Photos: I finally put up photos from California. Perfect timing as I finish this thing tomorrow, right?
So, my walk across America ends tomorrow at Ocean Beach in San Francisco.
I’ll be doing a lot more writing about this in the upcoming weeks, but right now I’m really just at a loss for words.
I’m excited, but also kind of sad. I’ve enjoyed this trip so much and the realization that it is coming to an end has been tough to deal with.
But, I’m happy, mainly because of all of you who have shown me so much support and kindness over the duration of the trip. It has honestly been overwhelming. It wouldn’t have been the same without YOU, so thank you.
What an amazing country this is. I’ll never forget the experiences I’ve had over the last 7.5 months. This walk changed my life in a million ways.
Just wanted to write a quick note before I try to get some sleep and prepare for tomorrow.
One last morning walk ahead joined by friends and family. It will be a great day.
I’ll post videos and photos from the beach as soon as I get a chance.
Once again, thank you 
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations Nate! What a truly amazing accomplishment! I imagine you’re feeling so many mixed emotions right now and that it’ll take some time to sort through them all. The coming weeks and months will be filled with all kinds of change and adapting. One thing for sure, you’ll never be the same!
Congaratulations ( a few hours prematurely)…almost time for a dip in the water and a great Amen to the spirits that guided you. Wishing the peace and Grace you deserve. I said it before, Kindness begets Kindness. There is a america beyond politics and our strives for perfections. You have traversed the country like the origional explorers..meeting people along the way…You did not try and displace your new found friends…you kept moving on..with a smile and a positive thought. If the origional explorers took the same “Path” (all inclusive) imagine the wonderful country we would have….exactly what it sounds like you “saw”. Peace brother. You are now a neighbor to all americans you met along the way. God Speed now and beyond.
Dude. #mindblown. Let’s stop and ponder for a moment what this means. This means that you have slept in the mountains, faced death by grizzly bear and Prius, met amazing people who have shown both the utter kindness of humanity and the absolute uniqueness as well. Step into that ocean knowing that you have accomplished so much with something so “simple”. Just a guy. Walking. So exceedingly ridiculously over-the-moon excited for you!
Now come back here so I can drink Pumpkinhead with you and we can plan another great adventure!!
Awesome work Nate! A HUGE accomplishment my man… I have a feeling another adventure awaits on the horizon… Open your mind to the opportunities and life signs as they come into your life the next few months.
You are the man!
Patrick
Nate,
I think this is the first time I’ve commented here, but I’ve been following your journey since the beginning. Congratulations on an incredible accomplishment! Enjoy your last few moments on the road, and then relish the experience you’ve endured. I’m sure your life will never be the same.
Good travels,
John Sifferman
Oh wow… I knew this day would come but it seems just like yesterday you walked into Indiana, and into our hearts. Thanks for reminding us to follow our dreams, treasure what’s most important and never be afraid to take the first step.
I feel like such a proud mama! Only wish I could be there to see it in person.
Stay in touch!
Dyan
Congrats Nate! Be interesting to see if you really stay back east after seeing the west the way you have. Looking forward to upcoming reflections about your journey! Don’t forget Middle Gate or the Shoe Tree!
Congratulations Nate! What an awesome adventure it must have been! I’m looking forward to see more pics and read more stories from your trip in the coming weeks… Enjoy the comfort of sleeping in a nice, comfy bed!
Congraduation for completing your walk across america. Now your journey really begins. By writing down all the memories and adventure of your triip. Like I said before I would be interesting in buying a book from you.
I would like to keep in touch and because you are one of my heroes.
God bless you and your family as you begin the next phase of your journey.
How would the idea of walking around the boarder of the United States?
Just a thought.
Look forward to hearing from you, your friend always.
Gary Mitchell
Wow! I just learned about your amazing adventure from Chris Guillebeau’s site and this just so made my Monday, my week, my month…I can’t wait to go back and read all about it. You had a dream and you went for it all the way. And I am so glad to see these videos of some trudging along the dusty highways, because I know that what it’s like sometimes – following dreams is not always peaks and valleys. What a record, what a gift for the rest of us.
Congratulations! And thank you.
Super rad!!! Just heard about what you’re doing via Chris Guillebeau. Congratulations!
Congratulations Nate. A job well done.
Amazing journey, Nate! Thanks so much for sharing your story via this blog. You’re an inspiration to us all! I wonder where your next adventure will taking you???
Nate, thank you for your inspiration. Well Done.
I too found you via Chris G. And…..WOW. Big kudos to you for showing us all what is possible. I am so looking forward to reading more about your journey. Thank you for being just the kind of person we all need to be to create the kind of world we all desperately need right now. Wishing you rest, recovery, and celebration…..until your next adventure.
Well done Nate! I bet you have some amazing stories to tell.
Big congrats to you!! I just finished a six-month trip of my own across Europe and as I am feeling a mixture of emotions from sadness to elation, I can only imagine what you are feeling now that you’ve reached the end. But I can already see that, like me, you have learned just how amazing and kind people are. Doesn’t it make your heart swell with happiness?
I, too, found you through Chris Guillebeau and I look forward to reading about where you have been on your journey.
Much luck to you on whatever your next adventure will be!
Serious congratulations! I’m truly inspired by your journey and by the fact that your motivation was (at least, mostly) internal. Yours was a big dream, so surely the rest of us can pursue our smaller ones. Well done.
