KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-Man Walking Across America In Salinas Thursday
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WATSONVILLE, Calif.- It's a real life Forrest Gump story except George Throop is not running he's walking across America. On Thursday he walked from Watsonville to Salinas.
"Over a thousand cancers can be prevented every single day in this country. It's about lifestyle choices," says Throop as he speed walks across Watsonville. He's not raising money nor is he getting paid for it. It's about inspiring you, he says. "As I walk across the America day by day, I hope to inspire people to get up get out and take a walk yourselves."
His journey began in Washington State on September 20th and will take him south to southern California and eventually into the deserts during the heart of winter. "Basically on foot I figure during the winter is about the only time you should be crossing the desert southwest," he says with a smile on his face. He plans to cross into Texas during spring and by late summer he plans on arriving in the nation's capitol.
"I plan on arriving to the white house and meeting with Barack Obama and my message of go out and walk today, take a 20 minute walk I very much hope that Barack Obama is going to find the time to go on a 20 minute walk with me, after having walked thousands of miles across the country to Washington DC."
Throop walks on average 20 miles per day on a budget of about 20 dollars, but says he still has the same amount of funds as he started 3 months ago. "So many people along the way have been helping me out, they've been supplying me with food. Without ever asking for a single dime from anyone, people just want to help me out. I've been very much seeing the great side human nature," Throop says.
"I'm hoping that people take a step in the right direction as I take steps across America to lead healthier lifestyles."
