Truck Stop Near the Border

Long road trips of any kind, anytime of day, in any weather, and in any state of mind are good. My favorite time to drive is the afternoon if I’m in the plains, mountains in the evening, and after midnight almost anywhere. I’ve done countless trips during the heat of the day through the Midwest, the south, the west, and eastern Montana. I’ve stopped a lot in the North Dakota Badlands for extended breaks during some of those. I rarely take the time to hike into the park, but I always stop at the overlook for a while and if I’m lucky a few bison are laying in the grass nearby. The badlands of South Dakota are more surreal. Years ago, my wife, our daughter, one of her friends, our dog, and I, parked our RV overnight at a KOA Park in the middle of the badlands. It felt like we’d landed on a different planet because the landscape is so wild. It had a pool, showers, simple breakfast options, craft activities for kids, and geological hikes that explain the formations and what’s likely buried beneath them.

I’d been driving for eight hours when I arrived near the border. It was early evening, still hot, sticky and hazy. I was weary and felt dusty like I’d been on a long hike. I began my day in eastern Ohio. It often takes me awhile to leave the town I’ve stayed at overnight, regardless of where it is. I move slow in the morning and I usually linger at favorite coffee shops and eateries in familiar towns. If it’s a new town, I like to search for new favorite places.

Early evening at this truck stop, in the middle of nowhere was also a perfect place to linger. I’d purchased food and found a grassy patch with shade to sit in. My wife and I had spoken earlier that day and rather than interrupt her again, I texted. It was brief and included where I was, when I might arrive and everything I just purchased—gas, wiper fluid, skittles, Gatorade, a coke, two wrapped deli sandwiches and a doughnut for later. I mentioned that bundles of firewood were cheap here and I might buy a couple of those as well. After a minute, or two, the text dots pulsated. Then they stopped and awhile went by before she responded. “Are you OK? Firewood?” “Yeh, I’m OK. I decided not to buy the firewood.” I was happy staring at the enormous four story sign on two black columns that read Waffle House. Admiring the huge black type on giant yellow squares, eating my dinner, and watching the heat waves rise from the fields was perfect..

Songs :: Dusted Mind by Steve Gunn, Southern Cross by The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Into the Mystic by Van Morrison, Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) by Looking Glass, and State Trooper by Bruce Springsteen