I'm fading quickly as it's been a long day already, but I'd like to leave a few quick updates.
First, Montana is really long. It took us 13 1/2 hours of driving straight west to get from one side to the other. And I mean STRAIGHT west. That road doesn't so much as wiggle for hundreds of miles.
Secondly, Idaho is really short. Since we crossed a time zone midway through, we drove from one end of the state to the other in seven minutes. It was also prettier.
This leg was unquestionably the "social" one; I doubt I'll have much time to visit people when I'm pointed back towards the east.
The first stop was in Big Timber, Montana, a town known for its drug trade and for having a restaurant. We went to the restaurant, and it certainly lived up to its hype: it was a restaurant. We met my Aunt Barb (Dad's sister) and Uncle Tom there, where we had a quick bite to eat and discussed if the Bumblebox looked suspicious or not. Aunt Barb was determined to be a good grandmother, and was sure to bring out pictures of her daughter's little one at every appropriate opportunity.
If not for babies, who would buy "booties" anymore?
Dad and I had the very good fortune of being able to stop in Seattle to visit my dear friend Katie, who decided it would a really good idea to move a really long way away for some reason. Nice try -- I found you!
She seems to have fit very well into Seattle life, and took us on a walking tour of a hugely massive market area with fresh fruit and stuff. We looked at Puget Sound, admired some steel sculptures, and had sandwiches. Hopefully, next time I'm a little less rushed; I'd like to check Seattle out more thoroughly sometime.
It rained the whole time, but we didn't want to stick out; we left our huge yellow box parked and walked everywhere without hats or umbrellas, just like all the locals. They all looked fine, but I suspect I looked really, really wet. I wonder how they do that.
Right now we're near Portland, staying with Dad's brother's family. Apparently, Uncle Rich makes humongous hamburgers, which seems like pretty good way to make them. I taught the kids to play Race for the Galaxy, and... and...
...I'm pretty sure I can think of something that's happened today, but I can't keep my eyes open any longer. Everyone else has already gone to bed. I'll fill this in more later, if I get the chance.
***
edit: It was good to see family again; being so distant means we only cross paths once a year, or less. The kids and I tried to decide if there were any cousins left to get married (triggering a family reunion). I think it's pretty much down to Brian. If you're reading this, man, we're counting on you.
Jacob then proceeded to destroy me at Smash Brothers. It's not fair.
Aunt Ollie, bless her heart, was pretty determined to mother me while I was under her roof. She helped me with my laundry, made me a bunch of little toaster waffles, gave a choice of brownies with or without nuts, and even sent me on the road with some new board games (being a favorite pasttime of mine). If she'd be willing to just follow me around for the next six weeks, this would be the easiest trip ever. And I'd never be hungry or thirsty again.
***
Tomorrow morning I leave for Oregon, leaving Dad behind. It's been a good trip out, and I'll be sorry to see him go. But, sink or swim, from here on out my success is up to me. I hope I can find Oregon from here. Maybe I'll download a map in the morning before I go.
The first ceremony is the day after tomorrow.
First, Montana is really long. It took us 13 1/2 hours of driving straight west to get from one side to the other. And I mean STRAIGHT west. That road doesn't so much as wiggle for hundreds of miles.
Secondly, Idaho is really short. Since we crossed a time zone midway through, we drove from one end of the state to the other in seven minutes. It was also prettier.
This leg was unquestionably the "social" one; I doubt I'll have much time to visit people when I'm pointed back towards the east.
The first stop was in Big Timber, Montana, a town known for its drug trade and for having a restaurant. We went to the restaurant, and it certainly lived up to its hype: it was a restaurant. We met my Aunt Barb (Dad's sister) and Uncle Tom there, where we had a quick bite to eat and discussed if the Bumblebox looked suspicious or not. Aunt Barb was determined to be a good grandmother, and was sure to bring out pictures of her daughter's little one at every appropriate opportunity.
If not for babies, who would buy "booties" anymore?
Dad and I had the very good fortune of being able to stop in Seattle to visit my dear friend Katie, who decided it would a really good idea to move a really long way away for some reason. Nice try -- I found you!
She seems to have fit very well into Seattle life, and took us on a walking tour of a hugely massive market area with fresh fruit and stuff. We looked at Puget Sound, admired some steel sculptures, and had sandwiches. Hopefully, next time I'm a little less rushed; I'd like to check Seattle out more thoroughly sometime.
It rained the whole time, but we didn't want to stick out; we left our huge yellow box parked and walked everywhere without hats or umbrellas, just like all the locals. They all looked fine, but I suspect I looked really, really wet. I wonder how they do that.
Right now we're near Portland, staying with Dad's brother's family. Apparently, Uncle Rich makes humongous hamburgers, which seems like pretty good way to make them. I taught the kids to play Race for the Galaxy, and... and...
...I'm pretty sure I can think of something that's happened today, but I can't keep my eyes open any longer. Everyone else has already gone to bed. I'll fill this in more later, if I get the chance.
***
edit: It was good to see family again; being so distant means we only cross paths once a year, or less. The kids and I tried to decide if there were any cousins left to get married (triggering a family reunion). I think it's pretty much down to Brian. If you're reading this, man, we're counting on you.
Jacob then proceeded to destroy me at Smash Brothers. It's not fair.
Aunt Ollie, bless her heart, was pretty determined to mother me while I was under her roof. She helped me with my laundry, made me a bunch of little toaster waffles, gave a choice of brownies with or without nuts, and even sent me on the road with some new board games (being a favorite pasttime of mine). If she'd be willing to just follow me around for the next six weeks, this would be the easiest trip ever. And I'd never be hungry or thirsty again.
***
Tomorrow morning I leave for Oregon, leaving Dad behind. It's been a good trip out, and I'll be sorry to see him go. But, sink or swim, from here on out my success is up to me. I hope I can find Oregon from here. Maybe I'll download a map in the morning before I go.
The first ceremony is the day after tomorrow.
0 comments:
Post a Comment