By David Pope

A New England man is spending part of his retirement seeing American - by foot - and he spent part of the evening May 6 in Galeton sharing some information about his experience.

Joe Hurley of New Milford, CT began a cross-country walk on U.S. Route 6 at the road's eastern entry point in Provincetown, Mass., March 28, and he hopes to reach the route's end in Southern California by November.

Addressing members of the Galeton Rotary Club during their May 6 meeting, Hurley said Terri Dennison, chairman of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Association in Galeton, had been the most helpful of anyone during his venture. Also credited was David Brooks of the Potter County Visitors Association.

Hurley said he initially didn't have a reason for making the journey.

"I've since come up with about a half-dozen reasons," the biggest being his desire to talk to ordinary people.

Hurley said that reason was something he really was unable to accomplish as a reporter for nearly 30 years.

"When you work in the newspaper business, you're always looking for someone to quote, and then get the story written up by the deadline.

"Also, a lot of times when you're working for a newspaper, people don't want to talk to you because they don't want to be quoted. What I'm doing now is different. The people I've encountered on this trip, most of them anyway, seem a lot more open because what they're telling me about isn't connected to some sensitive issue."

Finding someone willing to talk might be easier now for Hurley than it was before, but there are still some challenges he faces in that regard. One is rather obvious: While traveling in some of the more remote segments of the journey, he might walk an entire day before encountering anyone.

On the other hand, a different problem arises when he finds himself in an urban area.

"Cities are more difficult because there are a lot more people there who have the impulse to talk. If I'm not careful, I'll end up spending a lot more time than I can afford talking to people when I'm in a city."

Time is certainly a major concern while traveling across country by foot. Hurley said that making it to the Rocky Mountains before the snow flies is a priority. Consequently, he has established an itinerary and is doing quite well by it.

Traveling 20 miles a day, five days a week, Hurley averages about six hours walking and two to three hours talking to people along the way. In the evenings, he writes about his conversations and about his impressions of the places he visits.

Hurley uses a lap-top computer not only to write about his trip but also to send his articles via email to 13 newspapers in America, including the Danbury, CT Times-Herald, where he worked before retiring recently.

Folks who want to keep up with Hurley's travels may do so by visiting www.route6walk.com, updated by Hurley's traveling companion, Travis Lindhorst.

While Hurley walks along Route 6, Lindhorst drives around looking for scenery to photograph for the web site and the newspaper stories.

Hurley and Lindhorst have not known each other very long. Shortly before the trip, Lindhorst spotted an advertisement that Hurley's daughter had posted on the Internet.

"My previous job was about ready to end," said Lindhorst, "and I figured this would be a good opportunity for me to see the country."
One of the biggest challenges of the trip, said Hurley, is editing his own stories for brevity.

"I wrote about 70 column inches last night." That's considerably longer than almost any story he wrote while working as a reporter.

"Most of my articles were probably no longer than about 20 inches."

So far, Hurley is not showing a big interest in writing a book on his travels, even though many people have indicated that he should.

"I'm not focusing on that right now. Maybe after I'm done with the trip and the articles I will, but I really can't say right now."

As might be expected, he has also faced a few other challenges along the way - as well as some Good Samaritans.

"Every day there's some ache, twinge, pain, whatever and you wonder whether this will become the thing that does you in," he stated in an email message May 7.

"Today it was a severe pain in my side and a numbness in my left leg. But I'm still here."

Occasionally, someone will see Hurley and ask if he needs some assistance. "I've been offered a number of rides, water, food, free advice and even a little money. Most of the rides came in the last week when I've been in this area."

On Thursday evening he described an experience that he had while in White Mills, PA, a couple of weeks ago - a perfect example of people reaching out to help someone regardless of their own circumstances. A young child he met offered him a banana and a dollar.

"A situation like that makes you feel uncomfortable because it was pretty obvious from the surroundings that his family really didn't have much," explained Hurley.

Taking a big trip like this has brought a variety of responses, added Hurley.

"People who know me thought I was crazy before I ever mentioned the walk," he quipped.

"Almost all of the comments I get on the road are supportive. People seem to think it's neat, but few people offer to walk with me."

Once Hurley reaches his destination, he intends to take a much quicker return trip, preferably by train.

In case anyone wonders whether a north-south venture is in Hurley's plans when he gets home, forget it.

"When this is over I'm staying off my feet forever," he concluded.