Searching For Santiago

It’s hot in the middle of the day en route through Lake Hughes and the Rock Inn for lunch. Total time thus far is about 90 minutes. My route was the 126 to a few miles on the 5, then Lake Hughes Road.

Two choppers looked like they were just delivered on a time-machine from 1969. The riders looked the same.

The 126 was dense with truck traffic and impatient cage drivers. The only CHP unit thus far was in Fillmore. Highway 178E en route to Kernville was busy with CHP and Sheriff deputies rushing Westbound.

As a newly-minted amateur phenomenologist, today I experienced distracting discomfort, diluting my appreciation of post-apocalyptic, burned meadows and hills.

In Kernville, Ewings Steak House is excellent, for at least an 8-oz hunk of Salmon. It’s officially my spot.

I like my spot for the night, the Whispering Pines. Rooms 105, and 106 are my favorites to select from.

I have about 183 miles to home tomorrow AM. The route is all freeway — I’m testing my tolerance for 180-200 miles of freeway/interstate..

I’ll leave early, when it’s not 100F and less windy than later in the day.

I’ll stop at the Mojave Starbucks. It’s half-way.

Launched at 0630 into a beautiful morning. The Whispering Pines motel is now a favorite at Kernville.

What about Santiago?

My alter-ego is beginning to develop. This has been a rare excursion solo on a motorcycle. I believe experiencing this alone is impactful — a lot of self-talk. I feel an absence of responsibilities. I’m not thinking about work. After decades of my mind serving complex technical challenges, it’s free to explore philosophical topics — such as who am I really? I am a husband. I was a father. I was a prolific medical device inventor. I was an executive. Now, I am the boss of only me.

For the preceding 77 years, “me” was a composite of me and who people manifested in me. For the years ahead, my Santiago is liberated.