good to go

by D.O.


If the past few days are any indication of how the rest of my journey will be, then I’m sad to say these trip updates will occur a lot less often than I’d like. However, so long as I’m able to find a Panera Bread in any given town, I’ll be all set. Thank you Panera, for offering free wi-fi. It is greatly appreciated.

So I started living out of my car on Friday, the 10th. I feel this somehow adds some legitimacy to my having modeled for Vagabond Clothing Co. I packed my car (who will be henceforth referred to as Skylar) in such a way as to allow maximum comfort in the front seat while utilizing ample amounts of storage space in the back seat and trunk, and keeping the most visibility out my rear view mirror. I believe I’ve succeeded. I like to keep the front seat open so I can give people rides. This has already proven a fruitful idea.

The contents of what I’ve packed include: clothing for all seasons, a sleeping pad, a sleeping bag, a pillow, a towel, a washcloth, toiletries, books, two packs full of climbing gear, one bouldering pad, a frisbee and a slackline. All the essentials. Oh, and my purse which contains the things that I keep with me at all times: books I’m currently reading, my laptop, a rain jacket, a long sleeved shirt, a headlamp, a camera, speed Scrabble, and a hacky sack.

And now, for some FAQs:

So where are you now? I’m in Waco. I’m staying with one Jessie Harris, who left town last night and will return on Thursday evening. This is of course not a problem because my good friend Sam Binkley also lives in Waco, and is apparently, at present, carrying a broken phone. I’ve not been able to get a hold of him. So Panera Bread it is.

Where do I plan on going? Ultimately I’d really like to make it up in to Canada. Will that happen? I don’t know. I’m basically just hanging out from city to city and enjoying whatever the Lord throws my way. If I feel like he tells me at some point to stop traveling and invest in a particular location, or to go back home, or to do some other option I’m not creative enough to muster up, then I’ll do it. I think it’ll be a good time, whatever happens.

Why are you doing this? Good question. There are a few reasons as to why I’m doing this. One being simply that I will likely never again in life have an opportunity to take such an adventure. Another reason (and this one satisfies the spiritual types) is I’m seeking vision in — and for — my life. I’d be doing this whether I was traveling or not. I long to have something in my life that I know Father gave me to run towards. Right now the only thing I know that I ought to be running towards is Him. That’s a great start, but that can manifest itself in so many different ways. I want to discover, by seriously seeking the face of God, what he created me to do. I’m not naive as to think I’ll have this all figured out in three months from now, but I want to be closer to it by then.

Where will you sleep? If I’m in a city where friends or acquaintances reside, then I plan on sleeping on their couch, floor, or yard. This applies to your acquaintances too. Got people in the western half of the US? Feel free to tell me. If I find myself in a city where I know absolutely nobody (and I expect this to happen many times), then couchsurfing.com will help me find a place to sleep. Check it out. It’s a pretty sweet thing.

Alright, that’s all I’ve got for you now. I could certainly go on (I’ve got nothing but time), but I bet you’re tired of reading at this point… assuming you made it this far. Next stop: College Station.