Transcontinental walker struck by Americans' kindness

Jack Huffman of Michigan is walking across the country to raise awareness and money for disabled veterans, but his second takeaway from the journey is the generosity from fellow Americans.

Huffman on Thursday had trodded 60 miles east from Santa Rosa and made it into Tucumcari that evening. During a phone interview from a room donated by the Motel Safari, Huffman had just eaten a meal given to him from Watson's BBQ.

He said such kindness has been "incredible" since he began his "Sundog Run" to Washington, D.C., from Dana Strands Beach, California, on March 14. He aims to complete the 3,000-mile trek sometime next month, averaging 55 miles per day with the goal of breaking a solo transcontinental record.

"It's really the people that that showcase how great America really is," he said. "The communities are just incredibly generous and kind everywhere I go, and that's more the real America."

Those thoughts were echoed by walk manager Tamara Ragon during a phone interview. She said people along his route are checking on his welfare, bringing him extra water and food, provided him an extra coat when blizzard conditions hit Arizona and even a family serving him a sit-down meal on Easter Sunday.

"We're just beside ourselves with everything that has happened," she said. "We've shed a lot of (happy) tears over this, watching America unite, showing people how good America is because we're led to believe it's so bad."

On his walk, Huffman is pushing a carriage loaded with 150 pounds of gear and supplies. He's worn out two pairs of shoes and admitted Thursday he was tired.

But he acknowledged getting a mental boost once he traversed the higher elevations of the Southwest.

"After Vaughn, I've got pretty much 1,000 miles of downhill," he said. "I'm looking to pick up the pace, keep it towards 60 to 70 miles a day."

He has embarked on other long walks, including from Newport Beach, California, to Tybee Island, Georgia, in 2019 as a fundraiser for St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

This walk's cause is for the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund, which helps injured veterans and their families pay for living expenses. Ragon said the walk has raised more than $260,000 so far.

Huffman said he began walking about eight years ago for fitness reasons.

"I was overweight and unhealthy and unhappy for a while," he said. "I think a lot of us get in that kind of rut in our lives. I just decided to make that change one day. I changed my diet, started eating healthy and quit drinking. It started off with two miles a day and turned into four miles a day. Before I knew it, I was doing 40 miles a day."

Huffman planned to walk on U.S. 54 northeast of Tucumcari, ending the day somewhere near the Texas Panhandle.

More information about Huffman's trek can be found at jaxwalk.com.