Monday, August 16, 2010
And the adventure continues....Take #2
It was fun the first time... Here I go again traversing the country for the second time this summer!!
Its August 16th and I'm in Ohio. Sugar Grove to be exact. Its about an hour outside of Columbus. I'm here staying with my best friend Marla's parents, Trudy and Greg. (Marla went back to L.A. yesterday and we were all sad to see her go.) Trudy and Greg live out in the woods in a place called Hideaway Hills. It is way out in the sticks beyond cell phone and gps reception, yet somehow I have internet access which is great. I've been craving to write since I left Key West two weeks ago.
In the interest of getting caught up to present I will make this short...or try to at least....???...probably not...read at your own risk ;)
I left Key West on the 3rd of August. My friend Dora drove with me to West Palm Beach to visit our mutual friend that we affectionately call Funky-Butt (aka: Pumpy, Big Show, F*@%er, etc... or sometimes we just call him "Chris"). He's has not been feeling too good, so we went to cheer him up and spend time with our old pal. On the way there we were going to spend the night with our other friend Schmuly but we couldn't get ahold of her in time, so I called my buddy Bryon who lives in Deerfield Beach just south of West Palm. He came to the rescue and let us park the RV in his "Shop" parking lot at his work where we were plugged in and were then free to go have cocktails and laughs with him.
Dora got her ride back home the next day after our visit with Funky-Butt and I headed over towards Sarasota on the west coast of Florida. Outside of Sarasota in a little beach community called Englewood I went to visit my friend Margi who has a marvelous Accupuncture clinic. She had set up five massage clients for me to work on over there so I could make some money for my trip. It was a great head start and I really loved working in her space. Thanks Margi!!
After two days there I headed towards Atlanta to see my old Burning Man Israeli friends who I haven't seen in years! I stopped over one night in Valdosta, GA because it was getting dark and I don't like to drive at night. It was my first night in a RV park and I have to admit I did enjoy the lights, running water, and AC! What a luxury.
I wanted to head out bright and early the next morning but just trying to check out of the RV park was a lesson in slowing down. The old man that ran the office there was seemingly lonely or just liked to talk, because I found myself listening to this man's life story in an hour long disertation of his failing marriage, and how he has a top secret job lined up in DC working for the Church. My first mistake...never sit down in the office chair of a RV park, #2 don't bring your coffee cup with you-apparently this indicates that you have the time to hear lengthy one sided conversations of a complete stranger's inner life. That's the south though, they like to chew the fat-bless his heart, I couldn't bring myself to cut him off, he clearly needed to vent and I guess I was meant to listen.
I finally peeled myself away and headed north to Atlanta. I had to stop at Camping World to have someone show me how to use all the features on the camper since Bill didn't have a chance to get used to all its functions and show me how to use them. (Side Note: I borrowed this camper and truck from my friend Bill, who is AWESOME btw, I will post pics of the "Hippie Redneck Mermaid Mobile" asap) So at Camping World an associate named Jamie helped me get everything going- ie; dumping the holding tanks, working the fridge, etc. He was really helpful and shyly admittted how happy he was to be helping me today instead of the octegenarians he's used to. LOL!
In Atlanta I was greeted by a warm hug from my friend Shay. It was sooooo good to see him. It had been three years since I had seen any of that crew. The last time I saw them was at the Burning Man Festival when I got engaged to my ex Doron. Since we broke up I really missed my Israeli community of friends and definitely my Burning Man buddies! We gabbed and caught up with each other and then headed to Lake Lanier to go out on his boat for wake boarding. Our other friend Oshri and one of their friends joined us on the dock and they proceeded to show me how "easy" wake boarding is. My reunion with Oshri was equally joyful and long overdue-I really missed these guys. After they all had their dazzling turns at showing me how wake boarding is done- I thought I would give it a whirl...
I totally kicked ass!!! ...In my mind at least....ACK!!!! WHACK!!! UGH! SPLASH!!! GURGGLE GURGLE! SNORT! Yeah that was the reality of my attempts to stand up on this thing. I ate it BIG time! But I was determined to conquer, and eventually stood up for about 3.2 seconds. After drinking half the contents of Lake Lanier I retreated and got back on the boat for a beer and a smoke. Oh well-no harm done, its not as if I was stiff and sore for the last 13,000 days afterwards! HA! It really was fun though, and I will try it again when I am sufficiently ready to humiliate myself again. We spent the rest of the night at the house with some other friends and I took off in the morning.
Off I go like a herd of turtles... I headed towards the Great Smokey Mountains to finally go...da d'da'daaaaa! ZORBING!!
Okay, so if you don't know what Zorbing is-look it up! Just kidding, basically its a giant human hamster wheel that you get inside and roll down a hill in. See I'm tellin ya-look it up, then go do it! Its in Pigeon Forge, TN and I had to drive through the Smokey Mt. National Park to get there-amazing place. Stunning drive-I highly reccomend it, and stay in the town of Cherokee, its part of the Cherokee Indian reservation. It is a quaint town with handmade Indian crafts and gift shops, cute little cafes, and a a great fishing creek amongst giant Hemlock trees and Dogwoods. I stayed in a mom and pop RV park that was absolutely friendly and lovely. I had lots of visitors to my campsite from the long timers who stay there all summer. They were very curious about this young girl driving this rediculously large truck accross the country by herself-apparently news travels fast in these circles. ;) The ZORB was absurdly hilarious and I think EVERYONE should do it! #1 cure for what ails you-guaranteed!
