Home Sweet Home

Thomas and I are back in NYC now.

We've gone back to work, and the kids will be back at school after Labor Day. But we've got plenty of adventures planned, including a repeat of Long Island apple picking in the fall. I also won tickets to "The Maury Show," but it's during the second week of school--which just serves to reinforce how envious I am of Tom and Lois' retirement lifestyle.

I think it is important to point out that Paula Deen was a faithful companion to me on this trip. Thomas bought me the six-disc set of her autobiography, read by her sweet southern twang. She inspires me in the kitchen, and she soothed my frazzled nerves in LA traffic. I really, really like Paula Deen. And now I am familiar with the intimate details of her sordid, buttery life.

I had an amazing time, spending time with family and friends throughout the Southwest and California. What a gratifying way to spend the summer and recharge! Hopefully the excellent memories Thomas and I made will last us until our next Great Adventure (or at least until Christmas vacation).

Back to Lubbock

Manfred had built up the glory of Cline's Corner, a "trading post" in New Mexico. He said I could buy anything there, from a head dress to a skeleton in a German war helmet to antique peanut brittle. It sounded like my kind of place, and like the kind of place that Thomas hates.

Once in this fantastic oasis, Thomas and I got separated. He knew right where to find me: the Indian Room. When he spotted me, I was wearing an elaborate necklace of wooden chili cutouts, shaking maracas, and trying to find the price tag on an enormous red feather head dress.

Cline's Corner really did have everything: squishy boobie stress balls; seashells with Native American faces painted on them and tied with red and green bows for Christmastime; assorted keychains; metal signs declaring "Native Parking Only;" moccasins; aforementioned wooden chili jewelry; toy bow-and-arrow sets; bears carved from logs; jawbreakers; garden fountains; elaborate dream catchers; bags of rocks; and a country buffet that defies the English language.

Because I didn't find the very precise type of friendship bracelet I was looking for, I left empty-handed, but my heart was full from the rich experience of visiting Cline's Corner. Thomas made me leave way too soon, as I could have easily spent half a day exploring.

We drove the few hours more to Lubbock, where Merlene received us with open arms, a garden-fresh dinner, and my favorite white fluffy robe. The remaining day-and-a-half in town was full of dog-walking with Sparky, the final nights of Olympics, and Rosa's--the most delicious Mexican fast food I've eaten since Taco Cabana. Thomas shaved a neck beard, with his 2 1/2 weeks worth of facial hair growth.

On Sunday afternoon, we packed out things and made one last sweep of the silver Golf. Thomas had to leave his new used surf board with his parents, since it unfornately didn't fit in the travel board bag. Merlene and Manfred stood at security, waving good-bye until we couldn't see them anymore.

Slide Rock

Thomas found a swim spot in Arizona, between Flagstaff and Sedona. It was a welcome stop since that day was the longest leg of the trip, pushing towards Lubbock. Slide Rock is a series of slippery natural slides situated in a beautiful canyon. You can make your way down the whole thing, sliding through the nooks with the current.

We drove onto Flagstaff, which far surpassed my expectations. It was a really cool town, and the university students had started arriving earlier in the day so the streets and restuarants were abuzz. We ate a delicious and leisurely meal--to cleanse Thomas' fragile system of the In-n-Out--before pushing onto Gallup. We were given a nice room at the Travelodge, the only problem being that it was already occupied, and we were moved right next door. It was Thomas' turn to lay awake all night, straining to hear his impending death at the hands of bloodthirsty meth heads, while I slumbered peacefully. After some complimentary mini-muffins in the morning, we turned off the GPS unit borrowed from my dad and headed towards Texas.

More Desert

After Fresno, we started the drive back to Lubbock, back through the southwest.

Alternative energy

Fresno

When we left San Francisco, I was bundled up in a hoodie, a scarf, and my only pair of long pants. Three hours later, I was in the sweltering desert heat of Fresno. Thomas' mom's side is from Fresno, so it was his turn to visit with his family.

We stayed with Merlene's twin sister, Aunt Marilyn, and Uncle Bill.

Thomas felt right at home.

