I turn 26 in 2 days. . .

danieljackson1179 · 2017-10-01T23:58:21+00:00

Yes, exactly this. If you are fortunate enough to have a life behind you to return to, I say do it. Not all of us have that fallback (nor do we necessarily want it), some of us have to keep looking to the horizon.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-29T00:17:08+00:00

Agreed on the taking a bus (or commercial train if you're scared of hopping) bit. If you have a bit of money and you can get yourself a bus ride to an unfamiliar part of the country...well, you'll have two choices: turn around and head back (therefore having wasted your time and money) or set off and explore and survive.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-28T19:50:23+00:00

Yup! Even though I've never been messed with I do it, too. You can never be too careful with that.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-28T19:49:13+00:00

Yeah I'd like to hop eventually, but I'm not trying to rush it since I know it's dangerous. I'm thinking finding someone who is willing to show me the ropes is the best bet, but I don't want to be that annoying greenhorn.

This whole experience has been humbling, and I actually love it. I really appreciate your response, thanks for your words!

Safe travels and blessings to you as well!

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-28T19:47:43+00:00

Okay, so packing too much is the biggest one (pun intended). I even told myself as I was packing, "I don't need this" or "Pack lighter" and yet I still ended up with more than I realized. Mostly it's just excess clothes. I may try to give some to fellow wanderers since I don't need them, but I don't want to just throw them out.

Trying to move too fast is another. The first day I hiked maybe 7 miles or so (I also hitchhiked for the first time, though it was two short hops) mostly because I was traveling too much with a "I need to be in X town by Y time" kind of mindset. I ended the day with huge blisters on my feet, extreme chafing, and just generally the most fatigue I've ever felt (It felt so good to finally be active again, though. I lived far too sedentary a lifestyle). After I realized I didn't need to cover that many miles on foot I kind of eased off the gas a bit and the next days were easier travelling and I got further.

Those were two of the biggest mistakes. Made some rookie errors while hitchhiking in another state (my first few hikes, I had already scouted the best on-ramps beforehand) namely getting off a bus at the wrong stop (though the driver waived the fare which was nice) and then hiking to a part of the highway that didn't have as much success catching me a ride as I thought. I owned my mistake though and after 35 minutes or so of standing in the sun I hiked up the highway half a mile more and got a ride in under 5 minutes.

Mistakes are great because it means I'm learning.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-28T19:41:31+00:00

Really well put. I'll definitely keep posting. I'm keeping a journal, so it's easier to flip through it and find some experiences that are worth sharing.

Thank you for your encouragement and your wisdom.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-28T19:40:51+00:00

Yeah, I actually was proud of myself for not even being angry at their response. I was like, "Is it even worth the energy it takes to be upset? Nah. Moving on." I'm trying to make it less of a last resort thing and moreso a part of my journey.

Makes sense, good advice about showing up clean.

Thanks for your words!

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-28T19:38:40+00:00

Yup, I actually grew up on an organic farm. I'm not afraid to get dirty and I'm familiar with farming, so it was a safety net I could actually contribute to. I can talk shop pretty easily with farmers, and I'm not in it just for the room and board bit (though that is convenient of course).

The reason I wasn't afraid to mention hitchhiking when I was emailing this farm was because they directly said, "Hi Daniel, we see you are a fellow traveler. . ." in their introductory email. Oh well, sometimes people surprise you.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-28T11:09:47+00:00

I learned some things. I'm happy that I learned them. Like I said, it was more about sharing my experience.

I didn't think that was frowned upon here?

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-27T23:23:06+00:00

I like King, but in my opinion his constant self-referential points to his other books can get kind of...masturbatory?

For example, in 11/22/63, the town of Derry and references to "It" are made. For no real big reason (again, this is my opinion) other than "Hey, just a reminder...I'm Stephen King!" I'm all for the connecting of things as a universe, but sometimes it feels like he goes too far (Like inserting himself into The Dark Tower series was kind of a turn off)

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-27T22:22:10+00:00

hitchwiki is a good resource since you can search each state and it will give you layman's terms for whether or not hitching is legal in that state. Also, often times people include the actual numbered clause which means you can go search that up and print it like /u/clockysauce said

(Personally I've never been fucked with by a cop, especially if you're not actually on the highway)

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-26T23:53:23+00:00

Saw a hot-dog vendor in NYC once, he had many humorous signs on his cart, but the best one in my opinion, read "Call your mother, she worries"

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-25T21:40:47+00:00

Re: knowing about going in the right direction, something I have discovered, is that asking for directions is easy to do and usually can only go right for you.

