By B.O: Oysters and Their Mystical Powers (warning for people with weak stomachs!)

Thursday The 18th of November, as I waited very unpatiently for Josephs arrival, I decided I need to just relax and find my Zen place, and calm down. The sun was out and it was like 75 degrees, unlike the majority of the previous days of the weeks I had witnessed. My brother always talked up this island called Emerold Isle which was only a small clip out there, but he said it was his favorite beach to occupy when he had the chance. So I packed my pack with all the things I thought would be neccesary for the small journey. I had to charge up the Ipod battery and I was off to find a sense of peace for that day which was at the moment inexistent in my soul. I hate to say I wasnt peaceful I just wasn't content at this particular moment mostly likely do to the excitement to see lil joey poo.
So I head out with all my gear, the sun shining beautifully, I throw my pack in the van, hop in and crank crank fucking crank!! This fucking piece of shit! This thing is a straight up Relic no shit. So after about a half hr of cycling the key holding the gas pedal down 1/4 way, The bastard coughed like it had tubroculois, ran on 2 cyliders and was ready to go. One amazing point the battery I have in there is something supernatural the thing never dies even after trying to start it for what seems hours sometimes.
At last I'm driving down the fucking road! all i could say was fuck yeah and slam my fist into the fucking roof thinking I got you safari you cant stop me. So on my way I needed a few items, and i stopped into a Food Lion ( what the fuck is a Food lion) I know most of you are asking that right? Its like your Cub or County market a very prominent grocery store chain all over the state of NC and probably a few more states. A fucking Food Lion GRRooowwwlll purr scratch I mean I assume thats what a food lion would do. So very timidly i get out of the van saying a few words of wisdom to it about what i would do to it if it wasnt runny when i got out of the store. No way in hell i was going to shut that POS off while i ran inside. quick thing of H20 and a disposable camera and I was off to the races.

So as I appourch the island I see this massive structure, Its the Bridge that connects the main land to the island. This thing is like a damn roller coaster. Its about 60-80 ft tall and streched about a mile maybe even a little longer over this inlet of water! As I crossed over it, hanging my head out the window like a tourist with my 6 dollar disposable trying to snap pics of these massive sailboats, I had a surge of emotion and mixed feelings. At first I was totally amazed, but as I neared the top a sense of complete and utter vulnaribilty of being so high and in the middle of this inlet I was overwelmed with the thought that I had no control of the elements that surrounded me the visual flash of being swept away kept rushing into my brain. This feeling never left my mind as I was on the island. It calmed down as soon as I drove off the bridge but the thoughts polluted my feelings the whole time I was there. To give you a idea of the islands landscape very long and narrow with the view of the ocean on both sides as you drive awww maybe im a big titbaby but i just felt like i was going to be swept away and swallowed by the water. I was there and I couldnt go back I had to find what was unknown at that moment at this place on this land. no way was I going to leave with curiousity and question. I was dying to get out and walk on the beach but I had to drive til I couldnt, Im glad I did because once I got to Atlantic Beach which is the farthest piont away from were I started, I felt a great understanding, and a strong respect for the island and the people there that call this their home.
I turned around and followed my brothers expriectice and went to his favorite beach INDIAN BEACH. I find a vacant public access to park and I reluctenly shut the van off and grabbed my pack, and then I was off in search of the feeling of serenity and relaxation I longed for. I threw in the ear phones and started playing O.A.R., a band that is comforting to me and has a great back sound for any occasion. TO my astonishment It didnt take long for my senses of sight sound and smell to combine together to give me the inner peace I was looking for on this island. As the birds chased the waves that rolled in and out in search of food and as the sun kept reflecting off the water with never the same flicker with each new wave that rolled in. That overwelming euphoric felling flooded my soul and as the goosebumps raised on my arms I knew I had found what I was looking for on that day. That feeling that is so individualistic to each person- that feeling that no drug Ive ever taken could imitate- The feeling of contentment I search for and yearn for, that comes and goes with each moment of my life. That dragon I have been chasing my whole life and trying to contain it, and implement it on a continuious basis.
As I walked I pondered the idea, wondering, is there really just one thing I will find that gives peace and contentment and happiness? I started to relize the multi layers of happiness, and for me it probably wont be just one thing I will be searching for forever.