I really wanted to stay in Cherokee a couple days by the river-I woke up in the morning and just felt completely enveloped by the love of the Universe and the road. The trees were swaying and the river ran swiftly past my camp, everything seemed to be in perfect time and I felt that complete sense of peace and well being that tells me I'm on the right path. But it was time for moving on as I had to get to DC and then here to Sugar Grove before Marla headed back to L.A.
On the way to DC...
So on the way to DC I came upon this roadside attraction that beckoned me to marvel at it...FOAMHENGE!!! Yep that's right an exact replica of Stonehenge made from styrofoam. Yes this did indeed need doing.... see pics in my album above-hilarious and silly, my favorite brand of entertainment.
I arrived in DC on a tuesday and met up with my girls Tania and Coleen. I don't think they thought I was really coming but once they saw me and my giant camper it was undeniable I WAS in DC! We caught up at their apartment for a bit then headed to their softball game where I drank beer and played passive cheerleader on the side lines. They won their game and we made way to a mexican restaurant to celebrate with the team over margatitas. Early to bed and somewhat early to rise I got ready to spend the day at the "MALL" in DC, which is where all the museums and monuments are. Coleen came home from work to give me a ride into town and i got out at the White House.
Col told me about this woman who had lived in a tent in front of the White House in protest to war for thirty years! I HAD to meet her. I took my pics of the president's house then set out to find the "crazy tent lady" as col calls her. ;) I talked with her for a little while to pinpoint her plight all these years. She dedicated her life to making people aware of the attrocities of war. I will not get into it here-as i do not wish to initiate this blog as a forum for political debate. Suffice it to say she was awe inspiring to me in her beliefs and her way of life, for making a stand no matter the sacrifice it meant to her life and comfort. She was not a crazy person at all-she had all her faculties and chose to live this way in a make shift tent on the side of the road to educate and inform all the people she encountered of what she felt was wrong with our government's policies and practices. She was kind and friendly and had blues eyes that peered into my soul with compassion. After talking with her I got a few pics and went on my way, but I turned around about a half a block away and went back to give her one of my necklaces just to say thank you for being there and doing the work that she is doing. She touched me to my core and I won't forget her.
After leaving the tent lady I walked over to the Lincoln memorial, then to the National monument. I felt so inspired by the nation's capitol and what this country strives to stand for. Its a great experiment-this America. I hope the outcome matches the original hypothesis some day. From there the Holocaust museum for three hours. It was, as the reader can guess, very painful and heavy to trod thru the four floors of human misery. I had to go though-it is important to me to remember the plight of others and to look and be aware of what can happen if nobody cares for each other.
It took me some time to process what I had seen in the Holocaust museum so I took a long quiet walk in the grass then headed to the Hirshhorn Art Museum and Sculpture Garden (one of many free museums on the Mall). There I got to feed my soul and eyes with colorful artworks, paintings, and odd and inspiring sculptures. I wanted to spend many more hours and days meandering though all the museums and monuments but I didn't have much time and had another friend to visit while in DC.
Brian, my other friend, picked me up at the Hirshhorn and took me back to pick up my camper and go to his house for drinks and catching up before going to a Tapas place for dinner. Had a great evening with him and then the girls met us for drinks and a few laughs.
I was going to head out the next morning to drive to Ohio to see Marla-but after talking with her and finding out she was busy working in the studio the next day-I decided to stay and give the girls massages and earn the much needed gas money for the next 600 miles. Thank you Tania and Coleen!
On the third morning in DC I made tracks to Sugar Grove where I am today. It was an easy seven hour drive without incident and upon arrival I was greeted by Trudy,Greg, and, Marla on four wheelers at the "gate" to their community. They live in the woods in a community that has a lake and horse stables, a golf course and a "lodge." It is densly wooded with steep and windy gravel roads. I can't imagine what its like to drive here in the cold and icy winter. I followed their four wheelers for three miles to the house and gratefully parked the beast in the driveway. We took the quads to the Lodge for dinner and enjoyed catching up and laughing over cocktails.
I've been here for three days and it has been so fun and healing to be around Marla and her folks who are all fabulous artists. Marla and I worked all day making jewelry in what she affectionately calls the "sweat shop," which is the fantastic art studio in the basement of Trudy's house. Its a great space to work in and Trudy is so inspiring in her artistic way of life. She has dotted the woods around her house with funny sculptures and regularly paints the trunks of dead trees topping them with round glass spheres calling it lollipop lane, etc.
The smell of wet earth and wild mint fill the air, the cicadas are buzzing in the trees-the lazy cats laze around, the lightening lights up the sky in an afternoon storm, I have a day to write, create, be silent, and laze around myself before heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan to see the Gholson girls and another place I've never been to.
I've been having trouble with the battery on the camper-its not holding a charge so Marla's uncle I think has now fixed it-I hope. I was going to head to Indianapolis to see my friend Doug-but don't think I will have the time now. Maybe next time...:( sorry Doug.
