090103

 

Arcata, CA

Monday September 1, 2003

     6:45am  We woke up about fifteen minutes ago at the butt-crack of dawn. We woke up on the beach and just chilled out, literally. It was pretty cold so we started a twig-fire. We are sorting out some marijuana and trying to dry it out on the fire. We had it in a big foil plate sitting on the flames. Ahh, that's all that's happening right now.

     8:05am  Tim and I are leaving the sand dunes where we just crashed. Looks like we walked all the way out here just for a place to sleep. Now, we're going to walk all the way back.

     8:18am  We have decided we are going to walk to Eureka. We're going to The Raven House. That's where we're going.

     8:48am  Hallona picked us up. I had told Tim not to worry about sticking out his thumb, that people who would stop would do it regardless. I was right. She picked us up and now we're not walking anymore.

     8:55am  We are in Eureka and I'm talking to these two homeless dudes. One dude saw me pull out my tape recorder and said, "Umm, we gotta get drunk, first." I told him I was just making an entry. Anyway, these guys just hooked us up with some change, out of the blue. We appreciate it, brothers. It all comes back to you.

     9:32am  Dave was nice enough to give me a cigarette. He gave Tim one, too. We appreciate it, brother.

     9:52am  I've got some objectives in Eureka. It's morning and it's early. One, I need to find a tennis ball for my walking stick. I'll ask around where tennis courts are. Two, I need to ask around about El Jefe and NOFX.

     10:09am  We are walking around Eureka and I stopped in front of Has Beans Coffee Shop. Jessica was generous enough to give me a cigarette. I appreciate it. After I made this entry, I told Jessica about what I was doing and asked her if she had time for a story. I told her it was more of a legend, hehe. She says sure and I ended up telling her most of my stuff. My platform and California Story. When I got to the end of the California Story I told her, "Now, I have many a magical update to that story which would bring me to my current status. If you don't have time to hear them, do you have an email address?" She told me of course. JVVL@humboldt.edu

     11:06am  I just spotted Total Sports Center and it's open Labor Day. I'm going to see if they have a tennis ball in there.

                     It ended up being a regular sports store. They had tennis balls, but only sold them in tubes of three. I had asked the guy if they had a spare one lying around and he said no.

     11:25am  Tim and I walked to 101, where most people hitchhike back to Arcata. I was really hungry and noticed there was a Mexican restaurant nearby. I told Tim, "I'm going to go see if I can score some free food with my gasoline-for-the-stomach line, which usually works if I am by myself. Tim was a bit disappointed, but agreed to stay outside and wait for me. I walked into Cocina Michoacana and the host tried to get me to sit down and asked me smoking/non-smoking. I told him I just wanted to talk to the manager, please. He asked me if I wanted a drink and I told him no thanks, I had my water bottle. He hands me a manu and I just decide to give him the line. I tell him, "Hi, my name is Victor and I'm a long-distance walker. I don't suppose you would care to donate any gasoline for my stomach? Hey, if it's a big problem and you can't afford it, don't worry about it. I am sure the next place I walk by will be generous and help me out and give me a little traveling food ." Dude, Bill hooked me up with a badass burrito.

                      I walked outside with my burrito and Tim said, "Damn, how did you do that?!" I said, "I've told you before." I was considering eating the whole thing. I thought I deserved it. I ate like ¾ of it and was sated enough so I offered Tim the rest. He snatched it up quick, hehe.

     11:05am  Man, I want to "divorce" Tim already. I told him, "No offense, I want to be on my own, dude." It's a whole lot easier being independent and receiving generosity when there's only one. Right now, we are sitting here by the Raven House. We are going to wait until five when it opens. We're going to get some food. They serve dinner here. We have a long wait.

                     Oh yeah, today is Monday September 1st of 2003.

     2:05pm  Man, I'm bored. I just want to go off by myself. I'll see if I can make some friends in Eureka. Right now this crazy guy was talking my ear off. He smoked us out, but he's nuts and won't listen to anything I say. He just got on my nerves and I'm going to go for a walk.

     3:25pm  I just asked a police officer where any tennis courts were. She told us by the high school which is over close to Myrtle and 6th Street. So, I am on a quest for a tennis ball.

     3:55pm  Tim and I are over by this cemetery. I stopped to take off/put on a shirt(I don't remember). Anyway, another Tim walked by and I asked him if he could spare any change for bus fare back to Arcata. He asked, "How much is bus fare?" I told him it was $1.70 but he said, "No, it's just a dollar." I said, "Maybe just in Eureka, but we're going back to Arcata." Tim reached into his wallet and gave us two dollar bills. Awesome. I told Tim we would round up the rest and thanked him.

     4:57pm  We came over to the Raven House around 4:30-40. It's about to open. I saw Elliot again.

     6:10pm  Justin gave me another cigarette.

     6:56pm  Erin and Cindy are being nice enough to spare a cigarette. Thanks, guys.

                    I don't remember too well, but I think Erin gave me and Tim a ride back to Arcata from the Raven House. In a big white van. Thanks for mobilizing us. Sorry if I got your name wrong.

Next day..