At this point I felt like leaving and finding a local seafood shop for oysters, at another one of my brothers recomendations, I head back to Jacksonville and find the shop i was looking for. I go in and buy a bucket of oysters or so, and a lil bit of shrimp, It was justa bout the right time when my brother gets home, and surely I would need help in preparing these tasty little treats. I get back with this box of tasty nuggets covered in ocean sediment like a kid with a new bike! I hastily open the box and start to rinse them off, one by one in preparation for opening our little treasures of goodness. As we begin rinsing and stacking and cracking them, perspriration is gathering and saturating my clothes. Oysters are a lot of work, more work then I thought they would be- which during the preparation its kinda discouraging because you just want to eat them, but it was so worth the wait. After they were all cracked and our tipelo( mexican tabasco), and our lemon wedges in place- we start to devour them one by one, as we scrap and slurp down these buggery treats with excitment. we oohed and aahed about how fresh and wonderful they are.
In about the time it took to rinse them (not crack them) they were gone, and all that remained was a heep of shells. my brother and I just laughed about it and carried on with are night, but as it got later and my face started to feel warm I realized these things are like crack! I was so hopped up! It was virtually impossible to sleep.
Now I might have thought it was just me, but as I I started to vacum the living room and wash the dishes at 11 at night, I watched my brother chat on facebook to like 5 people, while texting someone franticly. We both just looked up at each other and said, what the hell- we can't sleep as much as he needed to, being that he gets up at as early as 4:30, and we knew that just wasnt going to happen. So instead of lying down and staring at the damn ceiling all night, we decided to go to the strip club and play some pool.
To my surprise I got a phone call from Josephine telling me he was flying to charlotte, and he will be arriving at noon tomorow or today how ever you want to look at it. I was delighted. At this point I felt like I had options for how I was going to execute the pick up of my fellow traveing comrade.
A: I go home and lye in bed, hoping the oysters will wear off so I can sleep for a few hrs til 6am and then take off to charlotte- since it is a 5 and a half hr drive. or,
B: Use this amazing oyster buzz that I have, to get me there by 6am and just sleep in a parking lot or find a nice rest stop to sleep.
So I decide to go with plan B. We leave the strip club and make our way back to the house so I could put together a pack for my short journey to chartown. I throw some shit together as my brother makes me a half gallon of coffee for back up awarness (just in case the oysters wore off).
I take off like a flash with the coffee to my right, the pack in the back, and a freshly lit camel in my lips! I make it about 100 miles before the oysters euphoria is starting to diminish- so I start downing coffee like a meth head in rehab. I slam the first 1 liter dasani water bottle of coffee in a almost contunious motion, all the while thinking- 'should I of just waited til morning?' That wasnt enough coffee, so I grab the 2nd bottle and down that as well. I make it like another 100 miles, and at this point I have just filled both of the dasaani bottles back up with piss, when all of a sudden the oysters shrimp and coffee start to have a massive chemical reaction in my stomach cavity.
Now I can't tell you if I was dilurious, caffeine crazy, or just wanted to get to charlotte that bad- but with this atomic bomb brewing, I flipped the dome light on in search for something I might be able to use as a diaper, or a bedpan so I could keep driving. To my dismay at the moment, there was nothing of resources I could find to use as an apparatice to catch this vile sludge that would be departing my colon at any moment maybe without notice. As I kept driving- stratgically farting to cope and relieve the tremendish side pains of this dyer situation, I saw that to my good fortune, 2 miles away, a rest stop!
At this moment the sign looked like 20 miles away with the wrenching of side pains, and no more farts to be let out when all my bodies cavitys are full with fluids that are screaming at me to be released. I put the gas pedal down to the floor at the attempt to save my underwear and propably my drivers seat cloth, 1&1/2 mile sign 1 mile sign 3/4 miles It seemed like the D.O.T. was playing a cruel joke on me to keep reminding me of the distance I was from the rest stop. Finally, as I fly into the parking lot I thought to my self, acutually talking out loud to myself at this point, I had to vurabally motivate and continue to tell my self I was going to make it.
I find a spot- luckily up front- because I knew that every step counted with dyer consquences. I hopped out the van, and waddled as fast as I was willing to risk- undoing my belt at the entrance, pulling my pants down at the mens room door, and had them around my ankles at the stall door. Before my ass cheeks hit the seat, a stream of split pea colored, sand textured stool streamed into the water splashing my ass like i had dropped a 4lb weight right into the toilet bowl, but I didnt care, I made it without even a 1/2 second to spare. As I sat there having a bowel moving orgasm, all I could do was smile and a knock knock with my closed fist on the plastic tiolet paper dispenser as thank you for this so near shiting your pants experiance that I escaped.
I felt tremendeshly lucky, and it was about 430 am friday morning. I was still 90 miles from chartown, why risk it? with a dilurious mind, and hullucanating visuals- I thought I better just get some sleep. I spent the next 5 hours sleeping at this rest stop oasis, and I had a great sense of gratitude for making it safe without any inconviences like shitting or pissing my my pants on the freeway. I rested up and started driving again so I make it to chartown at like 10:30, and then I found a lowes parking lot to kill some time in, and I crawled into the back of the van once more for a small catnap. Just like clockwork, joe arrives at the airport at just the same time as I pull in to the parking ramp. Mission accomplished: operation pickup joseph is complete. Now, off to see the city.

