It wouldn't be a road trip without ...

 

A flat tire.

We were leaving Oakland California after a great visit with our good friend Michael and his son Alex. We and our clothes were clean and we were heading off to Sacramento to visit Sara and Yossi and their kids Brenna and Issac. All was tickety boo and we were back on the highway (7 lane highway) when the low pressure light and beeping alerted us to the problem.

Within seconds we heard the sound you do not want to hear, going 55 miles an hour, knowing there were still 7 lanes of trafic to navigate through. Safely off at the next exit, we found a gas station and started the process of changing the tire.

The tire as you can imagine was a mess by that point and a new tire was required to carry on with our trip. Funnily, we had been commenting in each town we have passed through, how many car repair shops there are. It all made sense now! We were organized in no time at a Firestone Tire, with a very nice young man who looked after us with a smile, and assured us he would check all of the other three tires and fluids and we would soon be on our way.

Off we went to find a coffee shop with wifi to debrief. The coffee was great and we were able to thank our lucky stars that we were in the middle of civilization, where tire stores are a dime a dozen and not at the top of some windy mountain highway with no shoulder!

Nothing like a flat tire to ground you and make you realize that you are indeed vulnerable. Back on the road a couple of hours later, with our new AAA membership paid for and activated, tire pressure and fluids checked, we were ready again to take on the world!

Quiet night at Dry Gulch. Wet night at Pinewood campground.

Once I got over thinking the site manager at Dry Gulch may be an ax murderer, I managed to catch some shut-eye. Marc slept soundly. Our plan Tuesday morning was to drive back to Yosemite Valley, for the 8:00 sign up for campsites. We arrived a bit early and managed to be second in line! Translation: although all of the campsites are full, there are always a few cancellations. Being second on the list was a good omen and we felt sure we would not be homeless that night.

In the mean time, we had most of the day to explore with a deadline of 3:00 to be back at the reservation desk to secure our campsite.

Vernal Falls

The Mist trail, aptly named, takes you up, up, up to view two amazing waterfalls, Vernal comes first and then Nevada. On much of the trail you are covered with mist from the powerful falls, which thankfully, works as a cooling mechanism as you sweat your way upward! The trip is about 5.5K each way, and a lot like the Grouse Grind for at least half of the hike up. So it is not an easy walk in the park. We had a great day for it, — moderate temperatures — and clear skies to view the falls.

Nevada Falls

The falls are without a doubt, worth the effort. I pooped out about half an hour from the top of Nevada falls, but my Billy goat husband, made it to the top without any effort. We met at the bottom in enough time to return to the reservation station and secure our campsite at Pinewood campground!

Now here is the irony. For the first time so far this trip, we actually knew where we were sleeping. We put our tent up and cleaned ourselves up in the campsite facilities. We couldn’t believe how organized we were, and so early! And we were quite excited about sleeping in the tent that night! That's where the irony kicks in. Just as we finished all of our preparations, there was a large clap of thunder and the skies opened up and dumped so much water that all of the roads and parking lots and campsites in the entire valley were flooded almost immediately.

We sat in the car for a while, with the rain pounding on the windshield, our tent drenched, then decided to head for Curry Village (Just like Whistler Village, except not at all like Whistler Village. Only two or three restaurants, and one grocery store.). In the middle of the small strip of eateries was a lounge. People were sleeping on couches, working on their computers, drinking beer and eating all sorts of take out food. A sign on one wall said “complimentary dryers across the street at housekeeping”. Many languages could be heard, and several tables of friends were playing cards.

It took us a while to figure it out, but apparently this was a place for all of us drowned rats to hang out until the rain subsided — Yosemite’s Noah’s ark. Marc spied an empty electrical outlet, I ran to the car to fetch my computer. We plugged in all of our electronics and spent the next couple of hours waiting out the storm.

When we arrived back at our campsite, our tent was still there, but a little worse for wear, having been splashed with mud from the downpour. At this point, the car was looking pretty attractive! So even with the best of intentions, our tent has yet to be used. We found ourselves once again Tuesday night tucked in, in our carmotel, happy as clams.

PS: Wednesday morning now. Night passed without incident. Our tent fared well on its own in a beautiful setting. We are now eating breakfast at the Curry Village buffet, which is packed with campers like us ready for a hot meal. The sun is shining and it should be a great day!

Pinewood Campground at dawn, Yosemite Valley

A day in the life of the wandering Broudos

Last night luxury accommodations in Fresno. Tonight luxurious accommodation in our car beside the Merced River!

