As I mentioned in my previous update, between an accumulation of both work and personal issues, I had gotten pretty stressed out by mid-June and was planning to take some time off. Unfortunately, with no one to help out, I couldn't really completely walk away from work for any extended time. The best I'd be able to do would have to be a short pseudo-vacation. I'd taken a quick day trip to Missoula on the 18th, and it had really whet my appetite for the whole idea of getting away. I decided now was as good a time as any to do it.
With a limited budget, I decided to keep it simple -- just get in the car and drive. I did however still need to do my best to strategize pit stops with decent internet connectivity, so I could still attend to my business responsibilities along the way. With most of my best friends located to the east of me, I decided to focus in that direction. I did the planning on Sunday night, June 19th -- that's when my friends and I began referring to the trip as my “Walkabout“. The longest I could be gone was was just over a week -- until the next Tuesday, June 28th. I ended up spending until the wee hours of Tuesday morning closing up pending projects, and getting packed up. After that, I was ready to go.
Day One (Tuesday, June 21)
Things got off to a rocky start early that afternoon. Shortly after hitting the freeway, my car began to spontaneously cut out. It acted like momentary vapor lock, but it wasn't particularly hot outside, and the engine temperature was normal. After the third or fourth time this happened, I'd become pretty paranoid about the prospect of my old car completing the 1,500+ miles I'd planned on traveling. During planning I'd been concerned about taking my car and actually contemplated taking a rental, so it wasn't a big leap for me to simply turn around at Ritzville and head straight to the rental car counter at the Spokane airport. Problem solved.
Back on track behind the wheel of a new Camry (via Hertz), I again left Spokane heading south through the Tri-Cities and Pendleton, Oregon, before stopping the first night in Ontario, Oregon. The only photos I'd ended up taking along the way were of the storm I encountered shortly aifter I left. Unfortunately the most interesting scenery I encountered that day was after dark. It probably wouldn't have made too much difference anyway since I was so distracted by the issues that led me to take the trip in the first place. I did however get lots of high-quality thinking done.
Day Two (Wednesday, June 22)
The second day I went from Ontario to Bliss, Idaho, before veering northwest toward Arco. On that leg of the trip I stopped at Craters of the Moon National Monument. Although I'd only intended on staying briefly, it was so fascinating I ended up spending nearly three hours there. The only downside to that afternoon excursion was the weather turning sour. It made for wet and windy walks, and also made for bad lighting for pictures. I actually would have spent more time there, but I was concerned about finding broadband internet access that night. The only place I could find with any decent connectivity along the route I wanted to take, was in Salmon, Idaho. Unfortunately it wasn't at a hotel however. Instead it was at a restaurant, so I'd need to get there before they closed. 10:00 pm to be specific.
The drive from Arco to Salmon was fantastic, and the weather cleared along the way. My only regret was that I couldn't take the time to stop more frequently. The photos I took along the way weren't representative of the true beauty I witnessed as sunset neared.
I finally arrived in Salmon at 9:45 pm and headed straight to Bertram's Brewery -- the only public wifi access point in town. I figured I'd only have time to quickly publish the CADire.net newsletter before getting booted out, but fortunately the good folks there were kind enough to allow me to take my time, eat my dinner, and work well after closing time while they cleaned up and locked up. Good food. Great people. Excellent connectivity. Check 'em out if you're ever in Salmon.
Overall it was a great day. Visiting places like Craters of the Moon and Salmon left me filled with fond memories of childhood trips and quality family time. The day would have been perfect if I hadn't had to end it in a mad rush of work.
Day Three (Thursday, June 23)
On to Montana. The plan was to eventually end up in Butte that night to spend a few days with my buddy Vlad. The first leg was a steep and windy climb to the beautiful Lost Trail Summit at the Idaho/Montana border. A great way to start a day. From there I headed east on Highway 43 through the Big Hole River Valley, past the Big Hole National Battlefield to Wisdom. Since it was still early in the day, I decided to made a quick detour north on Highway 274 to run an errand in Anaconda. Since I hadn't gotten enough of driving along the Big Hole River, and it was still early enough, I decided to back-track to 43 and then continued on east through Wise River, and on to I-15 North to I-90 and Butte. I got in just in time for Vlad and I to hit the newly reopened M&M Bar for dinner. Maybe now the real relaxation could start.
