There are many who chase their goals in life right to the bitter and unsuccessful end and I do feel for these people. Then there are those who through sheer hard work or blind dumb luck, attain them while still possessing enough time in which to enjoy and I do indeed rejoice for them. Then of course there’s guys like me…. I’ve been far luckier than most people I know in that I’ve managed to attain many of my life’s goals very early in life.
One of my life’s more important goals was to hop a freight train. This goal I did accomplish at the age of twenty four while unsuccessfully thumbing through a quiet part of Australia. I had decided it must be done…..I was just going to have to spend some precious travel dollars and get a train ticket to somewhere else as no free rides were forthcoming.
I found myself one morning standing on the platform of a country rail station as the metal melting Australian sun was just peeking over the horizon and two hours before it opened for business. As I stood there a freight train came in and was slowing to a stop as it paraded past me. It had but one cargo ….brand new Mitsubishi automobiles manufactured in Adelaide and being freighted to Melbourne. I stood and watched each car slowly creep by me when all of a sudden two heads peered over the top of a car door to lock eyes with mine before ducking back down out of sight .
“ No shit “ ….I thought…. ” These guys are brilliant.”
And so before that rail car came to a halt I had jumped from the platform and was on it and looking through the window of the little blue Mitsubishi at two nervous Canadian backpackers looking back at me.
“ Let me in…I’m one of you .” I said as I held up my pack for them to see.
And so for the next few hours we enjoyed each others company and the comfort of a new Mitsubishi while swapping traveler stories and listening to the radio as the Australian countryside slid by.
Not all goals are obtainable I guess……… but then, one day I just might….. round the Horn of Africa on a tramp steamer.
