Anne and me in Mexico somewhere, before children. Not sure if this was the same trip in the story, but might have been.
We’re back from Tucson. Great trip, and as much for the time in the car. We’ll share the art produced in the next e-gallery.
It was on the last such trip, driving down from Oregon, I asked Anne which of our many trips has been the best.
We reviewed some of them, and there have been many . . . both adventures and misadventures. (The latter are always more enjoyable in the later retelling.)
One that comes to mind was long ago, before we had children. We were traveling in central Mexico. Passing through Guadalajara, I was on the lookout for a street vendor for something to eat but didn’t find one. We kept driving, down through Ajijic on Lake Chapala. It was late, the town closed up, but we had snacks in the car. The bigger problem by then was gas. We had no choice but to travel on.
Though I cut my speed and began coasting down every hill, in time the tank spurted and gave up its last. Fortunately that ’58 Porsche had a reserve tank. I switched the handle and on we went for another 25 miles or so, hoping for “something,” only our headlights breaking up the emptiness.
Finally we passed through one lighted junction, a rural bus stop and a gas station, closed. I cruised through, but no further than the next hill when the reserve tank too gave its last. I pulled a “U” mid-highway and coasted back down to the darkened station, wondering what to do next.
As it happened, there was a man at that midnight bus stop who saw our situation and meandered over. My Spanish was poor but I came to understand him saying I could knock on the gas station door. What? Yes, he even took the initiative to tap on the glass, and what did we see but a whole group of bodies asleep on the floor with one beginning to stir. This was apparently the father/proprietor and he sent a boy out to deal with us.
I thought, Great, he’ll unlock a pump and sell us some gas. But no, instead he wordlessly led us to another building around the back with two rooms, each with a high bed piled with blankets. He let it be known that we could use one, only one, and that gas would be available in the morning.
It was more provision than we’d been looking for but, really, exactly what we needed. Where else were we going to sleep, miles from anywhere? The only thing that worried Anne a little was that we weren’t to lock the door. They were keeping options open should another party need a bed for the night.
No one did, and we arose to the sound of children all around, also calling the gas station home. We got our gas, a little to eat, paid minimal for the room, and were on our way. In the end, we felt well provided for.
That was before we were giving any thought toward God and his care . . . but not, apparently, before he was giving such thought toward us.
It’s just one travel adventure among many. But here’s the conclusion we came to in our conversation lately, about “best trips:”
The common denominator, we came to see, of all great trips, was and is a POSITIVE DEMEANOR . . . and that particularly between Anne and me.
And, of course, its lack, when there’s been a lack, sullied the others that could have been just as great.
It’s not the miles, but the mood.
It’s true with every trip.
True with every day.
Smile, and have a good one today.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
9:36 am
So great and sooo true!! Worst trips, best MUCH later in the re-telling (and laughing!) And, best trips with a smile, a nod to another’s eccentricity, a glimpse at the profound in the simple, a thanksgiving when it’s a hot dog-not turkey.
We take off for our M&M trip on Wednesday next (Madrid/Milan, etc. etc.)–pray for good demeanors, brother (as in NOT De-Meaner-De-Better…)
10:20 am
So true about every day. Well put, Hyatt. As the proverb goes, “Better is vegetables with hearts at peace, than a juicy steak with foul tempers.” Or something like that. Alison and I have a road trip in the makings for Fall, will keep this one for a read-aloud on Day 1. Welcome back!
10:39 am
Hyatt, I have learned this as well with my life having changed so drastically in the last 5 years. With ‘the old regime’, every trip was painful. There was this feeling and unspoken tension that at any moment that King Bob might erupt. Nothing was seen as an adventure, just as something that got in his way.
Now, wow…life is so different. I get in my Westy bus and just head out. And whatever happens, is part of the journey. Isn’t that what life truly is though? If we are able to use every circumstance, every challenge, as an opportunity to grow and learn…and most importantly to ACCEPT….we can find a story within any trip.
I am so thankful to have been given this chance to see life on my own terms these last 5 years, with God by my side. Now, I will be married in September, and with Tom every outing or event is seen as an adventure. It is so very different for me and many times when there is a problem or crisis, I wait for Tom to erupt. My brain thinks it is going to happen. But it does NOT! Tom smiles, looks at me (and knows what I used to live with), and says, “Let’s figure this out TOGETHER.” I am so, so grateful to God for this.
12:52 pm
Since Perry and I are leaving tomorrow for a saling trip with friends along the coast of Belize, your post is especially timely. We plan to read it to our group when we first arrive. The other common travel denominator is determining ahead of time that when the inevitable delays, unexpected changes or disappointments happen, they will not ruin the trip. If you expect that something will go wrong, it won’t be such a catastrophe and quite possibly will be come one of your favorite adventure stories.
7:17 pm
I enjoyed this story, Hyatt. When we were young and stupid, same age as you and Anne then probably, Gary and I went camping in NM. The Gila Wilderness I think. On leaving the area in the late afternoon, it began to rain. We got lost. The dirt roads quickly became a sea of mud and deeply rutted. We inched along feeling our way – by now it was pitch dark – in Gary’s little Mercedes (280 SL?). The visibility was zero and we imagined, though we couldn’t see it, the sheer drop-off just a few feet away. We were afraid to stop, afraid to go forward. I finally got out in the driving rain and walked in front of the car to guide us. After a lifetime, we saw a faint light in the distance. We followed the light…to a tavern! I’ve never felt so relieved. The 5 or 6 locals lined up at the bar listened to our story. They were polite and hid their amusement. We had a drink, warmed ourselves and then left the car right in the middle of the road while one of the boys drove us down to a lean-to in the clearing below. We laugh about it now, but it truly was terrifying at the time.
8:22 pm
OHHHHHHH a great one Hyatt! I love the meaning behind our moods and to keep a good mood throughout a trip and throughout the “life trip!” And I loved the picture! You looked a bit silly from the back I must say with that hip out to the side! Hahaha! Sort of a swagger, over confidence, or arrogance maybe! Hahaha! Only Anne would be able to comment on that one I bet, to be able to give us the true Hyatt in that picture at that space in time!! I guess you could too. :)
Thank you for this! It was a great story! I would have worried about bed bugs too as well as safety. But God had your backs even then!! Hahaha! Loads of love to you both! Lisa
9:35 pm
Hyatt and Anne, you know it well I suspect. The joys of travel in most instance are unplanned. Spontaneous and connected to people helping people.
God is good as we know. God has been with us now and when we are alone or traveling to many unknowns.
I like the photo as it projects much energy and hope. Clearly a gift that you have done much with to bring hope
and encouragement through your art …each of you
Blessings and thank to our Lord. Larry
2:35 pm
Hyatt if you haven’t done so already, you really need to paint that picture. It is a great shot that evokes great emotions of God’s goodness and gift of love, life, communion, trust, hope, etc! Hope you do and I would love to see it!
5:25 pm
Amen!
12:57 pm
I especially like the part of the story about how God provided…way cool how He watches over us!