I read a book a few years back, and it was so good, I can still recall some of the tiny details. It was by John Kraukaur, not sure if that's how you spell his name, and it was about a man who just decided to hitch hike across the country one day. The story is written based on the postcards and mailings he sent to family and to the people who gave him rides. Eventually he ended up in Alaska and...well you'll have to read the rest, but I would highly reccommend it!