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Here he comes... The Ramblin' Man
Fort Scott and Nevada residents recently had the chance to see a man near the halfway point of his once in a lifetime journey.
Doug Dawkins made his way through Nevada Wednesday and left Fort Scott Friday morning to continue his voyage from one end of the country to the other. However, the distance he is traveling is far from the extent of Dawkin's feat.
The 56-year-old, self admitted "average" athlete is making the inspirational long haul on foot.
Beginning in Sunset Beach, N.C. on July 15, and expecting to complete his trip in San Diego, Calif., in December, Dawkins is planning to trek one of the widest paths possible across the United States.
Running marathons and Ultra races since 1982, Dawkins did have some preparation for this trip. However, along with a chance to focus on his own life and temporarily escape some of life's hassles, he said his average athletic ability is actually part of what motivated him to set out on this adventure.
"There's not just one why," he said. "I'm retired, I've got some time off, ... I've hiked the Appalachian Trail and I wanted to see what this was like. And, most of the time when you're at home, with your little group, it seems like you get covered up by different things. This gives me some time to myself."
Dawkins went on to explain that while there have been numerous athletes to attempt this feat, "I am an average runner. I am not elite, I'm not fast. I am very average. ... I'm pretty much just winging it."
In recent years there have been several attempts to cross the U.S. by foot or bicycle. However, most of these attempts involved a caravan of supporters and assistants. Dawkins made the decision to try the nearly 3,300 mile cross country walk with little more than his 17 pound backpack filled with only life's necessities -- and a cell phone.
"It's not like hiking on the AT (Appalachian Trail)," said Dawkins. "On the AT you are in the woods and can throw down pretty much anywhere and camp. Out here you can't do that."
Surprising even to Dawkins, all his efforts to make this walk unsupported were lost in Tennessee, after he contacted a local business for some help in locating a place to sleep. From this point forward, State Farm Insurance agencies across the South and Midwest have acted as continual contributors to Dawkin's journey.
"It was supposed to be an unsupported run, but still, I've got people helping me," said Dawkins. "It just goes to show that nobody's by themselves out here."
That trend continued in Fort Scott when Kale Nelson a local State Farm Insurance agent, offered Dawkins a place to sleep Wednesday and Thursday night and covered the expense of his meals while in town.
"They (State Farm agents) have been just an incredible group of people," said Dawkins, "buying my meals and arranging places for me to sleep."
Lounged back in a love seat with his shoe-less feet propped up on a coffee table, Doug Dawkins, looked across the Courtland Hotel lounge Thursday night in Fort Scott and said, "you just get covered up at home, there is no time left for you."
With an obvious focus on self-enlightenment, Dawkins' trip does have an effect on other individuals. such as his wife, Merrie.
Also athletically motivated, Merrie became acquainted with Doug when he acted as her first running trainer. From this a personal relationship grew and eventually the two were married.
So, what are Merrie's thoughts of her husband's five-month journey? Standing on U.S. Highway 54's shoulder, just West of Bourbon County, Doug played a voice message left by Merrie, which he said exemplifies her support throughout the entire walk so far.
In the approximately 30-second long recording, Merrie is heard telling Doug, "I love you" about 10 times, as well as "I know you are an honorable man," and "I support you 100 percent."
In response to the recording, Doug simply said, "It's too bad everybody doesn't have somebody like that."
When asked in a later phone interview what her first thoughts were when Doug suggested the cross-country hike, Merrie said, "I thought he should go for it."
Even though Merrie's tone always sounds supportive, that is not to say that there are no fears.
"It's scary at times," said Merrie. "It's scary because you know what kinds of things can happen out there. ... but, we're only promised today, so you go out and go for it."
In addition, Merrie said this is the longest separation the couple has had to endure. However, she immediately pointed out the positive in this situation as well.
"We really gain strength from each other," she said. "This is the longest we've ever been apart. But, it's good to know that even apart we can grow strong together."
According to Doug, his isolation is broken only about three times daily while walking.
These three interruptions come in the form of a morning, noon and evening phone call to Doug from Merrie.
If all goes according to plan, Doug is expecting to reunite with his wife in December near San Diego and fly home before Christmas.
Though he expressed no desire to quit, Doug appeared content with his endurance so far.
"The fact that I'm in Kansas is surprising," he said. "I'm average and 56 years old -- I didn't know if I was going to make it out of North Carolina. ... in a couple of days I will be through Kansas. I look at a map of the U.S. and it is hard for me to believe it."
Doug has logged all of his miles and experiences online. To monitor Doug's progress or see what cities he will be traveling through next visit dougsrun.wordpress.com.
"When everything is out of your head," said Doug. "You become open to inspiration."