day tripper

Home school rules because you can do whatever you please and it's great. It is actually a learning experience. We decided to ride the train to Klamath, since the weather there this time of year is iffy, and on a good day it would take about 7 or 8 hours (and let's just face it, I am in no position to be responsible for all of us in the car that long, I can hardly manage at home, with help).

My mom had a Friday off and my very good friend Racheal is also very pregnant and the new baby is due to make his appearance at any moment (really) so I was hoping to do some fabulous multi tasking by persuading the baby to come out while I was there as well. (didn't happen)

Ah Klamath, I have such fond memories of you. Every time I go home it is like another adventure in the twilight zone (not the dreamy Edward Cullen version of twilight, the strange, is this actually happening to me version) This trip was no exception.

We had left a very important bag behind when we left, and through some magic powers, my friend Erika had it sent on the next flight to Klamath Falls. (yes, I realize I am spoiled, and I love it, and barely ever feel guilty about it either) My dad and I had to go to the airport to pick it up in the morning. (early, like who is awake when it is still dark-early) We drive out to the airport; (now I must take a minute to explain this to you, incase you have never been to Klamath Falls, the airport is the size of the play area at McDonalds, but with nothing fun to do. There was a one eyed security guard (no pirate patch, just squinty) some gal wearing a pink scarf behind the counter (Sky West employee?) with no visible identification, and some people milling around the chairs in the lobby. ) I go inside to grab my bag, and find out that Klamath Falls is fogged in. What? I go look outside, there are a few clouds, but apparently the flight can't land unless there is like 2 miles visibility, and unless it clears up soon, the airplane will go land in Medford, or even better, fly all the way back to portland with my pink carebear bag inside. I smile at Pinkscarf and tell her I will check back later. Now there is no way I am going home without my bag, and now we have NOTHING to do, and it is 0 dark thirty. Awesome! I need coffee.

Let the games begin. So my dad is like the mayor of K-Town, and has keys to every back stage in the city. I am usually pretty good natured about his "tours" but I was having kind of a problem this morning, since I didn't get breakfast, or coffee, my bag was missing and the day before was LONG and tiresome. "Dad, I NEED coffee." (hoping he will hear the seriousness in my voice and get me some freaking coffee) no response. He has this game where he pretends you aren't there and does whatever he wants. (fun game) This is getting to be an emergency. "DAD! I need coffee" still nothing. I start getting all fidgety (which he can't stand) yay me, it works, coffee at last. We pull into Dutch Bros. and my dad orders his usual, which is a vanilla latte with cinnamon on top. (very macho) Except he says this (yelling, because he can't hear) "vanilla luh-tay with 2 shots and cinnamon sprinkles" the edgy 20something looks at him (in his flannel shirt and bushy beard) and laughs. "Are you joking?" (must have been when he said cinnamon sprinkles-heh) I am rolling at this point, from lack or caffeine and also, I must admit this is the funniest thing I have seen in a while) then he further confuses her by saying he wants the small size so it will be stronger. I get something called a triple death wish (happy Halloween) and we take off. Dad's none too chipper mood is now dampened since I am still laughing at him and his sprinkles. I start to gulp the coffee, and in exactly 3 minutes, it hits. Whoa. Death wish is right. Oops. I am completely high. I start jabbering at a mile a minute and confessing to things I never even did.

At this point, Dad is getting exasperated with me and decides we need to get out of the car. (you would think maybe for a carby breakfast, but no) Tour time. We park in front of a 10 foot chain length fence enclosure with a little pump house looking building in it. This is going to be good. He opens the gate and we stroll across the lot to the brick building. We get almost there, and I get a whiff of something foul. Mmmmm, not good on my empty stomach, and buzzing brain. What is this place? HEY! I yell, you're not taking me to the underground sewer are you? Dad just smiles. Great. We go in and proceed to go down about 6 flights of stairs to the center of the earth. Well, maybe it just felt that way since I am out of shape, but it was deep, and cold. We get to the bottom, and there are some pipes and motors and things (not worth the stairs) and we check it out and climb back to the surface. I did get some information about the city sewer, but can't remember the specifics at this time. I do, however, remember what came next with stunning clarity. There is a big trapdoor in the parking lot, and as we pass he tells me that it is a huge grinder. Hmmm. He says it's name is the "Muffin Maker" (no idea) and it is big enough to grind up a VW bug, or your wife. (direct quote) This actually interests me more than anything so far, as I wonder why anyone would need a subterranean grinder big enough to handle foreign cars. He also tells me that the thing they pull most out of there are Levi's and mop heads. "Who would flush Levi's and mop heads!?!" indeed.

When he starts to realize that I do, in fact need to eat, he finally takes me to (buy him) breakfast at Muchas Gracias. We had tacos, it was 8am. He asked me if he could get a lemonade, I said yes. How could you not love him?

We proceed back to the airport, get to watch the airplane land, and grab the bag. We head home to the wild things, who are very excited to have their wolf suits in hand. (What else would be important enough to have flown to you overnight?) We crashed Racheal's family pizza night, and there was great people watching (Klamath Falls has eyeliner usage like not seen since the 80s-amazing!) Hit the pumpkin patch, carved pumpkins, and went to the movies. We had an amazing visit, and headed home on Monday morning. Phew, I need a nap. Come to find out, the train is a great place to learn-and Klamath Falls is a great lesson in social studies.