Before acquiring the Volkswagen, Tommy Michel had owned a 1983 Pontiac Firebird, which he owned and drove just before leaving for his journey afoot in search for Solace from all of the woes that seemed to have overwhelmed him in life. Then, when the time to depart arrived, he gave the keys and signed title for the Firebird to Becky Rose, his now estranged wife and began his Wayƒaring Journey Afoot.

During those three years of travel, the initial two years were upon in a journey of over 2100 miles afoot on the Appalachian Trail and for more than a year after that, the path that I traveled upon took me to see more of the wonders of Creation.

These three years of my life affected me in a marvelous way, one which changed all aspects of the way in which I lived from then on. First, I came to know about need level and how it can only be fully attained when upon the Journey On. Too, I came to know who the Most High God is and began to have a personal relationship with him, yes, from this point forward, He would be my Father. Hence, everything in my life became contingent on how to learn more about my God and Provider,

After my Dad′s death on 07 December 1980, which was caused in a car wreck, I inherited the family 1966 Volkswagen Beetle. This came about after returning to our family home in southeast Texas when my mother made the car available to me because at the time, I did not own a vehicle due to the fact that my previous three years had been involved in the endeavor to acquire need level by traveling afoot, which I believed would help me in my desire to better know God.

Thus, I was now in need of a vehicle so that I may resume my life afield.

It was late in 1980 that I began restoring the 1966 Volkswagen and rebuilding the engine. Later, I changed out the 6 volt battery for a 12 volt battery, which required me to replace all of the electric components, such as starter, generator, and lights.

Finally, I also sanded and painted the exterior a cobalt blue.

The very first time that I was to travel across country in the manner that I now call traveling afield, was in this 1966 Volkswagen. Although the inside was not very large, by removing the front passenger seat, I was able to design a flat box to sleep on which also served to hold many of my possessions.

I drove from coastal Texas up the eastern areas of the continent to Maine where I took up residence for a a couple of months.

However, I needed a job to provide the income to support myself, but I was not able to find one there on the coast of Maine that winter. So, I drove back to Texas, found work until I was able to save enough money so that I could return to Maine for another try to set up a more permanent camp.

Then, by mid May 1982, I was beginning to prepare for another move to the northeast area. I loaded up the wagen and headed to the northland once again.