Open

Saturday in South Florida
fall is finally here
the weather we've been waiting for
Sunny and 75 as Joe Nichols sang

Azure sky, scarce white cottony clouds
shining, glimmering sun high above
a tickling cool breeze, crisp and fresh
pleasant relief from the long hot summer

I drive along in my open jeep
relaxed, music turned up high
hair blowing wildly and carelessly
my worries are few

Satisfied from a lovely lunch
catching up with a friend
talking about teaching and writing
I am refueled and ready

Rear end melting to the seat
the music seeping into my bones
sunshine toasting my skin
the wind blowing in my face

I have nowhere I want to be
except on the road to anywhere
no desire to stop
just a will to keep going

open jeep
open mind
open heart
open soul

Jeep Chronicles #2

One of my friends posted this meme on FB a couple of days ago and I quickly snagged it. This is exactly how I feel about buying my Jeep. It's true, on a few rare occasions I'm likely to be going somewhere with perfectly coiffed hair, and I won't want it freely flowing in the wind. But those events are few and far between, and I have been waiting rather impatiently for the weather here in SW Florida to get to Jeep-worthy weather. I've had a few brief top and panels off rides here and there,  but with a hawk eye on the radar app so as not to stay too long before the next rain storm hits. 

One night my husband and I went out to run errands and have dinner, and we made it all the way to about two miles from home when the rain starting coming down. We had the top back up, but the panels were all back home. We made it home surprisingly dry. The faster you drive, the less rain seems to end up inside. 

But this weekend... oh this weekend was just what I was waiting for! Maybe it's the weather pattern following Hurricane Matthew, or maybe, just maybe, fall could be fighting and clawing its way. No matter, I pulled up the radar yesterday morning before I left the house for Saturday errands, and there was no sign of rain. None! I wasted no time, I unzipped the panels, pulled the top back, and hit the road. It's been open air since. All weekend, for errands, going out to dinner last night, grocery shopping today... the windows and top down, the music turned up, and my hair blowing every which way. My hair may not be perfect, but the ride sure was.