The drive from coast to coast was about as straightforward as any one could ask for. Justin was the perfect co-pilot. That's not to say it was smooth sailing throughout, but considering the crap we've shared over the last 20 years of friendship we weren't about to let a snotty bitch of a GPS or a near-death experience in the Mohave Desert bring us down. We had crosswords, cows and a mutual addiction to coffee to keep things in perspective. Along the way, we were housed and fed by a group of friends we will always be indebted to.... specifically:
1. Chris Learn, Columbus, OH: We rolled in at some ungodly hour (mainly my fault for leaving late and getting stuck in Manhattan trying to take the Holland Tunnel) and still Chris, bless his heart, was up and waiting to greet us with a smile. We chatted, inflated the most comfortable air mattress I've ever slept on, and fell dead asleep. In the morning, he treated us to an amazing breakfast at a true local's place and we were off. Too short a stay for the hospitality we were shown. Hopefully I can pay it back at some point.
2. Kelle Oberle, Denver, CO: This is the second time Kelle has been so gracious as to open her home to me. The first time was during fellowship interview season last year when she and her now-hubby Mark treated me to a three-day Denver extravaganza. While this second stop was not as long, it was no less appreciated. Justin and I were treated to cold beer, good conversation, and the lap of luxury in terms of accommodations.
3. Jaime Migdalene, Flagstaff, AZ: I had met Jaime once, 6 years ago, at Jamie and Colleen's wedding when she came as Justin's date. I hadn't seen her since. But the way she opened her home to us, took us out for food and drink when we got in to town and then introduced us to a fantastic breakfast spot before we headed out, you would have thought we were long time neighbors hanging out as usual. That's how fantastic she is. Couple that with our mutual enjoyment of pissing off Justin, it was a great last stop before Cali.
We finally hit the Pacific Ocean around 6pm on Friday, June 25th. I had left Stony Brook around 2pm on June 21st. 97 hours total. Not too shabby... but I still don't want to do that again any time soon. While it was a relatively painless journey, it wasn't exactly the magical experience some tend to label it. Perhaps I'd feel different if I didn't have the specter of the written OB/Gyn boards on June 30th looming over me and making me feel rushed at all times. Maybe spending more quality time seeing monumental sites like the Grand Canyon or exploring the wineries of the midwest could have touched the soul.
Or maybe we would have ended up killing each other. Who knows.....
On to the next 50 days.....
Jerry.
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