I woke up from a long night of sleep. I was hoping to feel better when I woke up today and I did! I was exited to get back on the move. I ate what was left from the dinner bread that I had and then packed up and headed out.
I walked through the town of macclenny and stopped at a cvs. I made a sign there that said "food" but it was easter Sunday and it was very dead there. So I had no luck. I tied the sign on my pack and headed out of the town going west.
I walked about half the day when I noticed it started to get smokey. There must have been a forest fire or something because it went on for miles. I was worried with breathing the smoke in especially with the cough I was still slightly dealing with. So I took me extra shirt, folded it and tied it over my mouth and nose and around my neck.
About half way through the day I hadn't eaten anything else but wasn't too hungry. But then a family turned around and pulled next to me and gave me a big plate of Easter food. It had chicken, cornbread, spinach, and Mac and cheese. I was so pumped and couldn't thank them enough!
I walked about 15 miles that day. When the sun was beginning to set I found another church along side of the highway. There was nothing else around but green fields of grass. It was perfect. The church was brand new and I don't think even opened yet. When I opened the cover to the outlet a foam piece fell out and it was the first it had been opened.
I made my bed and charged my things. I got to Skype with my best friend Rhett for a while, and then with my parents back at home. It was cool to get to talk to them all. And my dog at my parents heard me and was looking all over the house to find me. It was cool and I miss her. I laid down at around 11 and closed my eyes to get some sleep. ( these blogs are somewhat rushed until I can get caught up, it's just tough when I try to walk most of the day but il try and get them up to date in the next few days)
Day 5
Day 5 was a bit of a lost day. I felt like absolute donkey terds when I woke up. My cough was worse. I was dizzy and light headed. It was a real test in my strength physically and mentally to keep myself focused. I was so down and feeling like giving up already! Wasn't cool.
Even though I had no medicine I figured I would try and give myself the best chance to heal. I know my body is always fighting sickness so if I took good care of my body for the day and let it rest to focus on healing I might feel better.
I started by taking my vitamins, which I should do everyday, I just forget. So I took those, then jasmine had left 3 cup of soups with me when she left. So I poured water into one and let it sit in the sun to let the noodles soak the water. I ate some of the dinner bread left over from the steak sandwich jasmines mom gave me. Then I had the cold soup. I stayed in the shade all day and got as much rest as possible taking naps all day long.
At around 4 or so I made another soup and ate it too. So I at least was resting and had food to support my body in fighting off whatever I was dealing with. I laid there all day alone and was fighting my mind from being negative the whole day.
At night I laid there looking at the stars and after the whole day of feeling worthless and down I had a moment of clarity. These stars looked beautiful. This was the life, camping under stars and just enjoying nature. I fell asleep with that thought and slept like a baby all night.
Even though I had no medicine I figured I would try and give myself the best chance to heal. I know my body is always fighting sickness so if I took good care of my body for the day and let it rest to focus on healing I might feel better.
I started by taking my vitamins, which I should do everyday, I just forget. So I took those, then jasmine had left 3 cup of soups with me when she left. So I poured water into one and let it sit in the sun to let the noodles soak the water. I ate some of the dinner bread left over from the steak sandwich jasmines mom gave me. Then I had the cold soup. I stayed in the shade all day and got as much rest as possible taking naps all day long.
At around 4 or so I made another soup and ate it too. So I at least was resting and had food to support my body in fighting off whatever I was dealing with. I laid there all day alone and was fighting my mind from being negative the whole day.
At night I laid there looking at the stars and after the whole day of feeling worthless and down I had a moment of clarity. These stars looked beautiful. This was the life, camping under stars and just enjoying nature. I fell asleep with that thought and slept like a baby all night.
Day 4
On day 4 when I woke up it was about 10am. I know that's pretty late, and for sleeping on concrete. But I've been known to sleep through some gnarly things and conditions. I got up and packed up. Just as I finished packing it began to rain. It went from sprinkle to down poor in about a minute. There was a little overhang over a door and it was just big enough to fit me and my cart and pack under without getting wet. So I sat there as it rained. After 30 minutes of downpour I dozed off sitting there. When I woke up it was around 11:30 and looked like it just stopped raining. I ate half of my subway sandwich and a little bag of potato chips from subway also before I began walking.
