“I’ve missed good thunderstorms,” Dave says after we all count from the lightning strike to the cracking thunder. The count is 7 to 11 seconds or the presumed distance in miles it’s away (light travels faster than sound, you know?). Entering the Needles Scenic Byway near Custer, South Dakota, it was all too obvious from the brown haze in the sky, coupled with the warmth and sizeable raindrops, that a storm was brewing.
“All windows down,” I called at the lowered 15-mile-per-hour speed through the route as the sweet pine smell filled the air. Even with the intermittent drops, our windows were still down as we descended.
I didn’t tell you, but I brought two plants on board. One is a vine with long roots in a water-filled, see-through plastic mushroom, and the other is a Christmas cactus from my late Grandma. Grandma’s plant is riding in a pocket on the fanny pack device buckled between the driver and passenger seat. So far, she’s staying alive, weathering being trampled on when she’s set on the floor. Thankfully, each growth can be placed in soil or water, and roots can be grown in the future if needed.
I’m here to tell you America’s beauty is alive and well! At a stop off I-90, I found a boat ramp with divots that made my country off-roading self-pleased to maneuver down. Then Evelyn and I tiptoed into the silty bank of the Missouri River for a dip while Archie got sticks thrown for him. The lowered sun hitting the hillside with silos had me trying to frame up for a photo that didn’t look as good as it did in person.
Back in the car, I’m seated atop the skirt and sweatshirt, feeling refreshed in only my damp panties and a tank top. In this 93 weather, having the chill is a welcomed friend. Pausing writing, I take pictures of the sun behind the car that’s poking through a giant cloud. The colors and sun streaks are phenomenal, but I imagine they are just a regular Sunday for the people of Chamberlain.
It’s 7:30 p.m., and we’ll arrive at our hotel in two hours. After four days of long hauling, my perception of time is skewed. Where once three hours of drive time was a slog, it’s now a bright spot, the last push before the final thrust across the finish line. Today’s been the perfect blend of fast and slow, and I’m happy to rate this day at 4.6/5. Today’s sights include a prairie dog, marmot, deer, pronghorn, and many grasshoppers.
As we settle in for the last leg of today’s journey, I’m ready to sit back, relax, and soak in the remaining hour of our drive. The road brings peace, a time to reflect on the day’s adventures and anticipate what’s next. I’ll see you tomorrow, ready for whatever comes next. Until then, sweet dreams to me and sweet dreams to you.
Love, Jaclynn
Going On 40 