So I just wrote this, it describes something that I want to do, a toke and ride. I went to Santa Cruz a couple years ago to ride, and it was pretty sweet, but I hadn't started smoking then. It's about a 16 year old high school student, and there really is a High Street at the south end of UCSC, lol. \tIt was a warm May afternoon in Santa Cruz, but Robert was slightly chilled in the air conditioning of his last class. It was Friday and he wanted to leave. He wanted to ride. His teacher was talking about US law, but Rob wasn't listening. The Offspring played in his left ear, the side of his face away from the teacher. He was listening to the bass line, its rhythmic thump barely audible in the cheap earbud. The teacher wrapped up his lesson, thankfully without any homework. Great, he thought, that's one less thing on my back. The bell chimed softly and he walked out into the mess that is the hallway during passing periods. He was finally done for the week, and he was damn glad about it. His bike was locked up around the west side, its saddle warmed by the bright sun. Rob took out his phone and pedaled down the street. He called his friend Scott. \t“Hey man, how's it goin'?†\t“Pretty good man. What's up?†\t“I'm thinking of doing a T n' R up at Braden trail, how's that sound?†\t“Heh, I was thinking the same thing. Let's do it.†\t“Right, meet you up there around 3:30?†\t“I'll be there. But I'm out, you gotta bring this time.†\t“Alright, that's cool with me, see ya there.†\tThe ride home was short. He rode his Santa Cruz Heckler into the garage and walked in the door, setting his pack on the table. He grabbed his Camelbak from the hook in the closet and went to the sink to fill it's water bladder. He also grabbed a package of Oreos. Lastly he went and got his stashbox. He then went out the door. \tBraden trail was about 3 miles away. It was a lightly ridden trail, not too technical or fast, which is exactly why they chose to go there for a toke and ride, as he called it. It had a nice rock outcropping near the trailhead that was a stoners' hang out. Today, though, it was deserted as Rob approached the spot. He sat down and took off his pack. He closed his eyes and sunk into the music in his ears. Two tracks later, Scott rode up and uttered something about the humidity, but Rob didn't catch it as he still had his buds in. \t“Hey, how's it goin'?†Scott said. \t“Pretty good, man. Pretty good†Rob reached over to his pack and took out his box with one joint, a lighter and the requisite eye drops. He took a puff and passed it to his friend. \t“So, you know Ms. Rita?†Rob said, breaking the silence. “I had a test in her class yesterday that I totally forgot about, so I pretty much BSed the whole thing. Apparently she didn't look very closely because I got a 95! Hah, what an idiot!†They both chuckled at the thought of the old woman. \tAfter a couple minutes, Scott took the last hit and flicked the roach away into the bushes. “You ready man?†\t“Sure am.†replied Rob, already strapping on his pack and helmet. He always rode with a helmet on the mountain. He knew a kid that died because he didn't wear one. He wasn't going to take that chance, and he just didn't feel comfortable riding the trails without one. He set off down the trail, letting the grip of gravity swiftly pull him away. The experience was amazing, like every other time he did it. The thrill of speed combined with the wind in his short buzzed hair and the tall redwoods surrounding him made for something unique. The twisting trail seemed to go on forever, its occasional drop or jump just as pure as the last. Finally after what seemed like 15 minutes of bliss, he emerged onto High Street. He smiled at the name. He kept cruising down the gentle hill until he came to a small park, and stopped. Scott was close behind. \t“Dude, that was sweet!†Scott beamed. “But damn have I got the munchies. Whatcha got?†\t“Some oreos.†Rob replied as he took the package out from the Camelbak and set it on the table. The cookies looked tantalizing, in their uniform rows. After polishing off the package in about 7 minutes, they split and rode away in the crimson sun. The weekend had just begun.