Intrepid Adventure

Around Christmas time, Mr. M found a car that he had been eyeing on a dealer website and monitored price reductions until it entered the realm of what he deemed to be reasonable.  The price hit that magic number on Thursday, ironically coinciding with a crippling snowstorm that hit the city where the car was located.  A city in the Pacific Northwest region with 12” of snow and ice. This city and region usually declares a state of emergency at 1-2” of white precipitation due to hilly terrain and the news stations deem any snowfall SNOMAGEDDON of the year.  Even when nary a flake falls.

We decided that this was too good of an opportunity to pass up and began plans to go retrieve the vehicle.  We took our 30 year old trusty rusty 4WD pickup and a set of chains purchased in Seattle for the new car as – hmm, in the greater Portland area, no chains of this size were to be found.  Embarking just before rush hour, the first few hours of our trip were breathtakingly beautiful.  Evergreens dusted with a light powdered coating of snow. Rural towns resembled alpine villages. Small lakes and creeks frozen over, brilliant blue sky and a vibrant sunset; temperatures hovered in the teens. The freeway had been plowed and groomed, so the few lingering ice spots were avoidable.   

Until we hit our exit to the car dealership… to say it was compact snow and ice would be an understatement.  More like driving on jello.  Then we had to navigate the unplowed dealer lot, amid spanking new Mini Coopers covered with snow.  I was sure we were going to look like a demo derby and cost us dearly in insurance deductibles, but Mr. M has mad skills.  The indoor negotiations were brief and we decided to return and pick the car  up in the AM, due to weather and not being familiar with the area OR the location of the cars safety driving features and such.  Wise decision in retrospect…

A hotel reservation had been made close to where Dan attended high school so he was sure he knew where he was going.  Apparently, a few more roads have been created since his graduation three decades ago, and it all looks vastly different under 6” of snow.  We made a wrong turn and ended up in a residential area that had not been plowed and GPS directed us to a steep downhill grade in our path, with cars parked on either side of the street as well as several at the bottom of the steep hill. A shift into low 4WD gear began our descent, and also began a slow horizontal SPIN, which resulted in a very dramatic but graceful egress ending with our back wheels against the curb – and MISSING every single parked car.  I would like to make special note that there was no screaming nor soiling of undergarments.  Breathing resumed soon after that.

Finding the hotel was fairly easy.  We just needed to look for the tall red XXX Strip Club sign right across the parking lot.  Wise decision to leave car at dealer was again confirmed.  Found a pizza place still open and shared the sumptuous warm repast in our room while watching random cable TV shows and then CRASHED for the night.  THE BED WAS EXCELLENT and the HEAT was ON!  Breakfast was negligible – weak coffee and plastic wrapped Danish, but the heat and warm shower and comfortable bed were well worth the bargain price booked by thrifty Mr. M.  Hole in the ceiling of the bathroom during my shower made me keep checking for rodent voyeurs.

We arrived in the early AM where the dealer wanted to show us how the top retracted into the trunk.  I happened to mention that since it had been outside overnight, the mechanism MIGHT be frozen and that might not be a wise maneuver. We embarked slowly over the frozen tundra heading north to get home. After a few missed connections and dicey icy bridges we were into smooth clear roads. Around WA milepost 47 the temperature rose to a balmy 36 and the snow and ice flew off the car to the chagrin of drivers near us.  I parked in a Shari's lot and cleared the rest before proceeding.

Did I mention we were purchasing a Lexus hard-top convertible?  A recommended snow car, it isn’t, although we did discover later – after getting it home, that there is a SNOW setting as a feature.  We figured it automatically calls and signs up for AAA membership. We’ll have to research what it really does as we peruse the 300 page PDF owner’s manual. It's these intrepid adventures after being together 30+ years that reignite the anecdotal evidence to keep the cooperative level of mutual amusement alive. A partner you can laugh with about sliding down a snowy hill backwards and living to tell the tale is a keeper.  

The Low-Maintenance Test for Partners

With the new year, some folks are venturing into new relationship waters.  One thing that must be determined early and decisively is if you are dealing with a high or low maintenance individual.  There are several litmus tests for this. The best determination for success or failure is a road trip with an overnight stay.  Book a budget room in the $50-$75 range in a dicey part of town and see how it goes.  If the potential partner brings more luggage than adventuresome spirit, you have your answer.  If the result is an amusing anecdote you share for decades, win!

New Year; New Gig

My new challenge in 2017 is minimalism.  Getting rid of the excess, as far as the blog is concerned – being concise, brief and having a point.  Sometimes I tend to ramble off subject, to a whole nother story.

But not anymore, if I can’t say what I mean and mean what I say in 100 words… then it just feeds into the next post.  My hope is that not letting my internal editor say, 'that’s not enough', and being content with content and contextual brevity, I will write more often… so there may be an up side to this change.

Tourist Traipsings

Ever notice that some things seem better in concept than in reality?  All native Washingtonians raves about the little Bavarian town of Leavenworth and persists, "You just HAVE to experience the tree lighting festival during Christmas.”  People have visions of taking a scenic train ride through the woods and landscape while sipping hot cocoa and being entertained.  Then wandering through pastel frosted storefronts and boutiques filled with quaint souvenirs, memorable artwork, specialty food  and wine to mark the time they spent oohing and ahhing at the mesmerizing light display like a snow globe frieze.

The ideal way to experience this adventure would be to arrive in Leavenworth via Amtrak’s earliest no frills train on a Friday and explore the town at your leisure.  On Saturday, wander through town before the tour buses arrive at 11am, have a leisurely brunch, nap in your room, swim, take a sauna or spa trip, and find a nice window seat overlooking the square and a good book or board game and state your spot until 4:30, when the 30-minute light display takes place culminating in a twinkling forest and town square.  Then adjourn to your prearranged room (reserved a year in advance), for a cozy sleep and meander back home by train.

