This is a quote that I wish to live by a lot more than I do, which makes me all the more envious of people like Tom Turcich and his faithful companion Savannah. The inseparable duo is on a walk that is due to cover seven continents, over the course of 5 years. A 5-year walk? Luckiest. Dog. Ever.
Currently, they are 700 days into their travels, with more than 10,000 km under their belts. And this amazing adventure is nowhere close to being over.
Tom took to Reddit to reveal the cause behind his idea for this not so run-of-the-mill sightseeing
“As to why I’m walking around the world, I had a friend, Anne Marie, who died at seventeen. I’d never been close to someone who died before. Her death reordered my understanding of the world. I suddenly saw life as something fragile and fleeting. I needed to make the most of the short time I had – I wanted adventure and to see the world.”
On April 2nd, 2015, Tom left his life and home in New Jersey to set out on his dreams of walking the world. When he reached Texas, he found a 4-month-old Savannah and quickly adopted her. When she was a pup, he would push her in his cart, but he says that she now walks up to around 50km per day.
Tom has conquered the first part of his epic adventure, having traversed North and South America and even checking Antarctica off his bucket list. He has now flown with Savannah to embark on his mission through European trails.
He had named his travel project ‘The World Walk,’ and his website is where he shares his daily trials. He shares writings of his journey, coupled with stunning photos of his adorable doggo.
Now if you’re worried about Savannah and how she manages to walk for long periods and climb uneven terrain, let me put your mind to ease. She has ‘Ruffwear Grip Trex’ and ‘Doggles’ – her very own dog-goggles, could she be any cuter?!
He set his heart on making this journey at the young age of just seventeen. Tom saved his every penny for the next nine years so that by age twenty-six, he had enough money to make his dream come true.
He knew that if he lived frugally on his tour, he could walk while still managing to pay off the student loan he had accumulated. However, before he had even left, an organization reached out to him, knowing about his friend passing away. They agreed to fund his walking adventure. On top of that, they donate one dollar for every mile he walks, to a scholarship in her name.
I’m sure that after hearing Tom’s story, the traveler in you is itching to escape on the journey of a lifetime. If you’re over thinking the whole ordeal, remember Jack Kerouac ‘s famous quote “In the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain!”. Oh, and take your dog!
