Or perhaps the queens went to see... Mom kept saying she wanted to see jackson Hole and I told her she was welcome to come along. Her face twisted and her voice was sharp when she said, "I am not going on a car trip with two gay bachelors!" I laughed and told her I'd take the gay license plates off so no one would know and chuckled to myself as she tried to explain and apologize her way out of what she said. The trip to Jackson Hole was so much fun. I have always lived my life with too much to get done with the amount of time and money I have. I measure success in the list of visually completed tasks and have never given myself time to smeall the roses. We took the trip for the sole purpose of being together. Peter has always flown and rented cars for short trips. Last year when snow shut down airports up and down the West coast we rented a car and drove the coast line to San Jose, trip to get our rooms at Yosemite and then drove to Orange county to fly home. We stopped at every roadside attraction and tried every fast food stop for fun and camparisons. It was great fun and since then we spend more time in the car. We've gone down the Oregon Coast since then. I drive and although Peter prefers a stiffer ride he likes the room and being a passenger. We left Seattle on the 14th and drove on Interstae 90 to Dillon Montana with stops along the way. The next day we back tracked (unheard of in my prior incarnation) to Butte, Lewis and Clark Caves, Virginia City, Nevada City, Yellowstone and on to the Grand Lodge at the Tetons. The next day our boat trip on Jenny Lake was cancelled because the Lake was still fozen so we hiked around in the melting snow, slush, muck and water, visiting with Moose, and other smaller fur covered varmits. I questioned whether I'd make it and wondered how in the world they rescue the old and infirm in such a remote area. The rest of the trip took a severe weather turn and we had hail, rain, thunder, lightening, snow and excitement. Back to Yellowstone to see the Jackson Reservoir, every wide spot in the road and the afternoon in Jackson Hole. Boy does this man love to shop and who am I to limit his joy. We left Jackson Hole and headed on to Craters of the Moon, Ketchum, Sun Valley and a drive through the Sawtooth Mountains and a late slide into Boise. Not one cross word, pure joy in being together, no time line, no expectations and I just when I think it can't get better it does. I think it isn't possible to love someone more and then I do. The hardest part of traveling together is the cold turkey separation the first night home. I have an Uncle who lives in Enterprise Oregon near Lake Wallowa and Jospeh. He is in treatment for cancer and I stopped to give him the handbook I have put together in my journey with Oncology. Through LaGrande, Pendleton and on to Prosser where my most favorite Aunt in the World Lives. She has developed extreme scoliosis in the past year and is walking crooked. Tests are done and she sees a specialist on Friday. Tons of good food and cards until 1:00 am and then a short sleep before heading on to Ellensburg. While we were gone dad had gone to emergency with severe pain in his side and test show a blockage. The short treatment is pain meds and laxatives and more tests to come. Mom has had her Namenda increased and is adding Airecept back into the mix. I don't know if it was a one time fluke or signs of change but she was much less combative and easier to talk with. I have always expected dad would stroke out or have a heart attack given his temperament and medical history. I am opening my mind to enormous task of providing home health care for two, 11 miles from the small town where they live and what it would be like if dad couldn't drive. My aunt is widowed and also lives on a farm working as hard as she did when she was 20. It appears I can have a position of care director for as long as choose. Peter is back to warp speed with care for his father as the onslaught of relatives come to pay homage to his father. I am grateful for love that sustains, nourishes equally and is willing to share. It was 2,426 miles of pure pleasure providing lots of memories for self nurture when asnswering the same question for the 19th time makes me a little crazy. I am so very blessed. (My oldest borhter is talking, my uncle is heavy set guy in the middle with a white shirt and hat and my aunt at the far right.)