Well so much for keeping it short...thanks for reading. Until next time... from the anti-desk of the Mermaid on Wheels
Lacey J
Its August 16th and I'm in Ohio. Sugar Grove to be exact. Its about an hour outside of Columbus. I'm here staying with my best friend Marla's parents, Trudy and Greg. (Marla went back to L.A. yesterday and we were all sad to see her go.) Trudy and Greg live out in the woods in a place called Hideaway Hills. It is way out in the sticks beyond cell phone and gps reception, yet somehow I have internet access which is great. I've been craving to write since I left Key West two weeks ago.
In the interest of getting caught up to present I will make this short...or try to at least....???...probably not...read at your own risk ;)
I left Key West on the 3rd of August. My friend Dora drove with me to West Palm Beach to visit our mutual friend that we affectionately call Funky-Butt (aka: Pumpy, Big Show, F*@%er, etc... or sometimes we just call him "Chris"). He's has not been feeling too good, so we went to cheer him up and spend time with our old pal. On the way there we were going to spend the night with our other friend Schmuly but we couldn't get ahold of her in time, so I called my buddy Bryon who lives in Deerfield Beach just south of West Palm. He came to the rescue and let us park the RV in his "Shop" parking lot at his work where we were plugged in and were then free to go have cocktails and laughs with him.
Dora got her ride back home the next day after our visit with Funky-Butt and I headed over towards Sarasota on the west coast of Florida. Outside of Sarasota in a little beach community called Englewood I went to visit my friend Margi who has a marvelous Accupuncture clinic. She had set up five massage clients for me to work on over there so I could make some money for my trip. It was a great head start and I really loved working in her space. Thanks Margi!!
After two days there I headed towards Atlanta to see my old Burning Man Israeli friends who I haven't seen in years! I stopped over one night in Valdosta, GA because it was getting dark and I don't like to drive at night. It was my first night in a RV park and I have to admit I did enjoy the lights, running water, and AC! What a luxury.
I wanted to head out bright and early the next morning but just trying to check out of the RV park was a lesson in slowing down. The old man that ran the office there was seemingly lonely or just liked to talk, because I found myself listening to this man's life story in an hour long disertation of his failing marriage, and how he has a top secret job lined up in DC working for the Church. My first mistake...never sit down in the office chair of a RV park, #2 don't bring your coffee cup with you-apparently this indicates that you have the time to hear lengthy one sided conversations of a complete stranger's inner life. That's the south though, they like to chew the fat-bless his heart, I couldn't bring myself to cut him off, he clearly needed to vent and I guess I was meant to listen.
I finally peeled myself away and headed north to Atlanta. I had to stop at Camping World to have someone show me how to use all the features on the camper since Bill didn't have a chance to get used to all its functions and show me how to use them. (Side Note: I borrowed this camper and truck from my friend Bill, who is AWESOME btw, I will post pics of the "Hippie Redneck Mermaid Mobile" asap) So at Camping World an associate named Jamie helped me get everything going- ie; dumping the holding tanks, working the fridge, etc. He was really helpful and shyly admittted how happy he was to be helping me today instead of the octegenarians he's used to. LOL!
In Atlanta I was greeted by a warm hug from my friend Shay. It was sooooo good to see him. It had been three years since I had seen any of that crew. The last time I saw them was at the Burning Man Festival when I got engaged to my ex Doron. Since we broke up I really missed my Israeli community of friends and definitely my Burning Man buddies! We gabbed and caught up with each other and then headed to Lake Lanier to go out on his boat for wake boarding. Our other friend Oshri and one of their friends joined us on the dock and they proceeded to show me how "easy" wake boarding is. My reunion with Oshri was equally joyful and long overdue-I really missed these guys. After they all had their dazzling turns at showing me how wake boarding is done- I thought I would give it a whirl...
I totally kicked ass!!! ...In my mind at least....ACK!!!! WHACK!!! UGH! SPLASH!!! GURGGLE GURGLE! SNORT! Yeah that was the reality of my attempts to stand up on this thing. I ate it BIG time! But I was determined to conquer, and eventually stood up for about 3.2 seconds. After drinking half the contents of Lake Lanier I retreated and got back on the boat for a beer and a smoke. Oh well-no harm done, its not as if I was stiff and sore for the last 13,000 days afterwards! HA! It really was fun though, and I will try it again when I am sufficiently ready to humiliate myself again. We spent the rest of the night at the house with some other friends and I took off in the morning.
Off I go like a herd of turtles... I headed towards the Great Smokey Mountains to finally go...da d'da'daaaaa! ZORBING!!
Okay, so if you don't know what Zorbing is-look it up! Just kidding, basically its a giant human hamster wheel that you get inside and roll down a hill in. See I'm tellin ya-look it up, then go do it! Its in Pigeon Forge, TN and I had to drive through the Smokey Mt. National Park to get there-amazing place. Stunning drive-I highly reccomend it, and stay in the town of Cherokee, its part of the Cherokee Indian reservation. It is a quaint town with handmade Indian crafts and gift shops, cute little cafes, and a a great fishing creek amongst giant Hemlock trees and Dogwoods. I stayed in a mom and pop RV park that was absolutely friendly and lovely. I had lots of visitors to my campsite from the long timers who stay there all summer. They were very curious about this young girl driving this rediculously large truck accross the country by herself-apparently news travels fast in these circles. ;) The ZORB was absurdly hilarious and I think EVERYONE should do it! #1 cure for what ails you-guaranteed!
