The Idiot has been in zip mode during a pleasant travel blitz that will end on September 17 when he returns to Zenny MedTrekking in southern Turkey. His movements, as fast as the walk around the Mediterranean is slow, have taken him from Northern California to central Texas, back to San Francisco, and then to London.

Travel stops have enjoyably blended friends, family, a wedding, a college football game, book promotion, political developments and culture. The road trip kicked off at the trendy Kimber Modern Hotel in the SoCo section of Austin, TX, with two women and two books.

The Idiot and partner Liz Chapin (right) enjoy the patio at Austin’s Kimber Modern Hotel managed by long-time pal Cassie Bills.

The Idiot promotes his MedTrekking books while lazing on a hammock made from recycled seat belts from Jaguar cars. (Photo: Liz Chapin)

A day later The Idiot visited a 500-acre homesteading community called Homestead Heritage while attending a Chapin family wedding in Waco, TX.

The Idiot visits a water-powered Gristmill at Homestead Heritage near Waco, TX. (Photo: Liz Chapin)

During the weekend The Idiot and his son Luke watched the Stanford University football team lose to the University of Southern California. The 13-10 defeat was slightly tempered by tailgate parties before and after the game.

The Idiot and his son Luke at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo: Luke Stratte-McClure)

The Idiot’s first stop in London on Monday afternoon was at the House of Lords where he discussed numerous issues, including Syria and the Middle East, with a friend who is a peer of the realm before posing in front of Big Ben.

Big Ben, The Idiot and Liz Chapin in London. (Photo: Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe)

The Idiot then chatted with his editor and a photographer in Hampstead about his upcoming MedTrek before a mediative stroll with his daughter on Primrose Hill transferred him back to MedTrek mode.

The Idiot chats about his MedTrek with photographer David Koppel (left) and editor Michael Knipe in Hampstead. (Photo: Liz Chapin)

The Idiot and his daughter Sonia stroll on Primrose Hill. (Photo: Liz Chapin)

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About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."