"Except for one thing," the 47-year-old said. "I didn't have someone to share it with."

Two of Goddard's close friends asked him to describe his vision of the "ideal woman."

"I said 'dark-haired and brainy," he said. "And they set me up on a blind date with (the woman who would become) my wife, Jayne (Comins). It wasn't love at first sight, but it became love quickly. We married a year later, in 1989."

He said they shared a wonderful life together and enjoyed prosperous careers. Goddard worked as a professional translator, fluent in Italian, German and French. Comins was one of Britain's leading speech therapists, teaching throat-cancer patients to speak again and helping children to overcome speech impediments.

When Comins died of cancer in January at the age of 49, Goddard was devastated. But he said he knew his wife wouldn't want him to "mope around."

"I thought I'd try to exact something positive from her death," he said, "and maybe give to a good cause."

So he vowed to walk 4,000 miles across America, coast-to-coast, to raise $18,000 for the Association for International Cancer Research. His walk, which he calls "Journey for Jayne," will take 6 to 8 months -- with no backup team or support vehicle.

Goddard began his journey June 25 in New York's Times Square.

By Monday, he was near Exton and finally made his way to Smoketown Wednesday afternoon along Route 340. By 6 p.m., he was on Columbia Avenue, fighting the humidity and a lack of breeze.

"I always wanted to do this -- walk across America -- for years and years," he said Monday via his cell phone. "I thought now would be a good time. After Jayne's death, I needed to work through some things. And at home, there are all these reminders of her.

"While I'm doing this, I'm stripped down to the basics," Goddard said. "I just think of logistics: when to walk, eat and sleep. I can think out here and just go on autopilot and, hopefully, get myself together."

Goddard has temporarily given up his job as a translator, placed many of his belongings in storage and sublet his home back in the United Kingdom.

"But I do some translation work when I'm staying at motels at night," he said. "That's why I brought my laptop computer with me. It helps pay some of the bills. But I'm really not here to work: I'm here to enjoy America -- which I have been."

He said Jayne would have approved of his journey.

"I'm not sure if I would have done this before, but she was such a motivated, inspirational person," Goddard said. "I think that's her legacy to me."

He's carrying a 40-pound backpack, which he said is much lighter than the standard load a hiker is used to lugging around.

"But it still took me this long to get used to the weight," Goddard said, mentioning blisters on his feet. "I start walking around noon and make sure I drink lots of water and eat three meals a day. It's hard to eat healthy on the road, but I have to keep my strength up since I try to walk 15 miles a day. It's also been very hot lately, but I've been keeping up rather well."

He's no stranger to physical exertion or travel. Goddard has run 16 marathons and visited 89 countries. He's also become practiced in fundraising. Goddard said he's raised $13,000 for cancer research in the U.K.

"But I wanted to do something completely different this time out," he said. "And I chose the Association for International Cancer Research because I want people to know they're contributing to work that will eventually benefit everyone around the world."

He said six people have contributed to his cause in the last eight days.

"I reason if I'm here for about nine months, the money will add up," Goddard said. "I haven't had a lot of sponsors, though Sprint Nextel has given me a very nice cell phone to use while I'm on the road. It's been invaluable."

Goddard said he stays off major highways because "they are no fun to walk along" and has chosen small back roads so he can get a better look at America.

"I was in this country once as a college student," he said, "but this time out, my mother-in-law was worried for me and was convinced I'd get mugged as soon as I stepped off the plane."

Goddard said he never shared her anxieties.

"I believe in the innate goodness of people," he said. "And people have been very nice to me. A couple who read about me in a newspaper bought me dinner recently.

"I feel alone without Jayne, but this has been comforting," Goddard said. "Having people behind you and supporting you is tremendously healing."

He said he's often thought about when his journey will end in California, wondered if he'll feel an emptiness once his mission is complete.

"I hope I don't," Goddard said. "But I do hope I emerge a stronger person after all this. I don't know where may career will go or if I'll end up moving, but I'd like to think I'll have mastery over my life again."

Goddard said Journey for Jayne also has inspired him to live out his lifelong dream of seeing America on foot.

"Jayne was known for her can-do attitude and was always ready to accept a challenge," he said. "Her motto was 'Say yes and worry later.' That's inspired me to get off my ass and have this adventure in her memory."

Donations to Association for International Cancer Research can be made at www.justgiving.com/uswalk.

"People have been very nice to me. A couple who read about me in a newspaper bought me dinner recently."

Phil Goddard

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