up the hill

Tonight, while driving back to my parents house, I took a detour. I went up a road called Alto Drive, which I had remembered driving up once or twice with my mom at some point in our past. It's by no means a shortcut to my house, but I was in no hurry. "CAUTION: winding road - Approach at your own risk!"... Well now that's exciting! I don't usually attempt such things if I don't have to. I pressed on. And then for some reason, I got lost. Or, at least I thought I was lost. But I didn't mind. I was totally admiring these great houses that I didn't remember seeing before. Little and not so little splashes of architecture, sparkling pools, and lonely tennis courts. Each its own unique little jewel tucked away in the mountain side. And of course, the evening light. And well of course, the views of hills and earth-filled horizons out either window.
 The road began to get more and more narrow. At one point, I was creeping around the mountain with my eyebrows raised, heart a little jumpy. What the heck was going to be around the corner? A speeding car ? A bicycle built for two? Another road? At one point, I was fairly certain that I'd made a wrong turn somewhere, and the thought of turning around had crossed my mind. But I gave my trust to Alto Drive. I kept on going, and after a few more sharp turns, and winding arounds, I started to see houses up on the hill ahead that looked familiar. Familiarity. Certainty. My detour was approaching it's end.
 After I reached the road more traveled, I couldn't help but drive myself up to the top of Mt. Helix and park my car to the side of the rock wall. I've probably walked by this rock wall a million times. I've grown up taking walks up this hill and am accustomed to seeing other young ragamuffins parked to the side, taking in the view. Of course, they're usually accompanied by rich smells of cigarette smoke and weed to better take it all in.. But, I had to go watch the cloud cover come in from the coast. And I had to kind of smirk at myself. Because more often than not I'm scared and a little nervous about my journey. About the road I chose. About the destination ahead. But hell, my whole life is Alto Drive. A detour that leads somewhere beautiful. Well, I'm hoping at least.
So I was proud of myself for trusting my instinct tonight. I didn't turn around. I didn't freak out. I didn't even speed ahead... I just wound around, slow and steady, all the while taking in the wondrous surroundings. And I have to say: I liked it.