Every town has a late-nights drive tale of danger and ghostly apparitions— nowhere is that more true than on the lonely highways of South Texas. This week on Strange Wonders, we tell a classic, heartbreaking Vanishing Hitchhiker story with a Texas twist.

⚠️ Content Warning & Listener Note: Strange Wonders adheres to a clean language standard and does not contain profanity. However, the folklore we explore is often rooted in deep tragedy. This episode discusses mature themes including accidental death, loss of a child (or loved one), and emotional grief. Listener discretion is strongly advised for sensitive audiences and young children.

Want to learn more about Vanishing Hitchhiker Stories?

The Vanishing Hitchhiker Author(s): Richard K. Beardsley and Rosalie Hankey - https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/modernlanguages/applying/undergraduate/crossschool/ln305/biblio/beardsley__hankey_the_vanishing_hitchhiker.pdf

-----------------------Credits---------------------------

Script / Hosting: by Jose A. Saenz

Music:

"Quinn's Song: The Dance Begins" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"No Frills Salsa - Alternate" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Verano Sensual" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

-----------------------Sound Effects---------------------------

Used with permission under pixabay and/or creative commons license.

• Night Drive (AugustSandberg),
• Car Door - Hammy01
• Carnival Atmosphere - CapaholiczSFX
• Birds in a forest pm a Sunny Day - kosmoso
• Road - Ryding

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Permission is granted for others to create reaction, commentary, or review content featuring this episode (in full or in part), provided proper credit is given (visibly or verbally) to Strange Wonders, a link to the original work is included in the content description, and the original work is not reuploaded or monetized in full without transformation.

© 2025 HeyWonder, LLC

Story, script, and retelling by Jose A. Saenz

All rights reserved.

Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or adaptation of this retelling is prohibited.

This retelling performance and script is an original adaptation of traditional folklore and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law.