April 22, 2025 • 26 mins
What would compel a man to walk across America with nothing but a flip phone and a backpack? Joe Domina's extraordinary 3,375-mile pilgrimage from the Statue of Liberty to the Pacific Ocean reveals how spiritual hunger can drive us beyond our comfort zones into profound encounters with God's providence.
This powerful episode of Unwritten takes us deep into the Appalachian wilderness where Joe's commitment was severely tested. In this moment of complete vulnerability, Joe confronts his deepest fears about self-preservation and control.
Joe's pilgrimage wasn't merely a physical challenge but a spiritual quest to confront five modern idols plaguing both his life and American society: money, distraction, sex, status, and self-preservation.
The most powerful moments come not in triumphant victories but in Joe's complete surrender, where illness and exhaustion strip away his illusions of self-sufficiency. Through these trials, Joe discovers nine profound spiritual truths that now guide his life.
When Joe finally reaches the Pacific Ocean after 346 days, his experience transcends words—a moment of pure presence, joy, and gratitude that he describes as "what heaven's gonna be like." Listen now and discover how breaking free from modern idols might be the journey your soul is longing for.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 2 (00:05):
Welcome to Unwritten, a podcast dedicated to sharing
the stories of the movement ofthe Holy Spirit in the world.
Today I'm your host, trevorBureka, and on today's episode
we're getting to hear from JoeDomina.
Every once in a while, I gothrough a period of restlessness
and I feel this desire or urgeto go to do something out of the
ordinary, something that breaksaway from the noise and chaos
(00:29):
of the world and allows me to bein silence with God.
What I find extraordinary aboutour story today is that Joe
wasn't just moved by that veryfamiliar feeling of restlessness
or dissatisfaction but, moreprofoundly, a deep desire to
grow in holiness and cast offthe idols that so many of us
struggle with.
His journey walking acrossAmerica on pilgrimage brought
him closer to God, but notwithout a few moments where his
(00:50):
entire livelihood was inquestion.
Welcome to the show and listenin.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
The Father has provided in some really
unforeseen and beautiful wayslately.
And I'm feeling great.
I'm 40 days in the Appalachianwilderness and I literally just
had a mountaintop experience inprayer with the Liturgy of the
Hours.
Little did I know that thismountaintop experience of joy
would be followed by one of thehardest times on my walk.
(01:22):
Yet I started on theAppalachian Trail on September
21st from Front Royal, virginia.
This was the start of mywilderness expedition, but not,
in fact, the start of my walk.
I started my pilgrimage acrossAmerica almost exactly two
months prior to where our storypicks up today.
Yes, I have been walking with abackpack at this point for two
(01:43):
months.
My pilgrimage started atLiberty State Park in Jersey
City, new Jersey.
My friends dropped me off asclose as you can get to Lady
Liberty while staying dry onAugust 29th, the Feast of St
John the Baptist.
Be assured that the 600 plusmiles of my journey were
(02:06):
teaching me and strengthening mefor the days we will now
explore, probably my biggesttest yet.
I awoke, I had a leisurelymorning, made breakfast, prayed
and read by a stream.
Two guys in their 40s fromNorth Carolina passed the stream
on a rock bridge.
Their names were Tad and Brian.
I had met them yesterday so Isaid hi before hiking down the
trail.
I had already told them aboutmy desire and goal to walk from
(02:27):
coast to coast on a pilgrimageof prayer.
We learned in our briefinteraction that morning that we
were all planning on setting upcamp the same night by the same
spring.
Camping by water is quite theideal.
I was happy at the prospect ofgetting to know them more that
night.
I hit the trail around 10 am.
I saw them again around 11.
They had stopped to fill upwater and rest.
(02:47):
I passed by them after a quickhello and then, about 30 minutes
after I saw them, it allstarted.
I had some diarrhea in themorning but with life on the
road and irregular eating,irregular bowel movements had
become well, almost regular.
Slight joint pain is what Inoticed first, and that was
preceded by some weird sweatingand then later, more than usual
(03:10):
fatigue.
Coming up on a bridge, my fullpledge of symptoms were present.
I was choked by a piercing painin my neck.
I was very concerned andconfused as to what this was.
A bump or welt was now formingwhere the pain was and there was
a biker next to his motorcycleenjoying the view of the stream
under the bridge.
I asked him to take a look andtell me what he saw.
(03:30):
Everything was pointing to abite, probably a yellow jacket,
leaving the bridge fatigued,dehydrated and stung.
I was happy to see on my trailguidebook that shortly after
this there was a potable streamthat I could fill up my water
containers.
I had drank more water thannormal due to the perspiration.
I had made it to the watersource but, much to my dismay,
(03:52):
there were a number of cowswalking through this small
stream.
Dehydrated as I was, I wasstill unwilling to risk the cow
water with an already queasystomach.
Within the hour of that cowcreek, I got to a portion of the
trail that had recently beenchanged.
I searched all around for themarkers and didn't see any.
There was a weird yellow blazethat I followed for a mile or so
(04:15):
, which led me to see a farmeroff in the distance.
I wasn't sure if I was goingthe right way, so I went to ask
him.
The Appalachian Trail, or AT,is marked by white blazes
traditionally.
I hadn't seen yellow blazes inall of my 37 days on the trail.
The farmer had no clue On oneof the two maps the AT lined up
(04:35):
with these weird yellow blazes.
But I just didn't feel rightabout it.
So I went back to the spot whereI knew that the actual AT was,
the spot where I knew that theactual AT was.
And there I was lost, stung inthe neck, dehydrated, cold and
now, without a doubt, definitelysick.
I took my phone out, not surewho I was going to call, but
(04:57):
just knowing that I didn't wantto be there, I was going to call
somebody to get me out of there.
I was done, ready to call itquits with the whole walk.
It had been a good two monthsand I had made it a substantial
way, but it was time to call itquits with the whole walk.
It had been a good two monthsand I had made it a substantial
way, but it was time to pack itin and go home.
But the funniest thing happenedwhen I pulled out my phone.
I didn't have any cell service,no way to call anyone, and I
was stuck in my adventurewithout a good way out.
(05:18):
After wandering around thatspot for more than an hour
probably two miles of wastedsteps and energy that I didn't
have in me I saw Brian and Tadcoming up from the trail behind
me.