CHARACTER PROFILE: Gail and Rusty

While driving down HWY 85 from Charlotte NC on our way to our brother Mark Olsen’s trailer in Jacksonville NC, a military town off the coast of the same state- me and Brian had the revered ambition of un-weathered, well-fed travel junkies who just got their first taste of a city unknown, and the much needed rest that can only uniquely be had from sleeping in the back of a van. Little did we know, was that we would come across a couple of characters on the road that might very have been considered ‘travel junkies,’ but in a VERY different way.
I’m being mindful that I may very well be being, ok really here- AM being, judgemental in what and how I share my descriptions here. I guess that’s always the fuss readers have about writers though, and c’mon now, write your own shit or, deal with me sharing my perspective. I don’t claim to be un-biased.
So as we’re driving out of Charlotte, high on high hopes, and still feeling a bit drunk- we passed in a whir, what had appeared to be two hitchhikers standing on the side of the highway. Thumbs pointed in the direction of our road, and backs bundled to the brim with packs, blankets, towels, and what appeared to be everything one would need to live on the road.
We passed them up, noticing their presence only as we flew by, and then after our initial reactions of glee after having seen some people doing what we had been dreaming of doing- we decided that even as much of a pain in the ass as it would be, we would get off at the next exit, turn around and get off at that exit, and then finally, come past and see if we could help them out with a ride. We figured selfishly and excitedly the ways that they might somehow be a benefit to us, through either gas money, good company, grass, or most importantly- some nice karma points. Shit, we would be out there doing the same thing soon, as might as well help some fellow travelers out. We figured that the good grace of the lord would surely see to it that we would be re-paid for our hassles, that makes sense right?
Well, I surely did learn something, and that was that it simply does not work that way in the world- for better of for worse, for fair or simply unfair- it just doesn’t go that way. It was certainly a learning lesson in humbling ones self though, and I can certainly see that as ‘fair’ and ‘just’ payment as I look back on the situation.
Just as we were pulling up to the unknown travelers, I had been boasting to Brian that indeed, if they didn’t offer us some gas money for the ride, I certainly wouldn’t be shy about asking them for it. As soon as I set eyes upon their toothless grins that showed they were ecstatic to rest their feet for a moment, and take some miles off of their journey- I immediately felt sorry about my earlier attitude, and my only regrets concerning money, was that I didn’t have any to give them.
Unlike me and Brian, they were not so much backpackers or travelers, as they were homeless and mobile. Brian moved around some empty cases of beer, and shoved them back where my ‘bed’ was in the van, and found room for their enormous bags that were packed to the brim with attachments, towels, a tent- the whole nine yards. It certainly was nothing luxurious, but I sure had a sense of respect for the smarts and the grit it takes to make it as they were.
We took them all the way from Charlotte to Raleigh , about 2 hours I would say. The whole time, I was just prompting them to tell me about their travels, adventures, and advice they might have.
Gail and Rusty had been together for a whopping 28 years, and had taken jobs here and there, but for the most part had always relied on the philosophy of having these bags packed and ready to be picked up at any moment in order to hit the road again. Now when I say this, I don’t mean it in a romantic sense, as we are making our trip out to be- I mean that throughout all the hardships and terrible situations that they had both endured and told me about shamelessly, they had that pack ready to go at all times, as a means to escape these situations that sometimes sounded catastrophic.
They carried a certain weight about them that was both beautiful, and unmentionably tragic, and as I drove, and listened to their incredible stories, I contemplated my false sense of humbleness in hopes to try and re-assess this characteristic within myself. They told me to be careful for the gangs in florida, because they had once been duped into getting wasted and then nearly stabbed with a pitchfork (Gail had to pull a knife on them to make them leave her husband alone)- they told me of different train cars that were dangerous to try and hop, they told me how to avoid trouble from police when hitch-hiking, they told me where to be dropped off so you aren’t stranded, they told me how to get free food if we were ever starving; cheap, light, and efficient food to take with you, different ways to clean yourself up when you needed a job- a simply overwhelming amount of information for us clean-cut white boys to be taking in before truly getting lost in the process of finding ourselves, and america as well.
Although they really had some stories to make you understand the possible dangers out there on the road, they also had a lot of insightful and inspiring things to share with us as well.
Much to my liking, was the endless amount of knowledge that Rusty had with train hopping. Exactly how to get on and off safely (if you cant count the bolts on the wheels spinning or you cant practically walk next to the train, it’s going too fast, and can seriously harm you), make sure to get on and off right before or after the stations (to avoid getting the snot kicked outta’ you by a ‘bull’ or train yard worker, and make sure you aren’t in an idle car), how to tell how far the train is going (identify the number of engines by how many engine cars are in the line- if its 3 or more, count on a 2-4 day trip!), how to tell if they are going N S E or W (there is an identifiable sequence of red lights on the backs of certain trains telling you).
Suffice it to say, it was an incredibly informative, provoking, humbling, and influential experience meeting these two wayward travelers, and I only wish I could offer them as much as I got out of it. I’m going to cut it short here, as this is WAY too long for a simple character profile, but I haven’t put anything up in a few days.
Be sure to stay up to date with the Novel itself- my experience with these and all the crazy folks I meet on the road, will be depicted much more compellingly. btw, Im on almost 50 pages!! yay me! Thanks for all the support everyone! Until we meet again…

