Back Too Soon

Starting in Lexington, SC, 14 May 2019

The last meeting is over at 8:30pm, twelve hours after the day started and sixty minutes to go before I can shed these Allen-Edmonds.
Entrance to the Interstate is close by and would cut the trip home down by twenty minutes.  Tempting.
The brisk, inviting dusk calls me
The idea started here with Take The Back Roads
I give in to my tired soul, turn left, not right, and take the back road.
Cool breeze. Windows down.
Last glimmers of light as the sun sets behind a sprawling, peach orchard
Cruising at forty-five mph in a fifty-five zone.  Breath deep
Different fields, different smells
Surprised by a smoker grill making the air smell happy.
A freshly cut lawn
Different fertilizers for different crops.
Clean, cool, dry air
Breath deep
Another smoker.
Thank God for pigs
Thinking about a landmark of my youth that was razed today. Nature rained tears on the demolition, a fitting tribute. Remembering all the family functions, dates and events I enjoyed there, knowing the next time I visit my hometown, I will be sad to see it gone. Countless, memories and I curse those with no sense of history or aesthetics. It was the cultural center of our once, back roads town.
Today, reckless McMansions have encroached on what was a farming community

Progress?  Bullsh*t!!

The Destruction of The Historic King George Inn

Shake it off Raymond and get back in the moment
Breath deep
More fields, beef cows settling in for the evening.
Peach groves, getting closer to harvest.
Soon I see the glow of the edge of the city.
Back to reality
Back to civilization.
Back to the smooth pavement and wi-fi.
Back too soon.
Already looking forward to tomorrow’s journey on the back roads.

Ending in Aiken, SC