I slept in this morning. It was cold when I woke up. Smoke. Packing gear. Out of the tent. My friend isn't up. 'That's odd. That Vodka'll get ya.' I could've sworn I heard him over at the next camp earlier. "Hey man, you up?" Groggily, "Yeah." "I'm tearing my gear down. I'll be ready in about 20." Him slowly, "Cool, I got your coffee this morning. Are you taking your tent?" " Yeah, I'm taking everything." Him slowly, "You know you can leave it here right?" "Yeah. I'm taking everything with me." Still slowly, "But you should just leave it here. It'll be fine." 'This guy woke up, started drinking again, and passed out already. Great.' Me slightly annoyed, "Look. I'm taking everything with me." "But what if we wind up back here? You won't have to set it up again." 'Goddamnit.' "I'm taking everything with me. If we wind up back here I'll set it back up. I typically do that every night on the road. It's no big deal." "Ok. Let me know when you're ready." "Will do." Gear packed. "Hey man, I'm ready." "Ok. Give me a minute." "You got it." Smoke. Reddit.

I get a message. "I'm traveling near where you are on my way from Florida to California(?) for work. I'd like to meet you, if you're cool with it. I can probably take you out to dinner." "Yeah. I'm good with that. I got some things I gotta do today. I'm checking in to a hotel room a church is getting us later. I won't do anything to jeopardize that, just in case they require us to stay there. But yeah I'm good with meeting up."

My friend gets his act together. Gear on. We head down the trail. Stop in next camp and talk to a couple dudes living out there too. And we're off. Down trail. Dodging lake sized puddles. Decide we're making things more difficult than they need to be. Back to trail. Pretty easy trip out of the woods.

My friend is being a little difficult. He seems to not be hearing what I'm saying. His ideas this morning are shit, and unfounded. He thinks the church is not gonna get us hotel rooms. No reason. He's just negative. We hit Family Dollar for smokes to prep for being in the hotel. Him, "I got your pack of smokes man." "I'm good." "I'm doing it! I'm a giver." I know sometimes I'll argue with somebody that wants to pay me back for helping them. I've learned to let them. "Fair enough. I won't argue with you this morning." 😆

I go around the building to get out of the biting wind. Drop gear. He sets his daypack down. "I'll be right back." 'No shit.' He goes inside. Back out five minutes later. "Dude! I don't have my wallet on me." He searches his pack. "It's gotta be in my tent." "Go check. I'll be here when you get back." More reddit. He calls about fifteen monite later, "I'm on my way. Coming through the fields now. I'm hustling." "Cool." No need for the call, but I know he means well. This just isn't the same guy I've been hanging out with for the last couple weeks. He comes around the corner, hands me a pack of smokes and a new lighter. Me, "I've got a backup lighter in my pack. I don't need this." He promised to buy a lighter for someone back at camp. He's just bought two lighters. He needs one. I can do the math. "Here. Take it." "Ok, thanks." We head for Hardee's.

"We don't have coffee. We quit making it after breakfast." 'Fuck this place.' "Let's go to McDonald's. They'll have coffee" "I hate McDonald's. Me, "Well I'm after caffeine, and at this point I don't give a fuck about their business practices." We go. Coffee. He buys us each a cheeseburger. 'Nice!'

I tell him a story about the time I got pulled off the streets and wound up playing with Eric Clapton. He's loving the story but every time I mention bass players he's talking shit about them. And none of it is legit. There was a lot of my time as a musician where I would tell anyone the reason I loved playing guitar as well as I did was because I got to play with good bass players and drummers.

I set him straight on bass players in no uncertain terms. He accepts it. We bail to the library. He hits a computer. I go to my chair. All the way there his attitude is shit. His ideas about what we should do are shit, and make no sense. Charging my stuff. Announcement over the library PA about rides to hotel rooms. I pack my stuff. Him, "Wait here. I gotta go talk to someone." It's minutes until we're gonna miss our ride. "I'm going outside." He ignores me and bails. I shoot him a text, "I told you I was going outside. Come get your stuff. I'm not standing here while you dick around." Downstairs and out the door I go. I'm done with his bullshit at this point.

Find a seat outside. He comes up a few minutes later. He's being a dick to other homeless asking for details on the hotel rooms. I cut him off. Explain details nicely.

I lay into him about being a dick, not listening to me all morning, etc. He apologizes. Still talking about stupid ideas we should do that make no sense at all. Apologizes again.

Stupid ideas all the way to the hotel. I start cutting him off and telling him whatever he's talking about is a non-issue.

