hobo lifestyle

[Everyday Anarchy]

Call me what you will, I'm expecting several "crimethinc kiddie" comments. So before anybody says anything to that affect, let me say this: fuck you. I'm personally attracted to the lifestyle of a traveling hobo.

I have a friend who is just as passionate about this as I am and we are completely ready to take the plunge and leave behind consumerism and monotony.

Keeping an open mind, I completely admit that it could very well be the biggest mistake of our lives. But we both agree that if it is a mistake, it's one that we have to find out on our own. The desire is too strong to ignore it and nothing anybody has tried telling us can change that.



So I'm posting here to ask if anybody has any tips at all that they could share. What would you recommend we take along (remember, we have to travel light)? Has anyone else done anything similar to this?

I'm really interested in hearing the stories of adventure (and of sorrow) that any members may have.

[Decolonize The Left]

Call me what you will, I'm expecting several "crimethinc kiddie" comments. So before anybody says anything to that affect, let me say this: fuck you. I'm personally attracted to the lifestyle of a traveling hobo.

I have a friend who is just as passionate about this as I am and we are completely ready to take the plunge and leave behind consumerism and monotony.

Keeping an open mind, I completely admit that it could very well be the biggest mistake of our lives. But we both agree that if it is a mistake, it's one that we have to find out on our own. The desire is too strong to ignore it and nothing anybody has tried telling us can change that.



So I'm posting here to ask if anybody has any tips at all that they could share. What would you recommend we take along (remember, we have to travel light)? Has anyone else done anything similar to this?

I'm really interested in hearing the stories of adventure (and of sorrow) that any members may have.

I am not a hobo, nor have I been. But here is a short list of necessities to have on hand at all times while you embark on this adventure:
- Backpack: large enough to fit all your gear (3,000+ cubic inches)
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Tent?
- Water bottle, preferably metal with a mouth wide enough for ice cubes
- Multi-tool (leatherman, swiss army knife)
- Pocketknife
- Compass
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Batteries, and extra batteries, for said light
- Digital wristwatch
- Spoon, fork, bowl
- Clothing/footwear: depending on weather/climate of desired travel
- Toiletry bag: toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, aspirin/IBprofin, soap, shampoo, nail clippers/file
- First-aid kit
- Notebook, pen

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. The clothing section can be expanded if you know what type of weather you'll be encountering.

- August

[DesertShark]

I have a lot of friends who have done this, but not completely by choice (most were forced into the situation due to circumstance). The list that AW gave is a good one, but I don't know anyone who was able to travel with that much stuff. To some of them, a sleeping bag was a luxury (so keep that in mind). You probably won't be able to have a sleeping pad, tent, batteries (because they can add excess weight), eating utensils or stuff to eat off of, multiple changes of clothing, a first aid kit (the best things to have in a first aid kit are gloves), many toiletries, or that large of a backpack.

The most important thing (at least coming from a comfortable lifestyle) is: you need to be comfortable dumpster diving. Our society is one of mass consumption and has A LOT of excess things thrown away. The dumpster will be your greatest resource (outside of the kindness of strangers) for clothing, random things (stuff for shelter, among other things), tools, and food. When dumpster diving food, please please please use common sense (ie don't drink milk that's expired). I have friends (who had to dumpster dive to stay alive) who are now doing fine finacially but still rely on about 20% of their food to come from dumpsters because its such a great resource.

If you decide to go train hopping, be very very careful. A train is a very powerful machine that can kill or dismember you. I have a friend who lost both legs jumping off a train, so be extremely careful.

Make sure you have something on you at all times that you can defend yourself with: ie a knife or a piece of rebar. You never know when someone will try to fuck with you and/or take your stuff, especially when you're asleep.

Your best bet to ease into the lifestyle is to start off small. Get used to hitchhiking (while you have money, so you can get back home at any time if you need to) and traveling extremely light: ie toothbrush, only the clothes on your back (maybe one change of clothes), and a few other very small things. If you want to carry more gear, get used to carrying it around 24/7 before you go; it will be a lot harder on you mentally to continually have to leave things behind that you believe you need because they're just too heavy.

Stay up (in spirits). Use common sense and trust your gut feelings. And be prepared with how you would deal with losing everything you have if someone steals your backpack with all your possessions in it (that happened to a friend of mine this past summer, even though it wasn't much, she lost everything she had). Use the skills you have or learn new skills before you go. The more you can do, the more valuable you are to yourself and others if you need food or shelter for a night.

