Diary of a 20 Something Hitchhiker

By Douglas White

It was the year 1989. The Hitchhiker had just left a small town and begins to hitchhike west to California. And as he makes his journey across country. He makes stops in small towns and large cities and meets a variety of diffrent people.

Front cover image. Leslie Nutting. Artist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 28, 2010
• ISBN: 9781453515228

Douglas White

Douglas White was born in Elkins WV, He grew up in Wheeling WV, and he graduated from high school in 83, He also spent sometime living in San Diego, Ca and Seattle WA, and now resides in his hometown, In 2006, He began writing and spent the next several years writing both fiction and nonfiction stories, Diary of a 20 Something Hitchhiker is the first book that he just recently published,

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Dedicated in the memory

Of

Douglas and Wanda White

CHAPTER 1

In early October of 1989, After I had spent a few day’s on the road, I had returned to Saint Clairsville,

And while I was there, I had decided on staying in St Clairsville and not returning to Wheeling, like I originally planned. When I just got back from Indiana, and it was because, I really didn’t feel up to going through the mess, I had gone through earlier this year. But instead, I decided on staying there at the hotel for a few days, and think about. What I was going to do from there,

When I arrived back in Wheeling, in early May, I was hoping that, I could have gotten myself straighten out, and found work, like I had planned on doing. But after being in Wheeling for only a month, I knew it wasn’t going to happen,

So, when I left Wheeling again in the last part of May, I had spent most of the summer out on the road and going to other towns and picking up work as a means of surviving.

Now that I’m back here in the Ohio Valley, and it’s now fall, and winter would soon be here, in a few more months, I was needing to decide what would be the best thing for me to do, right now,

And since, I had no money, and no job and no car, I was thinking, that the best thing for me to do, was to go some place else and find work and settle down there, Or, I could just look at some other options, I had. Besides going back out on the road again,

And the few options, I did have, I could have either gone back to the homeless coalition, and go through the program, and stay at the Y, Or I could go back to Fredrick, MD, and work, and maybe find a place to live there. But these were things, I didn’t want to do. So I was thinking maybe, I should just pack up the few thing’s, I had, and hitchhike back out to San Diego. Since I was broke,

Living the life, I had been living, over the summer. Was one of the worst imaginable things, that anyone could go through. Moving from place to place. while hoping that, the next town, I would go to. Would be the town, in which, I would be there forever. But it would never seem to work out that way,

And since my last time out on the road, and over the summer, I have hitchhiked close to 2000 miles. Then after taking a bus from San Diego and back to Wheeling, I have logged just over 4000 miles in the past 5 and a half months, and almost 9000 miles in this past year, and I was thinking, that this was just the beginning of my traveling nightmares,

A few days later and towards the evening, I had come to the conclusion, that, I would be spending, my last night in this hotel, and it was because. The money I had, was dwindling down to nothing, and I knew, If I were to stick around for a few more days. I would be dead broke,

So for all that evening and for the rest of the night, and up until early morning. I had sat up in my room, and on a bed, listening to a tape player, and thinking about, what I was going to when I left the hotel, and one of the things, I had thought about doing. I was thinking about going back to California,

I figured since, I was going to be homeless in less than 24 hours, I might as well go some place, where it was warm and there was work, and I was thinking San Diego would be the ideal place me to go, because I knew people out there, and my prospects of finding a job was good,

Later that afternoon, on the following day, I had gotten up late, and when I went down stairs and looked up at the clock on the wall, I saw it was going on 1 pm, and I began to panic. Because check out time was 2 pm, which didn’t give me much time, to get myself together, and out of the hotel,

So since I was in a hurry to make to 2 pm deadline, I went back up stairs and packed up my things and I went back down stairs, and spent the remaining time I had left, talking to the desk clerk,

When 2 pm came around and I knew that, I could no longer stay here in this place, I reached in my coat pocket and took out the room key, and I sat it on the counter, and proceeded to walk out the door,

Then just as I was getting ready to open the door. The desk clerk yells at me, asking me to go back over to the desk. And when I did.

