By: Arnold Bustillo
If you're reading this, then it means that I've successfully walked every step from Santa Monica, CA to Miami, FL.
WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At the time of my last blog post, I had walked a total of 2,451.64 miles. When added to the 481 miles I walked between Midway, FL and Miami, FL, it brings the total number of miles walked on the first quarter of my #4CornerWalkAroundAmerica for the charity #HomelessRemedy to 2,932.64 miles.
That's two THOUSAND, nine hundred and thirty two point six four fucking miles.
WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At the time of my last blog post, I had walked a total of 2,451.64 miles. When added to the 481 miles I walked between Midway, FL and Miami, FL, it brings the total number of miles walked on the first quarter of my #4CornerWalkAroundAmerica for the charity #HomelessRemedy to 2,932.64 miles.
That's two THOUSAND, nine hundred and thirty two point six four fucking miles.
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Tallahassee, FL
Just beyond Midway was the capitol city of Florida - Tallahassee. My route took me right past the capitol building, which features some of the tackiest window dressing I've ever seen on a state capitol. Bill, my on again off again traveling partner, was able to get in touch with some friends of his he knows in the area, Guyte and Beverly, who were nice enough to show us around.
I had actually met Guyte and Beverly back when I was still over in New Mexico. I was taking some time off from my walk and they were visiting a vacation home they own in the same county where Bill lives. We had some brief conversations and shared a dinner once, but it wasn't until Tallahassee where I really felt like I got to know the two.
Guyte and Beverly entertained us with dinners and wine and some of the funniest stories I've heard in a very long time. Unfortunately, I can't repeat any of them here - either because they wouldn't be appropriate on this platform or because I was too intoxicated when I heard the story to accurately retell it. I will tell you that one story involved a quilt square on the side of a house and another story involved a close call with an alligator.
While we were in the area, Guyte asked Bill and I if we had ever seen any carnivorous plants.
Bill and I both responded in the negative and Guyte offered to take us out to an area outside of Tallahassee where carnivorous plants flourish. When he described the area, I figured he was talking about one of the many nature preserves that Florida operates, or some plot of land owned by a friend of his. On the day when he took us out, he directed Bill with turn by turn directions.
Then, on the middle of a two lane road, Guyte told Bill to slow down. I thought Guyte was looking for some hidden and undeveloped road that would take us to the area where the carnivorous plants were growing. All of a sudden, Guyte told Bill to stop the car, because we were there. I looked around and wasn't sure what he was talking about. Bill and I followed Guyte through a muddy marsh, right off the side of the road and with traffic driving by in both directions, where Guyte started pointing out Venus fly traps.
I had never seen a Venus fly trap in person. They're not as big as I imagined (at least not the ones I saw), but they work just like you see on t.v. Guyte showed me how the fly traps will rest in the open position, and when short hairs in the mouth of the trap sense movement, the trap will quickly snap shut. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen a plant do.
Just beyond Midway was the capitol city of Florida - Tallahassee. My route took me right past the capitol building, which features some of the tackiest window dressing I've ever seen on a state capitol. Bill, my on again off again traveling partner, was able to get in touch with some friends of his he knows in the area, Guyte and Beverly, who were nice enough to show us around.
I had actually met Guyte and Beverly back when I was still over in New Mexico. I was taking some time off from my walk and they were visiting a vacation home they own in the same county where Bill lives. We had some brief conversations and shared a dinner once, but it wasn't until Tallahassee where I really felt like I got to know the two.
Guyte and Beverly entertained us with dinners and wine and some of the funniest stories I've heard in a very long time. Unfortunately, I can't repeat any of them here - either because they wouldn't be appropriate on this platform or because I was too intoxicated when I heard the story to accurately retell it. I will tell you that one story involved a quilt square on the side of a house and another story involved a close call with an alligator.
While we were in the area, Guyte asked Bill and I if we had ever seen any carnivorous plants.
Bill and I both responded in the negative and Guyte offered to take us out to an area outside of Tallahassee where carnivorous plants flourish. When he described the area, I figured he was talking about one of the many nature preserves that Florida operates, or some plot of land owned by a friend of his. On the day when he took us out, he directed Bill with turn by turn directions.
Then, on the middle of a two lane road, Guyte told Bill to slow down. I thought Guyte was looking for some hidden and undeveloped road that would take us to the area where the carnivorous plants were growing. All of a sudden, Guyte told Bill to stop the car, because we were there. I looked around and wasn't sure what he was talking about. Bill and I followed Guyte through a muddy marsh, right off the side of the road and with traffic driving by in both directions, where Guyte started pointing out Venus fly traps.
I had never seen a Venus fly trap in person. They're not as big as I imagined (at least not the ones I saw), but they work just like you see on t.v. Guyte showed me how the fly traps will rest in the open position, and when short hairs in the mouth of the trap sense movement, the trap will quickly snap shut. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen a plant do.
State Capital in Tallahassee, FL
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Guyte, Beverly, & Bill in Tallahassee FL
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Venus fly traps seen outside Tallahassee, FL
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Perry, FL
Perry was an interesting town, and at one point in time it must have been quite the destination. If you look close, you can see signs of old motels that have either been abandoned or converted into new businesses. One of the businesses operating out of what used to be a motel was The Book Mart and Polly's Sunshine Shop. Both businesses are owned by Polly, pictured below, and operate out of what was once the lobby and front office of an old motel. The former rooms of the motel were transformed into business suites and rented out to local businesses.