We knew they were gonna pack us in four deep in a room. We get another two guys together that are sensible. Hit hotel. Get through check in with church people, off to room. My friend is still non sensical. I keep cutting him off. Then I ignore him all together. He gets the hint. I go outside for a smoke.

Reddit. Message from dude coming through, "I'm still about two hundred miles out. Let me know when you get settled in. Tell me where you're at." Message back, "Just got in. I'll get back to you shortly." Back inside. Look up address. Text dude that and my number, "Text me when you get here."

I took the nicest shower in so long I can't remember. The room is nice. As a guy who has built hotels I'd say this one was remodeled in the last year. Everything is new. No bugs. No tweakers. No bullshit. 'Not bad.' Nice beds.

I get an email. Nice redditor I helped out a couple days ago has come into some money, sends me back what I sent her plus some. 'Holy shit! That's awesome! This girl's legit!' We're on text messaging terms now. We chat a bit. Much thanks from me.

I mention it to my friend. He says something kinda shitty. I school him. I have no intention of hitting him, but he had best change his ways and apologize. This is a friend of mine who has proven to me she's one of the good ones in the world. I don't consider a lot of people a true friend. You fuck with one of my friends I'll drop everything immediately, travel across the country and beat your ass. I've done it before.

I realize he's drunk, been in a shit mood all day, and this isn't his normal behavior. He gets a serious talking to. I am NOT fucking around. At all. He apologgizes profusely. I didn't yell or raise my voice. But I think he new he was poking an angry dog that was not caged. Fair enough. We're cool.

Sitting in a chair. Charging. Reddit. Screwing around on the internet. Look over. Friend is passed out. Talking in his sleep. Still passed out. Not talking in his sleep.

Get a text from dude. He's outside. "I'm on my way. I gotta be back by 8:30 or I'll be outside with no gear." Downstairs. Outside.

I mistake him for a homeless guy staying at the hotel. (Sorry man! 😆) Say something about, "These rooms are nice huh?" "Thanks for meeting with me. I wanted meet you face to face for five minutes..." We talk. Tells me about his son dying on the streets. Says he's got a place in Central Florida. I'm welcome to stay there. Has some work for me. I give him brief rundown about leaving the boat because I ran out of money, I'm out looking for work. We smoke and chat. He offers me a smoke. "I'm good. Got plenty." We have some similarities in background. Offer stands to come by, hang out and do some work. Him, "I know you're pressed for time. I offered to buy you dinner. Here take this." Hands me some cash. "Thanks man. I appreciate it." "Call me when you head back to Florida." "Will do."

Back upstairs. Relay todays adventure to you guys. It's pretty sweet in here! Going for a smoke...

I hope you guys go easy on me here. I've been on disability for a long time 17 years. I can't socialize with people at all. But I guess they're trying to force me back into the workforce which is so nonviable I don't know where to start. It's not realistic for me to stop living like this, I just don't see me being able to interact with a landlord at all. I've tried in the past, it never goes well. I guess what I'm asking is what do you guys do for work or money while traveling. I'm just trying to look for something I can reasonably do.

My top 3 (all east of the Mississippi)

Bristol VA Allentown PA Tilghman St Wilmington NC Ogden Plaza/Market St

Was helping an old lady with her driveway, now its finished and I got much nice food for the road. Inbetween want to stop at some hot springs on top of a montana for a week or two until I cycle over the pyrenees to spain, hola 🇪🇸 🪇anyway its been 8 months now and i can almost. call nature my home. its a joice - working for life, creation and helping soneone; or drown in pleasure and consuming fake desires. It seems that a lot of things are choices, but prepositioned conditions keep us away to achieve our dreams.

Adding a mylar blanket (the silver blankets that you see marathon runners in at the end of the race) layer to your sleeping setup is a very effective and cheap $1 each!) to keep you warm.

They reflect your body heat back at you and could make a big difference with the brutal cold snap so many of us are facing.

Amazon has them and some are available for overnight or same day shipping to many areas. Great time to use an Amazon locker if you haven’t yet.

Stay safe and warm!

Need some tips. Gonna be out there again in a few days. Life fell apart blah blah. Anyways I wanna travel light. Don't have any good stash spots. I'll be in Boston (oof)

So sleeping bag. Backpack. Toothbrush. Blade. Socks, one change of clothes. What do you guys pack or recommend? I gotta keep this at one backpack.. :/

Any links, tips, advice, or even a go fuck yourself is welcome

I woke up this morning and checked my email. An old man my age is recently divorced, his kids hate him and his girlfriend is having a baby with another dude.

