It worked out that I would again do this as a two-day blog. Both days were focused on resting and traveling, and they were quieter.

Tuesday

As usual, we rise with the sun at just after 7. Deborah was already wide awake as she still living in East Coast Time to a degree. I am on local time and wish the sun would give me a break and return to standard time! F**k that is early! But I made coffee, and we spent time drinking and enjoying each other’s company.

We walked uptown to the Potholder 2 breakfast joint I had tried before. It was good the second time, if a bit of a standard breakfast, but the omelets were good. I had the Mexican and Deborah the Californian omelets. They are great, with a different taste and feel to each. Our waiter was kind and interested in us having a great experience, something you do not always see.

We walked back towards the shops. I was surprised to see a G.A.R. statue in the Billy Jean Public Library park. The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was the joint North and South troops of the Civil War. They had encampments for years, combining both sides, enjoying camping, and meeting every five years or so. The last meeting was in 1949. The statue was of President Lincoln looking down and smiling. President Lincoln was the last President to lead troops in battle, yes, he even did that as president. Lincoln agreed with the Union General’s good treatment of the surrendered troops at the war’s end and was, from what I read, remembered with affection by the G.A.R. It is likely that after the ACW (American Civil War), many former army folks headed to California to make their fortune (or not). So the G.A.R. was here in Long Beach and put up the statue.

After the park, I needed to find the bathroom. My colon was fighting back and wanted attention. Also, the burger the night before was soaked in grease, which did not improve the situation. Deborah headed to the Columbia discount store in the Pike Street Mall (all discount stores) while I attended to matters. There, I met Deborah; she found the gifts, and I found a new coat I needed. It was on sale and fit; I bought it. With our investments in discounted Columbia (I have never shopped in a Columbia store before), we tried a drink at Gladstones. I visited the men’s room and attended more to my colon. But the wine was good, and the staff not very attentive, except when we went to pay. Strange.

Next, after a break at our room after walking back, we returned downstairs and found a large table to play the board game Concordia I had brought in Air VW the Gray. This is an efficiency race with deck building and resource management elements with simple turns. However, the strategy and the sequencing are complicated. Deborah started to get the game about 1/2 through, and she nearly caught me, but I managed to get some more colonists out just before she ended the game (gaining 7 points). I felt I was running to keep ahead once she got the game. Deborha said she liked the game but needs a few more plays.

We finished the night watching more Matlock episodes and enjoyed the multiple storylines. We commented often on the set since we stood there and even ‘rode’ the elevator, which got quite a lot of use the next two episodes.

Wednesday

Our travel day and the day ran through our fingers like water or sand (or tears). We rose with the sunrise, even earlier today, as we could already feel the day running away without us. I made coffee, we chatted, and we had one more enjoyable morning together. Then, we cleaned up, packed the rest of the room (having started packing the day before), and headed for breakfast. Deborah ordered online for the local Starbucks; it was crowded. We waited until we got a notification that it was ready and then took our coffees and food to the hotel lobby and finished it there.

We got out the last bits, took a photo to remember the room, wished the cleaning lady who gave us extra coffee well (Deborah left her another tip), and descended to the lobby. We checked out and waited a moment for Deborah’s taxi. There was always a taxi waiting, but Deborah waited for the one she ordered, which showed up in a few minutes. With a kiss, we are separated again. It was hard. We were brave. We will see each other again soon.

With my new travel companion, I headed out: a stuffed animal axolotl that was a gift for buying items at the Aquarium of the Pacific (Deborah got me a new tie with whales on it to remember our whale-watching together). This one is headed to Z.

Travel in the LA area involved some stop-and-go around LAX and again in the pass. It was not cold and snowing this time when I broke over 4,100 feet! I stopped at a Walmart to charge, and nobody was there. The charge was Electrfy America, which is still free for me (I have six months of free charging). I got a set of cheese and meat with some pita chips for lunch. When I was nearly charged, going for 100% as long as it was free, an EV Porsche awaited for my spot. They can easily read the charge time (and cost) on the screen.

When I left, I saw four more stations to use for Electrfy America! But my app only had me go to the 350W (but my EV handles only 178W). Strange.

The rest of the trip was the same as before (but on reverse, which was strangely disconcerting), with some crazy driving and aggressive lane changes at 70+ speeds, which surprised me. It was like fast Michigan drivers going Fast and Furious. Later, I stopped at one rest area, found a working CA Trans free charging and put 20% on Air VW the Gray. This will improve Thursday morning (I will have more charge to drive).

I heard from Linda after I stopped that Mom Wild was having a tough day. Details cannot be published here, but Mom Wild is safe and in her room as I write this. I was in contact with Linda and others and even looked at flights. But all is calm for the moment.

I reached Fresno, enjoyed a traffic jam, and finally found the hotel after circling around. The room is nice, but the bar is closed for remodeling. Instead, I went out to find food after a shower. I was sticky and tired after the drive, and the shower helped.

Coming to the end of this story, Deborah has landed in Detroit and will soon be home with her dogs. I am at the Fresno Cheesecake Factory bar, only a few miles from my hotel. I had pasta and a drink, and I finished with coffee. Linda is headed home, and Mom Wild is resting. So maybe for a few moments, it will be quiet. And perhaps the Trump officials can resist making headlines tomorrow. Let’s hope for an easy day on Thursday for the world (“Dear God, just one day of Peace for the Earth, please, just one!”).

I’m headed out early tomorrow to Mount Shasta, stopping at the olive oil places (if I remember). It will be six hours of driving and an hour or more of charging.

Thanks for reading!