Steal my Jeep – I think not!

I tend to be a spontaneous individual which sometimes causes me to act without putting forth enough logic.  Yesterday afternoon is a shining example. 

The office complex where I work here in California is L shaped with the parking lot wrapping around the building.  The individual office walls are entwined with a good amount of glass and windows which are treated so one can see out but not in.  The building sits directly on the corner of two very busy streets; one so much so that we avoid trying to enter the parking lot via that driveway as the traffic is just too rushed.  The parking lot itself consists of one row of stalls perhaps six feet from the building, then driving space two-car widths, and then another row of parking stalls.  Behind the second row of parking stalls are tall, thick trees that provide wonderful shade and seem to enclose the lot from the outside hustle and bustle of the world.  I traditionally park in the second row under the shelter of the tall branches. 

Yesterday afternoon I left just a tad afternoon five o’clock. The exit door is mere feet from where I park the Jeep.  As I walked through the door I noticed what seemed to be someone sitting in the driver seat of the Jeep.  Immediately my thoughts flew to who could be playing a trick on me.  I continue to walk and am now at the edge of the second row when it dawns on me this is no joke; someone is sitting in my Jeep with the driver’s door open. As I reach the front fender (many of the cars in the lot back into the stalls as is my habit) the individual steps out of the Jeep.  He is in his late 20’s, not of a large build, but bigger than me. Lying on the asphalt next to the driver’s door is his BMX bike.  The conversation goes something like this.

Wendy: Hey, how ya doing?

Guy: Hey, I’m cool.  I’m cool. 

Wendy: Can I help you with anything?

Guy: No man, I’m cool. 

As we talk he moves out of the Jeep and reaches down for his bike.  I move so that I am standing in front of his bike blocking his exit. 

Wendy: So what are you doing in my Jeep?

Guy: My buddies must have been playing a trick on me. 

Wendy: How so?

Guy: They put my bike in your car and I was just getting it out.

Wendy: Really.  Your bike was inside my Jeep?

Guy: Yeah, they must have been playing a trick.

When we talk he looks around but is not agitated and never tries to make an exit.  I continue to speak as if I’m talking to a co-worker; calm, friendly, no threatening words or mannerism.  It has become apparent to me that this guy is high on something. 

Wendy: So your bike was in my Jeep, okay, but why were you sitting in the driver’s seat?

By now he is sitting on his bike ready to peddle off, but I’m still blocking him.  He looks out to the street, looks at the building, then looks at me and says, “I lied.  I was going to push it out but you walked from the door so I stopped.”

I stared at him; he stared at me.  Silence.  A stand-off with each of us wondering what the other was going to do next. 

Wendy: Alright, well, head on out now okay.

Guy: Yeah okay.

I moved and made the gesture for him to peddle past.  He rode along the row of cars in no particular hurry never looking back as I stood and watched.  I got into my Jeep and sat for a moment.

I looked to see if anything was missing, even though there really wasn’t anything to miss.  I had just had the Jeep detailed so all extra items were removed.  I checked for dangling wires from the dash or evidence that that the stereo had been pried, or anything at all that would say someone other than me had been sitting in that very seat.  Nothing.  I could find nothing.  So I began my journey home.

Knowing I would be recounting this tale to family and friends that logic part that evades me at times came around to visit.  I could hear the “Are you insane!” being voiced.  Surely I would hear comments such as “Did you call the cops?” “What were you thinking?” “Are you looking for trouble?” “What if he had a gun or a knife?” “Why didn’t you get someone from the complex once you saw him?”

The answer to all the above boils down to me being me.  I tend to look for the best in every person and I am stubbornly independent.  I went forth in this situation with complete faith that I would not be hurt and wanting to deal with it myself rather than call in the troops.  Sure his fingerprints were all over the inside and sure I could have called the police and been detained for several hours.  I chose not to in hopes that maybe a close call will somehow reach him and change his mind the next time.   Maybe someone showing him kindness in a gentle manner will make more of an impression than abrupt anger.  Probably not, but I’d like to hold on to that hope.

All the time I lived in Northern New York I never locked my Jeep.  The keys were always left either in the ignition or on the console.  If I made a trip to the store the Jeep keys were tossed on the console while I went inside.  As one friend puts it, “You’re not in Amish land anymore.”  I have to sadly agree.  

What? No Internet!

Hang on readers ...

The furniture is in place = happy face.

Plenty of boxes in piles waiting attention = tired face.

No Internet available = huge sad face. 

Satellite service is in our near future thankfully.  

I've gobs to write: how our travel story came to a close, the first couple of days here in Friant, my first day at work, bats in my bedroom, snakes slithering inches from my feet, Mom's threat to take me to court, and so much more.  

So hang on dear friends ... I'll be back soon.  

Cross Country Trip Day Twelve: Lake Have-A-Sue (Havasu) City Arizona to Clovis California

I misspoke yesterday when I said today would be the end of our journey.  Yes, we will reach California and happily land at Mom and Dad’s house, but the true end comes tomorrow.  When the last box has been unloaded from the U-Haul, then the journey is complete. 

During our stay with Mama and Papa, Bailey selected to sleep on the cool stone floor rather than the bed as is her tradition.  Or so I thought.  Jaime and I were sitting on my bed talking on our last night in Arizona.  Bailey was pacing around the bed with pleading eyes.  We both encouraged her up on the bed but she wouldn’t jump.  Finally she made an attempt and with it came whines of discomfort and a retreat.   Some time ago Bailey hurt her hip and it seems that she has restrained that area.  She refused to jump, even up on the bed.  Thankfully we are at the end of this adventurous drive.  Having to pick a 75 pound dog up and load her in the U-Haul is not an activity I’d like to master more than needed.  As I expected, she refused to even try to jump when it was time to go.  She paced in front of the passenger door, then tucked her tail between her legs and cowered.  With Papa holding her back half and me taking the front half, we hoisted her up.

