1. Starting in 1986, take US-89, go 329 mi
The sign reads Grand Canyon 5 mi
Can we go?
No.
She strokes his shoulder and looks back at us with a silent finger to her lips. We lay back down in the Arizona July, summer off/in-between.
2. 1986 becomes 2002, merge onto US-212, go 66.9 mi
Mass Wasting? The downward fall of matter due to gravitational stress. We manage the switchbacks along the Beartooth Highway with ease, Tristan sleeping through the alpine scenery; the hills will fall three years from now.
Somewhere along here is the Mae West curve.
Who's that?
An actress from a long time ago. Why don't you come up and see me some time? Very shapely. Like the curves and colors of this path along the top of the world.
3. Continue on FIREHOLE AVE, turn away from 1986. Be QUIET for 296.6 mi
Shapes and colors swirl; swirls and colors shape. The heat passes over the skin on my eyelids, and suddenly filled with glimpses of bare shoulder, like a flesh covered granite massif; downslope now, giving to gravity’s stress;
I’m dreaming this place.
The dream swirls in color and sound, glimpses of shoulder, breathing on warm skin. Building until no return; panic, switchback.
4. Wake UP, now
I wake up, lying on a mattress in a moving van. My sister next to me reading a magazine; Kirk Cameron smiles at me from the cover.
Even before the dream it was 4 corners hot.
I wonder if I made noises in my sleep; groaned, or moved. Oh, good fucking lord, not HERE. I shift under the mattress, cringing at the movement of the fruits of my midsummer’s labor; Mass Wasting.
Uh, when are we gonna stop?
We just got gas. Not for another 3 hours. Be quiet.
She looks back at us and places a silent finger to her lips.
You should have woken UP. We're not stopping.
5. Turn L on S PLATT AVE – go < 0.1 mi Arrive at RED LODGE, MT
Tristan wakes UP.
Can we stop?
Here?
I’m sorry.
She places a silent finger to his lips.
Don’t be.
Where are we?
The most beautiful highway in the world.