Peter Jenkins (travel author)

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Peter Jenkins is a travel author who is best known for his book, A Walk Across America, and its sequel A Walk Across America 2: The Walk West, in which he describes his experiences over nearly six years that he spent walking from New York to Oregon.

He is a graduate of Alfred University, with a BFA in Sculpture/Ceramics (1973), as well as an honorary doctorate (2003).

Jenkins began his walk across America in Alfred, New York, in October 1973. He was accompanied by his dog, an half Alaskan malamute. He finished the journey in Florence, Oregon, in January 1979.^[1] His bestselling book of the 1970s describing the experience, "A Walk Across America," was one of the first books to popularize adventure travel or travel as a way of life, inspiring many others to put on their packs and see where the days take them.

National Geographic magazine became interested in his walk after Jenkins and the dog stopped in at the magazine's offices while walking through Washington, D.C. Jenkins' walk experience was featured twice in the magazine: "Walk Across America" in April 1977, and "Walk Across America: Part II" in August 1979.^[1]