Riding With a Trucker

Every time I read the book, I am amazed all over again how our first BIG ride came via a tractor-trailer (ride #3).  For all the hitchhiking I did prior to that, which was fairly considerable but local, that would have been the furthest thing from my mind.  Tractor-trailer drivers seemed to be in a category all their own:  tough, mean, hard, uncompromising.  Not amenable to thumbing. The impression I always had was they didn’t bother with hitchhikers—they were too focused on getting their products to their destination. Or else their company had a “no hitchhikers” policy; or else they couldn't care less.  So to see this giant 18-wheeler stopped along the side of busy Route 22 for us . . . what a rush.  I've heard of some hitchhikers of the time soliticting at truck stops, and hop from truck stop to truck stop, but remember—I had never even HEARD of a truck stop when we started out.  Thank you, Tom Pavallow wherever you are.  He got us 500 miles further west. That’s his real name, by the way.  Never had a reason to change it.