He says, Hey where are you going bud?

I’m going back to California,

How are you getting out there? You taking the bus?

No, I replied

How are you getting out there then? He said in a low voice.

I’m going to hitchhike out there,

Taking the cigar away from his mouth, In this weather, he says in a loud tone of voice, You have to be nuts,

Yeah, why? Is there something wrong with that?

You can go out in this weather and expect to get a ride on a day like this,

Why not, it’s warm out there,

Laughing, You better take a look outside,"

Why?

It’s snowing out there, and if you think, I’m lying, Just go outside, and take a look for yourself, he says,

While not believing, what he was telling me, I walked away from the desk and over to the door, and when I opened it, I looked outside, and I saw that, he was right, It was snowing, and I began to feel a little discouraged, by what I had just saw, and I didn’t know, what I was going to do. When I walked away from the door, and back over to the clerks desk.

Well I guess you were right, It is snowing out there,

‘I told you it was, So what are you going to do now?" He asked,

I guess, I don’t have much choice, but to hitchhike to California, I don’t have any money to stay here,

You can’t be going out and hitchhiking in this kind of weather, he said, You’ll freeze to death out there, and if you don’t have any money, to stay here, Why don’t you go across the street, and get a voucher from the police department, and stay here for another night? Then in the morning, go to social services, and get some help with paying the rent. A lot of guys, who are staying here, are doing that,

No I don’t want to do that, anyway’s, thanks for the suggestion, but I really need to be going some place, where it’s warm, and there’s some work,

Well if you insist on being stupid, take this coat that someone left behind and wear it, That way you won’t be so cold thumbing out there in this weather, But I really think, you should go across the street, and get a voucher, and stay here, at least. Until this storm is over,

No I can’t do that, But, I will take the coat, I said as I reached over and took the coat from him.

After putting the coat on, I walked away from the desk, and I went over to the door, and walked outside,

Once I was outside, I began to walk through town, in the falling snow, and on the snow covered street. While thinking about how much, I would rather be inside, and not be out here in this bad weather,

While I walking, I was starting to feel bad and embarrassed, about having to go through this homeless thing again, and I was hoping that, when I started to hitchhike. Which would be in just a few short minutes, I wouldn’t be standing out here, in this storm for very long,

After walking through town and for about a mile. Down a long steep hill, I had stopped just short of the exit, that would take me on to the highway, Going west,

And while I was standing there, and looking at both side of the highway, I was starting to debate on, what direction. I was wanting to go,

Then, when I looked over at the exit, that was going west, I was thinking that, most of these people, who were getting onto that exit. Was local traffic and they were people who was coming from work, and was heading home,

So when I looked over at the other exit, and saw the cars getting on the exit, I knew that those people, who were getting on that exit, and heading east. Were going a little bit further up the highway,

I also knew, that some of these people, who were going east, was only going as far as Wheeling and to Moundsville. While others would be going up to the truck stop, and on to Pennsylvania.

So after I had looked everything over, I had decided that going east would be my best bet for now. And I knew, If I didn’t make it to the truck stop, I could at least stay in Wheeling for the night,

Walking across the overpass and to the other exit going east,

I walked for a short distance up the exit, and I stopped, and I sat my duffle bag on the ground, and I began to brush the snow off my coat and out of my hair. While I was watching for cars,

And while I was doing all of this,

I was starting to think about. How foolish I had felt, while standing here and hitchhiking, at this time of the day, and in this snowy weather,

A short time later, while I was standing there, and watching the cars, as they were going down the hill. And past the exits,

I was noticing, A small blue car, that was covered with snow. Had just gone down the hill, and past the first exit, and on through the intersection,

And while I was watching the car, as it was driving very slowly up the tiny slope in the road, I had noticed that, when the car was slowing down, It had turned on it’s right turn signal. and was preparing to turn on to the exit, I was standing on,

After the car had made its turn on to the exit, and was coming straight towards me, I turned facing the car and I began to prepare myself to hitchhike,

