It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

The return from my road trip brought to mind a word that I can’t shake. “Fetch.” In the Southern Ocean, I would observe “the fetch” on a daily basis. I hadn’t known the term before that, but it refers to the surface of ocean over which the wind blows, and you can observe its direction and the waves generated. Riveting, right? Staring at the water looking for the movement of wind. However – the recent rains have made for phenomenal growth of grasses and weeds along the interstate. And on the overpasses which can’t be mowed uphill, the waving and rippling of the grasses was beautiful! It reminded me of the fetch. And the fetch reminds me to look for the small things. And with that thought, I am going to fetch some sleep in that most wonderful place to return after a trip – my own bed!

Those words came to mind as I chased a frog out of the garage today. As I swept, this leaf kept moving from my view. Surprisingly, I did not scream in shock when I realized it was an amphibious creature. I haven’t seen a frog in years – and I used to not mind picking them up at all. However, I have apparently become immune to their charms, and I wanted him out with no physical contact whatsoever. The broom prevailed, the frog found a home outside, and the garage is swept.

Now we await the evening thunderstorms, guaranteed to wake us in the middle of the night, and reminding us that we aren’t in charge.

Can you imagine taking a road trip for 70 years with the same person as your co-pilot? You have to agree on the stops, the starts, the destinations. You might not even know where you are going all of the time, but you make it work. You weather the breakdowns and get the tune-ups done together. You might even change vehicles along the way!

Today I was privileged to attend the celebration of a 70-year journey of marriage between my aunt and uncle. The event was a chance to reconnect with myriad cousins, remember family connections, and laugh about the aging process which has occurred with all of us. We discerned that no one was exempt from it, save those we have lost along the way. It was truly a beautiful and holy day among the many we are given.

Sleep deprivation is really not the best way to begin driving. However, I took the helm and relied on my mother and sister reciting the rosary as I drove to our destination. ( I recited, but had to pay attention to road closures and other seemingly “important” signs!) We were heading to the best biggest city – BBC – to procure new technology.

It is IMPOSSIBLE, truly, to make a return trip home, the first destination of the road trip, without an additional road trip. In this case, we needed a new computer. That is not something easily attainable in the Village of Lindsay. However, absolutely everything you need for day-to-day living is available here. Truly. So – this computer business (new technology) was unexpected and challenging, and yet, fulfilling.

Okay…I don’t know who it was fulfilling for, but at this point, I have to stop the entire monologue. Some fish just spit or spewed a whoosh of water out of the fish tank of my mother’s home!!!!!!!!!!! I had to stop this entire missive to feel around for potentially live fish who were spewed forth for some reason! It is wet all around, but no fish flipping about. Read the blog, Mom, and I’ll relay the intimate details.

So, with the limited technological knowledge provided by her two daughters, my mother will be subjected to her new computer tomorrow and we will forever have our names linked to every potential disaster provided by the internet!

On the bright side, this is a cool computer and it will be amazing. And the road trip will continue with a family gathering that very few people get to experience! (Truly the reason for which this person authoring the missive made a point to return. I can’t begin to touch on the honor bestowed on me for tomorrow’s invitation. ) I will always return to my village to see my mother, but this particular opportunity includes not only her, but my entire childhood. Let me keep you in suspense! And let me thank you for that.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to travel via “Train,” and my travels ended when my head hit the pillow. The concert was great! I sang at the top of my lungs and I was not disappointed in the show. (Always a risk when you love the songs on the radio. Perhaps your band will not live up to expectations?) However, the late night made it tough to begin my new road trip. (This one is actually current!)

I hit the road early with snacks and songs to fuel me. Immediately I was way-laid by the traffic on the interstate. A Kia Outlander, red in color, was being driven by someone unfamiliar with cruise control. We played “pass and be passed” while I continued to get boxed in with semi-trucks barreling down the road. The problem with dopey drivers is that you get to experience them all over again when you pull over to grab a large cup of McDonald’s coffee, no cream or sugar. And if you have to pull over to use the restroom after consuming a large cup of McDonald’s coffee, no cream or sugar, you get to meet them all over again! However, this got me to thinking.

We should make friends with fellow drivers on the road. You pass the same people over and over, and they pass you. We should just be waving and smiling all the time. Except to dopey drivers who don’t understand cruise control.

So, I refrained from counting road kill, cars, furniture, clothing on the road, retread tire scraps.

Note: The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

A friend, (let’s call her “Pat,”) sent me a rambling email – and I thought of what a cool word that really is. Dating myself here – remember Steve Martin playing his banjo spelling out “R-A-M-B-L-I-N-G, Rambling!” That is really what most of today was. In the car rambling, rambling on in my emails, rambling in my thoughts.

I thought of the old family car we had when I was growing up, an American Motors deep green station wagon, “Rambler!” My poor dad, (let’s call him, “Jerry,”) tried to teach me to drive a stick shift in it. It had a shift on the column. I might have learned it easier if I would have known “three on the tree,” as my gear head husband, (let’s call him, “Andy,”) told me it was affectionately called. I hated shifting that way, and did not ramble anywhere in there! However, the back seat came out and we would pull it out and use it as our sofa at the pond when we were fishing. Childhood friends will remember that! (Let’s call them “Ann and her siblings?)

