Indio, CA
Update on the pages: the WordPress assistant fixed the text for me.
Kari and Rick left early to set up for the craft fair at the Spring Garden & Butterfly Festival at Cuyamaca College. (Come to think of it, I never saw any butterflies). I packed and rearranged the car for my return trip and headed to the Cuyamaca campus, about 10 minutes from Kari and Rick’s house.
Kari’s booth is impressive and very thoughtfully presented. The craft fair was busy, and I bought a few more gifts to bring home. There are two very avid readers on my gift list, and they’ll get a fun present to unwrap when I get home. I found a handmade bowl for Thomas and Bailee – a snack bowl (as in Mahjong snacks). The head of the ceramics department at nearby Grossmont College was there with some of his students. I talked with one of Kari’s customers who was really impressed with the amount of white space Kari leaves in her pebble art – that’s right, and something I had not thought about.
The drive to the desert was close to 3 hours, and John told me to take the scenic route via roads 371 and 74. This route twists and turns and includes amazing views of rocks, canyons, and mountains. I want to know more about these rocks that are so common across the Southwest – I imagine they were deposited by glaciers millions of years ago. I wish I knew more about geography and geology. Along the way there’s a small sign for the Navy SERE training facility. This is where Benjamin learned survival, evasion, resistance, and escape techniques in case he ever gets captured. When he took this training, I remember he said all his camping experiences with the Scouts helped him.
And I’m glad I had such a beautiful drive today – the 3rd anniversary of John’s death. It dawned on me today that I have gone several days now without the daily reliving of that awful day. And that progress gives me hope that I might also quit reliving the day of Krisi’s death too. That dreadful night when we didn’t know where Krisi was – I picture Lilly standing at the front door; Richie, Thomas, Bailee, and I sitting on the sofa trying to think of what could have happened to Krisi. Krisi’s BFF Lynn coming by and joining our anxious, bewildered group. Krisi’s long-time coworker Michelle coming later, having driven all around the area on the off chance she would spot Krisi or her car. Pastor Eric arriving. And, all the while, Lilly never leaving her post at front door until the coroner arrived around 1:00am.
We tried to sleep, knowing that the next day would begin with making phone calls and plans. I was on the sofa, and I’m glad I had my audiobook to listen to. I dozed a little bit and was woken up by a large hand squeezing my shoulder. This hand felt beefy and muscular. It just didn’t feel like Richie and I didn’t hear anything. I opened my eyes and there was no one there.
The book I’m reading now deals with family trauma, the the main character’s therapist says, ” people often do instinctively what is needed to heal.” Could this cross-country journey bring me a portion of happiness and hope again? And to all of us – Krisi’s family and friends?
I arrived in Indio (near Palm Desert) around 4:00 and to John and Nanette’s lovely comfortable home. (I’m in the guest suite!) It was 99o – remember it’s a dry heat. John gave me a tour of the area on his golf cart, and no need to worry about crossing busy Fred Waring Drive to get to the course. There’s a tunnel under the road for golf carts only. Again, I thought of how much my grandchildren would enjoy playing and yelling in this tunnel. We weren’t able to go into the club house (there’s a library!) because of a wedding today. We saw the bride on the lawn having pictures made.
We had a delicious dinner of beef ragout served on wide egg noodles with a salad. Then, margaritas by the little spool – what’s that, you wonder? It’s a combination of spa and pool into which Nanette and John jump after their morning golf game. John and I shared memories of Grandmama (Nana to John) – especially meals, sewing, and her white Mustang with red interior. John’s dad had the same model here in California with a blue interior. More to come about our conversation. I’m so looking forward to hearing John preach at Trinity Lutheran Church tomorrow morning, then I’ll head to Hoover Dam in Nevada.
Road trip book recommendation: The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley.
Kelly's SC to CA Road Trip 