"Train hopping"

Now things are getting interesting. The big city in front of me, 80 pounds of gear on me, and approximately 29950 miles in front of me. My contact from C.S. tells me that I am welcome for 1 night on a very soft couch that resides in a small loft overlooking the San Diego harbor. I am more than happy to take her up on that one, I now know without a doubt, that all the training in the world would never have prepared me for 80 pounds, 24 hours a day. My feet are killin me! After brief nights sleep I awoke to the aroma of coffee, and soft music coming from inside Jenines small kitchen. I was kindly provided a cup of strong coffee,toast, and an apple. I ate my breakfast as quickly as I could, and was sent on my way with instructions on how to find the most likely spot to hitch a boat ride. After about 3 hrs of city hiking, and plenty of less than enthusiastic welcomes at local marinas, I locked eyes with a local panhandler who was running back and forth on a bustling two lane road, enthusiastically trying to get attention with a sign that said "SMILE". It seemed to be working for him, as the endless lines of cars passed him, it was rare that a driver wouldn't be smiling. I thought to myself... this guy would be fun to talk to.We talked for about 30 minutes about why he was out there doing what he was doing, how he liked San Diego, and then he asked what I was doing? I told him, and he told me how tough hitching anywhere between San Diego and the bay area was. Of course my previous experience the day before had already clued me in. I asked him if he had any other suggestions? He enthusiastically stated "you could hop a freight!" I said sure. He said where, and how. Next thing I know im poised behind some bushes waiting for the next freight to roll by. Not quite sure if this little plan was going to work out, I made the decision to give it my very best effort. If I failed at least I could say I tried. As I waited in the bushes next to a bend in the track I realized that they looked as if GOD himself had placed them specifically for train hoppers. Im sure I wasn't the first to do this, nor would I be the last. I watched as the train slowed itself down to a crawl through the station...Only about one hundred yards down the track I waited in stealth laughing to myself about what I was about to do. When the moment came I let every ounce of adrenaline in my body spring forth as I attempted to run with 80 pounds on my back in pursuit of a train that was now speeding up again. I grabbed a rail, and jumped, hoping that at least one of my feet would land on the platform I was aiming for. Luckily one foot made it, I pulled the rest of my weight up, took a look around to make sure I was alone and fell to the platform floor in complete exhaustion. It was difficult to know where to get off at, so again I simply hoped that I would be blessed with a safe place to jump off and camp unnoticed. I was fortunate in my choice, I jumped off about 5 minutes before Irvine California where I had a solid nearby contact. I walked next to the track until I found a nice flat spot to lay down for the night. Sleeeeepy time!