06-10-11 - Show me which road I'm on

06-10-11
Dazzling, dancing
Half enchanted
In my Merlin sleep
So where to now St. Peter
Show me which road I'm on
12.8 miles
Getting up it was overcast and clammy.
Rain had puddled inside the tent from the nights rain before. The air mattress had deflated (again) and I was feeling…a little better than the day before.
Shows how good yesterday was.
The brake down of the night before had been cathartic. A pressure valve released.
I have gotten support emotionally and financially from a few staunch friends and journey followers. I have a way to continue and a new focus.
A turning point has been reached.
I haven’t reached the halfway point, but I have exceeded Steinbeck states and months ago. But several people have hit on the same theme. I’m not Steinbeck and this isn’t his journey, it’s mine.
The structure is there but I have the freedom to complete, alter or end at this point or any point further.
It’s up to me and all on me. My choice. Go the distance or quit where I am and find a place to live and a job to do and finish the book from where I end up.
And I’ve been given some options.
I guess I’ve always understood this. That it could be over at any time. But it keeps going on and the determination, the fire, the wonder to see and really get in touch with all the imagined places on the maps I’ve already poured over for the rest of this Journey - it is still in me. The exhaustion and the weather weariness aside, I want to see. To experience. To have more amazing experiences like those I’ve already had. To absorb into my skin and my soul, all the places I’ve been; all the places that have become me.
The day is still cold but I’ve determined to “Get busy Living” again and use the car as my electric power for my computer. I post several days worth and am in contact with many friends; researching places in North Dakota for my departure on Sunday.
I drive over the Bridge above the Yellowstone River to the Albertsons on the other side to get a few supplies. The river is going over the banks and flooding the lowlands. I take a video of it. It’s a powerful river and with all the caution that the state seems to have taken everywhere else, there seems to be no attention by anyone in the city to the flooding. Old hat perhaps. But it wouldn’t take much for the waters to get the 3 blocks to where I’m camped . And it could happen rapidly. For departure on Sunday, I’m at least on the side of the city that I can access the Highway out of state to North Dakota..
The city of Glendive is divided by the river, there is even a little island that supports the interstate bridge.
I already know my way around most of the city. It‘s a fairly simple town layout. About 5 main streets and maybe a hundread or less branching off of these.. There is a community college, a county High School a K-Mart; two competing Dinosaur museums mayby10 gas stations; 5 casinos (or what pass for them) and not a lot more. Pizza Hut, Subway and Taco Johns are the big fast food places. There used to be a McDonalds according to my Garmin…but it’s not here now.
I don’t know if it meets the Jimmy Buffet definition he gave to Ringland, Ringland “It’s a dying little town”. but it may be on life support. It’s a nice enough place. But I would go crazy in tow weeks, If I lived here. One movie theater, the Rose and it looks like the run down bar and motel next to it. Not even sure it’s in operation. And the thought of being here in winter. Gives me chills on multiple levels.
The day has moved on…it’s even gotten warm. And, the sun…has actually broken thru. It’s after 6pm, but it’s starting to be a good looking day. (See what the tide brings in - damn right.)
And Blue skies emerge as well.
It’s starting to get dark now approaching 8pm. A few rain clouds darken the sky…but THAT’s the way is should be…not a few seconds of blue sky being seen. I’ll take THAT any day!
The temperature is still chill and there is a damp feel in the tent and either a moldy smell…or my socks give an unpleasant smell to the tent. I’m hoping it’s the socks. I can do something about that tomorrow.
And tomorrow will come soon enough. I post a few last things on me laptop in the tent and fall asleep sitting up. I come to and the computer is off. Did I shut it down or did it run out of battery and hibernate?
I’ll find out tomorrow. I’m sleepy…finally. Don’t want to break this Merlin sleep spell. I don’t get those often enough.