Walking America
Woman treks through county on coast-to-coast journey
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July 11, 2019
Courtesy Photo
A WALK IN HER SHOES – Laurie Clauson has recently passed through Sanders County as she treks across America, a task she began in 2017. Mile 500 was earned in Hope, Idaho, on her way to Montana.
Some people celebrate America by shooting off fireworks. Others, like Laurie Clauson, rejoice by trekking across the nation.
"I started my walk across America in late September 2017," stated Clauson, who began her journey in front of the hospital where she was born in Vancouver, Washington. Since then, she has finished 11 week-long segmented missions and logged more than 500 miles.
Just prior to reaching Trout Creek on June 28 and Thompson Falls on June 29, Clauson reached her 500-mile milestone in Hope, Idaho. She will return to Thompson Falls on July 27 when she marches her way to Missoula on July 28.
"I haven't worked out the exact route yet, but beyond Missoula I hope to see Little Bighorn, Mount Rushmore and the Badlands in South Dakota, to name a few," offered Clauson as being one of the perks of her "job."
The beauty of western Montana has left an impression on Clauson and she cannot wait to get back to Thompson Falls again in a couple of weeks where she will be staying for a few days. Her hometown friends hope the community greets her with a warm welcome and wave as she passes through once again.
Roughly five years ago Clauson walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain and loved it. She decided to repeat that experience in America. As climate differences proved to be challenging, she organized week-long segments to tackle during spring, summer and fall.
"I enjoy the walking, the sights, the physical and mental challenge and the inner peace I find in the solitude of it," she said. "I have learned that life should not be taken for granted and this is the way I have chosen to spend my later years in life."
Currently living in Phoenix, Clauson is embarking on her 59th birthday. "This walk keeps me fit and allows me to see the vast beauty of America," she said, "two of my goals for doing it!"
Clauson is wondering whether it will be her body or pocketbook that ends her journeys. "I'll keep going until my body or my money give out," she said with humor, "that's a race to the finish line."
She hopes in the end her epithet reads, "She walked herself to death...and enjoyed all the sights along the way."
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