Of course, the general public is wondering at this point, “Did she ever learn to drive a manual transmission?” She did. She learned with a “four on the floor” Opel Cadet Rallye. See? She could have learned if she knew “three on the tree.” Rhymes are useful.

Anyway, the Rambler gave us many memories – and really, rambling should do that.

Sometimes the radio has the perfect song to match a mood. (That would be a good name for a company – “Match-a-Mood.” Could be a restaurant? “What are you in the mood for tonight?” asks your spouse. “I don’t know. Let’s call “Match-a-Mood.” Let someone else choose your mood!)

I was feeling the weight of the world this morning at approximately 7:15 – well maybe just the weight of my jacket. It should be warmer and it isn’t. I was chilled and had a heavier-than-summer coat on this morning. Well, U2 pipes up on the radio with “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Heck. If Bono hasn’t found it yet, I guess I’m doing okay!

So, I attempted to find what I needed at the grocery store on my big adventure. However, I erred and went to the newer store, with which I am most unfamiliar. (Although they do tempt you with the clothing aisle – and sometimes you do think, “Hey, I need a new shirt!”). Bypassing the temptation, I spent an inordinate amount of time looking for my cereal of choice, as well as the candy I was hoping to take to a friend. Neither one could be discovered. Then, I recalled the other song on the radio and used it as my inspiration. Snow Patrol, “Don’t Give In.” The lyrics are, “Don’t give in, don’t you dare quit so easy.” I went back to the aisles in question. Sigh. I was forced to get a different cereal and bag of candy. Apparently they have replaced my favorites there with clothing! Sometimes the adventure is mighty and sometimes just mighty small.

When I’ve walked 10,000 steps in a day, my phone gives me a cheerful accolade of “da,da,da,done!” That’s what we feel like at this moment. We have arrived! (Never mind that we still have another hour and a half to Bellingham, and a moving day ahead of us. Details!)

The wonders of a restorative night of sleep! I am ready to do a full-fledged, free-of-charge commercial for the Horse Heaven Best Western Inn. Up at our usual early hour of 8 am, we realized we had also gained that hour at the Idaho border. We actually slept until 9 am! (The added pitfalls of room darkening shades and a good fan in the background.) We are destined for late departures. Perhaps the airline industry would be a good fit for us?

A superb full, hot breakfast waiting for us, we enjoyed it as we amused ourselves with the lady trying to vacuum the lobby. The minute she started her work, the phone would ring and she’d have to stop. This went on for a good 15 minutes. She was pretty darn patient, and that was our motto for the day. I’ve already forgotten what my “angel” card was. My daughter had us each pick a virtue for the day out of her grab bag, and it was to guide us in our thoughts and actions. Hers was “freedom.” I inadvertently got three virtues to work on, none of which I can remember right now, but I’m pretty sure I did a fine job of exemplifying each of them. (One of them was not “humility.”)

We were on the road and actually remembered to return our DVD to the grocery mart before heading out of town. We visited the world famous Chukar Cherries factory and store. We took the scenic Yakima Valley Highway, rather than the faster interstate. We wondered where this pass was – the one that kept us staying in Prosser for the evening. I had concluded it was a ruse to get more business into the town, when lo and behold, we did have to pass through a pass. Snoqualmie Pass – beautiful, of course. And there was rock blasting. We would not have made it through there by 8 pm last night, so Prosser received the benefit of our business.

We connected with my Uncle and Aunt via phone and were assured that our arrival time around dinner was just fine. (We know not to miss dinner here as they are fabulous chefs!) Battling Seattle proper traffic, we went to the Chihuly glass museum and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation visitor center. We also were just pleased as punch that a festival was being held in the area where we were trying to find parking. It was delightful to squeeze through the streets and lots, finally caving in to a public structure four levels below the street. At least the car was cool. Our wine appreciated that. (oops. we bought some wine!)

I could sit and stare at that glass for hours, but the benches there aren’t that comfortable. We eventually made our way back to the car, and the real city driving began. The usual – 4 pm rush hour on the only main highway through a coastal city. AAAUGHGHGH. Aforementioned daughter navigated like a trooper while I tapped my imaginary brake pedal. Let me take this moment for a commercial break.

COMMERCIAL BREAK: It can be tough to find someone who can put up with you for four days in a car, ignore your stupid remarks, keep the place as neat and tidy as possible, ignore your sarcastic and maybe politically incorrect comments, and not be driven by a personal agenda opposed to your own. My delightful daughter is one of the all-time, greatest travel buddies in the world. She is always upbeat (especially after her morning nap) and thanks you for anything you do for her. (like driving so she can take a morning nap) Easy-going. When the road construction started to irk me, her ever-positive take on life said, “We can read the license plates easier!” She complimented and thanked every single person who waited on us or helped us. I highly recommend a road trip with her. Plus, she packs a car neater than anyone and can wash a windshield extremely well. END

We arrived for dinner, enjoyed cheerful banter with family, and had a wonderful shrimp linguini dinner with strawberry pie as the dessert! We definitely needed and took a walk to get the 10,000 steps on my phone app and hear the fabulous, “da,da,da,done!” I will be returning to Denver with more of me to love, I fear. 10,000 steps isn’t going to quite cut it when it comes to waistline management on a road trip.

