It’s been a couple of months since the end of the 2010 50 States in 50 Days tour. This year really took its toll physically, mentally, and spiritually.
A typical day, wake up…usually in the Little Guy Teardrop trailer, go to Starbucks to get the daily dose of caffeine to get us down the road……drive 10 hours……load in the gear, set-up the gear……interview someone for the Orange Duffel Bag Stories……try to shove some food down the throat………play a house concert, and then most nights get back on the road and drive until 2am, or so…..and then do it again.
A frequent question on the tour was “how do you do it?”……the answer was that we were on a mission.
Having a purpose gives me fuel to get through the day.
I believe in the work of the Orange Duffel Bag Foundation. They are doing great things with kids that are aging out of foster care. I believe in the powerful writing in My Orange Duffel Bag-A Journey to Radical Change-I saw its affect on kids and adults along the 50 States in 50 Days tour. Kids said, “this book is me”……….”Sam’s story is my story”………it gave them something to hold that they could relate to.
I know of one instance of this tour preventing a suicide. When I learned of this……I knew that all the miles and all the stress were worth it.
So, I’m beginning to plan the 2012 50 States in 50 Days tour. I’m skipping 2011, because I want to make sure this next tour is very well-planned, and executed. If you’d like to host a house concert on the tour…..then email me at kevin @ kevinmontgomery.com, or find me on Facebook.

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This post is to thank Go Little Guy travel Trailers for sponsoring the tour with the use of one of their trailers. A 50 States in 50 Days tour is a test of will…..it is physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting. Having some place to call home……..riding right behind the truck made a huge difference to the tour.
Having the energy to go out and find kids to interview once we’d traveled 10 or 11 hours would not have been possible had we not had the flexibility that towing the Little Guy gave us.
We spent nights in the trailer when it was 17 degrees outside and remained warm. The insulation is excellent. That particular night we drove from Clovis, New Mexico toward Denver, Colorado…….drove as far as we could until about 4am…..pulled over at a truckstop and crashed in the parking lot.
The Little Guy trailers are so light. Sometimes you forget you are towing a trailer with these things behind you.
So, thank you Joe Kilgos and Chris Baum from Go Little Guy Trailers for responding to an email I sent the night before I left on the tour. I’d been lusting after the trailers for a couple of years, and finally sent that email. Thank you. I believe that with the Orange Duffel Bag Stories, the Orange Duffel Bag Foundation, and My Orange Duffel Bag-A Journey to Radical Change that lives of foster children can be transformed.
We appreciate you helping us. Check out these awesome trailers.

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Conclusions from the 2010 50 States in 50 Days tour, Orange Duffel Bag Stories, and what’s next?

March 14, 2011

In Oct/Nov/Dec of 2010, I completed the 2010 50 States in 50 Days tour to bring light to the plight of teens aging out of foster care in America. This is a serious problem. 70% of our nation’s prisoners report having spent some time in the foster care system. 80% of teens that age out [...]

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The 50th State in 50 Days-live webstream from Hawaii!!! We did it.

December 17, 2010

It is 3:47pm……we are at LAX. That is not good. We overslept this morning and missed out 10:30am flight out of LAX to Honolulu. Both of our phone alarms failed to wake us……….things are looking up though…….we are standing-by for the 5:10pm to Honolulu, Hawaii for the 50th night of the 50 States in 50 [...]

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2010 50 States in 50 Days-Marietta, Georgia-Shaquana’s Orange Duffel Bag Story

December 10, 2010

Shaquana was homeless at one point with an infant……alone…..no milk………she is now on the right track……in a group home in Atlanta with her child……..I have high hopes for her. She shares her story. Thurs., Dec. 9th-Dallas, Texas Attend This Event Fri., Dec. 10th-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Attend this house concert Sat., Dec. 11th-Clovis, New Mexico-Come join [...]

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2010 50 States in 50 Days-Nashville, Tennesssee-Robyn’s Orange Duffel Bag Story

December 10, 2010

Nashville was great……so many old friends showed up…….Robyn  shared her Orange Duffel Bag Story: Thurs., Dec. 9th-Dallas, Texas Attend This Event Fri., Dec. 10th-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Attend this house concert Sat., Dec. 11th-Clovis, New Mexico-Come join us at this house concert. Sun., Dec. 12th-Denver, Colorado Attend This Event Mon., Dec. 13th-Salt Lake City, Utah-Private House [...]

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Tour almost wrecked-it took a “village” to get us back on the road.

December 8, 2010

Quick oil change on sunday morning after our Florida show……….upsold on a fuel filter……relented against my better judgement, but thought, “how can they mess that up?”……..well, 28 miles later, luckily, we stopped at a rest stop on the Florida Turnpike. When we came back to the truck Sean said, “are we supposed to be dumping [...]

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2010 50 States in 50 Days-Cadiz, Kentucky-Ian’s Orange Duffel Bag Story

December 7, 2010

I stopped in Cracker Barrel in Lexington, KY. A curious waitress asked us what we were doing. I told her about the 50 States in 50 Days tour and our mission. She said she had fostered her 5 year old niece from the time she was 19……..after her sister was murdered. I asked if she [...]

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2010 50 States in 50 Days-Parkersburg, West Virginia-Steve’s Orange Duffel Bag Story

December 7, 2010

Steve works with foster kids. Great guy……..wonderful insights. Steve’s Orange Duffel Bag Story:

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2010 50 States in 50 Days-Belmont, North Carolina-Steven’s Orange Duffel Bag Story

December 7, 2010

Sometimes angels appear out of nowhere. I got a call from a lady named Susan Gandy. She originally said she would host the house concert in North Carolina for the 50 States in 50 Days tour, but then a few days before called and said she couldn’t get it together, but could possibly find some [...]

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