Search This Blog

Friday, June 27, 2014

Almost to Alaska

Well I think somewhere deep down I really did enjoy blogging a little bit. And I have just gotten the same advice over and over again from people I respect to document what I do. I really do think one day I'll look back at this little experiment and enjoy reading it. I'll start off with me leaving Texas for Seattle. For the second time... but this time I wasn't hitching! I had a plane ticket. The plane was not exciting, but the layover in Salt Lake City proved interesting. Just chillen' there I decided to email a professor I knew was in Seattle. About a minute later he called me and was like 'I've got nothing to do today I'll come pick you up at the airport and show you around'. To which I was like awesome. I also got a text from Amber (my Alaskan connection) telling me I wasn't flying from Seattle to Alaska. I was to get on a train to Bellingham (or as I like to call it, almost Canada) and then hop on a boat that I'd work on up to Alaska and it looks like I'll work on all summer. So that was an interesting turn I didn't quite expect. And then I had to get on the plane and learned nothing more from either of them. I touched down in Seattle and my professor was there waiting for me! Totally awesome because I'd only ever taken one class from him last semester and I'd only emailed him two hours earlier. He picked me up and took me to a pub and we had some drinks before he took me to the community garden his girlfriend runs!

 
Seattle

 

 
The food garden

 
It was all super cool and so nice of him!! He took me and dropped me right in front of the place I was gonna stay too. Thank you Professor Mills!!

 
Professor Mills

 
So do y'all remember that farm I stayed at with Stretch near Eugene, Oregon? Well at that farm I mentioned that I was headed to Seattle and one of the girls there hooked me up with her friend Thomas in Seattle. This is who I was staying with. Now I didn't know one thing about this guy. How old he was, what he did, or anything. I knew nothing about him. But I got to his place, only 1 mile from the center of Seattle, and it was so freakin' cool!!! Tucked away in this secret garden sort of deal with flowers everywhere and a little chicken coop with chickens and a giant bunny! 

 
Look at that giant f****** bunny!! 

 
And Thomas was awesome. He's a drummer, but works for Microsoft. He'd realized he didn't like working for them and is now about to move to a farm to do what he enjoys (we should all do a little more of what we enjoy). We had some great philosophical conversations and definitely evolved from who the hell is this guy to good friends! 

 
Thomas

 
So I stayed at his for two nights and explored Seattle in between which was meh. Yeah Seattle is cool, but did it blow my socks off? Not really, but it was cool. So, I then took said train (said so by Amber) to Bellingham, walked like 100 yards to the shipyard and found the Croatian! 

 
More photos of the boat on FB

 
And that's as far as I'm gonna catch y'all up to for now ;). Because the boat is gonna be a whoooooooooole long story and explaining how a boat works and how everything works. So look forward to that in the future! 

 
Love you all,

Be happy

Beacon 

Sunday, June 22, 2014

I don't know what to call this yet

I guess it's been a few since I've written a post. The reason being that I'm back in Texas. I suppose I could of blogged my being back on my old stomping grounds. But that just seems weird to me. In my head it's like why would I blog about my normal life back here? I guess I could of introduced a ton of new awesome people to the story, but that's just being back near Austin. I don't feel the need to blog about being back because being back here in Texas is just my time to chill for a second and to see friends that have known me for forever (thought there aren't many). That being said, thank you to everyone I've seen while being back! It's always so lovely to see you all. But knowing I'm going back to Alaska to work all summer makes me want to just take some time off and relax so I don't show up already half-dead to the fishing boat. Because even though this adventure has been pretty grand it still takes its toll on me and I'm tired. Hitching all day and then staying up half the night with old friends. Then waking up the next morning and doing it again. And again the next day. It's a lot to keep doing everyday for a month!

