I am planning on embarking on a bohemian journey this summer, living with my two dogs in my pick up truck, using Craigslist as the source for everything I need as I travel about the US. Yep, I love Craigslist, what they do, what they stand for, and an admirer of Jim Buckmaster who led Craigslist to be one of the world's most popular websites while maintaining its public service mission.

I discovered Craigslist through my mid-20's kids who came home last year to provide care while I was ill undergoing chemo for HepC. After an extended illness, the cost of health care and living while too sick to work, I found myself in the position where I could no longer afford the mortgage payment on my condo and was faced with having to move. My kids suggested I list the condo on Craigslist, which I did, and within hours I had a renter, and within a month I moved. Incredible experience! I moved into a rental property, hired movers, a painter, and sold some of my personal items - all through contacts found on Craigslist. The people I met who were providing services were wonderful, salt-of-the-earth folks, and I found myself feeling a sense of connectedness with the community on a level which had been lacking in my life.

I am healthy now, but in debt to the roots of my hair - further than that, if the truth be known. Last week, I started using Craigslist to see what kinds of jobs and gigs are available. My hope was to find a way to sell some of my writing or blog for $$$$ and to pick up some interesting temporary work to bring in enough money to pay on the second mortgage and to provide me with money to live. I need to move out of my house before the first of June when tourists start arriving on the coast of NC, as this house is a beach vacation rental. My 'plan du jour' was to load my two dogs into my pick up truck along with camping gear and clothing, and head out across the country to work in different jobs which I might enjoy. The journey will bring me into contact with all kinds of people, and I want to taste the changing flavor of the America's culture. The idea of a bohemian adventure and lifestyle piques my interest, and I was thinking along that line when I read a blog on the roots of Craigslist. When I finished reading, I knew that I was onto something, something bold and new, and found my direction.

What I want to do is to set out on a journey using Craigslist as a means to find gigs, places to stay, people to share the cost of travel through ride-share, for everything. I want to see just how far the Craigslist community stretches - and then write about it in a daily blog that people can follow. I am confident I can build a good readership for my blog, and in an ideal dream world, may find a magazine or periodical, either online or on paper, to sponsor my project and publish my work, and maybe even pay me! :) I think this is the coolest idea, and am really excited about it.

I don't know what the protocol is for this kind of adventure, or if there is one. I did a Google search, and no one else has done this yet, so I am jumping on it. I think that more direction will come as I prepare for this journey, but I am open to suggestions and ideas. My youngest son, Jeremy, is working with WeEarth.com and I would like to tie in an aspect of 'green' on this journey, and maybe even publish through their site. Along that line, I am going to attempt to make the trip without air conditioning, something that is unheard of in summer travel these days. I remember taking a trip with my parents across the US when I was a small child, and we did not have air conditioning...how bad can it be?