Wired for the long and winding road.

Writers and bloggers are always thrilled when one of our own successfully completes his journey and is received with acclaim.

In the tradition of Steinbeck, Kerouac, Twain, and Wolfe, he hit the road hitchhiking from coast to coast.

Searching for truth and insight, he traveled with little more than faith in human kindness.

A little worried about a chill in the air, I was getting ready to send some warm fleece, leg warmers, fleece lined boots, and warm green ski gloves – not mittens even though those are warmer.

After all, he needs to be able and stick out those thumbs.

He may be planning a ferry ride to Seattle. (Looking forward to it after some boating experience along the way)

Maybe he’ll consider wintering in a warmer climate? (Hint: avoid the Rust Belt, little traveler!)

Lucky he was in Canada. In many places, he might have been beaten and trashed like he was nothing more than junk.

His journal is now full of adventures: wedding, tea at the Empress, lake visits, canoes, even a powwow…

(He’ll let you read them.)

His family is thrilled. (They insisted he carry GPS “just in case”. You know how parents are.)

His sibling? KulturBOT? That one rolls with an artsy crowd.

Perhaps this journey of discovery will give this little hobo some status in their free-spirited eyes.

His rakish wink bound to charm even them.

Now having rolled into life, he certainly has more to chat about than Wikipedia!

(Although has learned to take a hint and not to bore people. Listen to his conversation in this car).

Congrats little hitchBOT! (Map of his trip here)

‘Tis evening on the moorland free,

The starlit wave is still;

Home is the sailor from the sea,

The hunter from the hill  (A.E. Housman/”Home is the Sailor”)

As summer ends and everyone returns to their assigned seats, safe travels.

May all you encounter be as kind.

If only we all were wired as he.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.

Read a bit more about the little robot’s trip?

• UK Daily Mail. “Hitchhiking robot already traveled 3,700 miles across Canada”
• ABC News. “Hitchhiking Robot Charms It’s Way Across Canada”.
• PBS. “Bumming rides, hitchhiking robot complete Canadian Journey”

hitchBOT on the road (hitchBOT/Vimeo)

 

---

Discover more from Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.