Baker
12-19-2004, 04:52
I've been trolling and decided to contribute...Strongly considering going nobo in 2005. Last year, I started at Springer and ended up at T.W.O in Suches, where the doctor told me I had strep throat (and/or bronchitis. I don't remember). A week later, I decided to start at Damascus and head north. I made it to Waynesboro. Had a great time till I ran short of funds of money (poor planning, illness, and ingorance all played a part).
Thus, I'm broke. One week after I get back to WestByGod from Waynesboro via the big grey dog bus, I end up in texas spraying herbicide at railroad xings. I know what many of you are thinkning. Herbicide. Murderer of all things green. Yeah, nothing like dragging 200 feet of chemical laden garden hose in 100+ degree texas heat covered in sweat and herbicide overspray. That miserable job lasted two months, but I made some beans. The trail never left my mind.
After Texas, I went back to the pizza delivery business, the best paying job an english major can get 'round these parts.
I don't recall who or where, but somewhere on this site someone defined hiker trash as (paraphrasing here): someone who works a crapbucket job in the offseason to thruhike in the onseason. There can be benefits to this approach.
At work tonight, I was yabbering with my manager about the trail, gear, cheese prices, etc. The subject of marketing came up, and he said he needed more people to doorhang. My ears perked up. Doorhanging, hmm... Getting paid to walk around neighborhoods (roads round here are mostly up and down) and put coupons on people's doors. Paid to walk, paid to walk, hmm...Can I wear my backpack (to carry coupons, of course)? Yes, I can wear my backpack? :banana Outstanding, when can I start?
There you have it. I get paid (not much, mind you) to walk up and down hills with a backpack on. Nice, eh?
Anyone else have any good offseason jobs?
Thus, I'm broke. One week after I get back to WestByGod from Waynesboro via the big grey dog bus, I end up in texas spraying herbicide at railroad xings. I know what many of you are thinkning. Herbicide. Murderer of all things green. Yeah, nothing like dragging 200 feet of chemical laden garden hose in 100+ degree texas heat covered in sweat and herbicide overspray. That miserable job lasted two months, but I made some beans. The trail never left my mind.
After Texas, I went back to the pizza delivery business, the best paying job an english major can get 'round these parts.
I don't recall who or where, but somewhere on this site someone defined hiker trash as (paraphrasing here): someone who works a crapbucket job in the offseason to thruhike in the onseason. There can be benefits to this approach.
At work tonight, I was yabbering with my manager about the trail, gear, cheese prices, etc. The subject of marketing came up, and he said he needed more people to doorhang. My ears perked up. Doorhanging, hmm... Getting paid to walk around neighborhoods (roads round here are mostly up and down) and put coupons on people's doors. Paid to walk, paid to walk, hmm...Can I wear my backpack (to carry coupons, of course)? Yes, I can wear my backpack? :banana Outstanding, when can I start?
There you have it. I get paid (not much, mind you) to walk up and down hills with a backpack on. Nice, eh?
Anyone else have any good offseason jobs?