I don't want to scare you, but there's a lot you have to be aware of. Not everyone you meet will suck, but you should be prepared for the ones that do.

This could be the best or the worst experience of your life and in either case you'll grow and learn a lot about yourself. Also, don't be discouraged if you decide you don't want to do it any more or can't handle it. Most of the people I know who live that way or have lived that way, don't want to live that way forever because it is extremely challenging and hard both mentally and phyiscally.

I wish you and your friend the best of luck! I hope it works out well for you both and you find the kindness of strangers easily when you need it! Have fun!
-DesertShark

[Delirium]

I have recently just given up the traveling kid lifestyle. Last year i left from michigan with a friend and hitched (eventually) to california. Spent time in mostly in northern california, oregon, and washington. A few months ago i hitched back to michigan. Im back to living in a house and having a job.

It was for sure one of the best experiences of my life. I would suggest it. When you have nothing but what you carry on your back you have a huge increase in freedom. All you have to do is gather food and water each day and find somewhere your'e comfortable sleeping. The rest of your time is for leisure. Its really easy to get food, options being; dumpster diving, food stamps, local feeds, or even getting kickdowns.

Augustwest's list is pretty decent. Just remember go as light as possible. You get used to hauling around all your gear but its still good to be light. You will get rides easier if you have a smaller pack also.
Only a few things to add too:
-I just used a rainfly instead of a tent.
-a very small camp stove with a 1 liter pot for cooking when you cant have a fire.
-a water key for spigots, your local hardware store should have one.
-hatchet

Don't get discouraged hitchhiking right away, just remember that you ride is always coming. Listen to you intuition and instincts when accepting a ride. if it doesnt feel right dont take the ride. You'll meet lots of other traveling kids and bums along the way, they usually have valuable knowledge of the local area and resources (squats, camps, feeds, shelters, homeless organizations, free stores, good spots to panhandle or fly a sign, etc...) Dont hitchhike through utah if you can help it and especially dont get stuck in slc.
Always try to get dropped of on the far side of a town or city cause the local traffic wont pick you up and it suck walking through a city. When picking a spot to hitchhike from you should make sure that the car has room to pull over. If your'e just trying to cross the area your in, hitch from truck stops or rest areas. These places have the most long distance traffic.

If your in the us, i'd suggest heading to the west coast. There is a huge community of traveling kids out there, and the weed is really good (and mostly free). The local liberals out there are more tolerant. I spent alot of time in arcata CA, It's in humboldt county, so dank nuggets are everywhere, food stamps are easy to get, redwoods, beaches, lots of other travelers. check it out if you head that way.

Oh and if you want to hop freight (so much fun), find someone who has experience doing it and have them show you the ropes. There is also a document called a crew change which details where trains stop to swich crews, where the yards and stations are, where to expect bulls, and tons of other usefull information .

good luck and be safe.

[Delirium]

I'd just use you senses when dumpster diving. Giving the temperature outside you can eat almost anything out of the dumpster. You can usually tell if something is bad by looking at it and sniffing it. I'd suggest staying away from meat unless its freezing outside and it was thrown away that day. Right now i get about 80% of my food from three dumpsters.

It's key that you be able to stay warm and dry. If your going to carry anything make it a sleeping bag and rain fly.

[Everyday Anarchy]

I'm overwhelmingly impressed with the quality of replies! I was fully expecting to be shunned for wanting to be a "dropout traveler kid."

You've all made very excellent points and have only encouraged me so much more. It's all very exciting, but I know it will also be incredibly challenging. And I'm prepared to face that. Since the replies have been good, I'll share a little more information.

I'm beginning in Midwest USA (Illinois). I'm comfortable with dumpster-diving. I've hopped freight trains before, but usually as a pastime of living in a small town. Usually just ride them going slow for a few blocks and hop back off. However, once I did ride it (half-way on accident) all the way to a neighboring small town. I had to call a friend to come pick me up to get me home.


Thank you very much for that list, AW. Delirium and DesertShark, your stories are very inspiring and helpful. :)
My friend and I are both currently vegetarians. Do you think vegetarianism will be more difficult to maintain whilst traveling? I'm sure my friend would agree with me that our survival is top priority, so we're not going to starve to death. But it'd be nice to stick to non-animal foods.


I personally still feel a little uncomfortable with the idea of hitchhiking. Having a partner should help deter the creeps though, hopefully. Is hitchhiking nowadays really the horror-show it's made out to be these days? Does anybody have any safety tips to ensure we have a good experience hitching?

