On a mission to show that kindness still thrives in a world that often forgets it, two travelers gaining national attention for their cross-country walk stepped into Folsom this week — and found exactly the sort of connection they’ve been hoping to highlight. Torin and Paige Rouse, known as the Walking America Couple, brought their message of mindset, resilience, and compassion to a region that welcomed them instantly.
Their journey, now more than two years in motion, began when Torin, 32, stepped away from corporate life with a desire to rediscover the country at a human pace. When he met Paige, 25, the connection quickly grew into something neither expected: a decision to walk 12,000 miles across all 50 states together. They began the adventure in a van before realizing the true purpose of their mission would only be found on foot. They married early in their journey and have been walking ever since.
By the time they stepped into Folsom, the couple had crossed a major milestone — passing the 6,000-mile point of their 12,000-mile walk. “We’re at 6,743 miles as of the day we got into Folsom,” Torin said, a reminder that the city now stands at the center of one of the most significant stretches of their nationwide journey.
The couple arrived sore, exhausted, and grateful for rest after a long stretch through the region. That break came at the perfect moment. Sibley Haus, a locally owned historic Airbnb in the heart of Folsom’s Historic District, reached out after seeing the couple’s post about approaching Rancho Cordova. The host offered them a place to stay and even a much-needed rest day — a rare gift on a journey defined by constant movement. The welcome made an impression, especially as the couple had been navigating a demanding leg of travel.
It wasn’t the first time the local region and Northern California had shown them generosity. A previous host in the area treated them to dinner before they officially reached Folsom — a moment that reflected the warmth they’ve consistently felt throughout this part of the state.
As they explored Historic Folsom and the surrounding neighborhoods, the couple said the friendliness stood out. “Not just Folsom, but this whole area has been so much more welcoming than expected,” Torin said. “Oftentimes, as you walk into more urban areas and the population increases, it seems like societal discontent and social disconnect increase alongside that. That hasn’t been the case here — the people have been lovely, and we get a lot of waves on the road in spite of it being so abundantly populated.”
Support also came from the Folsom Police Department, which reached out to offer water refills and commemorative coins. “The local police department reached out to us,” Torin said. “They said, ‘Stop by and we’ll refill your waters and give you some coins.’ I thought maybe challenge tokens for a second because some people do that. We’re actually collecting some memorabilia like that.”
For much of their early journey, Torin and Paige walked alongside Jack, their beloved dog who had been with Torin long before the first mile. Jack passed away before this segment of the walk at nearly 17 years old. “Rest in peace, Jack,” Torin said. “He lived the best life he could have.” The loss remains one of the most emotional chapters of their adventure, and the couple continues to carry his presence with them through every step forward.
Their walk has not been without fear or uncertainty. “It was definitely a little scarier in the beginning,” Torin said. “But we’ve learned how to move forward when we’re having a hard time finding camping, and it always kind of works out.” Over time, they’ve learned to rely on communities across the country by calling town halls, fire departments, churches, and local businesses when seeking a safe place to rest. “If we don’t find a host, we can call all sorts of places that let us either camp in the yard or stay inside,” he explained.
Much of their philosophy centers on releasing control and embracing uncertainty. “It isn’t seeking control over our external circumstances that leads to contentment and tranquility,” Torin said. “It’s letting go of it. Letting go is a psychological mechanism to be mastered. You can learn how to let go, but it can be difficult.”
Along the way, they have leaned into simple resources to stay moving. “We’ve probably spent more money at Dollar General than any other place in America,” Torin joked.
The holidays ahead won’t slow their mission. They plan to continue walking through Thanksgiving and Christmas, just as they have in previous years. Torin said they acknowledge the season but keep walking. “We look for hosting in our normal fashion and acknowledge that it’s a special occasion,” he said. “If anyone would like to have us, we’d be honored to sign up for Christmas.” Paige shared that one of their most meaningful Thanksgiving memories came when a mayor and his family took them in and made them part of the holiday.
From Folsom, the couple plans to continue southeast. “We’ll still be traveling southeast,” Torin said. “We’re going to hang east of I-5, but hit those towns that hug the I-5 corridor as it travels through the Sacramento Valley.”
Readers can continue following Torin and Paige’s journey on their website at www.walkingamericacouple.com or on their Facebook Page here. Their pages offer updates on mileage, reflections on mindset and personal growth, and stories from the people they meet along the way.
Their message — one grounded in perspective, resilience, and the courage to release control — found a receptive audience here. Folsom has now become another memorable chapter in their walk across America, a place where generosity met them at the perfect moment.
The couple also shared their gratitude for their stay at Sibley Haus in Historic Folsom. Anyone interested in learning more about the locally owned Airbnb can visit www.sibleyhaus.com.
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