Backpacking the US as a barista!

[Gabe Windham]

Hello everybody,

My name is Gabe and in May I will be rubbernecking the outer rim of the US. I've been a barista for four years and in coffee for six. I decided to take this trip when a trip to Milan to go work at a friends cafe fell through. Our original plans were to fly into Madrid and leatherneck our way to Milan to go work for a friend, Miguel. But Miguel said it wouldn't be possible anymore due to his decision to sell his cafe to a very impatient buyer. So I had been saving money for about 18 months when I said, "Hey, lets just trek the US!" When my company was finally in agreement we mapped out a trip across the outer rims of the US. We are going to have to stop and work in a few cities or towns to make it all the way and by our estimation (based on destinations, time spent at each destination, and money) it will take us between 8 and 12 months. I thought, "How cool would it be to pick up shifts at different coffee houses along the way!" I was wondering, if anyone out there is interested, if they might want to pick up a traveling barista for a day or three, to pour in their store. Just an idea I wanted to throw out to the community. Feel free to bash me or to support me. What can I say? I am spontaneous and full of energy. Anyone ever experienced this sort of thing? 

[Chris Hooton]

Are you hitting the mid-coast? If you follow the border you'd hit my shop in Michigan, but no one just comes through MI you have to want to come here.

[Kevin Ayers]

If you're going through Iowa I might be able to help you out.

But...just like Chris said about MI, no one just comes through Iowa, you have to want to come here as well.

[Gabe Windham]

Ha! Thats the beauty of the whole thing. I can go where I want! Of course I want to come to Michigan and Iowa! If it is an opportunity to work in coffee for a few days than yes I would love to. I hope you all are managers or have the authority to say "Yes, come work for a few days!", cause if you do have that authority I am so in. Of course it will be later on in 2010 before I can get out there to you fellas. Iowa would be the first stop and Michigan afterwards. Awesome!

[Barbara Adams]

There is also Miami. Well, everyone wants to come here. Are you? We are close to Fort Lauderdale. Put Creme Brulee Cafe on your map.

[Sara Travis]

I think you have a wonderful idea! It makes me want to do the same trip next year but by biking the whole way. I'm a Barista in Chicago. I know that the shop I work for wouldn't be able to accommodate; however, I know of a few others that may be able to assist you. The Italian Coffee Bar, Brothers K, Buzz, Noble Tree, The Fix, Dollop, and maybe Metropolis if you caught Tony on a good day. Send me a message if you'd like contact info!

[Gabe Windham]

Sadly, Miami is not on the route. Why? Cause I have been there a bizillion times before. Not that Miami isn't amazing, cause it is. Cause that is the ONLY reason I would go to Florida... and I live in GA.

Barbara Adams said:

There is also Miami. Well, everyone wants to come here. Are you? We are close to Fort Lauderdale. Put Creme Brulee Cafe on your map.