Slow ride on a summer evening

The old girl could use a new transmission.

She creaks a little when she shifts gears, and sometimes gets stuck in second. She rattles when this happens and lurches forward in an ungainly manner.

Still, she loves the road and summer is her season.

The wind in her face energizes her, and when the sun begins its slow slide at the end of the day, she likes to feel it on her face.

So, when someone suggests an ice cream run, she jumps at the chance.

Sunday evenings Up North in Wisconsin feel like an extra special gift. The weekend guests have all gone home, and with them all the hubbub of power boats and ATVs.

You might see a combine ambling home from the day’s cutting, or an Amish buggy or two making their way back from Sunday afternoon services.

The crowd at the Dairy Cove thins too, just a couple of sunburned families and some guys from the high school cross country team. On Sundays, the answer is always yes to the offer of whipped cream, especially on the peanut butter sundae, which is the special of the day.

She takes her time on the route home, picking her way carefully between families of frolicking deer.

She’s grateful for the view, the sunset, the sundae, her driver and one more chance to take a Sunday drive with the top down.

Her old blue Bug is too.