Regards,
Joseph R. Reeves

FINALLY! EXCERPT FROM: "THE LAST GREAT american NOVEL," (ch.3, mid-page)

THE FOLLOWING EXCERPT IS A FORMAL IN-PROCESS "EXCERPT" OF "THE LAST GREAT american NOVEL," BY JOSEPH R. REEVES.
ALL MATERIAL, CONTENT, AND RIGHTS ARE RESERVED SOLELY BY JOSEPH R. REEVES. ANY UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SUCH CONTENT OR MATERIAL IS GROUNDS FOR LEGAL PROSECUTION, AND IF I CAN FIND YOU, AN ASS WHOOPING AS WELL. DON'T FUCK WITH MY WORK.

EXCERPT FROM:
CHAPTER 3 OF "THE LAST GREAT american NOVEL,"
(MID-PAGE,NO CONTEXT PROVIDED)
IN PROCESS

...In long strides, and with clenched butt cheeks, I plodded through the patches of muddy grass that were littered with acorns in the same extent that our camper was littered with discarded ketchup packets. As I struggled lefthandedly with my keys to unlock the truck, and while clumsily clutching Dylans savvy black-canvas lawyer bag in my right hand- I looked up to the cloudless and only described as grey sky, in hopes to see some-sign of sun-shine, and while doing so, was just in perfect timing to catch a hefty bead of water directly in the eye. As if it were part of natures intended plan for Christsake.
“sonnova fucking bitch!” I angrily exclaimed as I slid into the truck seat and started the goddamn thing. All I could think, as I began to back down the severe incline, was how badly we all needed to get out of this freezing cold stink of a place, and get ourselves somewhere closer to perfect, and further from here. It was as if we were wandering among a rank cloud of depression and hopelessness, a smoggy haze of malcontent drear, mixed with an underlying scent of mis-placed dis-placement. You could smell it on our clothes- an imbedded musk suggesting that fear, doubt, and confusion might well be evasive hormones that perspire from a young mans sweat glands during specifically pivotal points in his life. A similar scent might be identified in a trembling sixteen year old’s introduction to the clitoris, a misunderstood nineteen year old being sent off to prison, a hardened twenty year old being sent off to war, or a promiscuous twenty two year old awaiting the results to an aids test.
Whatever the case may be, it is an unmistakable aroma, and one laced with the ornately embroidered expectations of everyone you’ve ever met, and everyone you will meet. Is it simply too much to ask, to want everyone to expect nothing more of you than to achieve real happiness?
I only loosely grasped the magnitude of the challenge we were facing at the time, but I’m sure it didn’t help either, that I was doing twenty over the speed limit and trying my best not to shit my pants. I pulled up to the holiday gas station parking at the nearest pump, and rushed through the aisles of brightly painted fat free snack cakes and organic slim-jim products that all were now all offering 33% more of something or another. What an odd number to use, I thought to myself as I nearly power-slid around the corner of canned spam walled oppositely to the caffeine free mountain dews. Rushing past the ever-rotating hot dog machine, and finally beyond the condiments we had been competing over who could get the most of- I finally crashed through the mens room door, just in the knick of time to plop down and…
(INSERT OVERLY DESCRIPTIVE SHIT EXPERIENCE)

* * *

PICS: FROM CHARLOTTE to JACKSONVILLE NC

B.O. was good enough to make the 5 hour journey to Charlotte NC, from Jacksonville NC, so I could get a really cheap plane ticket. His energetic pose is reflective of a new beginning for what is truly becoming "THE LAST GREAT american JOURNEY."


What a beautiful skyline Charlotte had, Brian is just quite the uptown girl here eh?


