Xenophobes and Philanthropists go to Denver

A final good bye kiss was given Naomi as I slid into the 1988 U-haul. The upholstery gave off a cloud of dust when I sat down. All about me was cracked rubber, torn fabric and a scent of an old attic. This would be home for the next day as Byron, Jeremy and I made our way cross country to our new home in Denver, Co. It was 5:30 pm. A darkened sky faded from a lowering sun that we northwesterners imagined loomed over these bleak clouds. The windshield began accumulating droplets of water from a heavy mist migrating through the parking lot. Naomi dissapeared from the mirror as I turned the corner. First stop, PDX Intl. Airport for Byron, then, Vancouver for Jeremy. But as the photo so poignantly states, I anticipated many more stops with plenty of "brakes" for our humor, as the stir-craziness of hours in an "upholstered coffin" might prove detri-mental to our sanity. See? It lingers like cancer.

Custom for any road trip, since high-school, was to get completely distracted with superflous agendas, last minute suprises (faulty brakes, no food, forgot my board etc.) and lack of any direction from where we were going to where we wanted to go. Many trips were discovered as we went. Needless to say, there was some hesitancy to asking my two dearest friends to acompany me. I just couldnt see it any other way though, it had to be this way, perhaps one last time.

Yes. My two greatest freinds. We're older now, two of us married, one ambivalent but being convinced by the other two that he needs to tie it; we have jobs, bills that are being paid, its a more decisive way of living as opposed to the care-free frivolousness of youth. Dont be deceived by this picture, were actually in a debate over the posthumous works of Freud and Lewis. Byron the former, Jer the latter.

Over 1500 miles were to be driven since our final departure at 8:30 pm Saturday night. Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming before we actually made it to Colorado. We were all excited for the trip. None of us had driven this far east or seen these states on such a level before. We would alternate drivers. I drove the first leg through most of Oregon. Our conversation varied from the deeper waters of our personal life to nonsense. There were times of silence where I sat absorbing the company. When friendships come to a place where hours can pass with out a word and everyone feels as comfortable and joyous as if we'd been talking, you know you have a gem, refined by time and trial. We had been, too. I can remember a time when I was bitter towards Jer. He had once confessed I was really annoying; he was only being honest. I harbored angor for a long time over that, until, finally, I approached the cross with it and those wounds were healed. Byron and I, although always close and positive, have had our bouts. Once I threw a loaded mouse trap at him while he sat reading in the peace and quiet of a morning...for the hundreth time. It set off, not only itself, but a seething vehemence from my docile friend. He set my fridge on the street corner where, as he remembers, a crack-head came by and hauled it off. I didnt talk to him for nearly two months after that. Theres more, worse things, but those are for us to know and let go of. But as we sat, I reflected over the span of time we've known eachother and the love, commitment and joy that fortifies our friendship.

Our first legitamate stop was in Idaho, at a truck stop. All the other truck stops we'd driven by honking and laughing histerically at the images of crusty worn out men waking up swearing in thier cabs. This time we were the tired ones. We'd driven all night and it was roughly 6am; there was light snow falling through the crisp dry air.

A press-pot of antique Costa Rica was made, bananas and cliff bars were downed and we still felt like the grime that forms under a trucker arm pit.

After jumping back in the truck we jetted towards Utah. Utah. Whoa! UTAH! WHOAA!UUUUUUTTTTAAAAAHHHHHH! Whoaaaaaa! What took place was a revolutuon of the mind.We decided shortly after being in Utah that this is where every consiparcy is born. We listened to the creepiest radio stations ever. Found out that Ewin McGregor is a practicing lawyer there and many other absurd "facts" that led Byron deep into senility where he abducted Jer's common sense along the way. They began chanting some odd mantra and spoke of "the code", "the hand shake" and "the U" with sincere fondness. I pressed my face against the window and stared.

When both Jer and Byron were possesed by the spirit of Joseph Smith, we decided to pull over and breath, take a creative break and regroup our senses.

We continued along, flipping through radio stations, We stopped on one where a man with a soft captivating voice spoke. He spoke of Christ and the veracity of His humanity, the Son of God, by whose blood we were cleansed and on and on he spoke of the gospel. It was all true. I turned to Jer and said, "Watch, Mormon radio". Jer nodded, "it seems too stale, recited". Just then, over the radio we heard these words "...and we thank our heralding leader the closest friend of Christ and His greatest witness, Joseph Smith who was given the greatest testimony or our Lord Christ...". The words echoed in a silent cab. Goosebumps formed on our skin. It is amazing the deceptive quality the Mormons use. As we listened, we heard the gospel recited again, the nuances are linguistical, small clauses, prepositions and articles that are strategically placed to mislead. It was amazing how close it was to the Christian faith. We continued to listen to more creed recitals. The entire faith rests on works. Such a narrow door they make for themselves. Also, absurd politics and "happenings" which presidents and elders had experienced made us ill to think of the amount of lies they have to continually cover up.

Jer evoking the spirit...

Wyoming. Why Oming? Because thats all you want to do in this forlorn god-forsaken desolate inhumane state. Flat. Cold. Dusty. Angry. Thats about all I have to say about Wyoming.

There was a cool snow storm coming over the rockies, however.

At about 10 pm we finally made it to our new home. We unloaded then went right to sleep. My first impressions of the apartment were not so bright. I laid in bed wondering - again - if I had made the right decision. I fell asleep before I got to the answer. The next morning I was awakened by sunlight dripping through the blinds of our bedroom window. I could hear Byron and Jer snoring and ocassionally thrashing about the sleeping bags. "Yes", a slient reassurance settled into my heart from the night before. I got up and began making some coffee, soon I was joined by the other two.

As soon as we had finished unpacking the truck it began to snow. It snowed hard for close to an hour. It was so fitting. I am so snow deprived. All three of us soaked it up.

We spent the day wandering around DT Denver. We harrased the politicians at the Capitol building and ate some darn expensive -but good- food at the famous Pizza Calore.

The hours were dwindling away and it was soon time for them to go home. I tried to talk them into staying one more night, pulling the lonely husband with out his wife trick: nothing. I even threatened to drown my sorrows in beer; they're only concern was that it be a quality micro-brew. Needless to say we were on the road to the airport in no time. It was a sad drive for me. The weight of living here began to take its toll on me. Naomi has some time to spend with her kin before she flies out, and still, it will be difficult. This was it for me. And it too was very difficult. We pulled up to thier terminal and I was hoping they would miss thier flight, but Byron assured me they wouldn't. So I drove off, and as I passed them I snapped one last photo...

Its difficult to see, I know, its not even much of a photo artistically. It was on whim. Point and shoot. Yet, it still captured everything I want in a photo of my greatest friends. Byrons goofy contorted face and Jers compassionate one. Both were how they would prefer leaving me. Byrons humor has been medicine for the most fatel ills, and Jers compassion has been like wings God uses to lift a weary soul. So this is it. Im here, waiting for my most dear friend and lover, Naomi, and they are there, at home, living life. Things wont change so much, we will still live for Christ, eachother and the pleasures that both give. Until I see them next, farewell and good ridance you swine!