Hokkaido Highway Blues

Ferguson's decision to travel this way gave the memoir its humor and intimacy. I'm curious whether this was a spontaneous idea or something he planned carefully.

The stories often highlight the kindness of strangers, but some moments felt a bit tense. How did others perceive the risks versus the rewards in these situations?

Ferguson clearly had a sense of adventure, but I wonder how much the journey diverged from his initial plans or hopes.