An openly appreciative plug for "The Green Rice Gallery."


Look at B.O. and his grin- what a ham! Of course the company of such a lovely girl might prompt such a response from even the great Bryan. Carla, the owner of "the Green Rice Gallery," located in the center of the throbbing arts district of "NoDa" in Charlotte, was good enough to share a drink with us and tell us a bit about the lovely city. Thanks so much Carla! If anyone finds themselves in Charlotte with the unsatisfied urge for some art, be sure to check out "The Green Rice Gallery," (www.green-rice.com)


One of the greatest feelings I've had on the trip, was to pack my bag to the brim with everything I needed to live for the next year. To really stand back and see it packed up as such, really is thereputic in relieveing a person of the weight of a possesion based existance. Before I go back to that type of life (even in a modest sense), I will be finding meaning and happiness in myself, and not the superficial aspects of plastic belongings.


In case you didn't know, I am officially opening up offices in the parkinglots of establishments with free internet all around the country. This was where we found (on craigslist of course!) some insightful suggestions as to where we might find some good art, music, and fun in an unknown city. Thanks again Craigslist!


As me and Bryan sped out of Charlotte the next day, we found some hitchhikers on the side of the road. We figured since we would soon be in a similar situation, we would give them a ride to Raleigh NC. They had some great advice on survival and train hopping in particular.


So pretty (sigh...)


I love playing with light and photography!


I don't know why, but I really like putting people on the spot and getting pictures of them- heres some fine citezens of Charlotte.


Honestly, I slept so comfortably in our little traveling apartment! Brian was able to snag this adorable picture as I dreampt of our future travels. If gas wasn't an issue, it would be easy to get around living in the van- but unfortunately, we just cant fork over all that money on gas.


We parked here for a gallery crawl in the NoDa art district outside Charlotte. Notice my clever cowboy hat disguise- they'll never know im a hippie from the north, haha!

By B.O: Bryan's job search In jacksonville NC (Craigslist is GOD!)

PLEAse everyone give craigslist a round of applause with out them this journey would not be possible(APPLAUSE MOMENT) thank you. Now that Joseph is on his way down or is at least 6 hours from the start of coming I thought it is high tide to start making a even bigger bank roll for the journey So I set my sights on all the little body shops and used lots in this little town of Jacksonville NC. well to my surprise it was a little discouraging The car biz is at a hault right now in this fair city. none the less I was persistent in finding a place to build my income now mind you I had a high amount of confidence, and the reason being last Friday The very first place I stopped into (Williams auto a body shop) I landed a gig wet sanding and buffing a few cars for the following wk. So with this great discoverment I thought To my self money is no object in the meaning I will have plenty to do. Well I defiantly counted my chickens before they hatched. so with the mind set that this will be easy I set out onto the city of Jacksonville were I've never came across more dealerships more body shops in my life, per square ft. and wouldn't you know it 0 for 12 people no work in the car biz what so ever. So I go home with my head hung low and my tail between my prevariabale legs and sat at the dining room table and thought shit lets hump craigslist.

