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[Arizona Ranger]

I'm sure we're ALL tired of $3 and climbing Gas Prices and we long for the days when we could travel freely without spending a fortune or getting harassed by some LEO with a bug up his fat ass !

Recently I remembered that certain Travel Firms offered the budget minded Traveler Alternative Travel Options such as booking passage aboard a Freighter that took passengers. Also working as a Courier has its advantages...One group out of NYC called NOW VOYAGER used to allow you one piece of carry on baggage for clothes and ammentities.... Besides whats wrong with a trip to Sukarta or Montevideo to accompany a cargo of Penguin Eggs ?



And remember Hitchiking ? Boy those were the days when you could stick your thumb out and get a ride down the Pike. Of course you had to deal with the Porkers and half sane drivers but it was fun. One Girl I knew used to hitchike everywhere and was'nt afraid of being raped since she had a Black Belt in Karate and used it on a few devious Males....



Abbie Hoffmans STEAL THIS BOOK gave some great tips on Thumbing a ride and suggested putting a Canadian Flag on your Backpack to pass yourself off as a Canuck. Also having a sign with EAST or WEST on it instead of a certain destination helped....

Or you could try the Woody Guthrie method of riding the Boxcar like a well dressed hobo but since 9-11 thats pretty difficult....

Any other Alternate Travel Tips ?

[velojym]

Back in my single days, when I lived in an apartment in Little Rock, worked about 1.8 miles from there, I rode my bicycle, regardless of the weather. That was actually better, as walking to the secure parking lot, starting my van, and getting out to the street took about as much time as wheeling out the front door and getting to work anyway. Besides, I was able to take the bike into the Coin Vault with me at a Loomis Fargo terminal.
I rode it everywhere else, too. My van collected dust.
Now I'm 'civilized', live across town from work, and I go to school full time, leaving no time to ride. I bought a small pickup, now have those expenses, insanely expensive gas, and an additional 70 lbs hanging about my middle.
*sigh*
I love my wife, but sometimes I miss the old days.

[Roy J. Tellason]

I'm sure we're ALL tired of $3 and climbing Gas Prices and we long for the days when we could travel freely without spending a fortune or getting harassed by some LEO with a bug up his fat ass !

According to what I hear the gas prices are starting to ease off a bit,  now...

The biggest worry I have about traveling by car is those situations where they're gonna *insist* on a search and you can't avoid it,  don't know it's coming,  and can't do a damn thing about it -- don't care to go unarmed these days and don't care to lose what little resources I have buying guns I can't keep not to mention the loss of freedom in that context.

And remember Hitchiking ? Boy those were the days when you could stick your thumb out and get a ride down the Pike. Of course you had to deal with the Porkers and half sane drivers but it was fun. One Girl I knew used to hitchike everywhere and was'nt afraid of being raped since she had a Black Belt in Karate and used it on a few devious Males....

Hell yeah!  That used to be my preferred mode of travel,  back in the late sixties,  up until around 1970 or so.  But I sure wouldn't care to try it too much these days.  My few attempts to do so in the time since then (not lately) have not been real productive,  but then it always was harder in the east,  anyhow.  Having a traveling companion of the female persuarion usually helped a lot,  too.

Or you could try the Woody Guthrie method of riding the Boxcar like a well dressed hobo but since 9-11 thats pretty difficult....

I would think so,  yeah,  though there is a railroad line about a block from here and I have seen some open boxcars going by. The trick to that method is *knowing* places to get both on and off where you're not in the middle of a trainyard and where the train is going slow enough so that you don't end up risking injury.  These days I'd be hard pressed to even think of trying it,  unless I happened to be traveling with somebody who knew it well and could advise me.

[velojym]

I just had this image of TSA shaking down hoboes

[woodtramp]

Actually hitchhiking is still doable.I hitched a little last year in the west,midwest and southwest and it went pretty well.

If anybody were to do it the three things I'd recommend are:

1.A patient,take it as it comes attitude.

2.Comfortable walking shoes.

3.Plenty of drinking water.(Oh man those 100 degree days can be brutal)

[Arizona Ranger]

I also remember the hearty traveller if at a Truck Stop would be guaranteed a ride from a 18 Wheeler Jockey in exchange for picking up the meal tab at the next stop... -_- Truckers usually on a long haul would appreciate the company and someone to watch the rig & cargo whilst they knocked off for a few ZZZ's or layover....



