More Sentinels - More Cousins to see

After leaving Mt. Shasta City and getting around to the northern side of this spiritual mountain, it appeared even more majestic as it rose inspiringly and abruptly from the surrounding plains -- had to stop and turn my attention back around (instead of seeing it in the side-view mirror) to get a more full view of this -- a greater appreciation of what I was passing by on my way to meet my cousins.

Soon there were more sentinels to the north and northeast beckoning again to me -- ones I would like to have had more time to get closer to and get better views of but, not to be this time through.  Most important things ahead were Keith in Portland and Paul in Vancouver, WA though, these sentinels made the drive inspiring and made me hopeful to see them better as I drove on.  Their approaches were a bit more difficult to track and find -- not my cousins.

Fell slightly short of getting into Portland after another full day of driving so I stopped at a Motel 6 in Tigard, OR just about 15 miles from the busy part of the city and the northeast side of town where my cousin Keith lives.  The motel had 8 or 10 long parking spots for 18 wheelers and my rig occupied one of them -- negating the neccessity to park and unhitch the camper/trailer.  Later in the evening, I wished I had parked in one of the end spots as two rigs with flatbeds and oversize loads came precariously close to mine as they maneuvered to get into the spot next to mine (took license plate numbers and made an appearance to be sure they knew I was watching -- didn't need to have another delay for damage to my vehicles).

During the early evening, I hoofed it to a nearby restaurant for some fast food and then later went online to find an RV dealer in Portland who could repack the wheel bearings on the trailer and check the brakes on the unit too while I was visiting Keith and Paul.  Next morning on my way to Keith's I dropped off the camper at the RV dealer on the east side of Portland and headed over to Keith's place.

Keith and Colleen's home

As best I can remember, I arrived late morning at Keith's and he unlocked his door to let me in then (after some hugging and pats on the back), we visited for awhile until his daughter Claire emerged from her room to say hello.  She had recently returned from England and unfortunately had also been recently layed off from her employer because of some down-sizing.  A little later we drove over in Keith's car to visit with Paul and the two of them enjoyed a couple cigars while we chatted and recounted our memories of the past.  Three lives and a lot of time gone by -- some good memories and some bad -- all in the twinkle of an eye it seems.


Keith and Paul enjoy those cigars











Paul and Pat's home


If you could have seen the "twinkle" in Paul's eyes, you too might have wondered, as I did, how it could still be there after all that he has been through but, I'm convinced it is because of the woman that stands beside him and supports him in all that he has been through.  I was amazed to hear that he and Pat had ventured out a few years back to travel back to Colorado to visit relatives -- breaking down on the way and with Paul restricted to his wheelchair -- no help to Pat (unless it was verbal).

Paul and his wife Pat

Same thing is true of Keith too, now that he has been diagnosed since 2007 with the same disease as his brother (though he says it is "a milder version" of MS that has struck him) -- Colleen stands resolutely (with her nurses training) to support and help my cousin in his battle with this debillatating disease.

Collen, Keith and Claire

So glad I could make this trip and to see such strength in my cousins and their partners (some of the stories too that I heard from them were so enjoyable to hear -- some thought provoking -- some things not expected but, enlightening of times gone by and some people gone now).  If I could just have some pot -- things would be clearer, I'm sure.