LAVINA – A Missouri couple crossed Montana state lines two weeks ago after walking from Greybull, Wyoming. Torin and Paige Rouse, known as the Walking America Couple, are on a mission to share their message of positivity by walking throughout the 48 states of the continental US.
“We have divided the states into five segments based on the season, so that we can reach all of them in four years,” Torin said at a host’s home in Lavina.
Whether it was from Bridger to Rockvale or Laurel to Lavina, the couple was hard to miss as they hiked the roads of Montana with two carts full of gear and their dog Jak.
“We camp a lot on public roads, on the side of the road. Or we call churches or town hall, like the local places, and see if we can camp in a yard,” Paige added.
Alina Hauter/MTN News
Paige and Torin Rouse with their dog Jak in Lavina.
What started as a personal trip for the couple in May 2022 has become their most important mission.
“We were hoping it would make us tougher people, that we could try our metal, see what we could deal with… over time, it started to take away the cynicism in me and caused Paige to become much more outgoing. “We were experiencing all this goodness,” Torin said.
“We didn’t expect it to be so welcoming and connect us with so many people, especially people who are so different from us,” Paige said.
After going through a change of perspective regarding the first six months of hiking, the couple wanted to share their experience with the rest of the world by creating social media content about their trip.
Torin Tower
A map of Paige and Torin’s planned route.
“I think changing the inside, changing the outside sums up a very big expansive message that we’re trying to convey to people… we want to set the example that you can find satisfaction in almost any circumstance, if you know how to train yourself. your thoughts correctly,” Torin said.
It’s a message they’ve spread to residents of 21 states so far, with Montana being the latest.
“Now that we have walked through Kansas during the hot summer, or we have gone through the terrible mosquito plague in Wisconsin, or the tornado in Kansas. We have those things to look back and leave, yes, but this is not really bad compared to that,” Torin added. “Whether you are bothered by the fact of being under the scorching sun or not. If you have running water, you can consider that obstacle as a means of personal growth.”
Paige Rouse
The couple protects themselves from the elements by sleeping in places like tunnels.
Montanans have welcomed the couple and their message with open arms.
“It’s been really welcoming, especially because of how less dense the population is and how far away the cities are. We’ve had more interaction than we expected…people often stop and say hello or see if we need water. Ask what we’re doing,” Paige said.
The couple’s trip is funded entirely by donations and the kind hearts of strangers.
“We have a sizeable following, so it’s opened up opportunities for us to run ads and accept sponsorship. But we’re making a statement and actively avoiding all of that… we’re funded by people who want to donate to us and who appreciate the content we create. We create a lot of content,” Torin said.
You can follow the couple’s journey for free on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Torin Tower
Paige Rouse takes a breather at the couple’s camp.
They plan to stop in Harlowton, White Sulpher Springs, Helena and Missoula before continuing on to their next state.
“We’ll walk to Missoula and cross the Idaho peninsula, to Spokane, Washington. We’ll cross most of Washington, go down into Oregon and join the Coastal Highway and follow it to California. Finishing with Nevada, Arizona and Utah,” Torin said .
It will be about a year before they can travel home for a break, but it’s worth it to them.
“It wouldn’t be enough motivation to do it just for the adventure, but with the meaning behind it, it’s very rewarding. It’s definitely worth the challenge of feeling like we’re impacting other people’s lives,” Paige said.
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