Spokane!

Okay, now. This is a huge undertaking, I'll have you know. There's so much to show and tell, that I feel I'll be overwhelming this poor little blog, if I attempt to share it all. We'll do our best.

Spokane, Washington. In hopes of seeing my grandmother, Uncle, Aunt, and cousins, I threw out a suggestion that I might scamper up to Spokane during my spring break. Open arms all around. I flew through Phoenix, and on towards the greater part of Washington, ready to make pies and cookies, and to learn all about my family history. The trip was amazing. I was extremely sad to leave, but eager to tell the tales! The morning of the second day, my Aunt Judy took my grandmother and I to some estate sales, and I am happy to say that I swindled my first deal, down to fifty percent of the asking price. Sweet! I was also re-introduced to my one true love, tomato soup. Aunt Judy made a witches vat of it, the night I arrived, and it was so soothing and delicious that I scribbled down the recipe then and there. I'm eating some right now, to tell you the truth...The rest of the time there, is somewhat of a blur, but I know that I had a splendid time. I got a chance to meet my little second-cousin, Teresa, and to spend time with all of the people that I had, so many times seen photographs of, but had rarely seen in person. It was really nice.

I also got a chance to meet a really neat couple, whom I had previously chatted up on the great Couchsurfing.org. Hannah and Jonathan showed me all about town, pointing out little things, like where Johnny Depp had once sat, while shooting Benny and Joon, as well as interesting points in Spokanite history, such as the building of the largest cement bridge in Spokane (which we drove over, snapping a photo while "woohoo"-ing). We hit up a local ice cream shop (The Scoop), hiked through the mountains of records at Unified Records (which probably has the most underrated windowfronts in town), sauntered through Auntie's bookstore (Jonathan's Aunt and Uncle's establishment), slid down a Red Wagon slide and fed a goat some trash in Riverfront Park (where Mozart and the Whale filmed their first scene!), then hit up "Boo Radley's (where I found some postcards, and a few pins), and on towards a meal at The Elk (Jonathan and Hannah's treat!), and finally safely landing back at their place, where we simmered down with some "Calm" tea, played a semi-rousing game of Bananagrams (in which I was sorely, but happily, beat), and watched the best episode of Flight of the Conchords ($2.79 cup episode). We promised to keep in touch, and I've already written a letter; prepped and ready for take-off. This entire trip was accompanied by Wes Anderson soundtrack mixes. How did I happen to meet these two?! It was a day for the books.

The nicest part of this trip was being able to spend time with my grandmother, and to hear all of the stories of her childhood, and of my ancestors. It was a tough goodbye, as she grabbed my hand and said, "This is the LAST time you'll ever see me." I'll be back, though. She hasn't seen the last of me!

On the plane ride home, I met two amazing folks, named John and Shirley. They were so sweet, and we talked for a good portion of the two and a half hours of the flight. I left them with my information and ways to get in touch, and they hugged me and said I should visit them if ever I find myself in Canada. It's so nice to meet new people, and to instantly bond as we did. I know it sounds cheesy, but I think that was the real basis behind this trip. I knew who my grandmother was, and how much I loved her, but I didn't know who she had been, and what kind of a life she had led. All I knew was that she was an old granny who hated taking her daily dose of ginger. I am so very glad that this trip came to fruition, and that I was able to meet, and really get to know, every person that I did.