The Traveling Hitchhiker Sean Wood   © Copyright 2026 by Sean Wood

Photo of Nolan Ryan Plaque courtesy of baseball hall of fame.in Cooperstown, New York.

I stopped at the Texas Rangers ballpark to take a tour before I headed to Shreveport, Louisiana. I went in the stadium and I went into the baseball cards and memorabilia room.

I was using one of those instant kodaks 27 film cameras. I had the same lighting in there. Two of the pictures came out in the ghostly nostalgic feel like from the 1800s and that was amazing. The pictures were Ted Williams and Roberto Clemente.

Next the baseball field. Me standing on a Major League Baseball field was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. It was absolutely beautiful. When I took one step in that ball field I just arrived to heaven. I want my ashes taken to the major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown New York because that is as close to heaven as I am going to get. When I left Arlington Texas I accidentally took I-30 instead of I-20. I was supposed to be heading towards Shreveport, Louisiana. I was 30 minutes on I-30 which I saw a sign, I realized I was heading to Arkansas. I pulled off the interstate and I went to a gas station. The clerk at the gas station says thousands of people do this everyday. I thought this was humorous. The clerk tells me to go down this road. The clerk says it will take you to I-20. When I hit that the prairie road going from I-30 to 20, I have some doubts because I could actually see some of the grass and the size of the road. It looked like something of a horror movie. That goosebump feeling hit me while I'm going down this road. I was hoping I would make it from interstate 30 to interstate 20 sooner than later. I get to I-20 and head eastbound. I see a sign for Pizza Inn. I pull into the Pizza Inn and a big smile hits my face. I walk out of the Pizza Inn 40 minutes later very happy. When I got to the Louisiana state line, I noticed that the grass turned from a green to brown. It just downgraded in a lot of areas.

I got to Shreveport, Louisiana. There were lots of bridges especially high bridges. Some were stacked on top of each other. Bridges scare me somewhat especially when I lose my directions or I miss my turn. I stop by the casino for an hour. I spent $2 and won $40. I was heading to the casino garage, I walked to the car and something didn't seem right. I was glad to get in my car and leaving the casino garage Louisiana just felt like many mistakes that just didn't vibe right. My next stop is Baton Rouge, this felt like another place in time. I felt like I was going back in time. The town had a dingy look to it. My observation was "it's like eating pumpkin pie with no sugar."

The trip from Baton Rouge Louisiana to Pennsylvania is just begining for me. Driving has a set of directions and a set of boundaries. Driving was the only thing that made sense. I liked truck stops, rest areas, convenience stores and museums. Sometimes I can find stuff there that you couldn't find any other store, even on the internet. I liked listening to the radio or go buy an audiobook on CD. Remember it's 2001. I love driving. I'm heading to Pennsylvania. That was a long drive. I was having a spout on I-20 then I hit I-59 Northeast to Chattanooga. I-59 will lull you to sleep. You'll be getting tired in the middle of the day with plenty of sleep. One time I was driving 40 mph is 70 through on I -59. I got on I-40 from I-59 heading east towards Knoxville. I am heading east bound from Knoxville to the I-81 and I-40 split. About 50 miles later, I get on I-81 heading to Pennsylvania. The Blue Ridge Mountaina were east of I-81 for half the trip in Virginia. I am enjoying the trip so far. I cross into Maryland for a short stretch and I am in Pennsylvania.

I am driving into Pennsylvania the next morning. Pennsylvania is the foggiest state I have ever drove thru. I pulling in the customers driveway to drop off his car. The company I worked for told me he would be there to take me to the Amtrak stop. I pulled in the customers driveway to drop off his car. His house is in a really nice subdivision. I sat for an hour. Remember, I don't have access to a cell phone. The cell phones were either roaming, long distance and local were separate charges and most companies did not provide them. I have no way to get in touch with my customer. An hour later I went walking down the street in a really nice subdivision not knowing what I am doing and where I am going. I like to keep moving unless it's a 24 drug store or convenience store. especially at 3:00 pm in the morning.

The more I worked the madder I got. It was betrayal at it's best. A Cadillac pulled up, the elderly couple smiles and ask me "do you need a ride? I smiled at them and said I sure do need a ride. I have told this to people before"

I got on the Amtrak's train was heading east bound to Lancaster Pennsylvania. We got to Lancaster and stopped at the Amtrak depot. I asked the conductor, how much is the fare?

The conductor said "it's on me buddy!!! I saw a restaurant within walking distance from the Amtrak Depot. This was named Ninkos.

I ordered the lasagna and 10 minutes later the waitress brought out the meal. The lasagna was enormous and the waitress brought me a whole loaf of bread with garlic butter spread. That was the best meal I ever ate.

I got on the Amtrak's train was heading east bound to Lancaster Pennsylvania. We got to Lancaster and stopped at the Amtrak depot. I asked the conductor, how much is the fare? The conductor said "it's on me buddy!!! I saw a restaurant within walking distance from the Amtrak Depot. This was named Ninkos. I ordered the lasagna and 10 minutes later the waitress brought out the meal. The lasagna was enormous and the waitress brought me a whole loaf of bread with garlic butter spread. That was the best meal I ever ate.

Photo courtesy of the author..

Sean Wood is a poet and photographer from the mountains of East Tennessee, now living in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. His work has appeared in EN CHRISTO, and he is the author of Light from Within (A Religious and Spiritual Journey). He shares his poetry and photography as @93sawood.