So, you're on your own two feet in Huntsville, TX and your destination is all the way on the other side of the beautiful deserts of the southwest. You might just be Thunder D and you might just need some advice, and that might just be what you're going to get.
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To start off our presentation, I'd like to direct your attention to this post:
https://squattheplanet.com/threads/squat-the-planets-ultimate-gear-guide.26425/
It should have your basics and plenty more to suffice your first trip. Afterwards, you'll probably know what you need and what you don't.
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So, you've got your gear, but now you have to start walking the walk, instead of just talking the talk:
waka flaka flame what do i say
If you're planning on just hitchhiking/walking all the way, you should definitely become acquainted with being a decent and charismatic person, because that goes a long way in a cruel world. But, uh, if you're interested in riding rails, you should check out some of this stuff:
https://squattheplanet.com/threads/the-stp-guide-to-train-hopping.17771/
https://squattheplanet.com/threads/open-railway-map.22416/
https://squattheplanet.com/threads/hobo-history-ethical-code.5483/
If you're preferring to keep it legal (in some places) and walk/hitch, then this might help, too:
https://squattheplanet.com/threads/things-i-wish-i-knew-hitchhiking-tips-advice.27928/
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Now, I pretty much just scanned the site for some basics from resources and then just compiled them all here for your viewing pleasure, so I don't really take credit for any of this advice, but what input of my own origin I can provide is that I used these guides (roughly) and they were very useful to have read before my first trek into the unknown.
Ultimately, what you're going to find, however, is that a lot of things are really just "up in the air" and can be vastly different than what you've read, but can also be spot on to what you would expect. Going into your first journey, you definitely want to prepare as best you can, and these resources will provide that to you. Beyond the resources, however, is the greatest learning tool of all...
EXPERIENCE.(seriously)
No, for real.
Experience is key. I could read shit on this site all day, but nothing will truly prepare you for what life is actually like other than living that life.
I hope all of this can be of some use to you, but if not, hey, I tried to be a know-it-all helper, so gimme a little credit or a thumbs up.