Travels Up the Pacific Coast, 1993
This is a book of my own journey began September tenth and ending October third of 1993. I chose to record these travels as a way of sharing my experiences with friends and family; to hopefully evoke the feelings of excitement and wonder and humor of roads both real and personal, and the walking along the way.
Also, this book is a monument and a catalyst for me. To be able to write of new places and perceptions is such an invigorating way of experiencing the moment and response. It is an outlet to tap deeper understanding and honesty for me, which I have found so important for my own journey.
By recording these memories and observations I have not only more fully enjoyed the in-taking, but also I have opened the potential to learn from who I am, and let each new insight lead me further down this road to my becoming.
There is so much I did realize and come to accept about my self on this trip. You may find much evidence of this as you read through the different pages, other cities. I now understand how each place I visited and person I met helped to reveal an undiscovered facet of myself or new vision. I feel that every experience had its purpose, and I am grateful for them all.
My hitchhiking adventures were very rewarding, and I met many warm and willing people with open hearts. I have found hitching to be my transport of choice, only partially preferred due to its inexpensiveness. It is a very earnest and rewarding way to meet people I might not ever otherwise, people much different than me. It's well worth the risk.
I feel that my travels were most successful because of the tremendous amount of care and support I received, both by friends and family, and also all those I met along the way. I had decided when I planned this trip that I would be open and trusting. I made a very conscious effort to accept and understand that I was not in control of all that would happen along the way, and I was at peace to let nature happen. I was not denied; and I believe the choice helped to make it a most glorious journey.
December 22, 1993.
Travel Inventory
Music
Enya Shepherd Moons
REM Automatic for the People
Cranberries Everybody Else is Doing it So Why Can't We
Smashing Pumpkins (a dubbed recording of Gish and Siamese Dream)
Journey Tape One (a recording of various favorite songs)
Cocteau Twins Heaven of Las Vegas (bought in Portland)
Food
24 granola bars (raspberry, blueberry, apple)
1 8oz package of Teriyaki Beef Jerky
1 8oz package of Peppered Beef Jerky
A huge amount of Nanci Products from the Mitchells
chocolate chip fibercookies
oatmeal raisin fibercookies
vanilla powder milkshakes
orange powderdrinks
22 packs of cigarettes (mostly generic brands)
Books
On the Loose in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Berkeley Guide
Hitchhiker's Field Manual Paul Dimaggio
Wilderness Basics 2nd Ed. The Mountaineers
Hostelling North America Hostelling International
Sphere Michael Crichton
Maps
Interstate Map of the United States
Transit Map of San Francisco
Oregon State Map
Portland Metropolitan Citymap
Yosemite national Park Map
Rolls of Film
1 400 black & white
2 100 asa
4 400 asa
3 200 asa
My main travel gear consisted of:
Gregory Pallisade Plus Int. Framepack, 20 degree 90" Downright sleeping bag,
and moderate terrain Tecnica boots.
Travel Statistics
(margin of error + or -5%)
Total miles traveled Sept. 10 - Oct. 3, 1993 3900 miles
North 2400 miles
South 1500 miles
Total miles with Christel 1300 miles
Total miles Hitchhiking 1950 miles
North 750 miles
South 1200 miles
Total Number of Rides 24 rides
North 14 rides
South 10 rides
Avg. Length of Ride 81 miles
North 54 miles
South 120 miles
Longest Ride (Yosemite-Las Vegas) 410 miles
Shortest Ride (Over a hill) 3 miles
Overall Best Ride 410 miles
(With vacationing Irishman- Death Valley)
Overall Worst Ride 100 miles
(Blaring Country music; awful traffic; dropped me off at a bad place)
Total Miles on Foot 175 miles
Overall Best Hike 30 miles
(Yosemite back country on JMT)
Overall Worst Walk 4 miles
(Hwy 120 at night; looking for sleep)