Now that being said, I need to address this adventure because.... well because it's kind of over. Me hitching up to Seattle was a little mini-adventure right before I went to Alaska. And that little mini-adventure is done for. I basically did it, I hitched up to Washington and could of easily made it to Seattle. But then this delay/detour hit me and landed me back here in San Antonio where I bought a cheap plane ticket ($190, which is a great price for a weeks notice) up to Seattle. So that's it! I'm set to make it to Seattle! And I know the way I got there was a wee bit roundabout. But sometimes you can't just stay on the straight and narrow. I'll throw out some final numbers for you. At the end of this I had hitched over 10,000 miles. That's 10k miles, like a lot of freakin' miles. That's nearly halfway around the equator. I got 78 rides during this journey and I ended up giving three. That means the average ride was around 138 miles per ride. But, this does include the 8 day and 2800 mile ride I was given by Chip, which completely shatters my previous record and may be incredibly difficult to beat. I went to 33 states in all, and for those of you that are bad at math that's more than half of America ;). I camped out only four times, slept in a car once, a McDonald's once, and Chip got us a hotel once (because he wanted to). I was out for around 33 days, so that means that 26 of those days I was staying with friends or people that I had only just met. If anyone wants some different numbers let me know and maybe I can do some counting for ya'!

 


But now that I am back at a real computer I can actually type some stuff without getting instantly bored (typing on my phone does that to me). And I'll talk a little less about what I did in this adventure and a little more about how this all made me feel. Because the range of emotions and craziness that came up during this adventure was ridiculous. An extremely wide presentation of emotions went down because a wide range of events took place. I'll try and put this in chronological order for y'all. When I first left for this adventure it was liberating. Dear God it was liberating. I didn't have to go to a school and I didn't want to go to and waste my time doing things I didn't want to do. All of a sudden it was all me. I felt so free! Like anything was possible. And it really was. It always hits you a little harder in the beginning, but I was immediately struck by the kindness and generosity that is still out there in the world. Doing this kind of work boosts your faith in humanity infinitely. It really does. You meet the coolest people in the world and they come from all walks of life. You meet men, women, and their children. You meet people who make millions and people who make pennies. People who've never picked up a hitchhiker and people who will go hundreds of miles out of their way to help you out. Rednecks, waitresses, and businessmen. People suited up and suited down. People who grow weed, people who work construction, musicians, and pastors. And everything in between. You meet them all. And you become friends with them all. And it always works out and I wasn't even scared once. I never worried and I never was fearful because everyone was incredible. And you may tell me that it's nonsense. That I'm silly and that I'll be tortured or murdered. But all I am going to tell you is that you have too little faith in people. Because no matter where you go, and I mean no matter anywhere, you will always find kind people. Always always always. Because they're out there whether I'm on the East coast, West coast, or somewhere in the Midwest. Whether I'm in America, or Europe, or New Zealand. There are always kind people and they will always find you. Because I've been doing this a while and I'm still here. And feeling all those realizations coming to you while you're out there doing this sort of thing is irreplaceable. It's crazy and unreal. Unexplained. No matter how I try to convey it through this you'll never realize until you've experienced it. Then, in the midst of it all, to have the bomb dropped on you that you have a sister you never had. Wow. Just wow. It still hasn't even hit me. It's not settled into my soul yet. But that's just crazy, and, on a side note, meeting her for the first time the other day was incredible. It was just so surreal and she's so awesome. Love you Megan! And then to be so close to getting to Seattle, having come what I had pictured in my head as really far (which was nothing compared to what I ended up covering in the end), then to have it all turned upside down for a second and making the decision to hitch from Oregon over to Virginia. Clear across the united states. A little bit of me thought myself crazy, but the rest of me screamed its approval. And off I was hitching in a direction I didn't expect to go through places I didn't expect to be to see people I didn't expect to see. To see people that I have bonded so deeply with that I would hitchhike across a nation to see them. And so I did. Over and over again the pure joy of seeing a friend I love dearly. Over and over again the wretched goodbye hug that would have to hold me until who even knows when I'll see them again. Alas, 'tis the life I lead for now. Hearing the incredible stories of strangers the whole way through. Then to take another random turn South and making it to the Florida Keys. Being physically as far away as I could possibly be from Seattle in the continental states and the strangest feeling that America is actually so small. The way my heart eased when I could pick up hitchhikers after I picked up the car for my mother. How good that felt to give back a little bit. And then the struggle to force myself back to Texas and how hard that ended up being for me. I hadn't realized how little I wanted to come back here and the only reason I really was here was so that I could meet my new sister. Having to deal with the realization that this could very possibly be the last time I come back to use my family as a home base. Realizing how supportive my mom has been through all my adventures. Maybe not ever to come back here. Which is an emotional struggle because no one wants to throw their home away. But sometimes you have to cut your losses. And this may be one of those losses for me. Only time will tell and we'll see what happens.

