From one coast clear across the country to the other in three weeks with $1,000.

Sounds pretty far-fetched, but not for Emily Cadloff, a third-year journalism student from Winnipeg who is doing it.

Her goal is to show others that, with a little cash and a bit of time, grand travel adventures are possible.

“It’s not terrible — it’s certainly doable, but it is a challenge,” Cadloff told KTW during her stay in the River City.

Having just spent her birthday in Thunder Bay, Ont., last week, the 24-year-old arrived this past week, spending the day exploring and crashing on the couch of a friend of a friend.

And the unexpected generosity of strangers has blown the seasoned wanderer away — and saved her the most dough.

“The most challenging thing is finding a place to stay because, if I had to pay, I wouldn’t be able to do this,” she said.

“I’ve had a few couches, I’ve had a few floors, I’ve had a few spare beds to sleep on.

“That’s really been one of the toughest things, but also one of the most amazing.

“This trip is really run on the openness and generousity of people across the country.”

It’s a notion Cadloff is sure her family and friends will appreciate — since she’s been travelling alone for the past three weeks and not always available by phone.

Although everyone supported — after the initial shock wore off — the “slightly nomadic” traveller’s plans, Cadloff said this is the “most outrageous adventure” she’s tackled.

And the experience has been nothing short of amazing, having her first lobster in Charlottetown, sleeping on the floor of a bus station in Quebec City and meeting a rapping preacher in Saskatoon.

“There were a lot of places in Canada that I hadn’t been, so I had no expectations,” she said.

“There are so many little cities, so many wonderful places and there’s been something special in each place.

“There’s been some really amazing things across the country that I didn’t think I would get to do . . . this entire trip has just been a learning experience.”

Though this summer has been a whirl-wind adventure, Cadloff is looking forward to seeing family and friends — and sleeping in her own bed.

From her journey, she hopes to write a travel guidebook for young people who dream of trekking across Canada, but might not have a lot of cash flow.

Additionally, Cadloff hopes to one day repay those people who took in a perfect stranger in a classic pay-it-forward fashion.

“One day, it will all come around and, hopefully, some of the people I’ve met will swing through Winnipeg and I can give them a place to stay,” she said.

“It’s a nice way of creating this global community.”

To see more of Cadloff’s cross-Canada trek, visit thetravelbugdiaries.blogspot.com.