We wake at 6:20a and shortly after a ranger pulls up to tell us this part of the park is closed; then drives within seeing distance and puts up cones in the road blocking our way out. Now we have to move the cones to leave the campgrounds. Luckily the other ranger at the office is much more kind. He takes our camp fee and gives up maps and answers our questions. We eat some bananas for breakfast and let Piggy lead us around a hiking/biking trail near more campgrounds and a boat ramp.
We take Hwy 138 to Crestline where we get lost in the snowy hills. Some of their roads look like driveways and I can’t tell if some are one-way. Parts of the roads are cleared and when we get cornered we drive over/through a pile of snow that is in our way. After putting some gas in the car we are on the Rim of the World Hwy on our way east through San Bernardino Nat Forest. We stop for a hike at Heaps Peak and try to follow the footsteps before us that are a foot deep in the snow at 6,000 feet of elevation.
By lunch time we are near Apple Valley at a Route 66 Museum. We meet a nice employee who makes sure we see the outhouse, old phone system, classic cars, historic photos, and other memorabilia. After an hour at the museum it’s decided that we will take a detour and catch 395 further north. There is another museum in Barstow and plenty to see along the way. We see signs for an ostrich farm, but upon arrival it looks more like a punishment playground. There is little water, lots of dirt, and they are plucking each others’ feathers and pecking their feet.
In Helendale is Elmer’s Bottle Tree Farm. We were told about it in Victorville and it’s hard to miss driving by. Elmer is nowhere to be seen. We enjoy seeing old bottles, birds in the trees, parts of cars and kitchens, rusty street signs, and a spinning contraption. It looks homemade and sounds like it has wet gravel inside a paint can. Further down the road is Rattlesnake Ridge Rd. It’s more of an abandoned trail with a graffited building, plenty of unusable couches, rusted beer cans, and broken glass. There is also plenty of rocks, some desert shrubbery, and a peacock.
an ostrich
In Barstow, we get to see the food, the politics, and the automobiles that traveled on this same route. There are more street signs, plenty of reading material, and parts and posters. Next door is a railroad museum where we get to learn about the Big Boy steam engine, Santa Fe date nails, and Fred Harvey’s influence. We pass an IHOP and Caleb wants an omelet. He walks the dogs while I get eggs with tomato, spinach, and mushrooms, and a side order of red velvet pancakes with cream cheese icing.
We stop at a car scrapyard where a little boy just stares at us as we take a few photos from the gate and leave. We stop at a sign junkyard and get out to take pictures until we see the big snarling pit bull behind the dented fence anxious to eat our throats. We drive on to Garlock, a ghost town wrapped in barbwire; the town thrived until Randsburg got water and a complete rail line in 1898. We took the Redrock Randsburg Rd to see this old gold-mining place just 9 miles away. What we saw was another ghost town without the fence.
Barstow Train Station
Leaving there, we have three hours of daylight to find a place to sleep. Caleb says to aim for the Inyo Nat Forest. We almost detour to Isabella Lake, but staying north brings us to Fossil Falls where we will, unknowingly at arrival, camp for the night. There are ATV trails, hiking paths, viewpoints, and lots of climbing available. We do some hike-climbing and then drive down the ultra-bumpy road to another road.
There are signs for a viewpoint. The sky is beginning to dim. We grab our bikes, leave the car in the road, and forget our helmets. The size of the rocks let me know that if I do fall off my bike I will bleed to death quickly. We make it to the viewpoint and have to use our headlamps to read about the lake and local flora and fauna. We drive back to the other side of the park where we saw signs for camping. There will be a fire and s’mores, but first an entry from my journal, then sleep.
As I lay under the stars at campsite 10 I am overcome with emotion. It’s so easy these days to acquire a job, home, car, and other technology. Amazons may dissappear and state parks may close. There will be other roads to drive or ride or walk. The hardest thing for me to find is a dark enough spot to just lay down and stare at the stars. Tears filled my eyes as I realized how much time has passed since I’ve been able to see this many stars. I used to, as a child, lay on the concrete foundation of my Mom’s house and watch the stars. Sometimes I would find crickets the size of tarantulas and other times I would listen to music. I used to look to the sky for peace and never fully grasped the joy it brought. I have a new found appreciation for its beauty. I think it’s a shame that stars and fireflies have been replaced by the T.V.
