Hattiesburg, Mississippi

A nowhere town in a nowhere state on a nothing afternoon when no one had anywhere to be. I was dazed and a little bit wild. Highway 49 was straight and a little too long. I’d be lying if I said I remembered much about it at all. I sped through the darkness and flicked orange sparks out the window into a night so black I couldn’t fathom seeing blue skies ever again.

The coast is like that for me, a place where the sun is perpetually setting, shadows chasing my feet and daring me to stop. They’ll take over if I let them, and I always do. Somewhere between Biloxi and Bay Saint Louis, I never fail to discover the same eternal truth — you can’t run forever. You’ll eventually stop to catch your breath, and when you do, your old nemesis will be there, waiting.

Doesn’t matter what direction you think you’re headed. All roads eventually lead south.

Music: Amarillo by Morning by George Strait (lyrics)