I'm back from Spokane, where I spent the weekend seeing friends (who all seem to be moving...it's that time of year/life, I suppose). My friends Alyssa and Bryan, who got married in June, had a big reception yesterday, so that was a main reason for my trip.
All in all, it was a lovely, relaxing, thoughtful weekend. Good conversations with friends; a lot of laughter and play. I feel utterly content.
Interestingly enough, I only took photos during my drives. While I was there, my camera sat untended. Sometimes photographs aren't needed. Eyes are good enough.
Driving there on Friday and back home today, I soaked in the views: wheatfields, falling-down barns, windmills, other novelties. Because I'm leaving soon, I'm taking more notice of the things I'm sure I will miss.
Things I learned this weekend:
• No. 1 plastic water bottles are my new favorite drumsticks. All you need is one, in fact. And a steering wheel, door frame, dashboard and anything else. And some good classic rock, blues, hip-hop or jazz.
• The word neroli means "oil from an orange blossom."
• You can balance a coin—or a cracker; but I only tried a coin—on your finger while holding your hand out the car window (at higher speeds).
This photo was one of my more dangerous ventures: driving with my knee, balancing the penny on my finger (the "B" on my palm was to remind me that I dropped two rechargeable batteries under the seat when putting fresh ones in my camera), steering around an uphill curve...and taking the photo.
Eight days of work left. I have too many thoughts right now to filter them down to anything. I'm all doped up on anticipation.
That's great shot of the windmill. Really cool balance of colors. It's funny how driving Washington freeways so often, I forget that there are still some really great things to see along the way.
I hope you can do a better job keeping at least one hand on the wheel as you start touring the country next month...
Posted by: Keith | 2005.08.22 at 04:31 PM