Without unsaddling, built myself a fire and made coffee and bacon. When I’d eaten, I loaded up the frying pan and coffeepot, drinking the last of the coffee from the pot itself.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Man From the Broken Hills)
Let’s see, stash of jerky, biscuits, sausage, coffee…yep, all set. Howdy, Pard, just gettin’ ready. The trail is beckonin’ us for one more ride. Headin’ eastward to see the eldest then bring my grandson back here to Texas. It’ll be his first trip by himself. Not sure which trail we’ll take yet; depends on that storm out in the Gulf. But we’ve got the gear to weather the storm if need be. The old steel mount will be makin’ it fine. Hopefully it’ll be as dependable as ol’ blue.
I’d like to say that the missus and I have made it from coast to coast, but we missed that thar west coast; only made it to Yosemite and the Sierras. But, my, my, we’ve put on the miles of this journey of life. Wish I had me a journal to look back at all the miles we’ve traveled, the things we’ve seen, the myriad experiences we’ve faced. Almost could count the miles by the coffee cups, but can’t remember every stream, backroad, highway stop where we’ve had a cup. We’ve had good coffee, when I made my own, all the way to coffee that had the look of dishwater–tasted ’bout the same.
How ’bout today’s coffee? Tastes fine, sure hope I fine something most as good on the road. I’ll have enough to get started, but along the way, the pickin’ can get slim. If’n we go the northern route, thars a place I know that keeps that Community coffee a-brewin’. That’s mighty fine coffee if’n they brew it right. After that, well…
Don’t be frettin’, Pard. Either trail we take, I know the route. ‘Course, I realize thar can be obstacles along the way. Not expectin’ any hostiles though, but ready just in case. Don’t think thars’ no high water we have to be crossin’. The weather will take care of itself, not goin’ to be frettin’ over it. Pard, a person should be knowin’ where he’s a-goin’, just like in life. A person is on the trail to either glory, or perdition; it’s just that on either trail there are the unknowns along the way. As for me and the missus, we’re sure ‘nough travelin’ the glory road. Been on that journey for many a year now.
We’ll be doin’ what that sage of yore said, “Inch by inch time draws the cinch/Till the saddle will creak no more.” Yuh remember ol’ S. Omar Barker don’t yuh? Wasn’t it up near Deckers along the Platte we shared our campfire with him? Hmm, or was that some other puncher? The ol’ bean doesn’t run as clear as those mountain streams no more. See yuh, in a few weeks…now, yuh have to make yur own coffee.
Vaya con Dios.