Two Hobo's on the Run

Well, time ticks closer until we leave. We fly out this coming Friday to Atlanta. We will be getting picked up right at the airport and shuttled straight to the trail head. We were planning on staying in Dahlonega for a couple of nights for the "Spring on Springer Trail Festival". However, we decided to save our money and use it down the trail when we might need it (i.e. blisters, lyme disease, limb amputation). I can tell you the one thing that we won't need it for... tetanus. Yep, just got that pleasant shot 4 hours ago. If it is anything like Rob's experience, he says that it will feel like I played a game of arms with Mike Tyson.

Two Foxy Hobo's

Last Friday was the last day at our jobs. It was a really strange feeling walking out at the end of the day knowing that we will be unemployed for an undetermined amount of time. It kind of feels like we are just going on vacation for a couple of weeks and things will go back to normal. But no. We are the crazy fools who choose to be unemployed and homeless. Next thing you know, we are going to be walking down railroad tracks chasing the next rail car to get us to our next gig. On a side note, I looked up the term "hobo" to find this picture and I found that it is quite a fascinating culture. Here are the hobo ethics as decided at the 1889 National Hobo Convention in St. Louis Missouri (credit to the ever-credible Wikipedia for this):

1. Decide your own life, don't let another person run or rule you.
2. When in town, always respect the local law and officials, and try to be a gentleman at all times.
3. Don't take advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable situation, locals or other hobos.
4. Always try to find work, even if temporary, and always seek out jobs nobody wants. By doing so you not only help a business along, but ensure employment should you return to that town again.
5. When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts.
6. Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals' treatment of other hobos.
7. When jungling in town, respect handouts, do not wear them out, another hobo will be coming along who will need them as bad, if not worse than you.
8. Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling.
9. If in a community jungle, always pitch in and help.
10. Try to stay clean, and boil up wherever possible.
11. When traveling, ride your train respectfully, take no personal chances, cause no problems with the operating crew or host railroad, act like an extra crew member.
12. Do not cause problems in a train yard, another hobo will be coming along who will need passage through that yard.
13. Do not allow other hobos to molest children, expose all molesters to authorities, they are the worst garbage to infest any society.
14. Help all runaway children, and try to induce them to return home.
15. Help your fellow hobos whenever and wherever needed, you may need their help someday.
16. If present at a hobo court and you have testimony, give it. Whether for or against the accused, your voice counts!

^ "Tourist Union 63". National Hobo Museum. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.

Yep, I'm thinking we are heading down the right road... or trail... or rail...


I digress.

Rob and I are spending this week preparing for the AT. This whole experience has been like no other. It's not like you just throw everything into boxes and call it good until you get back. We are getting all of our health check-ups, we've lined everything up with our banks, are getting a safety deposit box for our important paperwork, DOWNSIZE everything we own, setting up the iPod shuffle with wanted music, arranging items that will need to be mail-dropped, and even getting my wedding rings inspected 2 months early so I can keep my warranty. That last one is certainly not too difficult or crazy to do but I threw it in there to display how even the most miniscule tasks are needed to be taken care of and are adding up. Not too mention that we are critiquing everything we are taking with us to make sure that we aren't forgetting anything OR bringing too much. 

Pretty flowers!

It probably sounds like I am complaining. Truth is... I am a little bit. However, I shouldn't be. We are very fortunate to be able to take advantage of an opportunity such as this and are very eager to just get on the trail. I also got beautiful flowers like the ones in the picture from my work to cheer up my day. SHOUT OUT to Merritt Press for being such a wonderful place filled with wonderful people to work with for the last 5 months. I am so appreciative of them for making me feel like part of the Merritt family. If you have printing needs, check them out. If you don't, check them out anyways. They're fun to chat with. ;-)

Anywho, on to more packing...