Cross Country Exodus
Author: Mirandha Laflor, April 2008
I know more about life on the open road than Jack Kerouac. With two cross country trips within a year under my very stylish black leather belt, I almost feel qualified to write an entire book about what it’s like to drive across the United States. Of course, there is no way I would have made it from coast to coast without some very dear friends helping me out along the way.
For anyone new to the site, the idea that I would stay in the home of someone I knew through the Internet would be a little preposterous. For those of us who have been here for a while, this comes as no surprise. The TarValon.Net community is a close one. As Mother always says, we are a group of friends with a very strong Internet presence. My friends were there for me as I moved back to the East Coast after living for a year (with Mara Jade t’Bayana) in Seattle.
My excursion began with stops in Ashland, Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival, and Lake Tahoe for a short visit with my uncle. After that, I threw myself into being there for Jade’s wedding. I was her Maid of Honor, and I was there to serve. I wasn’t complaining though. I got to spend quality time with several Tar Valon members including D’ran, Berior, Sela, Badria, Jaydena, Taric, and wih Karalyne, Relinya, and Adina before that. Should you hear such rumors about a sign welcoming D’ran to America with a subtle reminder to wear clothes, or that Berior tried to drown Sela, or that I am carrying Sela’s love child, you may rest assured that they are all entirely true.
After Jade’s successful marriage and following frivolity, I met up with a friend of mine from college (she’s not a member of Tar Valon no matter how many Tower members pressured her to join) in San Francisco and we took off on our jaunt! Our first stop was in Utah to visit a friend from The Realm of Tar Valon. What did I think of Utah you ask? Let me sum it up by the statement my friend made as we drove into it; “it looks like death.” Plus, closing exits and relocating them without proper signage is no fun for any out of state driver. Utah, you get 2 out of 5 stars. Don’t fret, Nevada will keep you company as I found that state to be incredibly boring to drive through as well.
Next stop on our list was Colorado to visit our very hard working Mistress of Accepted, Valadilene. As we arrived much earlier than anticipated, we met Vala at the school she is Vice Principal of. We were greeted by giant bear hugs before we could even get out of my car. When you’re loved by Vala, she lets you know. That night we got to visit with her handsome horse, Kona, before dinner at the Olive Garden. I don’t really remember much about the food (because, really, it’s the Olive Garden), but I distinctly remember Vala convincing me to order some tall tropical beverage. It tasted like yum. Conversation flowed, and my friend had to resist the first person to pressure her into joining the Tower. If only she knew she’d face many others who would try and convince her to do the same.
Our drive the next day through Colorado was wonderful. Colorado, you get 5 out of 5 stars. I adore you as a state. Unfortunately after leaving CO, we were dumped into Nebraska. Let me save you the suspense by letting you know this state gets a measly 1 out of 5 stars from me. After construction and scary rest stops, we arrived at the humble abode of Sela and Eniara around 11pm or so. Sela knows the ways of my heart so well. She greeted me with a pile of books to take home with me, and herbal tea. I had a strong suspicion that she was trying to seduce me. I told her there was no need as I was already carrying her love child. Eventually exhaustion took over and I fell asleep before she could put the moves on me.
Iowa, you were an OK state. I will give you 3.5 out of 5 stars (it can’t be a full 4 as I will never be comfortable surrounded by corn fields). Also, you apparently award more for highway workers who are hit by cars. Michigan however does not value the lives of their highway workers as much. But now I am jumping ahead of myself. Before we arrived in Michigan there was a brief stop in Illinois to have lunch with Tinnlin. This lovely Gaidin of VC was kind enough to feed us real food (stir fry if you’re curious) as we passed by. Good food and good conversation was just what we needed! It’s too bad that we didn’t have more time to hang out, but Tinn had to get back to work defending our country (or so he tells me).
Finally, after a brief venture into Chicago it was onto Michigan where we would spend the night and the following night with Calypsa and Ansgar. After being welcomed with hugs and several cats and a dog checking us out, we pretty much hung around and chatted until late at night. The next day was filled with flaming cheese (a special dish a nearby Greek diner produces), cookies, and Ansgar being so kind as to fix the fuse in my cigarette lighter (I hadn’t been able to listen to my ipod in 3 days!!!). But the Tower fun was not over yet! We met up with Eveanyn and Eireann at an Indian restaurant in Ann Arbor. The service was terrible even if the food was eatable, but the company was the best part. Somehow we seemed to get stuck on the topic of eating babies. Have a baby you want to unload? Give it to Evie! She’ll cook it up nicely. After dinner our slightly odd conversation continued in the parking garage. I have never seen so many quizzical looks thrown my direction in my life. I blame Evie. It’s because she’s so short.
My time with Calypsa and Ansgar was very relaxing. They have a lovely home and I loved spending time with them. Unfortunately, my friend had a job to get back to and I really didn’t want to keep everything I owned piled up in the back of my car forever. So we made our way to New Jersey the next day. Before I left, I rated Michigan 5 out of 5 if only for the fabulous people living in it.
Did I learn anything on my adventure? Nothing particularly life changing. I already knew that some of the best people I have ever met are members of the Tower. I knew they had generous hearts and are always there when you need them. I did have a lot of fun and collected many great memories. So thank you Vala, Tinnlin, Calypsa, Ansgar, Eireann, and Eveanyn.
