A Pile of Metal

By now you are probably well aware that American Automobiles practically run in our veins. Up until now, we have been fortunate to act as we don't have any responsibilities. Yet as time keeps advancing, we find ourselves needing to invest and prepare ourselves in our kids future. In no way am I placing blame on my kids for needing to depart with my hobbies because at the end of the day, a car is simply a pile of metal that is neatly arranged. However, it's interesting how a pile of metal can just about become an extension of our family. Seven years ago we purchase our 1979 Cherokee Chief as newly weds and it has been a blast owning that car. We have visited Seattle, Portland, Bend, Astoria, Wallowa Lake and even camped in the car on couple occasions. Let's be honest, miles-per-gallon was not a priority when we purchased it. The Chief is a great example that driving should not be about making good time but having a good time.

A couple of years ago we factory ordered a 2014 Jeep Patriot Sport. It too has been a great car that has gone above and beyond our expectations. We have visited my hometown of Venice, Yosemite National Park and it has displayed amazing traction control when driven on the sandy coast of Long Beach, WA. Not only has it provide us with ample ground clearance on multiple gravel roads, but also the peace of my mind that it would get us to our destination and back home. Yet we bought these cars knowing that one day we will have to depart and head our own separates way. So I wipe that single tear and sit here pondering what other pile of metals will cross our path in our journey of life. Who knows? Perhaps a minivan?... Aaahh, nope.

7th Anniversary: Long Beach, WA

Each year Traci and I make an effort to get out of town and celebrate our anniversary. Since we had seen Ben's excitement when we visited Venice Beach last Christmas, it was decided to make a trip to the coast. We got on the road once Traci got home from work on Friday and drove until we reached the small town of Boardman along the freeway. There in Boardman, we fueled up the car and also nmade a quick pit stop for Ben. We cut Ben lose at a park nearby to release his stored up energy and found out that it was a water park; that meant the fun had just begun. Ben had a great time getting wet and stomping on the jet's of water shooting from the ground and we had a good laugh. Our unexpected stop had turned into a hilarious good time, yet after all, the goal of the trip was to have fun and so far... so good.

Coincidentally our anniversary weekend paired up with the local car show. There were over 800 cars registered and that didn't include the cars driving up down the peninsula. We were amazed at how many 'Cudas, Hellcats and Challengers we saw; a great treat for any Mopar enthusiast. Interestingly a huge number just drove up and down the peninsula and the locals took a seat by the road to watch them drive by. An alternate way of seeing cars and not lose any calories I suppose.

Our Anniversary fell on Sunday so we made an effort to make the most of it. We drove on the beach to begin our day and headed down to Astoria were we saw one lonely elk grazing along the road. Ben fell asleep during the drive so we adjusted our plans accordingly and instead played around the old St. Mary Church along hwy 101. It's always fascinating to read how huge of an impact the white settlers had on the Native Americans and how resourceful the natives had become in creating shelters, hunting or surviving the seasons. There is a plethora of historical information around the church but Ben was not having any of it. The canoes had to be explored, the pathway had to be examined and to keep the canoe afloat, the Frisbee had to be thrown overboard. It's moments like these that I am happy to see that an anniversary doesn't translate to a vacation from him. Or as Traci says, "It's just me and the boys." But anyhow, after playing around the church and having a late brunch with the family, we proceeded to the beach to build sand castles. I'm not sure where his fascination of destroying the castle came from but he couldn't get enough of it. The dump truck came in handy as it was essential to relocated sand around the beach. To end the day, we visited the town of Seaside where Ben enjoyed riding in a carousel and Traci's cousin treated us to a Mexican restaurant for supper. We had great weather through out the day and questioned why we didn't live closer to the beach.

We began our journey back home early on Monday morning since it would likely take us the whole day. We began by driving several miles down the beach and letting Ben jump in the water once last time before saying goodbye to the beach. He was excited to spend the entire day at the beach and finally had to promise him ice cream to divert his attention to leave the beach yet he fell asleep once we got back in the car. Anyhow, we traveled a bit on either side the of the Columbia river and eventually crossed the river 5 times. We even caught a ferry to cross the river! Quite exciting. We took the opportunity to stop by Bonnevile Dam to see the Chinook Salmon swim up river and that really got Ben all stirred up. Not to mention that he also got to see a few long BNSF trains zoom down the gorge. Once again we milked a 6 hour trip to a 11 hours because after all, what's the big rush? I'm spending time with two pretty neat individuals.

So after seven years I wonder when will I get tired of spending time with Traci and begin acting like a 44 year old married couple. Personally, I'm not too excited of the term "wife." After all, it's ridiculously easy to sign a marriage certificate and both partners don't even have to like each other. Why is it that we can laugh at the term, "Ball and Chain?" No seriously? But in reality, my best friend 7 years ago was Traci and the one I desired to make happy above my own happiness. She is considerate, loyal, patient, rarely complains, thoughtful, attentive, respectful, loving, kind, trustworthy, and the list goes on. Yet even if one day I lose her personality traits to Alzheimer or Dementia, she will still be the one I long to make happy. She is my best friend and far more than I deserve.

Christmas 2014

I sit here thinking that the list of chores will never end. Ben is currently taking a nap and therefore my opportunity to get several things done around the house. But today is different. Today I will sit down, update my blog and finally post the pictures from our Christmas trip to California. So for once, the chores will have to wait.

Christmas was one huge exhausting trip with plenty of driving mixed with fun in the sun. Traci had to work on Christmas Eve so we got a late start on our 16 hour road trip. We took the Pendleton route to I-84 for a change of scenery and began our vacation with plenty of snow although fortunately that was the only snow we encountered. We spent Christmas Eve at the Shilo Inn at Klamath Falls and wish we were surrounded by family rather than being on the road. We got to bed around 1 am and were back on the road at around 6 am. Once again we were reminded of how strange it is to spend Christmas on our own. There was no Christmas Tree, no wrapped gifts, no lights, decorations, music or the smell of mom making a huge feast for the family. However the hotel did have a Christmas Tree beside the main entrance with empty wrapped boxes and since this was Christmas morning, we tucked away a small unwrapped box near the front for Ben to find as he made his way to the car. Last year he was surrounded by a fortress of toys, this year it was just one box with Clifford "The Big Red Dog".

Driving in California reminds me of other occasions when I have said, "I never want to do this again." People will speed, drive recklessly and aggressively simply to celebrate the Holiday. But regardless of our driving adventures, we arrived to Fresno and briefly saw the family before everyone dispersed back to their own homes. Although we spent most of our time at my grandma's, we also had the opportunity to spend two nights in southern California and some quality time at the beach while visiting more family. It felt nostalgic with a certain level of satisfaction to arrive back with my son and wife to the beach where I spent countless hours as a kid. Somehow there's something about the beach that makes me feel at ease. Venice undoubtedly has the best weather all year round with it's light breeze during summer days and warm winters. But anyhow, it had been 19 years since my grandma had been to the beach and my uncle was determined that she would see the beach once again. Apparently the cities along the coast have special wheel chairs for traversing the sand and they actually work quite well. It's pretty impressive I must say.

Unfortunately I am blanking out most of the trip because it has been 4 months. I do recall spending just about every day attempting to visit various family members since who knows when we will be down there again. We were exhausted by the time arrived back home yet once again, we had a great time. We got to see Sutter Buttes (The worlds smallest mountain range) from a distance, Ben got play with a Labrador on Christmas morning and I even got a chance to visit the small elementary school where I began my scholastic years. It was great to see the family and I only wish I could have spent more time with them. It's interesting how I never stop missing them, it's simply that seeing them reminds me how much I miss them.