a reintroduction

[sxtxnxc]

I have another post detailing my discovery of this website and my attraction to this style of life.

As that post says I've been wanting to do this for over half a decade but things prevented me from actually being able to go through with any plans. I finally got everything settled and done and cool but by that point I had become involved with a very good woman and just could not see any other future than being with her every day. It wasn't in the cards for us, and that's okay. We're still friends.

I'm leaving. I'm shooting for mid-August. I don't know where I want to go. Somewhere I can see the ocean. I'm definitely going to be hitchhiking. I've got experience being homeless, but no experience travelling this way.

In the last month I've purchased a 50L backpack, a pair of hiking boots, a sleeping pad, a quilt, a bivy sack, a tarp, and various other small useful things. What are some less obvious things I should consider?

One question I have, I'm not sure where to ask: How do I explain this to my family and friends? My father and brother are the only family I have and I don't get along with them. And I think my friends will just think I'm insane.

 

[AlexKnoch]

Make sure to bring a battery bank to recharge your phone and enough water.

I've been stranded in the desert without water before while I was hitchhiking and I'll never make that mistake again. I now bring 2 1L water bottles on the sides of my pack for daily use and I have a 3L water bladder that I keep more for emergencies.

I also keep a motion alarm in my backpack that's meant for bikes and motorcycles. It comes with a key so you can "lock" it when you can't bring your pack inside. It's really loud and gives a warning sound if someone touches my backpack.

If you have an iPhone, I also recommend getting an Airtag to hide in your pack.

A water key to open spigots can also be useful and some fence cutters have also come in handy for me a couple of times.

Thick sharpies for writing signs.

As for explaining it to your friends and family, I would simply ask yourself 3 questions before talking to them: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?