I remember as a kid, about 5-6 year old getting up before the other people in my house, getting dressed and going out and not returning until the street lights came on. That was the rule; better be in before the street lights. I would come home and then to bed until the next morning.

There was always reasons why I could not go on this trip or that trip. I couldn't go on the trip kids my age were able.

I always told myself it didn't matter I would find a way, I would find a way to travel.

I would dream of leaving the world I was trapped in, a world where I could be free, a world where I didn't have to deal with rude, selfish and mean people, a world where no body really knew me.

I made my first around the country trip in 1973 ; I worked two jobs first job was from 7:30 to 4:30 at US Luggage making suitcases and my second job was working at McDonald's from 5:00 to 2:00 AM. I ran to work in the morning then from my first job to my second and then ran home at night went to sleep and start all over again. Got some or part of weekends off. Was able to save enough money to buy myself my first car for $250, pay for my Ameripass, which I think I paid $165 and I had a $100 to cover food on my trip. I went South to Alabama, and Mississippi and New Orleans across to California to San Diego, the down to Tijuana, Mexico, North to Evanston, Wyoming where I was born and back to Boston and Home; traveling over 10,000 miles. All on a $100 and a backpack contain two pairs of jeans, a couple of shirts and facecloth and towel. I always took a night bus, didn't really matter which direction as long as it got me farther South or farther West so I could have a place to sleep. Many of the Bus Stations had showers so far a quarter i could get a quick shower. The Ameripass was complete freedom, if there was a empty seat on the bus it was mined.

Growing up I had very little money. As an adult I, as a Marine Corps officer earned comfortable money, but living in some high cost places like Charleston, SC. Quantico VA, or Irvine, CA one's income doesn't go very far. As most people know and understand having three children isn't cheap. Plus having some very serious medical issues limit one's ability to earn more income.

I don't sleep in my car, freeze or sweat my butt off, get soaking wet or eat cold food out of a can just because I want to impress anyone, or show people how hard or stupid I am. I do it because in doing so, I have the opportunity to travel. I have the opportunity to meet, observe and learn. But most important I have freedom, and with that freedom comes the opportunity to grow and become a better person. I am never the same.

After completing a trip I haven't met a single person who hasn't wish they had taken the opportunity to travel.

I have learned that in every opportunity there are numerous opportunities. There are needs and there are wants, if you take care of the real needs you can find ways to fund the wants. Why waste $65 on a motel when sleeping in a Wal-mart parking lot or rest area allows you to travel another 400 miles?

I have refused to be trapped by position, my freedom is too important!