Wednesday, May 13, 2009

On the Road....#13



It was not simply the feeling of leaving, pulling the mid-size RV out the driveway with the three of them aboard, the two who he treasures most on this planet, the camping up through the northern Midwest states, the campfires and smores, the first watching of Jaws on the camper TV by young frightened eyes, Wall Drugs and pancakes, the Badlands and Custer, the Black Hills, fishing for trout and actually catching and eating them, stalking wild game for fun and developing future skills that may yet come in handy, the card games in the evening, riding sturdy steeds in the high country, and cooking up dogs on the side of the road, listening to and introducing young minds to his life’s journey through music, sharing ideas and listening to new ones forming, not calling home, or anywhere else for a couple of weeks, because there was no one else to worry about who was not aboard that roaming trolley of fun and exploration.


No it was not these things, but rather one moment that sticks out in his mind that symbolizes life, love, and the road. Late at night, early morning actually, somewhere in Wyoming, the crew sound asleep and he driving, he noticed that not a light could be seen for miles and miles in any direction of the wide open expanse of this western landscape. He slowed the rig down to a quiet stop. After dismounting he walked a ways up the center of the paved roadway, say 200’, and he laid down flat on his back and facing the largest field of lights in the sky he can recall…..from way over there…to way over there. He went completely limp and gave up thinking and started to acknowledge his grand fortune…his life, ever so small and meaningless…..yet with each breath and beat…..full and fantastic.