Also, how do you get money? Or do you have money to begin with?
I'm going to be trying to take donations from a blog (which will be here), and write short stories and novellas to try and self-publish on the Amazon ebook store.
And busking. I need to practice card tricks and sleight of hand magic, as well as fortune telling with the tarot. WOOF and Help-X will also be useful to me.
people give me money. i never, ever, ever, ever, ever ask for money. but if people offer it to me, i gladly take it. i'll probably have a donation thing too, i just won't make a big deal about it.
now that i think about it i know enough about fortune telling and cold reading from my studies as a skeptic that i might actually be able to pull it off.
that would feel... wrong though.
Well, I'm not going to bill myself as "I CAN READ YOUR FUTURE" so much as "Hey, how about a few bucks to give you a reading?"
It would also feel wrong to bill myself as an actual psychic. I'd be more of an entertainer.
I have this one idea that, of course, I haven't practiced where basically I shuffle the Major Arcana up, do a little sleight of hand to get the Fool on top, and then tell a story by flipping one card over after another, starting with "The Fool set out on a journey one day..."
You posted in /r/trees! Hahaha.
If you come through MI, get at me. I will smoke you down and we will have a good time. Not really a question, I guess. Haha.
i totally posted in r/trees! that's one of the communities i was talking about :3
fellow michigander here in west bloomfield.
Ypsi-Yps!
Hitchbro?
the one and only.
i remember a thread. i also got an email, and i was like huh? then i remembered. nice to see you here!
thanks for reminding me about the emails.
as to the one i just sent out- okay? too little info? too frequent? i've never run an email list before, i don't want to piss anyone off.
The map in the video is more accurate than the one in the description- someone went through and griefed it up some last night.
How many cars have you ridden in?
DOZENS!
Cool have you met any people who have been violent towards you?
not really. a couple times, people got sexual or otherwise offputting, but i'm a fairly big dude and can handle myself if need be.
Literally tens of cars?
I was thinking i'd have to reword it for people to get the joke.
Who is the craziest person you've ever gotten a ride from or crashed with?
there was a really beefy dude in long beach once. he offered to put me up for the night, i went over, and things got... weird. needless to say i did not stay there that night.
You've gotta go into more detail than that...
i asked him if i could smoke a cigarette on his porch, he said it was okay, after i was halfway done smoking it he came out and told me i had to leave, because he didn't want me to smoke out there? i don't even know. it got really weird, kinda confrontational, i just grabbed my shit and left.. i ended up on the beach that night.
Is the beach as cool a place to sleep as it sounds?
sometimes, yeah. you just gotta find a good spot. it's illegal in most places, but they'll often just wake you up and send you along.
Do the cops ever give you a hard time about hitchhiking, it is technically illegal in a lot of places?
they're usually pretty nice, unless i'm actively breaking a law.
uniform vehicle code says that as long as you're not in the roadway, you're okay to ask for a ride.
Not in the roadway as in not on the side of the highway? Where do you usually ask for rides?
the roadway is defined as the place where cars drive and the immediate shoulder. anywhere else is fine.
i usually hitch at onramps. i use a sign, with just "<LOCATION> PLEASE" on it. works pretty well.
Oh, so you can sit up on the grass and hitchhike? Cool then.
yup.
applicable law!
What kind of gear will you be using?
For comparison (and if anyone else wants to chime in) I have a Teton Explorer 4000 backpack, a Wenzel mummy bag and (cheap ass) camp pad, a Ozark Trail Junior two man tent, and a few pots and pans and a camp stove made from a soda can. I've also got a towel, pocket knife, multitool, and electronics (Kindle, crappy laptop, PSP) that are just for entertainment and updating the blog and such.
Do you always hitchhike? Is there any walking? What do you do when you can't get a ride? The main trouble I'm fearing I'll have is going through cities where I don't have anywhere to sleep, and I'll have to find somewhere secret and tucked away where I'm basically taking a gamble that I won't get stabbed by a hobo.
Which is why I keep bugging other backpackers for information.
i've gotta get some new gear. not sure how much i'll be able to afford. as it stands right now i've got a hiking bag from the 80s that smells a little like vomit, a cheap sleeping bag, and a tent with holes in it. i need to fix that a little.
all your supplies sound awesome. i think you're gonna be set. a good hitchhiker always knows where his towel is.
i usually hitchhike, yes. i walk to better spots, if necessary, or get a bus ticket if i have to. i've still never ridden the rails, that's an eventual goal.
when i can't get a ride i try to find somewhere secluded and safe. stands of woods behind churches, etc, usually are okay.
I was actually thinking that, more or less. I read that Walmart always buys up the lots around them, so they generally have an empty field that's got either a wooded area or uncut grass. So hopefully in such areas I can set up tent and all that.
Problem with my gear is that most of it's really cheap. I'm not too worried about it falling apart, though. My tent's been set up in the back yard for four days now, and although I only slept in it once, it collapsed under the weight of snow twice, and it's still in perfect condition. I will need to practice packing everything, though. Figure out a way to strap the bulky sleeping bag and sleeping pad to the back of the pack without making it stick out too much. And of course start walking around town with it...
