I know it sounds strange but it is an idea I have obsessed about since I was 17, I am 26 now. I cant fully explain it in words but I know I will do it one day I have thought and talked about it for years and I’m pretty sure that time is now. My house was destroyed in hurricane ida down here in south Louisiana and life has been odd since then, I’m a loner and I feel like I may never get this chance again. I have some money of course about 2k. although it does get intimidating when I get close to actually packing up for the trip, the thought of sleeping on park benches or using my wits/social skills to survive is frightening but its also the reason I want to do it. I would LOVE any kind of advice or anything of the sort I will read all comments and welcome any messages .
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My advice would be to save aggressively for a few months and pad your savings to at least 5K – a fund that you do not touch unless in the case of an absolute emergency. People in a financial crisis don’t always make the best, or most cost-effective decisions, and having a safety net can save you a lot of money and headache in the long run.
Start small and just spend this summer hiking the Appalachian trail. Season starts soon so you can actually start on time for this summer. Accomplish that then see how you feel about another multi state hike.
I met a guy in my hometown who had walked all over North America and his plan was to walk around the world. He was pulling a small trailer behind him with some camping gear and clothes but he didn’t have a ton of stuff with him. My partner and I talked to him for a while and he said that tons of people had been incredibly hospitable, from offering him food and drinks to letting him sleep on their couches. So all that to say that this is definitely something that at least one other guy does and has been doing for a while! He was definitely a really cool person to meet, made me think a lot about my priorities in life and how little we all actually need to be happy.
I don’t mean this unkindly, but what you are considering doing is basically living as a homeless person with a pretty modest safety net if things go wrong. That might work for you, but as it seems that you are considering this in the aftermath of the trauma that you may have suffered from the disaster that destroyed your house, you should take care before attempting this.
I’d suggest talking over this plan with your friends and family first. You might also want to talk with a therapist.
When I was 20 years old, I loaded a bunch of camping gear onto my bicycle and spent the better part of the next seven months riding 5,300 miles (8,500 km) around much of the US. I wasn’t on foot, and I had plenty of money. But I was traveling by my own power, and still trying to do so frugally. Wild camping in the woods rather than paying for proper campgrounds, and couch surfing with kind locals…
It was a life changing experience in more than a few ways, and two years later, it remains a highlight of my life. It is by no means an easy life. I battled rain and wind and snow, the bike broke down on me days away from the next bike shop. One night while wild camping in the woods, I came down with food poisoning, tossing and turning and vomiting out the door of my tent through the night, before battling a flat tire and more rain the next morning while still sick on my way back to civilization. That night and the following morning was honestly one of the lowest points of my life, and I struggle to recall a time, either on my travels or back home, where I felt a more overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
But there were also so many moments that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Camping with beautiful views of mountains or Pacific coast sunsets, or the feeling of finally cresting the top of a mountain pass after a hard fought uphill ride on 80 pounds (36 kg) of bike and camping gear. The day I finally arrived at the mighty Pacific for the first time, knowing my home was 2,300 miles (3,700 km), exactly two months by bike, and two mountain ranges from the nearest saltwater. And most especially, all the wonderful people I met along the way, every single one of whom wanted to be a positive part of my story in whatever way they were able. Indeed, despite all the hardships I encountered along the way, that chapter of my life was a highlight of my entire life up to this point, and not a day goes by where I don’t find myself looking back on some moment from my travels with an immensely deep gratitude.
The other day I saw I documentary about the Jackass crew. Chris Pontius showed up and told into the camera that he didn’t have an apartment for 8 years. He just slept either in his car or on a friends couch.
I think that is an awesome idea which pumps up the adrenaline. But, saying that, I think it is beneficial for such endeavor to have an existing social network. Making new friends & sleep on their couch might be too much.
Anyways! You could try and tip your toe into your vagabond travel idea. Give it a week and see how it goes. If you like it, plan the next trip.
One final thought I have, given that you seem an US resident(?). I would say, get a gun before you start lol
I have a friend who is a Hobo, pretty much what you want yo do and maaaan do i get jelous some times, he just jumps trains, fucks hippie girls and gets to see all of the usa for free while playing music and making some money for food and keep on the road, he even adopted a little street dog who he takes with him everywhere.
A few people have mentioned it but trust me on this one! Watch Simon Wilson’s no money challenge across the USA. He mentions the law of attraction and the approach you take when talking to people. If you know what you want and have enough confidence anything is possible! I’d like to follow this journey if you end up doing it.
Side question: Do you plan on going around your area in the US or explore a bit further?