Oh my, my, how I had forgotten the joy to be found in driving – particularly driving a responsive, well-functioning vehicle where gauges and issues did not have to be monitored. It’s glorious. You feel one with the car. The radio playing classic sounds – The Cranberries, Aerosmith, The Beatles, Panic at the Disco, Plain White T’s, Fleetwood Mac, Eurythmics, and so on. Songs you can sing your heart out on.
The open big sky of Montana, one of my favorite states, where you can be the only person visible on the road before and behind you as mountains loom in the distance and rivers and forests grace the near visibility. Where my foot may have accidentally pushed past ninety, but only maybe…
I got a serious case of the giggles when reading names like Beaverhead River, Climax Gulch, Big Hole Pluton, and the town of Feely closing in right behind them (some days I have the humor of a 12-year old boy, lol). It had been a long time since I laughed so freely.
The weight off of my shoulders cannot be measured. Each mile towards my destination frees more of me, lightens me, enlivens me. Yes, you may have guessed – I’m heading to retrieve my new rig. Here’s a sneak peek:
I’m currently traversing four states to go pick up my new home. I want to be ecstatic, but I know better. Like many things in my life lately, the representation may differ from the reality, so I’m cautiously optimistic. This would change everything for me in so many ways. Comfort. Mobility. Dependability. In a word, the closest to true freedom I’ve had since I left home. The nearest to my actual nature that I have been.
Today, the real me came home to roost again. I almost did a burn out in a rest area parking lot (who knows what the penalties would be for tire tread loss on a rental car?) She’s the one who pitted her Charger against Corvettes and won. The one who stuffed asinine males into lockers for disrespect. The one who dances alone and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. The one who will always survive. I’m glad she’s back. And I can’t wait to see where she goes next…
Check back in a few days for the unveiling. Any day that reveals two heart rocks in one day can’t be all bad… 🙂
Or a bumblebee visitor…
~SE on the road to restoration
Sunflower Solace Farm 
Ah, Montana … it really is something … in summer!
Still, I bet it’s brutal in winter.
I remember hitchhiking and being picked up in a Lincoln Continental and gliding along at something over one hundred mph, passing everybody who had passed me. That was back in ’70, when I also discovered the stories and poems of Richard Brautigan in a bookstore in Great Falls.
Enjoy that new home!
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Lol, yes, although I was being edgy for my rules conscious self, people were still flying past me. I think the countryside inspires it!
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What have you decided to name you new baby? Thrilled to here you have a new ride. I hope it’s better than you think. Life wouuld be great if that were to happen. Sounds like you attitude has already turned around which is 90% there. Take care until next time.
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Still thinking on that. It has a name, but I’m not sure I’ll keep it.
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No, you have to make it oyur own. I look forward to hearing what she’s called.
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WhooHoo!
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You are traveling to such beautiful places, must be such an exciting journey for you. I did have to laugh when you said you were listening to all the classics… The Cranberries still feel so young to me (saw them in Seattle so long ago). There too is another joy you mention, which I think has more meaning than in years past, and that is the joy to be found in driving. Happy Trails to You!
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Yes, I know, The Cranberries aren’t true classics in that sense, lol. But I mark time by the music I listened to during periods of emotion. It was a time that my daughters and I came together in musical agreement and to this day they will still snap a picture of the radio playing a song we favored and shared during that time period and text me about it, so those artists are wedged into my heart 💜space with my girls 🙂
Good to see you writing again and sharing your fabulous trips along with the philosophical gems they contain. Be well 🤗
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Very true, the music we grew up with while still fresh and new in our minds, have now become part of the classic genre 🙂 And you capture so perfectly what music is ~ pieces of memories that make the heart beat faster with happiness when it plays 🙂 Great story, and also sure do miss their lead singer, Dolores. Wish you all well!
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Road trips where ever you go- whomever you are with, even if you are alone, are times of treasures! Thanks for sharing a few of your treasures.with us. ” WHAT ARE YOUR TREASURES?” a good book to pick up on that road trip when you decide to take a reprieve from the drive. You can find it on Amazon.
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Some of my best memories are today trips across the decades. This one may be my most exciting one ever though!
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OH, she is beautiful! Hope she is better than your wildest dreams!
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