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Traveling With Yoda...By Lawnmower
Although it sounds like a David Lynch movie you meant to see but never managed to, the story of Paul Woods and his dog, Yoda, has not been filmed. Paul and Yoda left Alaska in 2005, headed for Virginia -- 4500 miles away -- where Paul claims his late mother left him a house. They're not exactly making good time. Their average daytime speed is less than 15 miles per hour. You see, the pair is traveling on Paul's red riding lawn mower. Even Paul admits it's odd-sounding: "You've got to be pretty strange and pretty weird to be driving a tractor mower across country." What? Who said that?
Paul's decision to drive across the country on a lawn mower is based on finances: he claims he couldn't afford to fly or take the train. Instead he drives his mower, sleeps in a tent, stops to work as a day laborer to pay for dog food, food for himself, and for gas.
Filed under: Stories, North America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kevin Feb 21st 2008 10:32PM
I Spoke With A Lady Whose Friend Had Met Him In London Ky This Week...
He Was Staying In A Shelter There When Temperatures Were Low And Camping Out As The Weather Permitted... Until His Mower Repairs Are Done.
She Said He Was A Very Interesting Person And Very Likeable.....She Gave Him A Ride To The Mower Shop And Made A Small Donation To Help Out....
I'm Going To See If I Can Find Him This Weekend And Possibly Help Him Out In Someway...
earthlake Dec 16th 2008 5:42PM
We came across Paul and Yoda last night about 9:00pm walking south on highway 89, north of SLC in Utah. Both appeared to be happy to see us, and we had a nice conversation, visiting with this gentleman. It was his desire to be taken to a place he could set up his tent for the night. Our first attempt got us kicked off what apparently turned out to be private property. :o) oops... 3 cars pulled up and requested he leave. We tried three other locations before finding something suitable, and in process discussed:
- His being the son of a retired DA.
- His knowing quite a bit about law.
- His service as a body guard for Greatful Dead.
- His military service.
- That he is very personable
- Yoda is a good dog.
Lessons learned: The world has gotten too small, when a decent person can't travel by tent, on foot without being unduly harassed in the process. You don't need a car, job, house, to have worth. We need to look after each other, with the world being this small, there isn't enough room to not watch over each other. As the Lord said: "There is enough and to spare." God Speed Paul.
Angie and Anna Mar 24th 2009 8:35PM
Oh my God I can't believe he has almost made it, I have often kept him in my thoughts, It is really sad to think that more people don't have compassion and empathy for their fellow man. I knew it was dangerous to even think about picking up a hitchhiker, but I love dogs, and his dog Yoda with that little dirty red sweater on and it attached to his wagon with everything he owned in it I had to go and get them food and hot chocolate from McDonalds. If I could have afforded to I would have driven him to his home.
Sarah May 19th 2009 12:00PM
Paul and Yoda are in Missoula, MT, and have been for about a month. He is trying to fix his lawnmower (once again) and living in his tent on the very scenic Bitterroot River. He and Yoda walk to town almost every day (a couple of miles) with his "Need food" sign on his back, picking up odd jobs as he can, including at the Humane Society, which helps feed Yoda (a very sweet girl). I had seen him a few weeks back and bought them some food and water but then didn't see them again until yesterday. I pulled over and gave him the food and water and we (he mostly) chatted. On my way home I saw him again and gave him a ride to his temporary residence. Again, very interesting conversation. He's in good spirits but is ready to get back on the road.
Len Oct 23rd 2009 11:02PM
Paul is in Astoria Oregon 10/22/2009. I found Paul 10/19/2009 pushing two bikes, daisy-chained together, on Oregon Hwy 20 mile post 18.5 Chitwood Oregon. Paul is pushing his two wheel bike with a little tow trailer and a tricycle with the front tire mounted in the tow trailer and Yoda tied to the end of the caravan. The right side tire of the tricycle needed to be replaced. The section of Hwy 20 that Paul was on has absolutely no shoulders so he was walking against traffic. The side he was walking on drops off into the Yaquina River and the other side of the Hwy is a vertical cliff. I stopped and gave him some food, water, a poncho and a couple of dollars. He wanted to know where the next town was and when the road would improve. I told him the town was exit 7 and 3 more miles into town of Toledo, the Hwy would get better December 2011 as that is when the new Hwy 20 will open; he thought I was joking. He started asking about the shoulder width and if it gets better. I told he had 18.5 more miles of no shoulders then he would be in Newport.
Tuesday I did not see Paul on the Hwy while driving home from work in Corvallis.
4:30pm Wednesday I found Paul just east of Toledo Oregon at mile post 8 trying to catch a ride back to mile post 17 where I saw his bike parked in the brush. Tuesday night it rained with thunder so Paul was drenched. I picked him up and took him and Yoda to my home in Toledo to get my pick-up to retrieve Paul's bikes. After picking up all his equipment, we returned to my home where he spent the night, had dinner, took a shower and washed his clothes. His spare clothes were dripping wet; everything he owned was dripping wet.
Thursday 10/22/2009: I took time off from work to drive Paul to Astoria Oregon where his brother lives. We stopped at Wal-Mart and got him four day of Romen noodles and Vienna sausages, Yoda a new sweater and canned dog food and found a new tire at Bi-Mart for the tricycle. We arrived in Astoria at 4 pm. On the way we stopped at several places to try to sale his tricycle; we found no takers. Paul looked like he was having a better day when I left him at one of his past camping spots.
