A group of recent college graduates was scheduled to start an 18-month trek across America at Assateague Island this weekend. The members of the Pick Up America initiative planned to begin their journey across the country yesterday morning to pick up trash from Maryland to California. The group plans to begin the westward portion of their walk from the base of New York's Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Campaign coordinator Davey Rogner said he and his three fellow walkers expect to reach San Francisco in August 2011. The Silver Spring native says his group was looking for ideas to inspire people to reduce their contribution to waste.

- Associated Press