Hitchhiking-Once part of the American dream(Share Your Hitchhiking Stories)

www.msn.com ^ | April 6, 2004 | Robin Dalmas

[LadyShallott]

In Douglas Adams' hilarious Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, fictitious characters thumb a ride through space to meet Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed president of the galaxy; Marvin, a depressed robot; and the Vogons, a warlike race who compose poetry about whatever they find in their armpits. Down here on Earth, hitchhiking was never quite so colorful—but talk to some baby boomers, and their eyes roll back with delight remembering the joy of soliciting free rides.

[LadyShallott]

If we wrote a book and sent the proceeds to FR, they would never have a fund drive again.

Can you say "Hitchiking Across The FR Universe?" LOL!

[chance33_98]

One that comes to mind is when I was broken down. Some guy offered me a ride. His wife and kids were in the back of an old beat up something or other.

We were driving down some country road heading to his trailer to drop off the family before he took me home. He yelled to a kid in the back (she was about 5) and she grabbed him a beer from a paper sack. He chugged a few on the way there. Offered me one. I declined.

Nice folk otherwise. Went back to my car later without me asking and got the car seat I had forgotten and brought it to the house (wasn't worried he was stealing anything, there was nothing in it).

[edger]

Hitchhiked because we didn't have the fare. Phoenix to Kansas City; Lubbock, Texas to Kansas City. Hiway 66 was kinda slow during the 35 mph wartime speed limit (WW2). Kansas City to NYC to my brother's wedding. Lawrence, KS to Wichita Falls, Texas to visit an old girlfriend.

Most exciting (terrifying): Riding in a gas tanker semi from Kansas City to St. Joseph, MO during an ice storm.

[OneVike]

That very well could be the catalyst needed to get me writing the many exploits of me and my right thumbs travels.

[Glenn]

In the summer of 1973, I took a copy of Abbie Hoffman's "Steal This Book", $20 dollars, and used it as a guide to get from Warren, Ohio to San Diego and back by thumb. A friend and I broke many laws, begged for a lot of food, met dozens of policemen, and learned more in the four weeks it took to make the round trip than in the first two years in college.

If you tried to make that trip today, you'd probably be killed. There was a whole lot more love going around back then.

[ocean]

Hitchhiking was my main mode of transportation during a couple summers in Alaska. There's nothing like standing in open empty spaces with all your gear waiting for that next ride, knowing that if worst comes to worst you can spend the night comfortably camping off the road.

If you really want to experience the essence of a place and its people (especially Alaska) Hitchhiking is the way to go. Though I will rent a car next time.

[LadyShallott]

I would love to read that. I think you should write about your exploits, why not? Go for it! :)

[Capriole]

I have never hitchhiked--I'd have been terrified--and there was only one time I picked up a hitchhiker. I was sixteen, had just gotten my driver's license, and hadn't yet figured out that I had suddenly gotten pretty. Never had a boyfriend much less a kiss. Driving on highway between my house and the stable on a lovely June day I saw a very handsome boy of my age. We had the most wonderful talk as I drove him far further than my own turnoff. As I stopped to let him out he leaned over and gave me my first kiss. Oh! So that's why everyone thought that kissing was so delightful! He called me a lot after that but we lived in different states and a relationship wasn't practical back then, before the days of the Internet.

I have never forgotten that boy, and think of him every time I hear that old Eagles song, "Take It Easy." "It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford, slowin' down to take a look at me. Come on, baby. . ."

[jacksonstate]

In my youth I ran off to Colorado and became a ski bum in winter park colorado...i had to hitch hike to work every day from frasier . met a lot of nice people doing that.

[bray]

Hitchhiked from Oregon to Wisconsin when I was 18. Got picked up by a HS teacher who was a "Big Brother" to a 13 yr old he took to Disney Land and was taking a scenic trip back to Colorado. Later that night he propositioned me for a BJ in a campground and ended up sleeping with the 13 yr old. Later in Chicago I believe I was picked up by Ted Bundy, thankfully God had someone give me a knife that probably saved my life. He dropped me at a truckstop after asking me to stay at his house. Last time I hitchhiked.

Pray for W and The Truth

[LadyShallott]

I have never heard of the book, but it would be an experience to read it. Sounds like you had fun. Steal This Book

[Ranxerox]

I was hitch hiking from Denver to Phoenix about twenty years ago, and got picked up by this fella in a brand-new Porsche 911 Turbo. It turns out he was a doctor from Long Island and was thinking about buying the car, but he wanted to test drive it first. Essentially he told the dealer he needed to drive it for a few days to really get the feel of it. A couple of days and a couple of thousand miles later, he's stopping to give me a ride for the company. Turns out he was a heck of a nice guy and we had a blast ripping through the mountains in that Porsche on the way to Phoenix.

