62
to get you from point A to point B, that
doesn’t seem too bad but you have
to know Clay to really understand the
stamina for adventure he has. He regards
his whole week on the road as “one big
adventure.”
The Self-diSCovery
During his adventure Clay proved to
himself that he could survive. He could
sell himself to enough strangers to rely
on free rides through three states and
another country. “Not many thought I
could do it, but I proved them wrong.
Also, it renewed my faith in people. The
fact that I put my utmost trust and faith
in complete strangers was a pretty big
step and it is not done much nowadays
but I never had a problem and complete
strangers helped me get all the way
down here.
This traveler’s journey didn’t end in
Eugene, Oregon. After spending 2 weeks
with a friend, he’s on the road again,
hitch-hiking all the way to California. The
season is turning from spring to summer
so the nights are warmer. That helps
when you’re hoofing it down the freeway
pavement at 2am. “It’s just like one big
vacation for me and I’m tempted to just
keep on going all over the country.” So, if
a below 0 degree F sleeping bag and [was] on food and road maps and $20 you see a clean-cut guy with a gorgeous
he would find a secluded spot off of the for one of my rides. The guy didn’t have smile, pull over. He might be going your
highway to camp for the night. enough money for gas.” Clay had to way and he has some great stories to
For food, Clay spent money on pitch in and that was a bummer for him. share.
loaves of bread, peanut butter and For the most part, though, he didn’t have
canned goods. He said he always had any problems.
The Journey
a backup meal in his pack but usually His lowest point actually had nothing
Want to try hitch-hiking? First make
those who offered him a ride also to do with hitch-hiking. One of his friends
sure it’s legal where you would like to
extended an offer of food and water. who he was supposed to meet up with
travel. Then, take Clay’s advice:
When stuck on the highway miles from in Spokane, Washington, many miles off
•
Look the driver in the eyes when he
the nearest convenience store, Clay the route to his final destination, let him
pulls over.
made do with what he had or felt his down. “I was supposed to meet up with
•
Always stand. Drivers will not stop if
stomach rumbling in hunger while a friend but she had a family emergency
you are sitting down.
falling asleep. so she couldn’t meet up with me. So, I
•
Try to be on the outside of town on a
had gone all the way across Washington
road with a slower speed limit.
The CoST
for nothing. I had to re-plan a way back
•
Hitch-hike on roads where there is
I couldn’t believe it when Clay said he
across and down to Oregon. I was pretty
plenty of room for cars to pull off.
spent only $75 to get all the way from
bummed when I found that out and it
•
Look presentable so the driver thinks
the state of Alasksa, through part of
tacked on at least another full day of
it is safe to pick you up.
Canada and down through 2 states.
hitching.”
Wonder what he spent it on? “Most
For relying on complete strangers
avantoure
|
adrenaline rainbow
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