Eagle Nest, New Mexico, 2012. “People like to drive because driving is actually and symbolically an almost perfect mechanism for escape…there is probably no human being who does not have troubles, real or imagined, from which he at times feels the need to flee.” George R. Stewart.

PHB

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Brooklin, Maine, United States
We own a 1976 GMC Sierra Grande 15 in Maine, and an '86 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe 10 in West Texas. Also a pair of '97 Volvo 850 wagons. Average age of the fleet is 24 years--we're recyclers. I've published a book of stories NIGHT DRIVING (1987), and 2 novels: THE LAW OF DREAMS (2006), and THE O'BRIENS, which came out in the US (Pantheon) and Canada (House of Anansi) in 2012. A book of stories TRAVELING LIGHT comes out in 2013. More of my book stuff at www.peterbehrens.org I'm a Fellow at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study for 2012-13.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Aisle a Ho

From Isle au Haut in Penobscot Bay photographer Winky Lewis sent these images of summer kids and captive vehicles. Barging is expensive, so cars and trucks that make it out to Isle au Haut tend to stay there. The only scheduled connection with the mainland is a daily mailboat out of Stonington, which carries mail, people, and some freight, but no vehicles bigger than bikes.


Because this is Autoliterate, after all, I'm going to nerdishly try to identify the machines that Winky shot. It's not quite trainspotting, perhaps, but it's close. I believe this guy (above) is snoozing in the same '66 Dodge Dart, as below.


And what could this be but a 1952 Pontiac Chieftain?



No split windscreen? Must be a 1954 Chevrolet "Advanced Design" truck.

Matched pair.


No state roads--and no staties--on Isle au Haut, so up-to-date registration is not a priority.



I believe this gorgeous beast is a 1948 Plymouth.

 I went to a fishing camp with my father when I was eleven. Our guide had one of these Willys Jeep wagons, circa 1960. I forgot all about fishing and spent the afternoon behind the wheel, driving up and down a range road in Quebec.


See? No state roads on Isle au Haut. Not a lot of traffic. 


There are les than a hundred year rounders Isle au Haut , with a few more summer residents. A chunk of  the island is a part of Acadia National Park. If you're looking for the mailboat schedule, here it is.

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