“This song always makes me cry,” I said.
I was riding shotgun in a Kia Soul with Jeff Bogle in the driver’s seat and Rick Fauquet reclined behind us. We had been on the road for about an hour, and sniffling for most of it. The sky was clear, the air was warm, but the radio? It was chopping onions.
Our playlists were singsong melancholy, three grown men with tears in their eyes and a desert that stretched forever. The conversation danced with instrumental breaks, spinning across family, swaying behind work and dipping into politics. We bared our souls in a Soul, and we never used a hashtag.
We were on our way to Las Vegas, just days after the terrorist act that had devastated the community, and the subdued mood felt appropriate as it slid down one guitar string and rounded on another. However, it wasn’t sadness that drove us, but reflection, depth and our lazy comfort with it. The ample legroom was a nice touch.
Los Angeles shrunk behind us, its canyons still echoing from a night with Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles, the roofs topped in full bars and laughter. There had been fun there, too, loud and far more crowded.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ46-5NlIuD/?taken-by=whithonea
The highway loosened with the traffic and before long we were at the Hard Rock in Vegas. Our seats were perfect.
L.A. (and Bogle) favorite Dawes kicked off the show, followed by a stoic Kings of Leon and Rick buying t-shirts. Time, as it is prone to do in Las Vegas, sort of wandered away from there.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ7s9-SlpcQ/?taken-by=whithonea
Generally, a sponsored event doesn’t involve the kind of quality time with other attendees as we were able to share on this one, and it showed. Sure, we experienced a sweet ride in a sweet ride, and the Kia Soul is everything you would want that car to be, but it is the memories we made along the journey that I will keep with me, whistling softly like a soundtrack.
The trip was good for the Soul, but also the souls of everyone.
Kia, feel free to use that.
Kia kindly sponsored this trip including all travel and dining accommodations. Meet the rest of the gang at #KiaSoulRoadies.
Fantastic post! As always, I love reading your writing, but having shared this experience, this time was even more magical. Loved seeing you three on the road!