What a comfort and relief Now Ihad someone else there to
bounce ideas off of, to helpfind the trail, or not
unsubstantially, just someone toshare my misery.
(05:39):
After 30 minutes of lookingtogether, we just couldn't find
the white blazes.
We all decided to take theyellow blazes together.
The yellow blazes led us up asteep climb, about a thousand
feet elevation gain in one milethe whole ascent.
I prayed that this would leadus back to the trail For
reference.
That is like setting atreadmill to 19% grade.
I didn't feel up to moving atall, let alone needlessly hiking
(06:01):
up a mountain just to hikeright back down it.
I did notice somethingincredible that trek up the
mountain, though when I stoppedhiking I felt worse.
Periodically with the steepgrade we would take breaks to
catch our breath, 45-pound packson our back, and when we did
that I noticed the inordinatefatigue.
Joint pain, chills and stomachache come in at full force.
(06:23):
And then when I commencedhiking again, the symptoms
subsided.
I have to pause the story hereto give a little bit more
backstory.
My prayer pilgrimage had threemain objectives.
One, to pray for America as Iwalked across it, particularly
freedom from five idols.
Two, to understand my own needfor repentance and to do
reparation for my sins.
(06:44):
Two, to understand my own needfor repentance and to do
reparation for my sins.
And three, to have a lived,embodied and unforgettable
experience of the Father'sprovidential care and character.
To embody these threeobjectives, I started off from
the Statue of Liberty, anational symbol of freedom, with
two limits to my own agency.
One, I did not have asmartphone, only a flip phone,
(07:09):
so that I need not be needlesslypaying attention to base or
passing things, so that I couldcut into my self-preservation
instinct and sustain my waywithout the help of internet or
GPS.
And two, I started with nodebit card, no credit card or
cash and vowed to never askanyone for money throughout the
whole walk, so as to not rely onwhat we have propped up to fill
(07:29):
our needs in our society.
These were chosen withintention and the Lord's
guidance.
He had led me particularly topray against five idols of money
, attention or distraction, sex,status or fear of man, and
self-preservation or power andcontrol.
These are all things that I ameither currently struggling with
(07:51):
or have struggled with in thepast, and things that our
wonderful nation needs divineaid in untangling from Earlier
that week, before I got sick, Icalled the Mary Inn Hiker Hostel
, located in Marion, virginia,an establishment for hikers to
get a night's sleep in a bed andto take advantage of the city's
amenities like plumbing,showers and grocery stores.
(08:12):
For all of these and one morereason, namely Sunday Mass, I
had a desire to stop.
I called and learned that a bedfor the night was $40.
This was not an option becauseI only had $27 in my pocket at
the time.
I inquired about a work firstday and they obliged.
I was to stack wood for Bunnyfor a two-night stay From that
spot where I got lost on Fridayto the gas station right off the
(08:36):
trail where Bunny and I hadoriginally agreed that she would
pick me up on Saturday at noon.
It was 10 miles Deep.
Survival instincts that kept ourspecies alive in conditions
such as this that most modernpeople have not felt in a
lifetime, helped me feel goodwhen I was hiking.
Possibly my fight or flightresponse kicked in and just shut
(08:56):
down my digestion andeverything that wasn't
associated with hiking when Iwas on the move.
There was such an advantage tothis it not only allowed me to
keep going but made hiking up amountain, which ultimately was
the best thing for me to do tosurvive, more enjoyable than
just sitting down.
I marveled at the design of thehuman body and appreciated its
(09:16):
frailty and resiliency, all atthe same time.
I didn't know if I was going tohave cell reception until that
pickup point, so I really onlyhad two options Quitting via
phone call I just learned wasout.
So the two were.
I could get up there when Isaid I was going to be there or
die.
Now that's a little dramatic.
(09:37):
There were a couple othersolutions that went through my
head, but as far as my bodyconcerned, we had to get to that
pickup point.
We summited the peak.
I had to ask the guys for water.
I wasn't sure what illness Ihad, but I did tell them that I
wasn't feeling good and I keptmy distance.
I was so thirsty I had to ask,even though I felt terrible for
asking them to give up some oftheir precious water, that they
(09:59):
had just hauled up 1,000 feet ofswitchbacks.
I was desperate.
Tad didn't have any, but Brianhad some water with flavored
electrolytes in his camelback.
He didn't have much, but hesqueezed out the last, or close
to the last, 10 ounces that hehad into my cup and it tasted
like heaven.
Shortly after the ascent wefound the white blazes of the
(10:20):
Appalachian Trail.
Praise be to God.
Found the white blazes of theAppalachian Trail.
Praise be to God.
I knew that.
From there we only had twomiles until the campsite and
water.
We got there and I set up camp,filtered some water and for the
first time in my walk I wasn'travenously hungry when I sat
down for a meal.
I hadn't eaten any lunch really, and it was dinner time, so I
(10:41):
should have been starving, but Ijust wasn't in the mood to eat
and I knew that something wasvery wrong.
To try to get some calories,feel better and warm up a bit, I
drank three or four packets ofhot chocolate in warm water and
two aspirins and Tylenol.
None of us had service cellservice at the campsite.
I went to bed asking God toprotect me and thanking him so
much for the gift of having Tadand Brian there to help me.
(11:09):
That night.
We talked a little bit and Igave them both trail names.
Brian was electric springbecause he was to me a spring of
electrolyte water, and Tad wassweaty camel because when I
asked if either of them hadwater.
He said that he didn't, eventhough he packs a lot of water
like a camel and then he usesall of it because he's such a
sweater.
We had a conversation aboutfaith, money, my journey and
theirs.
I wasn't the bestconversationalist due to the
(11:31):
illness, but it was fruitful andgood.
They are committed christianmen as well.
In the morning I got up feelinga little better after hydrating
and resting, although I wasmoving slow and everything hurt.
But with the hope of gettingpicked up I moved forward.
Just before I left camp, sweatycamel and electric spring asked
if they could pray for me and Isaid absolutely, I knew and I
(11:53):
felt like I really needed it.
At the end of the prayer theyshook my hand and left me 60.
I thanked them and told themthat this could be a week's
worth of food for me.