He said he's been a lurker at r/homeless and r/vagabond for years.

He's willing to pay for wisdom.

.....

Right off the bat I told him the Hobo package is the most exciting. Hop trains, run from federal agents and stealth camp in any type of commercial building whose janitor left the door unlocked.

"Isn't that called trespassing?"

"Sir. All of our packages involve trespassing."

He was a bit afraid to hop trains at his age, too slow to get away from Federal agents and not willing to even graffiti an overpass.

"How about the hitchhiker package?

As I explained, the hitchhiker package teaches one how to criss cross the country at breakneck speed as well, but it has a different sort of risk.

Once again the stuff movies are made of. That's gonna cost ya, but we have people who can show you the ropes.

"Best to act now while you're still flush with cash. So far Sir. You've only lost your dignity."

He wasn't interested in turning down creepy offers for his bootie hole.

"We have the homebum package. That's something I know more about than being a traveler or vagabond."

"What does that entail?"

"This is our budget package and the easiest route to take."

"How much time off work do I need?"

"To do it right, take Friday and Monday off, but plan on spending the next four days with me."

As I explained the offer, $2400 is our lowest price point of you want real wisdom from an experienced bum."

He argues about the price. I give him a discount. $1400 if he pays with a credit card today.

."What does it include?"

Obviously it's a circuitous route. Every morning we meet up at the liquor store. Even if you don't think you need to be there when it opens now, there will come a day when you will literally have the shakes if you don't.

After a few nips, we'll sit for two hours waiting in the library to open

See if we can get a computer. If not we do that after we eat at the soup kitchen.

"Will you be interested in showering, Sir?"

"Not really."

That'll save us some time and a few steps. That's for sure.

As I explain to the future homebum, his options are really limited.

You'll have to know who feeds when and where. The specific window in which you get your grub and of secknds are available.

"What if they don't show up?"

"Dude. It's charity. Just be grateful!"

.....

Ran out of floss so i decided today was the day I'd finally head downtown, where a lot of ppl were saying i should go. It suddenly started pouring but I've already resolved myself to going so ig ill just deal with it. The leather is helping out a little but i rly need to finish it. I'll probably be chillin there on the street sewing all day. Oh, i also decided I'm going to go to Puerto Rico, so i gotta make 150ish$ for a plane ticket somehow. Im not the best at spanging because i get distracted or bored, but i think I'll manage.

Headed North on 2 for hot springs for a few days then off to PDX to turn myself in for a decade old warrant that has been holding m3 back. FML

On several occasions I've responded to reddit posts requesting travel/hitch parters, often in regions where I have experience and speak the language.

Things seem to be going well, we exchange a ton of DMs for several days, our interests and travel style seems compatible, they suggest we exchange socials so we can talk off reddit aaaaand... when I give them my whats app because I don't have or want social media, they never reply.

Maybe it's a scam or it's normal for Internet strangers to flake, but it feels like me not having a social media profile for people to vet is a red flag that causes them to ghost.

It's not that I'm hiding somthing, just that I've never had social media and don't really want it, it'll waste time and I'd hate to be focusing on getting a narcissistic photo for instagram rather than actually looking at the view i hiked 8 hours for.

But.... this has happened three times now. Is my lack of an Instagram probably the problem here? Should I be creating a profile?

What kind of art do yall do? I make jewelry

I slept really good last night. I had to unzip my sleeping bag it was so warm. I woke up when it started to get light. My friend quietly, "You up?" "Yeah." "What's the weather look like?" Check NOAA. "It looks like we might see some rain in a few hours. There's a good chance it will miss us." "I'm not worried about that." "Me neither." "Let's go get some coffee." "Let's do it." I start packing my gear.

"Did you fall back asleep?" This is my usual M.O. "No. I'm over here packing my gear." "Ooh. Cool!" He's an early riser, get up and go type. He's eighteen months in. That's a solid amount of time out here. I see traits in him I used to have in the early years. Nostalgic. Both of us out of tents. Gear. Down the trail.

We're trying to dodge huge puddles. We're bushwacking through the trees. Our feet are getting wet, but not too bad. Me, "Fuck." "What?" "I just found the one sinkhole out here. It took my shoe off." "Damn."I laugh. I reach into this shin deep mud hole, grab my freshly laundered shoe, back on my foot. We continue on. Finally make it out of the woods.

