Kelly and Robby taking picutres of themselves in the car. When Robby expressed concern about his teeth, Kelly, being her tactful self, said, "You need to put some braces back on those bad boys."I put the place and day on here more for myself than anyone. We arrive in the dark to a cold, snowy icy parking lot, I get up and look onto a dark, cold, icy parking lot...So far the prettiest part of the trip was the old highway we took from Twin Falls, Idaho to Wellis, Nevada. We think Salt Lake City would be beautiful if it weren't dark. It was sure pretty in the dark.
The lights at the LDS Temple were beautiful. A light snow was beginning to fall and the whole scene was amazing. There must have been something big happening as there were crowds of people all over the place. Robby became sad, "Everyone here has someone except us. We (I always like the way he says we) are losers who are going to die alone." I reminded him that we are not alone. We have AAA.
He gets that way. He did it the time Robby, Max (exchange student from France) and I went hiking at Lake Ozette. We got a late start; it was a much longer drive than expected; and the wind and rain were like a hurricane. But damn it we were going to hike. When I told Robby to "bring a back pack" silly me expected he would actually pack it with something. No, it was empty. Luckily Max was Mr. Prepared. He had the 10 essentials (must be universal) and then some. I had the ten essentials minus six...anyway, as soon as Robby lost cell service he became down, when the rain was coming at us in sideways sheets, he became despondent. The whole time he mumbled incoherently about wanting someone to camp with...I busied myself finding sea glass! We finished the hike at 9pm in the dark and camping was out since "someone" didn't have a tent, sleeping bag, food, or any common sense.
We drove to Port Angeles where the only hotel with vacancy was "Ruffles." We found out the rooms were full because there was a (and I'm not joking) transvestite festival in town. We ended up sleeping in the car. Robby shivered and whined all night under our coats. "We're going to die"...is all I heard, he became catatonic after awhile. Max slept in the back seat under his sleeping bag. I was in the drivers seat with my sleeping bag.
So, yesterday, on the way out of Boise, Robby was filling out an application to volunteer to work overseas with a humanitarian group. He was asking us to help him rate himself on several items it asked for such as "leadership and cooperation with people from other cultures..." He read one out loud that he said he "didn't get" what it was asking. "Your ability to handle a cultural fox paws you might make in another country." From the back seat, I heard,
"Fox Paws????? Really, Robby, really? It's faux pas you big idiot."
I reminded Kelly (when I could stop laughing long enough to choke the words out) to be nice to Rob.
Undaunted, Rob asked what that was and then blamed me because I hadn't taught him what it meant.
I really have to hand it to Rob. He is so easy-going and willing to learn. He is fun to travel with and handles Kelly and her moods really well. I don't know what I would do without him.
Yesterday, I drove the whole way (eight hours). The drivers seat is the only place in the car where your feet touch the floor. Otherwise your feet are on boxes or luggage. It didn't help that Robby and I were trapped at the mall and shopped. The car itself is packed with all the care of the hold of fishing boat or a New Jersey garbage scow. This total lack of organization resulted in the loss of the Fallout Boy cd. It caused about 150 miles of silence. Robby and Kelly took this opportunity to snap about a million pictures of themselves: he in the front seat, she in the back with their heads together and the camera in the side of my head at Robby's arm's length.
Speaking of music. They let me listen to my two new favorites 3 times yesterday. One is called "I'm not who I was" by Brandon Heath and "I'm Yours" by Jason Moraz. We sing to them at the top of our lungs. Robby fears he will hate them by Orlando. I don't think there's much in the car we won't hate by Orlando...especially each other. But right now the trip is wonderful. Robby and Kelly don't mention that I can't sing, and that's love. Also, I don't sing along when they do their duet "Won't you light my Candle" from Rent. Also, Robby's hip-hop dance class he took where he was trying to impress the instructor and was the only person over 12 and male in the class (I'd pay money for the recital tape) paid off. He emotes and uses his jazz-hands effectively in the front seat when he sings.
The computer says six; the clock says seven. We were going to try and be on the road by 6. I am so excited we get to drive through Wyoming in the daylight. Some day (this summer?) I want to come back here and see this amazing area. Well, Denver awaits.
Peace to you all on your journeys. We'll pray for traveling mercies.
Tyler, it's Christmas eve and I have tears in my eyes. It's the first Christmas I won't be with you in 23 years. Please know how much I love and miss you and how proud I am of the man you have become. I bought you something yesterday and I can't wait to get home and give it to you.
Enjoy Christmas with Jessie and her family, stop by the house (you'll have to hike in) and see Tracy for me. Know that you are loved. Merry Christmas Eve. PS Your sister is 21 today.
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