Dreams, Advise and Moving on Down the Road

I had one of the best night sleeps I have had in awhile. I think it had to do with the western pattern quilt on the bed and the authenticity of the hotel. I did kind of feel like it was a step back in time. The hotel is 99 years old, with old western paintings by local artists, western furniture made out of tree trunks or limbs and really need door plates, lamps and chandeliers. Loved the place.

The only thing I could not figure out was the dream I was having when I woke up. I was trying to get on a train and was trying to jump up on a running rail and grab the handle of the engine. I could read all kinds of control or being left behind issues into it…..but it was a dream. I kept thinking of all of the advice I get from people that I am trying to take to heart. As one friend told me; “don’t spend so much time trying to analyze things”; my sister Cathy says- “does it matter; it is what it is” and another friend tells me to stop worrying whether things are right or wrong, good or bad –“ you just do you”. Probably the one that fits the most to this dream though is mom’s advice to ‘be careful’. Maybe that was why I woke up – if I had gotten on the train it probably wouldn’t have been the safest – but I could envision myself in the dream holding on with one hand, leaning back and feeling the wind rush through my hair. (which in the dream was blonde…)

While getting ready to take off, I listened to the TV news and heard that there was snow in the mountains and would be more for the next couple of days. I remember thinking, yeah, right – when Earle Hanlin warned me that I might run into snow in May. Guess he knows more than I give him credit for. Anyway, imagine my surprise when I went to put my suitcase in the car and I had 3 inches of snow on it from overnight. As I was walking to open it, I remembered taking my snow brushes out of the trunk on the last trip to the storage unit. Good move Regina…….but I am not one that is easily daunted. So I took out my rubber flip-flop and used that to sweep the snow off. I did a pretty good job on it too, except for the roof snow which as soon as I got on the road, slid down and blocked the back window. Hey, the view was in the front and sides anyway. Another piece of advice I heard from someone some time – never look back.

I was very awestruck by the scenery during the entire drive. I started stopping every few miles, or tried taking pictures out of the window as I drove, and I finally had to tell myself that this view was going to continue for quite some time and that every view would be just as beautiful. And all this was within the first couple of hours of my morning. Wonder how the rest of the day would go………..I had no agenda, just a general direction to go. But I wasn’t getting very far with my complete awe and appreciation of the views.

One of the things that struck me as I was driving was all the wind turbines (or whatever they call those white towers with the 3 blades) in the fields and all of the cattle. And also, I had to say duh……..that is why in the Midwest we call the ranch homes. That is what you can see as you drive - these flat, spread out houses that are nestled in among the hills and rocks. I honestly never knew why that was the style, even as I have lived in a couple of them. This was one of those terms that I just knew, but had no clue what was beneath or behind the meaning.

In my attempts to stay off the interstates as much as I can, I am seeing what I think is really what the states look like. I could be kidding myself, but I am okay with that. I like thinking I am among the ‘real people’ and not just hitting the parts that have been rubbed smooth by all of the interstate traffic.

I have to admit......I am having the time of my life.