Bixby Canyon Bridge

It’s the penultimate day of our road trip, little sweetheart. I’d read in preparation for it that we’d be going over the Bixby Canyon Bridge, known to us both from the DCfC song of the same name. I remember when the album came out, listening to it all and this opening track in particular, over and over. There was a line about “all the way from San Francisco” that had caught my ear and I kept singing it to you. You had to be the one to point out that, as often was the case with Ben Gibbard’s songs, the pretty melody concealed a very dark, sad lyric. It get that now.

There’s no sign anywhere near the bridge itself. The sight of it is pretty iconic but there’s a second bridge that is not unlike it, so it’s easy to get confused. Sylvia and I were trying to find it on Day 2 as we left Monterrey for Big Sur and it wasn’t until later that we realized we’d already crossed it. On our way back now, we made sure to locate it. It’s pretty spectacular. Maybe there’s no sign, if there ever was one, because fans kept making off with it. That’s my theory anyway.

We both got out and took pictures and when I turned around Sylvia snapped one of me with the bridge in the background. I’m wearing the leather jacket that you gave to me for Christmas, our last Christmas together in 2010. I wear it constantly. Indeed, some of the leather has torn under the right arm and I’m in a bit of a panic about it. I need to try to find a leather restoration place when we get back to NYC.

Meantime, here I am, listening closely and quietly for your voice, your beautiful spirit, your flawless guidance. I love you with all my heart and soul and always always will. Even if, as the song says,  “I’ve still got miles to go”.

With love forever.