Southbound and Up

Some problems were fixed Today, some issues addressed and as I stand here typing on my Mexican blanket mobile desk I can't help but appreciate what a difference 24 hours can make.  As my good friend Aaron told me on the phone this morning (referring to yesterday's post): "Sounds like you hit a low point" - yeah, I guess I did.

Skipping past my AM routine, cause' really who cares(??) - my real day started with irony, a solid bite from a sort of karma shit-sandwhich, if you will; I bought Whiskey in Washington, in the VERY STORE "Janet" suggest I visit Yesterday. (BTW, side note to Aaron - the name "Janet" is inspired from that trip that I will never forget).  With provisions settled I made way for Bend, Oregon.

Dropping down into a valley somewhere in central Oregon on Hwy 97

Two hours into my drive on Washington state highway 12 I was pulled over by a state trooper (speeding).  I mentioned Karma already, I know how it works and yet I will still tell you that I kick ass at getting out of tickets!  All thanks to my Dad, my getting-out of getting-ticketed mentor.  Turns out the trooper was raised in a town about 30 miles from my home town, couple that with the overall first impression of my trip (dog, 4wd truck, mountain bike, far from home, etc.) and he was cool to me, giving me tips and sending me on my way with a "We won't give you shit for 6-8 miles over so just keep it around there"

47 degrees and raining, but still might be my favorite night

My back became enough of a problem I made finding a Dr. highest priority.  I was coming into Walla walla, Washington and looked up a walk-in clinic and made my way.  Nice little town, even nicer clinic and a GREAT, kind and time-generous Dr.  He asked me many questions and confirmed that what I had been doing to that point was about as good as I could do on my own.  He sympathized with me just enough to make a Dr. patient connection and then wrote the scrip; vicodin and muscle relaxers for nighttime and continued Advil for day time.  The vicodin was the "weak" kind in that it has a low Hydrocode-Ibuproferin (or whatever it is) ratio - Vicoding has a secondary agent that is designed to make you sick (barf) if you take too much, this is designed as a deterrent for recreational use.  I filled my scrip, took a vicodin and hit the road, within 30 minutes the pain was dropped to the point I could again enjoy my drive.

I managed my pain with the pills for the next 6 hours finally blowing through Bend, Oregon (it was pouring rain and I'm short on time) and pulling into the woods to find "La Pine" state park and stup for the night.  It's been raining all day, it's raining now yet I still have a great fire, my dog is bundled up in a blanket warm inside the truck, I have my scotch, 3G access, pills and most importantly I moved past and above that crappy place I was yesterday.