Being taken on long, scenic, nature drives has always been a favorite way for me to relax. My mind instantly turns to what is outside the window and I’ve managed to catch many displays of wildlife. I’ve seen bald eagles soaring high overhead. I’ve spotted osprey in their huge nests, tiny Kingfisher resting daintily on telephone wires, rabbits on the fringe of woods, Red-Shouldered Hawks perched on fence posts, wild turkeys gobbling on the side of roads and numerous alligators, some submerged with their long, nubby heads showing, their eyes just above the water line and many more sunning on banks. I love catching these snippets of nature while driving along a winding trail at a state park or just out in a country setting.
One very late night several years ago, my partner at the time and I headed out of town to watch the early morning Perseid meteor shower. To get a better chance of viewing we drove away from the lights of Orlando, maybe 10 miles to the Econlockhatchee River. Before we even reached our destination, I started seeing the telltale streaks of meteors flashing through the sky. Calming and exciting at the same time!
Night rides can be very soothing. My mother would sometimes gather all of us kids in the car and drive around in the evenings, windows down, cooling and calming us down.
Perseid shower
blazing stars fall from the sky
vanish in a flash
Join us at dVerse Poets where Toni hosts us for Haibun Monday. We are asked to write on ways that we truly relax. Toni’s presentation will be published at 3PM EST Monday. Please read it for full details.
Bodhirose's Blog 
Nan Mykel
/ May 22, 2016I drive 50 minutes each way every Sunday and while I can’t search the underbrush while driving, I do consciously drink up the green of all the trees. A friend of mine described the drive as boring, but I’m thrilled. I’m not so sure that trees are insensate. At least my good wishes bounce back o me!
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kim881
/ May 23, 2016I won’t be able to see today’s dVerse post until after eight o’clock this evening British time, but I enjoyed reading your haibun and the lovely haiku that crowns it! I’ll be back to join in with my haibun tomorrow morning (our time)!
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Grace
/ May 23, 2016What a gorgeous sight to see that meteor shower ~ And night rides are fun with the family, soothing and calming ~ Love the details of your scenic drive Gayle ~ Happy Monday ~
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
/ May 23, 2016I have never seen a meteor shower.. but I can agree that night driving can be very calming… maybe if it just passes in a nice pace, and you don’t have to hold the wheel…
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Victoria C. Slotto
/ May 23, 2016So wonderful to be able to find nature in a drive. I relish my drives to and from the desert, snaking along the Eastern Sierra. They are prayers.
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kanzensakura
/ May 23, 2016I love meteor showers and night drives. And yes, catching the nature along the way. All the descriptions of the animals and then to crown it with that gorgeous haiku….what a grand way to relax and be part of nature.
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Glenn Buttkus
/ May 23, 2016Gorgeous, sensual, fulfilling; we watch the meteor showers here in August, but have to stay after midnight for the real fireworks. Your haiku & Florida drives are wonderful; thanks.
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jillys2016
/ May 23, 2016I love your writing, in part because the images are so familiar, but also because you have the ability to create a mood with your words. Thank you for sharing!
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sarahsouthwest
/ May 23, 2016Oh lovely! I can never see enough shooting stars.There is something very special about being driven at night.
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katiemiafrederick
/ May 23, 2016sMiLes.. R and R
iN decades for me
was only a drive
to see my
Father then..
on Interstate
Roads.. twice a
year and twice
a month
moWinG
grass close
to Nature as
Leave of work
then.. working aLL
Holidays for decAdes..
never taKing a break WiLL
Certainly make i a dull boy..
noW neverLand
EnDinG story
aGaiN..:)
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Walt Wojtanik
/ May 23, 2016Nightly drives are the best way to relax, especially as a passenger. And a convertible or moon roof would not be rejected either! Nice, Gayle.
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Charley
/ May 23, 2016I do enjoy a night drive! Sometimes we try to watch the night sky from our upper deck, but Florida has WAY too much light pollution. Love your poem. Very relaxing.
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Mish
/ May 23, 2016I would love to see a meteor shower especially the way you describe it. The night rides with your family…that really gave me a warm, nostalgic vibe.
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georgeplace2013
/ May 23, 2016I have seen a meteor shower and one of my favorite things is a leisurely Sunday drive with my husband looking at the beautiful WV scenery. Your
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georgeplace2013
/ May 23, 2016I wasn’t finished, thank you very much, WordPress… haibun is relaxing and soothing.
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Arcadia Maria
/ May 23, 2016Lovely and your descriptions about the meteor shower made me almost feel like I was there.
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whimsygizmo
/ May 23, 2016A lovely, lulling drive, indeed, Gayle. Thank you.
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thotpurge
/ May 23, 2016Watching a meteor shower has to be on my bucket list… sounds glorious.
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B. E. Adalgari
/ May 23, 2016I also love being a passenger on a long nature drive; just turning up my favorite music and watching the world fly by in all it’s varied beauty. There probably /is/ nothing more relaxing, to my mind. And your descriptions of the meteor shower are beautiful. So happy and nostalgic. Thank you so much for sharing this 😀
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Misky
/ May 24, 2016I can well imagine that being a very calming and soothing moment, Gayle.
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petrujviljoen
/ May 24, 2016We have the Kruger National Park, some 40km from where I now live. One is not allowed to leave the vehicle in case a lion or something decide to have one for dinner. Just the co-existence with wild animals is just so amazing.
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Kathy Reed
/ May 24, 2016This is lovely..and I love that your mother used to take you for night drives in the summer…a good idea for anyone. Hope to catch meteor showers this summer!
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kaykuala (@hankkaykuala)
/ May 25, 2016I started seeing the telltale streaks
of meteors flashing through the sky.
Calming and exciting at the same time!
What a wonderful experience which many may not have thought about. Thanks for sharing Gayle
Hank
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Lorna's Voice
/ May 26, 2016Such a lovely memory beautifully shared. I love when poets write prose! 🙂
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Rosemary Nissen-Wade
/ May 26, 2016My Dad loved cars and driving, and used to take the family on wonderful drives. That was on the island of Tasmania, where you can’t go far without finding beautiful scenery. Thank you for reviving those nice memories.
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