Exploring America on Foot: A Sluggish Beginning in Oregon (Part 1)

Exploring America on Foot: A Sluggish Beginning in Oregon (Part 1)

In the picturesque town of Seaside, Oregon, a hitchhiker embarked on an unconventional journey, seeking to explore the scenic routes of the Pacific Northwest. The hitchhiker's adventure began on a chilly and overcast day, with the first destination set for Astoria.

On the first day, the hitchhiker walked to the edge of Seaside, where Susan, a medical records auditor from Tacoma, WA, offered a ride. Susan's car was loaded with a bike on the trunk and hula hoops in the back seat, a testament to her passion for active pursuits and creative crafts.

Upon reaching Seaside, Susan treated the hitchhiker to a hearty meal at Norma's Seafood & Steak, renowned for its delicious clam chowder. After lunch, Susan took the hitchhiker to Safeway where he bought breakfast essentials for the journey ahead.

As the journey continued, the hitchhiker used a piece of old cardboard and a road sign to ask for a ride. CJ, a young woman from the area, picked up the hitchhiker in a 1976 Chevy. CJ shared tales of her own hitchhiking experiences and camping trips in the Montana wilderness around Glacier National Park.

The distance from Seaside to Portland is 113 miles, a stretch that the hitchhiker initially planned to cover on foot. However, Scott, a children's author, offered a lift all the way to Beaverton on the outskirts of Portland. Scott and the hitchhiker spent an evening in Beaverton, where Scott bought the hitchhiker hot wings and a few beers at Wingstop.

Scott also shared his life story, which included a few months in prison for causing a bad car accident and a near-death experience at a Pink Floyd concert when his heart failed. In a friendly competition, Scott also defeated the hitchhiker in a video trivia game.

The following day, the hitchhiker continued his journey, eventually catching a ride with Bruce, a recently retired paper-mill worker. Bruce recommended visiting the Astoria Column and the Goonies House in Astoria, adding to the hitchhiker's itinerary.

As the sun set on the first leg of the journey, the hitchhiker reflected on the unique and unconventional means of travel he had chosen, experiencing the beauty of Oregon through the windows of freight trains and the kindness of strangers. The adventure continued, with the hitchhiker looking forward to the exciting destinations and stories that lay ahead.

The hitchhiker, appreciating Susan's active lifestyle as seen in her bike and hula hoops, decided to combine travel and adventure-travel by seeking new routes during his journey. On one ride, he conversed with CJ, who shared her own stories of adventure-travel in Montana's wilderness, sparking his interest in further exploration.

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