And those were just some of the emotions I felt about this trip in a nutshell. Obviously there were many many others and so many situations that I could just delve into and talk about forever. And I feel bad for not mentioning them, but some experiences I want to keep just for me. Especially when I know I can't get the feeling I would like to across through text. Now, I must say, I will not be blogging as often as I was. You all have an idea of what my hitching life is like now. And when I get to the boat I won't be able to blog much, but I'll update it every once in a while and that way y'all can follow me in Alaska too. Hopefully I don't get too lazy and forget about this blog altogether. But thanks to everyone out there who reads it and thanks to all of y'all out there who tell me to keep writing it. Because otherwise I would of quit it by now. But seriously, thank you all. And thanks to everyone out there who gave me rides, all of you who let me stay at yours, and to the ones who fed me. I had some incredible meals on this trip! So thank y'all and thanks again because I would never ever be able to say thank you enough.

Until next time (who knows when that'll be)

Be happy

Beacon

 
My sister

 
And my biggest fan

Monday, June 16, 2014

Texas Bound

This may clear up a lot for y'all. I suppose  I never actually said why I was headed to Miami. Turns out my mom bought a car down there a little while ago. I've no idea why she bought a car way the hell in Miami, but she did. The shipping company was taking forever to ship it and she really wants her car. And so when I was in Connecticut she asked me to go get it and drive it back. And a few days later there I was in Miami. Miami is such a huge urban sprawl that it would have been difficult to navigate. That's why I took the Megabus in. I didn't really know what I would be doing once I got there either (probably public bus it) until my uncle called me up and told me about a friend of his that lived there! And so Kathy came and picked me up at the Megabus stop and dropped me off at the car dealership!


Kathy

 
She was a hoot. Used to be friends with my uncles and my father. And then an hour later I had a car.


 
Me mum's car 

 
Now I was all the way in Miami right? So of course I was going to go check out the Keys! So I drove out of there with the windows down heading to the exact opposite of where I should be headed (Seattle). Along the way I saw a hitchhiker (different type than me). Now lemme' tell you, there is a way I could be the worst person in the world. And that way is if I didn't pick up hitchhikers. If I did all I did and then didn't pick up a hitcher I would just be awful. But of course I picked him up!! 


 
Rick

 
He had luggage and a violin with him and was on his way down for four days fishing. He'd been tired of the bus schedule! We kicked it off pretty well. He was an awesome guy! We stopped at a bar along the way to see the Tarpons and holy crap are those some big fish.


 
Bar


 
Mega fish (like as big as me)

 
We kept going and watched the sun go down on our way to Key West. When we finally got there Rick took me to this awesome bar with a great band and bought me this amazing dinner! It's funny when you pick up a hitcher and he takes you out! But man, that was a blast. Really an awesome night and I didn't want to leave. That doesn't happen to me too often, but I didn't want to leave. 


 


 

 
And alas, I did leave. Around midnight. And I drove (after I'd been awake since 7 that morning and already driven from Miami to Key West) all the way to Jackson Mississippi. I got there around 6 the next day to visit my good friend Samson from trail! On my way I got one other hitcher named Albert who just had a hankerin' (his phrasing) for some ice cream and was walking that way.


 
Albert

 
Now Samson told me that he lived in a rough neighborhood. And I freakin' believed him. Until I got there. I am disappointed in myself for having believed that! This place was swanky.


 
His backyard

 
Samson'd been pullin' my leg. And so I got to see him and his wife and some of the kids. And it was a great time. I definitely ate around 3 steaks my stay there. They fed me so much and it was great hanging out and getting to know them. Because, let me tell you, Samson is the kindest and most sincere guy you'll ever meet. Seriously though, he is just awesome. Fond memories of trail with him. And he is a skydiver and scuba diver and a boxer and anything else exciting you can think of. He's done it all and is a great inspiration.

