February 13, 2006

The Bridge of the Gods

The sun had set and i was straining to find the bristled horizon line in the dark across the bank of the Columbia River. The tops of the pine trees cut a subtle shadow in the darkness like teeth of a saw blade. The edge went scrolling past the back window of the pickup truck. In the front seat Chris drove towards Portland , illuminated by the glow of the dashboard. Brook was in the passenger seat, her hat on her head and leaning agaisnt the shoulder strap of the seat belt.

Hwy. 84 mimicks the the south bank of the River between Hood River and Portland. In the headlights I saw a sign that Read: Bridge of the Gods Next Right

"Ohh..." I said, breaking the silence. "I wish the sun was still up. I would like to see that."

"That sounds like it must be impressive." I continued, with no reply from the front seat.

"It's just a big bridge, really." Chris said, barely trying to put any energy into his voice.

"Is it godly?" I asked, trying to bribe some life into the conversation.

"Well." Brook said in the dark. Her head in her ski hat never lifted off of the seatbelt.

"It is a toll bridge."

Posted by Todd Roeth at February 13, 2006 11:33 PM