After I enjoyed the dark for a bit we started to unpack the car. I set up the tent while Caleb got the fire going. I found the chocolate and graham crackers while he whittled sticks for roasting marshmallows. We let the dogs wander in the light of the fire before putting them in the tent. It’s nights like this that I will cherish forever; not another sight or sound – just us and the fire. I wouldn’t mind company, but we are enough for each other.
We started this trip Apr. 14th with the simple plans of heading north up Hwy 395, possibly to Alaska. We had to be back by May 8th. The car was packed with a bag each and two coolers. We brought coats and shorts; fresh veggies and s’mores. We set out after noon and were soon lost. We agreed to stay off major highways (more than one-lane traffic) unless needed or obligated, so your guess is as good as mine as to how, after a couple of hours of driving, we ended up in Fallbrook.
I thought the town was quaint, but it was the purple Vacuums store that made me stop and the Retro Candy & Toys that made me stay. At this point we didn’t realize we were lost. The owner is friendly and we talked about our trip. We mention 395 and tell him this store is the best part yet. Now I know why he was willing to take the compliment but not believe it. He thought we were headed home south from 395, and we had yet to reach it. We buy an assortment of chocolate, fudge, and hard candy to add to the snack box.
When we saw the ocean we knew something was wrong. Caleb is really good with a map but California can be conservative with their road signs or just confusing. Maybe I was the one confused. We tried to use the GPS to get us in the right direction, but turned it off when we get tired of being told to turn left onto I-5. Then there was a fork in the road, construction, more u-turning, and finally we were seeing trees and mountains again. We drove through Temecula and the place is thriving with vehicles and pedestrians.
We arrive at Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino around 8:30p. We slow down for what looks like a small group of people on a night tour. Later these people will be performing loud activities – walking, music, campfire. We settle at spot 29, struggle to keep the fire lit, and then join the dogs in the tent. It takes a while for my feet to warm up, but soon our first day of travel is done and the dogs are as anxious as us to see this park in the light.
What are you up to? I’m so excited about my house. I’m sending you another wedding picture. I have so many baby clothes. yay. I have a black & pink bed set that I think you might like. I’m not going to use it in my new house. I want you to see my house. It’s gonna be cute. I’m hoping to be living in it by the time Bentley is born. Puppy is passed out. I want you to see my wedding ring. It’s pretty. Ever since I’ve been pregnant, I have had a non-stop headache. It sucks so much fat ass.
I’m listening to music. Trent has some weird CDs. Do you like the tattoos I keep putting on your envelopes? Some of them aren’t that cute, but it’s fun to do! So, who all do you still talk to? (from Florence) Jesse keeps trying to call me, do you remember him? (Louisiana) I haven’t told him I’m married yet. I don’t really want to talk to him, though. Well, I’m gonna go now, write me back! -xoxo-
What the hell are you doing? I need your address so I can mail this to you. I hope you like my picture I gave you. I colored and drew it myself. Well, it is like 2 in the morning, and Trent has to get up at 6 or so. I’m gonna let you go, but ya write me back.
Hey, I check my mailbox every day, and every day I’m disappointed, just kidding, but you need to write me, though. If I find out you are writing anyone else and not me, I will be very angry. So what do you want for Christmas? I guess I’m gonna have to mail it to you. Oh my gosh, I was in Walmart shopping for bedspreads, and this black lady walked up to me and asked what I was having (boy or girl) and when I was due and stuff like that.
Then she walked away and came back a couple of minutes later and slipped 40 dollars into my hand and told me to buy my baby something for Christmas and tell him it came from a stranger. Isn’t that crazy? Some lady I didn’t even know gave me $40! I went back the next day and stood in the same spot and hoped it would happen again… it didn’t. I saw some cherry antenna things that I was gonna get for you, but you don’t have a car, do you? I want a robe for Christmas. Send me a fluffy robe (as long as it’s not purple, I’ll be fine).
