Doghouse

Roadtrip!

Tabitha Gentry drives the Macman to Seattle saturday afternoon.










I could have flown into Seattle on Saturday and rented a room at the Marriot and been done with it. But I felt I was supposed to go via Portland and visit with Tabitha and Jon.

I am so glad I did.

Jon was away rafting, so Tabs and I went for a walk and had breakfast and talked for a good long while. I was constantly surprised by the heat.

The section of Portland we were in is the Southeast quadrant. The four major quadrants of Portland are cross-sectioned by the Willamette River and Burnside Ave (I think...I was kinda more interested in finding breakfast). A fifth "quadrant is to the Northwest and is suburban.

Portland is largely NOT suburban. In fact, it reminded my of a much larger and rich downtown Sacramento. The variance of architecture and style is from the same period, and both are "river" cities.

later, after I packed (slowly) we drove 3.5 hours to Seattle. Other than a half-hour nap, I spent a lot of time learning about new music from a true musicologist. Local bands, not-so-local bands.stories behind the lyrics. Almost like watching a baseball game we would sometimes focus on a song and be silent, or we might meander around a topic.

What is it like to meet someone you have never met face to face and go on a Road Trip?

It's fun and easy...but only because you have corresponded for a year. There is an easy trust that develops in that time, so when you meet it is like old friends...because it is.

Our age differecne (I am old enough to be her father) was probably not a problem because I am use to seeing people like my sister Megan (26) and my sons Sean and Thomas (23 and 22) as peers.

The fact I am a big kid and fairly culturally adept is also helpful.

When we got to Seattle I had to get changed into my monkey suit, have a few drinks and settle down. I had not seen either John Paul or Mark for at least 13 years (Mark would correct me later).

I had come a long way (elapsed time at that point 23 hours with maybe 5 hours sleep).

Tabs left me off near the boat and went off to have dinner and hang with her friend Leif Erik and eat Italian food (I hear Spongebob saying "Happy Leif Erikson Day!).

I recognized the Seattle Marina from my many trips in the late 90s.

Beautiful. Perfect place for a wedding and to see two old friends at their best.

posted by Obi-Mac BakDon @ 8:42 AM