Livin' the America Dream

Hello all, I am in America again.

On Thursday I was all pumped up for my extra long weekend. Even better, I was so busy that afternoon that I'd forgotten to take a lunch break so I was going to leave early for a change. Then I got a phone call from my dad.

"We've got a problem," he said. "The motor home just died. We aren't even out of the city. Don't think we'll be able to go away this weekend."

And just like that my dream long weekend that I'd been waiting for all year was gone in a puff of engine backfire smoke. I had been researching flights to Toronto for a possible business trip all morning and actually went back to see if there was something affordable to get me out there for the weekend to see Vince.

But a couple of hours later my dad phoned back to say they were on the road again and were limping along to the border. Woohoo! A Forth of July miracle! God bless America and one girl's pursuit of a spectacular fireworks show (and Independence Day Weekend sales).

I got home early, finished packing and hit the road, music up and windows down all the way. Hello summer heat, hello wind in my freshly cut hair, hello bug guts on the windshield.

I got to the border and proudly handed over my brand new passport. (Thank you Doug, the photo turned out lovely and I got it to Passport Canada just in time!)

"Where's home?" the mustached border guard asked.

"Winnipeg."

I gave him my destination and my reason for travel--shopping and camping. I waited for him to ask me how long I planned to be in America or when the last time I was there or if I had any food on board but he went in a different direction with the questions.

"Camping by yourself?" I've had this question before, actually. Don't know what's wrong with a girl in a pick up truck going camping solo, but sure, I suppose in a day I'm maybe only the fifth one to make such a claim.

"I'm meeting my parents down there," I said.

"When did your parents go down?"

"This afternoon," I replied. This time I was certain the next words would be "have a good trip", but no, the next question was one I had not ever heard before.

"Why didn't you go down with them?"

Maybe it was the plus 30 degree heat, maybe it was the fact that I was only an hour away from my destination, or because I had not had anything to eat since my desktop lunch, but I had to bite my tongue. It's because you're so pretty, Jillian, and that lovely new passport photo doesn't help your cause. He can't believe a pretty, 29 year old girl would be driving a shiny pick up truck solo to meet her parents for a weekend of camping. You silly blonde thing, trying to pull the wool over the eyes of this poor ol' US Customs officer. Clearly you have stolen this vehicle and are making a run for the California coast to become an actress or something.

I released my tongue from the grips of my front molars and replied, "because I had to work."

More suspicious questions followed, he did a walk around Truck and even opened the tailgate before handing back my passport and waving me on. Level two complete. On to the destination!

I arrived at the state park to find the gates closed. This was not entirely a surprise. The State of Minnesota is in some kind of budgetary crisis. The governor wants to raise taxes and some people are opposed to that. Go figure. So he said okay then, I hereby shut down all state parks and even the Zoo, starting on the Canada Day/Independence Day long weekend. How do you like them apples?

Still, my mom was able to make reservations at the park, so we figured vigilantes would be there keeping it open and running.  I pulled out my phone and was going to text my parents to see how they managed to get into the campground but instead saw that I had missed five messages from their cell phone.

"Made it across the border but motor home stalled. Waiting for tow."

"Getting a tow."

"Are you on the road yet?"

"Towed to Lithia Ford on 32nd, east of the mall. Meet us there."

"Call me. I will pay for the phone bill when you get it."

I pulled into the parking lot of Lithia Ford and found my parents and the dog, looking happy and relaxed in their lawn chairs.

The problem with the motor home would later be chalked up simply to the strains of the heat. The good people at the dealership had no problem with letting us park on their lot for the weekend since we did not have access to the state park. We have a place to plug in (so as to power the air conditioning) and free wi-fi from the service centre center (this is America, yo'.) While at the park we would have been looking at grass, a firepit and large, old trees, here we have a view of the Fast Lube garage and the Happy Harry's Bottle Shop at the other end of the lot.  Walmart is a mere five minute walk and open 24 hours.



The only true downside of this all is that poor Truck, of Chevy pedigree, is parked amongst a sea of shiny Fords. Truck is holding his own though and even tolerated his first ever tailgate party: beer and hotdogs with the Ford service and sales guys who drop in to say hello. They are all kind  and friendly folk so Truck and I make the best of it. I have promised him a special car wash before the weekend is done.

Purchases this weekend include a heap load of unmentionables, a very cute and colourful dress and a clearance special: skirt and short sleeved sweater for under 10 bucks.  No shoes yet. Might not happen.

I picked up a book at Target called One Day by David Nicholls. I had gone into the book section looking for a different book but picked up this one and took a chance on it. So glad I did. I am loving it. I'd forgotten what it felt like to actually enjoy a book. I haven't read something so delicious in so long. I pack it in my purse and pull it out whenever I have a chance. I'm sure it's love. I will be so sad when the last page has been turned and the romance is over.