I really wanted to stay in Cherokee a couple days by the river-I woke up in the morning and just felt completely enveloped by the love of the Universe and the road. The trees were swaying and the river ran swiftly past my camp, everything seemed to be in perfect time and I felt that complete sense of peace and well being that tells me I'm on the right path. But it was time for moving on as I had to get to DC and then here to Sugar Grove before Marla headed back to L.A.
On the way to DC...
So on the way to DC I came upon this roadside attraction that beckoned me to marvel at it...FOAMHENGE!!! Yep that's right an exact replica of Stonehenge made from styrofoam. Yes this did indeed need doing.... see pics in my album above-hilarious and silly, my favorite brand of entertainment.
I arrived in DC on a tuesday and met up with my girls Tania and Coleen. I don't think they thought I was really coming but once they saw me and my giant camper it was undeniable I WAS in DC! We caught up at their apartment for a bit then headed to their softball game where I drank beer and played passive cheerleader on the side lines. They won their game and we made way to a mexican restaurant to celebrate with the team over margatitas. Early to bed and somewhat early to rise I got ready to spend the day at the "MALL" in DC, which is where all the museums and monuments are. Coleen came home from work to give me a ride into town and i got out at the White House.
Col told me about this woman who had lived in a tent in front of the White House in protest to war for thirty years! I HAD to meet her. I took my pics of the president's house then set out to find the "crazy tent lady" as col calls her. ;) I talked with her for a little while to pinpoint her plight all these years. She dedicated her life to making people aware of the attrocities of war. I will not get into it here-as i do not wish to initiate this blog as a forum for political debate. Suffice it to say she was awe inspiring to me in her beliefs and her way of life, for making a stand no matter the sacrifice it meant to her life and comfort. She was not a crazy person at all-she had all her faculties and chose to live this way in a make shift tent on the side of the road to educate and inform all the people she encountered of what she felt was wrong with our government's policies and practices. She was kind and friendly and had blues eyes that peered into my soul with compassion. After talking with her I got a few pics and went on my way, but I turned around about a half a block away and went back to give her one of my necklaces just to say thank you for being there and doing the work that she is doing. She touched me to my core and I won't forget her.
After leaving the tent lady I walked over to the Lincoln memorial, then to the National monument. I felt so inspired by the nation's capitol and what this country strives to stand for. Its a great experiment-this America. I hope the outcome matches the original hypothesis some day. From there the Holocaust museum for three hours. It was, as the reader can guess, very painful and heavy to trod thru the four floors of human misery. I had to go though-it is important to me to remember the plight of others and to look and be aware of what can happen if nobody cares for each other.
It took me some time to process what I had seen in the Holocaust museum so I took a long quiet walk in the grass then headed to the Hirshhorn Art Museum and Sculpture Garden (one of many free museums on the Mall). There I got to feed my soul and eyes with colorful artworks, paintings, and odd and inspiring sculptures. I wanted to spend many more hours and days meandering though all the museums and monuments but I didn't have much time and had another friend to visit while in DC.
Brian, my other friend, picked me up at the Hirshhorn and took me back to pick up my camper and go to his house for drinks and catching up before going to a Tapas place for dinner. Had a great evening with him and then the girls met us for drinks and a few laughs.
I was going to head out the next morning to drive to Ohio to see Marla-but after talking with her and finding out she was busy working in the studio the next day-I decided to stay and give the girls massages and earn the much needed gas money for the next 600 miles. Thank you Tania and Coleen!
On the third morning in DC I made tracks to Sugar Grove where I am today. It was an easy seven hour drive without incident and upon arrival I was greeted by Trudy,Greg, and, Marla on four wheelers at the "gate" to their community. They live in the woods in a community that has a lake and horse stables, a golf course and a "lodge." It is densly wooded with steep and windy gravel roads. I can't imagine what its like to drive here in the cold and icy winter. I followed their four wheelers for three miles to the house and gratefully parked the beast in the driveway. We took the quads to the Lodge for dinner and enjoyed catching up and laughing over cocktails.
I've been here for three days and it has been so fun and healing to be around Marla and her folks who are all fabulous artists. Marla and I worked all day making jewelry in what she affectionately calls the "sweat shop," which is the fantastic art studio in the basement of Trudy's house. Its a great space to work in and Trudy is so inspiring in her artistic way of life. She has dotted the woods around her house with funny sculptures and regularly paints the trunks of dead trees topping them with round glass spheres calling it lollipop lane, etc.
The smell of wet earth and wild mint fill the air, the cicadas are buzzing in the trees-the lazy cats laze around, the lightening lights up the sky in an afternoon storm, I have a day to write, create, be silent, and laze around myself before heading to Ann Arbor, Michigan to see the Gholson girls and another place I've never been to.
I've been having trouble with the battery on the camper-its not holding a charge so Marla's uncle I think has now fixed it-I hope. I was going to head to Indianapolis to see my friend Doug-but don't think I will have the time now. Maybe next time...:( sorry Doug.
Well so much for keeping it short...thanks for reading. Until next time... from the anti-desk of the Mermaid on Wheels
Lacey J
Monday, August 9, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
The end of L.A. lingering….
