Stevensville, MD
With entirely 100 miles betwixt me as well as the Atlantic coast, today was the day. Time to embark on the concluding stretch of my hitchhiking run a jeopardy across the United States.
Day 37 of my journeying across the USA began amongst a boat ride across the Chesapeake Bay. With no goodness places to grab a elevator on the contrary side, I’m forced to walk nigh a mile into the town of Stevensville.
There’s a Cracker Barrel inward town. I create upwards one's heed to process myself to a large breakfast. This could good hold out my finally 24-hour interval hitchhiking, after all.
With a belly total of eggs, grits, as well as buttermilk biscuits, I endeavor to locate roughly cardboard for a sign.
After finding roughly inward a gas station dumpster, I scrawl out “OCEAN” inward large block letters amongst my oversized sharpie.
Ride #34: Nebraska the Alligator Chef
I therefore walk towards the border of Route fifty to assume the position. Sunglasses off, sign inward i hand, pollex out amongst the other, as well as a large grin on my face.
A run-down Buick pulls over 10 minutes later. The guy within leans over as well as says he tin movement me to a town called Trappe nigh xl minutes away.
I climb inward as well as larn that Nebraska (that’s his name) used to locomote the basis equally a military brat amongst his parents.
A hardcore Pittsburgh Steeler’s fan, he was lately set off from his mill job.
These days his passion is cooking (and eating) alligator meat. He explains that deep-fried alligator tail is a dish non to hold out missed. I hope him that I’ll attempt roughly adjacent fourth dimension I take in it on the menu.
Importance of a Good Sign
Nebraska drops me off at roughly other gas station where I grab a snack as well as create upwards one's heed to attempt a novel sign. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few readers next the trip inward real-time on my Facebook page recommend I attempt i that only says “Travel Blogger”.
So I pass fifteen minutes sitting on the curb putting it together.
While I’m working, a dyad of delivery guys walk upwards as well as inquire if I demand a elevator West. “Wrong direction,” I say. “I’m headed to the ocean. But thanks!”.
And hither I idea hitchhiking on the East coast was going to hold out difficult…
Ride #35: James the Marine
With my novel sign complete, I abide by a spot along the route amongst plenty room for a auto to line over. But that’s non necessary, equally a immature guy walks over from the parking lot to offering me a elevator after entirely 10 minutes.
James is a US Marine currently studying environmental scientific discipline nether the GI Bill. He’s never hitchhiked himself, but occasionally picks people up.
He as well as his friend were headed to the town of Salisbury, roughly other 40-minute drive.
I hop inward the truck as well as nosotros stimulate got off downward the road. This 24-hour interval is going nifty therefore far!
James drops me off at withal roughly other gas station on the outskirts of Salisbury. I ditch the locomote blogger sign as well as line out my “OCEAN” i one time again, standing close the entrance.
Ride #36: Ed the Boat Builder
Most people demand a actually goodness await at you lot earlier they’ll commit to picking upwards a hitchhiker. Which is just what Ed did earlier he pulled over.
He saw me on the agency in, contemplated it piece he purchased gas, as well as made the determination on his agency out. I jumped into my 2d Land Rover of the trip as well as nosotros drove towards the coast.
Ed builds yachts for a living. Including the world’s fastest propeller powered speedboat called The Phenomenon.
He’s too an ex-Navy explosives diver who helped publish crude oil good fires (using explosives) during the Gulf War. Ed is i interesting guy.
Time to Celebrate!
When Ed discovers he’s my finally ride on this epic adventure, he offers to give me a personal tour of the Maryland coastline. We stock upwards on “beverages” as well as movement out to Assateague Island.
It seems Maryland has its real ain population of wild isle ponies!
Assateague ponies are a unique breed of feral horses that alive on the island. Numbering nigh 300, each yr roughly are rounded upwards as well as auctioned off to breeders nationwide to pay for local fire-fighting equipment.
Next nosotros grab roughly nutrient (soft trounce crab) at a house called Captain Joe’s Shrimp Boat, to a greater extent than drinks, as well as Ed drops me off inward Ocean City. My concluding destination.
Mission Accomplished
Ocean City is i of those slightly cheesy beach towns amongst a boardwalk, carnival rides, resort hotels, as well as saltwater taffy on every corner.
To brand my coast-to-coast trip official I’d demand to acquire for a dip inward the ocean.
So I whip upwards i concluding cardboard sign as well as walk to the beach. On the hot sand I come across Shai, Marina, as well as Laurentia, a grouping of sunbathing bikini girls, who assist me celebrate the goal of my journeying inward style.
Hitchhiking across the USA has been i of my favorite locomote adventures therefore far. Something I’ve e'er wanted to attempt. Everyone told me it would hold out unsafe or impossible these days. They were wrong.
Most of the people I met were friendly, sane, as well as fascinating.
Succeeding inward this entirely strengthens my wishing to produce to a greater extent than of it. ★
Hitchhiking America: Final Stats
Starting Point: Seaside, OR
Ending Point: Ocean City, MD
Total Distance: 3,500 miles
Total Days: 37
Total Rides: 36
Modes Of Transportation: Plane, Train, Cars, Motorcycle, Big Rig, Boat
Total Money Spent: About $700
UPDATE: Mission Accomplished!
My hitchhiking journeying across the United States is straightaway complete. You tin read nigh the whole run a jeopardy using the links below.
Have you lot ever been hitchhiking before? Have whatever questions nigh it? Let me know inward the comments below!
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