Bless them both

There are few drives I enjoy more than the one between Colfax and Washtucna. Either direction. Doesn't matter. When I hit this stretch of the Palouse Scenic Byway Wednesday afternoon, the sun was smoldering behind enormous clouds, the cattle were standing stoically beneath the red, miniature mesas and I found myself behind a couple in an old Buick going slower and then faster and then slower again. They looked "older" and the man in the driver seat had his arm stretched out across the top of the bench seat toward a woman whose shoulder he tapped occasionally to indicate a particularly beautiful view. He was rubbernecking like crazy and folks intent on getting West were passing him in rapid succession. When it was my turn, I looked at my speedometer and looked at the river curving slowly through the grass and sagebrush and decided that I'd pretend like my '98 Expedition didn't have it in her to pass the two (not far from the truth). I backed off and enjoyed the drive and the people passing us three old fogies until Washtucna where they turned south. They turned left in Washtucna! No one turns left in Washtucna on a Wednesday evening unless they're locals. I don't know who they are but bless them both for living in God's country and still being so goddamned awe-struck that they can't maintain a steady speed.