After the Topanga days festivities were over I finished up my visiting with folks on a more one on one basis. I hung out at Pat’s Grill where I used to wait tables a million years ago, and ran into my friend Ildiko (sp? Forgive me Ildy) who I enjoyed a great conversation with over breakfast and oodles of coffee-she shared her beautiful love story she is currently enjoying, and then we went to her house so I could ogle her lovely paintings and her whimsical garden. I saw Pat and he as usual is a great cheerleader for me and my endeavors. I went to another restaurant that I used to work at, Froggy’s (see pics above), and visited with the owner and long-time dear friend Lance-he wanted to hit the road with me so badly. I went to see my friends Cindy and Earl and they took me to a physicist turned “healer”(for lack of a better word he was much much more), Carlos, who I won’t try and even explain that experience-suffice it to say there was a zero gravity float tank that was indescribably marvelous and I got soooo much out of the experience with him that I just feel I’m more dialed in and confident in my path. I spent one more afternoon in Topanga and got to hang with Dena-another great and powerful woman in my life who without seeing-my trip would not have been complete. I spent an afternoon in the valley having lunch with my friend Marie who is bravely battling breast cancer-I pray for her peace and well being everyday. After leaving Marie I joined my magic mermaid sister-Jade for cocktails at Jerry’s Deli and got serenaded by her astoundingly unique and gorgeous voice and guitar playing skills. Her friend Jordan was there as well and what a light being… she had theeee best laugh ever, both dainty and snorting-it was absolutely infectious! Had a last supper with Mar Mar and then spent the last night at the Momster’s house.
I left my heart in San Francisco…
My dad drove me with all my crap from the dregs of my parents’ garages, my camping gear, suitcases, etc. to get the truck from San Ramon in the East Bay. When we got there I spotted it immediately because Bill had the previous owner of the truck put a decal on the windshield that says MERMAIDONWHEELS-love it! Hilarious! I have gotten some strange quizzical looks and some interesting comments on that. Anyhoo, dad and I had a great time and it was nice to spend some extra time with him-he is always good medicine. After we parted ways I forged my way into rush hour San Francisco and very busy, narrow, one-way streets in the F-350 big ol’ silly non-San Francisco friendly truck. Meanwhile the damn GPS was like a broken record saying “re-calculating re-calculating re-calculating…!” …..AAARGH! No! Noooooo! No re-calculating for you!!! After some white-knuckle, nail-biting lane changes I did “arrive at my destination on the right.”
I had such an amazing time with my old friends Sean and Anthony, my oldest friends going back 20 yrs!They are brothers and really good friends who live together. The older brother Anthony has a son Nicholas who is 17 months (that’s parental talk for approximately a year and a half ;)). Oooooh....and let me tell ya-what a fantastic and joyful little baby! It was so much fun to be around them all together-the mother is not around so Sean and Tony are raising this little guy themselves (definitely 2 and a ½ men)-and they are doing a stellar job. I stayed an extra day in San Fran because I hadn’t seen these guys in 10 years-and I’m so grateful that I did. We had a tequila afternoon and a walk thru the park with a visit to the drum circle, and took nicholas on a spin in the playground. It was a well overdue visit-thank you guys...love you both xxx
Solace in Solitude and Adventures in Digestive Woes…
I was driving across the burning Nevada desert on Hwy 50-deemed “The Loneliest Highway in the World.” Farthest from the truth for me-all I felt was purity and contentment. I was in utter bliss with time to revere my previous experience and space to dream of those to come, not to mention aha! I can also be right here right now. I drove for countless miles without more than a handful of other travelers on the road-and none of them going my direction. There was a fantastic radio program called “Club 88” that played all the great American songs from every era-big bands, blues, jazz, r&b, rock-a-billy, 50’s, 60’s, etc., show tunes, hair bands, rock, 80’s, and on and on. That station lasted most of the way thru the desert and was my soundtrack for 400 miles. My favorite line from this rare and swingin’ rhythm and blues song from the 40’s was “I ain’t fattenin’ frogs fer snakes…”
When night fell and the sun finally set on a stellar day of driving, I decided to press on and keep driving to make some tracks East. Of course this decision was influenced by the four cups of coffee I drank earlier that day in San Francisco with Sean and Anthony. I thought , well I’m totally awake so I can totally make it to Utah! Well as some of you know I have a cat brain, not in size but in attention span, so if I see bright shiny lights I’m going to stop and play with them. So an already daunting twelve hour drive turned into a good fifteen hour drive because there were things along the way like “The Shoe Tree” (see pics above) that I just had to marvel at. At two a.m. I finally decided that it was time to call it a night(only an hour and a half from Utah! Btw) and pulled over to a large pull-out on the side of the road. There I made my bed in the back of the truck to sleep under the abyss of stars that were above me….mmmmmmmagic! Only the sound of crickets, nightingales, and distant cries of coyotes. (Well-there were also the horrible sounds of the pterodactyl mosquitoes buzzing around my ear-I guess my butt was not under the cloak of invincibility because I got bit up all over there on my left side. Still itches-yep. Stupid AND dumb ol’mozzies…harumph...)
