Kyle Johnson

Damp and disheveled, yet smiling and excited to talk about his adventure in the name of a good cause, 29-year-old Kyle Johnson looks like he could be a traveler kid sitting on Alvarado Street. Long-haired with a billy-goat beard, a heavy backpack and tight camo thermals for pants, Johnson says he drew inspiration for his current adventure from the late Christopher McCandless, whose short and adventurous life was documented by Jon Krakauer in his book Into the Wild. While McCandless’ wanderlust led him to starvation in the Alaskan wilderness, Johnson plans to take a more tempered approach, and raise money for Happy Life Children’s Home in Nairobi, Kenya in the process.

In late August, the military veteran who hails from Grand Rapids, Michigan left Seattle and started walking south with the goal of walking the entire perimeter of the continental United States. Jim Powell, the U.S. director of Happy Life, says Johnson volunteered for the orphanage in 2012. They’ve been in touch about fundraising plans, and Powell says he wishes Johnson well on his journey.

Johnson made his way to Monterey County before Christmas and temporarily suspended his travels for the holidays, but caught up with the Weekly while he was back in town to continue his walk from Big Sur to the Mexican border, part one of his 11,000-mile journey.

Weekly: What drove you to walk around the perimeter of the continental United States to support a small orphanage in Kenya?

Johnson: I’ve always had a love for travel and exploration. I joined the Navy in 2007 and traveled around the world as a cook on an aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan. But the Navy is so uptight it turned me into a hippie. When I got out of the Navy, I worked as a pizza delivery driver in Columbus, Ohio, between following Phish on tour for the past five years. I’ve been to 126 Phish shows all over the country.

What got you interested in helping the orphanage in Kenya?

I’ve always wanted to help people out. I saved up money and I decided to volunteer at the Happy Life Children’s Home in Nairobi for two months in 2012. It was a super powerful experience. The kids had been through so much, but they’re still happy and full of life. They’ve stayed with me throughout the years.

Where are you staying along the way?

I’m stealth camping in cities and parks, cowboy camping under the stars, but I’m also staying with friends along the way. Touring with Phish, you meet a lot of good people around the country, so I have friends all over. The Phish community is like a big family. But I also meet people along the way who hear what I’m doing and give me a place to stay or hot food, and they donate too.

The other week I went to Chili’s in Seaside, and the bartender said he had been on a similar trip raising money by riding his bike across the country. He didn’t charge me for my meal and then he gave me a place to crash.

How long is the trip going to take you?

I’m thinking three to five years. I’m going to do it in sections and not rush it. You don’t get to see much when you’re traveling 65 miles an hour. I stayed in Portland with friends for two weeks after I left Seattle. Then I spent a week with friends in San Francisco.

Is all the money you’re raising going to orphans in Kenya, or will some of it help to support your adventure?

I’ve been delivering pizzas for years and doing other odd jobs to save up for my travels. When I run out of money for myself I find work. The money I’m raising is for the kids, not me.

So far I’ve raised $1,500 for Happy Life. My goal is to raise $5,000. After I walk the perimeter of the U.S., I’ll fly to Kenya and hand them a check.

Any close calls in the first 1,000 miles of your journey?

I had set up my tent on a beach in southwestern Washington. I didn’t realize how high the tide came up. I woke up and I thought I was burning, but it was just cold water seeping into my tent. I pulled my stuff up to dry land, walking through knee-deep water. I couldn’t dry off until morning. That was a cold and miserable night.