Trent got me rolly stamps and markers. They’re cool. So, what did you do for Halloween? I did nothing. I was going to go see Saw 2, but I never did. I basically just carved pumpkins. I even carved one for Thanksgiving. My feet are so swollen they hurt. My new bed set is so fluffy and big and cozy. Trent just got home. yay. Later. xoxo
Hey, what are you doing? Well, don’t ask why I’m writing you a letter on a piece of paper with a giant archway thing on it, but I just am. Hey, what do you want for Christmas? Are you going to be down here around that time or not? I wonder! I felt Bentley move. yay. I have to be at work today at 4:00 [grr emoji]. Trent just got home on his lunch break, and he brought me some fuzzy slippers! yay. I love them. I’m sending you some pictures. I just randomly picked them. There’s some of Puppy, too. He’s so cute. I love him. I can’t wait until you are out of the Navy, that will be much better than this, but anyway, write me, ok! -xoxo-
Hey, I’m so full, I just had Taco Bell. I should be eating healthier, but I never do. I am 8 months pregnant now. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Do you have Eric’s address? If you don’t, it’s: Div 077 Ship 14 Great Lakes. It might not be the same by the time you actually get this letter, but you can try it. I love the name Bentley, it’s so cute and not average. Are you going to get any tattoos? Eric said that he’s gonna get more after he gets out of basic training. I don’t think you saw Trent’s last tattoo. He got the sacred heart of Jesus. It’s on his shoulder.
He’s going to get a sleeve eventually, fill up his whole arm. I’m just going to get my son’s name and his footprints. I’m going to finish this letter tomorrow. I’m tired, and I have to get up early. I’m back. I just finished [the] primer in the baby’s room. Tomorrow, I’m going to paint some more yellow in there. How is all that working out in your room in your apartment, or whatever you’re staying in? This little trailer we’re staying in is coming together. We just need to hook up electricity and water.
Oh, another tattoo that I’m gonna get is of a bird. It’s cute, but it’s dead. It’s got an arrow through it and a ribbon around it, and I was gonna get my mom’s name in the ribbon. I can’t wait to have this baby. I hate being pregnant. The only good thing is not having my period, well, and my boobs got bigger, now I actually have some. Those are the only two good things. There are countless downfalls to being pregnant. Don’t have a kid anytime soon. I can’t believe I’m gonna have a kid. I don’t know anything about babies. I don’t know how to hold them or what to do with them. I guess I’ll learn real quick, though. I’ll write back again some other time! Write me back. Later! -xoxo-
Hey, really just writing you because I’m bored. I write you almost every day. What kind of music do you listen to? Do you like Chamillionaire? or even any rap? I’ve been listening to that lately. I HATE BEING PREGNANT. I just called Daddy yesterday to let him know that we have electricity now, and I asked him for money for a hot water heater because I can’t come up with $200 that easily. He can buy Eric a $200 coat, but he can’t give me $100 so I can have hot water.
If he doesn’t care whether his grandson bathes in warm water, then he doesn’t deserve to see him. He doesn’t think that this trailer is good enough. He thinks we should have gotten a new one, and he could have gotten some “deal” where all we would pay was like 200 a month. Well, guess what, this one is FREE! If he has “deals” like that, how come he didn’t get us a decent house to live in. I know he could have afforded 200 a month, but NO, we had to live in the bunkhouse for 10 years. At least my son can bring his friends over and not be embarrassed by his house.
I damn sure couldn’t do that. He needs to remember what he put us through before he starts lecturing me. He doesn’t even think Trent is good enough for me, but Trent treats me like a damn Queen! He treats me way better than Daddy ever treated Sheila, so I don’t want to hear his BS. I’m almost through painting the baby’s room. I’m excited. I can’t wait to shit out this baby. I wonder what he’ll look like. Trent just got a tattoo of a skull with a cowboy hat on and a snake wrapped around it. Trent’s is a diamondback, and the original picture (a blacklight Pantera poster) just had regular snake scales. It looks good, though, I like it. Well, I’m gonna go now. W/B [write back] xoxo
Hey, at this point, I’m really not even expecting you to write me back because you NEVER do. I’m just bored, and I can’t sleep. I’ve already gotten 2 letters from Eric. That’s more than you have written me, and he’s only been gone for like a month. Do you remember that song “Wobble Wobble” by the 504 Boyz? That used to be my favorite song. I only heard part of it the other day, but I was still excited. I would have danced, but when I would get to the “drop it, drop it” part, I don’t know that I’d be able to stand back up,
I’m 9 months pregnant. I don’t think anyone wants to see me “backin’ that ass up.” When do you come down again? (Trent just asked me) A long time from now, huh?! I’m always farting ever since I’ve been pregnant. I’m so miserable. My tummy always hurts, so does my back, legs, head, and ALWAYS my feet. I have heartburn a lot. Puppy says Hi. Chevy says Hello. Bentley just kicked me like 6 times within 30 seconds. I’m tired of being kicked in the ribs. I’m getting a disposable camera tomorrow, so I’ll take some pregnant pictures and send them to you. I’m gonna try to sleep now. Goodnight. xoxo
Hey! I’m writing you because I got all excited when you called and told me you actually WROTE ME BACK. So, I figure I’ll start writing again. I don’t know why I’m typing this and not just writing it. I guess because we just got a computer in our new house and I’m all excited about it. (I’ve never played so much Solitaire in my life.) Anyway, I need stamps. You should mail me a couple, I’m out. Today was my last day to work, at least until I have the baby. I go back to the doctor’s office on Friday, and if nothing has happened by then, we are going to schedule to induce labor on Monday or Tuesday, so it won’t be more than a week before Bentley is here.
