I flew into Lisbon, Portugal because it was the cheapest airline destination closest to Morocco. Spent a grand total of 24-hours walking around the vicinity of Traveller’s House Hostel on Rua Augusta in the Baixia neighborhood. The manager, João, was a real class-act. Seriously, this dude was a mensch and welcomed guests like they were prodigal children. Not only was he fluent in like a … Continue reading A Month in Morocco: One Day in Lisbon
For the past few days my body has made it clear that I’m stressed-out. Yesterday I started developing a canker sore and this morning I woke up with a sore jaw, likely caused by grinding teeth. Whenever I sit down my foot shakes. And I’m also a little constipated. Just like a bad poker player, I’m totally predictable. I can’t hold back my tells. In … Continue reading A Month in Morocco: Problems Simplifying
When I was a kid my grandma worked at our family bakery in San Francisco. Every Christmas she’d send me a jelly jar filled with foreign coins she had rescued from the till. I’d study my encyclopedia and geek out on the strange countries stamped in colorful metals of various shapes. Some depicted kings and queens, revolutionaries and dictators. Others showed fantastic animals, images of … Continue reading Have Coin, Will Travel
Ft. Stevens State Park to Astoria (actual date Saturday 6/14/14) It took me 21 days to walk 423 miles on (mostly) the Oregon Coast Trail and I planned on it taking taking 25. And though I was left with some time to kill, I wasn’t motivated to do too much. I stayed at Ft. Stevens for the 3-day state park max, then took a bus … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, FINAL ENTRY
Ft. Stevens South to the OCT North Trailhead/Columbia River (actual date 6/13/14) I am up at 5:30am and brave the cold rain en route to the public restroom where a young guy I met yesterday, Soren, is shaving. Today is also his final day and he wants to look good for it. I, however, have no such aspirations. We chat for a minute then continue … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 21
Sea Ranch to Ft. Stevens State Park South (actual date Thursday 6/12/14) When I woke up this morning, my first thought was of the guy who checked me in at the Soul Vacation resort Hotel near Alsea Bay Bridge on day 12. After he asked me what I was doing with a backpack on he shook his head until I said, “What, man?” He responded, … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 20
Cannon Beach Sea Ranch Zero Day (actual date Wednesday 6/11/14) In my dream, the distance I have to cover is overwhelming. I navigate mountainous dunes and ridiculously steep single-track trails. I need water. I’m exhausted and can barely lift my heavy legs. My throbbing feet wake me up often. I change my sleeping position, hoping the stressful dream will change. It doesn’t. Women from my … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 19
Manzanita Beach to Cannon Beach (actual date Tuesday 6/10/14) It was a restless night. Walking more than 100 miles in three days will do this to a guy. But the full moon was a redeeming factor for my many wake-ups. Set against a strangely clear sky, it glowed like a protective street lamp, illuminating the clearing. When I got up to pee I could feel … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 18
Tillamook to Manzanita Beach (actual date Monday 6/9/14) It was tough to fall asleep worried about bedbugs. But my worries were in vain. I slept hard and needed an alarm to wake up. I was walking by 7:45am and eating toast and oatmeal in a Bay City greasy spoon, Downie’s Cafe, by 9:30. A local came in and ordered a giant stack of pancakes. That … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 17
Neskowin Beach to Tillamook (actual date Sunday 6/8/14) Sleeping on soft sand isn’t comfortable. Makes for a restless night. At some point I’m sure I hear footsteps and breathing outside my tent, maybe even a drawn-out sigh as if my presence on the bluff is frustrating. I hear someone spit, then walk away. In my dream, my friend Kali rescues a male husky from a … Continue reading Walking the Oregon Coast Trail, Day 16
Tom Griffen 
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