Friday, August 17 – Day One
Morning: For the past two weeks Tom and I have been out of sync, living in two very different head spaces. Past experience has taught us that a road trip is the perfect remedy. Some couples go to therapy - we find there is nothing like the open road to help you get your groove back.
Driving along the first few miles of the Trans-Canada Highway, we agree on the rules of engagement:
Avoid interstates - travel only the “Blue Highways” (okay, we just broke this first rule.)
Eat locally – no chain restaurants
No set itinerary, we intend to let our whims dictate the direction we take
And most important of all, we are on a quest to find the perfect slice of berry pie
Vancouver is cloudy, with a forecast of rain, so we decided to head towards the sun. I suggest we stop and pick up a guidebook on the Pacific Northwest. Tom proudly reminds me that he is the human equivalent of a homing pigeon - he assures me a guide book will not be necessary. Having lived with his “unique” talent for many years now has given me a new appreciation for the necessity of female astronauts – there comes a point in every trip when someone has to get out and ask directions.
Afternoon: We are driving through the Okanagan with the top down – the sun is shining, and the day is getting hot. I am covered in sunscreen and wearing a hat – Tom has decided to go au naturale. We listen to classic rock, stop at numerous fruit stands, and drive through beautiful vineyards. Highlights include spotting the Spotted Lake and a large bear eating fruit from a tree. I know this is going to sound crazy but it sure looked like a grizzly – do they even live in these parts?
Morning: For the past two weeks Tom and I have been out of sync, living in two very different head spaces. Past experience has taught us that a road trip is the perfect remedy. Some couples go to therapy - we find there is nothing like the open road to help you get your groove back.
Driving along the first few miles of the Trans-Canada Highway, we agree on the rules of engagement:
Avoid interstates - travel only the “Blue Highways” (okay, we just broke this first rule.)
Eat locally – no chain restaurants
No set itinerary, we intend to let our whims dictate the direction we take
And most important of all, we are on a quest to find the perfect slice of berry pie
Vancouver is cloudy, with a forecast of rain, so we decided to head towards the sun. I suggest we stop and pick up a guidebook on the Pacific Northwest. Tom proudly reminds me that he is the human equivalent of a homing pigeon - he assures me a guide book will not be necessary. Having lived with his “unique” talent for many years now has given me a new appreciation for the necessity of female astronauts – there comes a point in every trip when someone has to get out and ask directions.
Afternoon: We are driving through the Okanagan with the top down – the sun is shining, and the day is getting hot. I am covered in sunscreen and wearing a hat – Tom has decided to go au naturale. We listen to classic rock, stop at numerous fruit stands, and drive through beautiful vineyards. Highlights include spotting the Spotted Lake and a large bear eating fruit from a tree. I know this is going to sound crazy but it sure looked like a grizzly – do they even live in these parts?
Evening: We cross the border and head into Washington, USA. Driving through the Okanagon the only difference we see between our two countries is the o. The sun is still high in the sky, and it’s at least 85 degrees. We thank our lucky stars we have a convertible.
After passing miles and miles of orchards, we realize it’s getting late, and we are almost out of gas. Driving the last 20 miles on fumes we pull into Wenatchee for the night. Wenatchee, the Apple Capital of the World. After checking into our hotel we head to the local diner where we intend to sample the local delicacies. The look on Tom’s face, as he realizes they have brought him what appears to be an entire side of beef – priceless. We must remember that the portions are much larger in the US of A. I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor guy, not only is Tom facing a mountain of beef – but the entire right side of his face is sunburned. It is as if someone has drawn a line down his face – one side is white – the other is beet red. This is one of the hazards of driving in one continuous direction, on a hot, sunny day, in a PT Cruiser convertible. I, on the other hand, have no sun-burned face at all.
After dinner I try to convince Tom to join me for a swim in the hotel pool. He is a bit of a germaphobe and is convinced that every one who jumps in a public pool immediately pees. Even though he isn’t ready to take the plunge, he offers to cheer me on from the side lines. Once we get to the pool it becomes apparent that all of the other adults staying at our hotel also have pool issues. I am the only person in the water who is over 10 years old, which makes me a good target for cannonball practice. Good times.
At bedtime Tom starts telling me about a special show he recently saw on Dateline - in which an infrared camera is used on hotel bedspreads – and of course, finds all kinds of disgusting things. I beg him not to go “Howard Hughes” on me.
At 2:30 am our hotel fire alarm goes off. After evacuating, Tom and I spend an hour walking around the deserted streets of the Apple Capital of the World. A weird mix of antique shops and bingo parlors.
To be continued…….
3 comments:
Mika, I loved your blog.. and your side kick is still the funniest guy on the road. "Life with Mika" is a great read! Thanks bringing a smile to my morning.
Oh boy! I love that it starts with "Day One" , that means there will be a " Day two, Three....."
Can't wait to read all about it!
Wish I was on the road with ya!
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