I woke up later than normal on Saturday. I’d like to
attribute that to insomnia, but I recently discovered this post:
So, I dunno…
Anyway, after posting the Blog, I shaved, showered and got
dressed. I went out to the garage and bagged up all the cut-offs from the projects.
My Brother Carl asked for them for kindling. He said the maximum length he
could put in his fireplace was 18 inches. So I set a stop on my saw at 16
inches and ran any long pieces through that. I had enough that I worried that the
garbage bag would break.
Then I wrapped the desk in shrink wrap again.
I made some scrambled eggs for breakfast and a toasted
English muffin. I knew it would be a long day and figured I’d need the fuel.
I had some banking to do, so I left a little after 9:00 a.m.
for the Credit Union. I don’t normally “go” there, so I didn’t realize they don’t
open until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday! So, I went and got the truck filled up and
reset the trip odometer. Then I went back to the Credit Union and waited until
it opened.
I stopped at my normal bank and made a deposit, then headed
home, running an hour late.
I loaded up the computer desk. I pulled the covers off the
clamp rail system in the truck bed and put in two clamps. I laid a blanket down
on the truck bed. I got two of the couch pillows and put them into garbage
bags.
I set the desk on its top and put the pillows between it and
the tailgate and truck bed extender that I had adjusted to fit. I had planned
to use the ratchet tie down strap, but they were too long. So I used two bungie
cords, instead.
I put Logan’s birthday present inside the truck, behind the
seats. Then I headed out, a little after noon.
I took Eight Mile to Groesbeck and then north to Mt. Clemens
and Carl’s house. He was ready and waiting (well, of course he was, I was an
hour late.) I carried in the wood scraps and then we headed out for Marine
City.
I was going to use my phone’s GPS, but Carl had already programmed
his. We got there after a long, but enjoyable ride. The weather cooperated. There was no precipitation and it was 40 degrees!
At Betsy's house, Carl went in to clear the way while I unhooked the desk and
then carried it in. Betsy looked good, but is still recovering from her last
week’s gall bladder surgery. So, Carl and I cleared off the card table where
her computer was. Carl folded up the card table and I set it into her spare
bedroom. Then, back at the computer, I unplugged things, set them on the new
desk and plugged everything back into the CPU.
Sidebar: She had been very specific about the exact
measurements she wanted. But, honestly, I could have easily made it six or even
eight inches longer and it would have still fit into the space. Which would have been
easier on her (I could have made the keyboard tray wide enough for the mouse to
sit on it, for example). Also, she failed to mention her router and another,
wired-in, flat thing I didn’t recognize. I could have made a shelf for them
above the CPU. I don’t blame her. I should have asked better questions!
Anyway, we finally made our goodbyes and headed for Port
Huron. Carl checked his GPS and said it would take 31 minutes if we went back
to the expressway and 35 if we just took the River Road up through St. Clair,
Marysville and then Port Huron. So, we decided to take the scenic route. That
was a mistake.
Sidebar: I forgot to mention that Carl was supposed to
babysit his three grandkids so Amanda and Brandon could go grocery shopping,
sometime in the afternoon.
But it was great to see the old familiar places again. An, a frieghter went downriver as we passed! Go, I miss seeing them!!!
The
first problem was the drawbridge in St. Clair was up and being repaired. So, we
had to go back, over to King Road and come in from Fred Moore Highway.
We drove past my old house and it was hideous! The old Tudor
look is gone, replaced by bright blue siding. The decks are gone, replaced by
ugly build outs. The hedge I planted was still there and growing, but the
Yankee side garden with the arbor vitae was destroyed. I was glad to leave that
in the rearview mirror!
Never try to go back!
So we drove and drove. I finally asked him where the hell we
were going. He said it was by the Blue Water Bridge!
Then came the next problem. The drawbridge in downtown Port
Huron was up and being repaired. So, another detour.
Carl’s phone told us to turn off of Military and onto Stone.
We went under the bridge and I pointed out that Jeremy’s house was “right over
there.” We took that to Riverview and turned right as directed.
That’s when shit got weird. None of the numbers were right.
There were no apartments, only houses and then factories. We drove up and down
that dumb road about five times. I didn’t have Joe’s phone number (the one I
had didn’t work) and I knew that Carl was late for the babysitting thing.
So, I gave up and drove to Jeremy’s house. Carl stayed in
the truck while I went and banged on the door. Jyl answered and I said, “Where
the hell does your son live?” She said she would drive over and show us the
way.
While we were waiting for her, Jeremy came out and chatted
for a bit. I guess it was rude we didn’t go in, but we were late.
Anyway, Jyl came out and we followed her back to Riverview. But
this time we turned west instead of towards the river.
Carl’s phone lied!!!
Carl was just going to stay in the truck. But when I tried
to open the door behind him to get the present, the seatbelt (attached to the
door – I forgot) almost strangled him. So he decided to come in. We walked up a
snow-covered, icy sidewalk to the apartment.
Sidebar: I told Carl not to fall. I said, “If you do, I’ll
have to post a picture of it for Jake and you will never hear the end of it!”
We interrupted Joe baking cookies. We greeted everybody and I
gave them Logan’s present. You probably guessed it already, but it was a
rocking horse.
He sat on it a couple of times, but wanted to put his legs up.
That, of course, caused an immediate dismount, that he handled with grace.
I should have taken a picture, but I didn’t. We maybe should
have stayed longer, but we didn’t. I apologize!
We left there and got on I-94. We made one stop at the Smoke
House for hunter sausages. Carl was interested, so he came in. He ended up
buying a pound of them for himself and Kal.
He suggested just taking Gratiot back, so that’s what we
did.
It was weird to see all the changes, not only in Richmond,
but New Haven. And, I never even recognized Gratiot and 24-Mile Road! Too
weird.
As we got close to his house, he called Brandon and Amanda,
to let them know he was almost home. Turned out they gave up on him and took
all three kids grocery shopping with them.
I dropped him off and then headed home.
It did get dark before I got there, but I was home a little
after 6:30 p.m. I checked the odometer and I’d put an incredible 173+ miles on
the truck!
I was beat and my back hurt. I returned B___’s call and we
talked for a bit.
I was hungry, but not up to making dinner. So, I ate hunter
sausages with Pinconning cheese for my supper.
I was going to watch the Red Wings, but gave up and went to
bed just after 8:00 p.m.
Sounds like a long (but productive) trip!
ReplyDeleteIt’s a bummer about the GPS issues, but it was good to see you and The Greatest Papa Fish. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteDad, eveything looked wonderful. I'm glad you were able to deliver all the goodies and go back to memory lane with Uncle Carl.
ReplyDeleteYeah, memory lane....I'm still wet from all of his tears (his BLUE House).
ReplyDelete@ Jake: it was both!
ReplyDelete@ Jyl: Not quite a visit! Too short because "somebody" had to be somewhere. I wanted to try the cookies, myself. Hope Logan likes his rocking horse.
@ Carla: Thanks!
@ GPF: This is what I get for opening my heart to you? See if I drag your ass around for four hours and 173 miles again!!!