Tales of a Trail of Life Read Free Page B

a
porch but the very spot where we parked many times over 50 years ago and shared
our lives together is just by chance?”
     
    “It does give you chills, doesn’t it
Ashlyn?” Correct me if I’m wrong but did we not lose our virginities right here
in the old Studebaker after the Junior Prom?”  Ashley leans back in the swing
and starts humming a familiar tune from back in the day. Some Enchanted
Evening. Oh Dwayne I didn’t know if it meant that much to you that you would
remember it now after all these years.” Dwayne smiled and admitted that a
fellow never forgets that special moment in his life,” ….nor a girl hers,”
Ashley sighed.”
     

Chapter
Eight
     
    Their arrival at the trail head that
morning began a day of joyous celebrating. It wasn’t how many miles they biked;
it was how many stories of catching up in their lives apart that were truly
remarkable in their similarities. At times they were within miles of one
another when vacationing with their families at the same time at the same place
and only a few rooms apart according to their memories.
     
    Both were so in love with their
spouses and children and they each communicate daily in one form or another
with the children. Computer email mostly, some Facebook and cell phone texting
and though Ashley has a Skype account it’s rare she uses it. Dan’s daughters
and Ashley’s daughter are within a year or two apart in age, all three have one
child.
     
    When Dwayne returned to the farm to
continue to recuperate from his military injuries, his mom and dad were ready
to give up farming and that’s when he suggested they move into town. He set up
the Amish to work the farm and live in the main house but instructed them to
not use or loan out the cottage but do keep it clean. It was always to be
available to his mother and father when they would get lonely for the farm.
They never used it.
     
    Dwayne moved to Iowa to begin farming
his future wife’s parent’s farm. His wife was his army nurse and he promised to
visit her at their farm one day. That one day became 35 years of individual
days. True to Iowa he became a mildly successful spud farmer. He and Vivian
purchased her parents farm. Both daughters married farmers and together they
and their families own and operate the farm now.
     
    John came to Myers as a Daredevil
Driver for the famous ‘Joey Chitwood Thrill Show’ at the county fair. He saw
Ashley and soon history unfolded in most unexplainable ways. It was John’s last
year as a driver but his first year as the publicity agent for traveling
seasonal entertainment. He scooped Ashley off her feet and they formed their
own publicity company in Indiana. She recently sold to an ad agency. Her
daughter and husband are accountants in Indiana.
     
    Today Ashley is in for a treat. It
will be her first ride through the1900 foot tunnel. She affectionately now
calls it the tunnel of love. Dwayne encouraged her to walk the tunnel the first
time but being the daredevil Ashley she chose to ride into the tunnel. Within
100 feet she was scraping the walls. Dwayne was right but she gave the excuse
that she wanted to walk with him. They paused half way, looked at the faint
opening on either end, confirmed their aloneness and the two broke out into
song. An enchanted event indeed and just as they were making their exit there
was applause. A ladies bike and bird watching club were about to enter the
tunnel but didn’t want to disturb the duet. This time Duane shared in Ashley’s
embarrassment.
     
    Hours were spent sitting on the trail
benches just outside the tunnel overlooking the vast valley below. So much
talking and listening, tears and laughter brought them together even more
intimately in their life’s trails. Both agreed that they probably bored Mother
Nature and all the creatures within a mile radius of their bench.
     
    Their return trip back to town found
their topics more centered on the present and near future and that will be
setting the