I jumped back on the 90 and headed west. The shoulder was small so the cars were close when they passed me. It was a little scary but I got used to it.
I stopped about half way at a nice clearing and thought I would take a break on the railroad tracks. I ate the other half of the subway and drank plenty of water. I was in a good mood and felt like the day was positive. I say there about 30 minutes then moved on.
After dark I had gone about 15 miles and I began coughing frequently. It actually got so bad at one point that I sat on a guardrail and was coughing so hard I could barely breath. I wasn't feeling good at all and knew I needed to rest ASAP. So I looked for a place to camp but both sides were too thick with trees so I kept walking.
Finally I found a clearing at around the 16th mile of the day near macclenny where I crawled up a slope under a tree and coughed for an hour straight. I was worried it might be something bad I was getting so I prayed to keep me healthy and get past it.
I made my bed slowly with no energy and feeling dizzy. I laid down and drank plenty of water and barely slept all night.
I jumped back on the 90 and headed west. The shoulder was small so the cars were close when they passed me. It was a little scary but I got used to it.
I stopped about half way at a nice clearing and thought I would take a break on the railroad tracks. I ate the other half of the subway and drank plenty of water. I was in a good mood and felt like the day was positive. I say there about 30 minutes then moved on.
After dark I had gone about 15 miles and I began coughing frequently. It actually got so bad at one point that I sat on a guardrail and was coughing so hard I could barely breath. I wasn't feeling good at all and knew I needed to rest ASAP. So I looked for a place to camp but both sides were too thick with trees so I kept walking.
Finally I found a clearing at around the 16th mile of the day near macclenny where I crawled up a slope under a tree and coughed for an hour straight. I was worried it might be something bad I was getting so I prayed to keep me healthy and get past it.
I made my bed slowly with no energy and feeling dizzy. I laid down and drank plenty of water and barely slept all night.
Day 3
Day 3 started out to be a really tough day. I was starving from not eating anything but 10 thrown away donut holes in the last 2 days and the last 30 miles of walking or so. When I woke up I just really felt like a worthless person with no hope. What am I doing? Where am I? And what the hell have I got myself into?
I slowly got up and walked over to a bench nearby before even packing up or anything. Jasmine ( the girl who walked with me from the day before ) had left early in the morning. She woke me up and said she had to go to court and took off. It was a little bizarre meeting her and having her stay with me. I sat on the bench and realized if something were gonna pick me up I needed to pray and ask for some help and guidance. I sat there in misery and said a long prayer. I asked for food, water, and a lot of help to get me moving and making this challenge even close to possible. After a long prayer and sitting there in deep thought I knew what I needed to do.
I packed up and headed back down the street to a Winn Dixie (groceries store). I couldn't go any further until I had enough supplies to get me through the next long stretch between towns with potentially getting more supplies, which was about 25 miles.
I first went behind the store to the dumpster and found some cardboard to make a sign on. I wrote out on the sign "on a journey, food or water". I took some time and went over the words with a marker to make it more visible. When the sign was ready I went to the front and sat near the entrance. I didn't say a word and was honestly embarrassed too much to make eye contact. But I knew I needed to eat and I might get some help.
About 10 minutes after I sat a manager came out and let me know I had to leave. It was policy. I stood up and said no problem, and walked off. I crossed the parking lot where there was a laundromat. I could plug my stuff in there to use Internet. And while I was there I could think of what else to do. I was out of ideas and really had just about lost hope. That was the only store around really. What else would be possible?... Then just as I sat down inside the laundromat I turned and there was a little black boy following close behind me. He had a bag full of groceries and say it right at my feet. He looked about 8 or 9. I was so moved and relieved to have help. I didn't know what to say because I didn't expect it at all. After he sat the bag at my feet he gave me a little half smile then turned and walked away and out of the laundromat. He never said a word. I had a huge smile and just looked at the bag for a while before even exploring it. It was just the right thing at the right time.
