06.28.06

Safe in Portland

Posted in Uncategorized, Road tripping at 11:03 am by Athena

I made it in to Portland at 3:30 am.  What was supposed to be an 8 hour trip took 16.5 hours and I think, 15 is my safe driving limit.  I’d decided to sleep in Mary’s driveway, because I was so tired I couldn’t seem to muster the energy to put my shoe on and walk to the door.  I thought I’d just lean over and sleep, but as I pulled up Mary’s car light was on, so I went in to get her keys and since I was already up managed to drag my ass to the futon.  Which was great until G got up at 6:30.

The drive was amazing.  So totally worth the lateness and exhaustion. I’m so relieved I decided to stay at a hotel rather than drive through San Francisco at night.  Unbeknownst to me, there’s a toll to enter the city on the bridges.  $3. Not bad but caused a moment of panic as I tried to remember how much cash I had.  The toll booth lady didn’t look like she would appreciate a handful of pennies or the question, “Do you take checks?”.

San Francisco is adorable.  I could just squish it, it’s so cute.  I drove over the Golden Gate Bridge which was an adventure in driving with tourists who’ve never driven in fog.  Most of the bridge was shrouded in fog which coated the windshield with a fine mist.  I stopped at the lookout for a few pics, (I’ll post later) and one of my fresh mangoes.  Was it Bliss? I don’t know, but it felt damn good!

The 101 North from there on was a convoluted path of alternately scenic views and freeway under construction.  I’d lost so much time in San Francisco by taking the downtown route I tried to make it up – earning myself my first ever speeding ticket.  76 in a 65pmh zone, luckily it was before the official construction zone. 

Once I entered Redwood territory, my average speed dropped again because of all the fun touristy things to do.  I drove through the Redwoods, literally.  I’ll post pics of the tree I passed through.  I stopped to shoot video several times, and even went to a few gift shops.  Ever now and then I’d take a scenic route that would meet up with the 101 again.  Each time I’d take a detour I’d tell myself, “This is the last one.  I’m so far behind.” Inevitably, there’d be another.  I mean, really, how often am I going to get a chance to really explore?

Despite being so far behind schedule, I stopped on the beach and watched the sunset (pictures later).  It was a fabulous moment of respite from all the moving, all the thinking, and worrying.  After that I knew it was down to the business of driving.  Nothing much to see after dark.  So I picked up a gas station coffee (sour and old) and blasted the tunes till I got to Mary’s.

I made it to my ortho appointment at 9am.  I was in fact 2 minutes early.  Yes, 2 minutes.  After being late by hours all day – I, Athena, was 2 minutes early. Ta-Da!

Anyway, as I sat there and they talked about the gap I would have in the side of my smile if I stopped now, I realized – I’ve already made it 3 and a half years.  If I don’t push through a little longer, and my teeth aren’t the way I really want them… I’ll be really pissed at myself.  So I pushed the debanding back another 6 weeks.  I’m bummed, but also a little proud of myself.  I’ll be going to my 10 year reunion with braces in 10 days.  I feel so cool.

I’ll be in Portland till Saturday morning at which time I’m off to Seattle for a few days where I’ll school Jeffy in the art of Halo.  In the meantime I’ll be running errands, catching up with my peeps and updating my blog.  See ya around!

Toodles

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