Road Trip: A Country Mile

Where does it lead?

 As I stated in my previous blog post about finding an audio book worth a listen, I decided to to take the disc set with me on some errands Saturday and listen during the drive. Of course, since me and technology have been dueling lately, I wasn't surprised when my CD player in the Honda kept spitting out the disc with an "Error Reading," rather than the narrator's voice sounding from the speakers. I attempted to reinsert it numerous times...spit out...one by one...I inserted all nine CD's hoping at least one of them would play... but the CD player vomited them out continuously. I even crossed my fingers with each start of the car hoping the stereo had reset itself and would satisfy my craving for the audio book. But it didn't. So, the longest part of my errand driving was surrounded with normal songs being replayed on every station I tuned in to. After my last stop at the post office and with a turn of the key...there it came...the lovely voice of the narrator reading a chapter of the book along with the gentle humming of my car.
 This excited me and  frustrated me at the same time. If the stereo would have played from the get go, I am sure I would have been comforted by the writings & readings of the next chapters. Grateful that my Honda stereo is not in need of repairs and my quiet cussing was done, I still felt somewhat cheated and unsatisfied. I was in the mood to listen and admire this author's work...admire her realness and simplicity...admire the writings not being overshadowed with unimportant, fancy words...admire the fact she cusses throughout, like a normal person dealing with life's frustrations...but not in an offensive way...in a real way. But, my errands were done and I was only a short drive from home. Now what? Shit...there goes my enthusiasm for the morning...but...maybe not. I'll just take another drive...whether needed or not...just to drive and listen to something that resonates with me...something that makes me feel calm and good. I was interested to listen to the story of the toughest six months of her life. I was...in a small way...learning a thing or two.

There's still a one lane road?

 As I looked through the drizzle and spurts of rain wetting the streets, I debated about where to go...I decided to drive...just drive...no destination in mind...just relaxed to the purpose of the drive...to listen...not to admire the views along the way...not to have an epiphany, just drive, relax and listen. Then I smiled at my thoughts and honed in on the irony here...wasn't I just grumbling about commuting all the damn time? Here I am about to take another drive.
 As I started leaving Olympia, I decided not to take the freeway; I wanted country roads that eased me into the afternoon of listening. I didn't want cruising at 65 mph or worrying about hydroplaning at that speed to interrupt my leisure. As I drove, the small town of Rainier came to mind, of which I have never been. I was sure that it was small, uneventful and maybe even impoverished, but perfectly suitable for today's trip. I was right.
 Since the proximity was only 15 miles from Olympia and not nearly a long enough drive, I drove through the town...on the short, one lane road, saddled with a trestle overhead...I made turns without knowing the direction but self assured I could find my way back...and kept going. The next large road sign pinpointed Tenino as the upcoming town, eleven miles away. I instantly thought of an old acquaintance that lived there...I've never been there either and knew I wouldn't have missed a thing if I never did...but it was on the way of my listening...of my peace...on this country road I chose.
 The next stretch of road to come...