Rain, Reflections & Friends

Friday, 10/15

Two months ago today, we left our California home.  Here we are on the other side of our country, having already accumulated so many experiences.  With another month to go, we don't know how we can "top" what has been mostly enjoyable, enlightening and filled with friends, relatives and even new relationships with other "roadies". 

Today is a perfect day (have I said that phrase more than once?) for such reflection.  It's a stormy day, one good for staying in and catching up on slow breathing and perusing hundreds of photos, some of which are worth sharing, even if not perfect.  Yet, there are members of the stronger gender willing to trudge forward to the shops of the community.  And they did, giving some of weaker ones time to deal with details.

Tonight, friends came by and we enjoyed an impromptu dinner and discussion.  A fine, relaxing ending to another day on the road, in the forest, under a strong, non-leaking roof.  Yeah!!!

This is not a picture of tonight's dinner guests.  However, rather than packing a VW Bug or telephone booth with as many friends as possible like we did in our college days, we prefer packing our coach with our traveling friends.  Apparently, some of them enjoyed the challenge.

Ending today's blog entry, I've copied part of an email I received from Leigh Olsen.  When Doris & I pulled up in front of our friend Sandy's house in Illinois way back on Labor Day, a car stopped beside us and out jumped Leigh, a total stranger ... but not for long.  Seems he was about to take delivery of a Monaco coach similar to ours and his enthusiasm for same caused him to introduce himself and tell us of his purchase and plans to live in it full time while continuing career as a writer.  The purchase didn't work out, but Leigh apparently is not a busy person as he's been spending way too much time reading this blog.  This has caused him to write to me and share his concerns (that applies to all of us) while traveling through New England.  He's made money because of us, but we need to take heed of his warning:

"I have been following your travels and exploits with eager anticipation of your next blog posting.  At times I have felt like your "Jewish Mother from Chicago" wondering and worrying when there have been no posts for 3 or 4 days.  I finally realized that having fun is exhausting and very time consuming - hence the understandable delays.

I am right there beside you and vicariously enjoying your trip reports.  I am originally from the East Coast and consider many of the places you have visited to be my "old and favorite stomping grounds".  A real nostalgic trip through the eyes of another.  Just think - You have saved me thousands of dollars by leaving me at home and yet bringing me along through your prose and photos - Thanks!

 

And now the warning...

 

"Just a few concluding remarks and I will let you go.  You may be barraged by solicitations once you get back to California (and do tell Nancy Pelosi - Pfffittt for me when you get there).  I have sold your name and contact info to numerous outfits like Jenny Craig, Nutri Systems, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkins, and Pritkin Principle just to name a very few.  Who knew these outfits were so willing to pay handsome bounties for prospective clients?  I didn't do it for the money alone - I am truly concerned about your waist line and would hate to see you lose your "boyish figure".  Per your blogs - to say you have been eating well is the understatement of the century.  I was salivating for over an hour earlier today when I read about your multiple encounters with lobster rolls."

I've replied to Leigh, advising that I'm sharing his concerns with the nine others on this leafy odyssey for I've consumed far fewer lobsters/lobster rolls than my fellow traveling gluttons.  Maybe more scotch, but fewer former members of the Atlantic's deep.