Heading west from Austin.

“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back.  May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.  And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.” – Irish Blessing

It is time to Leave.

I had been in Austin for a month.  The time flew.  And it would have been easy to stay and celebrate Christmas with my friends at the Dixie Ranch.  My gut was feeling like moving though.

I walk and bus to the southern edge of Austin.  Then stick my thumb out.  I always feel a little nervous putting my thumb out again after a break from hitching.  But also, feel alive!

Soon, Joe and his wife pull up.  They are headed about 40 miles south of Austin, close to San Antonio.  Joe says, I should sit in the back of the truck.  Back on the road.

Meet Joe.  

Joe stops for gas and we talk a bit.  Joe has a gray pony tail, a shiny earring, and a baseball cap.  Joe used to hitch.  He once hitchhiked from California to Florida.  “It took me about a week and a half!”  When he says it, he seems like it frustrated him that it took him so long.  I was thinking that was pretty quick.  Maybe that is the difference between people whom like hitchhiking and those whom don’t.  For those that like it, it doesn’t matter how long it takes to get there.

Joe drops me off at a truck stop, that he says has very friendly people.  He says, I should just ask one of the clerks and they will help me get a ride.  

Meet Roy.

After trying at a few spots, I decide to sit at the back of the station with my sign, which reads, “WEST Route 10.”  I am trying to get a trucker going a long distance, around the hub-bub (I am liking the word, hub-bub, lately) of San Antonio.  

Roy approaches me.  He is a “traveling gypsy” in his own words.  Roy is “wintering” close to this truck stop in a bamboo forest. He has a small belly and an unzipped camoflage jacket.  He is walking back to his tent with a can of beer to collect firewood before it gets to dark.  

Roy gives me some tips on where to hitchhike from and assures me that I can get a ride from the on ramp. “There are good people around here,” he says, “they put up with me!“ 

Roy travels where ever he feels like going.  ”That’s true freedom.”  He has been doing it for longer than he can remember.  

I take Roy’s advice and head back to the on ramp.  

Brandon as Mr. Gameshow

Meet Mr. Gameshow.

So, that is not actually Brandon’s title, but it should be.  Brandon picks me up next and takes me near Selma, Texas, right outside of San Antonio.  Brandon wears large sunglasses and has blonde hair.  

Brandon made up his own gameshow, called Mr. Gameshow.  It is just for fun and he runs it at a bar in San Antonio every monday.  Brandon is serious though.  He has a very professional setup.  Buzzers, scoreboards, and stands for the host and the contestants.  

For work, Brandon is a math tutor.  He has been doing it for a long time and it pays well.

Brandon drops me off at the back of a strip mall outside Selma.  He thinks this would be a good spot to camp for the night, as it is getting dark soon.

After searching for a bit, there is actually a better spot across the street.  An abandoned few lots with plenty of trees.  I use my new tent and sleep like a baby.

Create Our World.

Ben

“Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes, a farewell is necessary before you can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those whom are friends.” – Richard Bach

Tags: adventure travel blog, Benjamin Jenks, create our world, hitchhiking, mr. gameshow, roadtrip around the USA
Categories: Hitchin Stories., People.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 9:29 am and is filed under Hitchin Stories., People.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.