Summer Vacation

Cicadas buzzed as I peddled my beach cruiser down the dark road. Despite the fact that it was nearly midnight, the temperature was still a balmy 80 degrees. A hot ocean breeze filtered through the island mangrove hammock. I left the neighborhood and pulled onto a bike path which runs along the Overseas Highway. Old railroad bridges have been converted to bike trails and fishing piers on the 100 mile trek from Key Largo to Key West. New bridges parallel the old. Built for heavy traffic.

I passed small groups of friends and families camped on the narrow bridge. Each group sits on camping chairs or coolers. They cast lines into the dark water and wait. Nobody played music. The sounds of waves slapping against the concrete pilings dominate the night. Then a semi truck rumbled past and the old bridge is washed in bright light.

My night vision took a few moments to return, but when it does I can see the line of the Milky Way. Moments like this are so inspiring to me. I had no desire to paint, record, or photograph that moment. The experience was everything.