As I begin to re-enter my Fort Bragg life, I find myself attempting to sort out my trip memories. They are so many and so powerful that it's obviously going to take me a long time to completely take stock of it all. The bottom line, I guess, is that I'm really happy that I didn't yield to the temptation of postponing the trip until next near. I came rather close to doing so because of taking the wonderful, short notice trip to Italy in June. Also because I already had my reservations at Las Mariposas for Oaxaca in January. But, who knows how agile one will be "next year?" Or able in all the other ways necessary to carry out this kind of an undertaking. I'm very glad I didn't postpone. I am so energized by just thinking about all the good happenings and beauty of this 9,000 mile adventure I've just returned from.
And, of course I think of the perils once in a while. They actually were so scary and life threatening that I'm in awe to be here. But there is also something about "near misses" that can't be denied. If you make it through a few of those kinds of events, you are forever changed. Gratitude, amazement, reflection all come into play. The hurricane in Ontario, the fearful, slippery backing up on a the steep hill in Quebec City, the steeper than expected grades on the Cabot Trail at Cape Breton and perilous night ride on black ice for more than three hours outside of Amarillo, Texas will all hold an indescribable spot in my memory bank. But each time I think of them, I can deliberately push the button to bring back memories of awesome scenery in all the Canadian provinces with special spots for the amazing geological formations of Bamnf and Lake Louise, the shoreline wonders of the Bay of Fundy, the wonders of powerful rivers like the mighty Fraser in BC. And of course, getting up to Canada was also magnificent. The Oregon and Washington coasts, the Olympic Peninsula, visiting Lolli, Martha, Dora in their beautiful Washington locations. All these times and places are deeply etched in my trip memories. Another special moment along the way was my brief time with Leah having dinner and breakfast in her cozy Oberlin cafe hangout.
After leaving Chicago and embarking on the "Route 66" part of the turn around trip, the sites were equally memorable, but different. Driving back roads of the Ozarks in Missouri with no reverse gear is surely something I'll never forget. The kind and generous help I received from trucking centers like the one in Cuba, Missouri and the Aamco shop down the road from there will always be remembered with huge thanks and appreciation.
At the top of the list of amazing things to remember is, of course, that of being taken in by my dear friend who rescued me from the Walmart parking lot after my transmission gradually gave out between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. We are certain we were destined to meet and will surely be friends forever. I just think of her two huge Irish Wolfhounds and can't stop smiling. I think of her coming over to the hotel whenever she wasn't in court and taking me all over OKC to see the sights. When Art and I returned to pick up the newly repaired Rialta, she greeted him with the same welcome and warmth. When I first arrived in this picture, some of Anne's friends, colleagues and relatives couldn't help but raise an eyebrow over what she had done. You don't invite someone you've just met in a parking lot to go have Mexican dinner with you, Mom. But, as we became acquainted, all was forgiven and we became friends. After five days in the awful hotel I finally gave in to Anne's insistence on my moving in with her. I won't forget her son coming into her front door when I was there alone, in such a way as not to frighten me. Anne had warned him not to come crashing in, but he was so sensitive the way he warmly identified himself. We soon had a wonderful conversation. Then my son Mike wrote me an email and asked me for my new address "So we'll know where to send the ransom" he stated. The ice was finally broken and we were all happy to know each other. If it hadn't been for that failed transmission I might well have driven through to Amarillo to gain some precious time. But it seems I was destined to meet and fall in love with Oklahoma City and its people.
After waiting about five days before the Rialta was released to us by that careful, careful Aamco shop, the weather closed in and OKC was icy, windy and the streets were too perilous to chance taking off on our trip again. So we waited three days more. And this is what eventually put us into the path of Storm Boreas. A seemingly clear day finally arrived and we took off with high hopes of reaching Amarillo or even further along our route to the homeland. I'm not going to repeat my description of the last three plus hours of driving on black ice packed between eighteen wheelers all going 5-7 miles per hour with hazard lights all blazing and every person on that highway surely praying to his personal gods for a miracle and safe delivery to Amarillo. It's spoken of enough just a few blogs back.
Art and I had a wonderful trip through New Mexico, Arizona and on into California and the beautiful desert lands and back to the Bay Area. On our arrival we celebrated with a night at the Freight and Salvage listening to Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum and their group, including a surprise visit by Nina Gerber. All ingredients for a great evening. An easy trip up to the north coast completed the story. Home, safe, and oh so happy to be here.
For those who follow the progress of my tapestry making, I'm sure you'll be seeing images inspired by my trip in dozens of ways. I don't know what they are yet, but you can be sure they'll be there. Now, to find the time to let them emerge.
Thanks to all of you who wrote to me during this journey — Either through the blog comments or by email. Your contacts were treasured in all cases. Myrna, you and Steve are two of the few who managed the Google comment method. Is it because you live with a pro or just that you are the clever one you are? It is such a comfort to be so far away from home and know that someone is checking in with you from far away. I am so grateful for the life I am privileged to have and for all my friends and family who helped me along the way during this very personal challenge.
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