Monday, June 17, 2013

The Hobo Vacation

This is a term that I have come to use to describe my brief zero budget get aways. Generally for three day periods, I live outside and just focus on having fun and being alive.

These are among my favorite activities after my first one last summer.

It's a delightful experience and I highly recommend it to anyone that has the time. It's basically urban camping.


The first real hobo vacation was a three day excursion to Block Island


We wandered around for three days relaxing and just having fun


My brother, a very skilled skimboarder, was able to use a piece of a door we found as a makeshift board. He was able to use this piece of driftwood as if it were a real skimboard.


We befriended several cats we named Hobo Cat, Nameless Cat, Third Cat, and Different Cat. 


Next was the stay at the Ruin, an abandoned fort once used for target practice, but now vacant.


This wild island fortress served as our home for only two days, but I hope to stay for longer soon.


Naturally, several miles from shore, the stars were absolutely breathtaking.


We made our camp in one of the archways.


With no obstructions, the sunrise was absolutely superb.


With the sun lighting up the fort, it was time for some climbing.


We didn't let our distance from civilization and dead cellphones get int the way of adventure.


Something I had said I would do for quite some time is sleep in the bridge.


The views were quite beautiful from my original planned sleeping place.


However later that night the driving winds and temperature near freezing necessitated that I move.


I took shelter inside the counterweight where I had a fairly warm place sheltered from the intense winds outside. To say that I slept well would certainly be generous, but it was relatively comfortable.


I awoke to the all too human sounds of paddles in the water. It was the crew team, I'd guess from Brown. They start at an all together uncivilized hour, but they were fun to watch. 


With light I left the bridge around 8am, and have yet to sleep there again, but I plan to over the warmer months, perhaps for several days. 


My most recent trip was just a few weeks ago. One of my favorite places to visit is the tunnel. 


At the far end, there was a pile of railroad ties. I saw potential.


I started stacking them to create a tower. 


by the second night I had a structure that was around nine feet tall with a loft bed. 


The final day was mostly relaxing and some additional securing of the structure. 

I like to think that just because this might not make money, it is truly satisfying in a way that is unmatched by more traditional endeavors. Besides, it leaves me more creative, energized, and inspired so that I can be more productive and happy in my career and life in general. 

Barefooting is easy
Barefooting is good for you
Barefooting is NOT illegal
Join the revolution
GO BAREFOOT


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1 comment:

  1. Tunnel very cool. Can you give location? Stacking ties not an easy task.

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