Picked up my first “non-hitchhiker”

As I drive around the country looking for cool places to write, or film, I’ve stopped a few times to help folks out…from changing a tire to providing directions.  However, I’ve never picked up a hitchhiker.  Given that I often have stuff strewn all over my truck, I don’t really have the room anyhow…to say nothing of the other obvious reasons for not picking up a stranger.  I’ve also never picked up a “non-hitchhiker” before.  Allow me to explain…

Here I am in the Acadia National Park, minding my own business.  I was in Bar Harbor grabbing dinner, while accessing the free local wi-fi network.  I had been tenting it at a campground about eight miles from town. As I was driving back to the campground, about (around 7pm as the light was beginning to fade) two miles from town, I saw this woman walking alongside the road. For some reason, my intuition told me that there was something wrong with this scene.  I continued driving for another mile or so, but couldn’t get the thought out of my head.  So, I pulled over to ponder it for a spell…then I decided to turn around and ask the woman (soon learned, named Michelle) if she needed help/ride.

I drove past Michelle, made a U-Turn, then drove alongside her…but on the other side of the road.  I had the window down and said, “pardon me for stopping, but something tells me might need a ride.” She proceeded to tell me that in fact she had been walking for miles as she missed the last trail-head shuttle bus that runs throughout the park. I told her I was staying at a campground about five mile up the road and would be happy to give her a ride. Amazingly, she too was staying at the same campground, and, coincidentally, just a few camp spots away.  During the short ride we had a nice, albeit brief, conversation.  As I dropped her off I said, “if you’d like to continue the conversation, I’m at xyz camp spot.” I really thought she would come by, especially since she too was alone. At the very least, to thank me for saving her. 🙂

Well, evening came and went, so I figured for sure she would come by in the morning to thank me for the ride.  She never did.  Now, I don’t need a reward or affirmation for helping someone, but it would have been nice. She didn’t even so much as “like” my Facebook fan page, or send me an email (I had given her my card).

My question to you is…was her modest “thank you” upon her safe arrival sufficient? Or should she have made an effort to reach out one last time? I look forward to your comments. 🙂