A little concerned about unduly lengthening my trip (and still recovering from the shock that I have another 5 hrs to go!) I ask Julie if she wouldn't know of a good connection that I could take to get off rte 2, even if it involves backtracking some. She doesn't seem sure but gets down to business and starts figuring out mileage for different leg segments and adding them up to get comparative distances. All this while I'm chewing on a second cookie and sipping my hot chocolate! I can't believe how helpful she is; certainly beyond the call of duty. She is a real sweetheart and I tell her so.

After some calculations, she gives me the stats. As I review each option, a truck driver hastily comes in out of the rain. He's somewhat out of breath and seems like a friendly, tobacco-chewing type; a fifty-ish year old with few teeth, dishevelled hair, and an erratic, quick-to-the-point manner. He has just fuelled his rig and asks where I'm going. Almost immediately, a young woman follows in. Short hair, brunette, trim, mid-to-late-thirties, well attired. Being a local, she also gets eagerly involved in my search for the best road.

I'm grateful for the show of concern and willingly stand back to see if they come up with a better option than the one I'm considering. I mention that I'm going to the Soo and my trucker friend says that that's where he's going too, that I should follow him. He is to the point and straightforward.

She has probably had a drink or two during the evening. Not inebriated in any way, but just enough to slightly reduce inhibitions. While he is stating the options in a blunt and matter-of-fact manner, she is looking at them from a more emotional perspective and an apparent concern for my safety.

So begins the dialogue between both of them, as he and the young woman start discussing options. There is construction going on and this impacts the considerations. She is clearly informed about current local road conditions and is debating his suggestions with him. I'm feeling like she's my advocate, that all I need to do is stand back and let her do the talking.

As he looks at the map, I casually glance at the young woman. Our eyes meet. For a split second there is a mutual, intense, locking in of gaze and then I casually look back at the map. But we both are aware that it just occurred. You can't predict nor control these things, just be aware that they occur.

They both seem to agree that taking the construction detour at Crystal Falls is a good idea. As my trucker friend moves to the counter to pay for his gas, she gets close to me while pointing out options on the map. She is now closer than required. As I listen to her directions, I step back and she closes the gap. I'm wondering what she's up to. Is she sampling pheromones?

I get the feeling that she wants to prolong this interaction. Her advice, however, sounds very reasonable. She discourages me from considering the more northern route. She claims that it is a road used by logging trucks and not in very good condition to be riding a bike on in this type of weather. If what she says is true, there would probably be a lot of water puddling in the road. Also, the weather tends to be worse up there. Though rte 2 may be longer, she adds, it is a better road with probably better weather.

Bruno
Montreal, Canada