Peter Jenkins (travel author)
Encyclopedia
Peter Jenkins describes his experiences over nearly six years that he spent walking from New York
to Oregon
.
Peter was born on July 8 of 1951
He is a graduate of Alfred University
, with a BFA
in Sculpture
/Ceramics
(1973), as well as an honorary
doctorate
(2003).
Jenkins began his walk across America in Alfred, New York
, in October 1973. He was accompanied by his dog, Cooper, a half Alaskan malamute
which died in a car accident at The Farm (Tennessee)
. He finished the journey in Florence, Oregon
, in January 1979. His bestselling book of the 1970s describing the experience, A Walk Across America
, was one of the first books to popularize adventure travel or travel as a way of life, although Richard Halliburton
had greater success in the 1920s and 1930s. Jenkins inspired many others to put on their packs and see where the days take them.
National Geographic magazine became interested in his walk after Jenkins and the dog stopped in at the magazine's offices while walking through Washington, D.C.
Jenkins' walk experience was featured twice in the magazine: "Walk Across America" in April 1977, and "Walk Across America: Part II" in August 1979. Jenkins currently resides in Spring Hill, Tennessee
. Jenkins' facebook page indicated as of mid 2011 that he was working on a new as of yet untitled book about his travels across America in antique station wagon.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.
Peter was born on July 8 of 1951
He is a graduate of Alfred University
Alfred University
Alfred University is a small, comprehensive university in the Village of Alfred in Western New York, USA, an hour and a half south of Rochester and two hours southeast of Buffalo. Alfred has an undergraduate population of around 2,000, and approximately 300 graduate students...
, with a BFA
Bachelor of Fine Arts
In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. In some countries such a degree is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA...
in Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
/Ceramics
Ceramics (art)
In art history, ceramics and ceramic art mean art objects such as figures, tiles, and tableware made from clay and other raw materials by the process of pottery. Some ceramic products are regarded as fine art, while others are regarded as decorative, industrial or applied art objects, or as...
(1973), as well as an honorary
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
(2003).
Jenkins began his walk across America in Alfred, New York
Alfred (village), New York
Alfred is a village located in the Town of Alfred in Allegany County, New York, USA. The population was 3,954 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Alfred the Great....
, in October 1973. He was accompanied by his dog, Cooper, a half Alaskan malamute
Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a generally large breed of domestic dog originally bred for use as a utilitarian dog and later an Alaskan sled dog. They are sometimes mistaken for a Siberian Husky, but in fact are quite different in many ways...
which died in a car accident at The Farm (Tennessee)
The Farm (Tennessee)
The Farm is an intentional community in Lewis County, Tennessee, near the town of Summertown, Tennessee, based on principles of nonviolence and respect for the Earth. It was founded in 1971 by Stephen Gaskin and 320 San Francisco hippies; The Farm is well known amongst hippies and other members of...
. He finished the journey in Florence, Oregon
Florence, Oregon
Florence is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 8,466.-History:The Florence area was originally inhabited by the Siuslaw tribe of Native Americans. Some state that the city was named for state senator A. B...
, in January 1979. His bestselling book of the 1970s describing the experience, A Walk Across America
A Walk Across America
A Walk Across America is the first book written by travel author Peter Jenkins.Written in 1979, it depicts his journey from Alfred, New York to New Orleans, Louisiana...
, was one of the first books to popularize adventure travel or travel as a way of life, although Richard Halliburton
Richard Halliburton
Richard Halliburton was an American traveler, adventurer, and author. Best known today for having swum the length of the Panama Canal and paying the lowest toll in its history—thirty-six cents—Halliburton was headline news for most of his brief career...
had greater success in the 1920s and 1930s. Jenkins inspired many others to put on their packs and see where the days take them.
National Geographic magazine became interested in his walk after Jenkins and the dog stopped in at the magazine's offices while walking through Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Jenkins' walk experience was featured twice in the magazine: "Walk Across America" in April 1977, and "Walk Across America: Part II" in August 1979. Jenkins currently resides in Spring Hill, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. Jenkins' facebook page indicated as of mid 2011 that he was working on a new as of yet untitled book about his travels across America in antique station wagon.
Works
- A Walk Across AmericaA Walk Across AmericaA Walk Across America is the first book written by travel author Peter Jenkins.Written in 1979, it depicts his journey from Alfred, New York to New Orleans, Louisiana...
(1979) - The Walk West (1981)
- Journey into China (1982)
- The Tennessee Sampler (1985)
- Across China (1986)
- The Road Unseen (1987)
- Close Friends (1989)
- Along the Edge of America (1995)
- The Untamed Coast (1995)
- Looking for Alaska (2000)
External links
- Official website (2011/11/05 - Web Landing Page)