I’m setting this post to stay at the top of the front page for a bit. For new posts, just scroll down a little.
So, big changes in my life of late. New to the scene? Okay, it’s basically this: think “Eat, Pray, Love.” Now subtract the book advance to pay for it all, and you have the general idea.
Not that I’m opposed to book advances. Seriously, if one of you brilliant, cultured, and incredibly darn-good-looking (as I know all of you are) people in the publishing industry would just love to shower me with advance money to write about this whole crazy thing, far be it from me to argue.
The short story is this: after many, many years of working at the same job with little time off, I’ve been downsized and have hit the road for a while. Simple as that.
Don’t worry about how confident that sounds. I’m kinda terrified.
I’m currently thinking, in very general terms, of looping the nation: north to see old friends and (hopefully) meet friends I have not yet met, then swinging east, making a trek across the northern U.S. and Southern Canada, then south, before heading back out west.
After that, I’m hoping (if funds allow) to get off the continent for a bit.
I’ll be camping, couchsurfing, hopefully staying with friends old and new. I’d love to see how deep the rabbit-hole of the internet goes, so if you’ve come here as the result of a blogger friend of mine, or a friend of blogger friend of mine, I welcome you. Maybe we can meet on my travels, and you can show me the things you love in your area (including, of course, any great trails). Who knows.
I don’t really know what I think will happen over the next few months. I don’t know exactly where I’ll go, or who I’ll meet. Although my hopes for the trip are high, my expectations are not. I don’t expect to “find myself,” or figure out exactly what course I want to chart my life on, or meet “the one.” (and, in fact, am not looking for it). All of that sounds fine and dandy, don’t get me wrong. Maybe I’ve just lived in the vicinity of Hollywood so long that it only seems possible in the movies.
But I do hope to write. And take photographs. And read some of the books I’ve gotten behind on. And if that’s all that happens, well, I’m okay with that too.
So there it is. Interested in participating in some small way? Write. Comment. Say hello.
What happens now? I don’t know.
But I’m on the road to see what does.
The GeekHiker 
Yes! 🙂 this is awesome! If you end up close to me, say hi okay?
By: missmccracken on August 27, 2011
at 3:52 am
Good luck on your journey !
By: tamaraeden.wordpress.com on August 27, 2011
at 11:27 am
Enjoy every minute…even the frustrating minutes. And, let me know if you come through SLC…I’ll show you some great hikes.
Be safe.
By: hunnerwoof on August 27, 2011
at 12:07 pm
Imma serious: you make it to Brooklyn, you got a (nice!) air mattress to crash on.
By: absurdbeats on August 27, 2011
at 5:47 pm
Safe travels! I know you have the willpower to get through it all. Although not far from your stomping ground, you always have a place to stay in the Central Valley. 🙂
Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
Kelly
By: kellyrevenaugh on August 28, 2011
at 9:28 am
High five. Again.
By: Mel Heth on August 29, 2011
at 9:28 am
Ping me if you get down to San Diego, I will find a way to help you out.
By: Derek (100 Peaks) on August 29, 2011
at 4:12 pm
Woho! Road Trip! Everyone loves a good road trip story 🙂
By: leafprobably on September 12, 2011
at 5:26 pm
I hope you have a great trip! I think dating in LA is pretty much impossible. I hope you update soon.
By: elenamusic on October 29, 2011
at 12:02 pm
This is such a great plan! I wish you well geekhiker, 🙂
By: wanderingmenace on November 7, 2011
at 1:42 pm
Oh, I’m happy for you! (I’ve always thought the GeekHiker shouldn’t be tied down to job or a place for too long) Give me a shout if you’re in New England
By: heather on November 25, 2011
at 4:09 pm
Geek Hiking can possibly become a new career? Frommer’s meets the outdoors!
By: JENNerilizations on November 28, 2011
at 9:12 pm
[…] rapid decline in Geekhiker’s comments this summer. The day Sagan was born, Geekhiker also experienced a life change. This summer he embarked on an epic road trip! He’s been traveling around North America, […]
By: Geekhiker Sighting – Occoquan, Virginia « TGAW on December 4, 2011
at 10:01 pm
Best of luck! You’re embarking on a journey I think most of us dream of. I can’t wait to see where your adventures take you.
By: kenjhansen on May 8, 2012
at 9:02 pm