As for trainhopping, how exactly can we be sure not to get caught? Are there any secrets we should know so we don't end up getting busted at the train yard? I'd imagine we'd try to jump off before the train actually pulls into the yard. Is this a good idea?


Delirium, do you have any other suggestions as to where we should travel to? We'll obviously end up going wherever we feel like, but it'd be nice to have some ideas from an experienced traveler. :)


Once again, thank you for the great replies. Keep them coming!

[Delirium]

My advice if you are going to head west is to go north until you reach i-80. There is a rail line that runs E-W parallel to the interstate so you can either jump on a train or hitch from there. Since its winter you may want to take a more southern route. As far a hitchhiking goes it definatly does help having a partner. For safety carry a knife or something and trust what your gut tells you about a person. I've turned down a few rides cause it diddnt feel right. I've never been in a situation where i thought my life was in danger thought. Hitchhiking isnt nearly as dangerous as it is portrayed to be. The hardest part about hitchhiking is the patience it requires. just remember your ride is somewhere down that road. That one person in many that picks you up is likley to be really cool.

About trains, the hardest part of hopping a train is finding out where the train is stopped or going slow enough to jump on or off. You also should have a general idea where the train is going. Unless in a very rural area stay out of sight while your on the train, watch out for roads crossing the tracks and rail workers, they could call you in and have you pulled off the train. When near the yard or station stay out of sight until your ready to hop on, they are usually patrolled by bulls. Small towns are easier to get on and off at and are generally more acceptive of train hoppers the cities. On a few hotshot lines there are tunnels which can be dangerous, many miles long. If you end up in a long tunnel, wet a rag and put it over your mouth, this will help you to not inhale particulate. Make sure you have enough food, water, and smokes for the journey. That goes for hitchhiking too, you never know when your gonna get stuck in the middle of nowhere for a few days so make sure you have food and water.

As far as traveling ideas, the whole west coast (north of sf) is generally pretty kind to traveling kids. Norcal and oregon are both really easy to survive in outdoors with a minimum of effort. You can also get food stamps there which are renewed every month and you can use them anywhere in the us. it can be hard to be a vegetarian on the road, but just get food stamps. When i was in oregon last summer we were getting $260 a month for food courtey of the State. There is also a garbage barge which leaves from SF empty which goes to hawaii to pick up thier trash. You can take it over there for $25, but youll have to find another way back (bring food and water). As far as i've heard its really easy to get work in hawaii on organic farms and such. NorCal also virtually has free weed, everyone grows it and it's not uncommon to get kicked down a bag of chronic that would cost $50 in the midwest. Lots of opportunities there to work for growers there, growing, harvesting, trimming, hash making.

[Everyday Anarchy]

Oregon was already a destination we were thinking about, so you've pretty much sealed the deal for us with your experienced suggestions. Do you know of any squats or collectives in Oregon that would be willing to take us in for a bit?

Do you happen to have any kind of map of the railways that you could possibly scan and send to me? If not, do you have any ideas as to where I could find a "crew change?"

That bit about riding the barge from SF (San Francisco, correct?) to Hawaii is really interesting. Have you ever done that yourself? If not, how did you hear that it is only $25 to do that? And why can't you ride the barge back?


Also, I was wondering how long you would say it might take for two inexperienced travelkids to make it from Midwest USA (Illinois) to Oregon?

[Pogue]

I don't have much experience in this but I intend to try it sometime.

I know its common sense and I don't want to scare you, but make sure you and your mate stay together all the time, especially when htiching a lift. Sleep enar each other, get in cars and trains together, etc. If theres two of you, you'll be ten times safer.

[Dr Mindbender]

Call me what you will, I'm expecting several "crimethinc kiddie" comments. So before anybody says anything to that affect, let me say this: fuck you. I'm personally attracted to the lifestyle of a traveling hobo.

I have a friend who is just as passionate about this as I am and we are completely ready to take the plunge and leave behind consumerism and monotony.

Keeping an open mind, I completely admit that it could very well be the biggest mistake of our lives. But we both agree that if it is a mistake, it's one that we have to find out on our own. The desire is too strong to ignore it and nothing anybody has tried telling us can change that.



So I'm posting here to ask if anybody has any tips at all that they could share. What would you recommend we take along (remember, we have to travel light)? Has anyone else done anything similar to this?

I'm really interested in hearing the stories of adventure (and of sorrow) that any members may have.