When, I proceeded to put my hand out, as the car was getting closer, I was beginning to notice, from the loud noise, of the exhaust, The car was slowing down. Then, when the car was about to stop, I began to get excited. Because I was almost sure, that this car was stopping for me,

Then, when the car had stopped, Just a few feet from where I was standing,

I walked over to the car, and I opened the door, and I looked inside the car, and saw two kids, who were about 18 or 19 years old, Sitting there up in the front seat, looking at me, as I was about to get in the car,

And while I was looking at them, as they were looking back at me, I was beginning to feel, a sigh of relief, That they had stopped,

Hey thanks for stopping guys. Where are you going? I said, as I was looking at them,

The kid who was driving the car, turns and looks at me, and while having a friendly smile on his face, he says, We are going as far as Fredrick, Maryland, and by the way, my name is Ethan and this guy sitting over here is Jason,

Hi, I’m Doug, I said

Where are you going? Ethan, asked me in a loud voice,

I just going to the truck stop, I answered,

How far is that? Ethan says, in a cheerful tone of voice,

It’ not too far, it’s about a 11 miles from here, I said while trying to convince him to give me a ride, In fact, it’s right on you’re way to Fredrick,

We can ride you at least that far, get in, Ethan replied,

When I got in the car, the first thing, I’d noticed, when I looked at the kids, Was the worried look they had on their faces, and I could tell by the way the 2 kids were talking, That they were in some kind of trouble,

Acting as if, I didn’t notice anything was wrong, So how are you guys doing today? I said sound enthusiastic,

Were doing fine dude, Jason replied, You pick quiet a day to be thumbing,

I know, I did, I said while brushing the snow off my coat and on to the seat, I feel really stupid standing out there in this weather,

I know what you are saying, Ethan mumbled, We had picked a bad time ourselves, to be traveling; We were going to California, But we decided to turn back and go home,

Why? What happened, Why didn’t you go? I asked being curious,

We ran out of money, he replied,

Jason interrupts him, Yeah we were going to California, he said bragging, But we ran out of money,

Why did you run out of money, What . . . happened, Did you get robbed?

No, Jason replied, We ran out of money, Because we had stopped at every exit, between, Fredrick and Dayton,

Yeah we stopped at all there exits, Where there were grocery stores and restaurants,’ Nathan said while he was laughing, And bought just about anything, we thought was good to eat,"

Why did you do that? I asked,

We did it, because we were excited, and we really wanted to have fun on this trip, And we figured with the amount of money, that we had taken with us, We figured would have enough to last us the whole entire trip, But when we had made a stop in a convenience store in Dayton, OH, and we went to buy some more food, We suddenly realized that we were broke,

Hearing that these kids, had spent all their money, in just a few hours, was a sad thing to hear, and I was thinking that these kids had no idea, what they were doing and they should had enough sense to plan out their trip, Before heading out on the road.

Spending money at all these places, that were along these highways and by ways, can be costly. and most of these places, that are near the highway. Will charge twice as much for their products and services, than most places do in the city, and these kids seemed to think, that it was funny to be in the situation their in, But what they didn’t realize, If they would of happened to have gotten stranded out in this storm. They would be in some serious trouble.

How much money did you have when you started out? I said, If you don’t mind me asking,

Jason seemed to have nervousness about him, We had a $100, 00 When we started out. He said bragging, And now we are so broke, That we don’t have enough money to by some gas, to get us home,

How much gas do you have?

