I have a fond memory of Wyoming. Back in March of '78 I was driving by myself from Michigan to Oakland, CA. All the way I kept my eyes open for a hitchhiker because I was getting real tired and wanted company. I got so bored that I started reciting episodes from American history to myself, as if I were telling somebody else.
As I cruised through the late evening along I-80 I saw an arm protruding from the darkness. A hitchhiker! I slammed on my brakes.
The guy who got into my car was about my age, early 20’s, long blonde hair wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Yes, a T-shirt. Here it was, March in the Wyoming mountains and a guy is hitchhiking on I-80 wearing a T-shirt.
As he got into the car I knew that if he were some kind of psycho he wasn’t going to do anything until he thawed.
To make a long story short, we had a great trip. He turned out to be a great guy. We stopped somewhere in Nevada and he asked to borrow a couple of bucks for the slot machines which I obliged and he won $360.00.
He was so grateful that I had picked him up that he bought gas and food the rest of the way and he even took over driving so I could sleep.
After we got to Oakland I introduced him to my friends and he paid for breakfast and a got me a bottle of tequila as a going away gift.
Sadly, I don’t remember his name but I know somewhere he’s there and remembers that fateful night in the Wyoming hills.