I've been wanting to go to Myrtle Beach on a little short backpacking trip for awhile, but I'm having trouble finding someplace to set up camp.

But I've also wanted to go to California forever--I've got so much I wanna see on the west coast. I'm sick of the east, as much as I really, really love Myrtle Beach. I'm kind of caught between the two options--on the one hand, I want a one-way ticket to California (and the general west) so I can find something great there; I want to go to San Francisco and Berkeley and Los Angeles and visit the deserts and see Seattle and all those other places.

But on the other hand, I want this little test-trip to Myrtle Beach--I just want to enjoy the things down there that I love without the interference of drunkards who just want to hang out at the local bars. That's basically it--a quick rehash of all of my usual beach haunts, then onward to the next great adventure.

I don't know whether Mum would help me with both of these trips--I don't need a LOT of help, mind you. It's more of a moral support thing (and spotting me $139 to go to California on the bus). I'm more-or-less prepared for travel at any time I leave the house--I've got a hell of a lot of supplies in my backpack. But I want to go somewhere and find Something. I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for, but I know it's Something important.

I want to go to both of these places; I just want it to get warmer and brighter out before I do go anywhere long-distance. The Myrtle Beach trip would be a short practice test--to see if I really CAN make it Out There. Moving to California would be the final exam. Going out there and being there, somewhere where I can be among friends... I'm gonna put some flowers in my hair and collect my things and move on.

But I wonder--could I convince Mum to spot me that trip for a birthday present, and perhaps a couple of nights' stay in Backpacker's Paradise Hostel? I don't know.

On the other hand--...

HOLY FUCK WHEN DID I GROW AN EXTRA HAND?!