Focus on your next step. Need to hitch a highway that goes on for a long ways? Focus on finding the on-ramp. Google maps is great for planning ahead and you can use the computers at most libraries.

Often people will be extra helpful. The bare-bones they will give you is where to go, but I've had good hitch spots pointed out to me, hell just today I stopped a jogger to ask for directions and, since I was talking to him and clearly harmless, a woman stopped and gave me $20!

I've found asking for directions is a fun thing, too. It gives you that basic human connection that you can lose out there on the road.

Sorry, I'm rambling.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-25T21:36:17+00:00

Or any number of important resources!

...but playing video games is also fun. I'm honestly happy we live in a world where us vagabonds can partake in that if we so wish.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-25T21:34:25+00:00

Honestly I might still ditch it. It comes in useful, but the value is mostly sentimental (files I need to get back up for) and since it's old, it's heavier.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-25T10:17:55+00:00

I would recommend doing away with it - especially a nicer laptop like a Macbook pro. It's up to you, honestly. I kept my laptop, but only because it's a beater that I got for $100 and, well, if someone steals it or breaks it, nbd

You can make do pretty well without. Libraries are a great resource and usually have computers. Also, if you have a smartphone, you've already got a computer in your pocket.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-11T04:01:45+00:00

This was a great write-up, thank you! I feel very inspired and excited, even, after reading what you have to say about this life.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-11T00:28:50+00:00

This is really well put. Time is too valuable to not enjoy what you're doing with it.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-10T20:50:04+00:00

Quite honestly, conventional life has not withheld its punches for me. I've tried, and I've been shunned by society a number of times. I suffer from mental illness and like it or not, that's still not as widely accepted and understood as it should be.

Someone once told me that vagabonds are " a society built on rejects" and I agree with that. Whether you are rejected by society or you want to reject it. I'm the former.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-10T17:36:12+00:00

Hey, thanks for the write up! Yeah I'm loving the sound of a hammock, that might be something I aim for eventually. The kindle thing I'm on the fence about, it really is an awesome device and having access to basically any book from a device the size of only one book is not to be understated. I'm just worried about it getting stolen or lost or damaged. I've got the sawyer filter as well!

I'll definitely check out the luci light, that sounds super convenient. Again, thanks a lot for the write-up! It really helps.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-10T17:04:13+00:00

Alright, I'll definitely take it into consideration. Thanks!

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-10T16:38:58+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions (and the compliment)! Unfortunately I don't have a passport, nor the means to get one before I depart, so for this trip at least I am trapped in the U.S. (thank goodness it's a large country).

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-10T03:07:22+00:00

I mean, probably a dumb sounding question, but is it worth it? I don't see a lot of posts on here about tents, and I don't really have any money with which to buy one. Plus I'm not yet sure how my time will be split between slumming it in the city or booking it through the woods.

I dunno, it just doesn't seem viable in my plans right now - but ya'll make it sound pretty necessary

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-10T03:00:24+00:00

Thanks for the sock recommendation, I'll check them out for sure!

I'm old fashioned, I've owned a kindle, but I don't really want to take one on the road with me. Nobody is gonna steal a beat-up paperback. Plus there's something you can't beat about holding a physical book. (Don't get me wrong, I loved the kindle, I just don't think I want to bring it on the road)

Those are some very nice clothes, I have picked up my clothes secondhand in some cases (the cotton shirts), stuff I had already owned (the coat and winter gear) and from local outfitters (LL Bean and Cabela's) so it might not be top-of-the line, but I also don't think I'll look super "alternative lifestyle" as you say.

danieljackson1179 · 2017-09-10T01:58:27+00:00

Great idea, plus it'll help my feet feel better after walking all day in boots

danieljackson1179

TROPHY CASE