Stories From the Road: The Hitchhikers

[Droopy]

I've seen a lot of people hitchhiking in my time, but I've only picked up three. My mom would tell you that's three too many, but a part of being out on the road for me is the adventure of the whole thing. Also, after you've been out on the road for a month or two it's nice to have someone to talk to sometimes. All three of the hitchhikers were men. You don't see too many female hitchhikers these days unless they are accompanied by a male.

I picked up the first guy in a New Mexico rest area. There was a woman there giving him some food and he had a little, yellow, puppy lab with him. I love dogs so I went over to pet the little guy and his owner hit me up for a ride.

He was hitchhiking from L.A. to Dallas. Dallas was his home town, but he went out to L.A. to pursue his dream of being an actor. He said he wasn't all that successful, but he did make it into a couple of commercials and into a movie as an extra. He lived in an apartment that he paid $400 a month for. This was a few years back, but I knew enough about L.A. then to know that $400 will get you a matchbox out in L.A. The guy was obviously poor.

He wasn't much of a conversationalist and he actually became rude at one point when I asked if his dog needed some water. He said something to the effect of, "I know how to handle my dog." The little puppy went without water even though it was summer in the desert and my air conditioning was busted. That little dog panted the whole time.

I got out to the I-20 and I-10 split out in the middle of the Texas desert and the guy asked me to drop him at the next exit. The next exit was for a ranch road and we were miles away from civilization. I don't know what the guy was thinking. But I dropped him off and gave him all of the water I had. He was going to need it.

The next guy was a musician who I picked up at a Sacramento truck stop. He said he needed a lift east about 30 miles. He was meeting some friends at someone's house out there. As we rode along I was hoping that he would pick up that guitar and play something, but no dice. He left his jacket in my truck and I didn't realize it until I was 20 miles past where I dropped him. He seemed like he was in a big hurry when I dropped him of. I was crazy as hell at the time so I guess I might have freaked him out a little. :) For the record, I'm a totally harmless crazy person.

The last guy I picked up was at a truck stop at about 40 miles north of Columbus, Ohio. I forget the name of the town. I was running a dedicated route back then. Dayton to Cleveland and back every day. I stopped at the truck stop to grab something to munch on and something to drink. On my way in this straggly looking guy asks me in a thick southern accent, "You headed north?"

"Yeah."

"Can you give me a ride? I need to get to Cleveland."

I thought about for a second. I wasn't crazy then like I used to be and my newly found sane self was advising me against it. But I said, "Sure."

I went in and got some popcorn and a couple of bottles of pop and then we headed out for Cleveland. I bought the bottles of pop for me, but I gave one to the guy after I thought about it. He told me his hard luck story. He was originally from Florida. He lived down there all his life and married a woman. For some reason he had lost his job and couldn't find work. He lost everything, including his wife. After he told me that he fell asleep sitting up in the passenger seat. Probably hadn't slept in days. I dropped him in a parking lot near where I was going to get my load. I gave him another bottle of pop and the rest of my popcorn and $4. I only had $24 on me and I flirted with giving him the twenty, but I didn't. I wish I had now.

[Inchworm]

1. I love your stories

Thanks!

I've been on both sides of that situation. I hitch-hiked for a few months in the early 90's. I wasn't down on my luck though. I was doing it for the adventure. I met tens of very cool people. I tried to stay off the interstates and stuck to state roads. That way I could meet more people because the rides were usually for like 1 to 20 miles. I was surprised at how many women picked up hitch-hikers.

I got a ride by a girl in the middle of Indiana. It was along a straight through series of roads between Indianappolis and South Bend. It was a Friday Night and she asked if I wanted to go to a local party. What more could I ask for?! I admit to thinking about all the "Indiana Rumors" about satanic sacrifices lol.

A Blast was had. It was a tailgate/bonfire type gathering of early twenties to mid thirty year olds, and I was welcomed as if I went to school with them all.

I also have a story about my dad picking up a "guide" in the Bronx when he got bridge-locked in his truck. :rofl:

Good times.

:hi:

[Droopy]

2. Thank you.

I've never hitchhiked before. I tried to a couple of times but no one picked me up. I must look kinda scary. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Droopy!

Those are three little poignant stories...

You helped those guys out, and a lot, I'd guess...

I hope they remember your kindness, and that someday they will be able to pay it forward...

Good karma, my friend...very good karma...


BTW, I posted a new poem last night...Not my usual sort, either...Have a look!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7627924

:hi:

[Droopy]

4. Nice work, Peggy

Sorry it took almost 24 hours to get back to you. I went to bed 19 minutes before you posted here.

I said in one of your poetry threads the other day that your poetry just keeps getting better and better. I really liked "The Illness" and the love poem you posted in that same thread. You told me one time that a dream of yours is to see your poetry in print. Well, I think you are well on your way to making that a reality.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Thank you, my dear Droopy...

My poetry teacher says the same thing...

I just have to keep at it...

And it will happen...

Thank you!