On Tour in the USA

[ZenGum]

That's just the friendly locals trying to make sure you have the complete American experience, I guess.

[monster]

raindance

[diminished]

When I thought a little more about it,it got even more alarming.

Motel full of creationists,and a guy outside trying to stamp a serpent to death.

[xoxoxoBruce]

What the hell were you smoking???

[diminished]

Only tobacco.That may well have been the problem.Never mind,in 2-3 weeks I should get to California

[xoxoxoBruce]

But you'll have missed the Rocky Mountain High.

[diminished]

Centralia,Washington.Tonight,I was in a mood to celebrate,as I've had some long-awaited news from one of my online games.I wont bore you all with the details,but its something I and others have been waiting to happen for over a year.

Centralia has failed me on an epic scale.I wanted booze.Not beer.So first we went to Wal-Mart,to get some groceries,and liquor.Groceries were bought,but liquor wasn't available (odd,since they sell Margarita Mix-Just Add Tequila!).Never mind,my gps indictaes at least 3 liquor stores in a 10 mile radius.

Number 1 didnt exist.Neither did number 2.Number 3 closed as we pulled into the parking lot.

I can get a car-lube,tires,flooring,lumber,a vibrator and/or a butt-plug.But not a bottle of bevvy.

As a Brit,it would be unheard of to drive for over an hour and not be able to get a bottle of spirits somewhere.Damn you Centralia.Damn you all to hell.

[monster]

poor lamb. you need to learn to carry more supplies.

[diminished]

Its dangerous for me to carry liquor m8,it can have unpredictable results.Its better to be a spur of the moment thing.

I'm eating jerky until I calm down

[xoxoxoBruce]

Aren't the bars still open?

[Glinda]

Washington State (Oregon, too) is one of those states - bottles of hard liquor can only be purchased in state-run stores. At twice the price. And rarely on Sundays.

If I'd only known before I moved here...

Here's what you do: Head south on I-5 toward Vancouver. Take the La Center exit. Drive into town and stop at any of the casinos (there are four). Then call me and we'll party.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by diminished

I can get a car-lube,tires,flooring,lumber,a vibrator and/or a butt-plug.

That should be enough. Improvise.

[xoxoxoBruce]

It's not safe to combine any of those things with alcohol.

[capnhowdy]

Yabbut all of those things together would make for a wild night.

[diminished]

Finally,a week later and we tracked down an open liquor store on a Saturday night.

Does anyone know the difference between Jack Daniels Green Label and the usual Black Label ?

We've just spent half a bottle trying to work it out

In general, we're a little underwhelmed with the pacific northwest so far. Its not bad on scenery,but we've had to resort to more conventional touristy attraction type stuff.

We visited the "World's Smallest Harbour" at Depoe Bay in Oregon.To be honest,it seemed like a bit of a cheat.As experienced seasiders,it looks more than a little too small to be practicable, or navigable.

We also found more shoe trees, which are a wonderful phenomenon.

And a Bear living in a cage by a Gas Station (no complaints here,he seemed more than happy to be honest,if a little thirsty-but it was exceedingly warm.). He was so impressed at our arrival,he demonstrated it by making toilet in a corner of his cage. Interesting fact:fresh Black Bear poo seems to be bright orange.

Today saw us experience a 50 degree shift in temperature.At about 4:30 pm our in-car temp gauge read 113 degrees fahrenheit. About 3 hours later, approaching Bend (OR) it was 63, under a quite impressive thunderstorm.

Persistence asks of you American types a question: A few times now, for motel breakfast, we've been offered some sort of grey glutinous liquid in a bain-marie. To us,it looks reminiscent of a badly-made cream-pepper sauce.....it seems to be offered in combination with 'biscuits', what us Brits might call 'scones'. We readily accept scones, and treat them as such, with lashings of butter and jam, but it seems to get us odd glances at the breakfast tables.

Are we seeing your American interpretation of 'Gravy'? If so,its far and away from how we'd interpret it as such. I volunteered to Persistence that it might be the foodstuff known as 'Grits', but I'm not altogether sure. Answers on a postcard,or a forum post please.

My apologies for not keeping this thread up to date,or snuff,but meh,I'm a little worse for wear.

On a more serious note.

I'm sorry to Glinda,and others who have been offering us hospitality on this trip. I have to make a confession,which may also come as something of a surprise to Monster,who graciously introduced me here.My non-comments or non-acceptances of these offers have been playing upon my mind, and have started to strike me as if I'm being rude in not accepting them,or at least commenting upon them.

I (Diminished) suffer from something of a 'social disorder'. Basically, I'm still receiving treatment for my 5th breakdown, and I dont really wish to inflict my neuroses upon pleasant strangers.

My 'official' diagnosis is acute clinical depression, but thats probably inadequate to clearly explain the problem, as I also get elements of illness which may be considered something akin to bi-polar syndrome.
The 'ups' are slight,but dramatic,the 'downs' are much more dramatic, and much longer lasting.

Upon my last presentation of my condition to my Doctor, (the first recurrence in 10 years,I believed I was 'over' my problems-denial is a wonderful thing) he informed me that I would have to consider it a life-long condition, and would need appropriate treatment at appropriate intervals. That hit me pretty hard,after 10 years of being 'problem free',even though I knew I'd been struggling against it hard the past couple of years.

The good news is, that due to advances in drug treatments over the years since I last presented the problem, apparently the drug therapy has come on in 'leaps and bounds'. Its true that I'm tolerating my session of therapy much better (this time around) ,but I have to take the pills for much longer this time. To be honest,I'd be happy enough to take this course of treatment that I'm on,permanently, if they gauranteed the condition would not reocurr.

Hell,to make it over here,I had to have a Medical Examination,and be issued a Medical Statement that I am 'no longer a danger to others,or myself'.

I did not confess this to Monster and Beest,and I'm sorry for that.You may both have noticed that when we both came back to your house in the evening,I may have been a little more subdued.Thats the effect of my medication,I take it because I need it,and its for the best I take it. (indeed,I'm happy to take it).

Persistence has been with me for the last 4 'occurences' of my 'illness' (I blush to call it so,its a pitiful condition to refer to as an illness in the light of the problems of others.). She has experienced the heights and depths along with me, and she takes it. She accepts it as part of me. And for that,I'm grateful beyond words. It upsets her,and when I see that, that inspires me to try and straighten myself out. But it is,all the same, very difficult.

It is from the fear that I act not like myself,that I bypass these kind offers of friendship and hospitality. The last thing I ever want to do to people is cause offence by my words and deeds, but sometimes I do, I cant help it, and I regret it bitterly.I ask your indulgence and forgiveness.