Adventure With A Purpose

They walk along the highway, waving at passing cars, visiting about life, and learning about themselves and the country.

Amanda Autry and Kolton Rackham left Tybee Island in Georgia May 1 with two things in mind: undertaking a journey of self discovery, and bringing attention to charities that help others.

The self discovery takes place three feet at a time some days, as they push themselves across the U.S. on the way to Oregon's Don Davis Park, a journey of 2,918 miles.

They used that mileage to name their trek - 2,918 Miles - which they are also using to raise funds for, and bring awareness to, two charities that have become dear to them. For Autry, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, was personal after battling thoughts of ending her own life when she was younger. At the beginning of their journey the Make a Wish Foundation was known to them, but became a choice they have come to embrace as well after meeting foundation workers and beneficiaries along the way.

The idea came to Autry out of admiration of the walkabout tradition of Australian Aborigine, who use the practice as a break from regular work to make ritual journeys.

In deciding to make the journey, they wanted to learn more about themselves, and also to grow as individuals.

"The more we can evolve, the more we can do for others," Rackham said during a short break on Hwy. 30 east of Sidney.

Unlike the Australian walkabout, the pair still take on a workload - albeit lighter than normal due to their travels - by phone. Rackham is a 24-year-old mentor who helps others work through life's needs and challenges. At 26, Autry brings the healing of eastern medicine to her clients. But like other facets of their lives today, their jobs aren't going like they planned.

"We thought we would set aside two or three hours each day to work," Rackham said. "But we don't always get to do that."

That change in plan comes along with the change in their travel plans.

"We figured we could walk three miles an hour, eight or 10 hours a day," Rackham said. "But with the packs, weather, and other challenges, we don't make that much."

So the journey has taken longer than planned, but the young people meet that change with a "we'll see" attitude about every step.

"We just don't know who we'll meet or what we see," Rackham said. "If we stop, we may miss something we should have seen."

But that outlook wasn't always there. As the couple came upon Nebraska they did discuss halting their trek. Months behind their original schedule, they questioned the wisdom of continuing.

"But Kolton found a quote that helped us," Autry said. That quote, "I didn't come this far to only come this far," helped the young couple with their perspective and they marched on with renewed purpose.

Surviving mainly on the kindness of strangers, the pair planned, and will, take on the odd small job to survive. But they have found that so far, they really haven't needed to do that. Much of the time they find people are willing to help out with funds or a meal.

As a result, they've gained another unexpected asset in their lives - humility.

The pair entered Cheyenne County on Monday, staying in Sidney. From there their plan is to make their way across the county through the week, staying in Potter Thursday and Dix on Friday.

They are willing and excited to share their story with passersby, both the personal one and of the charities they are walking for.

If you can't meet with them personally, you can follow their trek on their website, http://www.2918miles.com, which also has links to their twitter page. There are also donation links on the page.