A Glimpse Into Homelessness

The Palisadian-Post Talks with Stone About His Cross-Country Journey

By TRILBY BERESFORD | Reporter

There are countless misconceptions about homeless people, including that they are all drug addicts and alcoholics who come from fractured families, or that they are lazy or unmotivated to create positive change.

In many cases, addiction and tragedy really are the culprits, and those situations require a very specific and careful approach.

But in many other cases, the circumstances are completely different. Allow the Palisadian-Post to introduce Stone.

After 27 years, he retired from teaching political science at a high school in Alabama and decided to embark on an extensive cycling trip.

He left his home and 2015 Ford Ranger in Mobile, and set off with 80 pounds of equipment, including two tents and a portable cooktop, on a bicycle. About a month ago, he turned up in Pacific Palisades. Now, that’s a long bike ride.

The question you are probably asking yourself at this point is: Why?

Stone had worked with the homeless coalition in Alabama and wanted to see what it was actually like to be homeless. “It’s very hard work,” he told the Post.

He camps wherever he can find an uninhabited, comfortable spot to pitch his tent, and works odd jobs along the way, such as house painting.

He said he has met some great people in the most surprising places, including a retired Seattle police officer on route from Washington to San Francisco via bicycle. The man was homeless by choice, just like Stone.

In Chicago, he met an 87-year-old woman who was seeking adventure and solitude in her lifestyle. Relating to one another, the two struck up lively conversations.

“I think a lot about the people I’ve met,” Stone said. He emphasized that he loves to help people if he can and often this involves repairing faulty bike parts. Sometimes it simply means riding alongside a friendly face on the road.

“There are a lot of travelers passing through LA,” he explained, adding that he’s become quick at assessing situations for their level of safety. He knows when to initiate conversation and when to maintain distance.

When the Post inquired about Stone’s family, he described a normal set-up. He has two sons: one is a cattle rancher in Wisconsin, the other a security contractor in Las Vegas. They each have four kids, making Stone a grandfather to eight children.

He FaceTimes them sometimes, but tries not to rely on his phone too much.

Stone shared that he has been on this journey for two years and plans on another year of it. His next stop is a private resort in Arizona called Garth’s Boulder Gardens.
He will also explore Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and the hot springs in Arkansas.

Eventually, Stone wants to ride around Australia on his bike. “I’ll have to be sedated for the flight,” he said with a laugh, explaining that he hates heights.

This is the first piece in a series the Post will run over the next few months sharing the stories of people experiencing homelessness in and around Pacific Palisades.