They call me Ish.

I was an indoor kid; grew up on tv & video games. Lived at home with my family, and worked for 3 years as a locksmith, at a small shop in Brooklyn. I couldn't imagine living day in day out, in the same routine.
Then in 2017, I quit my job, and started hiking across the country; going from New York to California. On foot. Because I wanted an adventure, and to take a really long time getting there. I had never even camped before this.
I've hiked over 1000 miles SouthBound on the Appalachian Trail. And hundreds of miles off trail, on dusty roads and busy highways. I've experienced incredible acts of generosity from complete strangers; and wonderful encouragement from lifelong friends. I've witnessed some breathtaking views; and met the most inspiring individuals, some of whom I'm lucky enough to now consider friends. I've dealt with injuries and loss; freezing temperatures, heatwaves, and unending downpours.
And in the end I made it 2300 miles over the course of 7 months. And I even adopted a stray dog, that followed me from Arkansas. I finished my hike in Austin Texas, a long way shy of making it to California.
But I will go back to the road one day, and finish what I started. It was the best experience of my life.

I hitchhiked back home to NYC afterwards, and have been struggling to find my way back out. Haha. Currently I've been working and saving up for future adventures. And the next one will be a big one...

Oh I also invested in my own photography business, and began writing the adventure in the form of a blog, on my website:
www.kryptic.blue

And yes, I still have the dog. Her name is Navi.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Hotels are expensive. Haha. But really I feel Hotels are geared towards destination based travel, whereas I'm out for new experiences and interactions. And I'm open to suggestions.

I identify with the travelers and nomads, HikerTrash and adventurers. I seek my own.

Interests

• writing
• photography
• movies
• video games
• hiking
• adventure
• meeting new people
• daydreaming
• candy
• milkshakes

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
I want to break free - Queen
Juke Box Hero - Foreigner
Books:
Dark Tower series - Stephen King
How to walk across America - Tyler Coulson
Movies:
Star Wars
The Avengers
The Dark Knight
Serenity

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm just gonna fill this section with a list of highlights from my adventure:

With no prior hiking or camping experience, I decided to embark on a journey over 4000 miles from coast to coast. (only made it 2300. So far... )

My 1st night in a tent was 26 degrees.

10 times I've knocked on the doors of strangers, to ask if I could camp in their yards; all but 2 said yes. 5 of them fed me. 4 of them invited me in. One of the families that didn't let me camp, put me up in a motel room, instead. The other that refused, called the cops on me after I left... But it worked out and I knocked on another door, and met a friend.

I hiked 30 miles on a sprained foot.

I've stealth camped more times than I can count, and it's usually my go to option.

I was caught stealth camping in DC by a cop; after explaining what I was doing, he let me stay the night.

Me and another hiker I'd just met, crammed in the back of a hatchback sedan, with our packs on our laps, for a 5 mile ride into town and out of the rain.

I lost my tent hitchhiking 40 miles to go see Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2.

I've hiked through days of pouring rain.

I hitchhiked 56 miles back to the trail; it took 5 hours and 5 different rides.

I later hitched 1800 miles from Austin to Brooklyn. It took 12 days and 15 rides. And at least 3 mental breakdowns.

I hiked 30 miles in a single day, out of the Smokey Mountains.

I carried a cast iron skillet, I couldn't use (I travel stoveless,) 300 miles, because someone asked me to, and I never turn down a sidequest. A month later it got me a place to stay in Chattanooga.

I cowboy camped on the summit of Springer Mountain at the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

I drove a boat, and spent the night on the calm waters of the Tennessee River.

While I was wandering downtown Nashville at night, I met a group, and we immediately hit it off; 6 of us piled into a sedan, to camp by a lake.

When the last of hurricane Harvey came up to meet me in Tennessee, I rode out the storm, under a park pavilion, with my rainfly tied to a picnic table, as a windshield.

People keep paying for my meals.

I made friends with the owners of a diner, they fed me and gave me the back room for the night.

Walking through Tennessee on labor day, people from 5 different houses called me over to give me cold water or food. The last ones let me in for a shower and dinner.

I've been stopped by cops 5 times, in Tennessee, from Nashville to Memphis. Twice because people thought I had a baby in my cart; once because I stopped in someone's yard, because it was the only shade for miles; once because I asked the wrong person for help; & the 5th, didn't tell me why, but I guessed he wanted to know what the hell I was doing. Every cop has been nice, a few were friendly so I started a conversation and showed them some of my pictures.

While making my way through Arkansas, a dog snuck up on me. She was friendly, but had no collar and no one was around. I Couldn't get her to stop following me, so I named her Navi, and she's coming with me.

Teach, Learn, Share

Rule #1: Always get a milkshake.
Rule #2: don't die.
(In that order, because priorities.)

I'm more afraid of a boring life, than an exciting death.

I believe that we're capable of more than we think, and there are more good people in the world than we think there are.

Hold onto your imagination, but don't be a pretender.

Dream on Wanderer...

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good conversation and gratitude. And I don't mind showing the pictures I've taken (there are a lot). And definitely a postcard down the road. I've also committed to taking more photos of the people I meet, so you may get a decent portrait or a dozen... Haha

I never want to be just a "taker," any kindness I receive, I try to pay back, or pay forward.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States