Comments on: Las Vegas to New York City

By: luke

luke — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:58:06 +0000

actually this guy in his essay “how to drop out” has some pretty good pints to make on this subject: http://ranprieur.com/essays/dropout.html

relevant bits copied and pasted, because nobody bothers to follow links:

“Drop out” is a bad metaphor, because it implies you are either in or out. In reality, no one has ever been in or out — everyone is somewhere in between. The most pathetic office drone still has forbidden dreams, and the most extreme mountain man still has commerce with society. Your mission is to find a niche, somewhere in this range, where you’re not held over a barrel by a system that gives you no participation in power.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:27:30 +0000

Hey Jess, I haven’t talked too much about money here, I’m still uncertain if I want to. It will probably be a future post.
I saved for over a year to make this journey, and you would be surprised how cheap it is. My monthly expenses while living and working in a city were almost exactly the same as they are now on the road, including gas.
I live in my tent, eat very simply and cheaply and get great enjoyment out of the simplest things in life.
I take personal pride out of enjoying myself without spending any money.

When you say “locked myself down” I have to wonder what exactly you are referring to? A house and car payments? – you can get out of those very easily if you truly want to. It’s just a matter of how badly you want it.

By: Jess

Jess — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:21:14 +0000

Dan…how is it that you are able to continue to travel all over? How do you afford to do it? You have a vehicle and that needs gas and $$. How do you pay for it all? I’d like to feel the overwhelming sense of freedom that I know comes with traveling adventures…just once even. I feel like I’ve already locked myself down in a life I didn’t necessarily know I was getting into. I just finished reading Into The Wild, and upon looking up more information, I stumbled upon your website. I am insanely jealous to see someone, alive and well, in the present, roaming free, seeing the world. How did you end up as a traveler?

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:17:52 +0000

me too It was a great decision.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:15:42 +0000

Hey Kori, Duke told me you are thinking about writing an article – that would be so great! Absolutely fire any questions you have, I’d love to help out any way I can.
I’m using WordPress for my blog, which I really like. It does everything I need and has a ton of plugins to make it do anything you can think of. Super easy to use and works great.

By: Kori

Kori — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:59:59 +0000

Howdy Dan! I am a friend of Duke’s–he turned me onto your blog and I have been keepin’ up with you since. I go to school at the University of Georgia and was thinking about writing an article about you. I am still thinking about how I want to construct it so once i get there I was hoping I could send you some questions about your quest.

Also, I am getting into this personal web site thing and was wondering what kind of software you use? I know that is a crazy question, but I really like what you’re running here I hope you have a jammin time in the city–they have some great thrift stores–if you talk to the side street vendors they will give you the deets!

By: Rejeana in Alabama

Rejeana in Alabama — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:10:00 +0000

I would have been disappointed if you had chosen to NOT visit your parents!!

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:17:43 +0000

Email on it’s way

By: Brian12566

Brian12566 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:39:31 +0000

I hope he was joking….hard to tell on blogs when you can not hear one’s voice inflection. Could have been a tongue in cheek comment. We’ll see if he returns.

By: Lisa Rey

Lisa Rey — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:59:58 +0000

Dan,
I would love to tell your story in a book. Please contact me by email

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:03:05 +0000

Mike – it’s not that I disagree with you, but that’s not exactly how I feel.
The ‘trip’ is exactly what I want it to be on any given day. If I decide to stay in a 4 star hotel and order room service for a week then thats exactly waht I’m going to do. I’m not hell bent on driving to TDF as fast as possible and doing nothing other than hiking/camping/adventuring the whole time.
I’m going to live my life exactly how I want to, driving to TDF is just an excuse to have an awesome time, it’s not always the awesome time itself.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:27 +0000

Kris – everywhere I went in NYC I was reminded of our trip there. It was a great time then & now!
Great to hear from you, hope you’re doing well.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:59:45 +0000

Great advice Ron – thanks for the perspective again.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:59:17 +0000

Brian – I’m still not certain Nashville wasn’t joking. We’ll find out if he ever comes back I suppose.
Maybe I’ll email him…
It would have been great to meet up & I’m sure we’ll catch up down the road, somewhere.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:58:03 +0000

That’s so much guys – I caught up on all your news via mum and dad, sounds like you guys are doing great!

