Metal Heads from Alton Illinois
Part 2 from Two Girls on the Beach: Picking up Unexpected Hitchhikers.
Before reading about the metal heads from Alton Illinois, read/listen to part one - Two Girls on the Beach: Picking up Unexpected Hitchhikers.
We asked the two metal heads from Alton, Illinois to pull their beach towels closer to ours. After a couple hours of drilling each other, we all decided to meet back up in the parking lot of our little beach in Naples Florida to hit the road later that day. We were trusting our instincts with these 2 guys.
Never in our lives have we ever been so irresponsible as to not give a 2 week notice to our jobs. NEVER. It was just unheard of. Especially since we’ve had to work to survive and hold down jobs since we were 16.
However, something got into us to ‘just do it’. Throw caution to the wind. Take a chance. If not now, then when would we actually be able to live out our California dreams? It’s been just that for so long… a dream.
Now is our chance, we thought. We at least have a portion of the trip paid for. What better time?
We were living with a relative and didn’t have to give a notice for living accommodations. We packed what we had, which wasn't much… just some clothes and a couple of blankets. Quickly said our goodbyes explaining that we were going on a road trip.
Without so much as a call to our jobs, we were on our way to Alton, Illinois with a couple of guys we picked up hitchhiking on the beach.
Our Adventures with the Metal Heads from Alton, Illinois
We made it to their house where we were offered a place to crash before heading to California. We were grateful after that long drive. Luckily there were four of us to take turns driving.
This is an old photo of me taken in 1988 at 19-years old. We didn’t have as many photos taken in the 1900’s. lol It was taken at their house the next day after a much needed shower. I felt exhausted, grateful, relieved, and full of hope. I remember those clothes in the back ground that we shared.
After saying our goodbyes the next day, we hoofed our things to the car. Hustling through the bitter cold Illinois wind. All I could hear was a chattering echo of my friend saying, “We HAVE to get to a warmer climate FAST… HURRY!”
The car wouldn’t even make a sound after we cranked it over and over again. The check engine light blared at us as we contemplated what to do next.
Running back to the house to warm up, we couldn’t help but wonder if these guys had anything to do with this. Was everything working out too smoothly in our favor up to now for a suspicious reason? Fear kicked in as we cautiously knocked on their door. They were the only people we knew in Illinois, we didn’t really have a choice.
California or Bust?
One of them took charge and called a local mechanic for us. We were super grateful, but how are we going to pay for a mechanic?
The other one mentioned that on Friday and Saturday nights they have a ladies dance contest at the local bar. He said, “There’s a big money prize for the winner which could probably pay for the mechanic. Of course you’re welcome to stay here until your car is fixed”.
We were just laying on the beach and now here we are, stuck. Stuck in the windy city. Freezing our butts off in November. Not knowing anyone, but these two guys. Well, what have we got to loose? What choice de we have? We’ve made it this far.
Having a tan that time of year in Illinois and being newbies in town pushed us over the edge in the dance contest and we won both nights. Friday we celebrated our win with the metal heads a bit too much and blew most of our winnings. However, Saturday’s winnings were enough for the mechanic at least.
Now we had to make a choice. Overstay our welcome another week to try to win the contests again, or pack it up. Turns out the two metal heads from Alton, Illinois were genuinely nice guys. But, there’s no way we could make it to California with the little bit of money we had left.
We felt like our California dreams would have to be put on hold just for now. We decided to call back home just a state away from Illinois. Putting our egos aside to ask for help from family.
We needed a place to live. Someplace where we could work to save enough money to make it all the way to California. We assured each other that we still have time, we’re just 19.
Long story short… we never made it to California. We ended up losing touch with each other until years later when it became easier to track people on Facebook. However, this memory is one that lasts a lifetime. Rest in peace my friend.
What were your dreams with your ride-or-die friend?
Lori K Today is a lifestyle publication. Offering sporadic, unconventional, mostly short posts via email and/or the Substack app.
I'm so sorry Lori. Hugs
I was waiting for part 2!! Thanks for sharing your adventure. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend though. So sad