Day 53: Cease to Begin
I wake up at the Cavallo house to the sound of the wind slamming into the house in 40mph gusts. Art is nice enough to make me breakfast before I shower and head out. The Cavallo's were so cool to hang out with that I am reluctant to leave... but I am slowly learning my lesson about making graceful exits, and not overstaying my welcome. But seriously... the coolest couple...
I get on Hwy 2 to begin the LONG TREK to Glacier National Park (staying on the same road the entire time) but the headwind is still gusting at 40mph and i get knocked off the road 3 times within the first 1/2 mile... so I double back and take shelter at McDonalds.
It's supposed to do this same headwind-garbage all day, so I go get a motel in the center of the city. I would go back to the Cavallo's but I don't want to impose on them more than I already have... I'm sure they would take me in for another night, but again.... i'm trying not to overstay my welcome with people... and the motels in this town are super-cheap.
Well... after checking in to the motel, i realize that it doesn't have Wifi... so I try to check back out... and the proprietor is upset WAY out of proportion. She is so distressed and muttering to herself. I am extremely apologetic... but I've just RUINED her day.
I check into the other motel and pass the amtrak station on the way... Kinda wish I hadn't have seen it. Just for kicks, I check online to see if Glacier has an Amtrak station and it does.... I check the weather for this weekend, and its supposed to be warm... I could take a train to Glacier Park and probably have a beautiful weekend on "Going to the Sun Rd" before it closes on Sunday night. Well... the rest of the day is spent in torment over whether I should do this. After hours and hours of going back and forth on the matter.... I decide to stay the course and just continue on.
Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia premieres tonight. The 2 episodes are pretty solid. I am going to love this season I can tell. I am a bit depressed about Glacier National Park again. But I'm sure i'll get over it pretty quickly. I call Barb Lee in Rugby and tell her that I can't make it today, and that i will be coming into town tomorrow... she has arranged a hotel room for me... so unexpected and amazing. Tomorrow should be a good day... Also Barb Lee is the first person in North Dakota to reassure me that the cold weather will pass... Makes me feel great. I would give just about anything to be able to wear shorts again.
I didn't get much accomplished today... but when i stepped outside tonight to pick up a soda... the sky, the weather, and the wind made for a pretty extraordinary sight... Its hard to explain, but North Dakota is a very lonely place. The expanse and the wind only compound the sparsity. It's an interesting place to be at.
2 comments:
I watched Sunny in Philadelphia last night, too. And I even told Lance that the comedy reminded me of you. I am happy to hear that I still "get" my little brother. Seriously, most tv shows have the WORST writing. You should really think about writing your own show...
Good luck with the whole glacier thing. I am taking the kids swimming this morning-- I'd give anything for a little cold weather!
Your trip across my state makes me think about all the people who settled here 150 years ago. Imagine how it was to walk next to a covered wagon across the country with the cold, lonely wind whipping across the plains and not having any WalMarts or McDonald's or motels or couch surfing. Reading about how you perceive the size and space and the weather makes me feel respect for what you are doing and what the pioneers did. It's been a long time since I have thought about how my family got to this very lonely place. Thanks for the reminder.
Stay warm and good luck...
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