Brooke Johnson is the first woman to skate across America on a skateboard. The 24-year-old California-native recently encountered her first and only Amish farmer of the ~3,000-mile journey while in Kentucky.
His horse looked just as baffled as he was!
Their interaction, albeit brief, is my favorite part of this cross-country trek thus far. It was so unexpected in the most delightful way.
Amish country in Kentucky continues to grow.
Johnson averages somewhere between 50 and 60 miles per day on her skateboard, sometimes more. She started in Venice Beach in early June. She will arrive to Virginia Beach, Virginia on August 15.
The trip brought her to Kentucky earlier this week.
While there, Johnson was joined by her good friend Dani Jonas. They traveled through the heart of the Bluegrass State on one of the hottest days of the summer and came upon an Amish community.
The locals even gave them a tour of the farm!
Believe it or not, Kentucky is one of the fastest-growing states in the country in terms of Amish population with around 15,915 people across 54 settlements. That does not include the Mennonite population, of which there are at least a few thousand families in Allen and Christian counties.
The main difference between Amish and Mennonite communities lies in their degree of adherence to the traditional, isolated lifestyle. Amish communities generally reject modern technology and outside influence to a greater degree than the Mennonite. I digress.
No moment was better than when they casually rolled up next to a horse and buggy. The horse looked just as confused as the Amish man on the reins! Their brief interaction was so pure.
Technically speaking, the Amish are allowed to use a skateboard. It does not use any technology!
Why is Brooke Johnson doing this?
Johnson completed a 178-mile skate from Los Angeles to Mexico, which inspired her to dream even bigger. But it was not until her stepfather, Roger, suffered a devastating spinal injury that her idea took on real purpose. Shepromised to skate across America to raise money for his recovery.
Tragically, Roger passed away before Brooke Johnson started her historic trek.
That did not stop her from keeping her promise. The 24-year-old committed to the journey as a tribute to her late stepfather in support of Wings For Life, a spinal cord research foundation.
You can donate to the foundation HERE. Every dollar counts!
How long will it take to skate across America?
As I previously mentioned, Johnson started her skate from Venice Beach in early June. The 3,326-mile trip will come to an end on August 15 on the boardwalk at Grommet Island Park in Virginia Beach.
Brooke Johnson travels with a small support crew in a van that also serves as their mobile home. They stop at a budget motel every few days to rest before continuing forward.
At no point does she move even one inch closer to the final destination by foot, by van or by anything other than her drop-through longboard. The custom board is supposed to reduce some of the thigh strain but the physical challenges of this journey are still very real!
Most of the world record attempt is documented on TikTok and/or Instagram.
Everything else can be found on her YouTube channel. Go, Brooke, go!