My Transient Journey: First Days of Lakewood, Washington, USA

Author's Note

I made the cover image on NightCafe a few days before I left. The prompt was: Everything always works out for me. I know we don't have generative AI yet, but that gave me chills, and also a bit of motivation, like it's supposed to be happening….[[|:-D

Hello Wrizzlers,

Well, where do I start. I guess it only matters where I finish. I’m really appreciating all of your support. If it weren’t for you all and my ex, I’d have no one to talk to, because I’m not talking to any of these vagabonds, most of which need mental health care.

At first, I didn’t think there were that many here, but there are. They’re just a bit more scattered than in Seattle as this town–like so many in America–was expertly designed for driving.

When I first arrived, I posted up on a small triangular median by an off ramp, flying a sign and making about $40 in two hours. It was a nice start, but I then needed to find a place to camp. I found this strange park. Google told me it was Lakewood Active Park, but when I got to it, it said something different, and for the life of me, I can’t remember. It was a trail park with only light forestry as scenery. I found a spot near a small water tower where the English Ivy was covering the ground.

It was a nice spot, but I haven’t been able to find that park again. I would most likely remember the name, but it doesn’t show up on Google, and none of the pictures look familiar. It wasn’t a very good night’s sleep, however. It was warm and humid at first, but then the temperature dropped and it got windier. Then after I struggled to get back to sleep, it began to rain, so I had to put up the tarp. The forecast didn’t call for rain, but I learned my lesson.

The next day had me walking a lot as I first went to Denny’s. I highly suggest never going there. Their coffee is always good, but that place was definite miss when it comes to their cooking. Chewy pancakes, plus my eggs were overdone. I like to put my eggs on one of the pancakes and use the runny yolks for moisture with some salt and pepper, so over hard is a no go. I’ve been a cook, and messing up eggs is a big faux pas. Plus, their syrup bottles pour out so freaking slowly.

Later that day, I went to Safeway in the gigantic shopping complex that’s a nightmare to pedestrians as sidewalks can suddenly end, forcing you to walk through the parking lots, and boy are they just everywhere where streets and shops aren't. I’ve actually never seen such a large shopping complex that’s not a mall. And, just like the town, it’s a mix of really old, weathered shops with brand new ones that most likely came post COVID. Below is an example of the contrast.

I went to the bathroom and bought a drink and a pepperoni cheese stick before going out front and chilling there for a few. To my surprise, a nice car stopped and the rich people inside called me over to give me $5 and the rest of their Applebee’s burger which was really good. I got the idea that it would be a good place to fly a sign, but the security guard told me to go to one of the sidewalks by the roads that cut through. I ended up making $50 that day in just a few hours. People sometimes want to chat with you which is so rare, but I think sometimes people want to know that you’re at least cogent.

The next day was nice, but cloudy. I went to IHOP that morning to get coffee and to charge my devices. I had found a spot to stealth camp that was hidden enough to stash some of my stuff. Crazy, I know, but I really needed the break from pulling the–I’m guessing–60+ pound bag on my hand truck. Luckily, Lakewood is mostly flat.

I wasn’t able to eat that morning, but I went there this morning, and it’s by far the better place. The hostess is a really pretty mixed race woman with those pale blue eyes that are so striking with people of color. She seems to be about 40, but I noticed today that she had had open heart surgery. She told me everything was fine until one day. I have a feeling that it’s COVID vaccine related, but I didn’t say that. She’s a real class act, though, because when I came in with all of my stuff, she didn’t bat an eye. Probably because I leave nice tips, lol.

Back to that day, I would end up flying a sign by Safeway again, making about $80! And that’s not even counting the money I made from random people giving me money. Like, the first or second day, I went to a dollar store, but before going in, I took a rest by a shop I thought was abandoned so I could smoke a joint and a cigarette. While I was sitting there, I saw a guy pop out of the door to take a couple of drags of a cigarette. When I got up to go to the store, he popped out again and gave me $5. Like I said, the people here are so nice and actually full of compassion. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it after dealing with the vampires of Seattle for so long. It’s become so jaded there.

I really don’t want to go over the bad day again. You’ll have to go read that scribble. However, that night, while I was trying to find a spot to camp, I went to another park that I thought might be the one. It ended up being a tiny park in the middle of a rich neighborhood. I was so tired and sore that I stopped there for a bit while I mulled over my options. I smoked a cigarette, and just as I was getting my backpack on to leave, a gentleman came into the park, walking his dog. He asked how I was doing in passing, and I told him that I had had better days, and to my surprise, he asked about it. I told him that I was looking for a place to camp, and that I thought I was going to a different park. I told him I knew that they wouldn’t appreciate me stealth camping there, and he turned around and gave me a $20 bill. It’s just bleeding compassion here; arterially.

I was so tired and sore when I left there, I headed back to the library where a few people camp on the sidewalk. I assumed that we’d get woken up by the cops, but I was thinking 8 o’clock, not 6AM! They were nice about it, but damn that’s early.

Anyways, that’s most of it. I have a few more pictures below, though, there’s not a lot of photographable places. It really is a town dying from the inside out, and I don’t plan to stay here too much longer.

The Original House of Donuts. Definitely worth a visit.

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Thank you so much for reading. Please like, comment, and share. I hope you have a wonderful day….[[|:-)