The Tour Guide Decides Not to Retire After All

I tell Gabriel it’s time to get back on the road. So we trespass. We drive that private road right to its end. Traditional squirrel stew on an open fire. If it’s cooked, eat it. Why not, indeed. The highlights of the trip are always accidental. An intense, even savage attention to life’s fine print. Bluegrass and moonshine. The man in the chair spits shave lather into the air. It swirls through the smoky restaurant and darkening courtyard. This fall, these mummies will be shown. The mummies feel like family to many people. The decision to push on despite being lost. You won’t find my tips in any guide book. Avoid poring over a large map in public. Stay vigilant. Watch your wallet. Most importantly, move on.