The Sabal Trail Pipeline

I was hitch hiking from Sanford to Tallahassee when, as is sometimes the way, my journey took an unexpected turn.

I had been dropped somewhere west of Lake City, at a huge petrol station off the I10. I'd been there for about 3 minutes when a staff member came out tell me 'you have to leave.' Some establishments, particularly those of the big brands, have idiotic rules about prohibiting panhandling on their property. This is not the first time someone in a logo-clad polo shirt has instructed me, following direction from the mysterious powers-that-be barking at them down a walkie-talkie, to disappear and save their poor customers from my indecent and criminal harassment.

As I was explaining that 'leaving' was precisely what I was trying to do, a dreadlocked guy, about my age, came to my rescue. (I don't think I've ever been denied a ride by anyone with dreads by the way.) He and three others were on their way to the county court house to meet eight friends who were being released from jail. They had been arrested last night from their nearby camp while protesting the construction of the Sabal Trail gas pipeline, and as I was told repeatedly, they hadn't been doing anything unlawful.

I'm sure you've all heard of what is happening at Standing Rock. Well, this is apparently happening all over the United States. Outside the court house a group of people were gathered with a cameraman ready to support their comrades. This group was incredibly welcoming and they had a lot to share about the pipeline protest. Many had also been at Standing Rock. 

I didn't stay very long, (I wanted to make sure I'd arrive in Tallahassee before nightfall), but when I was given a ride back to the I10, I felt very impressed by these people's passion and will to stand up for something they really believe it. It turned out to be a very inspirational detour.

791 Rides

An empty road somewhere in Florida