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Holden Ringer is nearing the conclusion of an extensive journey – nearly a year spent walking across the United States. Speaking via Zoom from Virginia, Ringer shared his reflections with NBC 5 on Monday.
“It’s almost been a year, just 4 days away. It’s quite exciting, really wonderful,” Ringer expressed. “I’ve traversed through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and now I’m here in Virginia, known as the Old Dominion, the mother of all Presidents. It marks the 14th state on my walk.”
Ringer recounted how the idea of walking across America emerged while he was studying at Emory University.
“I was sitting there, studying for an exam, wishing I could be anywhere else,” Ringer recalled. “As a form of procrastination, I started searching online about what it would be like to walk across America.”
The onset of the pandemic brought Ringer back home to University Park to be with his family, but his plans took a different turn when his mother informed him of her COVID diagnosis.
“I received a text from my mom on the plane, saying, ‘Sorry, honey, I have COVID,'” Ringer recounted. “These two incidents made me think, hey, maybe I should spend some time outdoors!”
A 20-mile hike around Dallas, including trails and White Rock Lake, further fueled Ringer’s determination. “Over the course of that day, I thought, I could do this every day for a year,” he said.
After planning for about a year, which included weekend camping practice sessions, Ringer sold his belongings and embarked on his journey following the conclusion of his job at AmeriCorps Vista.
“Growing up in Dallas, I realized it’s a very car-centric place,” Ringer observed. “The most dangerous thing I encounter every day is dealing with cars, so I thought, well, I might as well draw attention to these issues.”
Throughout his journey across deserts, mountains, and everything in between, Ringer has been raising awareness and funds for America Walks, advocating for walkable communities.
“It doesn’t have to be either Amsterdam or Dallas; there’s a world in between,” Ringer remarked. “I believe a lot of it is about local advocates striving for something better for our communities.”
Reflecting on his experiences, Ringer acknowledged his adaptability and the overwhelmingly positive interactions he has had with people across the country.
“99.9% of my interactions with people are overwhelmingly positive,” he shared. “I think America is a more generous country than we often realize.”
Despite having a financial cushion from his grandparents’ inheritance, Ringer emphasized his modest lifestyle on the road.
“I eat Pop-Tarts and sleep in a tent,” he laughed.
Having gone through 8 pairs of shoes and nearly 3,000 miles, Ringer believes everyone has their own journey, emphasizing that it doesn’t have to entail walking across the country.
“For anyone out there, I’d encourage them to find their own path and have confidence in themselves,” Ringer advised. “You don’t need to justify your dreams to anyone else, as long as you’re willing to make them happen. Anything is possible!”
Originally intending to walk from Washington state to Washington, D.C., Ringer has extended his journey to conclude publicly in New York at the Atlantic Ocean, and then privately in Connecticut at his grandparents’ memorial site.
“I don’t think they would have wanted me to take this journey,” Ringer reflected. “But hopefully, they can be proud of what it’s accomplished, the people I’ve met, and the person I’ve become throughout this experience.”
Ringer anticipates reaching Washington, D.C., next week for a celebratory milestone before continuing his expedition.
You can follow Holden Ringer’s final leg of his trek on Walk2Washington’s Instagram, Facebook, or his Walk2Washington website.