I also told them how grateful Iwas for all of their support
throughout the last time.
They were having problems withtheir water filter in the
morning but got it fixed, so Ileft camp before them as I faced
the last seven miles to the gasstation where I would be picked
(12:15):
up at noon.
It was another blessing to knowthat they would be behind me if
anything happened, if I fell onthe way or whatever.
I had three hours to get therehappened.
If I fell on the way orwhatever.
I had three hours to get there.
I felt the fight or flight thingkick in a little bit that
morning.
But more than anything I feltfatigue.
I hadn't eaten a substantialmeal in over 22 hours.
I didn't have anything in thetank to burn After that first
(12:37):
hour.
When I got to the ridge around10 am I felt like I had sweat
everything out again.
I knew from my days on the trailthus far that cell reception is
more likely on a peak or aridge, so I took out my phone
and tried to call Bunny and Igot her.
I started the conversationhonestly, although I did waver
beforehand whether to tell her Iwas sick at all.
If she didn't want me workingor staying there, and I was sick
(12:58):
, I didn't know what I was goingto do.
She picked up and I said hey,bunny, this is American Spirit,
so something has changed sincethe last time we talked.
I'm pretty sick.
I understand if you don't wantme staying at the hostel or if
you don't have enough work forme to do, but I was hoping that
I might stay for a few more daysto rest and recover and then
back when I'm feeling healthy.
(13:19):
I will work for as many days asyou need me to to pay you back.
Would you be okay with mestaying at the hostel sick and
do you have more than one day ofwork for me to do?
Her response oh, my gosh.
What can I get for you?
Are you okay?
Do you need medicine, ginger,ale or food?
How can I help you?
This was the sweet sound of agenerous and caring woman.
(13:39):
That was enough for me for now.
She asked if I'd still make itat noon and I said yes.
I only stopped one other timeafter that, before the gas
station, because I was afraid ofwhat happened when I stopped
yesterday, feeling worse as Iheard the first sounds of
Interstate 81, it was not metwith the normal indignation felt
that had accompanied theinteraction with major roadways
(14:00):
on the trip thus far, but it wasa sound of hope and joy, like
the sound of happily wateredoasis birds singing beautiful
songs in the middle of a drydesert.
Then I saw the gas station, tootired to really be elated, just
feeling relief that I had madeit.
I had come off the trail ontoCounty Road 683 in Atkins,
(14:22):
virginia, less than a quartermile away from the gas station,
and I felt my body lettingitself shut down.
It knew, and I knew that we hadmade it, and the safety of
being that close allowed me tofeel the full weight of my utter
exhaustion.
I went into the store and got abag of Cheez-Its bad idea, they
didn't stay long and aBar-Di-Armor drink.
(14:44):
Then I sat in the sun andcalled my sister and asked her
to pray for me.
Bunny pulled up in an old schoolpickup truck with bumper
stickers covering every squareinch of the truck's body.
She was a self-proclaimedhippie for Jesus and an
Appalachian Trail legend, thefirst woman to through-hike the
AT three consecutive years in arow, in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
(15:07):
Since then, there had only beenone other woman who had tied
her record.
Although for Bunny, the trailwasn't something to be conquered
or something for her to leaveher mark on, she did the
three-peat to continue to letthe trail leave its mark on her.
She called her through-hikespilgrimages, not hikes.
I liked that she was a mark onher.
She called her through hikespilgrimages, not hikes.
I liked that.
She was a very sweet lady.
(15:28):
She brought me ginger ale teaand two meals for when I felt
like eating again.
I told her I wasn't up to workthat day but was hoping to be up
for it tomorrow.
She said not to worry about itand to let me know how I was
feeling and dropped me off atthe hostel.
I got all my clothes out topre-wash in the shower and felt
a sudden urge towards the toilet.
I rushed there but didn't makeit.
(15:48):
I almost made it to thebathroom door before whatever
needed to vacate made its exit.
I scooted in shame the lastfive feet to the toilet, cleaned
up and then got in the shower.
I prayed and journaled afterthe shower and tried to pound as
many fluids as I could.
I really felt like I needed togo to Mass and that God would
bless my effort to go, which inhindsight was probably wrong.
(16:08):
I should have rested, butaround 4pm I walked the 1.3
miles to the Catholic Churchjust to find out that their
website was incorrect.
They hadn't updated it sincethey stopped offering the visual
Mass at 4.30.
I was so deflated.
I expended all this energy inhopes to go to mass and receive
healing from Jesus in theEucharist to no avail.
There was a man in the officenamed Bill who kindly drove me
(16:32):
back to the hostel.
After I knocked on the door andasked him to, he dropped me off
at the hostel and I called mydad and my stepmom.
She is a nurse and she helpedme hypothesize why I was sick.
After that conversation I hadmore confidence that it was
Giardia.
I sat on the couch in the hosteland watched Backdraft for the
first time and drank my water,tea and ginger ale.
(16:52):
When I was in fire schoolearlier that year, all of the
instructors told us that it wasan iconic and a little cheesy
timepiece of firefightingculture.
They told us if you haven'tseen it, you need to.
The hostel had Netflix and itwas on.
So I was happy with thedistraction.
It was really good.
As I got up to pee for like theseventh time, I was struck with
(17:12):
the good of civilization how,when being sick, having a warm
place to be comfortable, is avery, very good thing.
I was also proud, and notashamed at all, at the
possibility of holding the roleof firefighter in that society
as an archetypal role ofwatchman and protector that
societies need, the relativelyfew men who embody a kind of
(17:32):
reckless, self-sacrificial,undomesticated spirit to keep
the whole of the community andbuilt world a little safer.
I found it a fitting role formyself and one that I'd be
honored to occupy.
I woke up that Sunday still notfeeling good.
After I prayed, I called Bunnyand asked if she could take me
to the 1130 Mass and then Icould go to work at her place
afterwards.
(17:53):
She said sure, and that shewould go with me, which was
really cool.
The bilingual congregationpacked into the small, beautiful
church for its one and onlySunday Mass.
The priest gave a wonderfulhomily on telling the truth and
love, and I received healing andcomfort from Jesus in the
Eucharist.
The work at Bunny's house waseasy compared to the last couple
(18:14):
days.