Then things took a turn for the worst. The glorious solitude was suddenly a curse when I woke up with the most gut wrenching stomach ache EVER! I felt like someone was punching me in the solar plexus while simultaneously trying to pull out my gall bladder…ACK! Dizzy, nauseous, blah blah blah YUCKY. So after and hour or two I pulled myself together-still no signs of life on the road-and drove my unhappy ass to Salt Lake City. After good council from Bill and my dad I decided to pull over and get a room for the day/night and just wait til I felt better to press on. I slept for 16 hours and finally woke up to an almost normal internal life. That day Wyoming was calling so I answered-and landed in Jackson Hole…
The drive to Jackson, Wyoming was just glorious. I drove on scenic Hwy 39 east. It was a quaint and sweet drive with gentle curves and a swiftly moving creek dancing down the road-then turned into a beautiful country road with big red barns, lazy horses and cows grazing away the day. The prairie dogs darted back and forth across the hwy risking their very lives for a seemingly important task on the other side. I was absolutely engulfed in Aspen trees (the largest living organism on Earth in case you're interested in useless knowledge),and rolling hills that gave way to an endless valley dotted with more palatial ranches and parcels of land with only campers, rvs and some mangy dogs.
Jackson Hole-hmmmmnnnn…… not terribly impressed to be honest. For me at first glance it was like Eddie Bauer disguised in a faux rustic exterior. Lots of shops and river trip outfitters, fly fishing tackle, etc.-but not so interesting to me. It felt a little homogenized and lackluster-or as Michelley would say it had no 'groove factor.' I decided to give it a chance anyway. So I went to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar(because clearly some things just need doin')and met a couple of very nice bartenders(John and Jackie)and a door man(Greg),and Mickey the Boxer,(his boxing name had something to do with lightening). Mickey was 50 and had been hit in the head a few too many times, his famous line was “was that the bell ringin’?” or his less famous one punch pick-up lines he claimed always worked on his girls. He was not a dumb guy but talked kinda slow and with a constant drunken slur that I don’t think was entirely attributed to the rum in his glass. He was a good character and had a big heart, and i found him positively endearing. I’m glad he was in my movie that day. Greg the door guy took us out to dinner which included Bison ravioli(which was really hard for me to eat because along with alligators they are my favorite animals, but I tried it anyway),Elk sausage, and a juicy steak, with pickled vegetables. Yummy! And so gracious of him to treat us. My night ended with me safely back at my crappy but comfy hostel bed in Teton Village.
Mama Montana Medicine…and the Big Sky Soul
Although Greg had invited me to go horseback riding the next morning-it was raining and cold so I decided to hit the road and hi-tail it to Emigrant, MT to see Mama Montana Michelley!!!! Yipeeeee!
Montana is BIG!! The expansiveness is breath-taking. I took the long way thru the Tetons and Yellowstone. I slowed my pace to 45mph with everyone else and became a tourist animal watcher-but really you can’t help yourself-it is so stunning and the nature really is at the very side of the road. Wild bison, elk, deer, moose, coyotes, marmots, etc. etc. etc. are all over the place-not to mention to countless hot springs, geysers, rock formations, valleys, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Yellowstone is the place where you truly feel small-that wonderful sense of space, appreciation for this planet is all consuming, and our own egos disintegrate, leaving us with the taste of an ever changing landscape and the wonder of the possibility of GREATNESS!
Meanwhile back at the Mama Montana ranch I was greeted by Carl-a carpenter helping build Michelle and her lovely boyfriend Garrick’s house. They are in the process of turning a school house from 1915-195? into their home. Very cool project and made with lots of love and genius from both Michelle and Garrick. Garrick and I got a chance to catch up before Michelley got home from their beautiful gallery (The Mill Creek Trading Post, see pics above) just up the road a bit.
I am staying in their bunkhouse/cabin and it is so peaceful and quiet-I am sleeping very well. I am not very motivated to leave this place of serenity and nature. Its right on the Yellowstone River in between Gardiner and Livingston.With a full soul and a happy heart I'm staying another day...
Being around Michelle is an inspiration and a lesson in grace, gentleness, patience, and positivity. She is always re-inventing new ways to create space, art, and an inspired life. Her boyfriend Garrick is such a dedicated, hard working, talented, and perseverant soul who creates beautiful music and carves flutes that I do not believe have an equal in this world. They are trying to bring the sense of community and healing and consciousness to these somewhat compressed parts of Montana. Next to the Gallery they own, they are in the planning stages of building a Dance/Yoga/Art studio and community center. It will be in a big beautiful round Yurt that is still looking for some fundage to begin with. If anyone has fund raising ideas-I believe they would be most welcome.
So here I am finally all caught up-I’m sitting in a hip little coffee shop in Livingston called Chad’z. Its rainy and about 47 degrees out today-the perfect day to write and stare out the windows at the friendly faces passing me by. My wanderlust is certainly in full swing now and the thought of heading back is not terribly appealing at the moment(alas i will be headed that way soon tho).There are ample examples of generosity, love, and compassion around me. I am inspired to live life in new and interesting ways-and certainly non-conventionally.It never ceases to amaze me the diversity of landscape and people that paint the road I'm on.
I am off to the Gallery to spend the afternoon with Michelley making jewelry. I guess that makes it a “Crafternoon.”
