A 30 mile stretch in 330

Last Friday night at around 11 PM, I found myself driving towards Los Angeles; a ritual which has become a routine of sorts over the last year. The remaining two blokes in the car were fast asleep, in their own thoughts.

As I was having my coffee on the winding, narrow lanes of Highway I-152 east bound, through the mountainous Pacheco State Park, I was also listening to a song in repeat mode; again and again! The quaint yet soothing tune of the song and the lyrics, which flowed as gently as a drifting rain cloud full of subtle pathos added to the moment.

There was a slight drizzle in the air and the reflectors on the road, shone brightly, marking my lane ahead. Due to the heavy fog, my visibility was restricted to the lane, the tail lights of the car ahead and the wipers which flashed across my view constantly. It was almost like driving through the clouds.

I was not on cruise control thanks to the driving conditions as we all proceeded with caution, well below the speed limit and my eyes were glued onto what was happening in front of me. The constant din from the a/c could be heard as the heater was on in full blast, working against the elements in keeping the windows frost-free and in keeping us warm.

I never did like driving in rain/fog, but that night it was different; I enjoyed every minute of it. As the song kept playing out repeatedly, an overpowering sense of conscience clouded my thoughts and I could not but help, going into “reminiscence” mode; which only further reminded me of wasted/missed opportunities and unfulfilled promises as my life flashed before me.

Strange that a song could do so much!

After the 30 miles stretch through the mountains when I finally burst through the fog, I took the exit from I-152 E to I-5 S, a road as straight as a dart through the plains; and the spell was finally broken as I cruised at 70 mph.

I had to change the song to another one at that moment but the rains followed us all the way to Los Angeles……….



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