The Trip to Alpine, Helen.

Day 1 Friday...November 2nd.

Woke up a bit early to take a bath and get the gear downstairs into the car without waking the kids. We had planned to surprise them with our trip, telling them at the last minute when they were quietly hurled into the car. I don't know why we thought that would work because the car was packed so full with stuff it leaked. There was hardly any sitting for a 6th wheel if there was to be any.

Kids found out soon. Dad told them, they didn't seem too excited, which surprised me but they came around and it was fun seeing their little faces light up. I warned them I didn't warn to be beseiged with, Are we there yet questions during the journey. They promised. Thank God the journey was to last for only an hour and a half.

Stopped by my bro-in-law's office, my sister opted to drive. Safe too. He squared me some money, which totally threw me off guard. He never does that. Stopped for gas station cappuchino, it was soo yummy I swore not to trouble myself with Starbucks again after that. Tried to sleep, couldn't, read my stored away book, This time last year, which appropriately told the story of a guy who had escaped to his cabin in the woods to gain some privacy and consort adequately with his creative energies as he wrote his book.
I chuckled at the coincidence.

Arrived at 1:15. The cabin was buried deeper into the woods than we had imagined or seen on the Net, sister was shocked they had camouflaged it so well. The roads looked paved to her on the Net, here they were flagged with trees, and carpeted with branches, twigs, leaves, and God knows what else. It was Alpine Ridge, or Pine Ridge, I am not so sure now...I fail to remember some important details when it matters.

We passed the town on our way, half empty, designed after an old German town in the 1920's, with buildings named Gesellschaft and Frankfurt, etc. It was very eye candy and historical for me, because I have never been to Germany so I was left to use my imagination. It looked like a page out of Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel or some old fairytale, I waited to see the little people come out of the stores, but instead I saw normal people, I can't say I wasn't disappointed though. I didn't take any pictures of the historical buildings too, bad of me.

Bees and other insect families greeted us warmly on our arrival. They were probably about as happy to see us as we were disappointed with our dwellings. Unpacked the gear. Some folks chose to ask stupid questions and got meted out stupid answers. Couldn't tell how irritated they were, didn't care too.

Picked rooms. There were only two equally sized rooms, so there weren't that many choices to choose from. It had a small kitchen facing the living room, a couch and a rocking chair by the fireplace. True coziness. I sort of miss that coziness, reminds me of British lodgings, everything tight and warm, builds for profound amity within the home. Not sure if it's good for a family of our size though. Left the room quickly, bro-in-law said it smelled stale. So much for cozy, I guess.

Ate lunch at Mamia's Kitchenand restaurant, gravy and very warm mashed potatoes, fried catfish, vegetables, cold biscuit, I liked it. Bought one-time use camera at dollar store. This trip is turning out to be quite spontaneous. Went to play miniature golf, I didn't. Sat with Douglas Hobbie all afternoon, as the sun began to peak, my family competing against each other, found out the game is as boring as it looks. The insects fought to break my concentration but I fought back. Had delicious, deserved icecream after, quite watered, I got the hang of the taste after the first couple of scoops.

Went to local grocers, Betty's for breakfast and dinner ingredients, it had the best Deli food this side of the state. Wanted to barbecue whilst blasting Michael Jackson's Invincible. It was good energy music, not intended for relaxation though, but who wanted to relax whilst grilling process was occuring.

Ate at a little after 9. Surprised the kids were still awake.

Argued at night over what else but my "unhirable" state, and the state of the country, parts of its laws that irks me and surprise, surprise does not irk them. Found out one distinguishable fact: people act like they have been through whatever turmoil you're going through, and that they can understand and sympathize easily, when in fact they don't, they can't. The only one who can see you or feel your pain as deep and hurt as much as you do is no other than yourself. So don't say to me, I know what you're going through, I have been through worse, because you do not know, to what extent, and the range to which it hurts, just like I cannot know yours. Only can I feel the pain, only I..

I went to bed with that thought. Tried to watch a movie but we were all far spent so we crashed at a little after 1 am.


To be continued tomorrow...