Andrew “Ranger” Kielak of The Chilcoot, Calif., is in the middle of a staggering feat: walking from the East to West Coast. Kielak’s journey — which began in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and will end in Pismo Beach, Calif. — brought Kielak to Oxford on April 20.
Kielak explained he decided to take on this task, which requires him to walk 20 to 36 miles a day, in hopes of leaving a legacy.
“(As a freshman in high school) I heard the quote ‘every man has two deaths, (the first is) when he is buried in the ground, and the (second is the) last time someone says his name,’” Kielak said on his website. “This quote got me obsessed with the idea of ‘legacy’ and ‘being remembered after I die.’”
Kielak is also using the opportunity to raise money for the Future Farmers of America, Bigger Than The Trail and the Hospice Promise Foundation. Thus far, Kielak has raised $4,000 of his $100,000 goal.
“One of the nonprofits I’m raising money for, The Hospice Promise Foundation, helped my Nana Rose and Papa Larry while he was going through hospice care for his Alzheimer’s diagnosis,” Kielak said.
In addition to The Hospice Promise Foundation, Kielak is raising funds and awareness for the Future Farmers of America and Bigger Than The Trail non-profit organizations. Kielak said his journey thus far has been akin to a frog hopping across lily pads.
“The way that I describe it is that I am a frog getting across a pond,” Kielak said. “And there’s lily pads throughout. Columbia, South Carolina, was one, Little Rock, Arkansas, Oklahoma City, Amarillo. … It’s just easier for me to chunk down.”
While Oxford was a lilypad a bit off course, Kielak was happy to make the adjustment.
“While I was planning the route, I knew I wanted to go through their (Nana Rose and Papa Larry’s) hometown Okmulgee, Okla., and while looking at the map, I noticed I just barely missed Oxford,” Kielak said. “I’ve heard about Ole Miss and the rich history in the area, so I adjusted my route to make sure I can pass through and hit the area. I’m so glad that I was able to make it work because I met some great folks in the area like the Breckenridges and the folks at Stronger Together Oxford,” Kielak said. “I loved how community-focused the town is.”
Kielak shared that this aspect — interacting with unique individuals throughout his walk — has been especially meaningful and encaptures the purpose of his journey.
“The purpose of my walk is to highlight, learn from and work with people in the U.S. that are really making a difference in their communities,” Kielak said.
In South Carolina, he stayed with a man who owned a bird sanctuary. In Atlanta, Kielak stayed with a Great Pyrenese rescue group from which one of his host families bought their dog. Before arriving at Towneplace Suites in Oxford on April 21, Kielak spent the weekend in Water Valley with the Breckenridges, a couple who dress as Mr. and Mrs. Claus every year for Christmas.
Kielak said that the compassion of strangers has been one of the pleasant surprises of this journey.
“What surprised me most is how willing people are to help,” Kielak said. “If you are doing something that people can get behind, whether it’s starting a business, a nonprofit or doing a walk — people want to help.”
Kielack said his fiancé has been especially helpful in both providing him with supplies and helping him find a place to stay when he arrives in larger towns. When he stops in smaller areas, he must rely on the generosity of others for places to sleep.
“I’ve been pretty lucky just reaching out to people on social media,” Kielak said. “Family, friends, friends of friends, etc. have been letting me stay at their places.”
Kielak tries to plan where he is going to stay a few days in advance. He has roughly sketched out where he will be able to sleep until he reaches Arkansas.
Kielak travels with a three-wheeled cart where he stores his supplies, including tents, a sleeping bag, a small air mattress, an extra pillow, blankets and towels, along with food and water.
“I try to keep three gallons (of water) on me at all times and try to refill every chance I get,” Kielak said. “Food-wise, it’s the kind of stuff you would assume … a lot of tuna, a lot of packaged meats, tortillas (and) granola bars. I have my pill diet every morning, which is a bunch of vitamins.”
Kielak restocks at grocery stores along the way and relies on the donations and support of friends and family to fund his journey.
In addition to unexpected generosity, Kielak described another thing that has surprised him thus far.
“I didn’t know that feet could blister that way,” Kielak said.
