Oct 07: Hitching Home
 
Miles Today : 0

This morning, I woke up early and went to breakfast with Denis, the owner of the house, down at the local greasy spoon. There, we talked sports with the locals at the bar, and I dined on a fantastic pan omelet, which really hit the spot. This really was the perfect way to end a hiking trip, have a great breakfast in a little hole in the wall in a small town. Nothing could have been better until Denis told me that he had to head out of town, and that he was going to give me a 20 mile head start on hitch hiking! Somehow, these things always seem to work themselves out.

He dropped me off right on Route 100, when I started looking innocent in hopes of getting a ride. It wasn't long before a preacher named Mike pulled over and offered me a ride another 30 miles down the road. No problem there, I jumped in his car and down the road we traveled, chatting away about hiking and some of the camp programs that his church runs in the summer time.

When it was time for me to go, I thanked him and again started looking for a ride further down the road. Unfortunately, I stood on the side of the road for almost an hour, with no luck. I began to wonder what would happen if I could not actually get a ride, and what I would do, when all of a sudden a green Jeep Cherokee pulls over - and it is Doc Miles and Red! I couldn't believe my luck! Some random chance canceled their plans, so they decided to head back home via the scenic route. And there were going right back to the Inn at Long Trail, where my Jeep was!

I had a great ride back to my Jeep talking with them, all of us amazed at the timing and random chance that not only we hooked up, but that we were going to the exact same place. It was back to my Jeep by noon today, and sadly heading back home for now. I may have only had a week for a backpacking trip this time, but I made the most of it, and it was truly a great experience.

-Chomp

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