Walking to Listen

31 Comments »

31 Responses

1. on November 3, 2011 at 8:22 PM | Reply Gale

   Andrew, you are walking for all of us. As the cars zoom by, too busy to hear the wind or smell the hay or sense the wisp of angel wings, you will be our senses until we can each slow down, shut up, wake up to take our own walks and listen whole-heartedly.

   Yesterday, as I was walking my standard two miles, I was walking with you, and I heard these words in my head as if they were spoken from some Higher place directly to you: “Your feet are the fingers feeling the pulse of Mother Earth.”

   Let your fingers do the walkin’, Dear One. Keep on keepin’ on–for all of us, for yourself, for these Times, and for Mother Earth and Father Sun. You go, Crystal Blisterman!

   xxGale

   
   
2. on November 3, 2011 at 9:44 PM | Reply Kathy Sermas

   Andrew, is there someway to label the pics, to correlate with your writing, as we have no idea where you are and who you are with.

   Love Kathy

   
   
3. on November 9, 2011 at 1:28 AM | Reply susie

   Andrew,
   A friend of mine just sent me some of your emails and a link to your blog. I think you are a terrific writer. Thanks for reminding me to “be attuned to the extraordinary in everyone I meet”! If you ever make your way to Texas – you have a place to stay!
   Susie

   
   
4. on December 1, 2011 at 11:05 PM | Reply Octavia

   I saw you in Charlotte today, I was not aware of your cause but was fascinated to know more about the sign on your back that read “Walking to Listen.” Good luck on your journey will continue to follow

   
   
5. on December 5, 2011 at 8:33 PM | Reply andrew, angela tupper's son

   hello my mom has told me about you and I think you have struck gold in my heart oppertunity somthing meaningful you not only taught me to persue my dreams but explore my dreams to see if my planned life is worth going for who knows you could be the reason that I succeed I dont want to leave life saying I made it I want to be saying I had fun and I feel that I have furfilled my life and that im happy to go

   
   
   • on December 11, 2011 at 11:50 PM | Reply wanderandrew

     Hey Andrew, Thank you so much for writing in, and I’m glad to hear you’re thinking and feeling all these things. I was so touched when your mom stopped to say hello and cheer me on, it mean A LOT. Please send her big thanks and love. Best of luck to you on your journey, and be sure to let me know how it goes!
     In gratitude, Andrew

     
     
6. on December 30, 2011 at 11:08 AM | Reply Ellie Moore

   Andrew – Holy hell my friend I heard you were walking across the country but I suppose I never processed it until now – seeing all this. Good god you are a brave new man. Your words and photos are truly inspiring. I hope you’ve got some good reading with you. Whitman? although he appears to already be under your skin. Steinbeck – Travels with Charley (would be a cool contrast to your walk since he wrote it about his American ramblings in the ’60s). Listening to some good Gillian Welch too I hope… But you probably know all of this already.

   When I get back to the US I hope to find you on the wayside and treat you to a damn good meal. Maybe even walk with you for a time.

   Until then, be safe and keep smiling amigo. You are a walking poem.

   
   
   • on January 16, 2012 at 3:36 PM | Reply wanderandrew

     Ellie,
     So, so good to hear from you. I read your post when I was camping outside the Hawg Heaven BBQ joint on new year’s eve, what a welcome you gave me into 2012! Big smile that night. I’ve been walking with your words since, and with the Oliver poem. I can’t thank you enough, I don’t know if you even realize what a lift it was to hear your support. In Selma now, feeling good and walking on. I look forward to meeting up sometime when you’er back. Best, Andrew

     
     
7. on January 1, 2012 at 5:47 PM | Reply Roxanne Caswell and Randy Caswell

   Hi Andrew, We were blessed to share in your time at Hawg Heaven BBQ in H ogansville, Ga. on New Years Eve. You are a unique young man. We wish you the best in your travels.May God be with you always! Roxanne & Randy

   
   
   • on January 9, 2012 at 2:11 PM | Reply wanderandrew

     I was so honored to meet you and hear some stories, and wish we could have had more time. In gratitude, Andrew

     
     
8. on January 2, 2012 at 2:56 AM | Reply donna and tony

   hi andrew the family from the hawg it was so nice to meet u and i pray for your journey. what u r doing is awsome .you will see more then we could see riding in a car. take care and may god bless u

   
   
   • on January 9, 2012 at 2:09 PM | Reply wanderandrew

     Thanks for taking me in at the family table. I felt so special to be there with y’all. I’m looking forward to a happy reunion someday, and in the meantime, thinking of you and keeping in touch. All the best, Andrew

     
     
9. on January 11, 2012 at 3:48 PM | Reply Tana

   Hello Andrew,

   I met you yesterday at the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. I am so impressed with your courage and will to walk,listen,feel and learn about our great country. Travel safely,dude, it was such a pleasure meeting you!

