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John Vass | all galleries >> Galleries >> The Family > Looking For a Ride...
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21-SEP-2014

Looking For a Ride...


Me - 1974 - Making a sign.

40 years ago this month, my brother and I got laid off from our jobs at the same time.
We both had been reading “The Hitchhiker's Field Manual “ by Paul Dimaggio
Since we both had the time and a last paycheck, we went hitchhiking.
Looking like you had someplace you needed to be and the signs were
the best tools for attracting good people and getting great rides!
We found ourselves in many interesting situations, both good and bad.
The first time seeing the Grand Canyon which happened
at night during a lightning storm.
Then there was the incident in Barstow with the drunk Biker.....???
Or the crazy guy from New York who drove through the Redwoods at night
who would only slow down to 60 to take a curve....
Then there was the cute girl who was driving a Cadillac Convertible who took
us down Malibu Canyon to the PCH. Her dress and blonde hair blowing in the wind!
I could go into all the details of the great adventure we had.
But you’ll have to wait for the book!



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1moremile06-Sep-2015 01:48
I feel like I missed out on something huge. I love family photos from those days.
Lee G17-Oct-2014 00:42
Thumbing a ride was the way to get there on a budget. My older brother taught me that mode of transportation, much to my mom's dismay. Simpler, more carefree times indeed!
Milan Vogrin24-Sep-2014 22:12
Nice photo!
SLC_Images22-Sep-2014 00:58
cool story and nice old image. glad you survived to tell us about! VT!
Guest 21-Sep-2014 16:40
I never hitch hiked but after Nam I jumped in an old used International 4x4 ( paid for by my back pay) and spent some time alone among the Red Rocks of Utah and Western Colorado. The time was well spent as I managed too get my head screwed on correctly, at least for a while....
caveman_lee21-Sep-2014 12:11
Must be very eventful experience. V
Tom Briggs21-Sep-2014 11:44
Sounds like a great time ...
Pieter Bos21-Sep-2014 10:39
Great story, John! ~V