Well here I go…off like a herd of turtles as Capt Ran always said- and I'm happy as a clam in sand! ;O)
From the coffee-shop-nook-anti-desk of the Mermaid on Wheels-
Be well and follow your sillyness wherever it may lead
After the Topanga days festivities were over I finished up my visiting with folks on a more one on one basis. I hung out at Pat’s Grill where I used to wait tables a million years ago, and ran into my friend Ildiko (sp? Forgive me Ildy) who I enjoyed a great conversation with over breakfast and oodles of coffee-she shared her beautiful love story she is currently enjoying, and then we went to her house so I could ogle her lovely paintings and her whimsical garden. I saw Pat and he as usual is a great cheerleader for me and my endeavors. I went to another restaurant that I used to work at, Froggy’s (see pics above), and visited with the owner and long-time dear friend Lance-he wanted to hit the road with me so badly. I went to see my friends Cindy and Earl and they took me to a physicist turned “healer”(for lack of a better word he was much much more), Carlos, who I won’t try and even explain that experience-suffice it to say there was a zero gravity float tank that was indescribably marvelous and I got soooo much out of the experience with him that I just feel I’m more dialed in and confident in my path. I spent one more afternoon in Topanga and got to hang with Dena-another great and powerful woman in my life who without seeing-my trip would not have been complete. I spent an afternoon in the valley having lunch with my friend Marie who is bravely battling breast cancer-I pray for her peace and well being everyday. After leaving Marie I joined my magic mermaid sister-Jade for cocktails at Jerry’s Deli and got serenaded by her astoundingly unique and gorgeous voice and guitar playing skills. Her friend Jordan was there as well and what a light being… she had theeee best laugh ever, both dainty and snorting-it was absolutely infectious! Had a last supper with Mar Mar and then spent the last night at the Momster’s house.
I left my heart in San Francisco…
My dad drove me with all my crap from the dregs of my parents’ garages, my camping gear, suitcases, etc. to get the truck from San Ramon in the East Bay. When we got there I spotted it immediately because Bill had the previous owner of the truck put a decal on the windshield that says MERMAIDONWHEELS-love it! Hilarious! I have gotten some strange quizzical looks and some interesting comments on that. Anyhoo, dad and I had a great time and it was nice to spend some extra time with him-he is always good medicine. After we parted ways I forged my way into rush hour San Francisco and very busy, narrow, one-way streets in the F-350 big ol’ silly non-San Francisco friendly truck. Meanwhile the damn GPS was like a broken record saying “re-calculating re-calculating re-calculating…!” …..AAARGH! No! Noooooo! No re-calculating for you!!! After some white-knuckle, nail-biting lane changes I did “arrive at my destination on the right.”
I had such an amazing time with my old friends Sean and Anthony, my oldest friends going back 20 yrs!They are brothers and really good friends who live together. The older brother Anthony has a son Nicholas who is 17 months (that’s parental talk for approximately a year and a half ;)). Oooooh....and let me tell ya-what a fantastic and joyful little baby! It was so much fun to be around them all together-the mother is not around so Sean and Tony are raising this little guy themselves (definitely 2 and a ½ men)-and they are doing a stellar job. I stayed an extra day in San Fran because I hadn’t seen these guys in 10 years-and I’m so grateful that I did. We had a tequila afternoon and a walk thru the park with a visit to the drum circle, and took nicholas on a spin in the playground. It was a well overdue visit-thank you guys...love you both xxx
Solace in Solitude and Adventures in Digestive Woes…
I was driving across the burning Nevada desert on Hwy 50-deemed “The Loneliest Highway in the World.” Farthest from the truth for me-all I felt was purity and contentment. I was in utter bliss with time to revere my previous experience and space to dream of those to come, not to mention aha! I can also be right here right now. I drove for countless miles without more than a handful of other travelers on the road-and none of them going my direction. There was a fantastic radio program called “Club 88” that played all the great American songs from every era-big bands, blues, jazz, r&b, rock-a-billy, 50’s, 60’s, etc., show tunes, hair bands, rock, 80’s, and on and on. That station lasted most of the way thru the desert and was my soundtrack for 400 miles. My favorite line from this rare and swingin’ rhythm and blues song from the 40’s was “I ain’t fattenin’ frogs fer snakes…”
When night fell and the sun finally set on a stellar day of driving, I decided to press on and keep driving to make some tracks East. Of course this decision was influenced by the four cups of coffee I drank earlier that day in San Francisco with Sean and Anthony. I thought , well I’m totally awake so I can totally make it to Utah! Well as some of you know I have a cat brain, not in size but in attention span, so if I see bright shiny lights I’m going to stop and play with them. So an already daunting twelve hour drive turned into a good fifteen hour drive because there were things along the way like “The Shoe Tree” (see pics above) that I just had to marvel at. At two a.m. I finally decided that it was time to call it a night(only an hour and a half from Utah! Btw) and pulled over to a large pull-out on the side of the road. There I made my bed in the back of the truck to sleep under the abyss of stars that were above me….mmmmmmmagic! Only the sound of crickets, nightingales, and distant cries of coyotes. (Well-there were also the horrible sounds of the pterodactyl mosquitoes buzzing around my ear-I guess my butt was not under the cloak of invincibility because I got bit up all over there on my left side. Still itches-yep. Stupid AND dumb ol’mozzies…harumph...)