We are at the moment parked in spot number four of four spots at the end of a one lane road, 20 miles outside of Yosemite National Park. The Merced river is running just below us, and the camp site manager lives in a trailer just above us. It is pitch black outside, but we can hear the river rushing by. The name of the the camp ground is Dry Gulch, but this year, there is water everywhere. Although this site is marked on the Yosemite National Park map, there are no signs on the road anywhere publicizing its whereabouts. We left the park at sunset following the narrow road that was supposed to take us to the last possible campsite within 50 miles that had an opening. We were ready to turn around when the campground sign appeared out of nowhere. The camp manager noticing us from his trailer window limped over with clipboard in hand ...

Sound like the opening paragraph for a murder mystery or the trailer for a horror movie? No, just day three of the Broudo Unplugged tour!

Seriously, this is really happening, but we are thrilled with our accommodation! If you can believe it, this campground has very nice toilets, and wifi!!! But just in case you don't hear from us by next week, Send the cops to Dry Gulch Camp site at the end of El Portal Rd.

PS: Had a bit of a late and rough start in Yosemite. We were not pleased that the possibility of finding a campground or any other accommodation was almost impossible. The first point of interest on our itinerary was already full and we needed to wait for the shuttle. The volunteer at the information centre was less that helpful and we were just a bit frustrated. But the trip to Glacier Point made up for it all.

And we actually have a pretty good plan for the next two nights in the park ... Stay tuned.

Glacier Point and Bridal Vale Falls

Playing catch-up

I wonder if the feeling that the last few days (I seem to be saying this every few days) will ever stop feeling like a blur? I guess that confirms that every day is full of a large number of experiences! I will try to be content with that.

Marc's Itinerary has proven to be flawless so far, and amazingly, we have managed to accomplish almost all of the items on his list for the first two days of the car trip. Believe me, we are both surprised!

Since I am bushed, I have decided today to post photos of the places we have been so far, so that you can have an idea of what we have been up to. The next few days are to be spent in Yosemite National Park and we will not have internet. So enjoy these impressions of our trip so far. It will be a few days before I have a chance to post again.

BTW we had our first bear siting on the first day! He was sitting right in our way on a walking path. Luckily someone saw him before us and alerted us. Proud to say, I wasn't even afraid!

Arrived in LA to visit one of my oldest friends. We stayed at the Beverley Laurel Hotel. We felt like we were in a Hollywood movie circa 1950. Loved the visit and the funky hotel.

Left LA on Friday around noon and arrived in the small town of Three Rivers by night fall. Stayed at the Sequoia Motel and enjoyed dinner and Three Rivers nightlife at one of the local eateries.

The owner of the Sequoia Motel recommended the Bakery down the road for breakfast. Complete success! We had a hearty meal and drove into Sequoia National park.

We spent the first two hours in the park with Ranger Georgia. She told us the history of these amazing giants. We spent the day walking and driving through the park.

One of the highlights of the park was a visit to Crystal Cave. The entrance of the cave is sealled with a gate that looks like a giant spider web! We took a guided tour and enjoyed the beautiful natural wonders.

Yes this photo is completely black. This is what our camp site looked like when we arrived after dark. By the time we finished our last walk in the park and listened to the camp fire talk, it was 9:15. As you can imagine, this is not an ideal time to set up camp. So we decided to set up our SUV as if it was a mobile home. The plan worked very well and we slept soundly inside our Ford Explorer!

This morning we left Sequoia National Park and entered Kings Canyon. The park is also home to giant Sequoia as well as other amazing views and sights. Marc has just walked through a fallen Sequoia!

The views of the Canyon and the gushing waterfalls were awe inspiring. The weather improved just in time for us to appreciate all of the views.

In every direction, new vistas and wildlife.

signing off from Fresno California!

One surprise after another

September 6th part two

Now where was I? Yes, the day was only half done, and I was exhausted. The only keys left in my possession were to our rental car, safety deposit box and our storage locker!

The apartment was empty, but our car was once again full to the rafters with luggage and stuff we might need after the car trip. After a great lunch with Sheila and a trip to Shaw to return phone and Internet equipment, I couldn’t face the drive to Richmond by myself (We would be staying with friends Keith and Lori for two nights). That meant unloading the car myself and I was looking for an excuse to postpone that at all costs.

So here’s the scoop. A week ago, Marc was cc’ed on an email in error. It was from one of his colleagues, sending regrets for his retirement “surprise” party. The email detailed the party time and place and to kindly rsvp and specified that is was a surprise, so don’t mention it to Marc! The party was that afternoon between 4:00 and 6:00. As of that morning, I had not been notified about the party and no one had officially invited Marc or scheduled a meeting of some kind for that time slot. When I called Marc at 3:30, he suggested I come by his office and we would wait to see what happened. Just in case he dressed for the occasion.

