By returning to Spokane I completed the circle that I began last August–a long journey that changed me from the inside out. Or, maybe, it laid me bare by peeling off, from the outside in, the layers that accumulated over the decades. Maybe both. Either way, I am glad for it.
The best part of the trip: Kerry and Meghan, Kerry and Meghan, Kerry and Meghan, Kerry and Meghan. My grand furballs were fun, too. I did not feel the baby moving–too early– but I enjoyed seeing the expanding baby bump where he/she resides inside my beautiful daughter-in-law.
The craziest part of the trip: arriving back to a winter wonderland at the campground! A freak, late spring storm slammed the Rockies, and a wet, heavy snow covers everything. Even Larry, Curly, and Mo are MIA. I expected a welcome home party from them. Insensitive brutes to run away when a little snow falls.
Other key moments:
1 I survived with only one pair of shoes. Kerry can verify that, in my past life, I always over-packed, especially shoes. (I even have old posts here and here about the shoe collection). As a teen, he nagged me about it relentlessly. In my new simplified life, one pair will do. Kerry was amazed.
2. The kennel where Tango was safely stowed called me Tuesday around lunchtime with a volley of questions:
“Aren’t you picking up Tango?” “Are you okay”
“Did you mean next Tuesday?”
Me:
“Did I say Tuesday?”
“I meant Wednesday.”
Ya know, it’s time people start reading my mind.
3. The sound of giant windshield wipers screeching across the windows for 2 hours. A real treat!
4. Dancing with the Stars
I never really watched this show before, but I know enough that Simone Biel should never have been eliminated. What the heck!! I am writing a letter to the execs.
5. Domestication of Kerry
A highlight of my life: watching my tough Marine (with marshmallow filling) going through coupons online and preparing the grocery list. Furthermore, he educated me about diaper prices. I bet you also did not know that diapers through Amazon are cheaper than the same ones at Costco.
6. Brunch in a restored presidential train car, Frank’s Diner.
7. The raging Spokane River full of spring melt.
8. A Cafe au Lait beer from a craft beer store that had 40 choices on tap. The beer was stunning. Creamy, yummy. Should have brought the leftover with me on the bus!!!
9.Delivering the Yellowstone baby blocks.
The parents-to-be concur that “our” baby will be playing with them early, even though the box says “Three and Up” My grandbaby will say grizzly bear even before Mama or Dada.
10. On the bus, sitting behind the son of author William Kittridge, a favorite author of mine
The guy in front of me asked the guy across the aisle (with whom he was having a loud conversation that prompted me to put on my headphones and listen to music) if he ever heard of Bill Kittridge. I heard that through Adele’s refrain on Rolllin in the Deep. I leave on the headphones but turn off the music, pretending not to listen to the conversation.
I hear:
“Oh, yeah, he is my dad. Well, not my dad, more like stepdad but he and my mom never officially married.”
Annick Smith is his mother?? William Kittridge is his step-father???!! He is one of the 4 sons Annick raised on the family ranch after her husband died in his 40s? One of the son’s I read all about in her recent book, “Crossing the Plains with Bruno?” And William Kittredge — one of the revered writers of the west and one of my favorites? I just read his memoir last year “Hole in the Sky”.
Ha-ha, small world. Steven, the son, got on the westbound bus in Missoula. He had hip replacement surgery and could not drive yet, so he took the bus to Missoula, from Spokane, to see his mom on Mother’s Day and was now returning home. They are now in their 80s and still live on the ranch outside Missoula.
The guy across the aisle had never heard of either author so I took the lead. I said “ Did I hear you correctly, your parents are blah blah.”
“Oh yeah, he said
“Wow, I just read books by both of them last year. Kittridge is on my list of favorite western writers.”
(ask Ron because I recently gave him that list).”
So, we discussed their books for a short while and exchanged other information. It was sooooo cool. It was like meeting Kittridge himself. By the way, lots of iconic writers live in Missoula and Livingston, where I first got on the bus. Jim Harrison, another great who transplanted to this area, died last year.
11. My phone died shortly after we left Spokane. However, my computer was fully charged and the bus had Wi-Fi! My Kindle was also fully charged. Way to entertain myself as we drove through the rainy mountains!
12. Reunion with Tango. Need I say more?
As for me and my house during the 2017 Late Spring Snow Storm in Yellowstone? Reading, napping, coffee/Kahlua!
