Sunny River Writings

Summer, the days of old-time Rock’n’Roll and memories of times gone by. As I was driving down a country road, just the other day, I heard the song Chevy Van, a 1970’s rock song by one-hit wonder Sammy Johns. A decade of memories came flooding back.

She was bright yellow. As yellow as the Common Sunflower. And like a sunflower her days were spent following the sun. Her logo, a circle with a ‘V’ and a ‘W’ were painted black and hung on the front like a nose. Her windshield like two eyes taking in all there was to see. Her bumper was her smile, happy to be traveling on any adventure short or long. Ah! The memories made in that Volkswagen van.

Over the asphalt highways and country dirt roads we traveled together. Listening to the music of James Taylor, Carole King, Carly Simon, Chicago, ABBA and the Eagles. Our world was our own during the period of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Surrounded by the carefree. That VW van and I rambled past cornfields bright green that swayed in the warm summer breeze. Meandering alongside streams the water lazily rippling over smooth worn rocks. Following a one lane through the forest just to see where it would take us.

Illinois in a storm, the lightning bold and sharp. Wisconsin, leaves turning orange, red and yellow dotting the countryside as fall colored the miles. And Minnesota all snow covered white glistening in the winters rays of sunlight. She carried friends on adventures. Hauled gear for camping to that spot off the beaten path. Took coolers and blankets to parties in the city that would last until dawn. She could be loaded with an apartment worth of belongings helping a friend to relocate from one small dusty place to another.

On a sunny afternoon five-hundred miles from home her heart gave out. There wasn’t the money then to replace or repair her transmission. The song Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver was on the radio as I headed south and back to my home without my trusty friend. Her final resting place was a glorious junk yard off a country road in the back woods of the north. As I left I knew she would be happy there.