This week author Suzanne Burke shared a photo prompt of a Road Closed sign situated in the desert. This image brought me back to my youth. My dad would take my sibs and me for rides over the dunes. Sometimes we ventured into the bombing range, where there were signs similar to the prompt. Most said, "Do Not Enter." Dad was a very law-abiding man, but occasionally, he'd bend the rules for buggy riding.
Perhaps you'd like to respond to the prompt. If so, please click on the link above and you'll be taken to Suzanne's blog site. I hope you enjoy my short dialogue.
Perhaps you'd like to respond to the prompt. If so, please click on the link above and you'll be taken to Suzanne's blog site. I hope you enjoy my short dialogue.
Dad climbing a dune near the bombing range by Glamis, CA
THE LAST RIDE
James, you saw the sign. We can’t do this.
Says who?
The authorities! You know what the sign means.
Yeah, but I don’t see any aircraft, do you?
No, but they could arrive at any moment.
And what of it? If we spot one, I’ll turn back.
You still broke the law.
It says road closed. It doesn’t say anything about goin' off-road.
Well, the meaning is clear.
Ah, come on, Lauretta. I just want one more ride!
You’re not a kid anymore, James.
Yeah, one of the reasons I need to do this.
Wait, I hear one. Maybe two.
The bombers? I don’t hear em.
James! Listen!
Okay, I hear em. I won’t go near the target.
That’s not good enough! The new pilots are practicing!
Just a little further. One more hill. I need to see it.
You’re a stubborn old mule, James.
Let me turn the buggy around. There! Take a gander, Lauretta. Ain't she beautiful?
Oh my … a patchwork of fields. You're right, the valley is beautiful.
Nothin' quite like it. I just needed one more look before it’s time.
You’ll have many more years, James.
Doctor says otherwise and you know it.
Oh my gosh, that was a close one! Let’s get out of this bombing range.
Well, my love, buckle your seat belt. We're gonna fly over these hills!
James, you saw the sign. We can’t do this.
Says who?
The authorities! You know what the sign means.
Yeah, but I don’t see any aircraft, do you?
No, but they could arrive at any moment.
And what of it? If we spot one, I’ll turn back.
You still broke the law.
It says road closed. It doesn’t say anything about goin' off-road.
Well, the meaning is clear.
Ah, come on, Lauretta. I just want one more ride!
You’re not a kid anymore, James.
Yeah, one of the reasons I need to do this.
Wait, I hear one. Maybe two.
The bombers? I don’t hear em.
James! Listen!
Okay, I hear em. I won’t go near the target.
That’s not good enough! The new pilots are practicing!
Just a little further. One more hill. I need to see it.
You’re a stubborn old mule, James.
Let me turn the buggy around. There! Take a gander, Lauretta. Ain't she beautiful?
Oh my … a patchwork of fields. You're right, the valley is beautiful.
Nothin' quite like it. I just needed one more look before it’s time.
You’ll have many more years, James.
Doctor says otherwise and you know it.
Oh my gosh, that was a close one! Let’s get out of this bombing range.
Well, my love, buckle your seat belt. We're gonna fly over these hills!
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