I spent about 10 more minutes there before the laundromat attendant kicked me out. I walked out happily with my bag of snacks and drinks ( bag of potato chips, banana, 2 cans of chicken Vienna sausage, a Gatorade and a water). I walked past a subway where behind it a guy was taking a break. He asked where I was going and so I told him. He thought it was really cool and ballsy of me. He also offered me a ride to the next town but I told him I am trying to walk the whole way. He then said he wanted to help and to come back in an hour when his manager leaves and he could give me a free sandwich. I was pumped and said il be there for sure.
All of a sudden my luck was turning and it seemed my prayers were heard and are now being answered. I went and sat across the street on some grass in the shade. After 5 minutes I was kicked off there as it was part of a daycare where kids were. I told the man who came out I was sorry and I didn't know. He said no problem and thanks.
So I went to another grass spot where there was shade in front of a tire shop. I was sitting there where I checked my emails and jasmine had sent a message saying her and her mom were looking for me. I told her I would be at subway in an hour.
As I walked back to subway they were there parked int the parking lot. Jasmines mom jumped out and gave me a big hug and though what I was doing was amazing. She handed me a sandwich from a Texas steakhouse they brought me and also said she wanted to get me a few things. She had an idea of a cart I could pull behind me to take weight off my back. I thought that was a great idea. She said she would be back and was going to get one and some water gallons for me also. She took off and me and jasmine went into subway.
Jasmine said she was gonna try and walk with me for about 4 days. I told her no problem as long as she could hang. We were sitting in subway and the guy there made me a sandwich and also gave be 2 waters and a bag of chips. Then jasmines mom had returned with a cart and 2 gallons of water in it. All in about 2 hours I went from nothing, to 5 waters, a Gatorade, a steak sandwich with side bread, a subway sandwich, 2 bags of chips, and 2 cans of sausage. It was pretty cool (I ate the banana at the laundromat)
I decided I would eat the steak sandwich at subway and had the guy make my sandwich so it would last overnight. It was just chicken and cheese. So after I ate the steak sand. I was actually supplied enough to take off. Jasmines mom left, and me and jasmine headed out.
I was a little confused as jasmine had no gear whatsoever and was wearing flip flops. But I was unprepared too so I didn't think much of it. We ended up walking about 10 miles along 90 until we found a church in a little town called Hickman. It seemed a safe place to stay so I told her we would make up a little camp somewhere out of sight.
I was tired and wanted to have a good next day to get about 15 miles to the next town. So we made camp and I laid down to try and sleep. It was about 10:30pm. Jasmine didn't have gear so I had to sacrifice some comfort to giver her a spot to lay down. I didn't mind though since her and her mom really hooked me up. I opened the sleeping bag all the way and she laid on one side and I laid on the other. Then we had the tarp over us as a blanket.
After about 20 minutes jasmine said she was tired and thought she would try and hitchhike back to jacksonville. It was pretty random and kinda funny. So I got up and said farewell to her. She took off and I told her to message me when she made it back, and to be safe. Meeting her was sooo weird, cool but weird... I closed my sleeping bag and passed out with it all to myself.
I slowly got up and walked over to a bench nearby before even packing up or anything. Jasmine ( the girl who walked with me from the day before ) had left early in the morning. She woke me up and said she had to go to court and took off. It was a little bizarre meeting her and having her stay with me. I sat on the bench and realized if something were gonna pick me up I needed to pray and ask for some help and guidance. I sat there in misery and said a long prayer. I asked for food, water, and a lot of help to get me moving and making this challenge even close to possible. After a long prayer and sitting there in deep thought I knew what I needed to do.
I packed up and headed back down the street to a Winn Dixie (groceries store). I couldn't go any further until I had enough supplies to get me through the next long stretch between towns with potentially getting more supplies, which was about 25 miles.
I first went behind the store to the dumpster and found some cardboard to make a sign on. I wrote out on the sign "on a journey, food or water". I took some time and went over the words with a marker to make it more visible. When the sign was ready I went to the front and sat near the entrance. I didn't say a word and was honestly embarrassed too much to make eye contact. But I knew I needed to eat and I might get some help.