Neither of us really knew what was going to happen, but it was the excuse I needed not to drive to Richmond and unload the car! At 4:00 a colleague entered his office and after a casual conversation suggested we walk over to MSAC (where the party was). Marc decided to be coy and asked why? It started to be quite awkward at this point and I suggested we mosey on over to see what was happening.

We entered the courtyard and were met with familiar faces from the last 25 years! I think we were the only one’s that knew that neither of us had been officially invited to Marc’s “Surprise” party, and it really didn’t matter at that point because it was an impressive gathering and we were simply glad to be there (and Marc was quite happy he had on his favourite tie!).

Photos by Joanne Reid

After everyone had a glass of wine in hand, and a selection of the tasty appetizers, the speeches began. Although I managed to get through the stressful first half of the day without a meltdown, the minute Marc’s current boss Karen, began her speech, I was in a puddle of tears. Marc’s first boss, Gordon was next and then it was Marc’s turn to succumb to the emotion of the moment. Many more speeches and tears later, we said our goodbyes to 25 years of service and a very long list of Marc’s accomplishments. I was very touched by so many of the sentiments expressed by his colleagues. But I think the largest compliment bestowed upon him, was his way of doing such innovative and groundbreaking work, quietly and without fanfare. There was a unanimous chorus of “Who will we ask when Marc is no longer here?” and quickly thereafter “We hope you will be back!”

All through the proceedings, I was acutely aware of our next event of the day, which was a dinner with a few friends from our running group in Richmond. We have had this planned for weeks and we were looking forward to a nice evening with friends to unwind and relax. I knew it would not be an issue if we were a bit late, but still, we didn’t want to be rude.

What we didn’t know — was, what we thought was small dinner party — was in fact a much more elaborate surprise party for us — and as we were saying our final goodbyes in Vancouver, our amazing group of friends, the Richmond Spirit Runners, were assembling in John and Joan’s back yard waiting patiently for us to arrive …

There were a few phone calls and a couple of very calm friends that didn’t lead on about the party but made sure we kept to the plan of arriving first at Keith and Lori’s where we would be staying the night, and only heading to the planned dinner party at Joan and John’s together (much more organized than the UBC surprise!).

photos by Winnie and Simon

I think this picture says it all! This is the expression on my face as I turned around and saw the back yard full of our friends! It really took our breath away — and I was in tears immediately!

photos by Winnie and Simon

The yard was full tents protecting white table clothed tables, each decorated with a beautiful flower arrangements (thank you Gwen!). On one side of the yard was a bar with wine and other beverages. The back deck had a table of delicious appetizers, with the barbeque going full tilt with burgers. Inside was a table full of salads, buns and condiments. Music was piped in from the family room. As the sun set, lamps from inside were brought outside to illuminate the scene. Several friends went from table to table with their cameras, documenting the evening.

photos by Winnie and Simon

And then the speeches began …

To say this was overwhelming would be an understatement.

We left our friends late that night to collapse on Lori and Keith’s couch and decompress from a day of surprises and tears. Lori enlightened us on some of the inside scoop of how it all came together and asked us again if we had any inkling of the surprise.

“Nope” I said shaking my head. “We had no idea!” “And to be honest” I continued, “in the state I have been in the past week or two, I am amazed I have any idea about anything!”

So that sums up the second half of September 6th. I am not sure we have ever, or will ever have as full a day as this one. Many thanks to all of our friends and all of Marc's colleagues for a day of surprises that will be with us forever.

Nothing left but the view ...

The last few days have been a whirlwind of activity and emotions. So much so that it is only now, sitting in Starbucks, after my last hair appointment, sipping on a cup of coffee and nibbling on a slice of lemon pound cake that I can appreciate the magnitude of it all.

September 4th our movers arrived (just late enough to have me thinking the worst and making calls to verify whether they were in fact arriving) and I started to relax at least momentarily. We had decided to hire the same movers that moved us in, to move us out. But, we both knew that young men in the moving industry come and go, and the odds of having the same three guys wasn't very likely.

Two out of three ain't bad! Amazingly, two of the three guys were the same and not only did they remember us, they remembered our stuff, where the storage unit was in the building and all sorts of details about our plans. They were as amazing this time as last, and until we arrived at Maple Leaf Storage and I had a look at the space that all of our stuff was going to have to fit in, I was actually feeling quite euphoric!

It looked impossible to me, but I tried to contain my fears and decided to stay away from the storage unit on the sixth floor, opting instead to pace the main floor of the facility for the few hours it took to unload the truck, shlep the boxes and furniture into the elevator, up six floors and complete the puzzle that was our life in a 10' x 15" space.

We kept getting positive reports from the young chap doing most of the heavy work. "looking good!" he kept trying to reassure me. "No problem, lots of room!"

