REAL TRIPS SECTION Real Travel -Joe Robinson The Hitchhiker’s Guide To Humanity -Cindy Ovenrack Dream Vacations -Andy Steiner (print only) Thailand On 500 Baht A Day -Decca Aitkenhead Please Stay Home -Karen Olson Let’s Go—Podunk -Jon Spayde Rough Guide To Your Own Backyard -Chris Dodge (print only) I Disagreed -Christopher Reid (print only) Globetrotter Dogma -Bruce Northam Road Reads Utne Staff Discuss Travel in Café Utne's: cafe.utne.com

I am a little afraid of people these days. Of people being intolerant and not knowing how to work with other folks without compromising their own politics. I ran away a few weeks ago, hit the freeway in Portland, Oregon, with my dog, my backpack, a pair of shorts, two hats, dog food, and my taxes, which I never bothered to do. The guy who picked me up was coming from Alaska, heading back to Texas. His best friend had just died and his dog was dying too.

We got to be really good friends in two days of traveling, and his dog started to get better and play with my dog, and the whole thing was just what I needed. Some stranger buying me breakfast because I didn’t have any money and listening to my stories about my friendswanting to kill my other friends and all that and not thinking I’m totally crazy. I’m not sure how to tell you exactly. It was encouraging. Especially since the last time I hitched, this gross man was trying to feel me up the whole time.