Much gratitude to Jon, who has still never met me, but allowed me to live in his house for the duration, while he was vacationing in my hometown, Synchroni City. We call it "Ithaca."
I took the back way home, which involves a few hairpin turns, a few stops to calm my stomach, and some outrageous views. This path will take you through Cuchillo, Winston, and Dusty, NM. It might also (if you hurry), take you past Andy, a friendly flagman who helped me pass a pleasant twenty minutes waiting for my escort.
Andy has lived between Dusty and Truth or Consequences all his life, but has been to Germany twice (lucky duck). He was in the US Army. He gets the urge to travel sometimes, but the news persuades him to stay home. I told him I don't watch news much - it gives me the wrong impression of the world. He got that.
When he learned I was going to take 52, he got a quizzical look, and asked me if I had a spare tire. "That would be a heck of a road to break down on! Luckily, I've never been with anyone who broke down on it." That's okay, Andy. Other men have doubted Spud's grit, and they've been wrong, too.
He wished me a safe trip and a good day, and so it was. And, here's my escort...truck. He helped me follow the road into Winston.
My father had a satchel full of expressions that he'd pull out and flaunt, then shove back for repeated usage. He liked the shortcut, too. My dad was a rambler, and staying put too long pained his spirit. That life creates some hard choices, and when he had to choose, he chose to move. A man who couldn't make things go right could at least go.~ William Least Heat-Moon
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| New Mexico golfs. |
The shortcut truly didn't take more than an extra hour-and-a-half. I missed the mail pick-up in Datil, but I'm okay with delayed gratification.
