Skating across America

She sits in an office chair with an aura of relaxation, like sharing a latte with an old friend. Her smile implies innocence but is really a positive outlook on life that opens unexpected doors on her journey from one of the southern most points of the U.S. to near the northwestern most.

Yanise Ho, social media as "The Bladress," recently passed through Sidney on her way to Portland, Ore., via rollerblades.

Yes, this young woman is taking in the countryside a few miles at a time, separated from the road by a handful of polymer wheels that keep her moving from one community, one overnight stay, to the next.

Ho started her journey in March in Miami, Fla., and entered Nebraska just a couple of weeks ago. Venturing out on her own is not a new idea. She is from Hong Kong, attended school in Italy, has been to Honduras, Canada and returned to Hong Kong. Since leaving Miami, she has traveled north along the Atlantic coast before turning to the west. The idea of rollerblading the states came to her about 2 ½ years ago. In March, she wrote on her blog site of "the uninvited loiterer," the vision of something far outside of normal. The adventure included throwing away safeguards and living on trust and fair in mankind.

It is a stretch in some areas; at least it is perceived as a stretch in personal safety. In her near 180 days of travel, she has met numerous people who have contradicted the fear of traveling alone, sometimes through areas socially dark and evident of a criminal element.

"So far, I haven't had any bad experiences," she said.

As she approached the Iowa-Nebraska state line, she was contacted by the Nebraska State Patrol, asking if she is still planning on crossing the state. She said they wanted to stay aware of her route, make sure she is safe on her adventure.

Before she could experience the hearts of the people across America, she had to learn how to skate. Her vision came to her before her ability to fulfill it.

"At that time, I had never roller bladed before," she said Tuesday.

She went to Canada to learn how to rollerblade.

Since then, she left Miami rollerblading northeast along the Atlantic seaboard. Her goal is to arrive in Portland, Ore. Her advantage is she really doesn't have a timeline. If weather slows her down and she becomes a temporary house guest, so be it, according to Ho.

"I love how unique it is," she said of rollerblading. "I love how it becomes part of your body."

The journey is more than a challenge in physical endurance, although that is a big part of it. She says the physical aspect is the least challenging part of her solo cross-country quest. The challenges come at the smaller levels, at developing and then suspending relationships, of adjusting to the unexpected issues while on the road.

"I want to do this because I believe in the goodness of strangers. I feel like everyone's family," she said.

She is part unofficial ambassador and part fund raiser, in addition to the challenges of rollerblading through sun and clouds, wind and heat. She is the ambassador between people who don't automatically trust each other by proving most people can be trusted. One of her first experiences was with the generosity of a seven-year-old boy. She was in a park, lost and her phone not working, when the boy approached her and asked if she was ok. He encouraged her to stay at their house for the night, commending his dad for his generosity. When the boy's babysitter arrived, she assured Ho she would be welcome. Sudden changes in the weather also bring out the best in people, she says.

"Every time when it rains, I meet the best people," she says.

She said she has been offered extended stays in host homes when the weather is too rough for rollerblading the road.

The difference between perception and her experiences, Ho says, is her attitude. She believes if you want people to trust you, you have to show trust.

She is also raising money for The Bladress Scholarship, a program that helps girls in Kenya and Uganda get an education.

On Friday, Aug. 31, 160 days into her coast to coast adventure, her efforts resulted in $20,000 for the scholarship program. She is not accepting money for her expenses. Donations go to the scholarship program. To donate to the program, go to the website https://fundrazr.com/bladressscholarship.

She is sponsored by a rollerblade company. In her 180 days, she has worn out three sets of wheels, averaging 20 to 30 miles per day, a set of wheels last about 700 miles, she said. She carries her essentials with her in a pack she estimates at about 45 pounds. So far, she has never needed a campsite - just recently learned how to set up a tent - and has experienced overwhelming support from most everyone she meets.

She left Sidney Tuesday on her way to Kimball via Highway 30.