Late Covid American Sojourn: Day 5

It was starting to rain as we pointed the Subaru north out of Marathon, the road slick and wipers intermittent as we drove on toward San Antonio. A crack appeared in our windshield, and we monitored its growth with a piece of Scotch tape, hoping to make it to a glass shop at our next stop before it spread too far. We had a two o’clock appointment so, even as the rain picked up, we had to push on.

On the interstate, the spray from the semis was intense; I put the wipers on high. One of the trucks started to fishtail just as I was about to pass it. I gripped the wheel hard and navigated past a long line of semis climbing a hill toward San Antonio. We’d slept in a trailer the night before, and not well. I fought fatigue, downing multiple Red Bulls from the cooler as I aimed toward our appointment at the glass shop. Even the dog sensed the tension. Quietly, Rascal climbed onto Andrea’s lap, then slunk down to the floor at her feet, staring up at me with worried black eyes as I squinted through the thick mist. I shook my head, slapped my face.

After a time Andrea spelled me, and I leaned back and closed my eyes.

Some days on the road are a grind, pure and simple. It only makes sense when you think about covering 6000 miles in the middle of a pandemic that has already claimed 410,000 lives. Though our primary goal is to not get sick — to stay alive, essentially — while we go from LA to Miami and back to get Wyatt, we’ve got nothing against enjoying the ride. And from the Saguaro and Ocotillo of the Sonoran desert, to the white sands of New Mexico, the red-walled Santa Elena canyon of the Rio Grande to the Texas hill country, the American land is entering our consciousness and experience.

But there are times when the road takes it out of you. Yesterday was one of those times.

As we rode into Texas’ Hill Country, the sky cleared. San Antonio’s skyline stood sharp and clear against the horizon. One more day in the books. We’re now halfway between LA and Miami.

We’re coming, Wyatt!

Late Covid American Sojourn: Day 4

Late Covid American Sojourn: Day 6

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