Hitchhiking is an ever-turning wheel

With my gear already packed and ready, I hit the roadside nice and early to maximize my chances to catch a ride. I've done quite a bit of hitchhiking in my long distance hiking days, but not as a means to make significant miles, or even as I am today- to shuttle for a river trip. I know this road will likely not get much traffic, but my feeling is that Alaskans are much more likely to lend a hand and give a ride than down in the lower 48. Especially if you're in trouble or need help. That being said, there was to be a car heading my way for there to be a chance that they stop. I settle in with a book, alongside a straight away that offers a long visual of me as they approach.

I end up reading about two thirds of Krakauer's "Into the Wild" and only two cars have come by. One stops, but isn't headed far- just two miles down the road. About this time, a guy comes walking up from the river, carrying his paddling gear. Turns out he has just completed the run I'm hoping to start. He's hitching back towards Eagle, where he lives. We chat a bit, and I get some info about the river.

I finish the book, now having spent 6+ hours on the side of the road. My compatriot hasn't had any better luck than I have. He only managed to flag one car down, which evidently declined him. As they drove off, he looked to me and shrugged, yelling, "Russians!" Whatever that is supposed to mean.

So, I take it as a sign that I'm not meant to get a ride today, I'm meant to give a ride. I load up my gear and then my new friend. The drive to Eagle is long and slow, but he is very grateful. He fills me in on the info and perspective only a local can, which I appreciate. Learning a bit of the local drama, a bit about mining, as well as fishing, I eventually get him home. His wife was just about to leave to come get him, and she is just as thankful she's been spared about 3 hours of driving, round trip. They both try to pay me, but on principle of this being my good deed, I decline. I've been fortunate to receive so many rides from strangers... time to put a few in the karma bank.

Matt, confesses to me that just moments before My offering to give him a ride, he settled in against his pack to close his eyes and wait and sent up a prayer that someone will come along and be able to help. Not thirty seconds later, my offer came in. Although I'm not terribly solidified in religious certainty myself, this is not the only time I've apparently very clearly been "used" as the "hand" of a higher power to answer prayer. See my entry "Brush with death on the river" if you want a (long) example of what I mean.

With Matt dropped off, riding back south I have another opportunity. Two women with large packs on flag me down from the side of the road and explain they are out researching the trees around here and would like a ride a few miles down the road to a truck I remember passing. Sure, why not? The ride is too short to learn too much about their research, but the professor and her graduate assistant are thankful and in good spirits.

With my good deeds completed I head back towards the Alaskan highway to regroup. I end up making it back as far as Tok. Naturally, I missed the damn information center again. I'm plotting an alternate river plan now- flying into the west fork of the fortymile and taking out at the same bridge. I just have to figure out the flight cost at the local airstrip and if I can pay someone in advance to shuttle me. I'll have the advantage of the info center and BLM office being open in the morning.