a. IT'S ALL AN ILLUSION

He looks like a drab hitchhiker on the side of the switchback, and I've had enough beer so I stop and roll down my window.

What are you doing?
Skating. What are you doing?
Driving.
Do you want to try skating?
Ok.
You'll have to follow me to the parking lot.
Ok.

He carves back and forth down the Teton supported asphalt. The new WFR in me starts thinking of how he's going to hurt himself and what I have in my car to use as a splint. But over paint spattered carharts he's wearing elbow, knee, wrist guards and a green plastic helmet. And he knows what he's doing, weaving back and forth.

At the bottom it's too dark to ride again so he sets out his bar, four cans of the beer and we drink to the stars. A fox comes across the pavement and we adopt the same talk, relaxed and grateful for life.