   Tana Shealey

   
   
   • on January 16, 2012 at 3:48 PM | Reply wanderandrew

     Hey Tana, meeting you and walking through the Memorial was a huge inspiration for me. Thank you for doing the work you do there, for holding the past for all of us so we can remember. Such an honor to be there, and to share even just a few minutes with you. Many thanks, and I hope all’s well, Andrew

     
     
10. on January 19, 2012 at 5:53 PM | Reply Becky Brock Wiggins

    Andrew…..just a thought………you need to redo your sign on your backpack. When I saw you in Montgomery, there was no dot com at the end……….if you would do WalkingtoListen.com it would be more clear. People would automatically understand to look at the site.
    Just a kind thought…….now, following you daily.
    Becky Wiggins

    
    
11. on March 7, 2012 at 10:03 PM | Reply John

    I see you wear the FiveFingers. I am going to get a pair soon. Do you like them? How many miles can you put in wearing them?

    
    
    • on March 9, 2012 at 5:36 AM | Reply wanderandrew

      I do have a pair that I used to love running in, but I’ve been wearing boots on this walk, actually. Not sure how the Five Fingers would hold up with all the weight I’m carrying.

      
      
12. on May 3, 2012 at 6:24 PM | Reply Moriel Rothman

    So so good to browse through this section- re your note though, I don’t think I have enough photos or a good enough camera to make Photos a separate part of my blog..: but I’ll keep your suggestion in mind. Meanwhile, I’ll give you a call next week, lots to catch up on. Walk safe brother. -m

    
    
13. on May 16, 2012 at 9:49 PM | Reply Faith

    hi andrew! i think what youre doing is amazing keep up the awesome work: )

    
    
    • on May 17, 2012 at 3:46 AM | Reply wanderandrew

      I appreciate that, Faith. Thank you for the affirmation. Blessings to you in your work, too.

      
      
14. on May 31, 2012 at 12:27 PM | Reply Max Tenorio

    Lisboa Springs Hatchery in Pecos, New Mexico….in between Las Vegas and Santa Fe….excuse the typo earlier.

    
    
15. on May 31, 2012 at 6:57 PM | Reply Shannon Rogers

    Andrew you touched the hearts of all my family. So Grateful to have been part of your journey. I say your name in all my prayers. May God continue to smile upon you and your beutiful soul.If you need anything call my Daddy Otho and we will be there for you. God Bless YOU Andrew.

    
    
    • on June 4, 2012 at 1:43 AM | Reply wanderandrew

      You all touched my life in a profound way, too. Thank you for sharing, and you continue to be in my walking prayers. In gratitude.

      
      
16. on June 4, 2012 at 4:08 AM | Reply Hannah Rogers

    W
    OW Andrew,,,,,
    I pray that God’s angels surround you with thier light,that and peacefullness,sorrounding you like a blankey right out of dryer..’GO WITH GOD’.,I’m so proud of u!!!!!!!
    How”s the {ground grabbers} holding up for your tootisies???? Keep checkin in.
    Shannon Rogers, NM

    
    
    • on June 5, 2012 at 9:04 PM | Reply wanderandrew

      Thank you! All the love is much appreciated. All well here, hoping the same for you and your family. Best.

      
      
17. on May 5, 2013 at 5:43 PM | Reply Trish Kramer

    A happy accident allowed me to hear just a bit of your walk, your heart and the heart of some of the fine people you listened to along your way. I cried with the tender love I felt for all God’s creatures that my listening awoke in my heart. Thank you, dear Andrew, for this gift. A mother of sons your age,
    Trish in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

    
    
    • on May 6, 2013 at 4:03 PM | Reply wanderandrew

      Thanks so much, Trish! So glad to know this was moving.

      
      
18. on May 8, 2013 at 2:39 AM | Reply Stephanie Wilson

    Heard about your travels on This American Life, just as I am about to drive across the country, get this, from Philadelphia, with a mandolin in my trunk, a Gillian Welch tune in my head, and a hunger for people’s stories. Your story hit close to home.

    
    
    • on May 9, 2013 at 1:49 PM | Reply wanderandrew

      Good luck with the ride!

      
      
19. on May 9, 2013 at 4:55 PM | Reply genevacegelis

    I heard your story on This American Life and hearing you talk about the last part of your walk into the pacific ocean moved me to tears. one of my friends just completed a solo road trip visiting every national park in the US and your story reminded me of many of the experiences that she has shared with me. i am looking forward to reading your book. your story is truly inspiring.

    
    
20. on May 12, 2013 at 4:42 AM | Reply Anne-Claire Benoit

    Thank you for such a beautiful story. I’m sitting in my living room with my dad–we just listened to the ‘This American Life’ show, I’m 32, he’s 73 and we’re both in tears. This was just such a beautiful story. Congratulations on such an accomplishment–not just the walking but the unique way you found to share such soulful stories with the public. What a warm hearted and unexpected gift.