If you dont mind me asking what age are you? I've heard these stories on the forum a hundred times or more.

If you're under 16 i'm inclined to think 'angst ridden kiddie wanting to run from mummy and daddy that will probably grow out of this phase in a year or so'. Retreating from the rat race is neither revolutionary, nor is it in your interests. You are more use to the cause by staying within capitalism helping to fight for a better life within the public arena. Plus by pulling out of state scrutiny you are penalising yourself by not receiving certain benefits like the right to vote, the ability to get credit or get a home, and depending where you live possibly even the right to get healthcare.

Dont let me put you off though, but remember to send us a message from wherever you wind up freezing on a park bench, coughing your lungs up from pneumonia, m'kay?
:)

[Sean]

This guy, Blackpacker (http://blackpacker.gnn.tv/users/blogs.php?page=3&sort=_created_dt&dir=DESC&tpc=&ctry=&q=), has a good series on properly roughing it in and out of the urban sprawl. His guerilla backpacking 101 articles are good food for thought and cover good topics like how to avoid a lift from an obvious nutcase when you've just thumbed him down, camping in cities and avoiding getting mugged by other homeless. I found him useful, not as a hobo, but just as someone who avoids hostels and campsites when out and about solo.

[apathy maybe]

Retreating from the rat race is neither revolutionary, nor is it in your interests. You are more use to the cause by staying within capitalism helping to fight for a better life within the public arena. Plus by pulling out of state scrutiny you are penalising yourself by not receiving certain benefits like the right to vote, the ability to get credit or get a home, and depending where you live possibly even the right to get healthcare.
It may not be "revolutionary", but it sure as can be in a person's best interest to escape the rat race. Who wants to vote?
Credit and a home? I thought we were leaving the rat race.
Health care? Depends on where you live, most civilised places have free health care, no matter what.

Onto the OP.
Check out ultralight backpacking for example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_backpacking
http://www.ultralightbackpacker.com/ (also check the links)
http://www.jmclum.com/mgear.htm


Remember, tents can be damn heavy, and if they aren't, they are probably damn expensive. It isn't fun carting around 20 kilos of stuff all day everyday, even if it's flat.

Make sure you are damn fit, try and be able to run at least 100m (preferably double or more that), with your pack on. You never know when you might have to run from the filth (cops), dogs, thugs or other people wishing to do you harm.

---

Good gear costs money, good gear is better than bad gear. If you are in a city for only a day, consider stealing stuff from a camping store (see various threads around about how to cover your face from cameras (don't look at the cameras, but do show your face so that the staff aren't suspicious), and how to steal stuff generally).

Also be damn careful if you are jumping trains, I wouldn't suggest it to two folks who don't have any experience. (Find some other folks to travel with who have more experience than you.)


Thinking about gear and stuff, be prepared to have everything stolen (up to and including what you are wearing). That said, don't be scared, just prepared. Cover your good new bag with grime and rough it up a bit. Don't have an expensive camera (have a cheap digital if you can, it might useful for taking photos of filth who might harass you). You can leave most of the electronica at home (unless it's cheap), remember, it can be damn heavy, and you want a light pack.

Also, other folks have asked similar questions on this forum. Do a search and see what results come up (and then paste the links here for everything else).

[apathy maybe]

This guy, Blackpacker (http://blackpacker.gnn.tv/users/blogs.php?page=3&sort=_created_dt&dir=DESC&tpc=&ctry=&q=), has a good series on properly roughing it in and out of the urban sprawl. His guerilla backpacking 101 articles are good food for thought and cover good topics like how to avoid a lift from an obvious nutcase when you've just thumbed him down, camping in cities and avoiding getting mugged by other homeless. I found him useful, not as a hobo, but just as someone who avoids hostels and campsites when out and about solo.

Oh yeah! And this link is great! I couldn't remember what it was called, and didn't have it bookmarked. Great serious of articles, read them all.

[zider]

some sort of sleeping mat, as heat is lost a lot more rapidly through the ground than the air - about x3 quicker if I remember right.

a large poncho, much more versitile than a raincoat. make sure it's large enough to go over you and your backback. It can also double up as a tarp or a ground sheet.

check out the range of stuff made by a company called golite, they make what is most probably the best ultra lightweight backpacking equipment that is currently available.

[zider]

[quote=apathy maybe;1311083]It may not be "revolutionary", but it sure as can be in a person's best interest to escape the rat race. Who wants to vote?
Credit and a home? I thought we were leaving the rat race.
Health care? Depends on where you live, most civilised places have free health care, no matter what.

