Just passing through: Willy Kunkle cycles through Morristown on round-the-world odyssey

They call Morristown the “Crossroads of the American Revolution.” More than two centuries later, it’s also the crossroads for globe-trekking adventurers.

Willy Kunkle cycled through on Friday, on Day One of his trek from Newark back to his home town of Portland, Ore.

Actually, this is the last leg of an odyssey that began on Inauguration Day 2009. Willy, 26, crewed on yachts that took him from Thailand, India, Yemen and Egypt.

His only steady companion was “Buttercup,” a Granada baby guitar he bought for $45 in India. Buttercup was strapped to Willy’s back Friday as he studied a map, supplied by the library’s temporary office at Pine and South streets.

We thought Willy’s story seemed a bit…fantastic. Until we checked his blog, which has lots of authentic-looking pictures and some colorful accounts of life at sea.

Seven months into his adventure, Willy posted these suggested guidelines for a happy life:

1) SMILE
2) Always make funny faces at small children when their parents aren’t looking
3) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
4) Make music whenever possible!!
5) Drink plenty of water and beer, stay away from wine that comes in old water bottles
6) Ahamdulellah
7) Read Ecclesiastes!!
Whistle while you work
9) Please don’t litter
10) Lavaş Lavaş!

Good luck, Willy, and Godspeed!