Mama and Papa set us on the road in style.  In true grandparent spoiling they fed us a country breakfast and packed our ice chest full of goodies.  Staying with them was such a pleasurable stop on our journey and they certainly added to the memories of our trip.

For those that are not familiar, when a vehicle crosses into the state of California it is inspected by the border patrol.  California takes agriculture very seriously and no pesky bugs from other states are allowed.  No fruits, vegetables, or plants are allowed through the gates.  We pulled up to the inspection site and Bailey stands in her seat to see what’s up.  The officer laughed and said, “Whoa, that’s not a dog that’s a horse!”  The standard questions of traveling from, destination, and reason were asked.  When I stated New York he asked if we were from upstate.  That prompted a conversation about towns and such as he actually knew the area.  After inspecting our ice chest and U-Haul he bid us safe travels.  A very nice, and if I may add, quite cute, border patrol.   

Remember how at the beginning of our journey I mentioned how the feeling of not being in a small town any longer creep up on me?  Well it did just that to Jaime during one of our gas stops.  The station was next to empty so we took our time.  Jaime took Bailey for a walk, I checked straps and such, and we both pulled out treats for the next driving stretch.  I need to mention that Jaime keeps her backpack at her feet during the day.  All her “stuff” is hidden among the depths of that bag.  So when she unloaded Bailey at the station she pulled the backpack out and placed it on the cement next to the tire.  After we had successfully hauled Bailey up to her seat, I moved around to the driver seat.  The gentleman in the gas lane next to us began talking to Jaime.  Once we were on the road again I asked what the conversation was about.  She said he was a kind man just looking out for her.  He warned that it was not safe to leave anything simply lying on the ground as she had done with her backpack.  Heavy sigh.  In Beaver Falls you could not only leave a backpack next to your truck, but could do so for hours with no worries of it being taken.  I’m sure going to miss that life. 

As the landscape became familiar Jaime bubbled with excitement.  When we came to the exit for Clovis Avenue she squealed like a three-year-old.  Silly girl; I think she is happy to be back in California.  

Cross Country Trip Day Eleven: Lake Have-A-Sue (Havasu) City Arizona to Clovis California

Yesterday was spent enjoying laziness and the company of each other.   Mama and Papa were excellent hosts and lavished us with food and fun.  Jaime couldn't find her swimsuit top, though she did tackle several boxes in the U-Haul.  I didn't even try.  No clue as to which box my suit is in. Thus the first task of the morning was a trip to Wal-Mart so we could purchase bathing suits.  As any woman can attest, bathing suit shopping is the worst torture ever.    Yet suits purchased and  Subway eaten, the pool beckoned.  Bailey used to swim daily at Mom and Dad’s house and has greatly missed her swim time.  She thoroughly enjoyed the water. 

  

After a day at home we ventured out for dinner.  Our stomachs quivered with anticipation for we were being treated to a feast which has not touched our tongues since departing California - - true Mexican food!  Oh the glorious flavor.  Jaime and I were absolutely in our happy place upon clearing our plates. 

Next a short drive to the famed London Bridge for some tourist time.  Our personal tour guide told us the history of this beautiful London bridge that was taken apart, numbered piece by piece, and  then rebuilt here in Have-a-Sue.

The day came to a close with a perfect sunset.  Clovis and the end of our journey awaits us tomorrow!

Cross Country Trip Day Ten: Holbrook Arizona to Lake Have-A-Sue (Havasu) City Arizona

As the fog of sleep lessened I became aware of silence.  Perhaps this was just an exceptionally quiet hotel.  I reached for my cell phone (remember when we actually used alarm clocks and wrist watches) to see what time this was all happening at.  Seriously?  3:30 a.m.  Good gracious.  Then I remembered we did drive across two separate time zones.  My body may say 5:30, but the hands on the clock say 3:30.  I willed myself back to sleep. 

Today the driving actually became somewhat of a chore for me.  I think it is because the landscape never changes.  Brown, tan, beige; how many different shades of dirt are there?  There is never a depletion of sun in this place. As proof here is a screenshot of my iPhone. 

 And then it happened.  We pulled off the Interstate for gas, turned the corner, and boom, there stood an establishment that made my heart sing.  No debating what side of the states we were on any longer, as only in the west can you find them.  I have so missed this scrumptiousness.

We arrived at Mama and Papa’s mid-afternoon.  Hugs and happy smiles were bountiful.  They have a sweet little dog named Tucker.  The dogs did their ceremonious hind-end sniffing, decided each were acceptable, and made peace. 

A couple hours later dinner plans were being discussed.  Jaime and I looked at each other in amazement when realization hit that we had not eaten since breakfast.  See, even our appetites went into hibernation due to the endless hours of the dessert landscape.  ;-) 

We headed out to Mudshark’s Brewery for BBQ.  Jaime had ribs and I had a pulled pork sandwich.  I was about to dig in when I realized there was a problem.  Digging through my purse I came up empty handed.  Jaime came to my rescue with a hair tie. You know it is sloppy good barbeque when you have to tie your hair back! 

We will be here for a couple days, then it is California bound again!