MAKING MEMORIES; Roadtrip to Huff & Puff

Yesterday morning I woke up with a hunger for a burger - not just any burger, but a specific burger ;-)

So, I broached the idea with Holland: "Did I mention to you that I am impulsive?" Holland: "No." Me: "Well, I am; and today my impulse is hungering for a specific hamburger - an elk burger from Huff & Puff in Randall ... I know it's a long drive (1-1/2 hours one way), but it will so worth the drive. Wanna come with me?"

He did not want to make that long drive for a burger; any kind of burger.

Him: "What's wrong with burgers here?"

Me: "They are not Huff & Puff Burgers. And Longview is not scenic landscape. I'm needing a road trip. I miss the mountain" (meaning Mt. Rainier).

The end of January, I was hungering for a Bundy Burger at a retro burger bar across the river, in Clatskanie: ... and he enjoyed that outing once it got underway; so, I knew he'd enjoy the drive to Randall too once it got underway.

New Married Life Underway Post: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/02/new-married-life-underwaybanana-bread.html

"Hon, I agree that it will be a very long drive (3 hours' drive time, plus half an hour eating time), but it will also be a scenic drive. And my first long-distance drive of this year. I'd really like to have you with me, making a new memory."

It seems I always have to place a stick of dynamite under my guys' butts to get them out of the house. I {get} that they spent their entire {work years} on the road, and got tired of driving - especially long distances, But, I haven't. And Holland knew before we got married that I like to enjoy long drives.

I laughingly reminded him that just the other day he laughingly said:

We both groused a little before settling on The Plan. He agreed to go; I agreed to allow freeway driving, to cut down drive time as well as mileage costs ... with the concession that we drive the long way back home. This would be, after all, a scenic road trip.

We went :-)

And, as anticipated, once he was on the road - he enjoyed himself ;-)

We "made a day of it" every mile of the road that led to the Randall destination :-)

Miranda Lambert - 'Highway Vagabond' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ekEXOzV0-o)

We started off by driving Coal Creek Road, and over Delameter Road to Vader via Westside Highway; Holland wanted to share some of his life with me (today, it was fishing holes). He relaxed and enjoyed the outing; I enjoyed some {new} places I'd never been before.

Snow patches along Delameter Road; Castle Rock.

At every new experience, Holland would tell me a little more about himself before we had met. I'm glad we like the same things. I'm glad we enjoy spending time together. I am glad he showed me where we will be fishing. I LIKE being out-of-house and outdoors.

Steppenwolf - 'Born To Be Wild' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41cFf9N5F-A)

He was also noticing that after snapping off photos/videos, I'd loosen the back of the battery cache to save battery power on the digital camera ... so, he said, "the phone charger I bought for you will also work with your camera, Baby; you can take all the pictures you want to without worrying about running out of power".

He's so thoughtful :-)

My digital camera is several decades old, but it's still up to the job it's put to. I use the digital camera because there are times the pictures and videos come out clearer that with the smart phone app: the zoom feature is broader. The digital camera can do videos, but they are like silent movies - no sound.

Arkansas Creek & Cowlitz River, fishing spot; Castle Rock.

Portable Phone Charger also works for my digital camera!

Road is pitted with large potholes, and a BIG mud hole at the rock pit entrance/exit; Castle Rock.

The Highlander makes a good 'mud-dogging' vehicle; I was proud of 'Molly'. LOL

We have named the Highlander, 'Molly' because it has an attitude resembling Irish temper when the seat belts are not immediately activated. LOL

After we left the fishing hole behind the rock pit, Holland showed me another one at Hog Island, off Westside Highway towards Vader. I had used the roadside pullout as pit stops for twelve years when I had my Pomeranian ... but I did not know that there was a dirt spur off it, with a fishing hole: this was a nice {discovery} for me.

It dismayed both of us to see that someone had dumped garbage there :-(

Some lazy pig dumped their paint containers at Hog Island ... GRRR

Holland showing me where his older brother had in his younger years, rolled his pickup - Hog Island; West Side Highway.

And a little further down the road, Holland showed me two more fishing holes. I am so looking forward to next month.