Just the knowledge of havingclean water and a bathroom close
made it so that I could feellike I could do almost anything.
I stacked wood on her porch andin her living room and for her
family for about three hours.
Originally we had said thatfour hours worth of work would
be good for one night's stay, soI was confused when she said it
was time to go.
She was so grateful for what Idid.
Her daughter and twogranddaughters live with her and
(18:35):
the work is not easy for any ofthem.
They live in a charming old,lived-in southern-style white
house with a double-decker frontporch.
It was right off the trail whenshe bought the home in 08, but
the trail moved 100 feet away.
Bunny had dreams of opening ahostel, but a cancer diagnosis
curtailed the dream.
She has a big heart, loves herfamily, the trail hikers and
(18:57):
being a shuttle driver for theMary Ann.
She was such an inspiration tome of being grateful and
suffering and being generouswith what she had.
After we left there I asked if Icould come back tomorrow to
finish the work.
I wanted to work the number ofhours we agreed on, especially
because I felt like I could havedone more work if I was healthy
.
She seemed pleased with what Ihad got done.
She asked if I needed to go toWalmart where I got some food
(19:19):
and medicine for about 80 bucks,so I had just about $20 in my
pocket.
After it was all said and doneBack at the hostel I went to bed
early, exhausted from the workand still fighting the sickness.
I got up late, called Bunny toask when would be good for her
to come pick me up to finish mywork.
She said noon, and I wasgrateful for that.
I figured that I would hit thetrail after working, even though
(19:42):
I really didn't feel up to it.
For that, I figured that Iwould hit the trail after
working, even though I reallydidn't feel up to it, I didn't
really have any other options.
I got all packed up before noonand when we were in the truck
on the way to her house sheasked me if I wanted to stay
another night and that I didn'tneed to do more work for it,
that she would cover the cost.
I thanked her a lot and humblyaccepted, knowing that the rest
would do me a world of good.
(20:02):
I didn't eat much that Sunday atall Chicken broth and crackers,
I think, were it?
Nothing sounded good and stillno solid bowel movements,
although I was feeling betterthan yesterday.
It only took me two hours tostack the second half of wood
instead of the three it took me.
The previous day Back at thehostel, I turned on Hacksaw
Ridge and ate my soup.
I was grateful to watch it inthe Blue Ridge Mountains because
(20:25):
that is where Desmond Doss grewup.
This detail escaped me thefirst time I had seen the film.
Checked the weather forecast forthe week and went to bed around
9 pm.
(20:45):
It was supposed to be in the20s at night until Thursday in
Marion and probably lower a fewdegrees up on the mountains.
The combo of not feeling goodand the promise of cold weather
worried me, but the Lord gave mecourage that he will provide,
even if I make the wrong choice,and that nothing can separate
me from the love of Christ Notweakness, nor sickness, nor
(21:07):
poverty, nor cold.
The morning of Halloween Iawoke at the hostel, packed up
my stuff, prayed and journaled,feeling better each day, but
still not 100%.
Bunny picked me up and took meto the trail.
I lumbered up my firstswitchback in that cold morning
fog, knowing that it would stillbe a couple days before I was
really back to eating fully andfull strength.
(21:29):
But so grateful for the newappreciation for the gift of
civilization, as well as one ofthe many, many lived, embodied
and unforgettable experiences ofthe Father's providential
character and his care for me.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Man.
Joe, I'm so grateful for yousharing your story with us.
I'm blown away by thegenerosity that you encountered
in the midst of your journey.
I think it's so cool that thetrial that you shared with us
today in this part of yourjourney helped you receive your
desire, which was a powerfulexperience of God's providential
care for you.
I got to follow up with Joeafter this and ask him what was
(22:11):
going through his heart and mindwhen he finished his journey
and how he's carried thosethings with him into his life
now.
Here's his response.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
So sometime in New Mexico or Arizona, I started to
get kind of sentimental.
So sometime in New Mexico orArizona, I started to get kind
of sentimental.
I figured I had been aboutthree-fourths of the way through
the country and now I only hada fourth to go.
I could kind of see how longthat would take and had
experience to know that for thefirst time I'm thinking I might
actually walk across America.
So I started to reflect on whatGod had taught me so far.
(22:41):
It's rang true throughout therest of the walk and even now
it's my lock screen on my phone.
There's nine things, real short, Won't go into them because
it'd take way too much time.
But here they are.
Number one God alone satisfies.
Number two slow down.
(23:01):
Number three don't out-plan God.
Number four ask God first.
Number five fear and anxietyhave no place in a Christian's
life.
Number six I'm never gonnaquote-unquote make it.
The goal of life is dailydependence on God.
(23:23):
Number seven God has a definiteplan for my life and for each
of our lives.
Number eight gratitude.
And finally, number nine prayboldly and believe so.
As the walk was finishing upthat day, we woke up in
hollywood, out in front of firstbaptist church.
(23:46):
We had camped on the sidewalkand god gave us a sign that was
unforgettable, wasn't aspiritual sign, a miraculous
sign, it was literally agraffiti sign.
It was about eight feet 80 feetlong and just had one word on
it gratitude, gratitude.
So a little posse of us, fourof us my mom flew in, my friend
(24:07):
drove my car from Indiana and inTexas, believe it or not, I met
a guy who started on the EastCoast in Charleston, South
Carolina, who was walking acrossAmerica.
So in Texas we met up and wehad been walking together ever
since.
God provided me brotherhood inthe midst of the walk.
(24:29):
So all four of us are walkingalong.
We see the gratitude sign inSanta Monica.
We got about three miles leftuntil the final 3,375.
Day 346 of my walk.
And as we're walking I canstart to smell the sea breeze,
(24:53):
and then we see it and I getthis huge smile on my face and
see the ocean.
I can hear it.
We stop at a ledge and justlook and then we go down to the
boardwalk and get our feet inthe sand and me and my friend,
who had been walking togetherfor 1700 miles, run into the
(25:16):
ocean together as brothers.
It was a cloudy day, a littlechilly.
It was a cloudy day, a littlechilly, but nothing was stopping
us from getting in that water.
We rode, waves and laughed andbasked in God's goodness.
For I don't know, it felt likeforever, but it was probably
only 20 minutes.
