Sign-In
Cart
Never Turn Down a Ride: 10,000 Miles, 56 days, 20 dollars
Paperback
Adventurers & ExplorersTravel General
Publisher Price: $16.95
ISBN13: 9781685266608
Publisher: Covenant Books
Published: Mar 9 2023
Pages: 166
Weight: 0.55
Height: 0.38 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
In the tradition of Jack Kerouac's On the Road and set during the intersection of the radical '60s and the mellow '70s, ride along with a recent UVA grad as he hitchhikes cross-country and back with only $20 in his pocket and meets colorful characters from Kansas City to Haight-Ashbury, with detours including a harrowing escape from a Tijuana jail.
With the Vietnam War raging and the race riots waning, young Preston took off to travel the country to prove to himself and the world that he could make it in a world that was still not at peace with itself. The risk of being mistaken as a draft dodger or hippie and mistreated as in Easy Rider loomed in the back of his mind even though he not only did not look the part but was totally opposed to their ideas. This added political risk to the usual dangers of thugs and criminals that hound anyone traveling alone and in unsavory places due to lack of funds to pay for safer accommodations.
This story is about a twenty-one-year-old college graduate who had dreamed since childhood about one day seeing the USA. During his years at UVA, his interest was piqued after hearing stories from two older fraternity brothers. They had apparently driven to California, found work, and returned home at the end of the summer. They were rich by his standards since they had saved four times the amount of money that he could even make for the same work in Virginia.
After much thought, he decided that hitchhiking would be the only way to accomplish the mission. He looked for two years for a friend that would go with him but without success. Finally he realized that, if he were to go at all, he would have to go alone. Much soul-searching went into making the decision, but finally he decided that he could actually do it alone. Now his whole perspective changed. The trip would no longer be just about making money and sightseeing. It would be about sightseeing, adventure, challenge, and survival!
To ensure that it would be what he wanted, he placed two restrictions upon himself. The first was to accept every ride offered to him. If he let the looks of the driver or the type or condition of the vehicle keep him from taking that ride, he might miss the greatest adventure of his life. That would completely defeat the purpose. In order to guarantee that he would have to be resourceful, he would limit the amount of money that he took with him to $20.
As he moved about the country, he faced many challenges, including unsavory people, lack of money, and lack of safe overnight accommodations. In every instance, he adjusted to the situation, adapted, and overcame the particular problem. He returned home fifty-six days later with $14, having traveled ten thousand miles just in time to begin dental school. He is now a changed person. He firmly believes there is nothing he can't do.
Accounts of particular problems he faced and the solutions he rendered represent the bulk of the text. This is a true account of some of the events of his life. The maps within the text are copies of the original maps that he used in 1969.
Also from
Burns, G. Preston, Jr.
Leadership Under Fire: A Ranking of the Performance of the Presidents with Respect to the Principles Presented in the Declaration of Independence and
Burns, G. Preston, Jr.
Hardcover
Leadership Under Fire: A Ranking of the Performance of the Presidents with Respect to the Principles Presented in the Declaration of Independence and
Burns, G. Preston, Jr.
Paperback
Also in
Travel General
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Dylan Thuras
Joshua Foer
Ella Morton
Hardcover
Neon Lights in Tokyo: An Insider's Guide to the Best Places to Eat, Drink and Explore
Groundwater, Ben
Paperback
The Poetics of Distortion: Panoramic Photographs of the San Francisco Bay Area
Schiff, Thomas R.
Hardcover
The Impossible Road Trip: An Unforgettable Journey to Past and Present Roadside Attractions in All 50 States
Dregni, Eric
Hardcover
Moon Florence & Beyond: Day Trips, Local Spots, Strategies to Avoid Crowds
Cohen, Alexei J.
