Re: [at-l] Hitching and the AT

>Visual cues and other cues are important, and can be missed even by those
>with good vision.
>
>In general, trail towns know there are hikers, and that hikers spend $ and
>stink. They worry about us as riders, as we go by alias' and are known for
>being a bit different from humans. They worry that we are carrying guns and
>knives, and will steal their daughters. Many have hiked and enjoy the
>opportunity to provide a lift as a bit of trail magic. Many wish they could
>hike.
>
>Occasionally, slime balls do drive and are not nice. As Felix saw at Dick's
>Creek Gap, some will pull over for you, and laugh as they speed away. Some
>have even watched packs leave in the backs of trunks or truck beds when the
>driver thinks it is clever to speed away before you can get in the car.
>Others are DUI or equally dangerous to ride with.
>
>Never get into a car without saying something and sticking your head into
>the car. If the hair on the back of your neck scruffles. "remember" that
>you are waiting for another hiker who is a half hour back, and thank them
>for stopping anyway. If you don't feel safe (regardless of how things
>look), pay attention to that and keep your pack on until the right ride
comes.
>
>These problems are rare, but do occur. The fact that you have considered it
>makes you safer.
>
>OrangeBug
>Atlanta, GA
>
>At 04:07 PM 1/5/2000 -0500, Kenneth R. Knight wrote:
>>There are so many visual cues that I just do
>>not pick up on that hitching worries me (remember, really low vision, eye
>>contact is one of those great unknowable mysteries to me - no this
>>doesn't affect my ability to hike - I just don't go fast). Also, I've
>>never done it before. Anyone got any thoughts on how you can safely hitch
>>a lift into (or out of) towns?
>
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>

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