Old barn & Pump House; Westside Highway.

A gravesite along a fishing hole roadside - of all the things to see near a fishing hole! Eternal fishing buddies; 71 yo & 17 yo, buried together - probably grandfather and grandson. Along the Cowlitz River; Westside Highway.

Along the Cowlitz River route; Westside Highway in the background. Holland grew up in this area; his family members still live on the family homestead, across the road in the distance.

An old train trestle in the Cowlitz River; Westside Highway.

Waterfall above Cowlitz River fishing hole, under the Westside Highway Bridge; Vader.

Westside Highway Bridge; Vader.

I LIKE this Patriot's spirit; I'd driven past this place a thousand times over the years. I never knew the secrets hidden and revealed to me, this afternoon.

Tom Cochrane - 'Life Is A Highway' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo)

Holland then drove up S. Military Road in Vader, coming out at the freeway entrance - where Mt. Rainier & Mt. St. Helens revealed themselves :-)

Mt. Rainier, to the left - I miss "the mountain". I always love seeing it; freeway view from Winlock.

Mt. St. Helens, to the right - freeway view from Winlock.

Holland drove the freeway to Hwy. #12 ... and to Randall from there.

Solar Windmills in the distance, seen along Highway #12 ...

Mt. St. Helens showing near Mossyrock-WA

Mayfield Dam Plaque.

Mayfield Dam; I've never been here before.

Dam sponsored activities: maybe we'll be fishing at these places.

Mount Adams, in the distant Gorge area; seen Highway #12, nearing Randall-WA. No flooding anywhere today. YAY!

Huff & Puff Burger Bar; Randall-WA

We ordered our Elk Burger w-Fries, with a side order of onion rings and two milkshakes ... what we got was the burgers, onion rings, and shakes: no fries. When Holland went back to inquire about the fries, the girl said, "I didn't charge you for the fries, but I can out some down for you." He skipped it, and came back to the Highlander. I was chagrined.

WTH????

The burger came with fries: we paid $13.99 for a full deal; no extra cost.

I had bragged about Huff & Puff all the way up there. I always order the elk burger - and it always came with fries.

The girl working the joint must be either a really stupid blonde not to understand the menu - or she was new to what the job was, and didn't understand the menu clearly posted: 'Elk Burger WITH FRIES'. Why did she think we ordered FRY SAUCE? I choose to believe she was a stupid blonde.

So, we drove to Packwood, and ate our food there. While we ate, I said to Holland that I drive this way several times a year for a burger, to enjoy the drive - but mostly to visit {my mountain, Mt. Rainier}: I miss the mountain, and would really like him to join me when I do the drive. I enjoy the drive solo lobo ... but sharing the time with my husband would be an added bonus :-)

We also watched the elk roaming, eating, and loafing around lazily all over Packwood ;-)

Elk, comfortable in someone's front yard; Packwood-WA

Elk alongside the road, eating holly berries!

They are in the process of shedding their winter fur.

Elk were everywhere; behind a Lodge in Packwood-WA

Making themselves at home alongside a Realtors building.

It was a great day, despite the fries incident.

We both enjoyed ourselves.

Tom Petty - 'You Wreck Me Baby' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyO7qucNJJo) & B-52's - 'Love Shack' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SOryJvTAGs)

My heart is singing a familiar song I believed was null and void. I'm so happy to be blessed with the love of my husband, Holland :-)

Thunder - 'Love Walked In' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IWAOPi4VCc)

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

When the late-season-snow fell yesterday, I was glad we had in-house things to do; we've been takin' care of business around the house ;-)

Bauchman Turner Overdrive - 'Taking Care of Business' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl7x4S_fLXU)

SNOW overnight.

Air Filter; in the bedroom to help with easy breathing.

Things that should have been done 5 years ago (before the Grim Reaper made his appearance), is finally getting done. I put the shelf together myself, and Holland set it securely in place.

Water filter Holland fit to the shower head, so city water does not burn my skin; the water now feels silky soft :-)

This morning when we woke, the snow had practically disappeared ... leaving little evidence that it had even fallen the day before:

Very little snow left this morning ... still cold outside.