Then things took a turn for the worst. The glorious solitude was suddenly a curse when I woke up with the most gut wrenching stomach ache EVER! I felt like someone was punching me in the solar plexus while simultaneously trying to pull out my gall bladder…ACK! Dizzy, nauseous, blah blah blah YUCKY. So after and hour or two I pulled myself together-still no signs of life on the road-and drove my unhappy ass to Salt Lake City. After good council from Bill and my dad I decided to pull over and get a room for the day/night and just wait til I felt better to press on. I slept for 16 hours and finally woke up to an almost normal internal life. That day Wyoming was calling so I answered-and landed in Jackson Hole…
The drive to Jackson, Wyoming was just glorious. I drove on scenic Hwy 39 east. It was a quaint and sweet drive with gentle curves and a swiftly moving creek dancing down the road-then turned into a beautiful country road with big red barns, lazy horses and cows grazing away the day. The prairie dogs darted back and forth across the hwy risking their very lives for a seemingly important task on the other side. I was absolutely engulfed in Aspen trees (the largest living organism on Earth in case you're interested in useless knowledge),and rolling hills that gave way to an endless valley dotted with more palatial ranches and parcels of land with only campers, rvs and some mangy dogs.
Jackson Hole-hmmmmnnnn…… not terribly impressed to be honest. For me at first glance it was like Eddie Bauer disguised in a faux rustic exterior. Lots of shops and river trip outfitters, fly fishing tackle, etc.-but not so interesting to me. It felt a little homogenized and lackluster-or as Michelley would say it had no 'groove factor.' I decided to give it a chance anyway. So I went to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar(because clearly some things just need doin')and met a couple of very nice bartenders(John and Jackie)and a door man(Greg),and Mickey the Boxer,(his boxing name had something to do with lightening). Mickey was 50 and had been hit in the head a few too many times, his famous line was “was that the bell ringin’?” or his less famous one punch pick-up lines he claimed always worked on his girls. He was not a dumb guy but talked kinda slow and with a constant drunken slur that I don’t think was entirely attributed to the rum in his glass. He was a good character and had a big heart, and i found him positively endearing. I’m glad he was in my movie that day. Greg the door guy took us out to dinner which included Bison ravioli(which was really hard for me to eat because along with alligators they are my favorite animals, but I tried it anyway),Elk sausage, and a juicy steak, with pickled vegetables. Yummy! And so gracious of him to treat us. My night ended with me safely back at my crappy but comfy hostel bed in Teton Village.
Mama Montana Medicine…and the Big Sky Soul
Although Greg had invited me to go horseback riding the next morning-it was raining and cold so I decided to hit the road and hi-tail it to Emigrant, MT to see Mama Montana Michelley!!!! Yipeeeee!
Montana is BIG!! The expansiveness is breath-taking. I took the long way thru the Tetons and Yellowstone. I slowed my pace to 45mph with everyone else and became a tourist animal watcher-but really you can’t help yourself-it is so stunning and the nature really is at the very side of the road. Wild bison, elk, deer, moose, coyotes, marmots, etc. etc. etc. are all over the place-not to mention to countless hot springs, geysers, rock formations, valleys, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Yellowstone is the place where you truly feel small-that wonderful sense of space, appreciation for this planet is all consuming, and our own egos disintegrate, leaving us with the taste of an ever changing landscape and the wonder of the possibility of GREATNESS!
Meanwhile back at the Mama Montana ranch I was greeted by Carl-a carpenter helping build Michelle and her lovely boyfriend Garrick’s house. They are in the process of turning a school house from 1915-195? into their home. Very cool project and made with lots of love and genius from both Michelle and Garrick. Garrick and I got a chance to catch up before Michelley got home from their beautiful gallery (The Mill Creek Trading Post, see pics above) just up the road a bit.
I am staying in their bunkhouse/cabin and it is so peaceful and quiet-I am sleeping very well. I am not very motivated to leave this place of serenity and nature. Its right on the Yellowstone River in between Gardiner and Livingston.With a full soul and a happy heart I'm staying another day...
Being around Michelle is an inspiration and a lesson in grace, gentleness, patience, and positivity. She is always re-inventing new ways to create space, art, and an inspired life. Her boyfriend Garrick is such a dedicated, hard working, talented, and perseverant soul who creates beautiful music and carves flutes that I do not believe have an equal in this world. They are trying to bring the sense of community and healing and consciousness to these somewhat compressed parts of Montana. Next to the Gallery they own, they are in the planning stages of building a Dance/Yoga/Art studio and community center. It will be in a big beautiful round Yurt that is still looking for some fundage to begin with. If anyone has fund raising ideas-I believe they would be most welcome.
So here I am finally all caught up-I’m sitting in a hip little coffee shop in Livingston called Chad’z. Its rainy and about 47 degrees out today-the perfect day to write and stare out the windows at the friendly faces passing me by. My wanderlust is certainly in full swing now and the thought of heading back is not terribly appealing at the moment(alas i will be headed that way soon tho).There are ample examples of generosity, love, and compassion around me. I am inspired to live life in new and interesting ways-and certainly non-conventionally.It never ceases to amaze me the diversity of landscape and people that paint the road I'm on.
I am off to the Gallery to spend the afternoon with Michelley making jewelry. I guess that makes it a “Crafternoon.”
Well here I go…off like a herd of turtles as Capt Ran always said- and I'm happy as a clam in sand! ;O)
From the coffee-shop-nook-anti-desk of the Mermaid on Wheels-
Be well and follow your sillyness wherever it may lead
Thursday, June 3, 2010
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