On Vancouver Island, hitchhiking is generally seen as a safe and viable method of travel, except on highways where it's deemed unsafe. In the small community of Salmon Creek, children receive lessons on stranger danger, emphasizing that only outsiders pose a threat while those within their town can be trusted. This creates a unique perspective on safety and community.

As kids reach the age where they want more independence, some begin hitching rides to travel to town. This transitional phase can be fraught with its own dangers, as illustrated by a sense of fear from both parents and peers regarding the practice. The author reflects on the tension between a desire for freedom and the protective instincts of family and friends.