After walking 2,642 miles from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Los Angeles’ Dockweiler Beach, Plumas County’s own Andrew “Ranger” Kielak has completed his journey across America. In an interview with The Plumas Sun, he shared the challenges, rewards and lessons learned along the way.
The toughest part of the walk, he said, was figuring out where to sleep each night: “It was very difficult at the beginning because I didn’t have as much of a social reach,” Ranger said. “But then people began helping and making calls to find the next person, and they kept making calls and helping.” As word of his journey spread, support from friends, family and even strangers became a lifeline.
Ranger credited his fiancée, Julie, and friends Bret Colberg and Bryant Doyle for providing crucial emotional support. “Whenever I had a roadblock or issue, I would call Julie Allan, and we would work it out,” he said.
Ranger, a 2015 Loyalton High School graduate, said the mission of his nine-month odyssey was to spotlight individuals making a difference in their communities while raising $100,000 for National FFA Organization, Hospice Promise and Bigger Than the Trail.
One key takeaway from his experience: the kindness of strangers. “There are good people out there,” Ranger said. “People were willing to bring me into their homes, have dinner with their families, and help me out in a couple of emergency situations.”
Ranger’s podcast also played a role in his journey. Along the way, he recorded over 30 episodes, interviewing business owners and people making a positive impact in their communities. “I feel like the things you see viral on TikTok and social media are the negative aspects,” he said. “But I think that does take away from the people who are making a difference.”
He attributes his success to his support network and a few key pieces of gear: Altra shoes, an Osprey backpack and a Burley jogging stroller. Staying safe, however, was not easy. “My safety wasn’t guaranteed,” Ranger said. “I just kept my head on a swivel.”
Throughout his journey, Ranger connected with others who had also walked across the country, met first responders, stayed at volunteer fire departments and even adopted a kitten in Oklahoma — which he fittingly named Walker.
Some of the most memorable moments came in Arkansas. “Perriville was the most support-dense stretch,” Ranger said. “About 15 to 20 people stopped to talk to me, give me food and water. Almost all of them invited me back to their house for lunch.”
Despite the positive experiences, fundraising for the three organizations he supported could have gone better, Ranger admitted. He was not able to meet his goal of raising $100,000. But he still raised an impressive $8,500 to split between the three organizations. Ranger said he hopes the awareness generated will bring long-term support for the causes.
Looking forward, Ranger is shifting his focus to building his business, Within Range Coaching. Through it he aims to help entrepreneurs and nonprofits achieve their goals.
“Walking across the country is easy in some part because I can look at a map and know where to go,” he said. “Now I’m running my professional life-coaching business, helping others figure out their mission statement and roadblocks.”
He plans to write two books, one chronicling his day-to-day journey, and another filled with lessons and metaphors drawn from his experience. His advice for anyone attempting something similar? “Be extremely clear on your why. … Having a very clear mission statement for this project is what got me through those tough times.”
As Ranger transitions from walking across America to helping others achieve their dreams, one message stands out. “There are still good people out there, and we have the power to make a difference, step by step,” he said.
