It was a little after 4:00 AM in the morning, is when I disembarked off of the Amtrak train in Chico, California. It was early St. Patrick's Day. I had just arrived into a University town. The University students were in the party mode and as carefree and happy go lucky as they could be. However, for me I was homeless and in need of finding shelter. I had paid for a one-way ticket to nowhere. I was in no mood for a party nor was I in the parting mood. How I ended up here was not by choice. Carrying all I had left in the world with the exception of a few things of personal value locked away in a storage unit. I began to walk away from the train depot. However, the problem was I had no idea which direction to go. I had never been here before and I didn't know which way was up or down. Even which way was north, south, east or west. It was dark out still and if you get right down to it I was totally lost.
I was tied and needed to sleep. Where was I going to sleep? I needed to find somewhere to sleep. I was now homeless and this was my first early morning experience. I needed to think? I had no idea which way to go? All I knew, is I had to walk somewhere to find a place to lay my head. But where was the question? I kept walking up 5th street away from the depot. I knew it had to take me somewhere. Then a thought came to me "why not head towards Chico State University." Whichever direction that was? I still had no idea? All I did know is I had to go somewhere. Again I kept walking until I came to what seemed like a main street. On the way I noticed University students galore. In their fraternity houses, up and down the streets. In front of nightclubs and bars celebrating the holiday. Even some were standing in line waiting for the bars to open up so they could start their drinking episodes of merry making.
The further I walked, the more tired I would become. I knew I could not stop. I had to keep pushing onward. I ended up going in circles. I came across many places I could of slept. However, I didn't feel convertible doing it. There were trails or paths along the Chico State University campus I could have tried but now it was getting light. Before it became light I stopped at this mini market to get directions for the Social Services Department. As that is where I needed to begin my journey. I needed to apply for services to help me in my situation. I also needed to find the Mental Health department as well. They both ended up being in opposite directions. I headed for the Social Services Department first, as it was the most important on the list. Off I went carrying a blue backpack and a very stuffed black brief case. I walked and I walked and I walked. As I was strolling down the street in what I hoped was the right way and direction. This young woman came from behind me on a bicycle. She came from behind me and liked to scare me out of my wits. What wits I had left. I was still jumpy from the mental condition I was suffering with at the time. I ask her if I was headed the right way. She told me which way to turn a few miles up.
Unfortunately, I missed the turn off and ended up walking about 10 miles out of the way. That's the truth of the matter. I ended up on the other side of the overpass from where I was supposed to be. In fact I had been so close one time the building could have jumped out an attacked me. I had even been so close to stop by another mini market to use the rest room. Where I felt as embarrassed as hell. I had no choice I had to go to the restroom. Later on I ended up on the side of the expressway. I was getting hungry now so I stopped at one of those fast food joints where they serve breakfast in the mornings. I ordered something to eat with what little money I had left in my pocket. I again used the restroom except this time I changed the T-shirt I was wearing at the time. I changed into a green T-shirt after all it was St. Patrick's Day. I finished up eating and left on my way again. Going outside I saw a Fire station maybe they could give me directions? They are known for helping people. I did not want to ask for directions to the Social Services department from where I ate breakfast. It would have been too embarrassing to contend with. I thought, “Hey I will ask a fireman which way to go from here.” Sure enough, I did. The one fireman I spoke with pointed across the expressway and said, “It over by the skating rink.” “Ah! There it is,” I said to myself.
At this point I was real tired and just about exhausted. I did not think I could go on much further. I had no choice I had to keep going onward. I finally reached the Social Services office and proceeded to go on inside. It was a nice building compared to Shasta County. Even the clerks were nicer it seemed. I stepped into line and filed out whatever papers were necessary. Along with other documents to suffice what was needed to apply in Butte County for services. The gentleman I spoke with after I was called up to his window. He seemed to enjoy his job very much. He directed me to the nearest shelters, food give away and used clothing for the needy such as myself. This Social Services office was much different than Shasta County where my open file was. I was transferring the case and relocating to Butte County because I did not want to be homeless in Redding, California.
This building had most of the services under one roof, such as Unemployment Services, Job search and a few others, which I cannot recall. I was given an appointment for the next day. In the meantime I needed food and shelter. I took the gentleman's handout he gave me and headed towards the Salvation Army. Which happened to be close to Chico State University. It was now about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon and the Salvation Army food give a way was not open until 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon. I was tired and all I could think of was to get some sleep. I remember seeing a little park right close to Chico State University. I thought to myself, "If I walk there I can surely take a nap".
That is exactly what I did. I took a nap in the little park. It was still a long walk to the Bidwell Park and I did not want to spend what little funds I had on a bus ride to the park. Here I was again walking. I arrived at the park and found a nice tree to lie under and take a snooze for a while. This park was located right in the middle of downtown Chico, California. It was one square block either way. In the middle of this park was a bandstand area. The sidewalks chis-crossed and met in the center at the bandstand stage area. It was a very nice park. So off to sleep I went for the time being, as far away from my worries as I could go. I woke up awhile later and I was hungry. The thought of going to get some food was on my mind. It was close to 3:00 p.m. now. I gathered my things and headed to the Salvation Army for food. I arrived there after a bit of a walk back towards the direction of the Social Services Department.
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