Aimless: The Adventures of an American Vagabond

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Aimless is a very unique documentary in the making. It is the story of one man's quest to find the heart and soul of America by walking in no particular direction, going only where he ends up. It's about the people he meets, the places he sees, and the emotions he experiences as he wanders America aimlessly with only a video camera, some pocket cash, and the basic necessities for survival.

The primary objective of this web site is to spread the word about Aimless, in hopes of attracting sponsorship, collaborators, and/or a book deal. As I've continued to tramp my way around the country, I've come to realize that Aimless would make an incredibly entertaining and informative TV series. You need to see the things that happen during my travels, but I alone cannot show you because I can't do 10 different jobs at once. So if you'd like to see video of this stuff someday, please sponsor Aimless or just tell someone about Aimless.

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July 31, 2008
After a few months in the southeastern United States and seven weeks of healing time (broken hand and toe), I'm on the road again. I feel a strong attraction to southern California right now, particularly due to the upcoming gridiron showdown between the Buckeyes and Trojans. Where I'll go from there, I do not know. (That's one of the cool things about Aimless.) I expect to be on the road for many months, if not years, this time. Come on over to the Aimless Blog to read about the people I meet and my thoughts from the road.

October 2007
After six months on the road, it's time for a break. I returned home on October 13, 2007. Since returning home, I've been editing some of the video footage from my trip, creating some short videos for you to enjoy. Check the Aimless trailer page occasionally to see new videos.

Aimless Highlights Through July 2008
In addition to the 1,700 miles I've walked and the 20,000+ total miles I've traveled, here's a short list of some of the most memorable Aimless experiences so far, followed by a map of where Aimless has taken me:

I hopped a freight train with two young hobos. (We ended up getting kicked off the train by a local sheriff after about 60 miles.)
Nine months later, I flawlessly executed my first solo trainhop, catching a southbound "hotshot" train in Evansville, Indiana and riding it all the way to Nashville, Tennessee.
I volunteered for ten days to help rebuild New Orleans.
Someone threatened to kill me. After I called 911, he led police on a chase and subsequently ditched his truck, leaving behind four quarter bags of marijuana. He's in jail now.
I found myself randomly in San Francisco only a few days before Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's home run record. Even though I am not a baseball fan, I went to the stadium and witnessed Bonds hit the record-breaking homer. (I have it on tape, too.)
A movie/TV star gave me a ride from Buellton, California to Monterey.
The world's greatest pizza tosser baked me the pizza that recently earned him "World's Best" honors at a competition in Naples, Italy.
I've slept in homeless camps and I've spent a lot of time among homeless communities in various cities.
Even homeless people have shared money and food with me.
I've occasionally had to beg for food at restaurants or "fly a sign" to get money for food. Other times I've gone hungry for a couple days straight.
I have never paid a cent for lodging (mostly because I sleep outside nearly every night--on sidewalks, fields, forests, parks, etc.). Revision: I did pay for a motel room one night in early April 2008 after my tent was flooded, leaving all my gear soaked.
I've met many of the kindest and most interesting people you could ever hope to meet. (Who else stops to offer rides to total strangers?)
Most flattering, many people have told me my story inspires them, and others have speculated that I may be an angel.

This is where Aimless has taken me so far.
(Click on map to see a larger image.)

Here are some pictures from Aimless Leg 1. I'll try to put up some more photos soon.

In addition to all this real Aimless stuff, I completed a sort of practice round for Aimless in late 2006, which I call Quasi-Aimless. You can watch some of the highlights on the Aimless video page or read a more detailed account of parts of my adventure beginning with the blog entry California to Ohio, Part I.

I update the Aimless Blog very regularly from the road. Usually I update with my phone, which only allows me 1,000 characters per blog entry, but occasionally I get access to a real computer. Whenever I'm able, I write longer, detailed posts.

01/14/08 - New Video: Join the Hobos
01/12/08 - New Video: Meet the Hobos
01/04/08 - New Video: Escape from The F Word (Florida)
12/31/07 - New Video: Irishman on a Dirt Bike
12/14/07 - New Video: Dumpster Diving
12/12/07 - New Video: A Cop Encounter in Naples, Fl
12/10/07 - New Video: Quasi-Aimless (Revised)
06/22/07 - Some pictures from Aimless Leg 1

If you are looking for a web host, I highly recommend Net Acceleration. Without their assistance, Aimless would still be going nowhere. Thanks Net Acceleration!