Unexpected Encounters
- davisnika
- May 23
- 5 min read
From the very beginning, our adventures have been filled with interesting people, places and occurrences. As I shared in my second article, “Precious Cargo” we encountered two motorcycle mechanics in Oklahoma who truly need their own sitcom. We were so entertained, we didn’t care about getting off schedule for the trip. Although with any trip, flexibility is key.
A couple of years ago, on our Grand Canyon trip, we stayed the night in Page, Arizona. Yes, home of Horseshoe Bend. After experiencing a beautiful sunset there, we moved to a spot closer to our hotel. It was near the dam and had a fantasstic overlook. We were traveling with another couple and three of us were perched on rocks overlooking the Colorado River. The hubs was not; a random man started talking to him. There is no one else around, but the man approached my husband, was drunk and celebrating his release from prison. My husband stood there and listened to him for a bit, but was not concerned, because the man was very drunk. Within minutes his three friends came and literally triangulated us. I am not a very trusting person by nature and when a stranger came next to me I turned around and looked at my husband. I saw a stance I know well and immediately knew something was wrong. I popped up and stood behind him. Soon after, my husband’s friend also realized the threat and he stood beside him as well. My hubs told me to get his friend’s wife and go to the bikes and don’t turn around. It was intense. We did so and our guys trailed behind us. As soon as we all got to the bikes, the four men went to their car and watched us. It was very strange.
We got back to the hotel and literally debriefed the situation. While my hubs still believed the man who initially approached him was harmless, he thought the intent of the other three was not so innocent. His friend asked “what was your plan?” My hubs told him his hand was in his pocket and on his knife and ready to use on the guy next to him and he was going to kick the one that was near me over the edge. Other than the drunk guy, that left one and he looked at his friend and said “I was hoping you would take care of him!” While the whole situation was averted, I don’t think the three were quite prepared for two country boys that would do anything to protect their wives.
My husband has “high vibration”, meaning people and animals are drawn to him without him saying a word or looking their way. An extraordinary number of times, I have come out of a gas station to find a random person engaged in conversation with him. He isn’t even always friendly in the conversation! I, on the other hand, have “low vibration”. As I shared In my article “ Compromising Trips” , we are opposites: I am rarely approached or spoken to by strangers, cats want to attack me, and dogs are 50/50.
Last summer, while at Bryce Canyon National Park, a thunderstorm came in and the park rangers asked for people to return to their cars or seek shelter. As we were on the bike, our only choice was to seek shelter. While he got our rain gear out of the bike and put the cover on the trunk, I secured us a spot under the eaves of the structure that housed the restrooms. It was a great spot, literally in a corner with plenty of overhead protection. I had the space all to myself until he returned from the bike. Once he joined me, seven other people came into the space as well. His high vibration was like the Pied Piper!
On that same trip, we were coming out of a restaurant and encountered two couples. They saw we were from Texas and inquired how long we had been riding. He shared the information and told them our next stop was the Million Dollar Highway. They said they were going there as well after they ate and recommended a different route. We took said different route and it was awful. The road was bumpy and void of caution signs other than ones handmade. There was actually a sign that said “Sharp Turn AF” and it was quite accurate.
Nevertheless, we reached the destination and the two couples arrived soon after. There was no mention of the road. Interestingly, only one of the two couples rode the Million Dollar Highway. The other rider said he had done it once before and would never do it again. Unfortunately, that meant his wife didn’t get to experience the Million Dollar Highway. I loved it! We were cliff side and there was only one time I was very bothered by the drop off. As we continued on, we encountered a truck and fifth wheel jackknifed on a switchback. The Million Dollar Highway isn’t for those afraid of heights or inexperienced drivers or riders!
From the Million Dollar Highway we traveled to the highest Harley Davidson store in Silverton, Colorado and then on to Pagosa Springs. We heard Pagosa Springs was a must stop, but our experience was quite different. We arrived late and were quite hungry. We checked into the hotel and were sent to a room the absolute furthest from the check in desk. It was creepy. We saw no one else. We got into the room and the hubs opened the curtains over the sliding glass door and then quickly closed it. He looked at me and said “don’t look out there”. So what did I do… I looked. Uh, there was a courtyard of overgrown weeds and a man in the courtyard. As I said, creepy. The hubs said he was going to go find us food and I told him there was no way I was staying there alone. We asked the hotel clerk about any restaurant recommendations and her response was “everything is closed.” It was 8 pm and the town was shut down. We actually did find a restaurant open, ate and returned to the hotel questioning if we were in the right Pagosa Springs!
Just like the California Highway Patrol officer that provided us assistance (shared in the article "Fuel’s Folly"), each trip is filled with unexpected, yet memorable encounters. I may try to work on my low vibration. Who knows what stories we would have if I were approachable too!
The Blonde Backpack
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