In case you missed it: here's Part I of the Sweden hitchhiking adventure. TWO OLDER COUPLES Standing underneath a lone street light in the dark, I have zero expectation of finding a ride. The nearby bus stop will provide a nice place to sleep, but I wait to make myself cozy in case the
Hitchhiking 2,600km to The Arctic Circle (Part I)
Today’s sun has yet to appear, and a light drizzle falls from the sky's grey blanket. Maybe it was true yesterday when every person I spoke to told me what a fantastic day we were having weather-wise (fantastic day = sun is out, regardless of temperature). Riding shotgun in Stellan’s car, we pull
Haleakala Day 3: Sliding Sands, Summits, & Swiss
I awake to the sound of Nene loudly squawking - music to my ears. Crawling out of my tent, I see smoke rising from the nearby cabin for which my anonymous hiker friends paid $75. What a joke. Going back to sleep is an attractive an option at this point, but I decide to get moving before the
The Time A Japanese Stranger Stole My Pride
I did not walk 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada for glory. I didn't do it for charity, I didn't do it for exercise, not for fun, not for attention, not for personal growth. I did it for another type of growth: beard growth. And I was incredibly successful. Only five days after my Pacific Crest
I Love American High School Girls
Since arriving in Japan, I have spoken very little English, and even less Japanese (since my current vocabulary is limited to a few dozen words). So as strange of an introduction as it was, it was nice when an older Japanese man stepped into my train compartment, and said, "Welcome to Japan!"
Faith In Humanity: Restored
If you find yourself doubting the future of the human race as a species, I have a simple solution for you: hike 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail. Now I'm not saying this is the only way to go about restoring said faith in humanity (there are plenty of other long
Murderers In The Desert (& PCT Checkers)
Up until this point we have addressed every hikers' (and person's) worst fear: bears. However, since bears do not pose a threat until somewhere around mile 700 of the Pacific Crest Trail (at least those we are aware of), I feel as though I must address the things most likely to kill you in the
Taxi to Petra: A Love Story
It isn't every day that one finds (or makes) love in a taxi, but fortunately for myself and one lucky cabbie, that day was about to arrive for the both of us. Our story begins one night in the city of Eilat, Israel. I was determined to see the ancient city of Petra (in Jordan) and had elected
A Plane Ride To Rio de Janeiro
After finishing a subpar IHOP breakfast accompanied by a delicious bottle of Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc, I was dropped off at LAX by my acquaintances Mr. Sterv and Senhor Cardiner. I do not remember much of LAX, but I do know that the people sitting next to me on that first plane were nowhere near as