By: The Manger's

The Manger's — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:28:28 +0000

Hi Dan,
We have been following your journey and we wish we were with you.
We are glad that you have visited your Mum and Dad in New York. That was the highlight of there trip over there as well as spending Xmas as a family at Michaels.
Say hi to everyone and we are looking forward to keep reading your adventure.
Stay safe and have heaps of fun

By: brian12566

brian12566 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:17:17 +0000

That was a bit harsh Nashville. The blog is an adventure…not a pre determined route straight to Mexico. The slogan is: “This IS my life”. Sometimes…life is having to go to NYC and visit the parental units.

Dan, I am happy you decided to make a left at Arizona to visit your family. I am sorry I missed you while you were here. Would of been cool to meet up with you.

By: Ron Parker

Ron Parker — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:05:18 +0000

You will never please everyone,because everyone is different.You keep doing what you enjoy best,Thats enjoy life and make the most of it.Whatever road you choose south and whatever detour you take along the way it is up to you.Have fun.

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:15:01 +0000

Hey Dan
Your picture reminded me of the great time we had checking out NYC way back in 2006, im very jealous man! Reading your blog is great,looks like your having heaps of fun.
Cheers
Kris

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:33:05 +0000

Nashville,

I agree, taking a detour to NYC on an airplane is a disruption to the flow of Dan’s adventure. It loses some of its magic somehow.

But I think it is worth it.

I think Dan has learnt from Chris’s story (into the wild) the importance of keeping in contact with loved ones. Chris put his family through hell because he didn’t ever contact them. Dan is not making this mistake, and if that means a hiccup in his trip, i say it is a good hiccup.

Mike

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:44:49 +0000

Hey Brian – you are 100% correct.
I did not set out to drive all the way south and do nothing along the way.. the whole point of the adventure is that I’m doing exactly what I want with my life, every day. Maybe today that’s driving somewhere, maybe tomorrow that’s something else – I honestly don’t know, but I do know I’m going to have fun, whatever I choose to do.
Calling my trip to NYC a ‘break’ was a bit of a joke actually – how can I take a break from life?

By: Brian from New Jersey

Brian from New Jersey — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:30:46 +0000

Hi Dan, found this blog via your magic blog entry off a google search and have been following you ever since. I think its really awesome what you’re doing!

Everyone is entitled to their opinions and I understand where the poster “Nashville” (which on a sidenote is an awesome city, lived there this summer) is coming from. However, I think its great that you’re taking a break from your adventure to spend time with your parents. I don’t have the best family situation and my mom is really ill right now and I wish I had that type of relationship with my parents. Plus the vibe I get is that this trip is all about living life to its fullest without a specific structure or planning and just doing what you see fit. With that said enjoy your time with your family and NYC…though if you get a chance venture in New Jersey do it, its the best : )

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:43:27 +0000

Ouch! You cut me deep

By: Nashville

Nashville — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:08:16 +0000

Your in New York? You were in the middle of your “adventure”? I didn’t know you were gonna stop and fly across the country to the biggest metropolitan area in the world? Now, your going to need to explain that you didn’t actually drive the 50,000 from Alaska to South of the equator at one time. You stopped in the middle and took a two week break and flew across the country to wine and dine in New York with the fam. I can’t lie Dan…I’m a little dissapointed. I understand the need to see your parents, but meet them in Mexico or something. I feel like I just found out that Chris from into the Wild was actually staying at the Hilton Inn in Fairbanks instead of the magic bus? ouch. a Break???? weak!!!! Might as well have a chic dinner at Tavern on the Green and then head to the mall for some cool new clothes.

I’m out, Dan. Have a safe trip.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:26:18 +0000

NYC sure is a different place, but I do really enjoy it there.
I have not watched the Pausch video, I will sooner or later.

By: Scott T

Scott T — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:31:53 +0000

NYC is a big change from the wild places you’ve been in lately. It’s still a fun place for a few days. The Pausch story is a real inspiration. I suggest the video as well. I’m sure it can be found on YouTube. If you don’t sob up a few times…