Dreamland

Take the Long Way Home

I'm on up in Northern California, just got through with a job interview. Now I'm trying to make my way back to LA. I've got to cross a wide lake, and I see a sign that says "Boat Launch Ahead". There is an old dock on the edge of the lake with a circular wooden carousel type thing at the end that is rotating slowly. The man on the dock asks "What kind of boat would you like, kayak, rowboat, canoe?"

"Kayak," I reply.

"OK," he says.

He walks with me down one of the spokes of the carousel towards a kayak that is fastened at the end. "Climb in and get ready, I'll launch you," he says.

I climb aboard and he walks back onto the dock and speeds up the carousel until I'm flung out onto the lake in the kayak at a high rate of speed. It's great! I don't even have to start paddling until I'm halfway across.

I cross the lake and climb ashore. I'm next to a row of motorcycles parked along a dirt road. I ask a biker for directions into town. "It's about five miles down the road," he says. "Do you know how to ride?"

"It's been a few years but yeah, I think I still remember," I reply.

"Well you can borrow this one," he says, pointing to a dusty old black Harley.

I turn the key, kick it a couple times, and it roars to life. I rev the throttle, it feels good to be on a bike again! My buddy gives me a thumbs-up sign and I follow him down the road.

When I get to town, I rent a car, a red Pontiac Sunfire. I stop at a little corner market on the edge of town, pick up a pack of smokes and a can of iced tea, then head out on the highway. I'm blasting classic rock on the radio as I speed through the turns, winding my way up the road out of Clear Lake, heading towards Sacramento.

Later on, after it gets dark, I start to get pretty tired. I'm almost to Salinas now, don't think I can make it much further tonight. Gotta see if I can find a cheap motel and get some sleep…