About 10 minutes after I sat a manager came out and let me know I had to leave. It was policy. I stood up and said no problem, and walked off. I crossed the parking lot where there was a laundromat. I could plug my stuff in there to use Internet. And while I was there I could think of what else to do. I was out of ideas and really had just about lost hope. That was the only store around really. What else would be possible?... Then just as I sat down inside the laundromat I turned and there was a little black boy following close behind me. He had a bag full of groceries and say it right at my feet. He looked about 8 or 9. I was so moved and relieved to have help. I didn't know what to say because I didn't expect it at all. After he sat the bag at my feet he gave me a little half smile then turned and walked away and out of the laundromat. He never said a word. I had a huge smile and just looked at the bag for a while before even exploring it. It was just the right thing at the right time.
I spent about 10 more minutes there before the laundromat attendant kicked me out. I walked out happily with my bag of snacks and drinks ( bag of potato chips, banana, 2 cans of chicken Vienna sausage, a Gatorade and a water). I walked past a subway where behind it a guy was taking a break. He asked where I was going and so I told him. He thought it was really cool and ballsy of me. He also offered me a ride to the next town but I told him I am trying to walk the whole way. He then said he wanted to help and to come back in an hour when his manager leaves and he could give me a free sandwich. I was pumped and said il be there for sure.
All of a sudden my luck was turning and it seemed my prayers were heard and are now being answered. I went and sat across the street on some grass in the shade. After 5 minutes I was kicked off there as it was part of a daycare where kids were. I told the man who came out I was sorry and I didn't know. He said no problem and thanks.
So I went to another grass spot where there was shade in front of a tire shop. I was sitting there where I checked my emails and jasmine had sent a message saying her and her mom were looking for me. I told her I would be at subway in an hour.
As I walked back to subway they were there parked int the parking lot. Jasmines mom jumped out and gave me a big hug and though what I was doing was amazing. She handed me a sandwich from a Texas steakhouse they brought me and also said she wanted to get me a few things. She had an idea of a cart I could pull behind me to take weight off my back. I thought that was a great idea. She said she would be back and was going to get one and some water gallons for me also. She took off and me and jasmine went into subway.
Jasmine said she was gonna try and walk with me for about 4 days. I told her no problem as long as she could hang. We were sitting in subway and the guy there made me a sandwich and also gave be 2 waters and a bag of chips. Then jasmines mom had returned with a cart and 2 gallons of water in it. All in about 2 hours I went from nothing, to 5 waters, a Gatorade, a steak sandwich with side bread, a subway sandwich, 2 bags of chips, and 2 cans of sausage. It was pretty cool (I ate the banana at the laundromat)
I decided I would eat the steak sandwich at subway and had the guy make my sandwich so it would last overnight. It was just chicken and cheese. So after I ate the steak sand. I was actually supplied enough to take off. Jasmines mom left, and me and jasmine headed out.
I was a little confused as jasmine had no gear whatsoever and was wearing flip flops. But I was unprepared too so I didn't think much of it. We ended up walking about 10 miles along 90 until we found a church in a little town called Hickman. It seemed a safe place to stay so I told her we would make up a little camp somewhere out of sight.
I was tired and wanted to have a good next day to get about 15 miles to the next town. So we made camp and I laid down to try and sleep. It was about 10:30pm. Jasmine didn't have gear so I had to sacrifice some comfort to giver her a spot to lay down. I didn't mind though since her and her mom really hooked me up. I opened the sleeping bag all the way and she laid on one side and I laid on the other. Then we had the tarp over us as a blanket.
Day 2
I was women up by a flashlight in my eyes at around 4 or 5 am. I was blinded and couldn't see anything but the light. It shined towards me for a few moments then it was clicked off. Then I saw next to me 2 cops standing next to 2 cop cars. I stated towards them but never moved at all besides my eyes opening. They were far enough away that I'm sure they couldn't see my eyes open. I though for sure I would be kicked out. But then the cops just stood there talking to each other and didn't come towards me. I was confused. They talked for about half an hour as I laid awake waiting to see what would happen. Nothing did. They eventually got into their cars and took off. I was a little shocked that they never came over to me but relieved as well. I went back to sleep.
