Bike ride to Johnson Creek

Where to go in life

For the past month, I've been trying to figure out what is the best path to take for a fulfilling frugal life. Right now I have about $8500 in savings. I want to do something with that money instead of watching it dwindle away on food, rent, and entertainment. So with that money I have a lot of choices.

1. Go on a very long bike tour down the west coast and into South America.
- I would take only the necessary possessions along with my camera and laptop. This option would be great for meeting new people, seeing sights and traveling fast.

2. Forget the bike and go on a long walk like Peter Jenkins "Walk Across America".
- This would allow me to really see things moment by moment because of the slow pace. I'd be able to see and go more places that having a bike would hinder. My bad heels might not be able to put up with the constant walking though, maybe sandals would help.

3. Walking ascetic. Travel into the mountains and endure the elements. I'd spend my time meditating, walking in the woods, and learning about nature and myself. Going to miss music, culture, people.

4. Get a van or camper. I'd be more mobile, but that would come at the cost of gas, registration, license, and insurance. This would be an ideal way if I could find a free place to park it, such as a farm where I could work or volunteer.

5. Travel and move to a foreign place. Learning from another culture would be very insightful. Leaving my own born-into culture might mean I'm trying to chase something that doesn't exist. If I can't find happiness and contentment here, I probably can't find it anywhere.

These five ideas are just that. I know a huge change will happen in my life before March. I'll just have to leave my future to fate and intuition while planting the seeds of my desire. In the mean time, I will stay in the present enjoying Portland to the fullest while working on my photography and music.

So long..

Talk to you soon.

Andy

First Post

Money spent today: $400 -rent for the month

Food for the day: Bananas, Chocolate, Tea, Coconut Rice, Vegetable Stir-fry w/ coconut milk, Kettle Chips

Adventure for the day: Walked to the bank to get rent money. Then I went to the Lloyd Center mall to drop a deposit in the food court bathroom. After that I went to Barnes and Noble to browse the art and photo magazines.