Today's getaway car is a Willys M38 A1 with ragtop.


I would drive up the gnarliest logging road to a waterfall or to the Smithbrook frog pond and just sit, looking out over the valleys between the mountains. (When we were kids, my sister and brother and I called two of these round-tops "the Dolly Parton Mountains", and you can guess why. Click thumbnail for larger image.)


The crisp air would carry the sounds of subtle movement all around me: trees swaying, frogs ribbeting, water flowing, birds crying. I could smell the burgeoning salmonberries, which I would pick and eat and savor, tart on my tongue.

Then I would carom down the mountain at the end of the day, stopping at Zeke's for a deluxe cheeseburger basket, onion rings and a chocolate malt before taking all the back roads home through Duvall, Fall City, and Carnation. Full stomach, full day. Perfect.