When I woke up I took my time packing up and getting ready for the day. I brushed my teeth and took my vitamins and geared up. I made a sign to put on my pack about what I am attempting in hopes of getting some support or food/water. I headed out for the 13 mile track I had mapped out for the day.
I walked about 3 miles and was becoming very thirsty. At this point I still don't have anything to hold water so I need to make frequent stops during my walks as of now. I was almost to a Starbucks where I would stop and drink some water. As I approached the Starbucks I began to feel sick. My stomach was turning and I started to feel light headed. I stopped for an early break in the ac and drink plenty of waters at the Starbucks.
After a couple hours or so I felt much better and hit the road again. I walked all the way downtown and across a bridge. As I crossed the bridge it was really beautiful. I passed a few people at my walking pace. Half way across the bridge I stopped to enjoy the scenery and the city lights. Just then a girl name jasmine came up behind me. She saw my sign and was very curious about my journey. She asked many questions and wanted to know all about it.
I told jasmine I need to keep moving and she asked if she could walk with me. Just then a guy on a bike pulled up behind us and asked where I was going. I said I'm trying to get to California. He was all pumped up and said that's where he is heading. He talked pretty rapidly and was really exited. Also his eyes had a look like he was possibly on meth. But I couldn't know for sure. He was saying something and in the middle of the sentence he put up his knuckles and lined them up. He had a tattoo along his knuckles that said dirt-poor. He was so pumped and happy to show me that. He said he is suing his insurance company and heading to California to open up a marijuana dispensary. He said he wanted to hire me to work for him because I'm homeless tough. I laughed. He gave me his number and said to call him in 2 days to plan out our business. Then he rode his bike off like a rocket, which made me think even more he was high on meth.
Me and jasmine walked west. About a mile into walking and talking she asked if she could walk the whole way I was going and stay the night homeless. She wanted to try it for a night just to be sporadic and do something crazy. Plus she said I was the most normal homeless person she had met and trusted me. So I said no problem.
We walked and got to a little Caesars which was our destination. I went out back to see if they threw out any hot n ready pizzas but didn't find anything. So I had not eaten the whole day and was starving. I didn't want to say that to jasmine because I felt guilty and like she would think I was hinting at her to buy me food. So I just decided I would try to find food tomorrow.
We headed across the street where there was a park. It was a good place to stay the night an there wasnt much traffic or houses around it. So I laid out my tarp and opened my sleeping bag all the way so we could both lay down. We were both pretty tired so we laid down. 20 minutes later we were both getting eaten by mesquites so we ended up throwing the tarp over us to try and keep the bugs off.
(during the span of writing this entry today I have been kicked out of 3 different places, just thought I'd let u know)
So the tarp actually worked and kept the mesquites off. We talked for a while. I knew jasmine was in for a long night. She started asking if we might get robbed or if someone would come along and disturb us. It made me laugh at how nervous she was. Out off all the places I've stayed on the streets this was one of the safest, I told her that. Then we both eventually dozed off.
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When I woke up I took my time packing up and getting ready for the day. I brushed my teeth and took my vitamins and geared up. I made a sign to put on my pack about what I am attempting in hopes of getting some support or food/water. I headed out for the 13 mile track I had mapped out for the day.
I walked about 3 miles and was becoming very thirsty. At this point I still don't have anything to hold water so I need to make frequent stops during my walks as of now. I was almost to a Starbucks where I would stop and drink some water. As I approached the Starbucks I began to feel sick. My stomach was turning and I started to feel light headed. I stopped for an early break in the ac and drink plenty of waters at the Starbucks.
After a couple hours or so I felt much better and hit the road again. I walked all the way downtown and across a bridge. As I crossed the bridge it was really beautiful. I passed a few people at my walking pace. Half way across the bridge I stopped to enjoy the scenery and the city lights. Just then a girl name jasmine came up behind me. She saw my sign and was very curious about my journey. She asked many questions and wanted to know all about it.