 
Samson and his wife

 
So thank you so much Samson for everything you've done! Hope to see you next year on the PCT :)

 
Waiting for an oil change, then next stop Houston and finally SA tonight!

Be happy,

Beacon


Saturday, June 14, 2014

Thunder and Thunderfoot

I ended up stealthing about 50 feet from McD's in my tent. I just made sure to wake up before light! I was hoping to make it down to Miami, but Florida ended up being a difficult state to hitch through, and it's not all just that people aren't picking up. It's that there are these thunderstorms that roll in whenever they feel like it and they don't even let you know they're coming! Why you gotta be so rude?! Anyways, even though I got an early start it took two hours to get a ride.

 
Early hitchin'

 
Larry

 
Larry gave me a ride down the road where I ended up stuck in a McD's until two because of a thunderstorm. There went the days productivity, but Elma (an employee there) got off work at two and took me down South a ways.


 
Elma

 
I was dropped at a nowhere exit and just sitting there frustrated with Florida when I got a facebook notification. Long story short, Thunderfoot lived one exit down! I tell you what, social networking can be used for good. It's not just for pictures of what you're having for lunch (because no one really cares), who knew? It's kind of incredible how he found me like that. So he was gonna come pick me up after he got off work and I was just laying on my pack with my thumb out sarcastically, not even trying, when Mike picked me up! 


 
Mike

 
So I was just gonna go down the one exit to chill with Thunderfoot, but Mike was going 50 miles down the road and it was still kind of early. I decided to continue hitching (bad choice), and he dropped me at a great spot. In 5 minutes Jonathan picked me up on his way back from a job interview.

 
Jonathan

 
Now a lot of people look down on what I do. But then there are the people who love it! Jonathan had never picked up a hitchhiker before (I take a lot of hitching virginities) and when he dropped me off told me it made his whole day. I love that sort of stuff. I'm glad I'm able to make some days and find some friends even when I'm out bumming around. Next was Joe who dropped me at an alright spot. 

 
Joe (a lot of Joe's pick me up)

 
All was fine except for the surprise thunderstorm that ended me back in McD's (that place is freakin' universal). I was chillen' there until basically dark just askin' for rides when I decided I should head back to Thunderfoot's if I could (because I'm more likely to get a ride if I'm headed North AND South at the same time). He was only an hour North and it would be great to see him. Turns out though, he had some friends headed North! While I was waiting for them to get to me an amazing rainbow came out and there was the most amazing lightning I had ever seen streaking across it. It was just incredible and beautiful and it just put me at ease because life is awesome.

 
The 'bow

 
Ashely and Kevin scooped me up and took me straight to Thunderfoot!


 
Kevin and Ashley 

 
A super nice couple! Loved meeting them and wish I could get to know 'em better. Now before we move on, I gotta tell you about Thunderfoot. The way I talk  about him right now makes it seem like we have been friends forever. But I really only met him once or twice before. We have the incredible automatic bond of trail though. The one time I remember meeting him was when I was hitching back from Trail Days (a festival) in Virginia last year. I'd networked a ride and we were driving along when we saw Thunderfoot on the side of the road. I was like "hey! I know that guy! Let's pick him up!". And so, while hitching, I picked up Thunderfoot while he was hitching back to trail. But he is just the nicest guy ever. Taller than I am with a better beard, but kinder than anyone. Hanging out with him was a blast. 


 
My tiny (haha) feet.

 
So I spent the night at his and, decidedly fed up with Florida hitching, he dropped me off at a Megabus stop in Orlando. $10 later I'm on my way to Miami. Thanks for everything Thunderfoot! Hope to see you again soon man, you're the bomb.


 
Thunderfoot

 
Be happy,

Beacon 




Thursday, June 12, 2014

So, I'm in Florida

After a night in a five star McD's I decided to try to hitch to the small town my South Carolina family lives in. I got one ride a bit down the road with Joe.