Onto the OP.
Check out ultralight backpacking for example:



Remember, tents can be damn heavy, and if they aren't, they are probably damn expensive. It isn't fun carting around 20 kilos of stuff all day everyday, even if it's flat. "

you beat me to the ultralight stuff, I really must learn to type faster :lol:
a light but cheap tent is a "coleman rigel" Sleeps 2, weighs 980g and costs under £60. I think coleman are an USA based company, so it could be an option for the op.

[Bilan]

Don't need a sleeping mat. Cardboard works amazingly well.

It's a fun way of travelling, but don't start romanticizing it.
Privileged poverty is insulting.

[zider]

Don't need a sleeping mat. Cardboard works amazingly well.

.

unless it gets wet :p

[Sean]

Sleeping mats can be a necessary evil in cold weather, I've tried most things in leiu of one but cardboard doesn't keep the cold from travelling up from the ground very well. If you're near a forest, the best thing is pine needles or dry grass in fields. It is, however really annoying to clear out the next day unless you have an old sack cloth to put them in. If you are near an area with long uncut grass (around 20cm or so) a groundmat shouldnt be neccessary at all in good weather as long as you are on even ground.

[Sean]

If you dont mind me asking what age are you? I've heard these stories on the forum a hundred times or more.

If you're under 16 i'm inclined to think 'angst ridden kiddie wanting to run from mummy and daddy that will probably grow out of this phase in a year or so'. Retreating from the rat race is neither revolutionary, nor is it in your interests. You are more use to the cause by staying within capitalism helping to fight for a better life within the public arena. Plus by pulling out of state scrutiny you are penalising yourself by not receiving certain benefits like the right to vote, the ability to get credit or get a home, and depending where you live possibly even the right to get healthcare.

Dont let me put you off though, but remember to send us a message from wherever you wind up freezing on a park bench, coughing your lungs up from pneumonia, m'kay?
:)Living entirely on your own means can be a good thing to do, perhaps not in the long term because yes, it removes your voice from any revolutionary effort. However, we have very few other ways to test ourselves other than expensive extreme sports or joining wars. Its better to try something and fail than spend the rest of your life too scared to. I intend to spend the next few years living a fairly nomadic existence. Even if it fails after a short time (and may well the first attempt) its still a learning experience. Don't burn any bridges with family though. The fact that you still have some contact with "productive" members of society can be enough to seperate humans from homeless vermin in the eyes of the cops. ALWAYS carry money and and even a dead cell phone. Even if you don't want it for security/comfort it can provide enough camoflage to not get turfed out of bars and shops too.


It may not be "revolutionary", but it sure as can be in a person's best interest to escape the rat race. Who wants to vote?
Credit and a home? I thought we were leaving the rat race.
Health care? Depends on where you live, most civilised places have free health care, no matter what. Agreed.


Remember, tents can be damn heavy, and if they aren't, they are probably damn expensive. It isn't fun carting around 20 kilos of stuff all day everyday, even if it's flat. Again agreed. Even though I don't get as much use out of it as I promised myself, my tent is my prize possession and always having a ready to go (except food) backpack beside me reassures me.

http://www.jackson-sports.com/Images/Models/Full/5570.jpg
A thing of beauty


Although this (http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/reviews/showproduct.php/product/323)particular one cost me £180 its simple to put up, take down, weighs nothing, and not so much as a scratch on the groundsheet despite all kinds of sharp rocks and crap underneath.




Good gear costs money, good gear is better than bad gear. If you are in a city for only a day, consider stealing stuff from a camping store (see various threads around about how to cover your face from cameras (don't look at the cameras, but do show your face so that the staff aren't suspicious), and how to steal stuff generally). If you don't want/have to steal stuff, campstores love return customers and all the ones ive been to around Belfast are happy to haggle with you and throw in extras (I managed to get £50 off the tent).


Thinking about gear and stuff, be prepared to have everything stolen (up to and including what you are wearing). That said, don't be scared, just prepared. Cover your good new bag with grime and rough it up a bit.The old trick for staying in hostels is to keep all your dirty underwear stuffed in the little outside pockets to foil opportunistic fuckers.

Also, I'd like to point out that anybody who decided to buy a new tent or other outdoors equipment, it is far more constructive to give your old gear to a homeless shelter, or squats if you know any, than to an unenthusiastic relative who will just put it in storage.

Squats are something I haven't any knowledge on at all, so if anyone who does could contribute to the thread, that would be awesome.

