I haven't stuck out my thumb in years

A recent notice from the Phillips County Sheriff’s Department advised residents not to call the department about a hitchhiker near Malta unless he wandered into traffic.

Apparently the mere sight of the hitchhiker had been enough to prompt folks to call to the cops.

How times have changed.

Hitchhiking didn’t used to draw that kind of attention. Not so many years ago it was an accepted mode of travel, and my favorite. There was something wonderful and freeing about it.

You just couldn’t be in a hurry.

I once waited so long for a ride that I eventually set up camp and spent the night. Shortly af...