Our first venture into the experience was to realize that bus tour is the only way to go unless you plan in March to take the train.  Buses leave by 8 am for a 3 hour drive to the Bavarian berg of Leavenworth.  Swag is a plastic wrapped pastry, a map and program of performers for the day, a 1/2 pint bottle of water, because there is only one potty on the bus.  Unless there is snow and traction tires required, and traffic, which extends your trip TO the town; but keeps you on the same return schedule… thus cutting 1.5 hours off your town time.  THEN, realize that along with your own charter bus, there are 150+ other tour buses with double the amount of private vehicles – all trying to get to the same 5 mile wide town… and parking areas.  The quaint stores and restaurants have a capacity of 50-100 maximum, so lines to ingress and egress take up more of your excursion time. The "festival special" prices for fine imported European goods – which you can easily find online… coupled with trying to shop while herded like cattle makes retail therapy more like shock treatment.  

Deciding to feast on some genuine Bavarian wurst, baked goods, beer or pretzels also brings with it a line time commitment.  Finding an indoor espresso stand that not only served food, but also WARM alcoholic drinks was a godsend – and we hit it just before it was discovered by the masses sharing a small table with a couple with two service dogs who were very interested in our sandwiches. Lunch for $33 for 2 seems a bargain when you factor in a window seat and opportunity to be warm and out of the elements.

It should also be mentioned that even though Santa Claus makes an appearance, this is not a CHILD-FRIENDLY event.  There are places to sled and for snow play, but nowhere indoors to dry out easily.  AND public bathrooms are few and far between, with lines.  There are very few places to get out of the weather with children and the only children I saw who were not melting down, uncomfortably wet and cold were those worn in front packs or stacked like firewood into toboggans – the middle kids were smiley and waving.  Not the ones on either end keeping the middle one warm.  Even the tasting rooms, do not extend their warmth to children unless babes in arms. 

The cruel irony of seeing Santa and Ms. Claus swarmed with a two block line for a meeting while St. Nicholas wandered the streets virtually unnoticed was not lost on this observer.  The world culture beyond the Coca Cola icon doesn’t exist for most children.  The advent calendars, pink and purple candle wreaths and nativity creches are far in the back of most stores catering to sports fans and trinket searchers.  And the beauty of the artwork in these creations is lost on those searching for the perfect Disney princess ornament.

The decision to attend with a pal was motivated by a partner who hates crowds, cold and excessive cost.  The holiday feeling had yet to arrive and I thought just being in the proximity of seasonal decor might do the trick. While we had a grand old time in fleeting moments, we devised a better way to enjoy it in the future and realized that our desire to travel together requires significant research and more snacks  We also realized that if one invests in resources to keep warm, almost anything is enjoyable.  Bucket list checked, rechecked and our next trip will be richer for the reconnaissance.

Favorite landmark of the day...

Under Cover for Peace and Unity

Recently ugly, racist and unkind behaviors have become the norm. Not in my America. I am contemplating how to show solidarity for women of other cultures.  Women who wear scarves are being targeted due to their clothing that reflects their modesty, religious or cultural orientation.  My first thought was to learn more about head scarves - the hijab - worn by Muslim women.  Anyone who knows me, knows that my hair is a bit of a source of vanity and I spend a good deal of time and cash on its color and style maintenance.  I thought the exercise might be a good spiritual journey as well as showing solidarity for others.  

Finding products and videos that illustrate effective ways to tie and assemble the hijab was easy.  Putting that knowledge into practice towards some form of fashion that wouldn’t insult the culture I was trying to honor was quite another thing altogether. 

Scarf would slip one way, the knot another and I looked like I was being attacked by a silky monster. Found a nylon balaclava from some go-karting that we did with the boys in the past.  A second try included wearing that underneath the scarf to prevent fabric slippage.  That was going to cause overheating – a concept I hadn’t considered when looking at this option. It wasn’t going to be a tribute, it was going to be “Look at that poor lady who has had chemo with no fashion sense.”

Next issue is, what to say if someone asks if I wear the scarf for religious reasons. I would need inspiration and time to perfect the delivery of the question, “Why do you want to know?”  Any response other than something that shares culture, educates or spreads goodwill would not serve my purpose where my usual tendency towards a snappy comeback would suffice.   

How will I handle hostility directed at a Muslim when I do not identify as Muslim, but am wearing head gear to protest hostility aimed at their group?

How far am I willing to go to redirect that attention from a negative experience to make people reconsider that their insults and hatred might just show their own ignorance and racist tendencies?

What caused this shift?  Last week while driving to work a young family was walking on Pacific Highway near my home to a bus stop – parents and three young girls, all respectably dressed, mom was VERY pregnant.  Dad was wearing a prayer cap, mom was wearing a full length long sleeved gown and head scarf.  Girls were all wearing pants under their dresses and jackets as it was cold.  As they stood on a corner preparing to cross the street, a driver threw garbage out of his car window at them as he turned right sharply right in front of them.  I did not hear his verbal barrage.  I was so shocked, I did not act.  That won’t happen again.

How far am I willing to step outside of white privilege to make a point that racism, xenophobia and religious persecution exist right on the streets where I live and work?   

Will it be safe to do so?    

Will it achieve the desired outcome of confronting those who think this behavior is condoned and now the norm in America? 

Going undercover to find out may be a bigger commitment than I am ready for, but if I do it just once, it will require courage, strength, wisdom and gain new perspective.