Dear Route 2,
Our relationship started off beautifully. We spent so much time together. The cue sheets would read "Turn Left onto Route 2. Go 67.8 miles. Turn Left into Church." or "Turn Left onto Route 2. Go 78.5 miles. Turn Left into Church." I'd have to say my favorite cue sheet of the entire trip read, "Turn Left onto Main Street. Go 1 mile. Turn Left onto Route 2. Go 114 miles. Turn Left into Church." It was by far the longest day of the trip, and we spent the whole time together. Things were wonderful. That's when it started to go bad.
Your demand for all of my attention on the road got old, almost naggy. It came to a point, when I didn't want to see you all day. Maybe I wanted to hang out with some of my other routes. You were so clingy, just always demanding all of my time. I got tired of it. I said some things I probably didn't mean, and that's when the fighting began. You threw all of the wind at me you could find, trying to knock me off of my bike, throwing it right in my face. I thought you were just testy, but it only got worse. That's why I had to leave.
At first, I met U.S. 23 in North Dakota. She was so mean to me. She gave me no room to breathe, making it impossible for trucks to pass, and she has a much stronger arm than you. Her wind throwing was out of control. I thought I missed you. I remembered all of the good times: how I used to gaze miles in your direction, and I could see for miles, how I never had to pay attention to time because it just flew by when we were together. I thought I wanted you back, and that's when I met Going to the Sun Road.
She took me through the Rockies. She let me take my time. She even let me turn and hang out with other roads. It was wonderful. Unfortunately, it only worked out for a day, but then I met Montana State Road 37. Again, what a beautiful road. She was so nice and didn't try to fight me. We got along so well, and I think it's safe to say, we have a very serious love, a type of love that no other road and human seem to have. I have decided I don't want you back.
Tomorrow, I just found out, I will be seeing you again. All I will be able to think about are the hard times we have had: the fights, the negative words we shared, and the terrible break up. I know you want me to think you're nice, and we will be spending a lot of time together the next few days, but after that, it's over. Don't call me, don't text me, and I don't even want you to facebook me. I probably won't speak to you tomorrow, but let's just agree not to bring up our hard feelings. There will be other roads out there, and I'm sure you will cross paths with another great guy someday. Just know that it's not going to be me in the end. After all, I will be moving back to Indiana soon, and you just don't have access to get there. Best of luck with your future. We had some good times, but this is goodbye, Route 2.
Sincerely,
Michael W. Kraft
