Chip Walter, celebrated science journalist and author, National Geographic documentary filmmaker and former CNN bureau chief, embarked on an awe-inspiring journey with his wife, Cyndy, crafting a once-in-a-lifetime global expedition amid the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 720 days, they achieved the extraordinary feat of traveling around the world sans jets, spanning 125,000 miles across six continents and 41 countries through a medley of transportation modes, including buses, ferries and even camels. Chip shares tales from his adventurous childhood in Pittsburgh, where his curiosity and love for exploration first took root, and how these passions eventually led him to a career in journalism.

Selling their home to embrace a nomadic lifestyle, Chip and Cyndy’s odyssey began in Newfoundland and took them through diverse landscapes, from the American West to Baja, to Santa’s Workshop in Finland and the deserts of Morocco, to Egypt, South America and on to Antarctica. What began as a fluke is now a comprehensive chronicle in 37 journals and a blog, Vagabond Adventure (vagabond-adventure.com), filled with videos, photos, postcards and near-daily posts. These experiences serve not just as travel logs but as reflections on the pressing issues of our time, such as climate change. A firm believer in the power of storytelling, Chip brings to light the urgency for advocacy and action.

Travel, in its purest form, serves as a transformative force, a theme Chip passionately elaborates. Immersing themselves in varied cultures and societies over two years, Chip and Cyndy discovered the profound ability of travel to break down racial barriers, expand one’s worldview and instill humility. Chip articulates with vivid anecdotes how true engagement with the world cultivates not only appreciation but also a deeper understanding of humanity. This episode promises to inspire listeners to step out of their comfort zones and explore the tapestry of unfamiliar cultures, enriching lives while making us more interesting and compassionate individuals.

Chip’s blog:

https://vagabond-adventure.com/

Find out where Chip and Cyndy are now at Polar Steps:

https://www.polarsteps.com/

Chip's books and more:

https://chipwalter.com/ 

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

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