Rules of Thumb: Tales from the Road

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 24 January 2015 - 8:12am

“This is a good spot,” I said to Lauren. The long, straight road that stretched out before us was lined by trees but still had plenty of space either side for vehicles to pull over and stop. A steady succession of vehicles crawled along the road through the still air. Bumper to bumper festival-goers all on their way home.

Hitchhiking: Blazing the Path of Life

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 24 February 2014 - 12:48pm

“I was discontent . . . ,” he states. “. . . [S]o I just threw in the towel and took off.” For a South San Franciscan city boy, this was a monumental decision. Leaving behind his hard-won position as a color-tester at DuPont Paint, he partnered up with a fellow San Franciscan named Ed, purchased some hiking boots, and set out for New York.

One Day I Will Go To Malmo

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 2 May 2011 - 12:56pm

“I usually don’t pick up hitchhikers. But you don’t look like the usual hippie… “

The 40-something man opens the door of the fancy car he drives to make an impression on his clients.
I’m in. comfortably sitting in the rear, with my shoulders finally relying on something smoother than a rock.

Hitching to Zion

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 20 September 2010 - 6:29am

I sat in the back of the speeding pickup surveying the desert in the direction the other hitchhiker was pointing. “There’s water in those mountains,” he said.

I wasn’t so sure. There wasn’t anything green as far as I could see. The truck was approaching a gas station where the guy wanted to be left off.

“You see this green part on the map? That means there’s water out there.”

Trains and Snow

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 19 June 2010 - 2:19pm

December 14th. I spent the day today on the train, another stupid decision that weighs on my morals and will further reduce the time I spend with the people I love.

Going to the North of Chile

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 27 April 2010 - 11:09pm

I understand that South America may not be the first destination that comes to mind for many travelers. Often, people eagerly share their European or American adventures, and some even mistakenly view the USA as the entire continent. However, I'm here to enlighten you. South America is a treasure trove of breathtaking landscapes, lush rainforests, diverse wildlife (yes, even presidents!), and an array of climates that defy easy enumeration.

It's nearly impossible to capture the full scope of what this beautiful continent has to offer in a single passage.

Am I Brave Enough?

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 16 March 2010 - 7:10am

My thumb was up but my knees were shaking in anticipation of what could possibly happen. It was exciting, like a first date with a girl who I admired for a long time. Today was my first time long distance hitchhiking.

Ten Different Captains

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 10 February 2010 - 3:20pm

In 1989/90 I sailed across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles to Sydney. Hitching on sailboats is easier than it sounds. I took 10 different boats, mostly on the west coast of the Americas.

The Importance of Border Stamps

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 7 December 2009 - 8:05pm

Still filled with happiness in our hearts from the last ride, we walk up to the Ukrainian border guard. Hmmm, we could have known better. We give him our passports and as he flicks through them he says: "Where is your arrival stamp for the Ukraine?"

"We didn't get one", I answered.
"Impossible", was his simple reply.

Random Acts of Trust

Submitted by Anonymous Hitchhiker on 4 November 2009 - 1:54pm

The sun was going down somewhere behind the rain clouds and we weren't even halfway to our destination. After a series of rides off the beaten path from Amsterdam to Northern Germany, my partner and I ended up in a "not-so-good" place, where nobody seemed to be going anywhere that was even remotely relevant to us.

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