Today was the first day I'd been on those roads without her.  Before the times with her, I'd never been to any of those places.  Just another of the many things she brought into my life to make it that much sweeter.  Now, I get that knot in my stomach as I head across the extension crossing the bridge into the far county then bending and twisting through the country-side before reach any one of the more than half-a-dozen places we enjoyed there together.

I try not to think of her absence, but it's impossible.  I recall the conversations we had along the drive.  I taste the same tastes.  There's music and people dancing, but, this time, not us.  I see a couple sneak off from the crowds and disappear behind the same hill we did the first time went searching for the green sign.

On the way home I can see the stacks in the distance.  The view brings more old conversations to mind, and those thoughts of even more things I had hoped we do together, but never will.  I make a quick stop to pick up a couple of our favorites.  Some of the faces look familiar, but are unknown to me.  I doubt they recognize me, especially without her there.

I coast down that steep hill and continue home.  A quick moment later and I'm surrounded in more memories.  One of the oldest between us, we weren't even 24 hours into each other when we traveled down that trail.

It's hard to know what to do these days.  There are so few things that don't remind me of something we did or planned to do.  Everyone tells me to get out and stay busy, but where do I go?  She is everywhere and nowhere.  Another ghost, another dream, unrealized...