I was a bit young for the 60's but I did stretch the hippie thing into the early '70's. In 1971 I took off from NY and hitch hiked across country. I spent 5 months growing my hair and exploring our country. I met some wonderful people and was set upon by more than one asshole,(usually wearing a LE uniform).
I've slept under bridges, in city parks in orange groves and garages. I have panhandled,shoplifted,eaten pigeon and squirrel. I worked for many a meal and a floor to sleep on.
Got my ass kicked by three cops in Sparks Nevada,just for being me. I spent 12 or 14 hours freezing on the side of the road in Ely Nevada, some real nice ladies from a hotel across the street took me in for a warm meal and a bath.
In general folks were just amazing, many,many letting me sleep in their garage or home. Was given a ride by 3 Mexican kids smuggling a car load of pot, did magic mushrooms at a desert commune in New Mexico. Was warned by an older gentleman in Grass Valley, California against Indians giving me Peyote.
I worked on a chicken farm in Missouri, did roofing in Scottsdale Arizona, and did day labor in Bakersfield California.
I swam in the Pacific,marveled at the big trees in the Northwest,was awed by the Rockies and amazed by the stars visible in the desert.
I enjoyed free concerts in Griffth Park and street entertainment in SF. I was denied entry to Disneyland in San Diego as an undesirable.
I returned home to a greetings letter from the government. To avoid Viet Nam I enlisted in the Marine Corp for four years.
I had an experience that could never be duplicated in todays world, and that fundamentally shaped the person I am today. One that I would trade for nothing!
