[at-l] Hitching.

[Bob C." <ellen@xxxxxxxxxx (Bob C.)]

Hitch hiking is illegal in most places in most states, but in my experience the
law is only sporadically enforced, except in places where where pedestrians are
also banned, such as interstate highways.

 Some courts have ruled that a sign, either in the form of a bandanna with words
 or hand printed cardboard, is protected by the free speech provisions of the
 Constitution.

  Logic says a thumb pointed in the direction I'm going is also a form of
  speech, but I didn't test the theory on the trail, by waving my thumb at
  official looking vehicles.

  You learn, or relearn to do many things on the trail. I hadn't hitched in 40
  years, except once or twice when my car broke down. I felt ill at ease doing
  so to get to town while hiking. After a few days it became just the natural
  thing to do.

  Some recommend walking along the road to town until someone stops. I found it
 best to stand at a place where a car could easily get off the road, i.e. places
 with a wide shoulder and easy visibility in all directions. The best technique
 for males, of course, is to team up with a female hiker. I think it may help
 both. I've heard enough stories of false accusations so that I tend to be
 reluctant to pick up a young woman hitchhiking alone.

 Weary