Paperback
National Parks USA: Shores, Mountains, Wetlands, and Prairies: America's Newest Parks
Publications International Ltd
Hardcover
Weird Minnesota: Your Travel Guide to Minnesota's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets
Dregni, Eric
Hardcover
Lake Minnetonka
Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
Wayzata Historical Society
Westonka Historical Society
Paperback
111 Places in New Orleans That You Must Not Miss: Revised and Updated
Murphy, Michael
Asher, Sally
Paperback
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
Fedarko, Kevin
Paperback
Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks
Lomax, Becky
Paperback
Big Fan: Two Friends, 82,490 Miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love
Posnanski, Joe
Schur, Michael
Hardcover
National Geographic Road Atlas 2027: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]
National Geographic Maps
Other
Mysteries of the National Parks: 35 Stories of Baffling Disappearances, Unexplained Phenomena, and More
Bezemek, Mike
Paperback
National Geographic Ultimate Guide to the National Parks: A Complete Tour of All 63 U.S. Parks
National Geographic
Paperback
Fodor's Pacific Northwest: With Portland, Seattle, Vancouver & the Best Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
Fedarko, Kevin
Hardcover
The Lesbian Bar Chronicles: The Living History and Hopeful Future of America's Dyke Dives and Sapphic Spaces
Karp, Rachel
Hardcover
Lonely Planet Canada: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and More
Bain, Jennifer
Balsam, Joel
Sainsbury, Brendan
Paperback
Fodor's the Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: With the Best Scenic Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
National Geographic National Parks Cookbook: Dishes Inspired by America's Great Outdoors
Elder, Nina
Knific, Melissa
Hardcover
52 Weekends in the Pacific Northwest: A Local's Curated Guide to Year-Round Getaways
Patajo, Kara
Paperback
Fodor's Bucket List USA: 500+ Ultimate Experiences, from the Epic to the Eccentric
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Fodor's Essential Scandinavia: The Best of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Ultimate National Parks Coloring Book: Amazing Scenes from 63 of the Nation's Most Beautiful Places
Furia, Elsa L.
Paperback
Moon USA State by State: The Best Things to Do in Every State for Your Travel Bucket List
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Family Camping Games: A Pocket Book of Activities, Games and Puzzles to Play Around the Campfire
Henseleit, Jack
Paperback
Fodor's Vancouver & Victoria: With Whistler, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan Valley
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]
National Geographic Maps
Other
Fodor's Southern California: With Los Angeles, San Diego, the Central Coast & the Best Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Frostlines: A Journey Through Entangled Lives and Landscapes in a Warming Arctic
Shea, Neil
Hardcover
Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
Montgomery, Ben
Paperback
Exploring the Maine Woods - The Hardy Family Expedition to the Machias Lakes
Carbone, Tommy
Hardy Eckstorm, Fannie
Paperback
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
Easter, Michael
Hardcover
Moon Puerto Rico: Best Beaches, Outdoor Adventures, Local Favorites
Moon Travel Guides
Van Atten, Suzanne
Paperback
The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault
Brandon, Pam
Hardcover
Fodor's Northern California: With Napa & Sonoma, Yosemite, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe & the Best Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Lonely Planet USA: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers New York, California, Washington, DC and More
Babe, Ann
Balfour, Amy C.
St Louis, Regis
Paperback
Fodor's Philadelphia: With Valley Forge, Bucks County, the Brandywine Valley, and Lancaster County
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Lonely Planet Australia: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Sydney, New South Wales, Canberra, Melbourne, Tas
West, Josh
Atkinson, Brett
Bain, Andrew
Paperback
Moon Wisconsin: Lakeside Getaways, Outdoor Recreation, Bites & Brews
Huhti, Thomas
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
A Short, Strange Trip: An Untold Story of Magic Mushrooms, Madness, and a Search for the Meaning of Life in the Amazon
O'Connor, John
Hardcover
The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century
Johnson, Kirk Wallace
Paperback
Lonely Planet Europe: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Germany, Gr
Armstrong, Kate
Baker, Kate
Walker, Kerry
Paperback
Moon Florida Keys: With Miami & the Everglades: Beach Getaways, Snorkeling & Diving, Wildlife
Kinser, Joshua Lawrence
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Moon Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Glacier Road Trip: Adventures in Montana & Wyoming's National Parks
Walker, Carter G.
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Moon Tennessee: With the Smoky Mountains: Outdoor Recreation, Live Music, Whiskey, Beer & BBQ
Moon Travel Guides
Littman, Margaret
Paperback
Draw Your Adventures: Making Art to Celebrate Everyday Experiences and Travels Near and Far
Baker, Samantha Dion
Paperback
Yellowstone Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals of the Yellowstone Area
Kavanagh, James
Other
100 Iconic Buildings to See Before You Die: Explore the World's Most Amazing Architecture
Dk Travel
Hardcover
Lonely Planet Mexico: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Etulum, Oaxaca, Copper Canyon and More
Planet, Lonely
Balsam, Joel
Fernández Solano, Jennifer
Paperback
Moon Zion & Bryce: With Arches, Canyonlands & Capitol Reef: Hiking & Biking, Stargazing, Scenic Drives
Moon Travel Guides
Silver, Maya
Paperback
Where Should We Camp Next?: National Parks: The Best Campgrounds and Unique Outdoor Accommodations in and Around National Parks, Seashores, Monuments,
Puglisi, Stephanie
Puglisi, Jeremy
Paperback
Lonely Planet Best Road Trips USA: 52 Driving Itineraries Detailed Directions & Maps Local Tips Covers New York, New England, Rocky Mountains, Califor
Bigg, Margot
Bain, Carolyn
Armstrong, Kate
Paperback