Hammocks and What-Knot

Parkville, Maryland, USA 

2.20.2017

I've spent a lot of time imagining myself in different countries, doing extraordinary things and delving deep into the culture-enriched soil. Only recently have I thought about the place that I'm in currently (see more about Baltimore in an earlier post). Even though I've grown quite accustomed to my own country, it's still a country with culture and history and excitement. This is not saying that there are countries that have more interesting places to go or more interesting histories; that depends on the person, day, etc.

What I'm saying is don't count out a place because you've grown up around it your entire life. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to explore those far-off, National Geographic destinations. When you're broke yet still full of wanderlust, do what I do and grab a hammock and set it up in a local park. 

My buddy Marcus and are dying for an opportunity to travel. I can't honestly say how many times we've texted each other on the daily about a new place we want to visit. And we still do. 

The moral of this story is not to confine yourself to your local park but to take every opportunity you get and run with it. I laugh, thinking about an adventure being at a place that's walking distance from my house. This is because, in my mind, I've grown so 'familiar' with Baltimore. When in reality, I don't know even half of the amazing places within a mile of my house!

This should tell you that if you think you know a place, you really don't. You find things to do, new things, even after living in a place all your life.

Here are a few pictures that sum up our time in a free, local little park:

 Thx Co. 

"Check the knots. Are they okay?"

"When I feel relaxed I feel heavier. I don't want to break it."

Awesome shot by Marcus Hague
( +Marcus Hague )

Brothers

Hang loose mate

Money is really useful for travel. Correction: money will come into play regardless of how you travel. You may not even see the exchange of currency happen, but someone somewhere is paying something, whether it be with dollars, time, service, etc.

Sometimes, however, you can travel for very nearly free. This is one of those examples.

No, I am not one of those bloggers on Pinterest who have hippie-dippie posts about traveling for free and you can get by without money in this life;
You need to pay people with something.
Free things still demand some sort of payment.

But you can have a heck of a time for an extremely discounted price.