THUMBS HIGH SANTA CRUZ POST #4

Unexpected Trip to West Cliff

It was a Friday afternoon and an extremely beautiful day. I waited by the Cowell/Bookstore stop and threw up my thumb like always. Within a few minutes, I got picked up by David in a 1998 Honda Accord 

David was a really laid back kinda guy and we immediately had an understanding of how relaxed we both were knowing that it was Friday and school was out. David had just gone surfing and said he considered going back. I was about to start my surfing class in the next week and the idea of being able to go surfing at will was tantalizing. I still smoked cigarettes at the time and I was definitely wanted one and at that moment, David pulled out a fresh pack of Marlboro 100s and pulled out two and offered me one. 

We saw another hitchhiker on the way down from campus and we picked up the girl. We dropped her off by the Bay/Nobel bus stop. David seemed like he would pick up anybody. We made a right on nobel and took it to Western and both realized that we had nothing to do so we both agreed to go to the West Cliff. On one of the most beautiful days in weeks, I was spending my afternoon with a stranger and it was great. Smoking a few more cigarettes, we saw some dolphins and otters. People were running, biking, and strolling down West Cliff. After an hour, he dropped me off and I took a nap. Those who hitchhike and those who pick up hitchhikers might have a lot more in common if they had a chance to talk. I didnt take David's number but I hoped that I would see him again sometime again. Thanks again David for the nice afternoon :)