read more about your brilliant adventure!
Right?! Happy to hear someone agrees 😁 Thank you lots, Kate!!!! 💕
Yes it is! 😀
Hi, Gin! Glad to see your above posts. Sorry, I missed them in in time to send to Herington, KS, General Delivery, so we will have to go for another location farther down the road. I hope all is well with you. I know the weather has been a challenge, first very hot, then lots of rain, and then cool, maybe slightly cold at nights. Be safe. Thinking of you with daily prayers! Rhea
Hey Rhea!!! 👋 Thank you for the well-wishes, and no worries! You could send it to Hays, Kansas, which Ill be at in a little over a week, or Sharon Springs, which I’ll be at in a little over two weeks! Do either of those locations work for you? 🙂
The recent heat wave here was unbearable, but luckily it broke and now the weather has been gorgeous lately, wooo!
Wow your awesome!!!
AHHHH THANKS PEBBLE!!!!!!! 😍
you’re pretty swell too 😉 – sunny
Ahhhh thank you!!! <3 😄
Good luck Sunny / Gin !!! I have always thought of you as one of the most inspiring people on BlogClan, but now you are one of my biggest inspirations !
I’ll be watching you every step of the way Gin, you rock !
(Also maybe shooting the occasional inspirational email or message if you don’t mind me )
– Maple
AAHHHHH MAPLE!!!!!! 😍 -tackle hugs- You’re gonna make me blush, oh my goodness! Thank you so much!!! 😀
(I would love that xD )
😀 You are super duper welcome sunny, I hope it all goes well ! Where abouts are you at the moment ? Sadly I’m not in the US so won’t be able to bump into you but sending love from my holiday house in Canada !
Glenwood Springs, Colorado! 😀 Thank you so much, Maple!!! 😭
Oh my gosh, Sunny/Gin(I love your name)! 😀 It’s so inspirational to see you go off you your journey, I can’t believe you’ve already gotten to Kansas! Your incredible, girl! <33 I would love to do something like that when I'm older and more responsible 😉 Like I said, your incredibly inspiring <3333
Also, when you get to Cali, maybe you could come and visit me 😉
Please please stay safe dear, stay away from all of the crazy dogs, even crazier men, extreme weather, heat stroke, dehydration and cars 😉 But really, please do 😛
I'm looking forward to the next update on your adventure! <3
OWLY!!!!! 😀 WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much 😭 I’ll be finishing off in San Francisco if you’re in that neck of the woods 😉 I’m easy to spot, with my big orange cart and a bright yellow reflective vest on! xD
Awww it’s wonderful to see you too 😊<333
Haha! Actually I don't live too far from san fran! 😄 Maybe I'll spot you on the road 😉
That’d be crazy awesome!!! 😝 Tell me if you do!!! 😁
I will! 😋
YAY VIRGINIA!!! Get it girl!!! Love ya! Stay safe!! ❤️
THANKS HANNAH!!!!!!! 😁
We are rooting for you Gin! Stay safe love ya! ❤️
THANK YOU!!!!!!! 🙏
Hey Gin! It was so nice to get to chat with you last week in Herington! I’m actually writing your story now, and will send you a digital copy Thursday! Safe travels, young lady!
-Kristi Lovett, The Herington Times
Kristi!!! 🙂 Nice to hear from you, that sounds splendid!
Heya! Hope you do well! You’ve got this! 😀
JAZZY!!!!!!!!!!!! 😍 NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!! 😀
Good luck.
WHY THANK YOU, KIND STRANGER 🤓
[comment redacted because it was nothin’ but spam]
-mod edit
My first spam comment, wow! I feel so honored! 😛
Congratulations!! 🎉 😛
AHHHH SUNNY YOU GO GIRL!!!!
You’re such an inspiration, and this sounds incredible!!!! 😀 I’m so happy and proud for you, enjoy yourself!!! (To bad you won’t be passing NY, or I’d give you brownies. I’ll figure out how to get them to you somehow :P)
Stay safe, all of us at blogclan are cheering you on!!! 😀
HEEEEYYY IRIS!!!!! 😃
AAHHHHH thank you 😊🙏 and I think teleportation would be the ideal way for you to send them brownies … but make sure to teleport them to my mouth and not straight into my stomach!!!!! 😜
Go Sunny!
😀
Ahhhh good luck Sunny!!! <3 I've missed you so much on the Blog, but it looks like what you're doing is a whole load of fun!! Wish I could be there with you, but you'd probably get annoyed quickly as I'd be running around like a maniac and screaming in excitement 😛 Have fun! Don't get lost 😛 And eat all the candy you want since no one can stop you 😛
Hahahaha 🤣 Thank you, Blue! It is lovely to see you, you beautiful soul!!!!!!! 🙂
(((i’m gonna eat all the candy)))
You too!!! 😀
(Save some for me 😛 )
You will be a legend, Gin!!! #1!! Whoop-whoop I’m cheering for you!! ✊✊
*does fancy cheerleading moves while waving pom-poms around*
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SUNNY!! 😄🥇
Boy, am I late to the party, but go Sunny! It’s amazing that you’re doing this and I literally have so much respect with you.
And also — please visit me when you reach San Francisco (Owly, let’s meet!). I also live pretty close by there! 😀
*respect for you (sorry my brain isn’t functioning i still have to do my homework :P)
Thanks Wistep!!!!! 😍 Pshh, I’d totally love to … look out for me on the streets of San Fran in early December 😛 I’ll be pushing a bright orange stroller! 😉
We’ll be Gin’s coming home parade! 😉
You’re more than halfway there!!!! :O 😀 WOOT WOOT! We’re all cheering for you Sunny! <33
AAAAHHHH THANKS OWLY 😭
my goodness, will you be reaching SF by tomorrow? :0
Monday, I finished! 🙂
You finished!?
that’s amazing! (sorry i didn’t catch you in SF 😉 )
i don’t want to seem creepy or anything because… you have no idea who i am 😛 but i just want to say that it’s amazing and inspirational and INCREDIBLE that you did that. and i mean, your just… your awesome 🙂
travel home safely please <333
YESSSS!! 😀 I meant to livestream my finish but I unexpectedly had no service at the beach! 🙁 Thank you so so so much for the support during my walk! Who knows … maybe we crossed paths in SF and never knew it! xD I was downtown a few weeks ago. Saw some sea lions at Pier 38, went in Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze which I highly recommend if you haven’t done it before it’s EPIC 😛
Also good news: I made it home safe – wooohhooooo! 🙂
that too bad about the live steam, but i’m so glad you made it home safely!! <33
(aw i love those sea lions 😛 )