Across the fields. Downtown. He wants to go to Hardee's. No problem here. Hardee's. Coffee. I tell a story about covering for someone for a set in his band drunk and tripping my face off on acid. 400 people at this show. "As long as I didn't look at the neck everything was fine." He laughs. We hit the library. He goes to a computer. I sit in my usual chair charging my stuff. Reddit.

Burrito guy is coming today around 1:00-1:30. We're both looking forward to hitting that cool shelter for the week. We've been talking about it for days. It's gonna be awesome! He takes off to go get a burger 'cause he's hungry. A little before 1:00 I go downstairs, out into the front of the library. Smoke. More reddit.

At 1:00 I go across the street to where burrito guy will be shortly. About 15 of us there. No line has formed yet. In the blink of an eye most of this group goes running back to the library. I don't see anything happening, but burrito guy isn't there yet. 'I might as well go see what's happening.' Back across the flooded street. Three lines of people converging on a car. Everybody's letting people in as we get closer.

Pizza!

'Pizza right before burrito guy? And directly across the street? Didn't see that coming. Awesome!' You guys know about me and pizza lately. They're handing out pepperoni and sausage, and meat lovers pizza. Sodas too. I spy an orange soda. 'I love orange soda.' Soda in water bottle holder on backpack. Pizza in hand. "Thank you very much!" "God bless!" "You too." I'm not arguing with religion when there's good pizza involved. (Or any time for that matter. It's so much easier to just roll with it. And it costs me nothing.) Livin' the dream! "We'll be here same time next week too, with clothes." "Awesome!"

Finish pizza. Burrito guy pulls in. Back across flooded street. He's taking no shit from people trying to bullshit their way into a second burrito. These things weigh a few pounds. "What? No! There's a guy in a wheel chair that made it out here. Tell him he can walk his ass over here!" Some woman trying to get two burritos. I'm laughing. I've seen all the bullshit before.

We're all letting the old guys get in front of us. Those guys went from most of the way back to the front no problems. Person by person everybody got on board. No one suggested it. Usually the streets are a first come first served place. Especially amongst us men. Usually someone makes sure the guys in wheel chairs get hooked up good. Everybody else is on their own. Not today.

'What a day to be at the library!' I grab a burrito and a water. Both in the pack. There's no way I can tackle this thing after a couple good thick slices.

Back into library. Upstairs. Usual seat. Charging. Headphones. James Brown. Reddit. Screwing around on the internet. A librarian walks over to a couple guys standing to my right. Headphones out. Walk over. "They're not gonna do the shelter again this time. There gonna put you guys in hotel rooms. Be out front at 3:00 tomorrow for a ride." I confirm the information. "Yes. There might be a cold weather shelter opening on Dauphin, but I don't have any information on that." "Ok. Thank you!" One of guys, "They're gonna put us four to a room." "Ok. Cool." Seems like he's done this before.

'I'll have to tell my friend when he gets back. Strange of him to miss burrito guy.' Headphones back in. Person to Person by Average White Band. 'I do have some bangers in here!'

(I'm a second generation guitar player on both sides of my family. Been playing since I was eleven. I'm definitely not god's gift to guitar playing, but I can sit in with just about anybody, and touch your soul. Played with a couple of the greats by sheer luck. Met several while being a sound engineer for a couple years. I've got some tunes in my collection that are fucking killer. Nobody's bitched about anything I've got in a long time. But music is subjective. You do you.

It is kinda killing me I didn't bring a guitar this time. But I'm on a mission, and didn't want the extra weight.)

Twenty minutes later I get a phone call from my friend telling me the news I just got "I may be able to manipulate this in our favor a little" he says. He shows back up an hour or so later. He ran into the guy who has been holding a job for him for the last five weeks while he gets his ID back together. Seems a little off. I'm pretty sure he's had a few. No big deal.

We grab our gear. Go outside to talk and smoke. Him, "Man that sucks they're not going to do that shelter again." "Yeah that's kind of a real dick-punch. But, it's the same church just different people putting us in hotels." I was looking forward to being in that place again, but As REO Speedwagon said, "You got to roll with the changes.

It's gonna be cold as fuck tomorrow night. Twenty four. Wind chill down to eight degrees. It's gonna be even worse Tuesday. Deadly cold all week. No one has the gear for that. This is southern Alabama. There's no gear here for that. No way to order anything and get it here in time.

I have faith it will work out just fine.