Bentley is going to be a heartbreaker. I hope he looks just like Trent. I’m trying to decide whether or not to get the epidural. I don’t like the idea of a needle in my spine, but then again, I’m pretty much going to be [pushing] a watermelon out of my coochie. I bet it’s going to be brutal! What’s going on up there in the Navy? I want you to see the trailer, it’s come a long way. We (somehow) turned this crack house into a home. The bathroom is finished, the baby’s room is done, and our room is as done as it will get. We are just working on the kitchen now.
When you came down, I think we were still running off extension cords. Now we have the septic done, and we have water. It’s awesome. I’m still planning on replacing the ENTIRE ceiling and putting a tin roof thing over the whole top of the trailer so we won’t have to worry about leaks. I also want to build a fence around the yard for the dogs, replace a window, and get central heating and air. My hands are so swollen, so are my feet! I’m swollen everywhere. I got a haircut. It’s really cute. I’ve needed my hair cut ever since I lit it on fire with a candle. I know it sounds like a dumb thing to do, but I didn’t mean to.
We cooked pancakes on Sheila’s old griddle thing. We cooked eggs, too, but they tasted like hamburger meat because Trent never cleans it after he cooks on it. Well, I really don’t either, but I hardly ever cook. We didn’t eat those eggs, they were pretty gross. We really need curtains in our living room. We’re listening to Mindless Self Indulgence right now, remember them? I’m sure you do. J called me, and I asked him if he was moving back in with the parents, and he said yes (while he goes through college). I’m thinking about going back to school, but I’m not really thinking too hard about it. You better write me back. luv ya. xoxo
Hey, I got your letters yesterday. Thanks for the gift cards. I got Bentley a nice outfit to wear to Nana’s house. It’s a onesie with a nice plaid vest-t-shirt thing and khaki pants, and I already have a baby tie that will go great with it. I also got a Bob Marley onesie and a beanie to match. It’s adorable. Then I got some 8-oz baby bottles and diapers and a camera so I can take more pictures. It helped out a lot. Your car sounds cool. I’m happy for you that you finally got one. I got the Cadillac, but I still don’t have my license yet though. If you wanted to send more gift cards, they sell baby stuff at Target and Toys R Us.
So you are finally ACTUALLY getting kinda serious with a dude? That’s cool, I just have a small piece of advice for you, if you’re not on birth control, ALWAYS WEAR A CONDOM! or make him pull out. Babies are cute WHEN THEY’RE SOME ONE ELSE’S! Just be careful, I never thought I would get pregnant, but… SURPRISE! I just had to take a 2-hour break to feed Bentley and get him back asleep. I like it best when he’s asleep. He does have big eyes, just like mommy. He just farted. I heard it. So, tell me more about this Caleb guy… you really like him?
How long have you guys been together? Does he make a lot of money? Well, as long as he makes you happy. How does it feel to be an aunt? I still can’t believe I’m a mom. I don’t recommend it. I hope you can see Bentley before you get deployed or whatever. You’ll be gone for like 6 or 8 months. That’s funny that you and Eric still call me Tig in letters. Are you bankin’ or what? That was a lot of money spent on gift cards. I don’t have anything to wear right now; it’s just sweatpants and huge T-shirts for me. Bentley likes to lie on his belly. He’s so cute when he’s not crying.
