On August 12 2009 we set off on another road trip. This time we crossed into Washington State via the Sumas crossing as we'd never before driven that road. Weather was warm but overcast and wanting to rain. Half an hour into the drive we were stopped because of road work. There we had a long chat with the flag lady. She made the delay so pleasant I was happy to give her a card.
A short time later we arrived in Sedro Woolley and before making the left turn onto highway 20 and over the mountains we decided to pick up coffee for the road. The most convenient place we found was the Dairy Queen. When I passed the lady my travel mug asked for coffee she apologized and told me the coffee machine was broken. When I asked if there was another place close by where I could get coffee she said yes and pointed down the street. She then took my travel mug and said "wait here I will get you some coffee". As I was saying "no, no, its OK" she disappeared out the back door. A few minutes later she was back with my coffee and would take no money for it. Apparently she had gone next door and filled my mug from a coffee pot in car repair facility! Of course I could not leave without giving those two very considerate ladies a card. I enjoyed that cup of coffee more than any other on my whole trip!
The next morning we left sunny Spokane and drove into Idaho and heavy rain that stayed with us well into Montana. At a rest stop in Montana we found between rain storms, we talked to two members of a nearby Seniors organization who were providing refreshments. They gave us some coffee, cookies and sympathy about the weather. They also gave us some very useful road maps. In exchange we gave them some money for their coffee fund and a "Nicer Place" card. The day was a bit brighter after talking to them.
We stopped for the night in Billings Montana and checked into a Best Western Hotel. Just as we were about to open the door to our room the fire alarm sounded. Down the hallway two young (12 years old?) girls immediately came out of their room and headed for the staircase. When they saw us at our room door they stopped and called to us. They wanted to be sure we knew it was a fire alarm and that we knew where the exit was. They then asked if we needed any help getting out. They were two very sweet thoughtful young ladies! Unfortunately I could not give them a card. I have a policy to not give cards to children, which I feel is a sad reflection on the times we live in. However if I see the parents I will give them the card with an explanation. In this case I never saw the girls again with their parents and did not know which room they had come from. I felt I wanted to mention them because they were so thoughtful and I would have liked to have given them a card along with the verbal thank-you that we did give them.
The next morning at breakfast a lady asked to join us at our table as the Hotel breakfast room room was crowded. She was in town with her family and visiting her very elderly grandmother. She was a very open friendly lady and eventually her two charming young daughters showed up with another relative. They were a very nice family and I gave her a card just because we enjoyed their company. It was a nice start to the day.
We continued on our trip through Montana then north along the Cowboy Trail in Alberta to Rocky Mountain House. The last of our trip was through the Rocky Mountains and home via Kamloops. Along the way I left some cards with a few of the very friendly waitresses we met.
No comments:
Post a Comment