Single again and with more time on my hands than commitments, I had decided to hit the open road for a while. I didn't pack an itinerary and only packed the clothes I thought I couldn't do without. After all, this trip would be atop my old Harley and there wasn't but so much room for stuff. In the past few years I'd come to live doing the things I want to do and like doing, which meant odd jobs, some consulting now and then, and lots more time to shoot outdoor images, something I'd not done in earnest since the film days of the 80's. So, with the essentials packed, the motor serviced, I was prepared to head out first thing in the morning to wherever the front wheel took me.
The next morning was bright, clear and crisp and as I pulled out onto the interstate the only thoughts and plans were to head west hard and fast for a couple of days before slowing down. The miles clicked off quickly and easily and I rode well into the darkness that first day before taking a room for the night. I usually try to find a motel where I can take a room on the ground floor so I can roll my motor into the room for the night. It's an old habit from years ago. After hitting the free breakfast at the motel I was back on the road. I'd already passed through the mountains of North Carolina and into Tennessee, and wanted to cross the Mississippi before stopping again. As I rode I began to notice, as I often do, the cars travelling in the grouping around me. Some fall out while others are added and I often think about where other folks might be going if I've noticed them for long stretches. One such sedan caught my attention midway through the second day out, having seen it all morning long.
Around noon I pulled into one of those mega-convenience store/gas station/fast food places to fuel up, grab a bite and hit the men's room. Besides, after riding all day the day before and all morning today my legs really could use a stretch. As I was fueling up I noticed the silver sedan pull up to the pumps three islands away. At first I didn't think too much of it, but a few moments later when I saw the curvy brunette start fueling the car it got my attention. She appeared to be about my age and I muttered to myself that her husband must be a jerk for making her do the fueling duties while he was no doubt inside. I hadn't seen him, mind you, just an assumption. I got finished gassing up, rolled the motor to a spot in front of the store and made my way to the restrooms and then to find something to eat, all the while hoping to see the brunette come inside.
Sitting at a booth and finishing my lunch I spied her at the counter ordering something to eat. There was no man around and I decided to sit and watch what she did. All she got was a drink and some fries and I watched as she made her way back to her car, got in alone, and started to pull out. No dude after all. I hurriedly tossed the table scraps in the trash, hopped on the motor while trying to keep an eye on the sedan to make sure it resumed the same direction on the interstate, which it did, and got myself underway as quickly as I could. Out on the road it didn't take me long to catch up to within eyesight of the silver sedan and I adjusted my speed to pace with her for a while, being in no hurry myself. We rode on like that into the afternoon sun and I can tell you that I was for sure happy when I saw her signal and merge over into the off ramp at rest area. That tea had gone through me, and apparently through her too.
The rest area was busy but as it turns out one of the last empty parking spots was right beside the silver sedan. She'd already made her way inside, no doubt in real need to pee, so I parked and made my way to the men's room. I figured I'd get done faster than her, and figured right, and as it happened we were walking back towards our parking spaces at just about the same time. I got there first, swung a leg over the seat and just sat there cleaning my sunglasses. When she walked to her car she stopped and said, "Where you headed?"
"I don't know, just following the front tire. How about you?" She chuckled and took a step in my direction before she began to speak.
"I've been seeing you for hundreds of miles now. You really don't know where you're going to wind up?" At this point she was only a few feet from me and her smile was sweet, her skin lovely and mellow, her hair wisping in the breeze, her shirt straining to fit around her ample boobs and her hips and legs displayed perfectly by the skirt, and a face that was like the innocent girl next door that should have won the beauty contest. I explained that I was on an extended outing of sorts, out to purely enjoy the ride, enjoy the sights, take some images along the way, and go wherever it seemed right to go. She knodded more in a way of agreement than anything, stood quietly for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'll see you in the breeze then."