I saw 2 fat robins while looking out the window - but they had flown off before I could get a pic of them :-(

Spring is arriving :-)

EVOLUTION IS AN ONGOING THING

I woke up this morning with Holland's hand reaching across the short gap between our bodies, searching for my hand to hold before we fully woke up.

I smiled.

It is good to be loved.

38 Special - 'Caught Up In You' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xrdpwre5Ek)

It is good to be needed.

It is good that my life - and my home are no longer empty spaces, where I was the only person in them :-)

This is what I posted to my Blog in February of 2020:

{Personal evolving} Evolution Post: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/02/evolution.html)

Most things have changed. I could {feel} in 2020 that "there is something before me, waiting for me to claim it": I wasn't aware of Holland - but Elohim already had gears shifting and was redirecting my thoughts, and placing my feet on the path that would directly take me towards His Plan for my New Life :-)

As I post this Blog post today, I have been a new bride for 1-1/2 months. 

My days are not so empty or disjoined anymore.

My thoughts are not scattered.

My life now has direction and purpose.

I no longer feel lost or adrift, as I was feeling when I posted this {widowing} post:

I Could Use One Of Your Hugs About Now' Post: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/02/i-could-use-one-of-your-hugs-about-now.html)

Bob was a huge part of my life for 44 years  ... and filled my thoughts 95% of the 3-3/4 years that followed.

As my life moved into 2023, Holland Redmill had become a HUGE PART of my life.

Alannah Myles - 'Kickstart My Heart' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5-4sMsEm0I

Holland's love filled my thoughts with his November texts; and we were married January 7th, 2023. Holland's love dominates my thoughts now. I am thankful for this new development in my New Life :-)

Love Is In The Air' Post: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/12/love-is-in-air.html)

One Month Wedding Anniversary' Post: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/02/one-month-wedding-anniversary.html)

I chose love and happiness; I chose peace.

I still live in the house Bob and I bought in 2017; it's been solely mine since December 14th, 2018: Bob only lived in it with me for 18 short months.

Since Holland became my husband, we have been making it {our} home. Bob no longer dwells here in any way-shape-form: Holland's love and presence now completely fills every area of my life. It is a bittersweet process … but a necessary one.

Taking Care of Business Post: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/02/taking-care-of-business.html)

With Holland - my new husband that fits my New Life - I am enjoying a new purpose and direction for my life that will complete my life in another way, shape, and form.

My life is changing – it is evolving, being restructured. It is becoming something new; a reconfiguration of the past being molded and shaped by the present to become something that will march happily into the future.

Holland's Valentine Day Card; 2023

I am alive again; living life joyously in vibrant color. Now, Holland's love fires my jets :-)

Elohim is faithful.

Yeshua walks beside us.

YES - I DO BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION; I just don't believe in the religion of science's tweaked version of evolution.

SILVER HAIRED TEENAGERS

If I had known that I'd be enjoying myself so much, I wouldn't have wasted last year ;-)

Life with Holland is fun.

Exciting.

Loving: VERY ;-)

Adventurous.

Inclusive.

We would be enjoying an afternoon with his brother Scott, his sister-in-law Lana, and his nephew Jake.

So, I got my face on ...

Glittery Purple with turquoise accent & liner; Burgundy mascara; Auburn Eyebrow Gel; Enflamme Cheek Heat liquid Blush: Face in place.

And openly wore the smile Holland put on my face - we're thoroughly enjoying our silver teen years :-)

Ready to boogie.

Peter Gabriel - 'Sledgehammer' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rntpp2YGZ8)

A BETTER ME

 

Yesterday was a busy day from the get-go.

We've been hunkered down honeymooners battling colds & chest congestions for at least two weeks, but today things needed to get done, so we got to it ;-)

Holland is responsible for the {Up} attitude that led to yesterday morning's "full day out" :-)

Two days ago, he said, "Enough; we gotta get this thing under control" - so he drove into town and came home with {natural medicines} designed to build stronger immune systems ... and over-the-counter medicinal aids to knock the stuffing out of the congestion bug. I normally shun pharmaceuticals, but in the winter months they are needed sometimes, so I was in agreement with him.

