Photo: C. Campbell
I-395 North to Reno
a Haibun
Plans cut short, I leave Southern California two days early, leave my mom to her dementia fog, to her perpetual present moment. I have no desire to drive half of my 500 mile drive in the midst of a promised snow storm heading in from the Northwest.
The drive is glorious—a cloudless cerulean blue skies flanked by snow-covered mountaintops to the East and West. Mono Lake and Topaz boast still turquoise waters at a low level because of the drought. Our thirsty earth throbs with hope for the forecast of an impending wet season. Walker River is but a trickle.
When I arrive home, I see a wall of darkness in the distance. Trees in an assortment of fall colors whisper in the wind, greet my descent into the Great Basin. I breathe a sigh of relief that I am safe and find my husband and dogs waiting for me. The chilling temperature does not impede the warmth of their welcome.
a heavy gray pall
creeps in like a stealthy cat
promising first snow
Today, for dVerse Poetics, I’m hosting a prompt, asking you for a current weather report from your corner of the world. This drive is, for me, so wonderful–leading along the Eastern Sierra, past Mt. Whitney, Mammoth, Mono Lake and Topaz Lake and so many glorious views. I feel so blessed to live where I do…for more info on this road trip check out this article in Via–a publication of AAA.
Now, how about joining us with your own weather report. The Pub opens at 3:00 PM Tuesday. I’ll be glad to mix you up a drink to fit your current weather-based needs.
As I write this, I see it is snowing outside (Monday 11/9/15 at 1600)! Large, fluffy flakes.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
I love the way you revel in the present while avoiding the expected gloom and doom.
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The fog of dementia sounds sad but maybe it is just foggy with some clear moments. Lovely poetic prose. I like this form, haibun? Good choice for weather and glad you got home and a warm welcome from hubby and furry ones!
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It’s good to know you made it home safely. Having loved ones waiting for you when you get there makes it that much better. Here we are also expecting snow here, possibly Friday. Thank you for hosting dVerse Victoria.
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This is so wonderful! The haiku is perfect and love the comparing the fog to a cat. The anxiety of being caught in the snow and then that spot on haiku….the fur babies always know how to make you feel so special when you return from a trip! Thank you for this most excellent prompt. On the news tonight looks like the west of this country is getting vicious weather – stay safe and warm.
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Your prose is poetic, V. Every word so carefully chosen to make us feel your journey from start to finish. Figurative and literal weather–quite clever. Glad you are home, safe and sound! 🙂
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Always good to be home again. Thank you.
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I know the feeling! 🙂
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So sorry your mother’s mind is degenerating, Victoria but the beautiful drive must lift your spirits…not to mention a warm welcome 🙂
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And still my dear mother has that attitude of gratitude.
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God bless her!
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Successful haibun with a sensitive haiku. You’ve described your trip so well, with beauty tempered by a bit of tension due to the predicted snow. I must admit, I’m hoping the snow will hold off for a while around here.
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Oh my your haiku describes so well how snow can creep up on us!!! Glad I dropped by and noticed your book, just ordered it at amazon:)
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It has been too long since I have been to the mountains, and your poem has me longing to make a road trip out to the Rockies. Unfortunately, that will have to wait for now. Wonderful descriptions in this beautiful haibun.
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Thanks for taking us on this beautiful drive. I love that area of Cali. And you used one of my favorite color words: cerulean.
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It is impossible for me to avoid these reveries during a long drive. This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your inspiration!
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Clear blue breath
dreams Northern
Travel.. humidity
closes in on
sinuses
closed up
precious fall
winds of North
dew rise.. breathe
again.. flow.. tap
dance floats..
leads
cool
breeze..:)
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How glorious Victoria–the drive must feel healing as well—
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This is beautiful……glad you arrived back safe and sound 🙂 the scene you described was breathtaking!
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That’s a long drive by yourself, Victoria. I’m glad you arrived home safely before the snow fell. The scenery along your drive sounds so beautiful and I too noticed the contrast between the views and the dementia fog you left behind and wall of darkness ahead of you. Wonderful haibun!
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I liked the delicate, subtle touches in your prose – the perpetual present moment, the thirsty earth throbbing with hope, the wall of darkness. Glad you made it in time!
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Oh, me, too!
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I-395 & I are old comrades. I do love the ramble along the shoulders of the Sierras. Your poetic prose is crisp, clean, & drenched in golden light & clarity. In 1983, at 3am, between Red Mountain & Ridgeport, at China Lake, I had a UFO encounter; but that’s a story for another time. I like your lines /Trees in/an assortment of fall colors whisper in the win, greeting my descent/into the Great Basin/.
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Ridgecrest, not port; but then you guessed that already.
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Maybe you were thinking of Bridgeport–a bit north of Bishop. Easy mistake.
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We used to stay in Ridgecrest till they started charging for the dogs–ergo, Lone Pine.
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Better a safe and warm welcome than be caught in the winter’s storm ~ Such a lovely drive back home, which is a contrast to the dementia fog and wall of approaching darkness ~
A lovely haibun Victoria ~
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Thanks for noticing the contrast. Weather does make a good metaphor.
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My husband wouldn’t have had it otherwise. I was driving alone. He watches out for me even at a distance.
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I get a visual of Manzanar with the snow-capped peaks in the back…that was the last time I drove 395.
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I love that area with Whitney to the West. We always spend the night in Lone Pine, just a few miles south of Manzanar. One time I broke down there and had to spend 2 nights in a motel in Independence–but that’s a story for another day.
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I love the image in your perfect haiku what great contrast to the angst of being caught in the mountain in heavy snow.
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Thanks, Bjorn.
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You were wise to leave early so as not to be caught in a snowstorm. What a beautiful area you have to drive through, and what a relief it must be to return home to the warmth of family (two-footed & four-footed), knowing that that ‘heavy gray pall’ is still far away.
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The four-footed kids almost knocked me over! What a good welcome they give. The hubby, too.
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