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Real-Life Forrest Gump Says He's Halfway To Completing LA-To-Boston Walk

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)   Looking for some fresh air and adventure, a man departed Los Angeles Feb. 27 with the goal of walking to Boston.

On Tuesday -- posting to social media from the Kansas City area -- he said he's about halfway to his goal.

walkacrossamerica
Credit: Ben Davis / YouTube

The man, who identified himself on social media accounts as Ben Davis, was answering questions on Reddit about his journey under the username /u/Delvis401.

Asked by a Reddit user why he's doing it, /u/Delvis401 said it's just about having an adventure.

"The adventure," he replied. "I was in a place in life where I had the freedom to do it and once I had the idea, I realized I didn't want to end up at 80 years old wishing I had done it. The prospect of regret spurred me to research and start planning. I'm so glad I did. It's been the time of my life, truly."

As for the nitty gritty, the man said he tries to walk at least 25 miles a day, and will walk 30 miles if there's a town ahead. He said he wears New Balance 450V3 running shoes and walks along "back highways."

"I've been surprised by how easy it is. When you look at the map it seems so big. But when you look at it in the micro, it's really just manual labor 7-9 hours a day," he said.

Among the benefits, he said he's lost at least 110 pounds in the last year, he said in a Facebook post.

Left: playing computer games one year ago today. Right: hydrating today in southern Colorado, 110 pounds lighter. http://instagram.com/bendoeslife

Posted by Do Life. on Sunday, April 10, 2016

He often sleeps in a tent or hotel, or sometimes in the home of a stranger who has invited him in after following his journey on social media, he said.

It hasn't all been easy.

"Hardest part is being scared at night, the paranoia. The isolation," he said.

He talks to his girlfriend on FaceTime every day, he said, and she'll be joining him in Kansas City this week to celebrate his 30th birthday.

Among the other minor inconveniences, he also has to explain to strangers "at least a couple times a week" why he's pushing a stroller-like device holding his belongings, he said.

He hopes to bookend his trip with a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, since took a dip in the Pacific shortly before departing Los Angeles.

 

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