I had a tough hobo-choice to make last night: sleep in a (non-vehicular) tunnel or under a bridge. I ultimately chose the tunnel for its accessibility and its greater protection from rain and high winds.
Day 145
Home Sweet Home
August 18th, 2010
I'm walking across America.
That's the idea, at least. I'm walking westward from New York City for nine months or so. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be in Oregon when the clock runs out. If nothing goes according to plan, maybe I'll end up in Peru or Mongolia or Pennsylvania. You can read all about the details of my trip if you're so inclined.
Email me at matt@imjustwalkin.com
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Here's my progress so far:
First…let us see
Don / tenn : august 23/24th
Allen cedar rapids: 8/27
Barb V : 8/30
Lori in CA: 8/31
I was counting on Matt taking a couple of days off and also took into consideration possible delays. Apparently, Matt pushed the pedal to the metal, I mean the sole to the ground, and pushed hard to get where he is today. I might be coming in third place, but I’ll take that position bursting with pride for this young man who set a goal and walked hard after it. I’m proud of you, Matt!
Matt is always first….
What a hard choice! Doesn’t exactly look like a tenting area, though.
Hobo Matt is now offically a hobo
Was bound to happen!
hehehe amen!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobo
Look down 3/4 the page and see the “Hobo ethical code”!
Hobo ethical code
An ethical code was created by Tourist Union #63 during its 1889 National Hobo Convention in St. Louis Missouri.[9] This code was voted upon as a concrete set of laws to govern the Nation-wide Hobo Body; it reads this way:
1. Decide your own life, don’t let another person run or rule you.
2. When in town, always respect the local law and officials, and try to be a gentleman at all times.
3. Don’t take advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable situation, locals or other hobos.
4. Always try to find work, even if temporary, and always seek out jobs nobody wants. By doing so you not only help a business along, but ensure employment should you return to that town again.
5. When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts.
6. Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals’ treatment of other hobos.
7. When jungling in town, respect handouts, do not wear them out, another hobo will be coming along who will need them as bad, if not worse than you.
8. Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling.
9. If in a community jungle, always pitch in and help.
10. Try to stay clean, and boil up wherever possible.
11. When traveling, ride your train respectfully, take no personal chances, cause no problems with the operating crew or host railroad, act like an extra crew member.
12. Do not cause problems in a train yard, another hobo will be coming along who will need passage through that yard.
13. Do not allow other hobos to molest children, expose all molesters to authorities, they are the worst garbage to infest any society.
14. Help all runaway children, and try to induce them to return home.
15. Help your fellow hobos whenever and wherever needed, you may need their help someday.
16. If present at a hobo court and you have testimony, give it. Whether for or against the accused, your voice counts!
Matt is in good company according to trendsetter.com
These celebrities spent some time living rough including living on a park bench (Daniel Craig), in a shelter (Halle Berry and Kelly Clarkson), in vehicles (Jim Carrey, Kurt Cobain and Kelly Clarkson, David Letterman, Hilary Swank), and just about anywhere they could find respite. Kelsey Grammer camped at the back of a theatre behind his motorcycle.
Acting is a precarious occupation. Canadian actor William Shatner, was broke with three children and an ex-wife to support after Star Trek was canceled. He lived in his truck.
And Charlie Chaplin’s childhood experience of desperate poverty and living in poorhouses profoundly influenced how he portrayed his characters and the scenes of childhood deprivation.
On one of the many interesting signs along the Centennial Trail from Nine Mile Falls, Washington to Higgins Point, Idaho is this information: Hobo Slim…clearly wanted everyone to understand the difference between a hobo, a tramp, and a bum. ‘A hobo is a migratory worker; a tramp is a migratory non-worker; a bum is a non-migratory non-worker!’
Gee…I just realized that in my old age, I have become a tramp. Cool.
Add to this list Tyler Perry, who after spending his life savings (which wasn’t much) on his first stage play, which no one went to, slept many nights in his car: http://www.tylerperry.com/_About/
Amen to #13.
Hope your back wasn’t that sore when you woke up.
Sleeping under a bridge would freak me out. Don’t trolls live under bridges and demand tolls from crossers?!? Of course, a tunnel is not very private.
Not all trolls are bad. http://ewnews.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/troll-doll_240.jpg
You win Barbara! I just laughed so hard when that picture popped up!!!
Me as well. Barbara – you are right not all trolls are bad.
Awwww….forgot about THOSE trolls!
Oh, I recognize that tunnel. It’s right next to Oneonta Gorge. Too bad Matt couldn’t hike up that gorge a bit. 1/2 mile up Oneonta Gorge is another waterfall. Huge log jam to navigate and waist deep water but the reward of the falls at the end is totally worth it. :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oneonta_Gorge
A true Hobo indeed… the tunnel looks inviting, but I’m not sure how less windy it would be… hopefully dry…
you’ll miss these big decisions very soon…
At least you didn’t have to “run like hell” through this tunnel. :-)
Oh my, I am truly sorry you had to sleep in a tunnel…..that was very rude of Oregon to rain on you. Especially your first night. However, I suppose if you had stayed on the Washington side, it would have rained there as well…..
Actually I suppose it was a lucky tunnel! You found it, and it had you for a guest! Because my bet is by now, you are famous! Hope today is not cloudy and rainy and that tomorrow night, if not in a soft bed, at least under the stars!
I’m glad law enforcement didn’t come along and give you trouble!
Matt, I have been enamored with Oregon for quite some time now and I am very excited for you to be here. I have not yet visited, but I am glad I get to see Oregon through your eyes! Stay safe!
Sleeping in a tunnel is way more high-end than under a bridge. And with the architecture of this one, they could probably charge for it.
Exactly how does one sleep in a tunnel? I know you have your tent and air mattress. But there’s nothing to stake the tent down into. That had to be one hard night. Glad you chose the tunnel as it does look more inviting and protected.
Most tents modern don’t require stake-downs. The tent itself is free standing and only the tarp gets staked to the ground for added weather protection (which I think is how Matt’s works).
Doubt there was any reason for the tent. They are useful only as protection against the weather and sometimes privacy.
Bet he just threw down the air mattress.
And how does one secure one’s belongings while sleeping?? I hope other travelers gave him the space and respect while he was resting. ;-)