[communard resolution]

There's a number of countries in Europe (and from what I heard, a couple of places in the US) where nazi skinheads target the homeless, travellers, and the like. When you sleep rough, you're fairly helpless - and if you advertise your political views on top of that, you're inviting them additionally. So spraying big anarchy A's on your tent or on the back of your jacket might not be the cleversest thing to do.

[apathy maybe]

There's a number of countries in Europe (and from what I heard, a couple of places in the US) where nazi skinheads target the homeless, travellers, and the like. When you sleep rough, you're fairly helpless - and if you advertise your political views on top of that, you're inviting them additionally. So spraying big anarchy A's on your tent or on the back of your jacket might not be the cleversest thing to do.

Yes, it isn't clever to advertise your politics (the filth also target the homeless and people sleeping rough, and would surely also target anyone else they didn't like the look of, including clean, white, shaven IWW members).

This is why I said above that you have to be fit, 'cause there is all sorts of scum around.

Knowing how to fight would also be good, but if you can run away, it's better (plus, the filth have guns, spray and tasers).

Did I mention learning from others? See if you can find a network of radical homeless/hobos in your area, learn from them.

Oh, and have fun. It's not all fun, but if you aren't having fun at least some of the time, then maybe think about throwing it in.

But it is nice knowing you are miles from anyone, out in the forests/fields and you are free.

[zider]

something else that might be worth considering is a walking-pole. They certainly keep a lot of the weight of off the knees plus it can double up as something to defend yourself with.

[Kukulofori]

Is there a good way to get medicine without any icome? Also, getting to Europe from the States? Also, right now I'm in Wisconsin and it's ****ing cold out there, what's the best way to get further South ASAP?

It's much easier if you have a car to live or store things in. If you need a few gallons oe gas oeefr to restock some shelves or something.

[communard resolution]

Avoid junkies at all costs.

Pin-point eyes, scratching himself all the time? Don't go to this guy's squat - all your posessions will be gone by the next morning.

[Everyday Anarchy]

If you dont mind me asking what age are you? I've heard these stories on the forum a hundred times or more.I don't mind it at all, and I completely understand what you're talking about. I'm almost 18 years old, and I am 100% serious and committed to this. I'm just as annoyed with the typical angst-ridden children wanting to runaway from home because they got grounded. Trust me, I am not one of those brats.

Thank you to everyone for your help. I've been showing my friend everything that's been said and I've bookmarked and read all of the links. Thanks!

[Delirium]

Ground pads are too bulky in my opinion, i started off with one but traded it to another traveler for a bag of nugget. If you dont want a tent, just use the rainfly from one. Bring a extra tarp to keep you off of the wet ground when you need too. If you end up somewhere where your sleepingbag doesnt keep you warm enough, you can stuff it with extrainsulation (clothes, leaves, grass, newspaper)

I dont really have all that much experience with squats, just make sure you can get in and out without being seen or heard. And take care of the squat, dont poop in it, trash it, or generally destroy it. Its disrespectful to other travelers. poop in a bag and throw it away later.

I've never had anyone try and hurt or rob me while i was homeless. Its good to be prepared though, and just try not to put yourself in those situations. If you are musicians, bring your instruments. They may be big and heavy, but playing music on the streets is by far the best way to make money. I've make bank in small towns, and at rest stop while looking for a ride.

Stay dry at all costs!

[Sean]

This might not be helpful to the OP, but this thread is quickly turning into a good list of tools and tips, so I might as well mention it here.

This applies more to smaller countries with winding roads than vast expanses like the states I suppose, but occasionally you'll find yourself having to walk along roads in the dark and visibility can be an issue. While most of the time you'll actually want to keep as low a profile as possible while travelling at night, and I've heard people recommending the removal of reflectors from packs altogether, roads are obviously not a time to go ninja style! The best visibility solution I came up with for cheapness (they cost nothing and stealing them from a construction site is like stealing post-its from an office) and speed to put on/take off is cutting off the strips on a hi-vis waistcoat:

http://www.xamax.co.uk/images/thumbnails/HI%20VIZ%20NEW-150x120.jpg


I cut the two horizontal reflector stripes from one of these and have two easily packable ribbons with velcro on the ends which I put together into one long sash. You can stuff them into a front pocket when you're walking along and quickly throw them over your shoulder. The beauty is that they cover your front AND your back over the backpack without having to stop, take off your pack, stick crap on it, take it off again. It might sound a bit daft, but its stopped me getting knocked down a few time when nutcases are flying around roads at 50mph at night, only to suddenly notice what looks like the ghost of a Miss World contestant with a glow in the dark sash walking along (albeit a hairy Miss World)!