Day Four (Friday, June 24)
This day was intentionally as uneventful as possible. I just slept in and hung out at Vlad's house with his dog Ariel. After catching up on some work that afternoon, Vlad and I went out for pizza, then just lounged around and watched DVDs. It wasn't much of a day for deep contemplation, but it was the most relaxing day of the trip so far.
Day Five (Saturday, June 25)
After an early lunch at Pork Chop John's, I felt like driving some more, so I left for a quick afternoon side trip. I headed south along an assortment of two-lane highways through Twin Bridges, Virginia City, Ennis, and eventually east to Bozeman, with a variety of pit stops, both long and short, along the way.
After leaving Bozeman, I took I-90 over Homestake Pass back to Butte. That evening Vlad took me on a guided tour of some scenic back roads north of Butte beyond the Berkley Pit. I'd never been up there before and was impressed by the many beautiful views we encountered. It was a nice cap to a day filled with beautiful scenery, wildlife, history, memories, friendship, discovery, rediscovery, and more importantly, no work. I'm not sure if I even checked my email that night.
Day Six (Sunday, June 26)
Once again, I had no plans for what was to be my last full day in Butte. I ended up exploring some of the less-traveled parts of the city and surrounding areas. My only significant accomplishment was picking up a couple of copper trinkets at one of the remaining copper shops in town. The highlight of the day came that evening when I enjoyed a fantastic dinner with Vlad, his dad, and younger brother at the incomparable Barclay II Supper Club in Anaconda. And get this, it even included an unexpected celebrity sighting! Just after we ordered, the one and only Evel Knievel showed up with an entourage for dinner. Good food, good friends, and a celebrity. You can't put a price tag on a night like that!
Day Seven (Monday, June 27)
I awoke Monday morning surprised to find Ariel at the foot of the bed to greet me. Evidently she joined me after Vlad left for work that morning. Considering that she doesn't get around so well these days, it was a chore for her to get downstairs. I spent some quiet time sitting with her before packing.
Before leaving Butte I met Vlad for an early lunch. We had a couple of “Wop Chops” at the Freeway Tavern (the best pork chop sandwich in Butte BTW), and then stopped in to check out the new Visitor Center before Vlad headed back to work. The only thing left for me to do was to pick up some pasties for me and my family back in Spokane. (Hey, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do) After picking up a cheap cooler and some ice, I stopped by Joe's Pasty Shop. With my to-do list now complete, I was finally off to Missoula to see my buddy Matt and his family.
It was a beautiful day for driving. Clear, but not too hot. Since this was the next to last day of the Walkabout, I took the most direct route along I-90 so I could spend as much of the short time I had left in Missoula.
I got into Missoula just in time to go out to dinner with Matt and his daughter Emma. Unfortunately Matt's wife Sheila was out of town working. Following a nice Chinese buffet, we just ended up spending the night watching DVDs, hanging out, and getting caught up. Another relaxing night of smiles with good people.
Day Eight - The Last Day (Tuesday, June 27)
I woke up feeling a bit anxious knowing that the next time I'd be going to bed, it would be back in Spokane. Just when I was really starting to get into the trip mentally, it would be coming to an end. Life's a ***. Feel free to quote me on that.
As has been the case nearly anytime I visit the Softich household, I was once again the last one up that day, and Emma was anxious to get going. After an enjoyable breakfast, we headed to the coolest store on the planet, Rockin' Rudy's. Rudy's is a huge, eclectic store selling music, clothes, collectibles, jewelry, cards, posters, and much, much more. If it's cool, Rockin' Rudy's sells it. Matt's brother Luke works there too. It's always nice seeing him as well. I had budgeted $100 for my stop there, but I somehow I considered it a victory coming away with only about a $150 dent in my debit card.