Beautiful country to see this way. I’m glad you relished the journey and shared so much of it with us! Looking forward to hearing more as you process it down. Don’t ever forget though…it was NOT a dream, you really did do this.
Until next time,
Jeanie
Congratulations Nate! You really activated your dream!
Nate great job! This is pretty amazing. I came here from Chris G as well but I am amazed at you ability to make it happen! I love checking out your route and imagining what you saw along the way!
Nate,
Just heard about you and your trip! Congratulations!
I’m interested in this because my 19-year-old son, Jesse VanOsdol, starts his walk across America from Seal Beach, CA to Jacksonville, FL on November 17. He is doing his walk to raise money for the burn unit at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, where he was a patient in June of 2010. He is training and finishing some schooling right now in the Los Angeles area and then leaves in about one month. (Here’s his blog which he has already set up http://stepitupjessevanosdol.wordpress.com/.
Congratulations on reaching your goal! I can’t wait to read your old blog posts.
You’re an inspiration!
This is amazing! What a journey, I’m inspired.
Congratulations from over the ocean, in Spain, in good old Europe that you could also walk one day
Truly impressed by your performance, Nate. Well done!
You are an inspiration! I look forward to hearing of your next endeavor.
Wow! That’s so amazing. I can’t wait to hear more. : ) Congrats. Very inspirational.
Just heard about your awesome trip. Congrats on completing your walk across the USofA!
Congratulations!
Nate, congratulations. It’s been quite an inspiring journey you’ve had, and your online presence touched my life in a few points. Well done, and what amazing memories you’ll have.
Congratulations Nate! Truly an amazing story, can’t wait to read more about your adventures. Thanks for being such an inspiration that whatever IT is for each of us, IT is possible.
Dude, that’s awesome! Congrats!
WOW! I am at a loss for words, both for what you’ve done and for how I’d feel if such an epic journey were coming to an end for me. I think I’d be thinking of where to walk next. Bravo, Nate, and thanks for inspiring us all!
Just read about your journey, and am blown away (saw it in Chris G’s write-up at Art of Non-Conformity, btw). What a journey… so much you’ve seen, experienced, thought about… wow. If ever you’re in Eugene, OR, beer’s on me.
What a wonderful project Nate! Well done.
Well Done. I always thought of driving across the country. What you did is very inspiring and motivating. Never thought anyone could walk 3500 miles.
What an amazing brave man you are! Congratulations on your incredible achievement.
The fact that you can walk alone with yourself – you’re way ahead of the game. Such a cool thing you’ve done.
Congrats! You’re an inspiration!
A Job well done nate! You’re a great inspiration to us all!!!
Way to go! What an amazing story to inspire others!
Congratulations Nate! What an amazing story
Congratulations… Great job, Nate! It’s very inspiring and hope to hear more about your experienced now that you’ve completed it.
Awesome and inspiring. Congratulations Nate! I admire you for digging deep and doing something so epic with your life. We all should be so daring.
Bravo, Nate. You show us that anything is possible.
Hey Nate, I’m the guy on the bicycle you camped next to in Ft. Garland shortly after your bear scare in Colo. I wanted to let you know that I took a few minutes to tell all 253 impressionable middle schoolers in our morning meeting about your trip the day before you finished. I’m sure some of them just gaped and were glad they they didn’t have to do what you did. I feel sad for their lack of imagination. At the same time there’s an excellent chance that your story planted some seeds that may sprout in some interesting ways. Rest well until your next adventure. I’m happy for you.
Big congrats Nate! I am sure this experience has changed your life. I’ve also been on the move all my life as it is part of my dreams, and absolutely love it. I think the people we meet along the way are probably the best part of the journey. Nothing is impossible…you just did. Enjoy your break for now before your next adventure.
Woah. Just read about your journey on Chris G’s blog. Phenomenal. Congrats on accomplishing something so stupendous. You will have this for the rest of your life, this achievement. It will always make up a part of you. Well done, and thanks for the awesome inspiration. May you have many adventures ahead of you.
Amazing idea! I envy your commitment and perseverance to actually making your idea it happen, and then completing it. End scene
PS Did you ever sneak a jog during some of the boring parts to take the repeat strain off the same joints?
All the best,
Robyn
Dear Nate,
Jsut came across a post saying that you are finishing this great walk. Many congratulations from the Netherlands!
kind regards
Victor
Hello Nate,
You are an amazing human being for wanting to do this. Super awesome! I hope you are resting, spending time with all that is back in Maine and perhaps even planning a next great adventure. I’ll follow you on that one, too!
All the best,
Amy
Hey Nate, I just saw your story via Chris Guillebeau’s email, I have to say, great job. Sorry I didn’t hear about you earlier, I live in Stockton, just a couple of miles from Lodi, and would have loved to meet up with you. Great job though, and congrats!
Hey Nate! Congratulations from the great white north… your next stop???
Thanks for sharing your journey, Nate. Congratulations on making the journey. It is so vital to pursue one’s dreams. Our world is full of following the patterns of others and fulfilling the dreams of our bosses. Your tenacity is inspirational.
Kick ass! I’m just learning about your walk now that it’s ended, and I can’t wait to read about the tale in reverse.
Thanks for having the idea and seeing it through.
Congrats man! Al I can say is you’ve got cojones!
This is incredible! Bravo! I am in absolute awe!! Congratulations!
Awesome! Congratulations!