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Korean scootering across the U.S.

Riding a motor scooter with a “Carpe Diem” sticker, Wan Lee is on a trip of a lifetime through the United States at 30 mph.

The 26-year-old native of South Korea has traveled 16,000 miles through 28 states in the past eight months, including a pit stop in Niagara Falls on Wednesday afternoon before heading to New York City.

“I’ve always dreamed about taking this kind of trip,” Lee said. “I wanted to see the (U.S.) and I like meeting new people.”

After flying from Seoul, South Korea, to his aunt’s house in Fayetteville, N.C., Lee purchased a Honda Ruckus 50CC motor scooter for $2,000 and set off on his trip Oct. 22. He averages 150 miles a day at about 30 mph — only stopping to rest, eat and visit certain attractions, such as Yellowstone National Park.

Lee went on the Maid of the Mist during his afternoon visit to Niagara Falls before spending the night in Buffalo.

His journey, which has gone through such states as Georgia, Texas, Arizona and California, is being documented on totalruckus.com, a Web site dedicated to the scooters’ owners. Those posting messages on the site have not only offered Lee a place to stay when he arrives in their town, but have also donated money to pay some of his expenses.

Currently, raffle tickets are being sold for his scooter when he’s done, with all of the money going to the Make a Wish Foundation, said fellow Honda Ruckus owner Donny Orr of Hamilton, Ont.

Lee, a college student and chef, travels with a few large bags on his bike that hold clothes, a tent, portable stove and an extra gas tank among other things. He said he’s spent just over $500 in gas during his entire trip.

Orr and Paul Penney drove their scooters across the border to meet up with Lee on Wednesday and show him the local sights.

“Everyone has been coaching him on the Web site,” Orr said. “What he’s doing is really exciting.”

Lee will leave for New York City today and eventually make his way to Washington, D.C. before heading back to North Carolina. He’s scheduled to board a plane back to Korea on July 15 — taking with him a lifetime of memories and American souvenirs, including 3,500 digital photos, a miniature alligator’s head from Florida, a novelty pirate’s skull and 120 bottle caps from different brands of beer he’s sampled.