Skateboard Heaven :: Personal Narrative Essays

Skateboard Heaven      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I come around the corner, and a smile comes across my face.   I love it when there isn't a crowd.   Only two other people braved the chill, and had the will, to get up this early.   Upon arrival, my view is enhanced. Though I've seen it enough to burn an image into my subconscious, each visit brings new wonder.   I climb onto the lower platform, and quickly scale the small wall to the upper.   I nod at the other already standing there.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I've seen him before, but I don't need to know his name.   A silent friendship binds us that rarely needs words.   An occasional cheer or wince says more than the daily chat most are forced to endure.   The sound of the second person rolls softly in my ears. His image creeps into the corner of my eye while I inspect my shoes.   I scrub the soles back and forth on the pavement, out of habit, to insure a dry surface.   I don't bother to watch him.   I can hear him rolling smoothly down low.   His slow, relaxed warm up run tells me he probably arrived short time ago.   He makes his way up the back wall and his wheels go silent.   The other one puts his foot on his tail and effortlessly rolls his truck over the coping.   I watch him quickly drop away and coast to the hip.   He glides past it, and I start to notice the entire view before me as he blends into a larger picture.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I see grey.   Every shade of grey, in all its variety blends and curves from the lightest near whites, to a deepness rivaling black. The darkness overhead   drones with the sound of a thousand automobile tires humming on the top of the bridge.   Though designed for another purpose, it serves well as protection from the rain and weather.   The sun and light, as well as the wind, come from the sides.   The wind blows softly this morn, yet it nips at   exposed skin.   I know I will soon appreciate its soothing aspects as I warm up, so I try not to be bitter about it chilling my already cool body.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I hear the familiar pop of an ollie and my eyes automatically track