When we moved to Williston North Dakota I knew going back to
Southern California was going to be one of two things, one of the worst things
we could ever do or one of the best things… I thought we could get there, and
the kids wouldn’t get back in the car without being James Bond style
kidnapped. Or maybe I wouldn’t want to
go back. I miss my friends terribly and
it is much harder to live in ND than it is in Southern California, Its just a
fact. I was worried I would have doubts
and want to stay behind as well. About 3
days before we had to leave the Desert Logan, my oldest, said the words I never
thought I would hear “I can’t wait to get
home”... I didn’t ever think the kids
would embrace this as home or ever say In the dead of winter I can’t wait to
get back to it! So obviously it was one of the best things we could have
done. It makes you appreciate to good
things you have. What a joy, what a trip…
and as always, what an adenture!
We decided to drive to bring Baby Gunner with us and I don’t
know what the hell I was thinking. 1760
miles (one way) in an SUV with 2 boys 16 and 15 and 2 Girls 13 and 11 and a dog 8
months…and of course The driver, I mean husband. We were like a horse out of the gate. We left right after work (first mistake) and
decided to “get as far as we can” Rays words, “and we can stop when we get
tired” Good God we were already tired when we got in the car! So we made it halfway thru Montana that
night… What a Nightmare, we were a mess. We stopped, slept then jumped back in the
car at 7am… I had my last pair of contacts in, during the stop I had to get them out, for the rest of the car trip I was wearing a $500 chew toy called Rx glasses with one arm and bite marks on one lens. I got some funny looks at our food and bathroom stops…Drove thru Mid Montana, Eastern Idaho, ALL of Utah, Arizona (tiny
sliver) and Nevada. Snow, Rain, Ice the
whole way…at one point we watched a Semi Truck slightly lose control in front
of us going down a grade and Ray said very quietly “We are not making contact”
Talk about the pucker affect…Everything turned out fine but for about 15
seconds I was concerned. This was true
insanity, I was sure at the border of California there would be the white
padded van to drag us away for being certifiably crazy!!! It seemed like we were stopping every 20
minutes, to let someone go potty or the dog to stretch his legs. Some people say the voyage is part of the
fun. This portion of the voyage
sucked!
At 2am I pulled into the driveway… During the leg Vegas to Rancho Mirage, CA …I
had seen aberritions floating across the road, I was talking to one (imaginary friend)in the
passenger seat (really Ray was there passed out as well as the rest of the car)
I saw deer run out in front of me (there are no deer on that stretch of road)
as well as we sitting practically on top of the steering wheel and terrified
that my fancy one armed glasses might fall off!
I can’t make this stuff up…really! Feeling that crisp Desert Air and smelling
the Night Blooming Jasmine made the stress of the drive melt away! So, the
Vacation finally begins!
Rays Mom met us at the door, eyes filled with tears, offering
Chicken salad Sandwiches. Everyone
declined and we got the allotted 6 bags out of Daisys “hat” (that little pod
thing that goes on top of the car) and went to bed.
Let me explain the bags, I told everyone there were to bring
only 2 outfits baiting suits and pajamas.
THAT’S IT! This was going to be
power shopping vacation and not to
worry, you would be coming back with that bag full and then some! Do you
think that it was a coincidence that the first weekend we were there it was
President’s day? NOPE, Sale weekend and
3 days at that!
So our visit was spent doing a lot of Shopping, Mall
Shopping, Outdoor Market Shopping, Walking and Shopping on the Beautiful Streets
of Palm Desert, and of course Costco, Sams Club and Trader Joes Shopping! I am
sure you get the picture.
Then the visiting began, Dinner with Rays family the whole
group was there, the usual suspects…Sisters, Brothers, Nieces and everyone
caught up. I slipped out that night to a
Girls night and saw Rick Springfield in Concert with some of my girlfriends I
have known for about 15 years! It was a
bit of a struggle to sneak away on a family night but it was so worth it! I miss being able to see live music at the
drop of a hat!
(Oh Dear this is getting long…I should have done a 2 part
blog!)
The other thing we were looking forward to was eating during
this trip…Self-proclaimed foodies, we have also been Mystery Diners for High
End Restaurants, we had been spoiled to no end, living in the Mecca of wondrous
dining options. We had some catching up
to do! So we hit all of our Gastronomical
delights and then some! We even snuck in
a trip to our Monday Night Beer appreciation (that was never missed unless
illness or injury occurred) and a stop at a new Brewery La Quinta Brewing Co that
is owned by a High School Class mate! We
even had time to sneak in a romantic Valentines Dinner too, just to two of us.
The neighborhood has changed, we have friends from one end
of the street to the other, We caught up with most everyone which
involved many glasses of wine, into the night.
Talking, eating and taking in the glorious view of Palm trees and feeling
the joy of sitting outside into the night without freezing our butts off! Gunner even made some new friends, Sierra even
came over for a play date, while we were there.
He was a big hit and was on his best behavior at everyone’s house we
visited!
We headed to Orange County to see my side of the family and
also told some of our friends in the area where we would be, so my Sister Donna,
hosted the whole family including some of Rays friends that he used to teach
with, and Catherine my best friend and her family for a whole day of swimming,
eating and laughter. It was an amazing
day, a day full of love and one that will go down in history as one of the best
days ever! We got to see all of the
family! It was then that I realized that
I was so lucky…
I have the best Husband and Children (and Gunner) that
anyone could ask for. We didn’t kill
each other in the car for 4 days and 3520 (not counting the car ride to The OC
and back) miles, with an 8 month old puppy no less… I married into a family
that has not only become my family but has given me people who are not just
in-laws or “the other side of the family” they have become friend...some of my best friends.
My Sisters have become my biggest fans and
have showed and told me how proud they are of us and our gigantic life change. They love us so much and Donna and Bob throw
the best parties on the planet! My Baby brother makes my heart glow at how
blessed and loved he is and I am so proud of him and each day he reminds me of
our gentle hearted but firm Dad. My Nieces
and Nephews make me so proud and I love how their kids are growing up like we
did…As a village that depends on one another.
I loved and cherish every single day I picked you up from school or
babysat you as little ones.
This trip taught me a lot about myself and everyone around
me. You never how loved you are until
your leaf from the family tree falls and is whisked away by the winds. You come back the following spring, stronger,
brighter and with even more support from the branch you grow from!
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