A 50-State Human Powered Journey

One man is trying to become the first person to visit all 50 U.S. capitals by self-powered means of transportation. He stopped by Bend on Sunday, on his way to coming from Salem.

Roman Scaturro of Arizona began his adventure last month by kayaking from Juneau, Alaska.

It took him over a month to get to Olympia, Wash., from where he has biked.

On Sunday, Scaturro stopped in Bend on his way from Salem.

He said he’s making this trek for two reasons.

One is awareness for child obesity and childhood hunger, and also to raise funds for local families and their children through his organization called FRAANK (Family Ride Across America to Nurture Kids).

Scatturo is 49 years old and will complete 49 states this year, before he turns 50 next year.

That’s when he will plans to row into Hawaii on June 6th, 2013, to complete his 50-state tour.

“The big part of the motivation is helping the families,” Scatturo said. “Helping them is a big motivation to do it.”

After his stop in Bend, Scaturro is on to Boise, Idaho, then Helena, Mont., and Salt Lake City. The list goes on and on, until he finishes up in Sacramento, Calif., before Thanksgiving.

If you would like to donate to the cause, you can visit the FRAANK website at www.fraank.org.