Freedom, a most elusive mistress
Embraces those who know it
As life's very essence

One soft marmalade colored paw gently misplaced upon an electric window button is all it took. With a vacuous whoosh, the window descends rapidly, gaping wide open as an insidious monster capable of consuming small cats with a lick, lurking just outside the window within inches of the serenity and security of the interior of the car. A car that's careening down the slick hard pavement at somewhere near the speed of sound. Somewhere near out-of-control at sixty odd miles per hour. I'm left instantly grasping two cats in one hand and the steering wheel in the other as fur flys uncontrollably. Split second thinking of a way to get the window down without loosing my cats from my clutch. A few endless slo-mo seconds pass as my fingers fumble for the button while keeping the cats in restrain. Within so few seconds the air gushing in is choked to a breeze as quickly as it had arrived. The car is still weaving and bobbing and thumping to the lane dividers planted in the road. Then with one quick jolt of the steering wheel the car heels and continues on course. That this near mis-hap so briefly encountered yet so fearfully reckoned with could have brought so grave a conclusion to my trip was as distressing a thought I could conceive. The drama slowly subsided with the beating of my heart as composure was brought to my face. A glance is made toward two unrestrained cats who seemingly hadn't a clue of the jeopardy they so briefly encountered as a silent 'thanks' is whispered under my breath.

This brush with mortality was only an inkling of the horrors which would eventually pursue me at my overnight lodging at the Houston KOA Campground only a few nights away. This lush tropical setting built of pure cement was the setting for what could only be described as the 'brush with the burglar in black.'

It all took place at 1:15 a.m. as I noted the time only minutes before, while shutting off the light for the night. I being the courageous, macho type was unashamedly asleep in an effort to store up as much energy as possible in preparation for the next days incredibly arduous demands. Was then that I heard a noise outside the tent trailer. A car stopped and a black cloaked man went to the bathroom next to our space. Then he came out and spent a few minutes doing something in silence... I think he was sneaking inside our car!

This I thought was as dastardly a crime as I've ever heard of and growled from the corner of my mouth in retaliation. I reluctantly wiped the sleep from my eyes and crawled toward the heavy, multi-fastened, burglar resistant, Velcro sealed door of the tent trailer proceeding to open it. The still night air rushed in as I opened the door and stepped outside fearing only harm, injury, foul language, gunfire or spitballs but nothing more.

Within seconds it appeared from a distance at the far end of the aisle I was parked on, partially concealed by the darkness. A rusted out light blue, primer spotted van, dented along the front hood, running on only five of it's six loud diesel cylinders. It creeped as if idling in first gear slowly approaching my car. The vehicle appeared to be the condition one would expect to see when confronting a known felon with multiple offenses. The hair stood up on the back of my neck.

Making like a sleuth I crouched down, hiding in the shadows of the trailer as the van idled closer and closer until the rumble of the worn exhaust pipes were embodied in my head. Still closer it came till the van was parked directly in front of my trailer and placed in park, left idling, unattended. With fear in my throat balling up like a knot, I peered intently from the corner of the shadows, still not wishing to be seen.

It was not till then that I spotted his tall, lanky frame walking non-chalantly, dragging his feet up to the door of his vehicle. As quickly as he appeared, a hasty pull, it popped open as he slid inside squinting to the glare of the uncovered bulbs dangling obtrusively from the ceiling. With a glimmer I noticed he was wearing several silver braclets with multiple silver rings adorning each hand. More silver adorned this scruff man in ragged blue jeans and boots than I'd ever seen on anyone before. From the distance at first I couldn't make out his intentions and surely wouldn't venture a guess. On entering the room, he immediately ambled over to the machinery which was lined up against the wall to the right side. With his stride and appearance I knew nothing was going to stand in his way. My inner voice told me that no matter what I did, his purpose and needs would soon be fulfilled. Almost forgetting O crouch down, I remained hidden in the darkness, all alone, huddled ever closer to the side of the trailer, never making a sound.

Alone, we were two loathsome enemies surrounded by the cloak of darkness falling prey to the conquest of the duel. The silent minutes crept by as I was crouched in observation in anticipation of a finaly which was perceived to be an inevitable conclusion. Then, as if a bold of lightning pierced the sky, it became crystal clear as to what this ragged lone man in the night was involved in. Upon reaching the third machine from the doorway, he opened it and reached inside with a smirk engraved on his face. Deeply he reached into the recesses of the abyss, inside the very bowels of the machine he slowly began to remove something. Lifting it up into the air he held cotton, polyester, synthetics, stripes and solids all mixed together forming one giant heap in his hands. With one great thrust it was lifted through the air and flung wildly as if only a feather, into a clothes dryer at the other end of the room. This nomad. This vagrant from hell. This beast which was just a few precious moments away from becoming extinct was in the midst of doing his laundry. The sounds mistaken for entering my car were actually the sounds of this poor nieve soul doing his weekly linens. With one great laugh, I shut off the lights and had one more well deserved good night's sleep.

