Pulling my truck to the side of the road, I double check my navigation app. Did it really mean for me to leave the highway and head up this steep and narrow hairpin road, where trees are flocked by snow flurries that continue to assail my windshield? I check the gas gauge. Not full, but enough. I hope.
I drive cautiously. The road is clear for now, but I continue to ascend, and the skies continue to darken. Jones Pass. Good, I think, as the road dips down. But a few more curves and we’re headed up again. Willow Creek Pass. Am I just zigzagging among the mountain range summits?
The compass shows I’m heading northwest for the most part, which is ultimately the direction of my intended destination. I grip the steering wheel and continue on. After all, I ask myself, what’s the worst that could happen?
toward the summit
where air thins and fear thickens
winter hastens in
What Rhymes with Stanza? 
On, no friend, never ask “THAT” question… 😱
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Hahaha! I really should know better.
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So easy to doubt the destination during the journey, especially as time passes. Your haibun captures those fears vividly. I love the haiku that reminds us we are moving forward.
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Thank you.
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You capture a traveler’s fear of being caught in bad weather, on new roads, unsure of your navigation, and the increasingly oppressive sense of danger. Fearfully effective haibun, Maggie.
pax,
dora
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Thanks, Dora. I’m glad you liked it.
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Those navigation apps aren’t 100% reliable. We’ve found that out for ourselves. And it’s scary, feeling like you are not in control. Give me a road map I can spread across my lap!!!
Oh, and good haiku.
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I’m pretty awful at maps, and directions in general. I was thankful for the compass in the truck.
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This reminds me of a trip into the mountains in New Mexico, where we encountered a snowstorm. We were going the wrong way, lol.
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I wasn’t sure where I was going to end up, but it turned out well in the end.
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Good thing.
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I relate to the fear of mountain travel, especially when facing winter weather and limited fuel! Well done!
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Thank you, Frank.
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I thoroughly (and with trepidation) enjoyed this AND I might have dictated it to you. An experience from decades ago in New Zealand as I attempted a drive up a steep and snowy mountain. I had to turn around. Great haibun.
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Thank you, Helen. I’m not very adventurous in the best of conditions, but when you throw in inclement weather, spotty cell reception and no signs of inhabitants, it gets pretty nerve wracking.
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Oh… I would be even more scared descending on a slippery hairpin row… but the thing with ascending is that for every climb the descend will be longer.
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When descending, with luck you will get below the freezing levels. Fortunately, I was on the right road after all.
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