I keep thinking about what kind of parent I’m going to be. I just want to be a good mom. And I DEFINITELY don’t want to treat him like father treated us. I can’t wait until you get out of the Navy. I’m sure you can’t either. You only have like another 2 years. Sheila gave me one of those glamour-shot pictures of you and her, and practically every guy that comes over here asks who ya’ll are. They say you’re pretty, and some think that you are the mom and Sheila is the daughter. She’s 40 now, can you believe it? She looks so young. I’m gonna let you go now. Hopefully, you’ll write me again. XOXO
Hey Jess, I’m bored, so I decided to write you. By the way, I’m still waiting on a letter from you… I’m waiting until Trent gets off work and watching Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Trenton’s [wedding] ring broke a couple of weeks ago, and we had to get another one, but since we got it from Walmart, they replaced it for free. We had a year or 2 warranty. I have all these ugly clothes to wear. I mean, there are cute maternity clothes out there, but all mine (or most anyway) were given to me by Nana (you know those clothes are up-to-date) and other fat girls. I’ll write you later and keep hoping that one day you’ll find time to write me. -XOXO- love ya!
Some four-ish years later…
Dude, I can’t wait to see you. Hopefully, [the] Bears will still end up going and not change their mind or something. Dude, Papa Bear is going senile! I swear, he forgot that there was a town called “Jarrell” near Florence! WTF And trying to hold a conversation with him is ridiculous! But somehow, I feel bad for him, never thought I would because when we were younger, I had so much hatred for him. It seems like he’s really trying to be a good person and a nice one.
It’s like I don’t even know him anymore. That’s not my father who raised me. He doesn’t drink, cuss, yell, throw shit, call us names, he’s not racist. I’m telling ya, pigs are flying! I can’t wait to see California. Is it gonna be ok to swim? Just wanna make sure I pack right. What’s the weather like? What are the people like? I’m actually about to move to Georgetown, right next door to Eric and Amie, so I’m excited about that. Once I get settled, I’m [going to] start school. What are you doing these days? What [did] you go to school for again? Where [are] you working?
Well, I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you and hopefully seeing you too! xoxo
Trent’s roomCurtis’s car“Don’t tell grandma & grandpa.”Bentley at 2.5 months old
We went out riding the other night and my rear brakes were rubbing against my wheel, so I disconnected them. I was having a hard time switching gears, but toughed it out uphill. Caleb found a bike shop on Thursday that said we could get my bike back on Saturday. I was excited at the time to get a more ride-able bike in return, but had easily forgotten our weekend bike excursion plans. As Saturday morning began to pass us by I wondered what time the shop opened – noon. I was almost devastated.
I passed the day eating, reading, playing with the dogs in the backyard, and fantasizing about all the southern California sights I was missing out on. Caleb called at 5pm, they close at 6pm, and they said the bike was ready. We took my bike to Ocean Bicycles and Caleb was not completely satisfied with what they said was included in a tune-up and the results of said tune-up. I am a ‘girl-driver’ in many aspects; I can drive to places, but can’t tell you how to get there. I can attempt to ride my bike cross-country, but can’t tell you anything about what parts make up my bike. I do know how to change a tire though, and switch gears!
creodont skull
We arrived home and I hopped on my bike. I disconnected the brakes again – guess they didn’t fix that problem, switched my gears easily, and we headed south towards the border parks. I wanted to make it home before dark so we just enjoyed the route this time and will return to actually see more of the parks themselves. This meant that my bike was good enough and we could still go north on Sunday – woo hoo!
We woke early as usual, which is sleeping in for Caleb on the weekend, and brought breakfast snacks with us to get on the road sooner. This time we took the Bayshore Bikeway on the east side of the bay. I had it planned that we would arrive in Balboa Park at 9:30am, visit two museum exhibits when they open at 10am, and then ride three more miles to Old Town for lunch. I’m a slow rider that likes to take pictures on a slow bike; I should’ve known it was going to take us longer.
We got to the Natural History Museum after 10:30am to see their ‘shiny-stuff’ exhibit – according to Caleb. It might’ve confused people into thinking it was big shiny jewelry, but it was a gem display – a piece of Earth’s art in one of its many facets. The online article mentioned how the earth forms many things, the Grand Canyon, and wears them away. These gems are a part of that process – wind, water, fire, dirt, and scientific stuff dealing with elements and their formations when they come together.
