by Hanna Singh
5,332 miles walked by 8 tired feet and 3 persistent hearts.
Torin, Paige, and their dog Jack are on a mission to walk across America. Traveling state by state, they have now entered North Louisiana, taking 165 going South as they near the halfway point of their journey. With open hearts, the couple has experienced hospitality and challenges across the country over the last few years.
The adventure began as an aspiration of Torin’s. Seeking to escape the corporate world, he wanted to explore the country on foot. While on the road with a friend, he met Paige, a waitress at a restaurant they visited. After a few dates, Torin proposed the idea that she could sell her belongings and hit the road with just a backpack. Though it took a few steps, Paige eventually agreed to join him on the wild journey.
They saved up, started their journey in a van, but after six weeks, they decided that less truly was more. They shifted to walking, setting a goal of 12,000 miles through all 50 states. Some time into their adventure, the couple returned home to Missouri to tie the know. Now married, the Rouse’s travel side by side with their loyal dog.
Through 25 states so far, they’ve faced traffic, poor weather, dangerous cities and tough terrain. But despite the challenges, the couple remains committed. They believe that while the physical journey is demanding, the power of the mind is far more important. Much of their social media content focuses on this idea, offering insights on how changing one’s thought patterns can shift one’s perspective. Torin explained how despite the difficulties, they find reasons to continue their trek.
“The walk is really difficult. It’s not super fun at times, as the highs are very high and the lows are very low,” Torin said. “We didn’t continue the walk for the same reason we started it. We wanted to give something back to the people who helped us along the way. We want to help others learn about the mind and how you can live inside your head a bit better.”
Despite the hardships, the couple has found joy in the people they meet along the way. Many strangers have opened their homes, offered meals, or made donations to support the journey. Paige shared how they Louisiana has shown the love.
“We’ve found kindness all over the country,” Paige said. “Louisiana has been extremely friendly, and we’ve been approached by a lot of people in the last few days showing their support.”
When it comes to Louisiana, Torin and Paige have been pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and culture. Although they’ve become accustomed to the southern landscape and cuisine, Torin notes that Louisiana offers a more diverse food scene than some surrounding states. Paige, once not a fan of seafood, admits it has grown on her during their time in the bayou state.
With 25 states remaining, Torin and Paige continue to spread positivity and share their message of mental strength. As they walk, passersby can read their shirts that bear the words, “Change the inside, change the outside,” encouraging others to prioritize mind over matter. To follow their journey, visit the “Walking America Couple” on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms.