So for the next couple hrs I fumbled around with nothing jumping out at me and discouragement rising in my soul Then like a an oasis in the desert it appeared THE NUT NOOK TEMP WORK. Temporary work my god The fucking jackpot at first there was no number for contact but there was a website. I hastily typed it in and looked for dates of employment needed I didn't see anything about temp employment. But low and behold on the very last fucking page I came across a number and it was the owner of the biz Ginny. I stumbled out of my chair with excitement nearly ripping my phone charger out of the wall, miss dialing her number with my excitment trembling hands like every seconded counted at this moment, after a few dialing errors i got the number right and to my surprise I got a real live person a woman's voice to my enlightenment I hammed it up with Ginny for like ten minutes and secured a position selling Cinnamon roasted nuts on black Friday at 9am and the following wk end now the pay isn't what I'm accustomed to but I'm very grateful for the opportunity. plus the position does come with benefits. (Working at the mall on black Friday (ladies shopping)so at least I will b working all the while people watching making money witch I can appreciate). Thank you Craigslist you make my life very convenient and pleasurable. SO with a good solid day of searching I found employment persistence and not giving up goes a long way. Plus not to mention This job will bring about some great tales that I might be able to tell my grand kids about. TO BE CONTINUED...

By B.O: STATUS UPDATE: B.O's status as of 11/17/09

Hello it's B.O. This is my first and o' so official entry of what is the start of our great american journey. As you all know, or are finding out now this trip has had it's ups and downs, and quite a bit of just standing around. Good news though, the momentum is back in our blood. The regrets and apologies are in the past, and the evolution of the trip is forming nicely. Right now I'm in Jacksonville NC and have been here since the 7Th of this month, I have to admit I have been having some great times with my brother, but not so great times in my head. I have a number of reasons/excuses/effects- whatever you prefer to call them.
First and foremost, my brother who I'm staying with is an active Sergeant in the Marine Corps. So at his request, he needs a NO RISK environment, and I made the commitment to not self "medicate" while I'm with him. So, in the last 9-10 days my TETRAHYDROCANNABIAL consumption went from 'take as needed' to scraping resin, and taking a few drags every night (I'm completely out now after a wk of scraping). Now there is two points I would like to clear or justify, once again you make the call of what you think it is. 1st of all, to all you people who are against medical marjiauna or think it's highly addictive or puts holes in your brain, or whatever propaganda you believe- let me tell you first hand that I have been smoking for 9 yrs on a daily basis. The only days I've gone without, is the few times I was flying out of state in those 9 yrs. Yes I have minimum emotional, and a very very limited physical withdrawal after 9 yrs. I'm not suicidal, I'm not so desperate that I feel the need to ask strangers for it, and NOT once have I cried myself to sleep etc. etc. It is nothing like quiting caffeine, or cigs, and definitely nothing like the withdrawal from OC. Which unfortunately I know all to well about. 2ND point many of you might be thinking well if you have paraphernalia with resin you might as well have marijuana. Which is true but I don't have any medicine,and the pipe and grinder are very sentimental to me I just couldn't give them up yet and probably never will be able to. So think what you want I really don't give a fuck I think not smoking goes to show a high level of respect for my brother.

Now I like to call this the excuse for my anxiety, So I leave MN to escape the up coming cold weather and wouldn't you know It rains for like 5 fucking days in a row. So close your eyes and imagine are they closed? OK good no medicine, my van was not running (that's a whole other story) so I'm stuck in this fucking house with none of the above. I think a damn robot would be anxious and emotional in that scenario. So that leads to the reason I was emotionally fucked, so all I could do at that was sit and miss MN where the medicine is plentiful, the cola's flow like wine or something like that. At least in my mind they did when I was rideless' medicineless' and emotionally prisoned for the last wk. Well there is a good side to all this believe it or not. My prediction is coming true, after the shit weather stopped on Sunday I thought it would be in good taste to get out and walk my ass off in preparation for Joseph's arrival. I'm so glad I did. I walked 11.1 miles with a 40-50 lb pack on my back to this very nice inter-coastal water, I made it about 2 miles from destination, when my brother was off work, and on his way to get me, nontheless we clocked 11.1 miles. Where is the good part you ask? Well it broke me out of my anxious emotionally bound shell.