But unfortunately Insurance regulations put an end to that....

One time back in the 30's when my Dad was Hitchiking across this Once Great Land of ours, he took ride from a guy ferrying a Hearse into Tulsa, OK....Guess where they slept ?

[velojym]

Not a 'stop' so much as a more careful way of pickin' and choosing riders. One of the things that
kept us from stopping for folks was the increased worry about some of the violence visited upon some drivers. Not only that, but we were legally pretty much unable to carry our guns with us, crossing so many state lines and all (not that it matters to some, and my hat's off to 'em).
I got careless once in North Carolina, picked up a guy to take him across town since I was headed that way anyway, and at a stoplight he grabbed my wallet (couldn't sit on it all day, and didn't think to remove it from the console) and ran.
Had my .357 with me, but being an otherwise responsible sort, I took the loss rather than pose a danger to bystanders, not to mention the obvious legal problems.
I've had a couple of decent passengers, as well, but this blew it for me.

[Arizona Ranger]

Sorry to hear that velojym. I got stuck in Western PA and asked the Waitress at a Truck Stop where I could catch a ride since I only had $20 in my pocket.

She fixed me up with a Trucker going to Philly who took me aboard and I treated him to a Mickey Dees meal along the way. He was from place near Whitefish, MT and talked about the great country out there and the great fishing to be had...

He dropped me off near the NJ-PA border and I then grabbed a Bus taking a long haul from New Hope, PA to Newark Airport....

Even with a few $$$ left in my wallet, It was one great adventure and I'd do it again !

[velojym]

 Yeah, it's kind of a shame, cuz a little conversation goes a long way behind the wheel.
The CB helped sometimes, but I usually just turned it off when I couldn't take the ignorant crap.

[Arizona Ranger]

Hippie Vans were the best bet for Hitchers !!!

[henshawe]

G' Day All,

Am seriously considering selling my truck and camper sometime between now and this spring, using the proceeds to by a Harley, probably a Fat Boy or a 'Dresser, if I can find one at a reasonable price. With a bike the fuel prices wouldn't hurt so much and the view of the country side is unsurpassed! Besides many ladies find a bike and it's rider veeeerrrry interesting. 

Regards,

Americus

[giddytrace]

An option if you are in or near a college town around certain times of the year (holidays, spring break) is to see if you can find a ride-sharing board. I went to a university in the Northeast that had one of these and it was full of people looking for rides and/or passengers around those times of year. From what I understand, some schools got rid of these in the 1970s because they were used by criminal predators to find victims, so in those schools you are often better off looking around to see if anyone has put up flyers for someone looking to split gas and tolls.

I understand this is not effective most of the year, but it does give you an option if you are looking to get to a major city during the busy holiday travel season. Key thing is to look like a typical college student or if that isn't a possibility, cook up a story about being a grad student. Just make sure that whatever you claim to be majoring in is offered by the school .  -_-

[velojym]

That reminds me, there is also a ride share network of sorts at airports. A solo pilot heading somewhere is fairly likely to appreciate help with fuel expenses. I sometimes see posts on the bulletin board in the general aviation terminal offering a ride for a share of fuel, or folks looking for a ride.

[Roy J. Tellason]

Hippie Vans were the best bet for Hitchers !!!

Dang,  I didn't know anybody wuz takin' pitchers...

I'm stuck in the middle,  there,  not quite visible.  But yeah,  been there and done that one!  And there were some really insane times,  too...

[Malaclypse]

G' Day All,

Am seriously considering selling my truck and camper sometime between now and this spring, using the proceeds to by a Harley, probably a Fat Boy or a 'Dresser, if I can find one at a reasonable price. With a bike the fuel prices wouldn't hurt so much and the view of the country side is unsurpassed! Besides many ladies find a bike and it's rider veeeerrrry interesting. 

Regards,

Americus

It's the only way to travel, Americus!  My wife and I have matching 1997 Honda VLX's 600cc and they are our primary transportation whenever it isn't raining or snowing.     60 miles to the gallon most days and with a set of saddlebags, a tent and a bucket on the back for the dog, we can take off for the weekend and have a blast.  I'm looking into diesel bikes next for when TSHTF so I can make my own fuel.  There's also plans on the web for homemade heated clothing that is very inexpensive and really works!

Live Free or Die Trying!

Malaclypse