I told jasmine I need to keep moving and she asked if she could walk with me. Just then a guy on a bike pulled up behind us and asked where I was going. I said I'm trying to get to California. He was all pumped up and said that's where he is heading. He talked pretty rapidly and was really exited. Also his eyes had a look like he was possibly on meth. But I couldn't know for sure. He was saying something and in the middle of the sentence he put up his knuckles and lined them up. He had a tattoo along his knuckles that said dirt-poor. He was so pumped and happy to show me that. He said he is suing his insurance company and heading to California to open up a marijuana dispensary. He said he wanted to hire me to work for him because I'm homeless tough. I laughed. He gave me his number and said to call him in 2 days to plan out our business. Then he rode his bike off like a rocket, which made me think even more he was high on meth.
Me and jasmine walked west. About a mile into walking and talking she asked if she could walk the whole way I was going and stay the night homeless. She wanted to try it for a night just to be sporadic and do something crazy. Plus she said I was the most normal homeless person she had met and trusted me. So I said no problem.
We walked and got to a little Caesars which was our destination. I went out back to see if they threw out any hot n ready pizzas but didn't find anything. So I had not eaten the whole day and was starving. I didn't want to say that to jasmine because I felt guilty and like she would think I was hinting at her to buy me food. So I just decided I would try to find food tomorrow.
We headed across the street where there was a park. It was a good place to stay the night an there wasnt much traffic or houses around it. So I laid out my tarp and opened my sleeping bag all the way so we could both lay down. We were both pretty tired so we laid down. 20 minutes later we were both getting eaten by mesquites so we ended up throwing the tarp over us to try and keep the bugs off.
(during the span of writing this entry today I have been kicked out of 3 different places, just thought I'd let u know)
So the tarp actually worked and kept the mesquites off. We talked for a while. I knew jasmine was in for a long night. She started asking if we might get robbed or if someone would come along and disturb us. It made me laugh at how nervous she was. Out off all the places I've stayed on the streets this was one of the safest, I told her that. Then we both eventually dozed off.
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DAY 1
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Everything just seemed so relaxed about the beach there. I knew it was gonna be hard to leave and hit the street from here on. I walked out to the water and walked into about 6 inches deep of the Atlantic ocean and just enjoyed it for a while.
After saying my farewell to the water and realizing I had to take a massive dump, I decided it was time to pack up and head out. So I tried to fling most of the sand off all of my gear and packed up. Stepping away from the beach was a little sad. It is just so pretty and one of the things I have grown to appreciate in the past year of slowing my grind of life down. I walked off and took one last glance at the water.
Then it was time to get serious, where is a toilet? I walked down the little beach streets and among all the cool places down on Atlantic st. I found myself a Starbucks to drop a Duece. I stayed at the Starbucks there to drink plenty of water, brush my teeth and used the Internet to map out my route for the day and charge my iPod/wifi device. Once I was charged up I was ready to kill half the days route before taking a break and recharging at another Starbucks.
I threw on some Jason Aldean to start my walk. I walked about 5 miles and it was pretty hot out. I was sweaty and my ass was already a bit of a mud butt. But I kind of already know and expect that I will smell like ass for 95% of the journey so I'm just gonna have to deal with it.
I got to the second Starbucks and ordered a few more waters and recharged the electronics. I eventually need to get a couple water bottles and probably a gallon also for the treks where there are no towns for a few days. Definitely not leaving a town for a long stretch if I don't have the proper water to keep me hydrated for the extent of the walk. I'm sure it will work out.
I have noticed I have been coughing the last couple days. It's been sort of a whincing cough, an the last time I had that I ended up with phnuemonia so I'm gonna have to monitor that closely. That would be disastrous out here and if I have to I will take care of it if it gets worse.
So I left after my break to finish the day off. After another 5 mile walk my feet are a little sore and feel like if I pushed it there was a tenderness on the balls of my feet that could turn into blisters. Definitely gonna pace myself around anything that will slow me down in the long run. And the first couple weeks I will get used to it and adapt where eventually I can build up to longer distances ect..