As I walked these roads to the water an overwhelming sense of power, untouchability, freedom, and a reality of living in this moment came over me. I have never felt this emotion before, lets just call it an awareness about my life, my destiny, a grateful feeling of how my life has been up to this moment in time. I felt so clear minded and free. It truly was the threshold of my great american journey, while I walked with my ass cheeks getting incredibly raw, with each step my feet beginning to feel like fire and starting to become unrecognizable to me. Even with the sun burning my face with every minute of exposure, the smile on my face grew. The hair's on my neck and arms straightened, and the powerful feeling of this moment surpassed the physical pain in my body. The anxiety is gone and now I can put full effort into gathering the essential equipment for the journey. NO PLANS NO DETAILS NO DISAPPOINTMENT'S. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN...

STATUS UPDATE: Possible Opportunities to Get the F Outta' Town!

Greetings and Salutations everybody! Nice to be on here regularly again for a change- If anyone cared to notice I now have 16 Followers to be writing for! Really, that means alot to me, and although it may be silly, it really does give me the bit of self assurance I need to know you are all faithfully keeping up with whats new in my life! Before I spout off my latest news, I will say that if you ARE reading this, and you are not one of the awesome supporters I have listed in the right hand collumn, PLEASE take a second to do that for me, and click the option to "FOLLOW" this blog. The OTHER reminder I had to put out there for you wonderful readers, is that this is my traveling blog, and I will keep you up to date with my in process novel as well- BUT, it is my livlihood to make art in this world, it is a byproduct of ANYTHING I do, so I highly encourage you to check out, AND follow my other long going site www.josephREEVES.blogspot.com It is where I can post my latest art pieces, and although there is a plethora of good photos on there, I also do keep up with a bit of writing about what each piece means to me- a bit of artist insight if you will.
IN OTHER NEWS, as I was planning a few days ago to sell my truck here in Milwaukee to save the gas money it would cost me to get to N.Carolina- it seems that I have come across another rare and exciting opportunity that will hopefully lead me a bit of a different direction. Through my go-to hustling site Craigslist, that has a WONDERFUL ridesharing section, I have found a fellow that is willing to pay me 600 dollars to drive his giant 15'X5' eco friendly water tank to Houston TX! I am talking to him currently to see if I can fit it into the bed of the truck, or if I will need to rent a trailer type device...
If this ends up going through, I will be leaving around this FRIDAY, and I will make it to HOUSTON with HOPEFULLY, some money left over from his 600. This will mean I can either sell the truck right there in Houston, or somewhere cool in Texas- OR (MORE THAN LIKELY) I can just drive it from Houston up to N.Carolina to get set up with my Backpacking gear, and then sell the truck there. Either way, It should get me to N.Carolina without having to pay anything in gas AND, if I can manage to find someone on Craigslist who wants a ride to Texas too, and he will split the gas cost with me- I could actually make 300 by traveling to somewher I wanna go already!
If this all worked out, it would be sweeeeeeeet! but if not, I will continue trying to sell the truck and will hopefully be on my way to N.Carolina be the end of the week. What a sweet adventure it would be to take the Houston trip though, I am working with this fellow this week to try and plan things out accordingly. I will keep you posted on the latest news! Untill we meet again...

-Regards,
Joseph R. Reeves

STATUS UPDATE: The Truck is Outta the Shop, and Ready to Buy! Joe is off of his Ass, and Ready to Fly!

