After crossing the Rocky Mountains… I realized it wasn’t cold at all. A long‑sleeve shirt was enough. But the road was unbelievably beautiful.
And something happened at a gas station that really surprised me.
As always, I went to the register first to pay before pumping gas. But the young guy at the counter said:
“Fill up first, then come back.”
I didn’t understand, so I asked again.
“Just fill up first, then pay afterward.”
………………………… My brain froze. That would never happen in Japan.
I did as he said, filled up, and went back to the register.
Still unbelievable. But just as I feared, he said sometimes people drive off without paying.
As I continued riding, I saw a sign:
“506 miles to Las Vegas.”
It hit me. I was getting close.
Then finally—
“Welcome to UTAH.”
I had reached Utah.
Tears started flowing. I couldn’t stop them. I rode while crying, my vision blurred.
I pulled into a freeway rest area to wipe my sunglasses. As I removed my helmet, I heard heavy engines approaching.
A group of bikers.
They parked beside me. We exchanged greetings. One of them said:
“Hot today, huh?”
And handed me a cold bottle of water.
I looked at their bikes— they had a cooler strapped on. That explained it.
I drank the cold water in one go, thanked them, and returned to the freeway.
The scenery around me looked like something straight out of the movie Cars. Vast land stretching endlessly. This was my place. My soul said so. Every cell in my body felt alive.
The West… I really do love it.
Humans lose their memories when they are reborn. A reset button is pressed before returning to this world.
But no matter how much is erased, some things remain engraved deep in the soul.
That’s why this scenery feels nostalgic. Because—
I was here long, long ago.
I followed the voice of my soul— no, the cry of my soul— and returned to this land.
This is my soul’s homeland.
And this is my partner in this life.
Yes… this is where I belong.
To be continued…
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