Travels in the Red Sled

Saturday, 27 June 2009

Travels in the Red Sled
On the road to Montreal, we’re the second car in this modern day caravan. The group is large, and we only know one couple well . . . But there’s the promise of adventure, and good music, and of course, romance. Feet out the window, Springsteen wailing through the speakers, it’s a perfect day for a road trip.

. . . feeding you trail mix
      my happy place, beside you
      kisses to your ear . . .

The rolling hills of Vermont take me by surprise. From the highway, it seems as if the entire state is a well-manicured cemetery. Despite the bright sun, I remove my shades, to drink greedily the shades of green I have not yet learned names for. Each tidy church steeple drives home the fact that quaint postcard landscapes do, indeed, depict real places.

. . . you laugh at my shock
      that this paradise exists
      even the cows smile . . .

As we head into Canada, I again find my breath. There are signs of life, a life that I recognize. There is a balding man wearing socks and sandals, checking the morning mail. A plump, young mother in pink stretch pants hands her daughter a Snickers bar. An enormous sign on the roof of a converted barn boasts “Exotic Dancers”.

. . . less self-conscious now
      of the grit that clings to me
      I relax, enjoy . . .

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Sounds like a great roadtrip...keep us posted.
- 6/27/2009 5:05 PM
- slinky (message)
- reply
that sounds like an incredible road trip! made me want to jump in my car and head...well, head somewhere!
- 6/27/2009 5:08 PM
- sarahfus (message)
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woohoo
- 6/27/2009 5:10 PM
- apyus (message)
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great post...i really like it...thanks for sharing....
- 6/27/2009 5:12 PM
- diamonddave75 (message)
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If I was Canadian I might ding your shins for that "signs of life" surprised notions. ;) but I'm not so,

good story- reminds me of stories within stories as like Travels with Charlie, steinbeck. only yours has a poem within the story. and...sing along now... BLAME CANADA!
- 6/27/2009 5:26 PM
- Uncious (message)
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Sounds like a relaxing time...have fun.
- 6/27/2009 6:21 PM
- godfatherofgreenbay (message)
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travel haibun! And so well executed. I love how you described Vermont. I so want to head up that way some day! Excllent.
- 6/27/2009 6:45 PM
- adventofreason (message)
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You're awesome!

Shucks- Cindy beat me to it! Nice haibun! We both tackled it on the same day- have to say yours is better. Kudos!
- 6/27/2009 7:00 PM
- murisopsis (message)
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So you figured out a haibun, huh?! Smarty pants! Great write!
- 6/27/2009 7:08 PM
- heart_beep (message)
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@slinky - @sarahfus - @apyus - @diamonddave75 - Thanks all! Nothing like a good road trip! This one actually took place a few years ago, but it was definitely one of the best mini-vacations EVA!

@Uncious - Thanks for the kind words . . . I actually had nothing bad to say about Canada . . . loved it and felt very at home there. It was Vermont - the beauty of it made me uncomfortable . . .

@godfatherofgreenbay - Hey guy! Hope you're feeling better . . . getting any relief from that sunburn yet?

@adventofreason - Thanks, darlin'! Vermont is gorgeous! There is honestly a surreal feel to it . . . we didn't stop . . . not on the itinerary, but it honestly freaked me out . . . it was that beautiful.

@murisopsis - Ha! I was so psyched that I had finally finished it and just needed to give it a once over . . . then I read yours and thought, Oh, no! I hope that by posting it, it's not like showing up at a party wearing the same dress! Glad you liked it, but I thought yours was mighty fine, girl!
- 6/27/2009 7:10 PM
- jacksoncroons (message)
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@heart_beep - shucks, I guess it wasn't so bad . . . some of these challenges make me feel like I'm back in high school, trying to impress cranky old Mr. Edwards. The only thing he actually liked that I'd done was a treatise on Steinbeck . . . and I did a TON of writing that year . . .
- 6/27/2009 7:13 PM
- jacksoncroons (message)
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beautiful! see. haibuns, sestinas. you got the world conquered now ; )
- 6/27/2009 7:14 PM
- MooncatBlue (message)
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@MooncatBlue - WhooHoo! feeling like I got the world by the cojones!!!! Thanks, you!
- 6/27/2009 7:15 PM
- jacksoncroons (message)
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You set the scene so well.
Feet out the window, Springsteen wailing through the speakers, it’s a perfect day for a road trip.
Perfect!!
- 6/27/2009 8:26 PM
- awoolham (message)
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What you ridin?

so you drove right through my neck of the woods (smiles) - I guess you CAN get here from there!

"Despite the bright sun, I remove my shades, to drink greedily the shades of green I have not yet learned names for. " This is exactly how I feel every time I leave my house (except in winter, of course and then it is shades of grey...and autumn in shades of red) It is enough to make you feel as if there just might be intention behind the Universe!

Love, Love, LOVE Montreal for all the above mentioned reasons. You do the haibun justice! Great read.

Now where oh, where is that cow mini when you need it?
- 6/27/2009 9:06 PM
- BianchiStreet (message)
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Great! I feel like I am in the car behind you : )
- 6/27/2009 9:07 PM
- storyslut (message)
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Thanks for the mini. It was great!
- 6/27/2009 9:55 PM
- Jaynebug (message)
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You're awesome!

you are amazing, you took me with you on your adventure, zowee, loved it, you are awesome, your pen is magic!!!

hugs,
sage
- 6/27/2009 10:51 PM
- untetheredsoul (message)
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love road trips ... thanks for sharing yours ... feet out the window ... boy howdy ... exotic dancers in a barn ... ain't nuttin' like that here ... haha
- 6/27/2009 11:02 PM
- windupherskirt (message)
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@jacksoncroons - Don't worry at all - we ARE wearing dresses but mine is a grey wool midi with big buttons and an empire waist and yours is a chiffon mini sundress in bright summer pattern and colors. Same form but so very different...
- 6/27/2009 11:35 PM
- murisopsis (message)
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you did well on this one, jackson.
- 6/27/2009 11:50 PM
- speraquodvereor (message)
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What a great painting of words! You are a master Jackson.
- 6/28/2009 12:13 AM
- ZSA_MD (message)
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Cows in thongs?
Only in canada...

Z
- 6/28/2009 7:10 AM
- DriftingDeadly (message)
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Wow... what can be more fun and enjoyable than a converted barn boasts “Exotic Dancers”.
- 6/28/2009 9:51 AM
- RestlessButterfly (message)
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I
I've noticed more and more the enjoyment of the road lately. I have been outside more this month than usual. I have been wanting to drive farther and farther each time. But then I am also glad to put my feet up on the couch when I return home again. And its always good to make sure that the kitchen is clean BEFORE you leave...
YOu really write a scene that allows me to feel the sun on my cheek! I hope that its a fantastic trip and I send whelms of peace to cover your road and energy to fill your every breath..
I really enjoyed this post.
- 6/28/2009 1:20 PM
- z_stands_for (message)
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