Aaahh, to be young and immortal again...

[annyokie]

I hitchhiked all the time in the early '70's since I didn't have a car (Duh!)

When I look back, I am amazed that I wasn't raped or killed since I was aged 15-17 and looked like Anna Kournikova and dressed like Britney Spears.

The only bad experience I had was an old man in a Cadillac chastising me for wearing too much perfume (Foo-foo juice were his words) and then handing me $10 and telling me to take a cab home and popping me on the top of the head.

[OneVike]

Some day I may, my biggest obstacle is my inability to sit down and remember what I want to say when I get ready to write or type a letter, let alone a book.

It's that restless spirit that kept me going back to the road and leaving everything behind. To this day I fight the urge to give it all up and take off to look for something that I can only find in Christ.

However I will keep the thought in my mind and if the Lord ever moves me I will follow his will, not mine.

[drjimmy]

As Three Mile Island was in near meltdown 25 years ago, I was spending the spring semester studying in and hitchhiking my way around Europe, not sure whether there would be a U.S. to return to. Highlights:

Sitting with my traveling companion alongside Castle Urquhart on the shore of Loch Ness as a light snow fell on Good Friday, scanning the waters for any sign of Nessie. An American working for an oil company who was on Easter holiday picked us up and took us around Scotland for the weekend, treating us to Easter dinner in a pub in Oban.

Meeting some college students at a bus stop in Nancy, in the Lorraine region of France. They took me bowling and then I went home with one as he visited his family for the weekend in a village on the border with Germany. Got to see the "Lou Grant" show on TV, and Ed Asner looked very natural speaking German. I told my new friends that if they were ever in the U.S., they should look me up.

Leaving Paris, a Belgian businessman picked up me and an American serviceman on leave. He brought us home to his house for dinner (his wife looked none too pleased, but the servants did all the work), and then took us bar hopping through Antwerp.

It was hard returning to a normal life and getting a summer job after those experiences abroad. The capper was the day I was in the shower getting ready to go to work, when my sister knocked on the bathroom door to say, "Uh, your friends from France are here."

[LadyShallott]

However I will keep the thought in my mind and if the Lord ever moves me I will follow his will, not mine.

My prayers are with you...and your restless spirit :)

[SquirrelKing]

We picked up a girl one dark, rainy night. She was pale and quiet and when we got to the ramshackle old farm she directed us to I looked in the mirror and she...was...gone! The old man who answered the door said that no, she doesnt live there, she died in a storm ten...years...ago! Freaky.

Just kidding.

[WL-law]

I had many adventures, mostly good and all memorable. I typically started my long cross-country hitchs from the same originating spot -- about 200 yards west of the Harvard Square (Cambridge MA) subway stop, where Mass Ave becomes 2-way traffic. Waiting for my first ride, wondering whether my 'karma' would be good this time -- those were the days.

Had a friend who spent the summer in Alaska, and set out to hitch back to UMASS Amherst. The first car that stopped was heading ALL THE WAY to Amherst -- he made the entire passage in one ride. Amazing.

I, on the other hand, had the experience of hitching eastbound from Chicago and travelling the entire way (between rides and hitching time) under a tremendous rainstorm, as my hitching speed matched EXACTLY the eastward progress of the storm. I was drenched, continuously, for days.

[grellis]

I've only thumbed a ride once and was picked up by an acquaintance. I have give dozens of lifts over the years, without ever having come to any harm. This, I'm betting, is because once the guest is nicely esconced in the vehicle, I act as strangely as possible. I used to turn on "The Arab Voice of Detroit" and say "You got that right, son!" every time there was (what I am assuming was) a break in the commentary. Obviously I don't do that anymore. Now I blow my nose incessantly, pretend I'm from another country, run the windshield wipers in the sunshine, or just repeat "you know what I'm saying?" overandoverandoverandover...said guest never seems to mind. I like to think I'm providing a little comic relief.

[Knute]

I traveled from Rolla, MO to Iowa City, IA and return several weekends back in the early 1970's. A LOT of farmers with shotguns in the rack of their pick-up trucks passed me by. (I had substantially longer hair then than now) Had a few great rides and a few that were only a short distance, leaving me at a worse intersection than I started at. All for the companionship of a young lady that I admired. Sigh!