Okay, so we survived our first day of hitchhiking and were feeling pretty good about the next leg of the trip. In the morning, we walked directly out of the inn we’d slept at, held up our signs and put our thumbs out. It was exciting not knowing who we would meet that day.
After about ten minutes, a rental car with two guys pulled over: Nick and Jake.
After about ten minutes, a rental car with two guys pulled over: Nick and Jake.
Nick, who lives in Massachusetts, had surprised his son Jake that morning with a last minute father-son road trip. Jake had thrown some clothes in a bag and jumped into the car. They hadn't been driving long when they saw us.
“You guys just look like normal people,” Jake said. “That’s why we picked you up.”
“You guys just look like normal people,” Jake said. “That’s why we picked you up.”
We felt at home with them right away, passing around the maps to discuss where we all wanted to go. Nick stopped often to check out views of the beautiful coastline.
Nick talked about his views on karma and quirks of fate.
"I like to pay it forward," he said.
He’d pull over and we’d all take pictures and soak up the stunning views.
"I like to pay it forward," he said.
He’d pull over and we’d all take pictures and soak up the stunning views.
The car was comfortable and they were friendly. Tom and I didn't realise that things were about to get better… way better.
Mid-conversation, Jake pointed out a sign for dune buggies and quad bikes. He suggested we check it out, and Nick agreeably swung the car around and drove into the place. We soon learned that there were some huge sand dunes nearby. Jake was really excited about the prospect of quad biking the dunes.
“Dad, let’s do it!”
Nick shrugged and the two of them got out of the car to speak to the manager.
Out of sight, Tom and I looked at each other. “I guess we’ll just hang around and wait while they do it,” I whispered. We figured it was worth it to wait and get a guaranteed ride south, even if we did lose some time.
Nick stuck his head back into the car.
“Want to do it, guys? I’ll pay.”
We were flabbergasted.
“We can’t let you do that,” Tom protested.
“Come on, I’m generous,” Nick replied.
We didn't need much encouragement. We got some helmets, jumped on a bike and rode them around the back to the dunes!
Mid-conversation, Jake pointed out a sign for dune buggies and quad bikes. He suggested we check it out, and Nick agreeably swung the car around and drove into the place. We soon learned that there were some huge sand dunes nearby. Jake was really excited about the prospect of quad biking the dunes.
“Dad, let’s do it!”
Nick shrugged and the two of them got out of the car to speak to the manager.
Out of sight, Tom and I looked at each other. “I guess we’ll just hang around and wait while they do it,” I whispered. We figured it was worth it to wait and get a guaranteed ride south, even if we did lose some time.
Nick stuck his head back into the car.
“Want to do it, guys? I’ll pay.”
We were flabbergasted.
“We can’t let you do that,” Tom protested.
“Come on, I’m generous,” Nick replied.
We didn't need much encouragement. We got some helmets, jumped on a bike and rode them around the back to the dunes!
The dunes were huge, and to get up to the top you had to get a good run up, and then keep increasing speed until you were full throttle. If you eased off at all on your steep ride up, you wouldn't make it to the top: you had to really commit.
It was seriously exhilarating!
It was seriously exhilarating!
Going down the steep faces of the dunes felt like going on a waterfall ride at a theme park… except that it’s sand, and you’re somewhat in control. I felt the adrenaline rush through me and grinned like a maniac.
Nick was wonderful. He treated me like a favourite niece, zooming around me and offering helpful suggestions. When I nailed it, he gave me a thumbs up. Jake showed us how to do doughnuts in the sand and raced around like a pro.
It was difficult to keep the handles still as my bike jumped along bumps at full throttle, and up a particularly steep dune, I could feel the handlebars moving a lot. I gritted my teeth and stayed at full throttle.
Unfortunately, I flipped the bike and it landed on my leg. Oops.
Unfortunately, I flipped the bike and it landed on my leg. Oops.
But rather than scaring me, I felt relieved. What I'd feared had happened and all I had was a few bruises. Nick, Tom and Jake sped over to help lift the bike off me and checked I hadn't broken anything: human or mechanical. Apart from the little flag that shows where you are to other bikers, I was good to go. So I got back on, rode down the dune, and swung around to try again.
Except this time, I made it.
Except this time, I made it.
So, what do you think? Have we convinced you that it's worth it to trust people and say yes to adventure yet? Leave a comment! We would also love to hear about adventures that you've had when you put yourself out there.