I got out, toweled off, and mymom was sitting there on the
(25:38):
beach waiting for me and sheasked me how you doing, what are
you thinking about?
What is this like?
And I had no thoughts.
Nothing was up in my head, nothoughts at all.
I was just happy to be there,Happy at a race, well run, and
(26:02):
so grateful for God and so manyother people that have helped me
over the last over 11 months.
So, yeah, that's what I toldher and it dawned on me right in
that moment that joyful, notworried about the past, not
worried about the present,basking in God's presence,
gratitude in a race, well-born,I think this is what heaven's
gonna be like.
Welcome to Unwritten, a podcast dedicated to sharing
the stories of the movement ofthe Holy Spirit in the world.
Today I'm your host, trevorBureka, and on today's episode
we're getting to hear from JoeDomina.
Every once in a while, I gothrough a period of restlessness
and I feel this desire or urgeto go to do something out of the
ordinary, something that breaksaway from the noise and chaos
(00:29):
of the world and allows me to bein silence with God.
What I find extraordinary aboutour story today is that Joe
wasn't just moved by that veryfamiliar feeling of restlessness
or dissatisfaction but, moreprofoundly, a deep desire to
grow in holiness and cast offthe idols that so many of us
struggle with.
His journey walking acrossAmerica on pilgrimage brought
him closer to God, but notwithout a few moments where his
(00:50):
entire livelihood was inquestion.
Welcome to the show and listenin.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
The Father has provided in some really
unforeseen and beautiful wayslately.
And I'm feeling great.
I'm 40 days in the Appalachianwilderness and I literally just
had a mountaintop experience inprayer with the Liturgy of the
Hours.
Little did I know that thismountaintop experience of joy
would be followed by one of thehardest times on my walk.
(01:22):
Yet I started on theAppalachian Trail on September
21st from Front Royal, virginia.
This was the start of mywilderness expedition, but not,
in fact, the start of my walk.
I started my pilgrimage acrossAmerica almost exactly two
months prior to where our storypicks up today.
Yes, I have been walking with abackpack at this point for two
(01:43):
months.
My pilgrimage started atLiberty State Park in Jersey
City, new Jersey.
My friends dropped me off asclose as you can get to Lady
Liberty while staying dry onAugust 29th, the Feast of St
John the Baptist.
Be assured that the 600 plusmiles of my journey were
(02:06):
teaching me and strengthening mefor the days we will now
explore, probably my biggesttest yet.
I awoke, I had a leisurelymorning, made breakfast, prayed
and read by a stream.
Two guys in their 40s fromNorth Carolina passed the stream
on a rock bridge.
Their names were Tad and Brian.
I had met them yesterday so Isaid hi before hiking down the
trail.
I had already told them aboutmy desire and goal to walk from
(02:27):
coast to coast on a pilgrimageof prayer.
We learned in our briefinteraction that morning that we
were all planning on setting upcamp the same night by the same
spring.
Camping by water is quite theideal.
I was happy at the prospect ofgetting to know them more that
night.
I hit the trail around 10 am.
I saw them again around 11.
They had stopped to fill upwater and rest.
(02:47):
I passed by them after a quickhello and then, about 30 minutes
after I saw them, it allstarted.
I had some diarrhea in themorning but with life on the
road and irregular eating,irregular bowel movements had
become well, almost regular.
Slight joint pain is what Inoticed first, and that was
preceded by some weird sweatingand then later, more than usual
(03:10):
fatigue.
Coming up on a bridge, my fullpledge of symptoms were present.
I was choked by a piercing painin my neck.
I was very concerned andconfused as to what this was.
A bump or welt was now formingwhere the pain was and there was
a biker next to his motorcycleenjoying the view of the stream
under the bridge.
I asked him to take a look andtell me what he saw.
(03:30):
Everything was pointing to abite, probably a yellow jacket,
leaving the bridge fatigued,dehydrated and stung.
I was happy to see on my trailguidebook that shortly after
this there was a potable streamthat I could fill up my water
containers.
I had drank more water thannormal due to the perspiration.
I had made it to the watersource but, much to my dismay,
(03:52):
there were a number of cowswalking through this small
stream.
Dehydrated as I was, I wasstill unwilling to risk the cow
water with an already queasystomach.
Within the hour of that cowcreek, I got to a portion of the
trail that had recently beenchanged.
I searched all around for themarkers and didn't see any.
There was a weird yellow blazethat I followed for a mile or so
(04:15):
, which led me to see a farmeroff in the distance.
I wasn't sure if I was goingthe right way, so I went to ask
him.
The Appalachian Trail, or AT,is marked by white blazes
traditionally.
I hadn't seen yellow blazes inall of my 37 days on the trail.
The farmer had no clue On oneof the two maps the AT lined up
(04:35):
with these weird yellow blazes.
But I just didn't feel rightabout it.
So I went back to the spot whereI knew that the actual AT was,
the spot where I knew that theactual AT was.
And there I was lost, stung inthe neck, dehydrated, cold and
now, without a doubt, definitelysick.
I took my phone out, not surewho I was going to call, but
(04:57):
just knowing that I didn't wantto be there, I was going to call
somebody to get me out of there.
I was done, ready to call itquits with the whole walk.
It had been a good two monthsand I had made it a substantial
way, but it was time to call itquits with the whole walk.
It had been a good two monthsand I had made it a substantial
way, but it was time to pack itin and go home.
But the funniest thing happenedwhen I pulled out my phone.
I didn't have any cell service,no way to call anyone, and I
was stuck in my adventurewithout a good way out.
(05:18):
After wandering around thatspot for more than an hour
probably two miles of wastedsteps and energy that I didn't
have in me I saw Brian and Tadcoming up from the trail behind
me.
What a comfort and relief Now Ihad someone else there to
bounce ideas off of, to helpfind the trail, or not
unsubstantially, just someone toshare my misery.
(05:39):
After 30 minutes of lookingtogether, we just couldn't find
the white blazes.
We all decided to take theyellow blazes together.
The yellow blazes led us up asteep climb, about a thousand
feet elevation gain in one milethe whole ascent.
I prayed that this would leadus back to the trail For
reference.
That is like setting atreadmill to 19% grade.
