Roadblocks XXV

There are journeys and then there are roadblocks out there in the streets and of the mind as well.  I was writing and traffic began to pile up in the I95 corridor through Connecticut. Last time I went up there we inched along for hundreds of miles. Sling and I went over it in our mind while the boys were getting antsy and decided to head in a different direction. Bethel came into both of our minds.

Sling: "Hey what do you say we get on I 287 and leave this traffic mess behind. Head over the Hudson on the Tappan Zee Bridge. I heard there's a campground up there and there's going to be a few bands coming in for the weekend. We've got sleepinig bags. What do you say?"

Scott: "It's been awhile since we were in fourth gear. Let's get off and stop for gas and beer once we are in NY.  They do know how to treat their young citizens when it comes to a cold one or two.  Old enough to go to war but not have a Budweiser?  Seriously."

Once over the bridge they merge on the NY State Thruway heading north.  Me and Sling know where they are heading and it is good.  On the seventh day He said, "It's going well".  Life is all about leaving the city behind, Boston, especially.  Stick is pretty quiet back there with Bob. I can pick up on some of his thoughts.  And he has a suspicious mind in the first place.  Or the last, whatever. 

Soon they find an old remedy of a store.  I didn't make that up. It's the name of the store, Old Remedy.  Gas in under a buck and beer is 1.69 for a sixpack.  Scott has the funds. He always has money. No idea how he gets it. Older women?  Speaking of women, two of them, younger variety gather around the studly Studebaker with rusted out side panels. 

"Hi! Want to go swimming out back? Father says we need a lifeguard to use the rope with the rubber tire. You will do."

Sure he does. In any case they bypass the interior of the store with its hundreds of tobacco laden bags and some high-priced bottles of vodka. "Only the very best for my girls".  And around back they go and down a hlll to a river full of stones and a big tree overlooking the proceedings.  Clothes get lost and they are all swinging out over the current and falling balls up into the water. Or not. The ladies are modest to a degree.  Not a large number. Hot, yes, but deeply lacking in degrees of shyness or fear. They all see each other very well in this land I have created out of the past and some of the people known to me back when.

The can be invisible as well to the general population who is not eager to look in any case or see even if they try. 

Sling is enjoying himself. I am able to almost be him at moments like this. We look around as wild young adults frolick in the middle of life's youthful experience.  I am there as well for a moment. The older one smiles at me Sling and I quickly retire back to my writing area with Nonie in the next room.  We went to Duke today to get educated about her surgery coming up in a week or so. 

It was an exhausting day.  But we made it back to the mountains.  When we left early this morning there was a lovely celestial event in the sky.  Let me see if I can put it up for everybody.  It is a sign.  Of course. Jupiter is all about philosophy and writing.  It's powerfully optimistic. Things will work out.  And seeing the moon opening up like a flower to the buzzing planet in the cool, October darkness was a great way to start our journey.

I have a great deal of optimism to draw upon these days.  Hey! Jimi Hendrix is back!  Have you seen him lately?  It's Sunday morning at Woodstock all over again!!