Canadian tradition dictates that I must comment on the weather. It has been strange. I'm not just making small talk here. A third of the U.S.A was blanketed in snow, including a portion of Texas, where I have first hand reports from my writing buddy that he enjoyed a half-day of wintery wonderland. It hasn't quite gotten that crazy here, but the wind has been fierce while temperatures dove to record lows. Phillip says this is “global wackiness”, not global warming. I tend to agree.
We did have one perfect weekend recently and decided to embark upon a much-delayed and discussed trip to the desert. We went as far as Ocotillo via Highway 8, then took the Imperial Highway back through Julian, where we stopped for sandwiches and coffee. All in all a day well spent. Along the way we were stopped twice at border patrol stations – apparently the remote area we drove through is a common corridor for immigrant trafficking. Is that a term, or did I just make it up and thereby offend a bunch of people? Let me know.
The border guards at the last spot, after being told we were simply visiting the wilderness, enjoyed a good belly laugh as they approached, making jokes like "where's the rest of your car?" before pointing out that Zoomy (as we fondly call the Smart Car) would not make it into the recreation / camp areas due to the rough roads. We'd already determined as much based on a parks map that indicating four-wheel drive access only. City slickers that we were, we laughed along with the guards and waved a fond farewell, then stopped at the side of the road whenever we felt like it for short hikes and photo sessions.
It was during our visit with Brian and Jackie that we were reminded of how little of California and surrounding states we've really explored, so Phillip and I spent some time recently looking at a map and happily discussing places we'd like to visit. We've never been to the Grand Canyon, so that naturally came up, and we have friends in Colorado we'd like to see again, thus we have two easy trips to contemplate this year. Not much planning has occurred yet, particularly because we have another couple that would like to visit Colorado as well and as anyone who has traveled with friends knows, coordination is key.
In the meantime, things here are going along smoothly. I'm enjoying my job and thinking of increasing my hours while Phillip is continuing to impress his bosses in his usual fashion. Portland has taken a back seat in our plans for now, due to initial real estate reports that indicate our home is worth $100k less than what we paid for it. That sucks, but I remain optimistic that things will work out. Phillip's taking care of the pessimism side of things.
If there's one thing to make me shake my head, however, it's the driving habits of San Diegans. I think I've now officially seen it all. Talking on a mobile and texting is old news at this point. I've also spotted people reading the newspaper or a book, applying makeup and using an electric shaver. Phillip was driving for our trip out to Ocotillo, so when I spotted a woman eating from a plate, with a fork, while driving her giant SUV and chatting with her passenger, I boggled and stared at her with my jaw hanging open. When I later mentioned this woman to a friend, rather than boggle with me, he asked “what was she eating?”!
Sometimes distraction while driving is inevitable. Most recently, it was Maverick's fault. Phillip was taking him for his afternoon walk and, while crossing the street, felt a consistent tugging at the leash that quickly became irritating. Wondering why the pooch was lagging so badly, Phillip looked back to see that he was actually dragging our gross little dog while he pathetically tried to wipe his butt along the asphalt and looked quite aggrieved that he was being rushed during this important ritual. Phillip admits that he started laughing and when he looked up, he saw a woman in her car laughing with great gusto as she drove by. Happily, she did not crash or run into anyone. At home, Phillip was faced with the unenviable task of cleaning black road dust off Maverick's hind end.
With that send off, I wish you all health and happiness this month. Next month we're planning to visit Florida and will update when we return.
