Jackknife Scars

3/1/26

Vultures circle above a Virginia farm …everyone knows that something has died. 

A farmer looks at me, his temporary teenage summer help, and says “go find out what has died and bury it”. Bouncing on an old tractor through fallow fields I approach the scene to find a rotting calf who  has died from blow fly infestation…vultures feasting around. The stench is unbelievable. I returned to explain to the farmer what’s happened and again somewhat irritated he says “well go bury it boy”.

The moment calls for creativity so I stuff my nostrils with cotton balls soaked in Aqua Velva and sprinkle a few drops all over my clothes. 

It takes me nearly 6 hours to bury the cow. 

The next day still reeking of the aftershave cologne, I’m given a new assignment of cleaning out the farm’s grease traps and hauling the liquid garbage along with buckets mammalian waste to the dump. 

Half way there I stall the van on a steep hill and jackknife the trailer I’m pulling in tow…half ton of waste cascades down the hill. 10 minutes later a state  patrolman arrives and gagging at the multitude of aromas stands off at a distance unsure what to do. Luckily a thunderstorm approaches so he tells me to load up what I can and move along…No tickets for me that day…he can’t get close to me for the smells…

I never drive  a van and trailer again…

until now…

This year I have decided be a route leader on the various MS rides, the Floridian Coast, the Trans  Am and the C&O Canal.

I will still be able to ride but just every other day…most of my responsibilities will be helping the full time riders along the way. 

In the past, I have been ambivalent to take on this role …not being able to ride every day…and more importantly avoiding the van and trailer again.

Sooner or later time moves on…

I drive from Blacksburg to Fernadina   Beach to start , an easy highway route. My first leader training session is today from St Augustine’s to Smyrna Beach. Half way there we stop on a deserted beach parking lot for “backing up practice”.

It goes well.

40 miles on we arrive at our hosts church 

and I slowly back 

the van and trailer into the night’s stall. Amazing! I do it with unsuspecting ease.

Success will breed success, I firmly believe this…as long as no mammalian wastage is in tow. I will drive again tomorrow…

Appalachia 

The Ozarks 

The Rockies

 and the  Sierra Nevadas

Here I come