Pick up the man walking on Graton Rd.

[ella rozett]

Ever seen the short black man walking on Graton Rd? I passed him for many months before I had the courage to stop and ask if he wanted a ride. He's very nice, perfectly safe, a local resident who appreciates rides. I recommend stopping for him when traffic allows. Ella Rozett

[busyb555]

I too had seen this fellow walking down Graton Road when I lived between Graton and Occidental. I offered him a ride on a rain soaked day to find out he was a local fellow with a soft heart and warm smile. He does not put his thumb out asking for a ride, content to walk home, even in the rain, but I agree with the poster here - he is kind and deserving of the kindness shown to him from any of us who blast by in our cars.

[StormDancer]

Bless you, Ella, for overcoming your fears. In today's world approaching strangers is frightening enough let alone inviting them into your car. With our limited public transportation system, getting rides when you can't drive is very important. We are not bums because we don't drive, some of us can't drive for health reasons, or lost our cars when the economy slogged. Getting rides is like getting food from a food pantry or shopping in thrift shops. It's not glamourous but it keeps you going through the rough times.
Please keep your eyes open and look carefully at the people waiting at bus stops. Learn when the busses DON'T run so you can think about helping us if we get stranded. This is especially important as we enter the Holiday season. Most busses don't run at all on holidays. Would you like to spend the holiday home alone or stranded somewhere?
-AnnaLisa

Ever seen the short black man walking on Graton Rd? I passed him for many months before I had the courage to stop and ask if he wanted a ride. He's very nice, perfectly safe, a local resident who appreciates rides. I recommend stopping for him when traffic allows. Ella Rozett

[LBJ]

this is nice... some don't have cars by choice or for whatever reasons, but rides are easy and really helpful for what may not be not much hassle... in other countries this type of thing is more common!


Bless you, Ella, for overcoming your fears. In today's world approaching strangers is frightening enough let alone inviting them into your car. With our limited public transportation system, getting rides when you can't drive is very important. We are not bums because we don't drive, some of us can't drive for health reasons, or lost our cars when the economy slogged. Getting rides is like getting food from a food pantry or shopping in thrift shops. It's not glamourous but it keeps you going through the rough times.
Please keep your eyes open and look carefully at the people waiting at bus stops. Learn when the busses DON'T run so you can think about helping us if we get stranded. This is especially important as we enter the Holiday season. Most busses don't run at all on holidays. Would you like to spend the holiday home alone or stranded somewhere?
-AnnaLisa

[justme]

He's a very mellow guy with some great stories. I believe he lives at or near the old Morningstar commune...A good soul

[Tecumseh525]

I think the man you're describing is Arthur. I picked him up the first time a year or so ago and I now keep an eye out for him when I'm driving on Graton Road.

We happened to cross paths on foot in Occidental one day and I introduced him to my wife and friends we were with. She was concerned that I'd picked up a "hitch-hiker" (I too have never seen him with his thumb out). However, once she met him she said that she felt that he is indeed very gentle and pleasant & that she would also give him a ride if the opportunity presents itself.

He walks to get to work and back and has never imposed or requested anything whenever I've given him a ride, has never made an unkind remark.

I don't know him other than the brief encounters when I've given him a ride but I must say that he's as polite and nice a person as you'd like to meet.

[Dixon]

As one who hitchhiked all over the USA in my youth and always appreciated the good samaritans giving me a ride, it's nice to see folks getting over their fear enough to help someone out. It reminds me to get back into the habit of picking up hitchhikers.

Dixon