I didn't feel up to moving atall, let alone needlessly hiking
(06:01):
up a mountain just to hikeright back down it.
I did notice somethingincredible that trek up the
mountain, though when I stoppedhiking I felt worse.
Periodically with the steepgrade we would take breaks to
catch our breath, 45-pound packson our back, and when we did
that I noticed the inordinatefatigue.
Joint pain, chills and stomachache come in at full force.
(06:23):
And then when I commencedhiking again, the symptoms
subsided.
I have to pause the story hereto give a little bit more
backstory.
My prayer pilgrimage had threemain objectives.
One, to pray for America as Iwalked across it, particularly
freedom from five idols.
Two, to understand my own needfor repentance and to do
reparation for my sins.
(06:44):
Two, to understand my own needfor repentance and to do
reparation for my sins.
And three, to have a lived,embodied and unforgettable
experience of the Father'sprovidential care and character.
To embody these threeobjectives, I started off from
the Statue of Liberty, anational symbol of freedom, with
two limits to my own agency.
One, I did not have asmartphone, only a flip phone,
(07:09):
so that I need not be needlesslypaying attention to base or
passing things, so that I couldcut into my self-preservation
instinct and sustain my waywithout the help of internet or
GPS.
And two, I started with nodebit card, no credit card or
cash and vowed to never askanyone for money throughout the
whole walk, so as to not rely onwhat we have propped up to fill
(07:29):
our needs in our society.
These were chosen withintention and the Lord's
guidance.
He had led me particularly topray against five idols of money
, attention or distraction, sex,status or fear of man, and
self-preservation or power andcontrol.
These are all things that I ameither currently struggling with
(07:51):
or have struggled with in thepast, and things that our
wonderful nation needs divineaid in untangling from Earlier
that week, before I got sick, Icalled the Mary Inn Hiker Hostel
, located in Marion, virginia,an establishment for hikers to
get a night's sleep in a bed andto take advantage of the city's
amenities like plumbing,showers and grocery stores.
(08:12):
For all of these and one morereason, namely Sunday Mass, I
had a desire to stop.
I called and learned that a bedfor the night was $40.
This was not an option becauseI only had $27 in my pocket at
the time.
I inquired about a work firstday and they obliged.
I was to stack wood for Bunnyfor a two-night stay From that
spot where I got lost on Fridayto the gas station right off the
(08:36):
trail where Bunny and I hadoriginally agreed that she would
pick me up on Saturday at noon.
It was 10 miles Deep.
Survival instincts that kept ourspecies alive in conditions
such as this that most modernpeople have not felt in a
lifetime, helped me feel goodwhen I was hiking.
Possibly my fight or flightresponse kicked in and just shut
(08:56):
down my digestion andeverything that wasn't
associated with hiking when Iwas on the move.
There was such an advantage tothis it not only allowed me to
keep going but made hiking up amountain, which ultimately was
the best thing for me to do tosurvive, more enjoyable than
just sitting down.
I marveled at the design of thehuman body and appreciated its
(09:16):
frailty and resiliency, all atthe same time.
I didn't know if I was going tohave cell reception until that
pickup point, so I really onlyhad two options Quitting via
phone call I just learned wasout.
So the two were.
I could get up there when Isaid I was going to be there or
die.
Now that's a little dramatic.
(09:37):
There were a couple othersolutions that went through my
head, but as far as my bodyconcerned, we had to get to that
pickup point.
We summited the peak.
I had to ask the guys for water.
I wasn't sure what illness Ihad, but I did tell them that I
wasn't feeling good and I keptmy distance.
I was so thirsty I had to ask,even though I felt terrible for
asking them to give up some oftheir precious water, that they
(09:59):
had just hauled up 1,000 feet ofswitchbacks.
I was desperate.
Tad didn't have any, but Brianhad some water with flavored
electrolytes in his camelback.
He didn't have much, but hesqueezed out the last, or close
to the last, 10 ounces that hehad into my cup and it tasted
like heaven.
Shortly after the ascent wefound the white blazes of the
(10:20):
Appalachian Trail.
Praise be to God.
Found the white blazes of theAppalachian Trail.
Praise be to God.
I knew that.
From there we only had twomiles until the campsite and
water.
We got there and I set up camp,filtered some water and for the
first time in my walk I wasn'travenously hungry when I sat
down for a meal.
I hadn't eaten any lunch really, and it was dinner time, so I
(10:41):
should have been starving, but Ijust wasn't in the mood to eat
and I knew that something wasvery wrong.
To try to get some calories,feel better and warm up a bit, I
drank three or four packets ofhot chocolate in warm water and
two aspirins and Tylenol.
None of us had service cellservice at the campsite.
I went to bed asking God toprotect me and thanking him so
much for the gift of having Tadand Brian there to help me.
(11:09):
That night.
We talked a little bit and Igave them both trail names.
Brian was electric springbecause he was to me a spring of
electrolyte water, and Tad wassweaty camel because when I
asked if either of them hadwater.
He said that he didn't, eventhough he packs a lot of water
like a camel and then he usesall of it because he's such a
sweater.
We had a conversation aboutfaith, money, my journey and
theirs.
I wasn't the bestconversationalist due to the
(11:31):
illness, but it was fruitful andgood.
They are committed christianmen as well.
In the morning I got up feelinga little better after hydrating
and resting, although I wasmoving slow and everything hurt.
But with the hope of gettingpicked up I moved forward.
Just before I left camp, sweatycamel and electric spring asked
if they could pray for me and Isaid absolutely, I knew and I
(11:53):
felt like I really needed it.
At the end of the prayer theyshook my hand and left me 60.
I thanked them and told themthat this could be a week's
worth of food for me.
I also told them how grateful Iwas for all of their support
throughout the last time.
They were having problems withtheir water filter in the
morning but got it fixed, so Ileft camp before them as I faced
the last seven miles to the gasstation where I would be picked
(12:15):
up at noon.
It was another blessing to knowthat they would be behind me if
anything happened, if I fell onthe way or whatever.
I had three hours to get therehappened.
If I fell on the way orwhatever.
I had three hours to get there.
I felt the fight or flight thingkick in a little bit that
morning.
But more than anything I feltfatigue.
I hadn't eaten a substantialmeal in over 22 hours.