Well, the last half hour was pretty hairy. "lots of room" turned into "no room" and my bike had to be taken apart, and the last pieces of the puzzle were just not fitting into place. In the end a bit of muscle to push and pull to get the rolling storage locker door to clear an second bicycle pedal, did the job.

September 5th was a day to clean the apartment, go through our luggage one last time to be sure we had everything we needed for the car trip, and the additional items we needed for Israel, Nepal and India. We have done and redone the packing at least four times. Each time we sit down to check our lists, we have forgotten completely what is in which bag and often times which bag is for which trip. The bottom line is we decided to unpack completely and start again. There is a lot of talking out loud to ourselves and then asking each other for advice on this piece of clothing or that.

Everything between us and homelessness is on the floor of one room of the apartment. For some reason these last decisions seem impossible to make. The stress in the room can be cut with a knife. 

By late in the afternoon we had everything packed in the appropriate bags, and everything left over was designated for storage. YES, I did say storage. We packed the rental car to the rafters and drove over to Maple Leaf Storage to see if we could open the door without everything falling on our heads and find a place for a duffel bag of clothes and a large array of misc odds and sods that somehow were not properly packed by September 4th. It took us an hour but we managed to find a place under or over or between our teetering tower of belonging. Wearily we retraced our steps back to our empty apartment.

Cousin Sheila pampers us again with a wonderful meal on her beautiful balcony with the sun setting over a perfect Vancouver evening. Stress subsides as we crawl into bed for our last sleep in this building.

One day to go. September 6th was our final day at 1425 West 6th Ave. Carpet cleaners arrived at 7:45 am, and did a great job. Marc and I had taken our packed bags down to the car and the apartment was almost completely empty. I had some last cleaning chores to do, but everything seemed to be falling into place. That is — until I realized I had locked the door of the apartment — with the keys inside!

This has been a fear of mine for the entire year we have lived here. But for the rest of the entire year we lived here, Marc would have been able to rescue me with his keys. But not on September 6th. I had taken his keys that morning and added them to my key chain in order to hand them all in to the rental agent scheduled to arrive an hour after I discovered I was locked out.

I have to tell you, I am proud of myself for keeping it together. Considering my mental state, the potential for a full blown meltdown was a real possibility. Instead, I called Marc at work and asked him to call the rental agent and make sure she had a key to the apartment with her. He managed to get the message to her in time and aside from me needing to clear away the last cleaning supplies from the apartment foyer and a jar of pickles I had forgotten in the fridge, the hand off of keys and the signing of the end of our rental agreement was a complete success.

It is only noon at this point, but to me it feels like midnight. I take a last look at the apartment as I walk out.

I am taken by the fact that all that is left of our life here is the view ...

I unplug the last phone and tuck it under my arm as I walk through the door and the rental agent locks up the apartment.

But day is only half over —and what awaits Marc and I over the next few hours deserves a post of it's own. So hold tight I have left the best for last!

The little bird on my shoulder

Painting by: Glenda Kathleen Mathew
December 11, 1951-July 31, 2010
Photograph by Ernie Kroeger

A little over a year ago, my dearest Glenda flew away to join the angels. She never said it in so many words, but I think everyone close to her, felt sure that when her soul left her body, it would take flight. In the last year of her life with the strength she had left, she created several amazing works of art. This painting of a robin outside her window is my favourite by far — I like to think it is Glenda resting, waiting patiently for the right moment to fly away.

Glenda was not a big world traveler, but a true lover of the outdoors. She hiked and skied and gardened and loved everything that was alive. She was always interested in our more adventurous travel plans and the first thing she always asked me when we talked was "Where are you off to next?" When she did travel, I always received a unique postcard from her, with a few quick notes, describing an art museum she had visited or describing the architecture and nature around her. She was traditional that way. Why send an email, when a postcard was so much more personal.

A designer to the core, Glenda had an amazing sense of colour. I know I am not the only one of her friends that sees a particular colour combination and thinks of her immediately. We all learned to stretch our colour boundries with her guidance. The greatest gift though, is that she continues to be an inspiration to everyone that has known her. I wonder how she has the time to sit on so many shoulders!

As I have been preparing for this trip, I have felt her presence acutely. She has been shopping with me all over Vancouver to find all the perfect items for this trip. I hear her saying "Remember Naomi, each piece must be functional you know, and really well designed to be a candidate". She was always much more decisive than I, (price tag never concerned her if the item fit the criteria) so I had to look at everything a hundred times before making a decision, but when I did, I felt the nod from her, and the smile that was always in the corners of her eyes even before it reached her lips.

I won't bore you with all of the details of my purchases, but I am very pleased (and I know Glenda would be too) with my Osprey travel bag and day pack. The fact that each piece is named after a bird of flight —well that is simply proof, that Glenda will always be at my side.