Folksburywoods Story Blog

Coddiwomple (v.) to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.

“Winds are picking up, Dodger. We should be heading in the right direction soon,” said Merkel.

The two aeronauts were heading for their next port of call, wherever that would be. Merkel trusted the elements would put him exactly where he needed to be.

It might be nice if we ended up on the coast. I’m hoping for lobster and mussels for dinner. What’s your thinking?” Merkel asked his copilot.

Dodger sniffed the air, then gave three solid barks.

“Heavens no, not lizard. Are you sure your nose didn’t get turned around?” questioned Merkel.

Dodger sniffed again and returned with three barks.

“We might get lucky and catch a northerly and avoid Dry Gulch,” replied Merkel.

Dodger whined in agreement.

The day was spent enjoying the sights of farms and valleys as the airship sped over the land.

“We should sell the Zepher and buy ourselves a ranch. What do you think, Dadger?” asked Merkel.

Merkel won the airship’s hull in a poker game during the Dark Wars. Lacking a mast or sail, its value was that of a floating storehouse.

Dodger gave a growl that could not be mistaken for anything but a no.

Lady Luck smiled on the soldier when he was assigned to the balloon brigade.

After the war, Merkel decided to attach one of his balloons to the ship, and the Zepher was born.

“We’re getting that north wind now. Diddly Do it’s lobster,” cried the aeronaut.

While she is a fast airship, the Zepher has no means of propulsion, so she must run with the wind.

Towards evening, Dodger gave a sniff followed by a long howl. “Ocean straight ahead,” replied Merkel after checking his spyglass.

The aeronaut brought the Zepher in for a flawless landing near Crusty’s Seafood Shack.

“Time for dinner, boy, and let’s forget the doggy bag and stuff ourselves. Who knows, the next time we’ll get to the coast,” said Merkel.

For the aeronauts, the journey was the point. The destination was, in fact, an afterthought.

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