So I finally stopped at a Dunkin donuts around 10 miles west of the coast. Happy with a nice easy day 1. I was pretty hungry an didn't eat all day. And as much as I really don't want to dumpster dive I know I'm going to have to get into it for this trip to survive. It was really hard to convince myself I need to but If I'm gonna stay alive in this challenge im going to have to. So I told myself I will only consider eating something if it looks somewhat sanitary and fresh, which is probably a hard find in a dumpster. I finally ballsed up and looked in. I was pretty lucky that right on top there were a bag with donut holes in it and nothing else. So I grabbed it. After looking at it and smelling it for about 10 minutes and honestly wanting nothing to do with it I just said screw it and went for it. It was mentally tough and just the fact that it was thrown out made me gag a few times. But after eating a few I realized they were fine. I pretended to be on fear factor for the first few then after that I imagined the world ended and it was complete survival and that made it easier haha.
So after the dumpster dive I looked around for a place to make a bed for the night. Next to dunkin donuts there was an auto part store where it was pretty dead and empty. I went behind the building and made my bed on the concrete. I was pretty tired so I laid down and tried to get as comfortable as possible. When I lay down to sleep I wrap one of my backpack straps around my forearm and hold a flathead screwdriver in my hand incase anything were to happen. (I found the screwdriver in my backpack left in there from having it at the motocross races). I surprisingly went right to sleep.
I slept for about 3 hours when I was abruptly woken up by thunder. I lifted my head and lightning struck and about 30ft away from me in the light from the lightning I saw 2 all black cats standing there looking at me. Pretty weird and freaky. I stayed up and watched the lighting for a while, I love that stuff. While sitting up and watching out of nowhere it went from completely dry to dumping rain! Luckily next to me there was an overhang where I moved my stuff to so I would stay dry. I stayed awake an hour or so to watch the storm (I remember doing that as a kid and loving to watch lightening). After the storm settled down I crawled back into my sleeping bag and shut my eyes.
About 30 minutes later I woke up again hearing yelling. I looked up and saw 2 guys across the parking lot walking around at a fast pace and yelling. Not sure if they were upset but maybe just on a little meth and using there outdoor meth voices. I really hoped they didn't see me laying there. I always prefer to be hidden from anyone so there's a less change of an incident. The meth heads moved on and I laid back down and fell asleep. Pretty weird night.
Filling in the gap
Well it's been a while since I last updated my journey. The reason i didn't have any updates was because I sorta rejoined the "real world" as people call it, and honestly felt like it was boring and not worthy of sharing. But I will give a brief update since my last posting anyways.
So when I came back from Oregon/Washington I settled in the bay area. I was still homeless and in fact have been since then. I was in search of a shelter around Dublin ca when I was referred to a lady who could help me. I ended up meeting her and she was very gracious. I ended up pitching a tent in her backyard for about 3 months. She literally took in homeless people anytime she met one, it was pretty amazing and her and her husband were amazing people.
As far as work I was ready to start from the bottom and move up. I ended up getting a job offer from the people I was staying with to drive a taxi so I decided what the hell, and went for it. I never thought I would live in a tent or drive a taxi but I have to say it was a pretty fun job and life was good. I saved my money and after a few months bought a camper van to drive around in and sleep in. I freakin love that thing! I went on road trips with it and was so comfortable I eventually just moved into it. I had also purchased a gym membership with my earnings where I worked out and could take a shower whenever I wanted. I parked my van outside the office/shop and lived there.
I saved my money for a while and met a lot of cool people driving taxi. I eventually decided to take a little vacation and felt I deserved it. I was going to meet my best friend in costa rica and backpack around there for a few months, so I booked it. I also had another close friend who was racing motorcycles all around the country so i took an extra 2 weeks to join him on his travels and go to a couple races. It was set and I was pumped!
After traveling to Atlanta and st. Louis I would fly out from mizzouri straight to coasta rica... Except there was one snag. Our rig was broken into the day before my flight and everything except the clothes on my back were stolen... My passport.. Camera.. Lugguge ect. All gone. I should have been upset but weirdly enough it really didn't bug me. It actually bothered me more that I didn't care than it did I was robbed. So my costa rica trip was off and I would travel a little more around the country to the supercross races.
