New to this world!

[Ocie]

Hello Everyone!

I met a group of Travelers in August and have since not been able to keep their amazing stories out of my head! Hopping on trains, camping in the desert, hitchhiking from place to place, it seems so surreal to me. I have since become enticed by this whole world of hitchhiking, and have set my sites to have my own adventure. This summer I want to hitch, hop, and camp my way across the country from Arkansas-Maine-California. There's only one small thing holding me back, I have never done anything adventurouse. I have never camped, or hiked, or done anything that would help me survive on my own. So I want to start to prep myself now so that I will be able to handle this journey in the summer. So my question is where do I begin in this new world?

-Ocie

[Succat]

 
Greetings Ocie and welcome to digihitch!

You ask:
[quote:bf5125253b]
So . . . where do I begin in this world?

[/quote:bf5125253b]
You have already started, my new-found-friend; the rest is just logistics.

Have fun!



Succat

[NinjaMonkey]

Travelling itself is the best education. But I'm sure a few hours bumbling around the threads on this site wouldn't hurt too much. I don't think you need to plan it too much, just pack some stuff and extend your thumb. See what happens.

Goodluck!

Saul.

[Scrappy]

The post that I just submitted today has been mysteriously deleted, but to me the mystery is quite clear. Someone on here has the power to delete my posts, and has the reason because they do like what I have to say. I will again answer my reply to this post and see how long it takes to be deleted by this person who has the power, but not the permission to delete my posts. My answer was before and is once again, Ocie you have, as Succat said earlier already started on your journey of 10,000 miles by taking the first step. Asking where to start has already started you on your journey, so just take one step at a time. Start camping out in your back yard and after two days you will understand what camping is about. Don't forget the small campfire which is more for comfort than for the heat or ability to cook food. Take care that you do not listen too closely to the people who are controlled by their fears, as you do not have to become infected by their shortcomings. Good journey and enjoy your life.

[TheWindAndRain]

As has been said many times before, the road will provide.
Preparation is the LEAST important step, but this forum already has a plethora of posts pertaining to preparation; pardon the alliteration.
Once you get used to the road life, you may look back at society as very strange and surreal; I know I do now.
I'm thinking you won't get a whole more help here regarding preparation steps without asking more specific questions.

Oh and one more thing, scrappy said
[quote:4b32513f97]Take care that you do not listen too closely to the people who are controlled by their fears, as you do not have to become infected by their shortcomings.[/quote:4b32513f97]
I couldn't agree with him more.

[explorer]

Scrappy has stated the best beginning point. In addition, hitchhike to a town or city about 3 hours away; walk around town for a couple of hours, and then hitchhike back home before it is too late.

My beginning was hitchhiking to my cousin's house, staying a couple of days, then hitchhiking back home. The distance was about 75 miles one-way.

[Fruupp]

Someone who obviously has Moderator privileges has been deleting replies and (so I've been told) a complete thread.

To the Mods:

We have our own private board for airing out our grievances. We also have a code of conduct which was put in place by Morgan to avoid flare-ups. If we disagree among ourselves, we stick to the code of conduct regardless of how we feel. We have the board to share those grievances and it should be used.

To the Mod who is deleting the posts. If you wish to intervene and delete a post, you have the obligation of explaining your actions on the Moderators Board. If we all deleted posts we don't like in a willy-nilly fashion, the site would descend into nothing short of, a portal of censorship. That is not what this site is about and it is not something that will be tolerated.

The site has been left to us as Morgans Legacy. Let's all remember the gentle approach he used when flare-ups occurred. Let's also respect each other.

If you don't agree with me then just ask yourself the question - What would Morgan think and what would he do?...

Fruupp
Editing/Mod Team

[Succat]

[quote:39bdf5d4b8="Fruupp"]
Someone who obviously has Moderator privileges has been deleting replies and (so I've been told) a complete thread.

[/quote:39bdf5d4b8]

There is a pointed lesson in this for [b:39bdf5d4b8]Ocie[/b:39bdf5d4b8] and others starting out:

The simple act of standing quietly with your pack beside the road conveys a silent yet powerful [i:39bdf5d4b8]message[/i:39bdf5d4b8] to all who pass. Many people will feel uncomfortable or even challenged by that [i:39bdf5d4b8]message[/i:39bdf5d4b8] and what you represent.

Most will simply try to ignore you, looking away, or resorting to a variety of other amusing tricks. Some will attempt to block the [i:39bdf5d4b8]message[/i:39bdf5d4b8] and, not having a "delete" button, will shout abuse in their attempt to drown you out.

All of us will face this reality, and each of us will deal with it in our own way. It can be difficult, standing for hour after hour being ignored and/or abused — yet deal with it we must.

In many ways the hitchhiker is a mirror, and what people see is a reflection of themselves. Always be mindful that how they react speaks of them, not you.


And, to [b:39bdf5d4b8]Scrappy[/b:39bdf5d4b8], I have this to say:

You are a respected and valued member of the digihitch community.

I am sorry you have been treated in this manner.

I pray you will continue to share your wisdom and knowledge with us.


Thank you . . .



Succat

[adventureman]

Wow succat!! You never fail to inspire!! Boy, that is wonderful Really, it makes my spirit smile when I read those words..

[Sawman]

Ocie: If you have never hitchhiked before, it would probably be a good idea to start out in the late spring or early summer. It is a lot easier to camp out in the summer than the winter. I camp out in the winter, but I am used to it and I find places to sleep. After a month or so of hitchhiking, you will learn what you need to carry and what not to carry in your backpack. You will learn as you go.

Experience is a great schoolmaster. And if you run into a brick wall, go in another direction. Be flexible and don't take any wooden nickels.