In addition to general topic books, the store specializes in books about Florida and by Florida authors. There are many neat gifts and trinkets to browse and even a few that I wish I could have purchased, but not having anywhere to store them, I opted instead to purchase a guitar shaped shoulder bag for my little sister. Talking to Polly was also great. She explained the history of the motel building and told me about the artist who creates the wood crafts that she sells. All in all, it was a great experience and I highly suggest that anyone passing through Perry, FL stop in The Book Mart and Polly's Sunshine Shop to meet Polly for themselves.
Perry was an interesting town, and at one point in time it must have been quite the destination. If you look close, you can see signs of old motels that have either been abandoned or converted into new businesses. One of the businesses operating out of what used to be a motel was The Book Mart and Polly's Sunshine Shop. Both businesses are owned by Polly, pictured below, and operate out of what was once the lobby and front office of an old motel. The former rooms of the motel were transformed into business suites and rented out to local businesses.
In addition to general topic books, the store specializes in books about Florida and by Florida authors. There are many neat gifts and trinkets to browse and even a few that I wish I could have purchased, but not having anywhere to store them, I opted instead to purchase a guitar shaped shoulder bag for my little sister. Talking to Polly was also great. She explained the history of the motel building and told me about the artist who creates the wood crafts that she sells. All in all, it was a great experience and I highly suggest that anyone passing through Perry, FL stop in The Book Mart and Polly's Sunshine Shop to meet Polly for themselves.
The Book Mart and Polly's Sunshine Shop in Perry, FL
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Polly - owner of The Book Mart and Polly's Sunshine Shop in Perry, FL
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Perry, FL to Atlantis, FL
Between Athena, FL and Atlantis, FL I saw many interesting things, but the walk was relatively quiet. I don't really have much to say for this portion of my walk, but I'll include the pictures from that portion of my walk for the heck of it.
Between Athena, FL and Atlantis, FL I saw many interesting things, but the walk was relatively quiet. I don't really have much to say for this portion of my walk, but I'll include the pictures from that portion of my walk for the heck of it.
Delray Beach, FL
Bill got me as far as the eastern edge of south Florida just south of Palm Beach Gardens. He had to head back toward New Mexico and I was once again on my own for my walk. Fortunately, a majority of the eastern Florida coast is pretty well populated, so the experience between where he left and Miami was pretty comfortable. In addition to being more comfortable, I also had more opportunities to meet people. Thanks to CouchSurfing.org, I was lucky enough to meet Eduardo.
Eduardo is himself a traveler who actually hitchhiked from Wisconsin to San Francisco before heading back to Florida - you can see pictures from his journey on his Instagram page @dreamers_path. I contacted Eduardo over CouchSurfing.org and requested a host for the night. He agreed and, not only did he set me up with a place to sleep for the night, but he also introduced me to his family and invited me to join them all for a hot meal. It was greatly appreciated and I'm glad that I was able to meet Eduardo and talk with him a little about life and travel.
Bill got me as far as the eastern edge of south Florida just south of Palm Beach Gardens. He had to head back toward New Mexico and I was once again on my own for my walk. Fortunately, a majority of the eastern Florida coast is pretty well populated, so the experience between where he left and Miami was pretty comfortable. In addition to being more comfortable, I also had more opportunities to meet people. Thanks to CouchSurfing.org, I was lucky enough to meet Eduardo.
Eduardo is himself a traveler who actually hitchhiked from Wisconsin to San Francisco before heading back to Florida - you can see pictures from his journey on his Instagram page @dreamers_path. I contacted Eduardo over CouchSurfing.org and requested a host for the night. He agreed and, not only did he set me up with a place to sleep for the night, but he also introduced me to his family and invited me to join them all for a hot meal. It was greatly appreciated and I'm glad that I was able to meet Eduardo and talk with him a little about life and travel.
Me and Eduardo - my CouchSurfing host.
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Me and Patrick - who I met at a dinner party in Pompano Beach, FL
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Me and Catherine from Pompano Beach, FL - my most vocal supporter.
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Pompano Beach, FL
I really enjoyed my time in Pompano Beach, FL, mostly because I finally got to meet in person one of my biggest supporters - Catherine. I forget exactly when Catherine started following my 4 corner walk around America, but I do remember that she became one of my most vocal supporters following my experience in Hallsville, TX. We stayed in touch over Facebook since Texas and she told me to look her up when I made it to the Pompano Beach area. She promised good friends and a place to sleep - and boy did she deliver.
I didn't expect more than some conversation and an invitation to sleep on her couch. What I got was a small dinner party at a local Italian restaurant where I got to meet some of her friends, and a room at a local motel for two nights. In speaking to and getting to know Catherine in person, I learned how kind of a person she really is, and how much of an innate sense of right and wrong she has. She's an amazing woman with an amazing story and a huge heart.
One of the friends of Catherine who I met at the dinner party was Patrick. Like me, Patrick is a military veteran; today he works as a photographer in South Florida (you can see his portfolio at ModelMayhem.com/PatDem1). I got the chance to speak with Patrick about military life, small business, and my non-profit and I think we shared some great ideas. He thinks I should find some corporate sponsors for the rest of my walk, and I think I agree with him. On that note, if there are any corporate leaders out there who would like to sponsor my walk, then please get in touch with me at arnold.bustillo@gmail.com.
MIAMI, FLORIDA!!!!!!!!
And then I walked into Miami. With that, the first leg of my 4 corner walk around America is complete. Here are some pictures from around Miami. I'm going to take a couple of weeks off now, then I'm going to head north to the next corner on my walk, which is Bangor, ME.
And then I walked into Miami. With that, the first leg of my 4 corner walk around America is complete. Here are some pictures from around Miami. I'm going to take a couple of weeks off now, then I'm going to head north to the next corner on my walk, which is Bangor, ME.
