Like, seriously, I was Army Infantry for 4 and a half years, and I would only do this if it was important, not just for the adventure or whatever. The experience of hitchhiking, or being on the street, or whatever else, shit situation-wise sounds grand, but once you experience it, it's no fun.

Dalguno

United States2446 Posts

July 02 2011 00:32 GMT

No money? What? Are you just gonna mooch or pull a My Side of the Mountain or what?

Maero

349 Posts

July 02 2011 00:41 GMT

On July 02 2011 09:32 Dalguno wrote:
No money? What? Are you just gonna mooch or pull a My Side of the Mountain or what?

Oh my god, I'd forgotten all about this book. And the sequel! I'm going to have to buy them again since I don't remember them at all from my formative years (there was an eagle or hawk or something? that's about it).

As for the hitchhiking thing, most college age kids get the urge to go Kerouac'ing at some point in their lives. It's really not as glamorous as it sounds though, in my opinion (which doesn't mean much, since I've never tried it myself - just heard from people who have).

Enervate

United States1769 Posts

July 02 2011 01:01 GMT

Sounds awesome man. Have fun. Oh and be careful too.

Rotodyne

United States2263 Posts

July 02 2011 01:06 GMT

Unfortunately the media has taught us our fellow Americans are all serial killers and rapists, so you might have trouble with this + they made it illegal in many places.

EsX_Raptor

United States2802 Posts

July 02 2011 01:39 GMT

Try it near a jail.

REDBLUEGREEN

Germany1904 Posts

July 02 2011 01:48 GMT

#10

Is this shit actually enforced if you don't make a mess of the place or an illegal bonfire? I can't imagine it getting enforced if you are not on private property of some redneck but no idea how cool US cops will be. You could camp with the illegal immigrants they probably know places where cops don't look and can tell good stories if you are not afraid of them.

JingleHell

United States11308 Posts

July 02 2011 01:52 GMT

#11

On July 02 2011 10:48 REDBLUEGREEN wrote:
Is this shit actually enforced if you don't make a mess of the place or an illegal bonfire? I can't imagine it getting enforced if you are not on private property of some redneck but no idea how cool US cops will be. You could camp with the illegal immigrants they probably know places where cops don't look and can tell good stories if you are not afraid of them.

It's illegal to try and scare people into not picking people up, in hopes it makes the load on the system lighter, I think.

No clue as to enforcement, but it's still not something I'd consider "fun".

igotmyown

United States4291 Posts

July 02 2011 02:15 GMT

#12

It's not fun if you like having a well organized life. If your idea of a vacation is going on a pre-planned trip with a tourist group, or to a resort, hitchhiking is not for you.

There can be a lot of waiting involved. You have to be amenable to the fact that you could be stuck somewhere for an indefinite amount of time, without any way of getting out. That's not to say that you'll be stuck somewhere for weeks, but if that mindset disturbs you, then don't do it.

I wouldn't do it as a "challenge" or abide by somebody else's rules. I guarantee that people's values for doing a cool thing is greatly outweighed by living a lifestyle they don't enjoy.

People who say it's dangerous are usually people who've only read about it. Here's the thing, if you see some really sketchy person, don't go with them. And if you're not going alone, then you'll be fine.

Finally, you usually won't sit on the road with your thumbs sticking out. Maybe after you ate somewhere, while leaving you meet someone who's driving to Vegas, and they're cool with bringing you along that far.

Edit: and if you've never done it before, maybe you should experiment with it first? Having a 3 week timetable, being inexperienced, pretty sure the average person might panic when they realize they've been hungry for awhile and deliberately didn't bring any cash, and have been stranded for a day in the middle of nowhere.

GhostKorean

United States2330 Posts

July 02 2011 02:29 GMT

#13

Whats your goal? Do you have a specific destination in mind? Also please take a camera and take pictures

ClysmiC

United States2192 Posts

July 02 2011 02:31 GMT

#14

Dude that sounds so much fun. Kinda scary though D:

micronesia

United States24745 Posts

July 02 2011 02:32 GMT

#15

I can't for the life of me understand why someone would want to do this. I hope you change your mind. There are many thing you could do that you would ultimately enjoy much more... I think you will regret this.

floor exercise

Canada5847 Posts

July 02 2011 03:13 GMT

#16

Seems like a really bad idea, especially in the US (and NA in general) where hitch hiking is not something people do except out of extreme necessity. It just seems really dangerous and stupid to do. It's like choosing to live on the street for 3 weeks. You could do it, but why in the hell would you? Go backpacking, or hike the Appalachian trail or some shit.

Orome

Switzerland11984 Posts

July 02 2011 03:16 GMT

#17

On July 02 2011 11:32 micronesia wrote:
I can't for the life of me understand why someone would want to do this. I hope you change your mind. There are many thing you could do that you would ultimately enjoy much more... I think you will regret this.

Why not, It can be an incredible experience. When you're travelling, the coolest things often happen when you don't have a plan and allow the possibility of things going wrong. I don't know how things are in the US, but in Europe, hitchhiking is a great alternative to more traditional forms of travelling. And seriously guys, I know several petite and pretty girls that go hitchhiking alone. Rapists aren't lurking around every corner.

FragKrag

United States11554 Posts

July 02 2011 03:22 GMT

#18

It just seems questionable that you aren't bringing any money. I would at least bring $100 or so to tide me over if I couldn't find anything to eat.

That said, I'd much rather backpack up Mt Whitney or something. Sounds a lot more fun and rewarding to me considering how unfriendly NA is to hitchhiking.

PanN

United States2828 Posts

July 02 2011 03:24 GMT

#19

On July 02 2011 12:22 FragKrag wrote:
It just seems questionable that you aren't bringing any money. I would at least bring $100 or so to tide me over if I couldn't find anything to eat.

That said, I'd much rather backpack up Mt Whitney or something. Sounds a lot more fun and rewarding to me considering how unfriendly NA is to hitchhiking.

This exactly. You might have the time of your life, but it'll suck if you do when you're hungry.