determined not to be dithering about technologies, i loaded the machine with joãozão and clodoaldo, packed a road atlas but picked up a road map at a rest area on I-57. i had consulted google maps but determined that both options - interstate all the way and the more direct route - weren’t suitable. the direct route was hardly that.
in truth what even what i had entered into google maps wasn’t really truthful as i was heading to baltimore via southern tennessee. one could think that i simply couldn’t take that deadly stretch of tollways through northern indiana and ohio but i had packages to deliver.
as i wrote - stopping was a problem until i did but then i was doing my usual uturns, pulling over, hoping out without locking the machine, and heading off.
i found that i was photographing stereotypes - closed bowling alley, the many memorials along the backroads and us41, a monster truck rally stadium . didn’t try to stop myself simply added, wind farms, non descript intersections anything that would make me question rural and southern.
thought downstate illinois too hilly, the skies to grey. thought of saskatchewan. also noticed the difference in the grain elevators - maize not wheat - and the railway - they seemed less present.
wanted more time in terre haute, vincennes and evansville.
wish that i could have stopped crossing the ohio.
liked the confusion of my primitive ways, never knew what time zone i was in always anticipated the state lines. somehow it was neat in summer to head east and lost the hour only to gain it again heading south into kentucky and tennessee. finally losing it at the chattanooga city limits. wonder if that would drive an i-phone crazy
two drop offs, one in nashville, which i knew would be relatively easy. people never look out their windows, if there was no movement, i would be safe. stopped the machine hopped out left the package on a table on the porch and drove off.
the second would be difficult. when i wasn’t distracted by the scenery during the interstate driving. i was making plans. everything was against a seamless drop - a long driveway where i would have to do a uturn and there would be no reason to be there so i would cause curiosity. i could park on the road and walk the 30 metres or so to the house but again movement with windows looking out where no-one is supposed to be. the tug of making time - i was even thinking of what the best time would be - duckish? dark?
leaving the interstate at mounteagle, after the climb, the coolness of the air, the lack of traffic, the local shops closed, i finally entered the domain. by then i had decided to drive in park behind the studio, hoping that if i were seen i would be perceived as some wayward farmer, drop the package off at the studio door then hightail it out farmer.
before i could turn by the field house, i had to wait for three machines to pass. when they turned right by the stadium, i began to panic. what if the puckish platinotypist was having some sort of soirée - there weren’t too many houses left.
quick thinking had me come up with a plan to hand the package to one of them and heading out but it seems in true hitchcockian fashion they stopped at the last house before my destination. i waved as i passed.
things looked good. no light were on but one on the upper floor.
the front screen door was open.
then things looked bad. passing the gap between the house and the studio - these poor southerners always have to have their outbuildings - i heard chatter. i saw rachel who craned her head.
it was too late now the only thing left was shock and awe. i parked where i had planned
came around the side of the studio in full view, marched with purpose, handed over the packages and tried to leave hoping that they wouldn’t abandon their guests.
but a bout of manners took over, an espresso and package to take back - the gaul having me come all the way down so that postage - substantial postage - can be saved. i made a run for it as he was getting his camera - some digital thingy no doubt - reviewing what had happened mentally. planning what i will do next time.
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