So, we pretty much end this trip here. I don’t think I’ll be blogging the rest, because it will be apartment hunting, job application checking, moving, and my eventual return to Denver. I will say that I saw a chair on the road today, and I am sticking to my theory regarding the inherent risks of being a home furnishing in today’s modern world of travel. We failed to find our full 50 license plates and am pretty sure we aren’t going to get them going to the furthermost point in the contiguous United States! I also don’t know how to spell check on my ipad, and don’t really know if “furthermost” is correct. I’m sure one of you can help me with that little grammatical detail. Son? I think I’m right, but I’m sure you’ll let me know. (Don’t look at the punctuation though, because I know I’ve screwed up on some commas.) I hope the photos of our trip turned out, but if not, I know the thought of them is good enough for me. I am most grateful to the gal for whom the aforementioned commercial was made. She took me along on her adventure and I’ll never forget it!

It’s always good to do so…..and that is what is happening this morning. Rest and relaxation and solving the world’s problems! Then back on the road!

Full disclosure…..these missives were initially written on an earlier trip, but they are SO definitely worth repeating!!!

I’d love to say we awoke with the dawn, had a hearty and timely-served breakfast, and then were on the road by 7, per our plan.  We ignored the alarm.  Went to breakfast in historic downtown Butte.  However, Thursdays in Butte must be taxing on the wait staff.  Rolling her eyes at me, our waitress made sure I knew that I was quite an imposition.  Rachel reminded me to be more like Buddy in “Elf” and less like Jovie, his mistrustful girlfriend.  So our crappy cup of coffee paved the way for a truly delicious, however lengthier-than-necessary-to-cook breakfast.  And we kept our cheerful dispositions all day. 

Previously, around 5 a.m., I had awakened remembering why we were staying in Butte in the first place.  (even without your reminder, Uncle Bob!) Our Lady of the Rockies is the second largest statue in the United States, and it sits on the Continental Divide.  (I told you I was tired last night!)  Anyway, after breakfast we sought it out, only to find that it was a bus tour visitation beginning at 10 and ending at 12:30.  We didn’t think we could handle any more time in Butte.  We hit the road. We saw her through the smoke-filled haze of wildfires occurring that year and said a prayer.

The drive.  Wildfires in Washington made for a hazy drive the entire day.  The sunset last night was gorgeous due to it, but you could smell smoke today.  The roadkill report weakens.  We did see a rug on the road.  Yesterday we had seen a blanket.  Our scientific conclusion is that it is better to be a skunk on I-90 than a home furnishing.  The allure of roadkill reporting is waning.  Trust us, there is little glamour in that job.

We each got a nap in today, and Daughter got to navigate the entry into Idaho, where the road took a deplorable turn, where the time zone changed to PST right on the border, and where Methodists make good coffee. Our first rest stop proved they can do a fabulous job of hosting guests in their state!  We welcomed the caffeine.  Thursdays are the Methodist days, but we failed to learn of any other denominational days.  However, if you’re ever in the state on I-90 on a Thursday, you are in luck!

Lunch – a huckleberry shake – in Coeur d’ Alene.  More smoke and an eventual turn off the interstate brought us closer to our destination: the Yakima Valley.  As you may guess, our late start prompted our late arrival, and we were lucky to find our first vineyard, Chandler Reach, only closing 20 minutes after we arrived.  We also made it to Apex, the one we had discovered on YELP.  They stayed open for the first time ever – until 6 pm tonight.  We were the only ones there, but grateful to have visited two beautiful places.  Fortuitously, the woman at Chandler told us the pass was closing for rock blasting at 8 pm.  This was new to us, as we had no idea we were going to pass through a pass.  (When you’re from Colorado, you can ask, “Where are the mountains?’). Knowing our skill at delay, we decided to plant ourselves in Prosser. 

Prosser is Geneva, Nebraska-sized.   Our dinner was secured at the local grocery store, and then eaten in our room at the Best Western Inn at Horse Heaven.  It is a gorgeous room, big enough for a family of 12, has the standard double locks on the door, and we enjoyed the pool after dinner.  You probably thought we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves, arriving so early at a place of lodging!  Ever forward-thinking, we also secured a DVD rental from the local mart –  “Grand Budapest Hotel.”  We skillfully handled the rewiring of the TV and computer to get us going.  We actually relaxed and enjoyed the extra hour we gained heading North by Northwest.  Tomorrow  – we conquer the pass and head into Lynnwood, where family anxiously (or tolerantly) awaits us!