While shopping, I saw a new album by one of Heaven's favorite groups, CKY, and ended up getting it for her. I figured I could just swing by her mom's place on my way back to drop it off for her. Coincidently I could satisfy my curiosity about how she was doing living with her mother.
I needed to hit the road again early that afternoon, so we didn't really have time for much more that day. Time to reluctantly bid farewell.
I should take a second here to address a minor issue. You may have noticed that my photo gallery for the trip contains no photos beyond the time I left Butte. My cell phone had begun acting up slightly before my trip, but especially on the last day of the Walkabout, it seemed to begin deteriorating very quickly, before ultimately failing completely sometime that day. None of the photos I took on my camera phone after leaving Butte ended up being salvageable. Sorry.
Although leaving was a bummer, getting back on the road was a pleasure. Listening to my new Soundtrack to FM and AC/DC's Back in Black, the drive was passing far too quickly. Before I knew it, I was approaching the St. Regis exit. I stopped for a milk shake, and decided to turn down the tunes, and savor the rest of my remaining time on the road.
Driving over Lookout Pass was especially nice that day. The weather had begun to turn sour, presenting a rare opportunity to drive through the clouds as I crested the summit. This stretch of the drive was especially purgative and gave me plenty of opportunity to reflect on what I'd learned about myself during the previous week behind the wheel. I'd restored my confidence and direction regarding my professional issues, and come to terms with the twists and turns my personal life had taken.
A few of my conclusions...
- I need to drive more. I don't mean the 30 minute round-trip to the store kinda drive. I mean the window down, arm out, sunglasses on, hair blowin', two-lane highway kinda drive. It's especially therapeutic for me, and I do far too little of it. Chalk up one in the negative column for working at home.
- I need to spend less time working, and more time with family and friends. No a big revelation here, just a resounding reaffirmation. I'm getting too old to ignore this reality. Too much of the really good parts of life are passing me by.
- My professional situation must change -- quickly. It consumes too much of me. It's not moving me forward, and it's no longer satisfying. What do I have to lose by making changes? Nothing. What do I have to gain? Everything.
- Lastly, I reaffirmed that I can not help anyone that doesn't want to be helped -- no matter how old, or how young they are. Again, no big revelation here. After all, knowing that is what led me to send Heaven back to her mom in the first place. Unfortunately that knowledge didn't prepare me for the level of guilt I felt in doing it. Reaffirmation did however help to reassure me that I did in fact do the right thing.
I'll save some of my more specific conclusions for more specific audiences.
Overall, I considered Walkabout 2005 a huge success.
So, there I was less than a couple hours from the end of my trip, and I was feeling like everything was back on track. Boy, was I ever wrong.
It was early evening as I passed through Spirit Lake on my way to Heaven's place about ten miles north. I finally pulled in the driveway just after 6:00 pm. I figured I'd just say hi, drop off the CD, and be back on the road 20 minutes later. I headed to the door and knocked a few times. Im retrospect, I really should have braced myself. Unfortunately, I really didn't see it coming. Sure enough, Heaven's mom was home. The problem was, Heaven wasn't. Worse yet, her mom had no idea where she was!
So much for getting my head straight...
According to her mom, Heaven had gotten a ride back to to Spokane the previous Thursday to visit one of her friends. She was supposed to come back on Saturday, but never showed up. Now in case you've lost track, it was now Tuesday. That's five and a half days! Did I mention that Heaven is just 15?? Her mom simply had no idea where she was. All I could think about were that my fears about her running away had come true. She'd only made it 8 days with her mom, and had now been gone for the past five nights. For now I won't get into issues like notifying authorities, or even making simple phone inquiries weren't done. I'll save that for another time. But suffice to say, at that point, the primary thing on my mind that night was, where was Heaven?
To be continued...