I’m both exhilarated and worried.
I hop in the driver’s side as they climb in through the other doors, and Chris gets in our rental car to follow us. I’m a little nervous about these ragged guys I’ve just met. But as we’re winding our way up the dirt mountain road, they bubble with excitement. I can’t help but catch their energy. It’s happening.
And then, I take a peak at the gas gauge. It’s pegged on “E.” Not near “E,” or bouncing around. Pegged.
“Hey guys, is the gas gauge broke?”
“Uh, no. We’re probably outta gas.”
Probably?
“So…”
“Don’t worry, man. All we care about right now is getting into the air. Today is f’n perfect. We just need enough gas to get us up the hill.”
“But what about driving it to the landing zone? What if I don’t make it?”
“No worries, just abandon it where it quits. We’ll find it later.”
Abandon it where it quits? We’ll find it later? The landing zone is at least 15 miles away. I can’t wrap my engineer and conservative brain around it. It doesn’t compute.
“Is there a gas station…”
“No man. Seriously, don’t worry. Leave it. All we care about is getting in the air.”
And what am I gonna do at this point? I’m just gonna keep driving, savor the good vibes as best I can, and let the cards fall where they may.
Next stop — the top of the hill.
