where in the world
Hi. I am in Festus, MO. Soon, Warrenton, MO (maybe). A kickass (quasi) shelter is up that way (NW of STL) and a truck stop, and that is about it for that immediate area.
Why there?
Because shelter, is why :) I have been slummin on the sidewalks and town parks in Festus for nearly three weeks. A two day reprive at the La Quinta. Beneficial, but not the solution.
Instead of sleeping on itchy crab grass, shivering myself awake to fetch coffee at a crisis center to only be awake the rest of the day – I'll head to a seldom visited part of Missouri (for me) and observe the “North/rural” region of the state. A place to sleep. A few other simple amenities.
I ditched the backpack. No more awkward walking, shuffling through gravel, injured feet and toes (big improvement there with my Under Armour shoes and callous remover can be retrieved from the Post Office here at 9 AM tomorrow), or any of the other fuss and bother that comes with a backpack (despite how light it is).
I have The Needs in my pockets. A pair of Levi chinos that are also waiting for me at the Post Office will add to this improved “carrying method”. Phone, charger, 30 watt wall wart for charger – tobacco pipe, pocket full of instant coffee packets (much better tasting when made with the proper amount of water (e.g. more water than what I had been using)), wallet, Bic lighter, that's it.
Toss in a beanie to make nights easier, and a gromet-studded dark brown “Army” belt and I am ready to kick ass and take names.
The strut, demeanor, and casual body language are all returning when going from Point A to Point B. No more “backpack lunge”.
I sit at a park, sun setting, air cooling, lights above a pickle ball court lighting the full court (8 nets) below, distant cars but none to be heard too loudly. I sip a tobacco pipe and catch up on YouTube videos. Anticipating tomorrow.