 
Joe

 
I didn't want to waste my day trying to hitch to a small town though so I called my Uncle and an hour later he picked me up. I got to spend a full day with family I haven't seen in 4 years and I'm excited I made it down there! Wasn't quite expecting that. 

 
The fam 

 
Uncle Tony graciously picked me, Uncle Darby let me stay at his, and Uncle Danny dropped me off. Thanks to all of you for your awesomeness. It was great seeing you all!! Danny dropped me off on I-95 and I started South again. Now you know what I really love? I really love it when people ask me if I need a ride. I don't have to do any of the work sometimes. So, Rachel drove by me and asked that question I get all day long. "Are you a murderer?" I love that. Of course I'm not, and then I was on my way to Savannah with her and her two young boys Isiah and Jeremiah. 

 
 Rachel

 
She dropped me off at a great spot where I met two fellow Texans that took me just past Jacksonville.

 
Florida!

 
Royce and Nancy

 
As they drove away two people pulled up in a van and were like "whoa, what just happened there? Did they just drop you off?" and I told 'em the whole story. They weren't headed anywhere but gave me a peach and some water. I then thumbed it outta there with Lisa.

 
Lisa

 
Followed by Patrick.
 
Patrick

Patrick was super awesome and gave me soup :) Tim picked me up quickly after in a super nice car and then dropped me off at a slow exit. 
Tim
 
Where I waited around for an hour then walked four miles to, you guessed it, McD's! Hoping to get a ride out of here since it's too dark to thumb. If not I'll stealth or tinder a stealth near here :)

Be happy,

Beacon


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

I still swear by McDs

Stumbles packed me a cute little lunch to take with me on my way South. I had no idea where I would make it to today, but Stumbles (being the amazing friend she is) took me a good three hours out of her way so I could properly stage myself. Really, you're too good to me Stumbles. When it was finally time for her to drop me and head back for work. I tried to say goodbye and I choked. I tried to walk away and I Stumblesed. But a selfie and a hug later she was gone.

Stumbles

 
I was on my own again. But it only took about 5 minutes before Tony picked me up. And 5 minutes is a great wait time for hitching. Like up there with the pros. 

 
Tony

 
Tony took me a good ways and dropped me at an awesome spot. I took the next ride I got here (another 5 minute wait time) and realized I may had made a mistake. Not because of the people, Butch and Sam were great, but because they only took me 5 miles to an awful hitching spot.

 
Butch and Sam

 
This is where I find it kind of hard not to believe in fate while hitching. I was stuck at this spot for three hours. Three freakin' hours. I did all I could, pulled out all the stops, but nothing. I eventually put in my headphones and just jammed there on the side of the road for a while. I mean my thumb was freakin' sore from holding it out there so long. Holy crap that's crazy. But if I hadn't been stuck there for three hours I never would of ended up where I ended today... So I finally got a ride out from Dave which was a Godsend.

 
Dave

 
And he got me to a good spot with another 5 minute turn around.

 
Danny 

 
Danny picked me up and was going to Lancaster PA. I was tempted to go back to Lost'n'founds, but I was on a mission. 

 
Brian

 
Brain grabbed me next and staged me perfectly in front of Harrisburg PA at a city of a truck stop. I went around and asked all the truckers, no luck. So what do I do? I go sit in McD's. And who do I see just hanging around McD's? I see Adam, I talk to Adam, and me and Adam become friends. Adam is an amazing musician. He plays cello and drums and just got his first real album together. Adam Maalouf, check him out. Adam was going all the way to Greenville South Carolina, but he needed someone to help him drive. And so, a lot of driving and switching spots and drinking coffee I am in Greenville, South Carolina thanks to McD's. But that's not all, it's storming here right? So what do I do? Where do I stay? 24 hour McD's of course. Bash McD's all you want, but it's my freakin' Mount Olympus. 

 
 Adam

 
Hopefully I don't get kicked out haha.