There was some jewelry, but I would choose to wear the heavy rock beside it knowing that I didn’t spoil its natural design. Nature is so pretty in itself that it overwhelms people in its size, so they feel compelled to make it more manageable – and then sell it. This exhibit gave me a deeper appreciation for shades of purple, blue, orange, black, green, red; for topaz, emerald, turquoise, ruby, onyx, tourmaline, opal, and pearl – just to name a few. I got to see silver and copper in their pure form.
Benitoite only found in San Benito County California
On our way downstairs, to the gem exhibit, we stopped in awe of some dinosaur fossils. I remember a day when I thought dinosaurs were as real as unicorns and made up for Jurassic Park movies. To think that these beautiful and amazing creatures actually existed just as the Australopithecus before us and the Mayan after them. It inspires me to want to appreciate every molecule of being on Earth at the same time before the day comes when new archeologists will be digging up the remnants of Homo sapiens. How much longer do we have before our tail bones and water bowls, and plastic bags, are the only thing left linking us to this impressive place?
So after pondering the before-us life and the afterlife we went downstairs. Visitors can enter the south-side second floor or the north-side first floor and the gems were below the first. On the first floor we noticed an overwhelming amount of people dressed like it was 1912. I didn’t realize the Titanic exhibit was at this museum, and I thought it didn’t start until May – oops. One of the dressed-up men was able to tell us that they are part of a historical costume society – one that has spent the weekend at the theater, on the dance floor, chowing down at the diner, and now at the museum. He seemed thrilled, and ready for a nap.
Back on the second floor we admire the larger-than-life animals. It seems all natural history museums have some large vertebrate displayed – dinosaur, elephant, or shark. Here we learn that the large 15-foot sharks of today are dwarfs in comparison to their ancestors that could play in the prequel Jaws: Size Before the Food Shortage. Whales, in my mind, are somewhat like dinosaurs in that they are extra-large creatures that fascinate me. The difference being – I might actually see a living whale one day swimming in the wild, and not while on a cruise-ship. The idea of seeing their eyeball in person terrifies and excites me at the same time.
We had just started to imagine the saber-tooth cat’s teeth, as they dropped their lower jaw 90 degrees, breaking through the skin of some large animal or a smaller fuzzy critter getting stuck on its teeth and the cat using his lower jaw to work the animal off its teeth. Wonder if they ever bit their lip? Then we hear a museum guide ask out loud if anyone knows where the La Brea Tar Pits are. I answer, “near the LACMA.” This is enough to get his full attention on us and he tells us more about the cat and the pits and I think of how I want to return. Then he begins to tell us about his arrival in California back in 1940 or 1960, driving down the road when he is faced with this pterodactyl size bird in the road.
He goes on to tell us how he was intimidated and hoped the bird would not take his car in place of what was left of its lunch in the road. Then he points to a display case we have yet to reach and asks us what we think its defining character is. Caleb and I are thinking the 10 foot wingspan, but the guy replies that it’s the bald red-head on the vulture – a California Condor. He explains to us that if the bird had feathers where it sticks its head in diseased corpses it would be more likely to die of contamination; with bald skin the blood and bile can dry and fall off. I am all giddy as I thank him for this bit of information – I love learning new things!
The museum’s third floor is dedicated to skulls ranging from the sandstone night zizard to a human to a rhinoceros. It’s amazing to see details in the cartilage, compare similarities, and to visualize all those hungry teeth at work. There is a case with some bones with the flesh still on. We got to watch as hungry maggots help the scientists reveal the cleaner, less hairy with skin falling off, history below. The fourth floor is reserved for pictures I could’ve taken – at the San Diego Zoo, pictures I have one in a million chance of taking – a lion with a wildebeest head in the wild, and pictures with high possibility of me getting a good shot – a macro of a bumblebee.
“A livelier emerald twinkles in the grass, a purer sapphire melts into the sea.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson
So much for the other museum. Their special exhibit is available until Apr 15 so we can come back. After hours at this museum it is time for lunch. We head north to Cafe Coyote where the old ladies make tortillas out front. We are able to lock our bikes up, turn, and walk in to be seated. Caleb was told by a friend to visit this place three years ago when we were here last. I remember the tortillas, my large margarita, and a filling meal. This time we got a rotten tomato on our salad that comes with the veggie combo. I felt like we were at the Panda Express version of Mexican food.