Ethan looks at the gas gauge on the dashboard, We are sitting on a quarter of a tank, he says,

That doesn’t sound good, I said sounding concerned,

It doesn’t, Ethan replied, nervously And the way it looks, I’m not sure if were going to make it back to Maryland,

I don’t know if you will, I said sounding unsure, But I do know that Fredrick is quite a ways from here, well not too far. But it does sound like, you’re in a very bad situation,

I know, Jason cried,

Well Fredrick isn’t to far from here, It’s only about 200 miles, And depending on you’re gas mileage. You might get there on a quarter of a tank,

I hope so, Ethan said while acting worried, If we run out of gas, before we get back to Fredrick, We are going to be in some serious trouble, and when I do get home, I’m going to being in trouble anyway, Because the money, I had spent on this trip, I was suppose to use it, to pay for my car insurance,

Reading from what these 2 were telling me, I was beginning to think, That they were looking for me, to help them out with some gas money, But not being 100 percent sure, I just kept quiet,

I don’t know, if this would be a help to you, I said as I was just about to make a suggestion, But sometimes if you go to a police dept in small town, They might be able to help you out with some gas,

Really, Jason shouted, I never heard of the cops doing that,

Actually what they do is, They give you gas, Which comes from funds, that churches had established to aid stranded motorist’s, And as young as you 2 are, I’m sure they can help you out with some gas, And if not, Then, I’m sure they might be able to tell you, where you can get some gas, So you can get home,

What’s the next small town from Wheeling? Jason asked, sounding desperate,

The next town going out of Wheeling is Washington, Pa,

Jason eyes widen as he looks at Ethan, Well what do think? he says while getting excited,

We can stop there? Ethan cried, Doug, have you ever been to this place in Washington, Pa?"

No, I haven’t, but I have met people on the road, Who have gone to these churches, and had gotten some kind of assistance,

So do you think this place will be open, Once we get to this town?

As late as it’s getting, I’m not sure if they will be open, But what you can do, Once you get to Washington, Is go to the police dept and ask them,

One thing, I was getting use to seeing, while I was out here on the road. Was all the cons and hustles, that people would use to get money when they were broke, People would do things, Such as plan and scheme to find way to get necessities, Such as food, and money, And they would get these things from places. Such as Churches and Charitable organizations. So they could keep themselves going. While they were out on the road,

And some of these places that they would go too,

Would give out things. Such as cash, vouchers for gas, and would even go as far, as giving people bus tickets. So they could get to where ever they wanted to go,

Not to be nosey, I said out of curiosity But why were you 2 going out to California. to begin with?

Jason looks back at me, as his eyes widen, We were going out there, Because we have never been there before, and we just wanted to see what it was like,

Do you know anybody out there?

No," Jason replied,

Wouldn’t it be better, if you knew someone out there, Just in case something went wrong?

Yes, Jason answered, But we figured, that since a lot of our friends went out there, and had a good time. We thought, we could go out there, and have a good time as well,

I’m sure you’re friends did Jason, Because they probably had money to go out there, I said with a negative attitude, But in you’re situation a $100, 00 won’t get you far. It takes a great deal of money to visit California, I know, because, I was out there earlier this year. And that’s why I came back to this area. Because, I couldn’t afford to live out there,

What’s it like out there? Jason asked, while turning his head and looking at me,

It’s not like what you see on TV. In fact, it’s actually very hard to live out there, California has a lot of crime and smog, and there’s a lot of people, who are living out there on the streets. Because they had the same idea, that you had, when they went out there. They figured, that it would be easy to make it out there in California. Because there’s a lot of work out there, But let me tell you something, Being homeless isn’t any fun, and you have a lot going against you, when you are homeless, and I can also tell you, that it’s a lot easier to become homeless, than it is, to get off the streets. Especially when you’re in a place, that has more homeless people, than they do shelters,

Listening to the two boys telling me their troubles,

I began to feel sorry for them, and wanted to help them out with a few bucks for gas. But the way my money situation was, the only thing, I could do, Was to sit there and listen to their cries. And maybe give them a few suggestions, on how they could get some gas. So they could get home.

Having a frightened look on his face, Hey Doug, listen, We had no intention of staying out there in California, Ethan said sounding nervous, We were just going out there, to see what it was like, and leave,

I can tell you guys this much,, if you would have gone out there to California on a hundred bucks, Chances are . . . . you would have gotten stranded out there, Because, you wouldn’t had enough money to get home. So I think you had done the right thing, By turning back when you did,

Sitting there and telling them, that it was a bad idea for them to go to California, on a hundred bucks. Seem like the right thing to do, When in fact, I had a hundred dollars on me, and I was going to California myself. But the way, I was looking at it. My situation was a lot different than theirs, These two had a home to go to. And I didn’t,

So when they had told me, that they were going to California, I could have easily spoken up, and told them. I was going to California, and then just maybe, I could have convinced them, to turn the car around, and go to California.

