It's been three years . . .

since I stood in the glow of the York & Son Garage neon with my boots on the pavement of US 6, once the longest highway in the nation.

 

The road's been rougher since then, harder than I could have imagined - long lonely stretches, with scary turns and steep drop offs, gray days and stormy nights that seemed endless. It's taken me to places I never thought I'd see . . . and didn't want to visit.

 

But that road finally came back out at Ladora. Brought me back to remember the girl, the poem, the dreams of so long ago. It could be, that on a cool July evening in Iowa, the effects of old roadside garage neon along an empty highway might be more intoxicating than a field of poppies - I don't know. But I do know that, standing there, I could hear those sweet optimistic voices singing:

 

You're out of the woods,

You're out of the dark,

You're out of the night.

Step into the sun

Step into the light.

Keep straight ahead for the most glorious place

On the face of the earth or the sky.

Hold onto your breath,

Hold onto your heart,

Hold onto your hope.

March up to the gate and bid it open . . .

 

: ) The original shot is below in the comments.

 

 

Done