After about a month and a half I decided to do something crazy. I flew out after the Houston tx race to Florida to visit the east coast an decided to try and walk all the way back to the California coast. So I flew into Orlando then caught a greyhound bus to Jacksonville and am now on the beach. (I'm actually writing this on the beach)
So here I go. Oh and to make it a really interesting challenge I decided to bring no money here and start with nothing, not even food or water. So it's on! Full survival mode and having to think fast on the move. I'm not even sure if I can make it all the way but it sounds like a cool challenge to try anyway. I hope to have support and prayers along the way to be exposed to the good in this world. I will say as well it will probably get a little nasty at times, being in full survival mode will include anything to survive. Like mooching of hotel continental breakfast at times, or even dumpster diving ect.
I have lived a good life and grew up with money an awesome family. I have always had nice things and never lived life in termoil from being poor or in a broken home. Life was always good. I had an urge to do this about a year ago when life was repetitive and I felt like I didn't appreciate it. Since I have been homeless I have lived more in the moment and have really learned to be thankful. So this challenge will be spiritual and an attempt to inspire others. It makes me feel great to be able to show people a different perspective of life and the things within it that can make you feel good and put a sincere smile on. So here it goes.
Thanks for your support and interest
-nick kleckner
So when I came back from Oregon/Washington I settled in the bay area. I was still homeless and in fact have been since then. I was in search of a shelter around Dublin ca when I was referred to a lady who could help me. I ended up meeting her and she was very gracious. I ended up pitching a tent in her backyard for about 3 months. She literally took in homeless people anytime she met one, it was pretty amazing and her and her husband were amazing people.
As far as work I was ready to start from the bottom and move up. I ended up getting a job offer from the people I was staying with to drive a taxi so I decided what the hell, and went for it. I never thought I would live in a tent or drive a taxi but I have to say it was a pretty fun job and life was good. I saved my money and after a few months bought a camper van to drive around in and sleep in. I freakin love that thing! I went on road trips with it and was so comfortable I eventually just moved into it. I had also purchased a gym membership with my earnings where I worked out and could take a shower whenever I wanted. I parked my van outside the office/shop and lived there.
I saved my money for a while and met a lot of cool people driving taxi. I eventually decided to take a little vacation and felt I deserved it. I was going to meet my best friend in costa rica and backpack around there for a few months, so I booked it. I also had another close friend who was racing motorcycles all around the country so i took an extra 2 weeks to join him on his travels and go to a couple races. It was set and I was pumped!
After traveling to Atlanta and st. Louis I would fly out from mizzouri straight to coasta rica... Except there was one snag. Our rig was broken into the day before my flight and everything except the clothes on my back were stolen... My passport.. Camera.. Lugguge ect. All gone. I should have been upset but weirdly enough it really didn't bug me. It actually bothered me more that I didn't care than it did I was robbed. So my costa rica trip was off and I would travel a little more around the country to the supercross races.
After about a month and a half I decided to do something crazy. I flew out after the Houston tx race to Florida to visit the east coast an decided to try and walk all the way back to the California coast. So I flew into Orlando then caught a greyhound bus to Jacksonville and am now on the beach. (I'm actually writing this on the beach)
So here I go. Oh and to make it a really interesting challenge I decided to bring no money here and start with nothing, not even food or water. So it's on! Full survival mode and having to think fast on the move. I'm not even sure if I can make it all the way but it sounds like a cool challenge to try anyway. I hope to have support and prayers along the way to be exposed to the good in this world. I will say as well it will probably get a little nasty at times, being in full survival mode will include anything to survive. Like mooching of hotel continental breakfast at times, or even dumpster diving ect.
I have lived a good life and grew up with money an awesome family. I have always had nice things and never lived life in termoil from being poor or in a broken home. Life was always good. I had an urge to do this about a year ago when life was repetitive and I felt like I didn't appreciate it. Since I have been homeless I have lived more in the moment and have really learned to be thankful. So this challenge will be spiritual and an attempt to inspire others. It makes me feel great to be able to show people a different perspective of life and the things within it that can make you feel good and put a sincere smile on. So here it goes.
Thanks for your support and interest
-nick kleckner
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