Paul is a kind person and would like to sale the tricycle to lighten the traveling load. You will see him headed back to New Mexico with his signs 'Need Food' and a new hand written sign '3 Wheeler For Sale'. Help him out and keep sending him positive thoughts. He is still out there and needs you to keep him in your thoughts.
Neil Feb 1st 2007 4:32PM
Are you sure that's not Robin Williams?
Willy Feb 1st 2007 2:35PM
I'm pretty sure it's not Williams...but he may play Woods in the movie version. "Carpe Diem!"
More images of Woods can be found here:
http://loraleeslooneytunes.blogspot.com/2007/01/good-bad-and-ugly.html
Justin Glow Feb 1st 2007 4:06PM
The blogspot link said the guy is 44 years old. 44 years old! He looks twice that age.
Anna Feb 14th 2007 2:11AM
That is a cool story. It was in our local paper and thanks to the blogspot link I have a new blog to read.
John Wimer Aug 21st 2007 5:34PM
I meet this man today. He drove up into my drive way because he got bad directions. This happened in Sarver Pa. He is one of the nices people you will ever meet and yoda is friendly as can be. If you are lunky to come across this man please help him out he is good people. Also for two days i could not stop thinking about the story of Jeus and the merchant.
Jesus told the merchant that he would come and see him, so the man run home and gets ready for his visit. Well a man came to the door for water and the merchant said go away i have the lord coming and i do not want you her. So the man left, soon came a begger woman looking for some thing to eat and the man said the same thing and sent her away. Later on a young girl came looking for a place to sleep and of course was sent away. The next day the merchant went to Jesus and asked why did you not come, and jesus said i visted you 3 times and you turned me away. The man said but you never came. Then the lord said i came as the man, the begger woman,and the child. The moral to the story if we serve our fellow man we also serve the lord.
Jenn T Nov 2nd 2007 8:29PM
I recently meant Paul and Yoda in Northboro,MA. He was pulled over on the side of the road with his doggie Yoda(who is so adorable,and blind in one eye). My friend,Billiejean, and I gave him and hid dog some food. I sat with him for a half hour and had great conversattion with him. Seems to be a very interesting man! I regret not taking a photo with him!!I didnt realize he was famous! Until he told me to google him!!
Billiejean Nov 2nd 2007 8:34PM
Me and my sister-inlaw Jenn saw Paul and Yoda today in Northborough,ma we stopped and brought him dinner bottles of spring water and some doggy treats for Yoda... He told my sister-inlaw about his journey ,but i have to admit i was a bit skepticle untill we came home and googled him!!! I cant believe it's true.. His mower is broken down rite now =( soo hopefully he gets it fixed.. GO PAUL!
Debbie Nov 15th 2007 5:55PM
I, too, met Paul yesterday while out on a work errand. He was once again broken down on the side of the road with Yoda. At first I didn't see Paul and thought it was just Yoda, which concerned me and I pulled over. Nope...Paul was there too and we struck up a conversation. He is a very interesting man and I hope he gets where he's going. I sure hope someone with some mechanical know-how gave him a hand so he could continue on his way. Nice guy...wish I had more time to spend talking with him... and Yoda was the cutest, friendliest little girl!
Debbie Nov 15th 2007 6:05PM
Forgot to mention that he was in Litchfield CT
kate Nov 19th 2007 6:21PM
Saw Paul and Yoda in New Milford, Ct today outside of the Wal-Mart. Bought some snacks for him and Yoda while I was in the store but when I came out he was gone. I tracked him down Route 7 and pulled him over into an auto parts store where we had a 1/2hr convo about everything from his life on the road as a Grateful Dead roadie to how Connecticut should be called the "Communist-State". Wished him well and sent him on his way northbound on Rt.7 to Kent. If you see him make sure to stop and chat, he's a great guy with alot of great stories to tell. I wish I got a pic with him...maybe next time our paths cross!
Poor Paul Dec 2nd 2007 9:31PM
Update: 12/01/07
Location: Dutchess County, NY
Confirmed reports and sightings indicate Paul is currently in the Dutchess County Jail.... and Yoda is spending time in Dutchess County ASPCA lockup.
Poor Yoda! It costs approximatley 25.00 a day to keep him in there.... If anyone can help pay Yodas legal bills...HELP!
Carissa Dec 6th 2007 8:06PM
This guy has made it to Milford Pa. His lawn mower has broken down. My little brother helped him push it a while. He had just been arrested in NY, had his mower inpounded, and then had to pay get Yoda out of the pound. Lets pray he has a better run of luck....
Sarah Dec 22nd 2007 8:54AM
Howdy,My boyfriend just picked Paul up outside Lancaster Pa and is giving him a ride to WV
Sarah Dec 22nd 2007 8:56AM
Also puppies wth him but no lawnmower?
Angie and Anna Dec 30th 2007 3:02PM
This morning our husbands Bryan and Chris got up at 7:30 am to go and pick up Paul and Yoda we none got no sleep last night wondering if they were froze to death in their tent they had called from their cell phone and said they had to wait until 9 am for him and Yoda to wake up and come out of the tent the took him a hot breakfast from McDonald's and a hot chocolate and after he eat they helped him pack his belongings and loaded them up in the back of the truck he is now in Hazard Kentucky on his way towards London Kentucky we will update you as soon as our husbands get back home they even took pictures of Paul and Yoda together I had sent some dog food to Yoda but Paul said he could only eat soft food because he is so old. I sent him gloves and a ski mask because its going to snow here tomorrow and New Years Day.