Hitchiking Home

I stared out the window watching the canyon fly by me... so much faster than when I was crossing through the gorge below. We'd stop at the canyon lookouts, and the desert view tower. All the little touristy places that I may have otherwise missed. I dug deep into my pocket to count my change, I was just a dime short of an ice cream. I looked around at the cafe menu for something else before trying to barter with the cashier to give me less than my full serving, to no avail. I asked him what it cost with tax, and asked some foreign lady for a dime. She tried handing me a quarter, and I pointed out the smallest of the shiny coins. I walked back in with a big smile on my face, not so happy at the cashier, who handed me a two inch size cup. I had just paid $3 for ice cream, and he gave me that little thing? I quickly found out that I could pile it on as high as I wanted... I'll tell you I certainly got my money's worth. It was a leaning tower that hung about 6 inches over my cup, smothered in orange cream, chocolate, mint, and vanilla ice cream.

As I piled it on, a man whom I figured worked there laughed, and commented about my sculpture. Then he strangely leaned over to me and whispered in my ear in a graspy, creepy sort of tone, "You're kinda perty..."

My eyes grew huge while I was trying to process what he said, my feet were the first to work, kinda like Fred Flintstone running in place... and I was OUTTA THERE!

In a bit of a panic I couldn't find the girls I was riding with, their names wiped from my memory, and I couldn't even describe the car if I needed to. I thought they would meet me at the Cafe? Panic came over me, my bag was in there car, with everything I owned. My wallet, drivers license, GPS, sleeping bag. Everything I needed to survive. What if I was stuck here with that creepy weird guy?

I took off to the parking lot to see if I could find the car. To my utter relief, there they were, waiting for me. Whew!!!

I snuggled back into my seat, doing the strange little dance to get the door shut- my body mostly out the window. I sat down, blanket on my lap, trying to shovel down the ice cream, which I held out the window. The car's speed picked up once we were on the highway, and melted ice cream was blowing everywhere! It had dripped down to my elbow, was covering my face and hands, while I was doing everything to keep it from spilling in the car.

As I licked the sun baked ice cream off my arms, I started to think that I should leave it in case I get stranded hitchhiking back the rest of the way. To remind me of civilization perhaps?

A strange buzzing came from the car, as I wiggled around in my seat, I found a locust. We had been trying to find one all day. Now there he was. I thought about Stinger, the pet scorpion, and instead of dooming this insect to the desert, decided to take him along as a mascot, and free him back in the woods on the North Rim.

I managed to tie a few pieces of my hair around him as a leash, and kept an eye out. The day flew by, and before I could name my new friend, he flew off too- out the window. I think it was mating season, and you know what testosterone can do. I suppose even if he died out there, at least he was living the way he wanted to- Free.

At the junction of highway 89, where it split in two routes, they pulled the car over so we could part our ways. Before I had even gotten my bag out, a truck pulled off to see if we were having car trouble.

"No I told the guy, the car is fine, but are you heading to Jacob's Lake?" I asked. He looked a bit baffled and agreed that he was. I did a quick look for any signs of creepiness, he passed the test. I explained the situation, and before I knew it had homemade cookies stuffed in my pockets, courtesy of the girls I rode with, and I was well on my way back to the North Rim.

I was surprised at how easy this was, considering that just yesterday I was being sneered at and scolded by snoody tourists. What did they know? If they had any sort of decency they would have offered a ride.

I suppose I am still a little cold towards that so very American attitude. I suppose we all have our reasons right? Ignorance.

I talked with the guy, who turned out to be a construction worker, heading back home to see his family. He told me about his travels, his family, and the new pool business he was going into. He told me stories of the desert, about Lee's ferry and how it use to be the major crossing point of the Grand Canyon.

I was dropped off at the junction at Jacob's Lake, just about an hour north of my final destination. The day had gone much smoother than expected, and I stragegized that it would be better to talk to someone at the gas station than to stick my thumb out.

After chatting with a group of bikers, I started to ask around. Everyone seemed to be going the opposite direction, or show no interest. I waited around for some time, before I decided to call my dad and let him know that I was alright. I called him right before I went on my trip to tell him what I was up to. I probably gave him a few grey hairs (my mom agrees).

I waited for some time, I knew foreign travelers were a better bet than Americans, and I quickly approached a German couple. They seemed to agree, and I'd meet them when they were done visiting the store. They didn't seem to understand much of what I was saying, but the important message got across.

I told them about the owls I worked with, and explained about controlled (and uncontrolled) fires in the area. It was a bit difficult to communicate, but the time I spent overseas has taught me patience. They dropped me off at the Kaibab trail entrance. A trail that I had new understanding and deep respect for now.

It felt as if it were a dream, I couldn't believe that I had finally made it home. I wanted to give everyone a hug, happy to be well and alive. No one was at my camp, but I had never been so happy to be there, and my bed had never felt so soft.