Rude awakenings

Since i last wrote there have been countless events and stories, and it has been very eventful. Upon leaving Memphis, I journeyed my way across the great state of Tennessee to the outdoor playground of Chattanooga. Basically since i left Denver the pattern has been that while i am visiting people and staying in a house the weather is as beautiful as it can get, but once i leave to go camping (which has turned into just finding a place to park my truck) mother nature unleashes her fury and sets forth monsoons directly over the cities i am visiting. When i make my complaint to a local the response is always the same "yeah, this weather sure is sumpin'. I don' 'spose it's rained in these parts for a good 3-4 weeks" (remember i am in the south so you can feel free to add an accent). The departure from Memphis was no different, i wasn't all that surprised (although now its expected to rain once i go out on my own) when the rain started to fall down after a couple hours or so of driving. In the south the rain doesn't fall like it does up in Oregon, down here it comes down in droves, in sheets, drops the size of cannon balls falling like the wrath unleashed at Gettysburg. The rain falls in such abundance that even as the windshield wipers go full speed everything still looks like it does when you open your eyes underwater, or better when your a little kid (or, lets be honest here, an adult) cry uncontrollably but you don't blink your eyes.

On the way to Chattanooga the unrelenting storm began, but this time there was lightning! It was beautiful at first, and then a little scary, and finally just annoying. The lightning started after a couple hours of perpetual rain and since i departed late from Memphis it was illuminating the night sky like disco strobe. I pulled int the the great city at about 11 and the lightning was in full force. I can't really remember ever being startled by the lightning but this night i was. I found a nice clean park down by the river to set up camp, i think it was a city park, and went through my bedtime rituals. I got in bed and the rain was pouring down. In the canopy of my truck the aluminum sheet metal that makes the roof amplifies each raindrop to sound like that of a 10 pound sledge. I don't say this to complain, but it is a fact. It took me a minute but sure enough i fell asleep in the downpour and was enjoying some great rest when it struck. I don't know where the lightning struck down, but the thunder was a crack so loud that i sat straight up with a gasp, with my heart racing it took me a while to figure out what the hell the noise was. Needless to say i slept a little uneasy that night.

The Next night, after spending a day in the thriving metropolis, i pulled myself into the same parking spot as the night before and decided it would be a great place to camp out. After the nightly routine of brushing my teeth and fumbling around doing small tasks that don't really serve any benefit other than keeping me busy, i climbed into bed to enjoy a full nights sleep. After dosing off a little, the rain started again and brought me back from the middle grounds between sleep and being awake. This was a small set back, i simply closed all the windows and fell promptly into a coma. Next thing i knew there was a huge banging on the back window, startled my hand dropped to my rifle, but i stopped myself from grabbing it. Something didn't add up. Since when did burglars warn you before entering? When did they start shining flashlights in your eyes? And when the hell did they get matching uniforms, utility belts and badges? Oh shit, the police. I opened the back door and pulled myself to the edge of the opening. I talked with the officers for a few minutes and then realized i was chatting with them in my underwear. "officer, do you mind if i put some pants and a shirt on"? They let me, and we concluded our discussion as civil, dressed individuals. They were nice and thought i was a goofy kid. I guess they saw my car the night before and since it was in the same spot the wanted to check it out. They let me go but said i had to leave. It was about 3 in the morning and so i just pulled into a grocery store parking lot and fell asleep again. A couple hours later i awoke to a loud mechanized roar and spotlights shining in the side window. I was parked facing a curb and here roared a street sweeper about to t-bone my sorry ass. I covered my face with a blanket, as if that would help, and cringed. It passed by an inch and i was terrified. once i realized what was going on i chilled out a little, but i had just seen my life flash before my eyes. The truck didn't stop there, it did about 5,000 trips around the parking lot, and i hardly fell asleep after that.

The best part is that all the while i was laughing at my predicament and still in great spirits. that seems to be the story of my trip, despite circumstance it all remains fun. Viva la Vida!

Cheers,

Tony

On the road

It's been a while since the lasy update and an eternity of events have taken place. The last time i wrote i was in Grand Junction, Co with my good pal Scott. After spending about a week in the junk I experienced all types of adventures, including sailing, seeing the night life, learning not to go for a run while in the desert, moonlight rock climbing, daylight rock climbing, time at a cabin in the woods, and drinking beer the whole time throughout. The next stop was Denver, and what a stop it was! Arriving in Denver i felt a sudden rush of saddness, i attribute that to being in a big city alone, and away from the woods, my love. As quickly as i found myself disheartened i found myself in sheer exuberance. The Denver experience can be categorized as a beautiful 3 day party where sleep was a luxury and time moved quickly. A breif summary is as such:

Arrived alone, sad
Went to get tea and read, feeling better,
Met with friends for dinner and beer, delighted
more beer, pool, and dancing, off my face in joy
chatting and ultimately sleep, tired
Wake up early for coffee, excited
Rock climbing and river swimming, beside myself
mid-day break, tired
new burst of energy off to new freinds appartment downtown, revitalized
beer, dinner, beer, delighted once again
meet up with friends and perhaps another beer, off my face once again
sneak into hot tub, happy
discover hot tub is rather cold, disappointed
get pulled over and subsequently warned about a tail light, relief
arrive at the hippies house, tired
sleep, happy
wake up after a few hours, ready
find luke which takes all day, relaxed
4th of july party and beer, tons of fun
4tyh of july party #2 and beer, fun fun fun!
Talking late in front of the fire, relaxed and real
Wake up in front of the fire, exuberant!!!
Eat and leave denver, gleeful at the unknown.

Needless to say i cannot even come close to capturing the denver experience, there is so much that i cannot put into text and even more that i wont even though i can. After this I took a few days and ultimately ended up in memphis where i am now, but i will leave in about an hour. I have been here since thursday eavening and it has been incredible!! mostly relaxing, but still loads of fun. I have never been treated with such hospitality in my life and it makes me never want to leave, but my feet are itchy and the road has beckoned. Talor and the rest of the Norrid family have treated me so well and i cannot thank them enough. In all my brilliance i have decided it best that i leave today and not think about what i am doing or really where to go, except that i want to jump into the atlantic ocean within a week. A true theme for the last couple years of my life is that i have become progressively irresponsible and loving every minute of it. Where will i sleep tonight? Who knows and better who cares, all i know is that it is now and that sends a shock of excitement through every bone in my body. I lift my glass and make a toast, here is to today, might we all make the most of it,
Cheers.