Disclaimer first. I am NOT snotty or anything, just food for thought is all, so PLEASE do NOT give me crap.
Now on with it, the day after I turned 18, I was without money, food, shelter, anything period, my "parents" dropped me off on a street curb and drove away, never saw them again ever 100% their choice. That was in March 1974, and I still can close my eyes and see it as if it just happened.
Now hopping and "riding the rails might sound fun, adventurous, BUT beside other humans that one might encounter, and that is a hard warning in advance, what about food, and a safe place to lay one's head down for rest.
Not to mention, what happens if one gets super sick and needs a doctor or hospital?
I remember back in 1975, I was raised in the Midwest of the U.S. a couple of guys that I knew in high school were and did move out to California, as that was going to be so golden and fun. Surf, sun and fun, well about 6 months later they all were back so disillusioned about the whole ordeal. They did not think about the expensive part of living there, the crowding, and the list goes on.
The closest for me to Shangri-Lai in the sky was in 1977 and some of the guys that I hung around with were getting huge 4-wheel drive vehicles and I had to be part of that. I bought a new 4-wheeler and after the 2nd or so month and I still had years to pay it off, boy did the shine wear off of that fast. I never made that mistake again of not looking at 100% of what the future might hold.
Close one's eyes to see.
Walter
