Hindy's Cross-Country 'Silent Walk' Approaches Halfway Mark

As Greg Hindy approaches the halfway point of his one-year walk across America, his dad, Nashua psychologist Carl Hindy, continues to post a daily chronicle of the journey, via Facebook.

In one recent post he noted his son had become a "road scholar" through his study of self and the world, an apt description in so many ways. On Dec. 22 Greg Hindy he had arrived at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, which is roughly 1,271.7 miles from his Nashua home as the crow flies.

However, for practical purposes Carl Hindy has also been doing the math based on his son's debit card purchases. Based on actual footsteps, he updates another mileage map, and figures his son has walked at least 3,300 miles so far.

Carl Hindy says it shows how his son "actively works at making this trip harder and harder," for instance, by heading due south, toward Louisiana, rather than just going to Houston, which was his original planned stop at this juncture. 

Greg Hindy was a standout Nashua High School North student who went on to graduate from Yale University with a formal degree in cognitive science. It was part way through that journey that he  changed lanes and found his groove, moving from the academic fast track toward the arts. He discovered his passion for photography, immersing himself in elective courses and earning an honorary degree in Art from Yale. 

Following graduation, Greg Hindy needed a way to synthesize his interest in human thought with visual art. On July 9, 2013, on his 22 birthday –  he took a vow of silence and set off on a one-year trek across the country, to see what he could see – and think – by being a quiet observer.

It is performance art, in that Greg has created a framework of rules for himself that also includes a minimalist approach to living. He owns what he can carry, or rather push, in a cart. Primarily, an old-school field camera and enough film to last until a certain designated point along the way where he replenishes his supply, while sending the exposed film in for processing. He also has a change of clothes and some expendable provisions, as purchased along the way.

Mostly, he has relied on the kindness of curious strangers.

He will end his journey on his 23rd birthday in California, at which time he will begin to collate all that he's experienced with all the images he's captured on film, with the goal of publishing his body of work in some way, along with a narrative.

In the meantime, Carl Hindy has been chronicling the journey from a dad's perspective, responding daily to the many kind souls who have welcomed his son, a silent scraggly stranger, into their homes for a meal, a shower or just to learn more about the journey.

Recently Hindy posted an interesting encounter his son had with a man in Georgia, who seemed to be unsettled by Hindy's vow of silence, uncovering another notable truth about America discovered off the beaten path:

Wrote Greg Hindy: "I was very scared Sunday. A man in Georgia was giving me a hard time and had a very strange home (confed. flags, a noose in the tree, squirrels in the house.) He wanted to know where I was going, but was angry I wouldn't talk. He made me a sandwich, I think to try to get me talk, but then was angrier after. I don't think he could read..."

Perhaps exposing an angle Greg Hindy hadn't anticipated, trying to explain his journey in writing to someone without the ability to read.

You can find more information and scroll back through the fascinating interactions via this group on Facebook, "Greg Hindy: One Year Performance: Walking, Silence," where Carl Hindy is encouraging others to join, share, and follow along.

It will be one way for his son to see his journey from another point of view, once he's completed the trek, since during the one-year walk he is refraining not only from speaking but also from reading anything, remaining completely unplugged and off the grid.

On Dec. 22 Carl Hindy posted this, a dual purpose post – to bring more awareness to his son's project, and to point out that his son is not alone his solitary quest – there are others who have their own reasons for walking across America:

"Shall we try to increase our following of Greg? If we each use the "Invite by email" and "+Add People to Group" functions at the top right of this page, maybe we could swell the ranks of followers. I have added all of my personal Facebook Friends by using this function, and have invited people from my contact list by using their email addresses.

Maybe this will lead to some new sharing? More kindred spirits joining in? Maybe some new opportunities for Greg in the future? Let's give it a try. 

Greg's not alone: Here are a few links to others currently "Walking":

http://joeswalkforchange.org/
http://www.natedamm.com/
http://www.walk2connect.com/
https://www.facebook.com/10MillionSteps
http://www.traveltheunitedstates.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/walkingforacure2013
http://needle2square.blogspot.com/

Read more about Greg Hindy's Silent Walk on Nashua Patch:
June 20, 2013 One Year Vow of Silence for Nashua Grad
July 12, 2013 Mum's the Word as Yale Grad Hits the Road
July 22, 2013 Greg Hindy Meets Kindred Spirits, Snappy and Puff Puff