To San Diego: Rigo, Roger, and Juan.
My Aunt Betty thinks this looks like San Die Go.
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” ~Oprah Winfrey
It is New Year’s Eve and I have about 200 miles to reach San Diego. I have told my friends, Hope and Dave, that I would be there, so I feel some pressure today.
Meet Rigo.
After a breakfast of bacon, sunny side up eggs, shredded hash browns, and cups and cups of coffee, my Aunt Betty and her friend, Barney drop me off at the exit on Route 8. It heads all the way to San Diego. A straight shot. I am feeling great and reminiscing about not only the past year, but the past 10 years.
Rigo pulls over and I decide not to take his ride because he says he is only going a couple exits. But five minutes later he returns. I misunderstood, he is actually headed about 45 minutes up the road. I saddle up.
Rigo is headed to work. He is a welder. Rigo loves welding.
Rigo is a family man. He’s married with a few kids. He was rich at one point, but he squandered the money on alcohol and drugs. Rigo has since found God and is very happy in his faith.
Rigo tells me about his family road trip into the Baha Penninsula. They camped on deserted beaches, swam, and ate authentic Mexican food. It is cheap there.
Rigo drops me off at the exit on his way to work. It is dead though. Dang. My dreams of San Diego are in jeopardy.
Meet Juan.
It took awhile to meet Juan. I had to walk about 5 miles in the side along the highway. But I am grateful. He picks me up at a very slow exit and takes me a few miles up the road to the town of El Centro. There is a truck stop here and restaurants. The onramp is steady. I relax. I was a little worried as I walked that I would not make San Diego by dark.
Meet Roger.
Roger has a long beard, a pony tail, and huge fingers. I “profiled” him as a potential ride and definitely gave him my best thumb. He pulls over and is going to San Diego. We are off.
Roger “spreads s***” for a living. Fertilizer. He makes good money. Roger works in Arizona, but lives in San Diego. He is headed back today to see his family.
Roger drinks coffee from a silver travel mug. The coffee hangs in parts of his beard near his mouth. I can’t help but stare as he talks.
Roger picks up hitchhikers a lot and tells me stories of people he has helped. A young European woman in central California, whom he bought a bus ticket. Another man whom was in freezing temps with no money. Roger is a good man. He is open to others viewpoints.
Roger and I drive through the mountains. He tells me of illegal aliens and how they cross here. Roger also shares alot of his knowledge of California and San Diego. As we enter the city limits, Roger passes his house and decides to take me right to the hostel that I will stay at. He goes out of his way to drive through Ocean Beach. It is a hip part of town right on the water. It looks like a movie to me.
He drops me off after making the hostel is open. Happy New Year Roger!
Happy New Year and New Decade to all. This hostel allows anyone to stay for free tonight. I am meeting up with my friends, Hope and Dave, soon to ring in a new decade. Feeling grand.
Create Our World.
Ben
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.” ~Benjamin Franklin
Tags: adventure travel blog, Benjamin Jenks, create our world, hitchhiking, new years eve 2009, roadtrip around the USA
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Hitchin Stories.
