“May the angel of wildness disturb the places where your life is domesticated and safe.” John O’Donohue
When the truck was delivered yesterday, the driver really didn’t want to leave the trailer and come all the way back out on Monday to get it. He peeked in and asked how many feet I had reserved. When he saw it was only five linear feet and it was all boxes he asked if we couldn’t just go ahead and empty it. I got that “Let’s see what she’s made of” look and I jumped right in. I was lugging boxes up those stairs and going back for more. NOT the way I had that scenario played out in my mind, but here we were. I did call in reinforcements who showed up when we were down to the last ten boxes. (Definitely not their fault…they were originally scheduled for tomorrow.) When we were done, there were four men and me standing around admiring my new trailer and truck. I said something about being tough and the boss turned around and said “Little girl, you dragged that thing clear across the country! I’D say you’re pretty dang tough!” (me = big smile)
“Welcome to Wild, Wonderful West Virginia!”
I crossed the Ohio River before dark singing “Almost Heaven….”!!! I went to a rest area and cleaned out the tanks. Headed straight to Outback to have a great big, juicy burger and fries, called my cousin and my aunt to let them know I’m here, texted the kids, and called a friend where I was invited to stay the night. I’ll head out to the farm today so I don’t have to drive in the dark on twisty, curvy roads!
“One State Away!!!”
It’s hard to see on that sign, but it says OHIO. And what’s after Ohio???? Why, WV, of course!!!
I was so proud of myself yesterday morning. I got the truck backed up and it didn’t take more than 2 or 3 tries to get it lined up with the hitch. I had the trailer hooked up in no time!!!
I arrived at my friend’s house at noon, just north of Dayton. Cindy and I met in 1974. We were Air Force wives, young and newly married. I was pregnant with my first and Cindy organized a baby shower for me. She contacted my family back home and had them send me presents. When we sat down to open gifts, she made sure I opened my family’s gifts first and when I saw the tags, I just cried. It was so touching and indicative of the kind, caring friend she has turned out to be over the last 40 years. We were remarking last evening how military friendships are deeper than most. When you are stationed so far away from home, you make your friends your family. What a treat it is to see her. I’m amazed…neither one of us have changed a bit!
“OLD RV!”
Ok, I’ve been taking my sweet time crawling across America. I’d love to say I’ve meandered down cute little two lane highways, stopping in interesting little villages along the way to sample the local color. I’d love to say I stopped in quaint little orchards to sample cider, bob for apples, and take my chances with the ring toss and try to win one of Fannie Arbuckle’s world famous Apple Pies. I wish I had arm loads of darling antiques and bolts of fabulous cloth for the precious little curtains I’m sure to make for the trailer. Maybe even a jar of homemade apple butter from the Farmer’s Market where Art Froderburg whittles the Statue of Liberty on the head of matchsticks. But, alas….this is not the trip I had. I have seen I-70. Since I picked up my trailer eight days ago. I-70, I-270, I-470….are you getting where I’m coming from here? I’ve seen trucks. The backs of truck, the fronts of trucks, the sides of trucks. I’ve seen the blur of cars as they pass me like I’m in a funeral procession. My only score on this trip was a Chapstick in a truck stop. I know the price of gas all the way across the country. I got to visit some dear friends because they had the foresight to live near I-70. I’ve seen some really nice RV Parks. I got to stay in a hotel one night to avoid my own personal re telling of the Wizard of Oz.
“Forever Love”
One of my sweetest friends in the world shared a YouTube video yesterday. It was Josh Groban singing “To Where You Are”…a hauntingly beautiful song about grief. She said it reminded her of me. I sat in my truck and listened and, of course, I cried.
I have a compartment in my heart where I have carefully stored the pain of losing Mr. Virgo. There is much scar tissue around that spot now and I don’t open it up to inspect the contents so much anymore. I used to look in often, hoping against hope that the chamber would be empty and I would be free from the pain. But I found it was always there…fresh and raw, the same as it always was. I came to realize it will truly always be there..it will never go away. The difference is, I have the key on my keychain now. I’m the Keeper of the Key. I can open it up or I can keep it safely tucked away.
“Tornado!”
There’s not much that scares me, but a tornado in the dark is one of them. I know it’s probably overkill, but I decided rather than sit up all night peering out the windows of a rocking tin can, I would get a nice cushy hotel room and take a bubble bath. Much better plan!
“Map of Missouri”
I stayed in Columbia, MO Saturday night at Cottonwood Landing RV Park. It was clean and the people were friendly but the trailers were pretty much crammed together like sardines in a can. I love trailer people though. They are always so nice and watch out for each other. The couple next to me that night were from New Mexico. They had been summering in the Adirondacks and were on their way home. As soon as people find out I’m traveling alone, their parental instincts come out and they always tell me to let them know if I need anything. I have never once felt threatened or uneasy when I’m parked next to one of the big rigs….motor homes that cost ten times the value of a house. You can just about bet there’s a woman and a gun in one of them.
“Sisters on the Fly in Kansas”
“Travel. As much as you can. As far as you can. As long as you can. Life’s not meant to be lived in one place.”
“Dancing in the Rain!”