Perfect Strangers who Helped

[Northern Dancer]

Pine mentioned something in a post about "sharing bacon and eggs" with strangers. And I got to thinking about the number of times perfect strangers reached out to help me without any fanfare or any desire to be paid. I thought about the times that I reached out to campers/canoeists who needed a hand or some piece of equipment.

The question is: Have you received impromptu assistance from a stranger or have you made a deliberate attempt to be helpful?

Here is one little story.

I was going through a crowded town. You could easily tell the number of people were not native as you looked at the number of laden-down vehicles loaded with all kinds of gear. So there I was in the middle of an intersection when my motor suddenly stopped. I couldn't get that engine to start no matter how many times I swore. The lucky guy that I am, I suddenly realize there are six motorcyclists immediately behind me. I quickly checked them out and looked them over searching for some symbol or other that might suggest if they were friendly or maybe not so friendly. They were big guys, with hairy faces and jackets covered with all sorts of patches. The one gets off his bike, stands, and starts directing traffic. Like clockwork vehicles coming at me were directed to move safely around me. I got the distinct message that nobody was going to mess with these guys. With the traffic under control, two other guys examined my vehicle while the others stood tall like they were personal guards. "Yep," says the one, I think it's the alternator too." They got my vehicle started and escorted me to a well-known national garage just down the road and waited to see that I was okay. I got the leader's name and address - and was surprised that he would give that to me. Anyway, when I got home I made sure that I thanked them and gave them a "coffee card" to keep them in coffee for a week.

Come to think about it I've received a lot of help over the years and I've been reciprocal in doing the same. Let's hear your story.

 

[ppine]

I first learned these lessons growing up on Chesapeake Bay as a kids. Dad was in the Navy and there is an unwritten code of conduct to help people on the water. We used to tow people back to the marina when they lost an engine. We would tow and kedge boats off sand bars when they ran aground.

Then once on a long trip over on the Eastern Shore of Maryland we hit a submerged log and mangled the prop and bent the drive shaft. Dad managed to hitch a ride on an old Bay built work boat. Seaworthy but slow and we had to cross the mouth of the Bay some 30 miles. We had a stiff wind off the port beam and boat rolled and pitched for hours. Diesel fumes did not help. Everyone in the other family puked over the side. But we made back to our marina safely and the boat was repaired and we ran it home a week later.

Always be willing to give people a ride, a beer, some food. I trust outdoor people more than any other group I run into.