Long road trips of any kind, at anytime, 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 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 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 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 hiking all day. I began my day in eastern Virginia. 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 Indiana 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, where I might spend the night, 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?” “I’m OK. I decided not to buy the firewood.” I was happy admiring the four story sign with huge black type and giant yellow squares that read Waffle House, eating dinner, and watching the heat waves rise from the fields.
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
© C. Davidson