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494
May 3, 2013

Hit the Road

We're opening windows and going places. This week we have stories of people who, for reasons that they can't always explain, feel compelled to get out and go somewhere. Including the story of one man who decides to take a trip from Philadelphia to San Francisco — by foot.

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Andrew Forsthoefel. Photo by Therese Jornlin, Andrew’s mom. Chadds Ford, PA.

Prologue

Andrew Forsthoefel sets out to do something that usually doesn't work as a radio story. After losing a job, he decided to try walking across America from his home in Philadelphia all the way to the Pacific. And he made it. 4,000 miles, talking to people he met along the way. (4 min)

By

Jay Allison

Song:

“The Streets Are Ours Tonight” by Richard Hawley
Act One

The Slowest Distance Between Two Points

Andrew Forsthoefel's story continues. (30 min)

Andrew produced the radio story with Jay Allison. Thanks to Viki Merrick. An hour-long version of the story and photos from the trip are at Transom.org, a nonprofit website that explains how to record and produce your own stories.

Andrew story features interviews with the following people:

Bill Guy, Shady Grove, AL
Therese Jornlin, Chadds Ford, PA
Hacky Pitts, High Point, NC
Ollie Ware, Franklin, LA
Karie Fugett, Foley, AL
Emma Lou Dailey, Beatrice, AL
Otho Rogers, Melrose, NM
Chris and James Paisano, Fort Defiance, AZ
Mitch and Jen Reed, LA

By

Jay Allison
Act Two

Car Pool

Sierra Teller Ornelas tells a story about the time as a 10 year old she went on a very short, but memorable adventure in a car with the coolest girl she knew. Sierra's story was recorded live at the L.A. storytelling series Public School and aired on the CBC radio show WireTap with Jonathan Goldstein. (7 min)

Song:

“My Style” by Black Eyed Peas (featuring Justin Timberlake)
Act Three

Let's See How Fast This Baby Will Go

Gloria Harrison was pregnant and in labor when she decided that the thing she needed to do before heading to the hospital, was go to the Nissan dealership and buy a new car. (18 min)

Song:

“I Found My Way” by Dusty Springfield & “Thunder Road” by Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Tortoise

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