But the thing that stopped me from doing that, Was, I never liked to travel with other people, I always liked to travel alone, especially when I’m hitchhiking, Because I had found it a lot easier to go somewhere by myself, and knowing that, if things don’t work out, I never have to worry about dealing with someone else’s troubles, And just my own,

When we arrived at the top of the hill, sometime later, and was approaching the truck stop, I could see through the blowing snow, from the windshield. The exit, in which, I was going to have them stop, and let me out,

Hey guys, up here, at the exit. Is where, I’ll be getting out, I said while pointing out at the road,

Ok, Ethan said So where do you want me to drop you off, Once I get up here?

You can drop me off, up here, at the top of this exit, and I can walk from there,

Ok, Ethan said, sounding worried, Doug I have a question for you, If you don’t mind answering it,

Go ahead, I said,

Where is it, you’re going up here, at this truck stop? You’re carrying an awful big bag with you. Just to be going a short ways,

Not wanting to tell them, Where I was going, I made up an excuse, I’m just going up here to the truck stop. I have a friend, who lives up there, and I’m going to be staying with them for a while,

Where does you friend live? Ethan asked loudly,

They live in a trailer park, I said, That’s right in the back the truck stop,

Not reply back to my answer right away, He turns away from looking at me, and he looks over at Jason, and begins to talk to him in a low voice,

And while they were talking, I was preparing myself to get out of the car, and at the same time, I was thinking, If going through all this trouble. Just to go some place else, in hopes to find a better place to live. Was really worth it,"

Getting to the exit,

Jason decides to drive the car to the bottom of the exit, Instead of letting me out at the top of the exit, and near the highway. Like I instructed him to do,

After a short drive down the exit,

Jason stops the car right near the intersection,

When I opened the door, I looked up at Jason and Ethan and wished them luck in getting home, As I was exiting the car,

After I had gotten out of the car, and they had driven away,

I began buttoning up my coat, As I was walking across the road, and to the other entrance ramp, That was going west,

CHAPTER 2

When I arrived at the other exit, just moments later, I had stopped, just near the beginning of the entrance ramp. and I began to look around, to see what the traffic situation was like,, near the truck stop, and the exit, where cars were coming off the highway. So when I saw. It was just mostly local traffic, that was entering and leaving the truck stop, I decided, that it would be a waste of time for me to be standing there, and try to catch a ride with someone. Who was only going a few miles down the road.

So instead of going through all this nonsense, I decided, I would walk up to the top of the entrance, and near the highway, and stand between the highway and the entrance ramp. And try to catch a ride with someone, who was going a lot further, than the people who were leaving the truck stop, Because the time, I had to catch a ride, was running short for me. and I knew, I had to catch a ride rather quickly, Because it was going to be dark soon, and I had no other place to stay tonight,

And then, when I started to walk out to the highway, I just happened to look up, while I was walking, and I had saw a sign, that was on the side of the road. When I stopped, and looked up at the sign, I thought to myself, about how many times, I have read these signs, telling me, that I’m not allowed to be on the highway and ignored them. And I was thinking that this time was no exception,

Once I started to walk past the sign, I was beginning to feel cold from the wind that was coming off the highway, and off the hill, that was next to me, The wind, it was so cold, that it felt, as if it was going right through me. So while, I was walking, I was starting to think about, how much, I hated this type of weather. And what made it even worse, while I was nearing the highway, was the cold gust of wind, that would be blowing off of cars, and trucks. As they sped down the highway.

And I had to admit, I was finding it very difficult to be out here and hitchhiking in this kind of weather, But under the circumstances, I had no choice, but to be out here in this weather, Because I was homeless,

When I had gotten to the top of the entrance ramp,