Okay so just how will this escape from Fresblow work? We're going to be living the nomadic life, so the usual creature comforts everyone is so used to will not be there, or at least be harder to attain. What follows is the method to the madness (as so many people would say we are mad for choosing to live this way).
"How will you stay clean?"
Join a 24 hr. fitness club. Can take showers whenever we want, and even work out should we feel the need. Just need to remember the water shoes, public showers are an ideal place to catch something through your feet. Might even get a few bath mats with suction on the bottom to bring in to shower with me.
"How will you eat?"
Currently we receive about $400 in food stamps a month. Only problem is to get food stamps, you have to have a residence and fill out monthly questionnaire forms. So we will just say we are still living at Heather's Mom's house, set up a P.O. box when we get to whichever place we decide to settle, and have our mail and stuff forwarded there. Cooking on the beach is no problem, people do it all the time. A little two burner propane camping stove and a little dollar store folding table is all we need for that, aside from the dishes and utensils of course.
"Where will you sleep?"
That one is obvious. We sleep in my van. It's a full size '85 Ford Econoline, back bench folds down in to a bed, built in cooler (need ice) and clothes rack in back. I drove this thing all the way from Ohio to California, and man, that was a very comfortable ride. It's in excellent shape, only has about 70,000 miles on it. Very very clean, very spacious. Curtain windows, CB radio, fuse switches in front roof panel to control 4 different light stages (one controls the window lights, looks very homey in the dark!). Will need to get a few things done to it before leaving, the brakes are acting a little funny...shouldn't be too much to get it fixed.
"People freak out about people sleeping in their cars, where will you park?"
That's why we're headed to the beaches, specifically Santa Cruz, where it's known for its quirky people and "alternative lifestyle". People camp at beaches all the time, so we'll just stay in one area for a few days, move a few miles up or down and stay another few days. Rinse & repeat. The van is relatively incognito, it does have the usual hippie stickers on it, but it blends in pretty well. Plus it's the beach man! Call me crazy for living on the beach, but I think you'd be crazy for NOT wanting to live at the beach! How about that coastal air eh?
"How will you take care of your electrical needs?"
Seriously? Nomads and gypsies have little to no need for electricity. Although recharging my laptop comes to mind. Can not Google and Blog on dead batteries...I say this one is situational. I'm going to look in to getting a deep cycle battery for the van. If that works, problem solved. If I am unable to get one, I'd just hit up libraries to plug in to for an hour or so. Also, frugal power settings on the laptop! Not many people set this properly for what their required power use is, and end up with dead batteries quite frequently. Our cell phones both fit my car jack, so that's taken care of.
"How will you pay your bills?"
The only bills to pay are cell phone bills, and if any, vehicle expenses, which will be forwarded to the P.O. box we set up in said town.
"How will you make money?"
Peddling our arts & crafts! Heather and I are creators of various macrame projects, specifically hemp jewelry. Necklaces, bracelets, anklets, belts, key chains, wall hangings, wind chimes, guitar straps, etc...Sitting on the beach or a boardwalk playing my guitar should also bring in some revenue. We can also hit up good ol' Craigslist on the laptop to seek out odd jobs, as well as permanent jobs.
"Gas prices are ridiculous, there's no way you can afford to keep driving around looking for jobs."
Very true. If that were the case. We will purchase a bike rack for the top of the van, and we will ride our bikes around town. Good way to meet the locals. Only way we're actually driving is if we absolutely need to. We can even get our son Liam one of those little tag along buggy things you attach to the back of the bike he can ride in.
"What will you do for fun?"
We're on the beaches. 'Nuf said.
"You're in Santa Cruz, the beaches, you're bound to run in to some crazies."
I am going to try to get a CCW (Carry Concealed Weapon permit), so I can travel with my .38 loaded at all times. If I am unable to get the CCW, I will see if it's legal to travel with the gun and bullets separate from each other in different containers or bags. If anything, I have my good ol' K-BAR knife lol. Also a very loud car alarm will be installed, which can be activated by me, remotely. That will end most problems before they even start. Heather will be in charge of the pepper spray and stun gun (I think tazers are illegal, since they shoot those prong things).
"What if you are unable to find a job?"
Then we just come back to shit ass Fresno, and we're in the exact same spot we're in now. Only we had a much needed vacation!!
"You mentioned you have a new son, do you fear for his safety?"
No, not in the least bit. That's not saying I'm not worried about anything happening to him, but this is all planned out with every conceivable scenario and options. You might be thinking he's too young to be going with us on a trip of this nature, but what's the difference between what we are doing, and taking him on the usual road trip with us? There is no difference, except the time spent doing this, and the methods of how we get along each day.
"Do you plan to scope out the locations before heading there?"
Most definitely, it would be very unwise to not do so. We will take a little road trip to Santa Cruz first, stay at a hotel, eat out, blend in with the locals, hit up some hippie shacks, and see what's up with the area. The ideal place would be easy access to the beach, easy access to shops and other places, and a lot of people. The crowd scene should be like Haight Ashbury in San Francisco.
Typical recon of an area includes:
• Conversing with shopkeeps (tea shops, trinket stands, new age shops, craft shacks etc...)
• Posted flyers
• Places to eat
• Talking to the fellow hippies
• Partying with the fellow hippies :)
"You're nuts."
I know.
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