The window opens. Cold air rushes in. Smells of wood smoke and fall crisp air envelope me like memories invoked. Autumnal skies of blue, gilded golden yellow, reaching to the horizon where heaven meets earth . I’m six yeas old again, on a Sunday ride through mountainous New York state. Are we there yet? No. Not yet Joe. Uncle Frank’s is still two hours away. To a six year old, how long is two hours? And exactly where is Norwalk Connecticut anyway? Traveling up the New York State Thruway in that old dull white rusting Rambler … gazing out the window at the red, green, gold of oak and maples as their leaves tumble in fall. A narrow beam of sunlight glints on my wide open daydreaming eyes. With that spark I’m back headlong in the Cascades of Washington State. No. The destination isn’t Uncle Frank’s. It’s Leavenworth. Leavenworth, WA.

As you might have guessed, I’ve been away. In more ways than one. Chris and I had planned a two day getaway long before the proverbial diagnostic fecal matter hit the fan. It was a good plan. I’m glad we did it.

We booked a room at the mid-century modern rocker rest stop called the Jupiter Hotel. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but I think they left a few out. One in particular was LOUD. The Jupiter has a club on the premises named Doug Fir. Many a “alterna-punk-pop-rock-a-rap-dj-beat seeker” has passed through their doors. So the Jupiter is p-a-r-t-y central, if you’re in your twenties and looking for a good time. We were indeed looking for a good time, just not that kind. As I always say … “You live and you learn. Or you live and you don’t learn.”