I received the best Road Carma sign from above yesterday. Two, actually, if you count the wonderful phone call from Greta. I also found a potato chip shaped like a happy face. Perfectly round, with even eyes and a smiley shaped crack. That's gotta be a good sign.
I left the Bay Area two days ago now. Leaving via the east bay, I could just make out the Golden Gate Bridge poking its head out of the fog, and I spent the next hour on the road thinking about all the things I really, really love about San Francisco. There's kinda a lot.
Since then, I've been daydreaming about Montana. I almost couldn't sleep that first night out, my head was so filled of plans. It's ridiculous, since I don't even know what the place looks like yet, but I just know it is going to be perfect, and it's just up there waiting for me.
I am always telling myself to slow down, enjoy what I'm doing, but it's really, really hard this time! There's a big, perfect place, in a small, perfect town just up there waiting for me, so what the hell am I doing down here? I blasted out 12 hours on the interstate yesterday, and now I'm just 6 hours away, in Seattle, doing my best to slow down. I'm visiting a friend who moved up here a year ago, and as great as it is to see him, I'm itching to move again.
He's just tempted me with Snoqualamie Falls, featured in Twin Peaks, only 20 minutes away. And Bainbridge Island. Okay, maybe just one more night. Montana will still be there tomorrow. Ooo, is that like, "I'll be right back"? Am I tempting fate? If so... actually, I would love to see what the hell could wipe Montana off the map in one day. Bring it on. Montana will still be there tomorrow.
Add-on: Perhaps I should actually tell you what I am doing. I am going to Montana for the winter, to write, knit, paint, and basically be as artsy and cold as I can for a while. Through providence and a wonderful woman, I have a big house to caretake, and space enough to do whatever I please. Life is good.
i expect pictures in the coming months
Posted by: maryse | July 29, 2004 at 01:17 PM
go,girl! nice to hear you're back on the road again. i second Maryse's request for pictures...
Posted by: caroline | July 29, 2004 at 04:04 PM
That sounds like SO much fun! Do some driving and see the sights for me! :)
Posted by: Jenn | July 29, 2004 at 05:27 PM
Slooow down.. enjoy it allllll. Montana will be there when you get there.. :) In the meantime looking forward to hearing about the trip there. I hope you are soaking up all the sights for me and your readers, and yes, WE WANT PICTURES! Nothing like a little PRESSURE ;)
Enjoy the journey.
Posted by: amy | July 29, 2004 at 08:59 PM
Montana is NOT that far from BC Canada you know... ;)
Posted by: amy | July 29, 2004 at 09:03 PM
Yay, that sounds like sooo much fun. Artsy and cold. Please post often..I want to hear all about it! Jacob always talks about how we'll move there one day.
Posted by: Carrie | July 29, 2004 at 09:05 PM
Am I a mad Welsh woman- just rhetorical there:0), or would you not be far from where they shot Northern Exposure? Twin Peaks I loved but Northern Exposure felt like it happened in a town I'd fit right in, but then what do I know I live across athe other side of a large pond.
Cold and creative don't always make comfortable travelling companions but then you said you're going to knit so socks, gloves and hats for those extremities mean anything is possible....even transforming Montana into Finland with an eye to running through the snow with just those glove hat and socks on ha-ha.
Safe journey and happy arrival. All power to the artsy woman!
Posted by: Daisy-Winifred | July 30, 2004 at 01:00 AM
Snoqualamie Falls--isn't it amazing? You're in one of my favorite parts of the Great Northwest. I'm in Southwestern Idaho, near Boise---welcome to the neighborhood!
Posted by: Kim | July 31, 2004 at 06:32 AM
OK, real quickly. I miss you already.
I too want pictures soon.
As soon as you get into town, pick up a voter registration form, fill it in and mail it.
I don't want to hear any excuses, you can re-register when you get back.
Love and pressure,
Rachel
Posted by: rachel | July 31, 2004 at 07:24 PM
OK, real quickly. I miss you already.
I too want pictures soon.
As soon as you get into town, pick up a voter registration form, fill it in and mail it.
I don't want to hear any excuses, you can re-register when you get back.
Love and pressure,
Rachel
Posted by: rachel | July 31, 2004 at 07:24 PM
BLessings for the journey, my dear....hearing your sweet voice yesterday was the highlight of my day! Write and paint and draw and Take Pictures!
Posted by: greta | August 01, 2004 at 04:39 AM
Look, Rachel misses you double! I baked cookies yesterday and don't have your address yet, so now we have to eat them all instead of sending you a care package. So sad. You could also get an absentee voter packet, but Rachel's right, there's no good reason not to vote this year. Miss you already, sweetie.
Posted by: Kira | August 03, 2004 at 07:40 PM
Twin Peaks? I'm incredibly jealous. Be sure to get pie and coffee!
Posted by: drew | August 06, 2004 at 06:42 AM
Wherrrrre are youuuuuuu? And I mean that literally. Crazy gal that you are...
Posted by: amy | August 06, 2004 at 08:43 PM
...sounds luvverly...take care and enjoy yourself...oh, and looking forward to reading some of that writing please :^)...
Posted by: billy | August 09, 2004 at 11:28 AM
wow...never been to Montana. Can't wait to see pics and hear updates.
Posted by: Kathleen | August 09, 2004 at 02:24 PM
Ok. We've been REALLY patient... so post already!!we want to hear about Monatana, O mountain girlie.
Posted by: caroline | August 11, 2004 at 07:03 AM