When Jay and Stella Kochiss decided to travel across the U.S. beginning last May, it was with the intention of telling the story of American immigration. As they traveled, they were inspired by the hope they found in many communities and they decided to tell a slightly different story.

Jay, who had been with Bloomberg television for more than a decade and Stella, who has a background in broadcast journalism, brought a unique perspective to their project. 

The couple had raised three children in Croton On Hudson, New York. With the children grown into adulthood, the couple turned their attention to what would come next. “We were empty nesters,” Stella said. “We wanted to go out and live our lives.”

That decision took the couple to the Pyrenees, where they walked the 500-mile Camino de Santiago twice; and to China, where Jay served as a consultant for a year.

And it is now taking them across the U.S., documenting the stories of Americans who are making a difference in their communities. At each stop, they are referred to other efforts elsewhere, creating an ad hoc itinerary formed by outstanding community service.

Traveling in “Dolly,” a motorcycle outfitted with a sidecar, their goal is to visit every state, finding stories of love and hope along the way.

Since their travels began, the two have visited Cape Cod and New York, Rhode Island and most recently Maine, where Betty Torrance referred them to the region’s Community Center. On July 24, the couple recorded interviews with Margaret Jones Perritt and Center Director Jane Good. Good enjoyed the experience. “We had more fun with them. They were with us for several hours,” she said. “How amazing that they found us!”

The couple plans to produce a documentary on their travels. For now, the two expect to provide recorded segments on their website. They are funding their own work and hope to find a sponsor or sponsors.

According to Stella, the response to their project has been very positive. “America is an amazing country – a country of opportunities,” she told the Boothbay Register. “We want to inspire people to go out and have an adventure.”

Asked what lessons they have learned along the way, they agreed it’s important to keep things positive and pay attention to the person next to you. More information about their travels can be found at  http://www.onrway.net