Hitching into Julian

In our morning hours we counted down the 9 miles until we crossed a highway. Our packs were light with little food or water, so we moved swiftly. At the highway we would be hitching a ride 12 miles into Julian. Yes, hitching as in sticking your thumb out on the side of the road. Another gal wanted to join Jessica and I as she had never hitched a ride and didn't want her virgin hitch to be solo. We welcomed her company and figured another girl would only improve the odds of a quick lift. In my experience having a female with you is an automatic-hitch and don't have to wait long.
Now, I know all our mothers told us to never hitchhike. Actually hitching is so uncommon now they didn't have to mention it by name, they just stated to never go with strangers. Well, part of going to college is to learn that not everything your parents tell you growing up is totally true. I've always chalked up hitching to this list. It's part of the hiker culture to get a ride into the nearest town to resupply food or even overnight and clean up. We are commited to hiking the trial, but when one comes to a road they can take a ride into town and a ride back to the same spot. It helps that we are in rural areas were the average homeless bum doesn't stay and our backpacks help identify us as hikers.
Today it took us about 15 min before we got a ride. A SUV going the oppsite direction pulled over and let 2 hikers out as the driver yelled, "You guys want a ride into town?" True to almost every ride I've gotten he had to move things around in the trunk and back seat to make space for us. It seems the people who stop to give you a ride never have room in their car for you until they move all the junk around. After a 15 min lift I was in line for a footlong Subway!
Julian was a small touristy type town. Everything is on one block and there is a guy giving horse carriage rides. They are most famous for their pies, which are sold all around the area. We found some picnic tables where we relaxed in the shade eating some oranges and pastery treats. We stayed in town just a few hours resisting getting sucked into all the luxery.
After hitching out of town back to the trail, we meet a few other hikers making camp near the road. We chatted with them before beginning a strong climb up from the road. With 6 inches of Sub in each calf and rested feet we hiked until dark a little over an hour later. We made camp along with another hiker who was waiting for his partner to catch up.

Total miles: 82.0
Miles today: 13.6
Camp 5: Makeshift Beach

Disclaimer: Hitch-hiking is dangerous and potentially life threating. Hitching and picking up hitch-hikers is not endorsed or recommended. One should only stray from their mothers advice with fear and trembling.

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