We've gone over basic equipment, and we've talked about how and where to sleep, but now it's time to actually talk about travel. That's why we're here. I've put it off for a bit to make sure nobody heads out and gets stranded in the middle of nowhere with no idea what to do (plenty of us have headed out with no idea what we were doing, it sucks).
Hitchhiking seems like a good place to start. It's less of a legal hassle if the cops stop you; it's a bit more acceptable to most people, so more beginners are likely to start with it; it's less likely to land you in the middle of nowhere with no idea where you are. If things go wrong, it's not likely to be too bad (despite what movies and T.V. might imply).
First, let's go over the horrible things we hear about hitchhiking and how those stories are exaggerated. Most of the stories hinge around the person picking you up being a crazy murderer, or you (the hitchhiker) being a crazy murderer (maybe you are, maybe you aren't; I don't know). Really, I've never had a problem with any of my rides. It does happen, from what I hear, but not anywhere near as often as people think. Almost all of your rides will come from great people, who are cool to hang out with. Jackasses are usually too self-absorbed to pick you up; so they weed themselves out of the equation most of the time (okay -- that's not so true for females; sexist douchebags do exist, and are a problem; so you still have to be prepared for jackasses)
If you get a bad feeling from someone, just decline the offer. You don't have to get in anybody's car, you're not desperate (even if you are, don't admit it). Some people advise texting a friend the license plate number, or memorizing it, but I've never bothered. If, through some horrible series of events, you end up in a vehicle with a serial killer, please don't let them take you to the middle of nowhere; if it comes to it, you can always pull the steering wheel to crash their car (their loss more than yours, as long as you buckled up). To sum things up: it's good to have plans in case things go wrong, but they really, really aren't likely to.
For now, I'll sum up the basics, and expand on it more in the next few posts. The basic process is really very simple; it's just a matter of waiting patiently, and visibly signaling in a place where the right traffic is passing and can pull over.
First, you need to find an on-ramp on the outskirts of town in the direction you want to travel. For example, if you're heading South out of town, then aim for the southernmost ramp in town, otherwise all of the southbound traffic is likely to be heading somewhere else in town. You can usually take a city bus to get there pretty cheap if it's farther than you feel like hiking. You want an on-ramp with a shoulder wide enough to pull over, long and straight enough for the drivers to notice you (and decide to pick you up), with plenty of traffic, and somewhere to stand.
With practice, you'll find it easier to figure out which ramps are good, and which aren't worth your time, but even after years, you're still going to find yourself dealing with shitty spots. It's unavoidable, but as long as you're not in a hurry, it's not really a problem.
Once you find your on-ramp, you need to pick a spot to stand. Make sure to choose a spot in the grass, on the edge of the shoulder, with enough room for you to set your gear down and stand comfortably. Pick an easily visible spot; standing in front of a sign works well, since it's obviously going to be visible.
Now that you've found your spot, it's time to get a ride. If you can get a piece of cardboard (check some dumpsters), and a marker, make a sign in large, bold letters. Write either the name of your destination, or just the direction you're heading. Now, face into traffic holding your sign, or, if you somehow can't come up with one, just stick out your right arm and stick your thumb up.
That's it, you're hitchhiking now. All that's left is the waiting part. This is where patience comes in, you're probably going to be here for a while. You're not likely to get a ride in the first few minutes, it can take hours (in some very slow spots, days, but that's not too common). Sometimes you'll start to get impatient, or feel a little hopeless; just keep going, and keep your morale up.
I know this might not have seemed super informative, but there's not a whole lot to know about this part of it. There are websites out there that have more in-depth explanations and tips, but in the end it boils down to what I said earlier: you're just waiting patiently, and visibly signaling in a place where the right traffic is passing and can pull over.
Some other sites to look at for more information: hitchwiki.org (regional information and laws, tips, another more informative guide) ... more later if I think of/come across any.
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