I didn't have anything in thetank to burn After that first
(12:37):
hour.
When I got to the ridge around10 am I felt like I had sweat
everything out again.
I knew from my days on the trailthus far that cell reception is
more likely on a peak or aridge, so I took out my phone
and tried to call Bunny and Igot her.
I started the conversationhonestly, although I did waver
beforehand whether to tell her Iwas sick at all.
If she didn't want me workingor staying there, and I was sick
(12:58):
, I didn't know what I was goingto do.
She picked up and I said hey,bunny, this is American Spirit,
so something has changed sincethe last time we talked.
I'm pretty sick.
I understand if you don't wantme staying at the hostel or if
you don't have enough work forme to do, but I was hoping that
I might stay for a few more daysto rest and recover and then
back when I'm feeling healthy.
(13:19):
I will work for as many days asyou need me to to pay you back.
Would you be okay with mestaying at the hostel sick and
do you have more than one day ofwork for me to do?
Her response oh, my gosh.
What can I get for you?
Are you okay?
Do you need medicine, ginger,ale or food?
How can I help you?
This was the sweet sound of agenerous and caring woman.
(13:39):
That was enough for me for now.
She asked if I'd still make itat noon and I said yes.
I only stopped one other timeafter that, before the gas
station, because I was afraid ofwhat happened when I stopped
yesterday, feeling worse as Iheard the first sounds of
Interstate 81, it was not metwith the normal indignation felt
that had accompanied theinteraction with major roadways
(14:00):
on the trip thus far, but it wasa sound of hope and joy, like
the sound of happily wateredoasis birds singing beautiful
songs in the middle of a drydesert.
Then I saw the gas station, tootired to really be elated, just
feeling relief that I had madeit.
I had come off the trail ontoCounty Road 683 in Atkins,
(14:22):
virginia, less than a quartermile away from the gas station,
and I felt my body lettingitself shut down.
It knew, and I knew that we hadmade it, and the safety of
being that close allowed me tofeel the full weight of my utter
exhaustion.
I went into the store and got abag of Cheez-Its bad idea, they
didn't stay long and aBar-Di-Armor drink.
(14:44):
Then I sat in the sun andcalled my sister and asked her
to pray for me.
Bunny pulled up in an old schoolpickup truck with bumper
stickers covering every squareinch of the truck's body.
She was a self-proclaimedhippie for Jesus and an
Appalachian Trail legend, thefirst woman to through-hike the
AT three consecutive years in arow, in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
(15:07):
Since then, there had only beenone other woman who had tied
her record.
Although for Bunny, the trailwasn't something to be conquered
or something for her to leaveher mark on, she did the
three-peat to continue to letthe trail leave its mark on her.
She called her through-hikespilgrimages, not hikes.
I liked that she was a mark onher.
She called her through hikespilgrimages, not hikes.
I liked that.
She was a very sweet lady.
(15:28):
She brought me ginger ale teaand two meals for when I felt
like eating again.
I told her I wasn't up to workthat day but was hoping to be up
for it tomorrow.
She said not to worry about itand to let me know how I was
feeling and dropped me off atthe hostel.
I got all my clothes out topre-wash in the shower and felt
a sudden urge towards the toilet.
I rushed there but didn't makeit.
(15:48):
I almost made it to thebathroom door before whatever
needed to vacate made its exit.
I scooted in shame the lastfive feet to the toilet, cleaned
up and then got in the shower.
I prayed and journaled afterthe shower and tried to pound as
many fluids as I could.
I really felt like I needed togo to Mass and that God would
bless my effort to go, which inhindsight was probably wrong.
(16:08):
I should have rested, butaround 4pm I walked the 1.3
miles to the Catholic Churchjust to find out that their
website was incorrect.
They hadn't updated it sincethey stopped offering the visual
Mass at 4.30.
I was so deflated.
I expended all this energy inhopes to go to mass and receive
healing from Jesus in theEucharist to no avail.
There was a man in the officenamed Bill who kindly drove me
(16:32):
back to the hostel.
After I knocked on the door andasked him to, he dropped me off
at the hostel and I called mydad and my stepmom.
She is a nurse and she helpedme hypothesize why I was sick.
After that conversation I hadmore confidence that it was
Giardia.
I sat on the couch in the hosteland watched Backdraft for the
first time and drank my water,tea and ginger ale.
(16:52):
When I was in fire schoolearlier that year, all of the
instructors told us that it wasan iconic and a little cheesy
timepiece of firefightingculture.
They told us if you haven'tseen it, you need to.
The hostel had Netflix and itwas on.
So I was happy with thedistraction.
It was really good.
As I got up to pee for like theseventh time, I was struck with
(17:12):
the good of civilization how,when being sick, having a warm
place to be comfortable, is avery, very good thing.
I was also proud, and notashamed at all, at the
possibility of holding the roleof firefighter in that society
as an archetypal role ofwatchman and protector that
societies need, the relativelyfew men who embody a kind of
(17:32):
reckless, self-sacrificial,undomesticated spirit to keep
the whole of the community andbuilt world a little safer.
I found it a fitting role formyself and one that I'd be
honored to occupy.
I woke up that Sunday still notfeeling good.
After I prayed, I called Bunnyand asked if she could take me
to the 1130 Mass and then Icould go to work at her place
afterwards.
(17:53):
She said sure, and that shewould go with me, which was
really cool.
The bilingual congregationpacked into the small, beautiful
church for its one and onlySunday Mass.
The priest gave a wonderfulhomily on telling the truth and
love, and I received healing andcomfort from Jesus in the
Eucharist.
The work at Bunny's house waseasy compared to the last couple
(18:14):
days.
Just the knowledge of havingclean water and a bathroom close
made it so that I could feellike I could do almost anything.
I stacked wood on her porch andin her living room and for her
family for about three hours.
Originally we had said thatfour hours worth of work would
be good for one night's stay, soI was confused when she said it
was time to go.
She was so grateful for what Idid.
Her daughter and twogranddaughters live with her and
(18:35):
the work is not easy for any ofthem.
They live in a charming old,lived-in southern-style white
house with a double-decker frontporch.
It was right off the trail whenshe bought the home in 08, but
the trail moved 100 feet away.
