Peter and the Wolf Ride America: Couch Chase(rs)

Chase: “Ask Wolf how many hairs there are on a white cat.”

These were Chase’s last words to us as we backed Black Sally out of the man’s junk riddled driveway. Wolf didn’t know what Chase was talking about and neither did I, but we could sense he meant it with all his heart.

On our way across South Dakota, Wolf and I set up an account on couchsurfing.org, which is a way for travelers like us to stay with hosts around the country for free. We needed a place to stay in Omaha and contacted Ananth, who worked at a coop bicycle shop and was a throwback character similar to those found in Portland and Eugene. Like us, he was in his mid 20s and enjoyed a nice craft beer.

We arrived at his place late Wednesday night after the College World Series game and were a little unsure what to expect. Knowing his affixation of craft beers, we purchased a six-pack of Goose Island IPA at Walgreens in hopes of breaking the bread. He greeted us with open arms and a beer already in hand.

Ananth has lived and travelled all over the world and has been to Oregon several times. He was born in England and lived in India, which is his heritage. He is planning on living in Oregon in the winter and work on a farm. Hopefully he can make it up to Eugene for a visit.

Seemingly out of nowhere another man walked into the room. He was in his late 30s and wore an unkempt outfit with rolled up white washed jeans and a small t-shirt. His biceps filled out of his shirt (he says its from biking). The Coors Light in his hands complimented his long, greasy blonde hair. A self-described “dumpster diver,” Chase talked up his usable lamps that someone had thrown out and recycled long skateboard. Chase’s presence surrounded us. A large headboard to someone’s former bed rested in the corner next to a bucket of golf shafts missing their clubheads.

After settling in with our hosts, Ananth suggested we visit a few bars down the road located in central Omaha. Chase asked if they’d let him in without shoes. He later said that he wanted to get a tattoo of untied shoelaces on his feet.

The bars had a lot of different beers on tap and we treated our guests to some nice IPA’s even though Chase said he only drank Coors Light. They introduced us to a lot of great folks who lived in Iowa including Belvis who rode his bike across Iowa, Charlie who was a staple of the Omaha music scene and Tanya, who recently moved from Aruba.

We made our way back to the house for a late night music session on the roof and had some great long conversations. Chase was a musical phenom and Ananth has a future in politics. After saying good night to Chase, we walked back inside the house. He said, “I think I’m just going to do this one under the stars.”

In the morning, Chase woke us up to some banana pancakes with strawberry jelly on top. He called them undercooked and terrible but I assure you Chase, if you read this, the pancakes were great and we appreciate the hospitality. What we really needed was some coffee. The four of us headed downtown, passing 3 coffee shops along the way and a fifteen-foot statue of the unbelievably average golfer Fred Funk. On the walk back, Chase found a rare, beaten up small wooden table next to a torn grey couch on the side of the road. With a quick swoop and a flex of the guns, Chase carried it back. Perfect nightstand. Ananth and Chase both gave us unique shot glasses and we gave them a rock we found at Glacier National that looked like a duck.