[Jorge Miguel]

Get a job, hippy.

[deLarge]

Oh, and if you're traveling to the west coast, avoid North Idaho like the plague.

[Killfacer]

There's a number of countries in Europe (and from what I heard, a couple of places in the US) where nazi skinheads target the homeless, travellers, and the like. When you sleep rough, you're fairly helpless - and if you advertise your political views on top of that, you're inviting them additionally. So spraying big anarchy A's on your tent or on the back of your jacket might not be the cleversest thing to do.

In fairness beating up sleeping tramps is a pass time for many 16 year olds, not just skinheads.

[Black Dagger]

In fairness beating up sleeping tramps is a pass time for many 16 year olds, not just skinheads.

The youth of today huh? :huh:

[Bilan]

Avoid junkies at all costs.

Pin-point eyes, scratching himself all the time? Don't go to this guy's squat - all your posessions will be gone by the next morning.

Including your kidneys

[deLarge]

Is there a good way to get medicine without any icome? Also, getting to Europe from the States? Also, right now I'm in Wisconsin and it's ****ing cold out there, what's the best way to get further South ASAP?

It's much easier if you have a car to live or store things in. If you need a few gallons oe gas oeefr to restock some shelves or something.

If you're in serious need, you can go to an emergency center. I've seen people go in there for really no reason (e.g. stuffy nose), try and avoid that. If you're having a heart attack, they will at least treat that for free.

Then there are free clinics. Use the internet to find one in the area you are in. If you need internet, find a public library..

There are also free vaccinations in some areas (a Costco here provides flu shots for $10, but I think they let some kids have them for free).

[Ol' Dirty]

These replies are good not only for "hobos," but for average people. Living simply and frugaly is a great way to live.

In lieu of multi-tools, I found one excellent combo while on a zombie survival site:*

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://d30034051.purehost.com/store/media/Tools/3HatchetHammer_full.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.survivalsolutions.com/store/product71.html&usg=__vSbDav8k89GZtuCjMdIkBj9BgJU=&h=285&w=380&sz=31&hl=en&start=18&sig2=JcyVR7pGlbNX1UrPCzKlNA&um=1&tbnid=JD7Jc_u2vQ-q9M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=123&ei=YDJPSY_zFsiCtwf4w9ykDg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhatchet%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

It's what it says it is, and I'd like to get one.

If you do dedicate yourself to this, consider living for a while as a vegetarian or vegan for a while. Meat can be difficult to get unless you get it yourself or use money.

Since you're in the states, be sure to get a firearm permit and purchase a rimfire rifle. They are excellent at getting rodents for food. My father says squirel is tasty. :)

Be sure to bring a non-perichable source of carbohydrates with you. Something similar to hardtack is good, because it keeps indefinately.

Buy you and your friend one of those water bladers for drinking on the move. Have water purification tablets. Remember, a human can travel for up to two weeks without food, but we need water every two days.

Have multiple ways to start a fire.


*Organize before they rise!

[Sean]

In lieu of multi-tools, I found one excellent combo while on a zombie survival site:*


*Organize before they rise!

http://d30034051.purehost.com/store/media/Tools/3HatchetHammer_full.gif

That looks pretty medieval and kickass but I use the back of my hatchet as a hammer all the time. Also, carrying that thing would probably get you done on going equipped for burglarly at the very least, what with the crowbar and all. I think for the hatchet part the balance would be too off to get clean swings, and for the crowbar part the hammer and hatchet would get in the way.

[Sprocket Hole]

Dont hitchhike through utah if you can help it and especially dont get stuck in slc.
good luck and be safe.

I'm just wondering, (because I'm planning on traveling from St. Louis, MO to Sonoma County, Northern California) why would I want to avoid Utah all together? I'm guessing not SLC because it is a big city, but are the people their especially intolerant or something? I'm just wondering becuase I have a straight shot to my destination and to avoid that whole state would be a bit of a nuisance..

Also, what is your opinion on Youth/Traveler's/etc Hostels?

[Delirium]

I've never encountered any kids trying to beat me up or anything, but i stay away from cities and keep out of sight when sleeping.

Those kinds of hatchets/crowbar things are really useful, for firewood and cracking squats. It is legal to carry a rimfire rifle in most states but it will be impossible to hitch if you have one out in the open, if you have the frns consider getting a collapsible .22 or .17.