Have you considered purchasing a hand gun? I've thought about going on an odyssey as I have all of the essential gear from my various backpacking trips but one thing I dont think I could travel without is my trusty revolver. I realize it can be illegal to carry in some places but do you think its worth risking to assure yourself safety? I personally have decided that even on my mountain backpacking trips it is wise to consider bringing a gun just to protect myself from bears. I've met tramps in the past who have carried guns so it doesnt seem uncommon.
i have, but the legality and licensing would be a problem.
Problem with a gun is that it can be used against you. You are introducing a lethal object into untrusting situations, no guarantee it will only be used by you.
How many people have you killed?
fortunately, none.
unfortunately*
What an interesting name...
It was my mom's maiden name
I almost have your bank account now according to lifelock!
Ever been afraid of getting kidnapped or robbed during your journey?
plenty. it's not the safest thing on the planet.
but if things start smelling weird, i gtfo.
How long have you been hitchhiking?
Any tips on picking rides? Things to watch out for, people to avoid, etc?
What kind of person is most likely to give you a ride?
Do you do a lot of camping out?
about a year now.
you have a very short period of time in which to judge a person. i don't take rides from drunk people or someone who smells like fap.
it really does vary, the only thing you know about hitchhiking is the assholes keep driving. so you only get really nice people.
i'd say i camp out 25 percent of the time. stuff from the internet usually helps fill out the sleep schedule.
What kind of stuff? Do you bring a laptop and have one of those phones that gives you internet where ever you go?
What do you do for hygiene? Ever use truck stop showers, etc?
How long do you normally have to wait for a ride?
Best and worst places to hitchhike?
I've read that it's hard to get a good ride in a big city. Do you take public transit to the edge of metro areas before trying to get a ride?
shower at peoples houses, and yes, truck stop showers. a lot.
anywhere from 10 minutes to 10 hours.
best: pacific coast highway. worst: middle of the desert texas.
yes. that. i do exactly that.
Thanks for the replies. I hope you have a great and safe trip.
me too, man. me too.
i hope this youtube channel thing picks up, because then the number of places to visit and people to meet explodes!
What event in your life made you hate where you lived enough to start hitching, but not scar you enough so you still trust complete strangers?
oh u.
i will get your reddit name eventually.
i don't know, my mom getting remarried? she married a total douche and started changing. didn't wanna be around for the process, so i scooted.
also, doing this before has gotten me to trust total strangers. i haven't been raped or killed yet!
Hopefully GA taught you how to squeel like a piggy.
oh but it did.
it's actually quite terrifying
How do you budget? Aren't you scared at all of falling victim to psychos?
just... i don't spend a bunch of money.
yes. very much so. but i try to stay safe by being very careful.
So, I've read through a little more. Do the people you stay with feed you? That's really cool, that people let you stay with them.
Yes.
it very much is cool.
HITCHBRO!
HOLY SHIT YEP
I've been dreaming of doing this since I read 'On The Road' when I was ten! I just never wanted to do it alone and most people aren't ready for it.
find a partner!
I am definitely looking. Most people just have one thing or another that holds them back. Hopefully the right person will come along!
Is hitchhiking your only form of transportation? or do you do some train hopping as well? or even something else?? i only ask because it sounds like it would be interesting to travel this way.
i haven't done trainhopping yet. megabus is amazing.
What made you start hitchhiking? Do you friends find it odd or amazing?
amazing!
Do you have videos of your last years trip?
no, unfortunately.
but expect dramatic recollections of those stories on my new youtube channel
Back again with more questions!
Just how do you do this? What did you do last time? I tried to make an AMA, but was told to come back after I'd done my trip, and I tried to go to AskReddit, but they weren't interested...
I'm not an Ent, though, so I don't really want to stay with those guys, even if they're the ones most likely to put me up.
posted on r/trees once to start to get a base, then posted in individual cities if i needed more help there.
Dude I"m so glad I'm not the only person down to do this. I've been planning on hitchhiking across the US ( plane ticket to one coast and go from there) for quite some time now so its nice to read about someone actually doing it. First of all your idea to find places to stay from fellow Ents is genius. I'm definitely going to try to do the same thing. I plan on leaving sometime this summer and making a test run up to Canada and back ( from Iowa) and see how that goes, any advice? btw I'm like 5'9 150lbs so i plan on dragging a friend with me. -questions: How much money did you start with? Do you ever have people turn you down because of cleanliness? P.s If you ever come through north west iowa your always welcome to stay , Thanks man
i left the house with 16 dollars last time. this time more like 100, but still not very much.
nope, i always stay super clean.
i'll be sure to let you know if i do!
ah nice, sounds like my kind of traveling. Have you ever had any fears/encounters when sleeping outside in an area that could have bears or mountain lion? and have you ever been stuck outside in any storms/shitty weather?
How safe do you think it is for women to do something like this?
SEMI-SAFE TO NOT SAFE AT ALL.
you should consider a partner if you're a lady.
Okay, thank you.
wish I had time to go on adventures like this. have fun man
You're in Marietta? I'm in Midtown we should do lunch sometime before you leave, my treat.
hell yeah. i leave saturday afternoon. wanna do something tomorrow maybe? i'm not sure how i'll get down there. not tryinta get south!
tomorrow as in friday.
Have you ever partaked in drugs while either by yourself or with your companions at the time?
...yes.
respect.
Came across any cool ents ?
tons~! my favorite was a guy in new orleans. handsome jack, they called him.
Hell yeah. You inspire me, lol.
This seems to be more common than I thought. I have a friend from Denver who has been doing that for just over a year and still going. He's a lindy hopper, which makes things easier for him since it means he has a built-in national community. Swing dancers are used to meeting random people from all over the country and letting them crash on their couch. However, he learned the hard way that hitchhiking is illegal in some areas.
i was going to try to learn esperanto so i could use their network of places too. but fucking languages.
I love you. What site have you found to be the most helpful, with regards to community support?
reddit!
How do you turn down someone who just pulled over and that seems sketchy? ex. drunk or obviously judgement-impaired / creepy guy? What do you say when you just don't trust the person who kindly stopped for you?
"no thanks, man, i'm not going that way" or "no thanks, man, that's too far" or "no thanks, man, i'll grab the next one".
something along those lines.
So that supposes that you never say your destination first, right? Just my awkward pinguinism trying to understand how you can get away of such a situation.
well, my sign never has more than the next town or something. you never tell them the final location you're going, nor that you're not expected somewhere. just mention that where you're going is a stop if things get weird.
but yeah its way easier to turn down a car than not. but if they've stopped for you, they're probably good folk.
Fellow Ent offering up lodging in so cal next time you're over here. A few questions though,
How do you pay bills? I'm sure you don't have many, but even a cell phone costs something.
What's your plan after? Hitching forever? How would you explain that on a job app?
How do you transition from "guy on message board" to "guy sleeping on your couch, eating your food, and getting money from you for it."
Do you ever feel bad that you're essentially mooching your way around America so that you don't have to work or deal with issues at home?
Sexy times?
how do you pay bills?
odd jobs. this and that.
What's your plan after? Hitching forever?
i'm going to settle down when i find something worth settling down for.
How do you transition from "guy on message board" to "guy sleeping on your couch, eating your food, and getting money from you for it."
i don't ask for money from my hosts. i will even give them some when i have extra money around.
Do you ever feel bad that you're essentially mooching your way around America so that you don't have to work or deal with issues at home?
i don't know, man. it's not a lifestyle for me, just an adventure. i'm going to settle down and do things, but this is something to do right now.
What kind of odd jobs?
Sexy TIMES???
not as often as i'd like.
Sad times.
oh, if you insist
zip
Have fun with your pending death :(
well not with that kind of attitude.
wow! you use the internet as a resource!
is this an attempt at sarcasm?
try the ironic punctuation next time, makes shit super clear: βΈ®
How do you get internet access? 3G, Wifi?
wifi. unsecured wireless networks. coffee shops.
i'm considering getting a new phone but that'd be... problematic. i don't have the money for a high tier one with which I can access the internet via a hotspot... i just don't know.
mostly wifi though.
I'm trying to do the same thing. Although I'm a little nervous and haven't really been doing much on the social media thing.
I'm heading out in April to... I don't know, find myself or whatever. I've got all my major gear--backpack, sleeping bag, tent, sleeping pad--and I'm trying to figure out how to pack it all in such a way that I can fit things in my bag. I've got a list of people I'm going to visit from my IRC channel and elsewhere.
I'm just terrified, though. I can't seem to get out and start walking around the park or downtown. And I still need a bike. I don't plan on hitchhiking, just backpacking it all.
How do you go about getting people from Reddit and 4chan to put you up? And have you actually used Couchsurfing.org?
it sounds like you have a pretty good plan together. you just have to nut up and do it!
i'm trying this social media thing as an experiment. before, it was way lower key- this time, i'm trying to blow it up! try to get as many people participating as possible!
i have used couchsurfing. i just... didn't like it much, i guess.
Well, how do you do what you do?
Also, I can't help but notice that you're somewhere in the 6' range and 300+ lbs, while I'm a 5'4 little queer... I feel as if you're less likely to get raped and murder than I am...
How do you make sure you're not going to wake up without kidneys?
i try to stay as safe as possible. i send messages to a friend back home who notes stuff for me. like, i'll take a picture of a license plate as i get in a car and text it to my friend back home. or give them the address of where i'm staying overnight. just so if something happens, they know where to look. that helps a lot. especially because i do it, then announce that i've done it. that helps.
Feels a little weird to say "My friend will call the cops if you murder me". But better safe than sorry, I suppose.
more like, "hey, i let someone know where i was. safety's sake and all. night!"
Old person here-when I was young, hitchhiking was pretty common, but it got scary pretty quickly. For that reason I've never picked up a hitchhiker. However, you've just brought up a point that could make it common again-not only can you take a pic of a license plate, a driver could take a pic of you (or ask to take a pic of your ID, I suppose, if they were really paranoid). Good luck on your trip, sounds awesome!
technology is grand, isn't it?
Well... you could always tag along with Superfiedman.. The wolves will eat him first giving you a chance to climb a tree.