Day 60.
- patti brehler
- Jun 4, 2021
- 2 min read
August 7, 2016
Eau Claire, Wisconsin Karen's house
My original Facebook post:
Postcard from the road. Eau Claire, WI. Sunday, August 7, 2016
Yep, you read that right. A second day NOT on the bike. Tomorrow.
In the meantime, my hostess takes a little spin...
Some of us waved goodbye. Karen and I hugged hello.
After Beverly and Deb left for their training session, Karen and I cut up onions, zucchini, mushrooms, a rainbow of peppers, green beans, and asparagus for her husband. Marty was taking them to share at a fishing camp with a couple of buddies. He prepared a Bell jar with an oil and spice marinade. The very same which I had enjoyed the last two days.
"I want your recipe," I said.
"It works great as a salmon marinade, too," he said and wrote it out before packing his car. I almost wished I were going with him. And small world. A retired allergist, Marty knew my allergist from years before Andy. Dr. Sweet and Marty served on a national board for allergies and immunology.
After Marty left, and after cleaning up dog barf [you guessed it, in the book], Karen took me on a tour of their 80-acre prairie. She and Marty were coaxing much of it back to native grassland. We dutifully tucked our long pants into socks (me again, with my REI specials) and sprayed heavily with DEET. No more ticks for me.
The dogs joined us.
The beautiful rolling landscape reminded me of home. Wildflowers were sprinkled among grasses taller than me. Karen led me under the shade of old oaks, both of us bending down to clear broken limbs from the overgrown trail.
I was meant to stay here an extra day. Karen talked and talked while we walked and walked. It was my turn to listen.
This visit was a slow reintroduction to my other life. Our new, deep friendship was a pleasant surprise. With a sense of "mission accomplished," it was time to get back on the road. And home.
Later that night, Mom posted a picture of the orchid I sent. She loved it.
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