Over 300 miles so far!

A lot of people hate the cold of winter. Cody Vaughan, however, REALLY hates the cold. (Maybe from living in this trailer through an Alaskan winter... but that's a whole other story.) To avoid the Northern New York winter, he decided to walk across America! Some people would have just ordered extra long johns, but Cody isn't known for taking the easy way out. To justify the 4-5 months of time he will put into this, he is using the walk as a way to raise money for Doctors Without Borders. You can read why he picked this organization, and contribute at his fundraising page.

Since Cody is currently in the wild desert east of Gila Bend, AZ, I (his oldest and most beloved sister, Clover White) will try to update this blog with news, and possibly cell phone pictures Cody sends me. Hopefully, Cody will be able to log on when he gets the occasional internet access.

This is not Cody's first cross-country trip. He has been criss-crossing the United States at various times and for various reasons since September of 2002 (to the left here, in Anchorage, AK). This time, however, there will be no yellow truck or motorcycles, just slightly blistered feet.

Cody started walking in San Diego, CA. He was joined by Scott Smith, a friend who had a week free to walk with him. Pushing a jogging stroller loaded with a tent, food and other essentials, they got to Arizona before Scott had to return to a "real" life. Now, Cody's been walking by himself for over a week. He is enjoying the gorgeous desert sunrises and sunsets, despite a grueling two days through a desert valley where there was only one gas station in the 63 mile-trek. I don't think he enjoyed the time when a swarm of killer bees crawled all over his stroller, either! Despite all this, though, he made it to Gila Bend early Sunday morning extremely thirsty and with a few bad blisters. After a full day of rest Sunday, he is off again!