Off I go!

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Geo: 39.7437, -104.979

"Off I go!"

Pretty lame for the title of my first blog entry. I could have defaulted to the cliche "every journey begins with a single footstep" or something along those lines. I could fall back on my programming experience and go with "Hello, world". Or maybe, just "Wwweeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!"

Eh. Spent last night in the bed of truck (might as well get used to it) outside the home of some good friends. Texted her at 6:50 am: "You guys up?" "I am. Are you in your truck?" "Yep! Be right in. 😊"

But you probably don't really care. The last thing I want this blog to be is a pre-pubescent diary. "And today, I did this, and this, and this, and ate this, and then saw this..." Of course, there will be some of that. I want to be able to describe the places I am to people so that they can imagine what it's like, and to be able to bring myself back there years later when I reread my words.

However, what I want more for this is to be a collection of experiences, people, American subcultures, thoughts, frustrations, and maybe even, God forbid, feelings. Yech.

I am taking advantage of a very amazing opportunity. In the couple months I have been 'planning' this trip, not one person has said "That is a horrible idea", or "that doesn't sound like much fun". being able to just go, no plan, no strings, no deadlines, no responsibilities, is something that I think every person has thought of or desired at one point. I've been thinking about it for years, but there was always something I did not want to forfeit. So now that I have the chance, I will not miss it, because I think it's something that I need, not just desire or fantasize about.

I've been without permanent residence since May 1, right at a month now. During that time, many people have asked me what I plan to do after my trip, or how long I'll be gone, or if I think I'll come back to Colorado. Most of the time my response is simple: "I don't even know where I'm sleeping tonight!" While we're on the subject, thank you for the dozen+ kind people who generously opened their homes, beds, couches, floors, and showers to me. You will forever be a part of my life, my journey. Namaste.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for your support and encouragement. And thanks in advance for the couches and showers, and also for the mixed tapes and CD's anxiously awaiting my arrival at Post Offices across the country (hint, hint). (Someone asked me to share this: you can send mail or a package to any post office in the country and mark it "Hold for Pickup" and they will hold it for up to 15 calendar days. So, if you wanted to send me fresh baked cookies and some clean underwear, and you knew I was going to be passing through Flagstaff in the next week or so, you could send a package directly to the Flagstaff post office with my name and Hold for Pickup. Then, when I pass through, I just show them my ID, get the package, change my undies, and munch away on delicious home baked chocolate chip oatmeal cookies!)

Before the hour turns, I will be driving west into the Rocky Mountains,
making the first leg (not leg... maybe toe, or perhaps just a toenail)
of my Vagabond Summer!

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