By Jeanni Ritchie
The young man known as Backpacker Joe turned 30 today and dozens of Natchitoches residents wished him a happy birthday as he departed from the city who has hosted him for the last few days.
Joe Domina began his cross-country journey at the Statue of Liberty and will end it in California early next year. He has no timeframe and no agenda other than walking from community to community praying for its residents.
It’s a good thing because I’m pretty sure his journey through Louisiana has added at least a month to his trip! Catching up with #backpackerjoe on the outskirts of Natchitoches today, Feb. 26, I gave him the birthday cards collected as cars drove by honking in recognition. Some even shouted “Happy Birthday” as they drove past. The welcome Joe has received here is nothing short of amazing and has proven that nothing beats Southern hospitality.
After all, Joe’s journey was mostly one of solitude until he reached Natchez, MS and was interviewed for a video by Miss-Lou Champions Spotlight. His story then began to spread like wildfire.
As he made his way through Louisiana, the excitement began to grow in communities he was scheduled to reach. Everyone wanted to meet him and many searched up and down highways for days. It got a little easier for residents when the Facebook group Where Is #backpackerjoe was created by Lakin Gremillion, a local citizen who wanted to make it easier for both Joe and for those searching for him.
People post photos with Joe as he slowly moves across the country, this digital portfolio being a priceless documentation of his journey. Within a week of its creation the private group had over 1300 members. People are invested in this journey.
Like Brooklyn Cagle, 8, who stopped with her grandmother to wish Joe a happy birthday and pray with him as we sat on the side of the road catching up. Savannah Elliot, 10, and her mother did the same just a few minutes later. Many more stopped after we parted; the pictures continue to flood Facebook.
Goodbye, Backpacker Joe! While you may be leaving our town, you will definitely not be leaving our hearts.
Jeanni Ritchie is a journalist, pizza aficionado, theatre geek, and perennial Peter Pan.