We fell into the Fresno lifestyle--walking the dogs, watching "Maury," eating In-n-Out until acid reflux ravaged Thomas' stomach lining.

After Thomas got his exercise, we went to visit his cousin, Timmy. His house was full of millions (six) kids under the age of 8 who all called Thomas "Cousin." As in, "Cousin, play jump rope!" and "Cousin, lift me up to dunk this basketball!" and "Cousin, look at my Batman backpack!" I learned that Pablo's favorite number is "W."

Next, Thomas introduced me to Grandma Julie, who showed us old family photos and gave us good Dupree family gossip. She is also a fellow knitter. After meeting Grandma Julie, I have a better understanding of where Thomas gets his amiability.

After a solid night's sleep, Marilyn took us for a Grand Tour of Merlene's Life in Fresno.

House where Merlene and her five siblings grew up

Grandma Julie's house, down the street from Tom & Lois' old house
The night before we left, we went to dinner with a lot of Thomas' family.
The Fresno Duprees: Uncle Tom, me, Aunt Lois (bending), Thomas, Cousin Sunny, Leslie, Grandma Julie, Uncle Bill, and Aunt Marilyn

I had a great time meeting Thomas' extended family. They were all as warm and welcoming as his immediate family back in Lubbock.

San Francisco

San Francisco was one of my very favorite stops on the trip! We left San Carlos and headed north, where Thomas escaped from Alcatraz:

My highest priority in San Francisco was to eat my way through Fisherman's Wharf. It was absolutely essential that I eat a crab and a loaf of sourdough. We met up with Avi and Mirav, who just moved to San Francisco--a few days earlier--from New York.

The crab I got was 1 1/2 lbs.
And it was delicious.
I also bought 1/2 lb. of saltwater taffy.
Next we found Lombard Street.

After my crab, sourdough, and saltwater taffy digested, we hunted down the Full House house.

Mirav, Thomas, and Avi
everyone else taking pictures of the Full House house
That night we all met up with Thomas' cousin, Julene, who he hadn't seen in fifteen years. She and her husband got married in the same courthouse where Marilyn Monroe wed Joe DiMaggio; they are building a house in the Irish countryside. We ate delicious crepes in the Mission, where I could probably happily live forever, and then Thomas and I spent the night at Julene's, right by the ocean.

The next day, we went to Berkeley to have breakfast with Thomas' friend, Jana, and her husband, Dan. We ate across the street from Pixar, where, I'm told, employees get around the complex via bumper cars. After a tour of Berkeley, Thomas and I went to Chinatown and played with things Made in China. I came this close to buying a ceramic statue of Mao for $89.99. We also people-watched at a park populated entirely by old Chinese men playing card games.

Transamerica Pyramid
My new boyfriend

After Chinatown, we wanted to walk the Golden Gate Bridge.




200 feet down
Yay America!

The bridge reminded me of "The Bridge," so to avoid jumping we continued our tour. Avi and Mirav took us to eat burritos, then to a bar served Shiner on tap (which, sadly, was skunky). We watched "Pineapple Express" in a super-fancy old building.
The family business

After spending the night at Avi and Mirav's, Thomas and I had breakfast at the Buena Vista cafe, where my parents went to drink Irish coffees on their honeymoon. The cafe is famous for their Irish coffees, which are pretty delicious.

We caught a trolley uphill, back to the car, and waved good-bye to one of the coolest cities I've been to.

San Carlos

My Uncle Rick and Aunt Cindi live outside of San Francisco, in San Carlos. This is him as he appeared in Life Magazine in the 50's, with my Swedish great-great-great-grandmother. His hair is longer now.

When Thomas and Rick went back to Steamer Lane to surf, Cindi took me to Hayward, where I lived until I was six and moved to Texas.

Old house

Elementary school

The neighborhood is largely made up of working-class Mexican families. I first recognized the neighbor's house, which had belonged to an old woman with dentures and an extensive doll collection. When I remembered her house, I knew mine was right next door.

At this point in the journey, the cooler Merlene had so lovingly filled with sandwiches and bananas contained only a precarious liquid. Regretfully, it was abandoned in San Carlos. But I did take away a new respect for succulents, a belly-full of solid (Thai) food, and some more quality family time.