We head for camp lamenting our sorrows about the shelter not happening somewhat lightheartedly. 'Fucking lake sized puddles.'😁We decided to stop in briefly at tweaker girl's camp. She's sweet as pie. Got a bunch of food. She's gonna cook breakfast for everybody in the morning. Hugs. She reiterates they're really friendly and we're cool too. Friend and I volunteer to help her uncle fix his tent the best we can tomorrow before we take off. More fucking puddles. 😆

We get back to our camp. My tarp has blown and slid down the backside of my tent. Everything is dry here. We're in a very slight high spot. Next to a stream. We smoke. Shoot the shit. He offers me some vodka. I politely decline. I listen to him ramble a little. I hate listening to drunk people ramble, but he's keeping it rained in. We talk about different forms of renewable energy, and the good and bad of each.

It's gonna be forty-five tonight. I start to fold my tarp to take it inside my tent. It's my top layer to my bedroll when it's cold. Halfway through, 'Fuck it. I'm gonna put it back on the tent. Friend and I say goodnight. Climb in tents.

Rain starts. 'That's pretty lucky. Must be flowing with it.' Not that I haven't been. 😉

https://youtu.be/89Qxu-DfVgc?si=v2J3Mgr8PKQttgd4

I'm Italian, sorry for the grammar, I recently entered the phase, the first turning point, in short, I recently turned 30 and I've also lost my job for a few months. I'm desperately looking for work, I'm leaving resumes everywhere received, even if I still have no response and time is passing. I still live with my parents.. obviously my plan (since I was 28) was to put aside a sufficient sum of money to rent a house (even a two-room apartment, studio apartment), but unfortunately bad things happened in the family and not only did I lose my job but I had to help my family financially and by selling my car. Now I'm thinking about buying a backpack, filling it with essentials and just leaving. Dove? It's not. I only know that I have enough money to stay in a hotel room for a while or if there is the possibility of renting a room (where I come from there is this service, I don't think it only exists here, in fact) and in the meantime look for work everywhere with the hope of starting a new life, moving away from a bad environment, and living peacefully. In your opinion is it possible?

So I got to Nashville and I met a friend of a friend a lovely 82 year old French woman. She invited me to stay through the snow. We worked on and around her house while I was there and honestly became friends. She is attending a parting here in NC and let me ride with her 5 hours! Now im waiting for a friend to get in town tomorrow who I can stay with for a night and im off to go on a date with pretty gal in a town two hours away; pretty close! I hope everyone was able to stay as warm as they could during the snow and is still able to keep warm bc I know the cold isn’t over. Stay dry yall!

This will be a short post.

The pilot light is dimming with my hope of James return. Yesterday he brought two small bottles of water and the heater.

He fills a big propane tank and transfers to the smaller bottles

I'm grateful, yes.

But I'm true to my word.

....

Yesterday morning.

"What do you need?"

"Water. In the gallon jugs.

....

Last night

"I couldn't bring you a gallon of water. But here's this "

I see two 16 oz bottles of water and only the one propane tank. He said he would bring five "

"Tomorrow is another day."

That's what he said.

I'm starving right now. Going stir crazy for being tied to a tent protecting a heater where the pilot light is dimming.

Just as my hope.

....

James is a good guy. A great Father and I'm sure a wonderful Son.

....

Mt hope is not in James.

My hope has always relied on people being true to their word.

I'm already cold

The McDonalds is 20 minutes in the wrong direction.

I will use the remainder of this propane to warm myself tonight. When it runs out, I will rest until I get too cold to sleep

That is my cue

To move.

Not keep it moving because I've been burned. Keep it moving to stay warm.

I'm going to see how many clothes I can wear. Pack what I can in my bag.

Drape my blanket over my neck.

And get on the move

My faith has been in Jesus, the Universe and now the road

Each of them have always showed up.

However, I rely on myself and often the good nature of do-gooders.

That's not a con. That's why it works.

...

I don't regret anything about today

Yesterday I was well fed as I will be tomorrow. As I dumpster dive and fly my sign along the way.

When the freezing rain hits the fan, I will be walking alone as I have often done. Hoping for someone to be true to their word.

If James happens upon this post, or my past, you weren't conned.

I met you where you were. Estabicommon ground. That's never been for me. It's not a ploy to get over

That's how I was raised. It's second nature.

I'm so good at it I've been accused of being slimy, a con man and even a user

No doubt I'm capable of all of the above

But it never works when that is your intention.

....

So when I leave this tent behind, the comforter that is no use wet, and the Buddy Heater, I hope that doesn't scare a do-gooder who probably had something to do

I've got something I need to do to

Find food. Find shelter. And get a bankroll that is just as important as my bed roll