Be happy,

Beacon 

Monday, June 9, 2014

I try to walk away and I Stumbles

Today I got to see Amy, Ella, and Claire. Amy is a trail angel married to Bill (a trail angel as well as thru hiker) and I love them both dearly as they helped me so much during my Appalachian Trail experience. Amy picked me up in Beacon (which is sort of becoming a tradition for me) NY today and took me back to her house where she made me waffles! Amy, I love your waffles. You are the waffle master. And I will always stop by just for waffles. We talked and laughed and hung out before we went to surprise her daughter Claire at school (her other daughter Ella had been with us this whole time). And then she took me over into Connecticut where I awaited the Stumbles....

 
Amy, Claire, and Ella 

 
I love you Bill and Amy. You're generosity and kindness is unmatched. You're always there for me and I love y'all for it. After driving to where Stumbles was to meet us I got my socks replaced for free (go Darn Toughs). Stumbles walked into the EMS (the REI of the East coast) me and Amy were meeting her at. As soon as I saw her I was running while negotiating the aisles full of merchandise and we met in the middle and hugged and there was air time and I love you Stumbles. I said goodbye to Amy and me and Stumbles were off. I would tell you details, but you don't really care. And let's be honest. There is nothing in or out of this world that could possess me  to create the right words that could possibly describe the bond between me and Stumbles. It's not just that we walked around each other for hundreds of miles. Hell no that's not all we have that bonds us. It's that we both walked 2200 miles, Springer to Katahdin, and summited together. We bonded more than just friends. More than best friends. We are undyingly life long friends that love each other. And we ate and we drank and we talked and we reminisced and nothing I can say on this blog will make you realize the emotions released that I experienced with Stumbles. Because she is a unique soul and I will always remember her and always cherish the memories I've created with her. And I will always come back to visit her. If I was Doctor Who and I had a companion I would choose her every time. Yeah Rose Tyler I loved you, but that Stumbles....

 
Stumbles
 

Stumbles I wish I could stay longer. And tonight was one of the best of my life. I love you dearly. Come adventure with me. Seriously though, anytime. Call me up and I'll follow through. And give me 5 years and I'll be on your exact page ;) 
Love ya'

 
Be happy all, 

Beacon 

New York New York

I don't know why I've ended up in New York City every time I'm in the area, but I have. This time I came in specifically to see Lauren and Sierra (twin sisters). I love these two so much, and we're all from Austin, but it seems I only ever see them at the randomest times and in the randomest places (at least for me). And that's awesome. It's the coolest thing seeing people you know all over the world. I still remember hanging with them in London and how great that was. But anyways, I got to NYC without a hitch (get it? 'cause I took a train instead of hitching! Well, I think it's funny).

The city!

 
On my way I met a wonderful woman named Florence who invited me to come visit her the next time I was in PA! Super nice of her, and hopefully I get back this way. 

 
Florence

 
I was hanging in NYC waiting for the game plan to be texted to me. Decided to take a walk through Times Square and up to Central Park (I've no idea what I should or shouldn't be capitalizing). 

 
 NY stuff

 
Lots'o'people

 
Look! A park!

 
Big globe

 
Sierra texted me to meet them at their place and I got a fun subway adventure (not the sandwich shop) to Brooklyn. Now I didn't know this, but apparently this day was like Puerto Rico pride day and this neighborhood went all out for it. I swear to God I walked through some Narnia portal in the NE and ended up on an island (credit for that wording to Ariel ;)). 

 
  Puerto Rico!!

 
And then I got to see Sierra and Lauren! And hugs all around! Had a nice chill time, which was fabulous because every once in a while I need some chill time. That night we watched the Tony's which I didn't even know what they were. But it was a blast because all the people there were theatre people and I feel like that just made the atmosphere so much different. It was awesome, and I loved it.
 

Sierra and Lauren

And then, before I knew it, I was up the next morning and walkin' in the rain. back to the subway. Then, right after I bought my ticket, I was walking by this girl who dropped like 5 bucks in quarters. I stopped to help her pick 'em up and she ended up just giving 'em all to me. Probably because she thought I was homeless. But oh well. I'm off to Beacon, NY now and waving goodbye to the city.

Bye city! And be happy.

Beacon