Our server had a full house during the midday rush and I had to order the tortillas twice – they are the reason we came. Perhaps next time I will make a meal of their tortillas and salsa and try some dessert, but this is a place better left for people with expensive tequila taste and an appetite for dead animals. We enjoyed the scenery, the aura, the getting lost temporarily more than once, the graffiti, the people, the weather, the exercise, the art, the learning about the world around us – past and present.
What we didn’t enjoy were the sore bums after 35 miles of riding in jeans; perhaps next time it will be back to the tights! Even so, we have started walking the dogs to ensure their bums are on a poop-a-lot schedule, and walked them 2.6 miles before a dinner of biscuits with leftovers. After a long exciting day, all that was left to do was relax, eat more, watch YouTube, and rant on my blog while helping the husband with his random Facebook inquiries. And then wait for him to comment on my blog – whether online or in person.
I understand Easter is a religious holiday for many. This post is not about religion – I don’t talk about that on my blog, at least not yet. I started thinking about the holiday and how it happens every year and how the same thing, for most people, happens every year. Some people may change where they hide the eggs or what they hide in them, but every year you are the hider or seeker of eggs – one year I was both. Recently, there have been multiple articles from many states citing that egg hunts have been cancelled due to aggressive parents. Should we not evaluate what type of society we are becoming when we turn a religious holiday, sometimes three-day weekend, into a greedy brawl to make sure that your kid in diapers gets more eggs than the seven-year old with years of practice?
There is something else I don’t understand about this holiday – its participants. Some of them don’t care a hoot about Jesus, but God forbid their kid doesn’t get a basket full of eggs stuffed with candy and the opportunity to win a dollar. To me this seems rude, but this is the American way. The Islam religion has the right to pray five times a day and I’m ok with that – it’s their thing and I’m sure they have to take off work for their holidays. People that want to celebrate holidays and get time off should have to register their faith or the calendar they follow. For those without as many holidays they can be compensated to have an equal amount of days off, but on a varying schedule. Why should people be allowed the holiday if they don’t have to follow the rest of the religion?
Jesus only rose out of the grave once, but then I suppose he was only born once too and we all celebrate our births every year – but are we not celebrating the fact that we are still alive? I know Easter and Christmas are traditions of stress, credit card debt, greed, angry shoppers, overeating, and spirit and non-such, but what makes people want to repeat the same thing every year? Have we lost that much sense of our creativity? Put up the same lights – increase electric bill, buy crap advertised on TV – expensive cable and more useless materials, eat same glutinous foods in large amounts – spend lots of money on diet pills. This to me is a psychotic idea and I am glad that I am now less crazy.
what might happen when pigs can fly
Instead of buying kids a bunch of stuff that they won’t appreciate and will soon break or lose, why not leave them at Grandma’s house and do something different. For Easter you could hike a local mountain or have lunch with a local homeless person – they love hot sandwiches! Days off from work should be about a change in routine; not a change in the channel or the color of the decorations. Why not seek out in life what it is you really want? How many parents regret having kids, sometimes for a day and sometimes for years, because they believe they lost out on their dreams?
Parents can’t blame their kids for ruining their youth or their lives. I’ve known parents with special needs kids that are able to play in a local band or write a bestselling novel. Some are still able to leave their kids with Grandma while they take that trip to Madrid that they have dreamt of for years. I understand some people will not have the blessing of family as free sitter or the paycheck to afford flying to Spain, but they should be able to find joy in the smaller things in life – sometimes they can even bring their kids along. More of a rant than I was expecting, but I had fun today and it had nothing to do with bunnies pooping out eggs – that doesn’t even make sense, why not a chicken or a fish – Jesus liked fish and at least they lay eggs.
Note: Religion and media should be kept separate. If you go to church twice a year and hunt for eggs on Easter than Happy Easter to you. If you have a holiday that takes place in December than you should be able to celebrate it – not just the Holidays. Though I do suppose it is kind to be thankful for other people’s holidays; if they didn’t have any people might have to get random days off from work and have no idea how to celebrate.
TheJessicaness 