I wanted to make a point to discuss something that I think plagues lots of people: the act of being busy but without purpose. For me, my worry was (and still is) to continue on without soaking in the place I may be staying in.
I had a great chat with a friend earlier about this topic. She was vehemently against ever having a checklist or rushing through a single place for a short amount of time. I think this is idea is great but for some it's skill that needs to be built over time just like anything else.
A related quote from Rolf Potts' Vagabonding by none other than Tim Ferris describes this process of adjusting to this new freedom:
"Don’t be afraid of the existential or social challenges. Freedom is like a new sport. In the beginning, the sheer newness of it is exciting enough to keep things interesting at all times. Once you have learned the basics, though, it becomes clear that having less work is easy. It’s filling the void with more life that is hard. Finding excitement, as it turns out, takes more thought than simple workaholism. But don’t fret. That’s where all the rewards are."
—Tim Ferriss, 38, Author, San Francisco
Note: the name of the town I forgot was Gualala.
Also for the extra curious, here are the places I hit up for food and lodging.
- Roberts Market - had a tasty sandwich and a yellow nectarine. First full meal of the day.
- Gualala Supermarket - just got some random supplies for a makshift dinner. The main course? Sardines with crackers. Nom.
- Manchester State Park Campground
Also, the details about Vagabonding