When a girl makes a promise, sometimes a woman sees it through.

Hey y'all! Well, I said I was going to do it.
So, I am doing it. Sort of like how I ended up kissing Richard Thompson in the stairwell of the McCarter Theater in 1995. I told Marylou that I was going to kiss him... and I did. Sure, she called me on it, but it was my lips that met his and I get to tell the story. That story is for another day and if your feel like I am taking too long to tell it, please feel free to remind me.

Today's story is a tale of adventure and exploration. The great song by Leo Kottke comes to mind as I prepare to pack the 1995 Toyota wagon. Do you remember Pamela Brown? Well sit back and enjoy the lyrics.

I'm the guy that didn't marry pretty Pamela Brown
Educated, well-intentioned good girl in our town
I wonder where I'd be today if she had loved me too
Probably be driving kids to school

I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown
All of my good times - all my roamin' around
One of these days I might be in your town
And I guess I owe it all to Pamela Brown

Seen the lights of cities and been inside their doors
Sailed to foreign countries and walked upon their shores
I guess the guy she married was the best part of my luck
She dug him cause he drove a pick-up truck
I don't have to tell you just how beautiful she was
Everything it take to get a guy like me in love
Lord I hope she's happy cause she sure deserves to be
Especially for what she did for me

Clearly, I didn't fall in love with Pam, but I did make a promise to Bill. Bill Mellus was my friend back in the Easy Acres Days. I was a winsome fourteen year-old and Easy Acres was a rattlesnake house full of guys that toured in or ran from one or more of the following:

1. Vietnam
2. parents
3. various kinds of law
4. various kinds of women

Somehow I become the 'little sister' of Easy Acres, and I wear that badge proudly to this day. With that said, one could say I am more obligated, than promised, to make this cross country trip. Bill moved out west and got landed in BC a long time ago. It was about that time that I promised to visit. Fast forward thirty seven years and you have the "yippee-i-o-ki-ay holiday". Me as your faithful trail guide and Will as the pack horse (he doesn't know that yet and if history prevails, he'll never read this and figure it out). Will is my funny, smart and wise child. Twenty years old, twin to Sophie and younger brother to Drew (29) and Nick (27), Will has barbwire wit and the delivery like a pair of well worn boots. Comfy, but could hurt if velocity and direction are not in your favor.

So back to Pamela Brown and Bill Mellus. I promised Bill I would visit him in British Columbia and after patiently reminding me for almost four decades he is going to get that visit.

Will and I are heading out on Saturday June 12th, straight to Chicago were Roy Arsenault, Will's cousin and my sister's kid will put us up "for as long as we want". That's a mighty fine offer but I think we will be heading through Nebraska by Monday. Stick around, I'll let you know. Meanwhile...

I guess I owe it all to Bill Mellus
All of my good times - all my roamin' around
One of these days I might be in your town
And I guess I owe it all to Bill Mellus.

Well, come to think of it, I met Bill through Dallas.
Dallas was Jim Rogan's solid white Tennessee Walker. And that is most definitely a great story for another time.

Happy Trails,
Amy