He also bought a deep fryer: that will get used a lot.

We need to start eating healthier. Like I said, we've been honeymooning - which means we've been spending time getting to know each other and eating fast foods when we come up for breath. Eating healthier will be better for us; the chicken is a good start ;-)

Granted that a deep fryer isn't the best thing for healthy eating ... but if you don't eat fried foods every day, the deep fryer won't kill you.

I threw my deep fryer away 4 years ago, when Dr's said Bob couldn't eat fried foods anymore.

Chicken has natural penicillin in the skin; bones are medicinally beneficial too.

YUMMY! Special treat for me.

Good boy ... he got ALL the yummy chicken pieces I love to eat: HEALTHY MEAT, too, as I specified ;-)

Something NEW - and it tastes like actual ginger water that I make with ground up fresh ginger pieces. SO GOOD! He bought 4 more the next day, and stashed them in the pantry.

NOTHING 'natural', but definitely needed to get rid of the ickiness we've been dealing with for weeks.

I had noticed a couple days ago that the front left tire was looking low - so, yesterday morning I was up bright and early to get it to Les Schwab's for a check over ... Holland went with me. The tire had a nail in it, and I'm pretty sure I know how that happened. It got fixed, and we decided to do a few more things since we were out and about; feeling a little spunky ;-)

We drove over to Lowes to get a spare mail key cut: no go; every door was closed to get a new mailbox key :-( I will have to drive downtown next week and beg for a key for Holland, so he can grab the mail when he's out and about. It's silly that the key can't be replicated - but that's the way the P.O. works, I guess.

Next stop was to drop off a Golden Dragon Menu at Holland's SIL's house: Scott and Lana can look over the menu and we'll get back to them tomorrow, and pick the food up Sunday after morning service, to eat at their house. Lana is struggling with some health issues, and it will be easier on her to do things this way. I love all of Holland's family members - it will be a great way to spend Sunday afternoon.

Then we drove to Dick Hannah to get the spare key fob calibrated to Holland's seat preference: he will drive the Highlander on occasion, and the {set adjustment} needed to be set ;-)

After that, I suggested we both get our hair tidied up while we were out of house, out and about - we were starting to look shaggy. Holland has needed a haircut since before our trip to Reno ... and I needed my split ends trimmed off, and the edges around my face 'feathered'. I'm going to be growing my hair out again, but I want it to look nice as it grows out.

I called my hair gal in Castle Rock, and asked if she could get us both in, in the afternoon. Yes, she could: ((((YAY))))

We were about a half an hour early for the hair appointment, so Holland showed me a fishing spot in Castle Rock. He loves to fish, and I like to fish: when Bob fished with his father and brother, women were not invited, so I have not fished for a very long time ... this will be a very welcome activity to enjoy with my new husband.

I am really looking forward to fishing with Holland :-)

We saw two eagles when we turned down the trail; Cowlitz River.

The sand was wet, and hard-packed enough, that the Highlander tires moved smoothy over it; and we drove right under the perched eagles ... not a feather was ruffled :-)

We are planning fishing forays along all the local rivers - alone, and with another couple. I'm not a huge salmon lover, but he is; and if the fish is smoked, I can tolerate it. But it's the getting out and enjoying nature that lures me to {lure up}; LOL. Fishing licenses will be available next month, and we will buy 2 of them this year.

Chris Lane - 'Fishin' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4j_FAt9o6M&t=32s)

It is fun to be planning "Our Day" days - days where the world is shut out, and we focus soley on each other. We are not going to be changing each other ... but we will be making time for each other exclusively, and in many ways that will change us in ways we have yet to discover.

Love changes us.

Marriage changes us.

Keith Urban - 'Making Memories Of Us' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1zG3IUb8hQ)

Hair trimming day; Holland got his hair cut too. I've never seen him with short cropped hair: to me, he's handsome, either way :-)

2023 is birthing a "better me" for both of us :-)

Peter Cetera - 'You're The Inspiration' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnyAx9LX_OY)