Other than these few averted tragedies life has been smooth going on the road although the living quarters get slightly smaller as the days pass. I've been on the road for four months. Now I know how the men on the Apollo mission to space must have felt cramped into that small space week after week. Thank God I at least have gravity on my side. A midnight rendezvous with the Porta-Potti is made so much easier and sanitary, thankfully.

My only break thus far has been for six days from November 16th to the 22nd when I flew out to Breckenridge to check on the progress of the house while leaving the tent trailer in a New Orleans Campground. On the trip to Breckenridge, to save costs on lodging as well as to experience other people's ways, I spent my week staying in my very first Hostel ever. The name was Alpen Hutte Lodge in Silverthorne which is eight miles from Breckenridge. The cost of lodging there was a mere $12.00 per night. The accommodations were spread out on three floors with each floor housing six rooms. Each room contained four bunk beds which if full would sleep eight people per room. The guys were segregated on separate floors from the girls. Each floor as well held two bathrooms which had three showers, sinks and toilets. All facilities were cleaned daily including bedding which was cleaned and made-up.

The Hostel experience was very unique and enjoyable even though some nights were spent sleepless which I'll tell you about in a minute. Obviously the experience itself was so interesting due mainly to the fact that the people met had such varied lives, dreams, goals, ambitions and personalities.

Upon arrival at approximately 8:00 p.m. I had what was the beginning of a four day headache due to the altitude and quickly showered and hopped into bed, hoping to get what wouldn't result in a 'good nights sleep.' Within an hour the room was occupied by two other room mates who had decided after a brief discussion to follow our other two room mates to a bar which was just up the street. I, feeling like my head would burst chose to decline the invitation and instead rolled over and drifted off to sleep. Knowing fully well that there was a midnight curfew at this Hostel, I still wasn't looking forward to being awaken upon their return.

Sure enough, twelve midnight rolled around and likewise, my four previously sober room mates did as well. They weren't much of a bother till one of them repeated over and over "I'm spinning", again and again he said, "oh, I drank too much." I guess he wanted mommy to come and make it better but unfortunately for him mommy was no where around. For the next four hours the door opened and closed as his journey to the bathroom to barf was repeated.

The following morning the first alarm clock to awaken me was Bo's alarm which went off at five a.m.. This was expected since Bo had explained to us earlier that he's a ski lift mechanic at Keystone Mountain and must rise at this UnGodly hour. The annoying thing I found was not the five a.m. wake-up bell at all. The annoying thing was that he didn't get up. Instead he chose to push the snooze alarm which allows him another ten minutes before again sounding the alarm! This was not done once or twice but three times! I was awaken at 5:00 a.m., 5:10 a.m. and then again at 5:20 a.m.. I am sure you are finding this hard to believe but this was only the beginning. You see Jim, the one who was making all the bathroom runs also had to get up early to catch a plane. He had the exact same problem with the snooze button on his alarm starting at 6:00 a.m.. By 6:30 a.m. I had my fill of alarms and quickly got dressed and went on my way.

On arrival that evening I was relieved to find out that the 'boys' had done enough drinking the previous night with no intentions of pursuing any more bars. I was then formally introduced to all of my room mates. The most congenial of the bunch by far was Phil. Phil was a thirty five year old Australian who was into his seventh month of a twelve month around-the-world airline ticket. We spoke of numerous places he had been with South Africa being the place he met and fell in love with an American girl. An interesting chap by all means. After an eight year career he suddenly said he felt stifled and dieing there. I could definitely relate.

Bo, whom as you know works at Keystone Mountain, appeared to be about twenty five years old. Bo spent a four year term of duty in the Navy and has been a civilian for the past three years as he termed it, 'playing.' Hearing over and over about all of the money the Navy gave him upon his departure I finally asked him how much exactly it was. This he was thrilled to announce was his compensation for working, benefits as well as many other forms of pay which totaled an astounding five thousand dollars with which he's been 'playing around with' for the last three years!

Mike was room mate number three who was very distraught over a recent divorce. An end to his marriage of two years left this twenty seven year old in a state of despair. His story involved an eight month binge with alcohol to which he is recently recovering. He was at that time heading to some relatives in Denver who were good people to start a new life. He placed his black cowboy hat on the bedpost and fell in bed early to sleep. I liked Mike a lot. Particularly because he didn't snore.

Then with Jim who 'drank too much' gone, he was immediately replaced by Jason which left us absolutely no better off. This fellow arrived late in the day promptly asking to borrow my shampoo. This I obliged never realizing he would use half the bottle before placing it back into my bag. Jason was about twenty three years old and was heading back to his home in Virginia with a 'get rich quick scheme' in mind. His idea which as he stated it 'will make a million' was to open up a coffee and espresso cart in his home state. First he'll have one and then open up three or four more he stated. Of course he'll have to borrow the three thousand dollars for the fist one but hell he said, that will be paid off in no time. His plan I thought had potential as I wished him good luck even though soon I would grow to dislike Jason immensely. Jason snored so loudly we were all awake all night long. Thank God Jason was a one-nighter. Thank God my son Chris is getting an education.

