As my trip winds down, so seems my prospects of making it into St. Paul according to schedule. The problem with making it across the country (and into Mexico) is that you are filled with a sense of confidence about something you really have little control over. Hitchin is hitchin, and it's just as unpredictable now as it was when I first started.
Today I made it a total of seven miles, putting me just barely outside of Billings. An hour or so after the sun went down I caved and contacted my host from the night before. He was more than happy to pick me up and we resumed our conversation from the night before.
Today was simply bad luck. I actually felt pretty good throughout the day as most of the drivers gave me big friendly smiles. There was one middle finger but my reflex to give them the bird instantly back has been honed over the last two month and it didn't break my positive outlook for the day.
The sun was out, I had good music, and I sincerely believed someone would stop. In fact, two people did stop for me. One took me the seven miles that I talked about. The other driver was a lying creeper. I asked him where he was headed and he replied "east." "East on 90?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said.
"I need to be on 94, towards North Dakota," I said.
"I'm going to North Dakota, I can get you halfway to where you need to go."
I-90 doesn't go to North Dakota...
"What town in North Dakota?"
"Um... I don't remember the name... I'll take you where you need to go."
"I'll wait for another car..."
Then I closed the door and that was that. Of the 50 to 70 cars that've stopped for me, only three have been like that guy. If anyone reading this is planning on hitching, remember to ask questions before getting in a vehicle, there are creepers out there...
So I'm stuck in Billings for an extra night but at least I have a roof over my head, a nice host, even pizza and beer. Most importantly, I'm safe and optimistic that tomorrow my luck will improve!
Signing out from Billings...again.
Keep the stories coming.
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