I am about to go from California to Ohio, with the clothes on my back and a bag in tow. Many people have asked me before what items are important for such a trip, especially if one is walking, hitch hiking and freight train hopping. Honestly the first thing one needs is a sober mind and sharp wits in order to respond to any challenges or snags that come along. After that, it is up to the discretion of the person about to journey. Everyone has their own ideas as to what is essential and what is not. In truth, everything else can be found or improvised. Though I do suggest having a decent set of clothes on one’s back and a bag of essentials that is not heavy or cumbersome to move around. To appease the curious who ask about individual items, I went through my pockets and bag to itemize all the things I have on me:
Large Items
1 Sports Bag, dimensions 12” by 12” by 26”
1 Case containing 13 Maps of northern, central and southern routes of BNSF Railroad
1 Tarp, dimensions 68” by 78”
1 Yoga Mat, dimensions 20” by 74”
1 Tent, suitable for three to four people
1 Sleeping Bag, 4 degree C tolerance
1 Ranger Blanket, dimensions 48” by 60”
Smaller Items in Bag
5 Markers, dark to black in color (for making signs)
1 Eye Mask, 1 Pair of Ear Plugs, 1 Nose & Mouth Mask (for sleeping and pollution)
1 Lunch Pail, with Pirate Emblems on it (can you tell this is a luxury item?)
1 Plastic Liter Bottle for Water
1 Bag of Dried Fruit
2 Re-chargers for an iPod Touch and Video/Camera
2 Pairs of Spare Socks
2 Pairs of Spare Underwear, 1 Pair of Thermal Underwear
1 Extra Shirt and 1 Extra pair of Pants
1 Wool Hat
1 Backpack Bag
1 Book, Oscar Wilde Short Stories (Never read it and wanted to give it a go)
1 Bottle of Mouth Wash, 8.5 ounces
1 Bottle of Anti-Histamine Lotion, 3 ounces
1 Bottle of Liquid Soap, 6 ounces
1 Bottle of Sunblock, 2 ounces
12 Samples of Cologne/Perfume from Department Stores
24 Aspirin/Ibuprofen
1 Bottle of Hand Sanitizer, 3 ounces
1 Tub of Toothpaste, 2 ounces, Toothbrush and Toothbrush Holder
4 Lip Balms
1 Mirror from Make Up Holder
1 Tweaser
1 Toe Nail Clipper
1 Small Sewing Kit
1 Hairbrush
2 Small Tins of Shoe Polish, Black
2 Razors
1 Pack of Dental Floss
1 Small Pack of Toothpicks
1 Washcloth
20 postcards and postcard stamps
1 Bi-fold Folder with Documents and Articles I am working on
Smaller Items on My Possession (Clothing and Pocketed Items)
1 Baseball Cap
1 Jacket
1 Long Sleeve Shirt
1 Pair of Pants
1 Pair of Underwear
1 Pair of Socks
1 Pair of Boots
1 Bandana
1 Pair of Gloves
1 Small Flashlight
1 Pair of Binoculars
1 Utility Tool (with fork, spoon and knife)
1 Pair of Sunglasses
1 iPod Touch (Found in Scarborough, Ontario)
1 Video/Camera
1 Wallet (IDs, Cash, an additional Razor Blade)
All these things I am willing to lose, have stolen, or I can always give away to others that may be in need. Possessions come and go. The experiences along the way and the stories created from such adventures do not.
