A ways down: construction. There are just a few vehicles ahead of me; I put the car in park for the long wait. In traveling as the lone driver and passenger of my car-casa, this is a rare opportunity: I am progressing toward my goals and yet am not required to maintain vigilance to the road. In transit I am the type to pull over often, if only to not drive for a moment; Yellowstone suits me for so many reasons. At this red light I manage to apply all the necessary sunblock, make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then eat the pb&j before resuming the wheel.

The next time I find myself in this type of summer park standstill, it is behind a white Suburban hulking with darkened windows over my petite Prius. At intervals, I catch the SUV leaning this way and that, rocking side to side even in its parked position. What kerfuffle, what commotion must be occurring behind those tinted windows? The vehicle bounces on its chassis in response as we continue waiting.

Leave a comment