Fire on the Mountain

 

There are worse things than driving around Southern Indiana in the autumn. Like, I could be driving to Indy every day and leaving thence to points unknown, but probably not beautiful Southern Indiana, at least not as regularly as now. No, Southern Indiana is a jewel at any time of year, but especially in the fall. I picked up a load going to Massachusetts today and the shipper said, "I bet you wish you could take this load up there yourself." Why, because of New England in the autumn? They got nothin' on us! He was being ironic.

So yes, the fall is coming on strong. Everyone said that the colors weren't going to be as good this year because of the drought last summer. Everyone was wrong. The colors are sublime, and they are a stretch from peak yet. Perhaps they started a little early, and perhaps they're changing quickly, or perhaps we're just looking for some sign of that drought? In any case it's gorgeous in the hills these days.

And yes, I'm still doing that flatbed gig out of Bloomington. Like I keep saying: the pay is lousy, without benefits, the work is harder than working with a van trailer, dirtier by far than hauling a van, and the equipment sucks; but at least it's local. I've been there, done that; commuting to Indianapolis. I could do it again if I had to but my memories of the experience are not fond. In fact it was a blight on my spirit, perhaps even more so than being over the road. Recurring nightmare indeed.

Speaking of the equipment, do you remember when I was driving around last summer without air conditioning? Someone joked that I'd get a truck without heat next. I didn't think that was possible with all of the heat generated by the engine but yes, you guessed it, I had a truck without heat the other morning. Oh the trials and tribulations!