paulysoulstuff

This recounting occurred in November on my way from Chicago to Forest Hill CA to staff a weekend for WW. I flew on two United PLANES, out of O'Hare to Reno on my way to staff the WW weekend in Forest Hill CA. (The picture was taken there).
It was a lovely flight connecting in Denver and I was in the First Class cabin. If I had been drinking it would have been a 2 martini, 3 glasses of wine and a Baileys flight. However, since that is a moot point I remained awake.
Took a TAXI from the Reno airport to a 4 1/2 star hotel I reserved through hot wire. It was fabulous. Sadly I was only able to be in the room with all its marble slabs and the TV in the bathroom for about 5 hours since I had to be at the Greyhound BUS station by 5:15 AM. Got up at 4:30 and took another TAXI to the Greyhound station to discover the doors did not open until 6:00 am. The bus waiting area in Reno is NOT as swank as the hotel and casino areas. In fact it was ugly and isolated. No place to go so I sat on my pink suitcase (decorated by Dryver and Stryde) vigilant to my Beautiful Brighton Computer case, waiting and sort of praying. The online reservations for my BUS ticket to Grass Valley insisted I be at the station one hour before the BUS was supposed to leave . I was alone, cold and annoyed. It was still dark. I thought of meditating and decided that might not be the wisest choice of activities so I listened to my new IPod. When I looked up I saw walking toward me an old, slightly built man with an eyepatch, long scraggly grey beard, wearing bluejeans, a plaid wool jacket and carrying a backpack. He also was wearing a cowboy hat. I wondered if I had any money to give him. Hoping he would walk by I was momentarily apprehensive when he turned into the area with my luggage. He said "Good Morning" in a friendly way and asked about the station being closed. He squatted on his haunches while waiting and I envied his flexibility. I continued to listen to my I Pod and he continued to engage in conversation. I found this man to be polite, intelligent and very articulate. I learned he lived in DUTCH FLAT NV in a 10 X 10 shack and loves the peace and quiet as well as the animals. He shared stories of being there for 23 years and claims he was even written up in National Geographic in 1997 as "Hermit Herb." He told me all about the "miners cats" the mama bear and her triplet cubs he sees and also how some animals come in his home since he has a carpet hanging instead of a door. He showed me a key that unlocks all government park gates all over. I am not too clear on what it is but acknowledge his pride in owning it.

The station finally opened and the clientel was a bit different from the first class companions on United. Different and yet the same. Herb sat directly behind me to fill me in on historical tidbits of the area. He also had his shortwave radio, one of six he owns, and kept me informed on the weather since it was snowing in Donner Pass. Suzannah Hart who was meeting me, had warned me about the "snow demons" in the pass. I was amazed when our feisty female bus driver pulled over and put the chains on the bus by herself. There was a line of about 50 trucks waiting to have chains installed and she did it herself. The ride on the BUS was beautiful. Through the mountains with snow on them. Something I will remember with gratitude.

Tomorrow I will fill you in on the trains and subways and other modes.