A Weblog is Born

I am sitting in front of my computer like millions of people before me wondering what to say in the very first post of my very first blog. I know what I want to say. I know what I need to do. Still I sit here with a queasy excitable nervousa in my stomach, when Eddie Vedder comes in through my headphones and tells me to:

"Rise up, find my direction magnetically"

to

"Rise up, turn my mistakes into gold."

That is exactly what I plan on doing.

Getting right to point: My Name is Aaron and I am creating this blog as a supplement to my forthcoming journey across The United States of America. Jesus, I can not even type those words without getting chills and goosebumps all over my body, eyes watering with a big stupid grin across my face. This is a, journey, adventure, "mission, quest... thing," that I am going to be making on foot. A walking trip. Across America. It is so exciting, scary, magical, wondrous, joyful, perplexing, lonely, imaginative all at once I can hardly stand it.

As I tell people I have been getting different reactions from those who I love and care for most. I love it when someone leaps into support and celebration and wants to give me advice and to tell me that I have to visit this place and that. Some are a little confused and feel the need to plan parts of the trip for me or are full of advice on what I should take with me. The most common reaction I have gotten has been surprising: People express that they wish that they could come with me. It makes me smile when this happens. Some people have more legitimate concerns, wondering if I have thought it all through. Am I sure that I want to do something so out of the norm, to just up and leave my insurance benefits, security, car, home, girlfriend, family, friends, good job at the library... In this economy?! In this political climate!? In this day and age?????

Only about 100% of the time.

This trip makes perfect sense for me. It is something that I have been thinking about for a while now. The timing is perfect. I have no idea where this is going to take me, but I feel like I am ready for a cornucopia of external and internal experience, reflection and imagination. I am ready to soak up the energy and enjoy everything this wonderful Nation has to offer. I can not wait to get started.

Some Statistics:

When: Projected starting day - May 1st

Where: I plan on starting the trip on or around the mouth of the Columbia River.

Why: More details forthcoming on the Why.

Contacts: Other than this blog. You can check in at my youtube where I plan to post videos of the trip. And at my Flicker where hopefully I will be able to fill it up with all kids of wonderful pictures.

Thank you for visiting!

Aa