I am at wits end and just don't know what to do. Hopper is completely out of control and taking over the trailer. As my Father so eloquently defined Hoppie in his letter dated October 19th (Yes, he wrote to me, did you?) Hopper would be termed as an adolescent, domesticated carnivore although rebellious might as well be an additional appropriate description.

Example: I left Orlando, Florida on November 9th with great exuberance en route for Panama City, Florida which is right on a white sand beach on the Gulf side. At around 9:00 a.m. I diligently refueled, stopped for breakfast and began the journey. After putting all my trust and faith into my two unappreciative felines to keep quiet, not get in trouble and stay inside the care I cracked the four windows a few inches for their comfort and safety. I then locked all the doors and proceeded to have what I hoped would be an uneventful breakfast. Everything seemed to be going smoothly inside the Denny's type of restaurant named Shoney's. I nixed the menu items and chose instead the breakfast buffet. This I have learned is where you get the most pounds per dollar of sometimes edible food and then don't have to stop again till dinner time to refuel. After filling myself on hoecakes you could bend a fork on and grits which truly lived up to their name I opted for one last desert item. Grabbing a plate, I slapped on one big fat ladle of this white, fluffy concoction believing it to be 'moose.' I added a few cherries in syrup and trudged up to the table. After a couple spoonfuls of this presumed 'moose' it was quickly discovered that in actuality it was pure whipped cream! While trying to feign an expression of disgust I hesitantly continued to scoop in every last spoonful. Since this was by for the most edible item at the buffet I did not want the whole world to know about my new 'find' till I was good and ready. With the assault on the buffet behind me I proceeded to venture back out to the parking lot where I left the two forlorn felines with fantasies of freedom.

No sooner had I reached ten steps from the door when with muffled blaring music coming from the corner of the lot I watched, my mouth was agape. From the corner of the parking lot stood the car with all the windows rolled completely shut, reverberating and vibrating madly. A muffled but obnoxious rap music was echoing inside! The music blaring, bounding off all four walls, the seats, the roof, as well as the cat box with kitty litter and other left overs spewing wildly, madly up into the air. I apprehensively approached the vehicle and with great surprise was greeted by Hopper, laid out behind the steering wheel with kitty litter still stuck to her paws. Candy being the eternal paranoid was huddled in the back, hiding with an expression of innocence glowing from her whiskers.

It seems that Hopper, being the rebellion that he is, rolled up the windows and turned on the radio full blast to his favorite rap song. Entering the car, I was disappointed to say the least. Even to this very day I believe that there was a hint of smoke in the air as I approached the vehicle. I'm telling you, raising two adolescent cats these days just ain't that easy. Especially hard was having the Los Angeles influence on them at such a young age, their formative years.

To bring you up to date on the house progress and my immediate plans. As of December 12th I will be in Las Vegas to celebrate the holidays with Chris and my parents. I will spend a couple weeks there before I have to go back to Los Angeles to take care of a few things. Around the second week in January I hope to be heading back up to Breckenridge. The home won't be completed till February or March so I plan to be living in the downstairs apartment that was built as a rental. I plan to do some staining of logs on the inside as well as to help in any other way I can to finish this house. I will of course take some days off to ski, as well as one week in February to donate some time with my Norwegian neighbor Olav and Suzanne. Olav is heading a 'ski for life' program which involves handicap skiers on a cross-country / downhill ski adventure. Since this type of experience is one I yearn for at this time in my life, I promptly asked Olav if He could include my help. I am very much looking forward to this new experience.

The good news is... no more junk mail!
The bad news is... this is my last letter.

Virginia: Virginia Beach is Newport Beach with a drawl y'all!

North Carolina: One Southern Belle marries one Southern Bob and has a bunch of Belly Bobs.

South Carolina: Myrtle Beach, if it flied and died they serve it deep fried at "Moytle Beach" South Carolina.

Georgia: Strange, unusually dark skies coloring strange, weird black trees on both sides of the road. Odd fluorescent bumps along the enter of the road with eerie yellow lights bordering the highway. I wonder what it's like during the daytime?

Florida: Disneyworld, Epcot; (Biosphere II is jealous), MGM; (Warner Brothers is jealous), Magic Kingdom; An Anaheim Poser. Typhoon Lagoon; (Short on room and long on crowds), Panama City; (Said to be the best beach in America, yeah, when it's not raining!)

South Carolina: Charleston; This historic Southern town holds the much coveted title as 'the most civilized city in the U.S. of A..' This city which did more slave trading in the 1800's than any other city in the U.S.. The same city which holds Fort Sumter at it's shores which is the precise place where the Civil War was begun. This war is heralded as the bloodiest war in all mankind! This is the city known as the 'most civilized' go figure.

Alabama: No look, no see, no stop, no pee.

Mississippi: I missed the M-I-S-S-I-S-S but this time didn't forget to I-P-P-I.

Louisiana: New Orleans. The French Quarter makes Hollywood Blvd. look like Sesame Street.

Texas: These macho guys ride the hot dusty range all alone with big, hot, sweaty steer all the while playing with their little ropes.

New Mexico: Carlsbad Canyon was awesome.

Arizona: Biosphere II very cool.