Bunny had dreams of opening ahostel, but a cancer diagnosis
curtailed the dream.
She has a big heart, loves herfamily, the trail hikers and
(18:57):
being a shuttle driver for theMary Ann.
She was such an inspiration tome of being grateful and
suffering and being generouswith what she had.
After we left there I asked if Icould come back tomorrow to
finish the work.
I wanted to work the number ofhours we agreed on, especially
because I felt like I could havedone more work if I was healthy
.
She seemed pleased with what Ihad got done.
She asked if I needed to go toWalmart where I got some food
(19:19):
and medicine for about 80 bucks,so I had just about $20 in my
pocket.
After it was all said and doneBack at the hostel I went to bed
early, exhausted from the workand still fighting the sickness.
I got up late, called Bunny toask when would be good for her
to come pick me up to finish mywork.
She said noon, and I wasgrateful for that.
I figured that I would hit thetrail after working, even though
(19:42):
I really didn't feel up to it.
For that, I figured that Iwould hit the trail after
working, even though I reallydidn't feel up to it, I didn't
really have any other options.
I got all packed up before noonand when we were in the truck
on the way to her house sheasked me if I wanted to stay
another night and that I didn'tneed to do more work for it,
that she would cover the cost.
I thanked her a lot and humblyaccepted, knowing that the rest
would do me a world of good.
(20:02):
I didn't eat much that Sunday atall Chicken broth and crackers,
I think, were it?
Nothing sounded good and stillno solid bowel movements,
although I was feeling betterthan yesterday.
It only took me two hours tostack the second half of wood
instead of the three it took me.
The previous day Back at thehostel, I turned on Hacksaw
Ridge and ate my soup.
I was grateful to watch it inthe Blue Ridge Mountains because
(20:25):
that is where Desmond Doss grewup.
This detail escaped me thefirst time I had seen the film.
Checked the weather forecast forthe week and went to bed around
9 pm.
(20:45):
It was supposed to be in the20s at night until Thursday in
Marion and probably lower a fewdegrees up on the mountains.
The combo of not feeling goodand the promise of cold weather
worried me, but the Lord gave mecourage that he will provide,
even if I make the wrong choice,and that nothing can separate
me from the love of Christ Notweakness, nor sickness, nor
(21:07):
poverty, nor cold.
The morning of Halloween Iawoke at the hostel, packed up
my stuff, prayed and journaled,feeling better each day, but
still not 100%.
Bunny picked me up and took meto the trail.
I lumbered up my firstswitchback in that cold morning
fog, knowing that it would stillbe a couple days before I was
really back to eating fully andfull strength.
(21:29):
But so grateful for the newappreciation for the gift of
civilization, as well as one ofthe many, many lived, embodied
and unforgettable experiences ofthe Father's providential
character and his care for me.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Man.
Joe, I'm so grateful for yousharing your story with us.
I'm blown away by thegenerosity that you encountered
in the midst of your journey.
I think it's so cool that thetrial that you shared with us
today in this part of yourjourney helped you receive your
desire, which was a powerfulexperience of God's providential
care for you.
I got to follow up with Joeafter this and ask him what was
(22:11):
going through his heart and mindwhen he finished his journey
and how he's carried thosethings with him into his life
now.
Here's his response.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
So sometime in New Mexico or Arizona, I started to
get kind of sentimental.
So sometime in New Mexico orArizona, I started to get kind
of sentimental.
I figured I had been aboutthree-fourths of the way through
the country and now I only hada fourth to go.
I could kind of see how longthat would take and had
experience to know that for thefirst time I'm thinking I might
actually walk across America.
So I started to reflect on whatGod had taught me so far.
(22:41):
It's rang true throughout therest of the walk and even now
it's my lock screen on my phone.
There's nine things, real short, Won't go into them because
it'd take way too much time.
But here they are.
Number one God alone satisfies.
Number two slow down.
(23:01):
Number three don't out-plan God.
Number four ask God first.
Number five fear and anxietyhave no place in a Christian's
life.
Number six I'm never gonnaquote-unquote make it.
The goal of life is dailydependence on God.
(23:23):
Number seven God has a definiteplan for my life and for each
of our lives.
Number eight gratitude.
And finally, number nine prayboldly and believe so.
As the walk was finishing upthat day, we woke up in
hollywood, out in front of firstbaptist church.
(23:46):
We had camped on the sidewalkand god gave us a sign that was
unforgettable, wasn't aspiritual sign, a miraculous
sign, it was literally agraffiti sign.
It was about eight feet 80 feetlong and just had one word on
it gratitude, gratitude.
So a little posse of us, fourof us my mom flew in, my friend
(24:07):
drove my car from Indiana and inTexas, believe it or not, I met
a guy who started on the EastCoast in Charleston, South
Carolina, who was walking acrossAmerica.
So in Texas we met up and wehad been walking together ever
since.
God provided me brotherhood inthe midst of the walk.
(24:29):
So all four of us are walkingalong.
We see the gratitude sign inSanta Monica.
We got about three miles leftuntil the final 3,375.
Day 346 of my walk.
And as we're walking I canstart to smell the sea breeze,
(24:53):
and then we see it and I getthis huge smile on my face and
see the ocean.
I can hear it.
We stop at a ledge and justlook and then we go down to the
boardwalk and get our feet inthe sand and me and my friend,
who had been walking togetherfor 1700 miles, run into the
(25:16):
ocean together as brothers.
It was a cloudy day, a littlechilly.
It was a cloudy day, a littlechilly, but nothing was stopping
us from getting in that water.
We rode, waves and laughed andbasked in God's goodness.
For I don't know, it felt likeforever, but it was probably
only 20 minutes.
I got out, toweled off, and mymom was sitting there on the
(25:38):
beach waiting for me and sheasked me how you doing, what are
you thinking about?
What is this like?
And I had no thoughts.
Nothing was up in my head, nothoughts at all.
I was just happy to be there,Happy at a race, well run, and
(26:02):
so grateful for God and so manyother people that have helped me
over the last over 11 months.
So, yeah, that's what I toldher and it dawned on me right in
that moment that joyful, notworried about the past, not
worried about the present,basking in God's presence,
gratitude in a race, well-born,I think this is what heaven's
gonna be like.
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