Hitch Hiking
by car journey across the USA at year's end 1970/71
from Indiana to Washington State and back again


hitchhiking near Muncie

The Way There
  1. This is Mark

    Mark O. drives me from Pendleton, Indiana, to Route 80 // 9:45AM Saturday
  2. Route 80 to Indy by a couple who have a kid at Prudue
  3. Indy to Kansas City by 2 freaks on a honeymoon from Connecticut.
  4. Kansas City on I-80 only 2 exits by 4 high-school kids goin to a Kansas State basketball game.
  5. Two more exits on I-80 by a guy with a GTO. His back tires were falling apart. Paid $180 for them
  6. Three more exits by a guy in service (base is near by) I was hitching with 2 guys from Detroit going to Colorado.
  7. One exit by guy in VW. Had one swig of whiskey
  8. About 200 miles in VW van. I slept a little. Got off in Oakley, Kansas about 3 AM
  9. From Oakley Kansas to Welles Nevada about 1100 miles. 23 hours. With Jack and Betty. they visited a sick brother in St. Louis. Left me off in Welles because roads were too bad to Reno. I have their address. -- Passed through Denver at 10 AM Sunday.
  10. From Welles to Sacramento. Guy driving in VW van was a hitchhiker. Couple sleeping in back. I slept in back several hours. Was slow; lots of ice and snow.
  11. From I-80 in Sacramento off exit 100 yards. Some one felt sorry for me.
  12. Two hours in Sacramento to 11 AM. From 1-5 in Sacramento to Albany exit in Oregon. 8 Hours. Berkeley student. Said he was wanted for murder in California. Far out!
  13. Got stopped by cop; hitchhiking is illegal in Oregon !!?? Got picked up by hit couple to Vancouver, Washington
  14. from Vancouver to Longview, one block from home // 9:30 PM Tuesday // 62 hours



Don Zelen said he'd pay for a plane ticket back, if I cut my long hair. HA!

The Way Back
  1. Brother Jack drives me From Longview to Portland
  2. Two exits by a kid in a pickup. Needs me as a side view mirror.
  3. Three exits by farmer in truck
  4. Long wait, then picked up by guy in beatup Chevy '61, about 150 miles
  5. to Redding, California, by a wierd guy going to the Rose Bowl. About 6 hours
  6. from Redding to San Francisco exit by middle classer, specialty in artificial ensemination. My best argument, on all subjects. WWII vet but anti-Nixon. Talked a lot. Off at 11PM.
  7. To Davis, CA, by Davis student -- short ride
  8. Picked up by Davis cop (wife from Kokomo) nice, said I couldn't hitchhike on I-80. Drove me one exit.
  9. With a guy from Auburn who drove to Auburn
  10. Was in Auburn 4 hours in cold. cold! Got picked up by a trucker. I spaced and dozed to Reno where I was let out. Walked through Reno and Sparks. Made a new sign. I lost my original in Redding
  11. From Sparks to Salt Lake City by student from Brigham Young. About 8 hours
  12. Through Salt Lake City about 5 mile to city limits. 5 PM Wednesday by commuter
  13. About 20 miles by guy in VW going home
  14. To Wyoming by guy from Georgia on vacation in '71 Pinto. Would have taken me further but had to crash. Long wait in Wyoming / 5 hours. City cop said if state cop would find me it would be $150 and 10 days!! I was cold and shook up.
  15. Finally got picked up by trucker who slammed on brakes. He said I was crazy to out in the snow. 19 hours to Council Bluffs, Iowa. I spent New Year's moment in Council Bluffs with my thumb out. I know cause I heard the fire works in the distance.
  16. Drunk guy drove me through town a few miles.
  17. To Des Moines by guy driving about 120 MPH. Slept most of way.
  18. By trucker on exit. Drove me a few miles because he thought I was cold and needy
  19. Man drove me another few miles to interstate
  20. To I-80 again and by Des Moines about 30 miles
  21. Black dude to Iowa City. I drove his GTO the last 30 miles. Was an entertainer and really tired.
  22. Trucker to Moline. Made abrupt stop at exit and cop was behind him. Gave him ticket and me awarning ticket. Drove me to Ill Rt 9 (no interstate)
  23. Got ride about 10 miles to some small city and waited on entrance to I-80 for a few hours.
  24. Guy going to Detroit took me to Rt 41 and I-80. He got a speeding ticket.
  25. Got ride to downtown Musnster. Guy congratulated me on trek.
  26. Another 2 or 3 mile ride to Hammond by 4 PM
  27. Jeanne Grinstead (by pure coincidence) took me to White Castle. I looked up to Mr. Erikson's apartment window and saw the light on and visited him.


followed by cats