McKinney Semien, known across the American backroads as the Traveling Hobo or Texas Roadrunner, is no stranger to the open road. Originating from Lufkin, Texas, McKinney embarked on his journey at the age of 17 and has been embracing a life of freedom and exploration across the United States for over a decade now. He navigates the country’s landscapes by foot, hitchhiking and riding the rail. His recent travels brought him to Lincoln County, where he immersed himself in the local community. 

Semien first arrived just before Easter weekend, dropped off near Cathedral Gorge State Park. With limited supplies and no clear direction, he admitted he felt uneasy. “Honestly, I was nervous,” he said. That quickly changed when a local resident posted about him in a community Facebook group. “I felt my life was turning around,” he recalled. Locals responded with food, supplies and new equipment, including a metal garden cart and an old food wagon, replacing the worn-out hauler he’d relied on for years. 

Semien has spent much of his life living on foot, navigating the terrain with his loyal dogs, currently Roxy and Marmaduke. During his time in Lincoln County, he was also gifted seven roosters and two hens. Six of the roosters were butchered for food, and the remaining rooster and two hens will now travel with him and the dogs.

The natural features of the area left a lasting impression. He described the sand formations at the state park as “really nice to examine” and found peace at the hot springs, where the distant mountains and reliable water source provided comfort for him and his animals.

For Semien, every stop is a lesson. Whether it’s a new town or familiar ground, he takes time to study each place. 

“Me and Marmaduke know how to hunt and fish and how to make shelters when needed,” he said, noting that water remains his biggest challenge. “Because of that I carry several containers of water and the dogs carry their own.”

A key to survival, he says, is never relying on theft or handouts. “There’s always something to do when traveling and you don’t even have to work for money,” he explained. Most of his jobs come in exchange for supplies. “Being able to talk to people is something that a lot of people have lost and it can help you a lot.”

He also wants to correct misconceptions. “People don’t understand what a real hobo is,” he said. “It’s not just another word for homeless. Hobos travel and look for work. I try to keep the traditional ways alive.”

Despite the rough conditions, Semien’s love for travel and simple living keeps him moving forward. He proudly shares that he has never used drugs, alcohol or tobacco. 

“It makes life a lot better when you can actually do things without your mind clogged,” he said.

In the future, Semien hopes to expand his off-grid lifestyle. In addition to his current dogs and chickens, he owns other animals back in Missouri including two Huskies and more chickens. He dreams of eventually adding goats, sheep and donkeys to his traveling homestead. “To expand into my animals will completely make me off-grid,” he said.

In a Facebook post about his time in Lincoln County, Semien shared, “I wanna thank everyone for the kind words and for helping, the world will know the name of Panaca, Nevada for how they helped a hobo and his pups.” To follow the travels of the Texas Roadrunner, visit https://youtube.com/@hoboroadrunner. A fan group is also available at https://www.facebook.com/groups/942072320905615/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT.