A Long, Unplanned Journey

By Thomas Moore

I sat at my desk in Pocatello last winter on a day no less dreary than the one to come. Sheets of rain pelted the windows of my house and cascaded down them. In the corner, an old radio spat out static as I absently flicked through the pages of a dusty magazine. I was bored and in desperate need of a change of scenery.

Suddenly I stood up, packed myself a few sandwiches, and started out on an impromptu road trip. This was something I don’t do. I like to plan my journeys, which usually happens months in advance. The sudden nature of the trip and my lack of preparation were firsts. I couldn’t quite place exactly what was making me do it, but the idea of spending the entire weekend cooped up indoors was unbearable.

I’m an outdoorsy sort, to say the least. Even so, this wanderlust was new to me. Over the past few years, I thought I had settled into Pocatello. I usually didn’t range very far except to explore the wilderness. But a small spark in me of the explorer awakened into an ember on that day.

It might not have been exactly a pioneer’s passion burning in my chest but I was determined not to let either the lousy weather or mechanical issues stop me. I drove to the garage and sat in the lobby for three hours while a full service was performed on my car. By the time I finally took off toward the south, my shirt was covered in popcorn debris.

I had my mind set on Lava Hot Springs to the east, where there was a gap in the clouds. I yearned for heat and light. The construction on the highway made my journey treacherous, and the rain got worse before it broke. Amid clouds of mist and fog, I raced towards my first stop behind a train of other vehicles. Everyone was packed close.

Visibility was poor and it wasn’t long before I was steering by muscle memory. Eventually, I shot out of the nearly torrential downpour and took Exit 47 past McCammon. Around a bend and past a series of pastures, I finally caught sight of the quaint little town.

I spent the rest of the day eating ice cream and lounging in the hot pools. I felt rejuvenated and didn’t want the experience to end. I placed a few calls to set up a weekend itinerary. Eager for more rest, I checked into a hotel to prepare for the day to come.