Well, now that the power steering is finally fixed and the good 'ol truck is outta the shop- all I need to do is sell the damn thing, and Im off for North Carolina. Although I change my mind like I change my underwear (almost every day), my current direction with the trip, is to sell the truck here in Milwaukee (hopefully for 1000 bucks), and then, challenge myself to getting to North Carolina on a budget of 100 bucks.
Although I'm tempted to try (for the third time) to hop a train, I think I will wait till im somewhere warmer before I submit to this urge. My main options, are to get onto the "Rideshare" section of Craigslist, and get as close as I can to N. Carolina for a low offer of 50.00 or so, and bus it, or hitchhike from there (I may have to lie a bit, and low-ball them by pulling the "its all I have sir, honestly..." trick) OR, I might check into MEGA-BUS tickets which are extremely reasonable, OR I could fuckin' fly there by flapping my arms hard enough with excitement! Im so close you guys, Finally!
Im close to 20 pages into the novel, and im feeling pretty damn good about what I've got so far. OF COURSE, the short preface I have posted below, seems stale to me now that im into the formation of the writing body, but Im not too concerned at this point. I've been avidly writing many hours a day, so I feel pretty, Oh so pretty about all that. If I'm feeling manic enough tonight, which is very possible- I just MAY decide to post a short bit for everyone to laugh about. We will see though.
Although the idea of doing this trip as largely backpacking, is intiminating, I am also very excited about its possibilities, and the lack of focus on money that it will add. I can survive off of honey buns and canned beans for the whole next year if need be! Mark Olsen, is already considering options for my setup and will be helping me with a single man tent, and a military grade backpack. I am truly blessed to have such support from friends and family.
The other big news in my direction, is that B.O. who had previously resigned from the journey, MAY be joining forces with me again. I have somewhat mixed feelings, and I think that is fair, although BRIAN, you know I love you man. Do what you think you need to do, and I will do the same. If it happens to take us on the same road, then I'll be more than happy to team up again. Bottom line is that, I have no intention of controlling this trip. To attempt to do so, would result in a defeat that I think my comrades have had a sense of since Minnesota. Im just going to ride through one day at a time, and take things as they come. To quote Steinbecks "Travels With Charley," (an enormous inspiration to my writing, and this trip itself)
"You dont take a trip, a trip takes you."
More to come soon everybody, Please utilize the "FOLLOW" option on the right side of the page here- it means alot to me that I can see all the people that will be traveling with me in a sense. Thanks so much for all the interest, support, and advice guys! Untill we meet again...

Regards,
Joseph R. Reeves Esq.

STATUS UPDATE: ALMOST READY TO GO! (R.I.P. Pop-Up Camper)

So, Since I have left Riverwest, and all my friends in the city of brew, I have forced myself into a (much needed) week of productivity. Living with my folks is actually not too bad, and whatever money I DO come up with, I don't have to spend. I got up at 8 am every day this last week, and as a result, I fully restored the Pop-Up Camper to a nearly immaculate state. It was ready to sell with a few days of solid work, and just yesterday, I got $700.00 cash for it! I spent a good 10 hours sewing a huge rip in the canvas, and I fixed what WAS a pretty severe problem having to do with the inside seal. In spending some time cleaning the thing up and working on it, I really have to say it is kind of sad to see it go. A lot of memories in a very short amount of time took place in that camper. I hope the family that bought it, enjoys it and gets all the worth it has in it. R.I.P camper!
My Truck is in the shop right now, and will be out by tomorrow with its power steering up to par. My question right now, is if I am going to sell the truck here in Milwaukee, or if I should use the truck to get somewhere first, and then sell it there. I am 50/50 on the option, because I dont really wanna pay to get to North Carolina, the destination I have set before heading down to the islands in South Texas. I am doing this, because I have decided I need to be able to travel with everything on my back. I havent the slightest idea how to prepare for that properly, so I will be spending a good week with my long time best friend, brother, and marine- MARK OLSEN. He will be helping me equip myself properly, and will help me out with a few neccesarry supplies.
I have been pretty productive in my writing, although it is coming along slowly. Not ready to post something for you yet- but soon, I promise. I've been reading a bunch of Kurt Vonnegut and J.D. Salinger, and it has got me going both creatively and in motivation for my travel. I cant even believe it, but I will be able to leave here between 5 and 10 days. wow.
Ive been lagging on my postings, due to my previous lack of motivation, and conflicts in my decisions. I should be keeping up a little better now though, so keep up with me, and I'll keep up with you. The next word I will have for you, is about what Im doing with the truck, stay tuned! Until we meet again...

Regards,
Joseph R. Reeves Esq.