Most cities (and towns in the west) have some sort of free clinic. If you are seriously hurt go to the ER and ask for a social worker, tell them you are homeless and they might help you out. Dont hug too many hippies or else you'll get lice or scabies! :glare:

I dont like utah because every time i go through it i end up getting stuck. The mormons are not very kind people. I dont really have much experience with hostels at all. Oh if your stuck outside and its really cold, go to the post office. Thier front lobby is unlocked and heated! Workers dont show up until 6 usually.

[which doctor]

I flirted with this idea a few years ago. A friend and I made vague plans involving dropping out and hitching trains west. I gradually grew out of it and developed an interest in drug use, maybe my chemical adventures satisfied my mind's desire for experience. I still find a nomadic existence alluring, but I've found other outlets for it in my life.

If you go ahead and actually do this, I wish you the best of luck, you had the courage I never had.

[BPSocialist]

Get together some ex-military equipment. Army and navy stores should sell all you you need, including those knifes that are simitainiously a fork, spoon, toothpick, compass, hat and pair of pyjamas. And get something waterproof.

[DesertShark]

Get together some ex-military equipment. Army and navy stores should sell all you you need, including those knifes that are simitainiously a fork, spoon, toothpick, compass, hat and pair of pyjamas. And get something waterproof.

I've found that army/navy surplus stores are WAY overpriced compared to regular hiking/camping stores: REI, Gander Mt, etc (plus these places, especially REI, throw out a lot of things that are still usable that have a little damage because of their policies, so a great place to dumpster dive).

[farleft]

In fairness beating up sleeping tramps is a pass time for many 16 year olds, not just skinheads.

I've not heard of that happening in the UK.

[DubFox]

Having lived as a hobo, my suggestion is this; get a tent, pitch it somewhere discreete and overgrown, an overgrown victorian cemetary was where I pitched mine. cover it with undergrowth to hide from the attentions of police, or inquisitive kids, and learn where the fuck it is so you can find it when you come back at night pissed. If you have a gas stove, a torch and enough blankets it can be really comfortable. I spent a great summer like this and I thoroughly recommend it. It helps if there's a public toilet nearby with a shower facility, laundrettes etc. I would also suggest beware of dogs. You may find one in your tent one morning unexpectedly.

Have a good time, but if you do it for too long you may find yourself unable to re-enter mainstream society!

[cop an Attitude]

Thanks for the tip. I am planning on tenting out for about a month from late march to early may. I think I'm getting kicked out of my school's housing so I need some place to stay to finish school (and I have very little money). When I told everyone this they thought I was crazy but I think its do-able and I'm an eagle scout so I'm pretty good at camping already. I can wash my clothes, eat and shower on campus, I just cant sleep there unless I'm in a buddy's drom. Do you think fires, lamps, flashlights, ect, would give away your location and maybe alert the police?

[ellipsis]

Thanks for the tip. I am planning on tenting out for about a month from late march to early may. I think I'm getting kicked out of my school's housing so I need some place to stay to finish school (and I have very little money). When I told everyone this they thought I was crazy but I think its do-able and I'm an eagle scout so I'm pretty good at camping already. I can wash my clothes, eat and shower on campus, I just cant sleep there unless I'm in a buddy's drom. Do you think fires, lamps, flashlights, ect, would give away your location and maybe alert the police?

I have know plenty of people to do this in the pioneer valley, definitely doable in the warm months.

[Rascolnikova]

If you are in Utah or plan to go through it, message me; I can hook you up with local resources. SLC has a great vegan-friendly community kitchen, and there are all sorts of free places to sleep once you get out of the cities. . . We're also in the process of developing the best inexpensive local train system in the country. . yeah, shitty country, I know.

I don't think Mormons are particularly unkind, but they are judgmental as hell. If you can manage to look "clean cut"/mainstream and are willing to "learn more about mormonism," your chances of scoring food or shelter even in the small towns is pretty good.

Part of the reason Mormons seem/are less hospitable to outsiders is that they already have a system in place for taking care of their own. Any time a Mormon moves somewhere new, or is passing through somewhere and needs help, the local Mormon bishop is notified. Often the trick is in some way tapping into that system. :)

You might also want to learn this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0k5ZMmW6g8). It has a pretty huge historical and cultural significance for them.

Edit: lyrics. (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-poor-wayfaring-man-of-grief/) :lol: