Home > Still Traveling > Archives > 2006 > June > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWould you jump a train? Hitchhike?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hopping a train is “one of the last true thrills in America,” says Betty Moylan, known by her hobo name, Connecticut Shorty. She’s among the hobos and friends who regularly attend the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa, each summer.
At the gathering, people share memories of their rail-riding days. Many camp near the railroad tracks in the town’s hobo jungle.
Have you ever jumped a train? Have you ever hitchiked? Would you do it again? Do you think these are crazy ways to get from one place to another or do you see an appeal?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By frank123
June 22, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this
Hitch hiked from school to hom when I was a kid in Hawaii. Won’t do it again. Never have jumped from a train and never will.
By Red
June 22, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
Hitchiked this past weekend; since all of those ‘traffic’ camera’s are doing the cops job for them, I didn’t want to have any hint or ‘odor’ of alcohol when driving after drinking (but not drunk) and encountering the popup roadblocks during ‘100 days of summer harrassment’- so hitched a ride to and from the pub; and lived to tell about it.
By LHK
June 22, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this
I’ve never done either, but I certainly see the romantic appeal of both. Of course, the romantic appeal only comes when you imagine both things happening with a quirky cast of characters around you — gruff old truck drivers who tell you interesting stories, a kind mother and kids who stop to pick you up and feed you a PB&J sandwich while they drive you to the Iowa border, etc. I bet a lot of the reality of hitchhiking is inhaling too much exhaust while you stand along highway exits hoping to get picked up… and as a 26-year-old woman who has a way of looking about 16 or 17, I don’t know if I’d want to take my chances on who would offer me a ride.
All that being said, I do have some friends who’ve hitchhiked, and they loved it. Two of them hitched across the States, and the other two hitched around southwest Japan. I should note that both were couples — a guy and a girl. I’ve never known a young woman who’s hitchhiked by herself.
By Kathleen
June 22, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this
Two words: LORD, NO! Are you nuts?! That is a sure-fire way to wind up on the 6 o’clock news as one of the millions of people who have gone “missing”.
By Brett "the hitman" Hart
June 22, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
As long as you follow the book its safe. The unwritten book of the road.
By Rod
June 22, 2006 1:58 PM | Link to this
Well, Brett, are you going to share the rules in the book or just let us be unsafe?
By Brett "the hitman" Hart
June 22, 2006 2:21 PM | Link to this
Look if it will get you a few hundred miles across the cross you might have to take a shot in the mouth. You know make with the head.
By Brett "the hitman" Hart
June 22, 2006 2:27 PM | Link to this
only people hitch hiking are the homeless and jay and silent bob.
By Rod
June 22, 2006 2:33 PM | Link to this
Okay, so the “expert”, Brett “the hitman” Hart says the only way to hitchhike is to offer sex to those who pick you up. Go back to your video games Mr. Hart.
By Brett "the hitman" Hart
June 22, 2006 2:40 PM | Link to this
Look if you want a ride you should pay the piper Rod. Its not like your getting a lift to a gas station because your car broke down. A young girl doesnt stand on the side of the road if she not looking for some action. Ive read all about it in the unwritten book of the road. You should live by the book. You hold out of the lovin and thats how you end up in a shallow grave in the desert.
By Cletus Snow
June 22, 2006 3:32 PM | Link to this
Did both back in the 60s,seemed ok then,to do it today you would have to be insane.Stupidity will get you on the news very quickly. I’ve turned down taxi drivers at the airport if they looked weird.The last one was at the atlanta arpt,had flames tatooed on his neck and tears tatooed on his face.He was probably harmless,,we will never know.