CHAPTER 8: HITCHING A RIDE

At that time, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Franco, and Hans were at a bus stop in the middle of the desert. They had no idea where they were. And they only had a little bit of money on them between the four of them. The bus they were on continued to Utah and they got off at that particular stop. The man at the terminal said that the next bus to Sparkyville wouldn't be there for a couple of days. All of them were tired and hungry. Across the street from the bus stop was a restaurant.

"We need to get something to eat, guys," said Peppermint Patty.

"But we don't have much money, sir," said Marcie. "And they could be expensive."

"Well we don't have any other options, Marcie," Patty stated. "We could go to the gas station, but what they probably have is just chips, candy, and soda. Let's just see what they have first and then decide if we want to eat there. It's not like the next bus to Sparkyville will be coming through anytime soon." And the kids reluctantly went over to the diner.

When they went in they saw some other kids eating as well. They decided to sit down at a booth. When the waitress came over with menus, the kids looked at the options on it.

"Hey, we got enough for quite a few of these items, and with money to spare," Patty said with happiness.

"You're right, fraulein," said Franco. "Food is cheap at restaurant."

"Well I guess we can order some food," said Marcie.

Later after they ate their meals, Patty said, "The only problem is where will we sleep tonight? I feel we'll be spending the night in the terminal for a couple of nights. If only we were close to Camp Remote."

"Excuse me?" said a girl with pigtails in the next booth, who had a southern accent. "Did y'all say Camp Remote?"

"Yeah," said Patty. "Are you heading there?"

"Naw, but my pappy is heading not too far from thar," the girl said. "I figured we kin take y'all as far as we can go 'n we reckon you won't be too far from thar. About 10, 20 miles, I reckon."

"Really?" said an excited Patty. "There may be hope, guys! Can you give us a lift, girlie?"

"Shore, my pappy could give y'all a lift. You will have t' ride 'n th' back o' the truck, though."

"That's not a problem! Is it, gang?"

"No problem at all," said an apprehensive Marcie.

"Kay y'all pay y'all tabs 'n we will leave." And the kids paid for their meals and joined their new friend and her father as they climbed into the back of the pickup. They left the diner soon afterwards.

A bit later, the truck stopped about 30 miles from the camp. The girl opened the back window of the truck and said, "Kay y'all. This is as far as m' pappy will go. Y'all have t' go on y' own from here."

"Okay, and thanks for the lift," said Patty as everyone was getting out of the truck.

"No problem, Patty," said the girl. "Y'all take care now. Y' hear?" And the truck made a turn and left in a different direction.

"Okay, guys," said Patty, "we may have to hoof it from here and camp out somewhere in the woods tonight. But stay close to the road so we won't get lost."

"I think just getting to the camp has become an adventure in itself, sir," said Marcie.

"Stop calling me 'sir'!" Patty retorted.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE RACE BEGINS