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She's Come Undone in the Back Seat of the Minivan
It was the summer of 2000, our son Aaron was working at the Togwotee Mountain Lodge (known at that time as the Cowboy Village Resort) in the Togwotee Pass, on the Continental Divide, just north of Jackson Hole, WY. Dennis and I decided to take a road trip to visit Aaron and we invited our good friends, Arnold and Joyce Glassman, to go with us. I'm sharing this story with you today because it is Saturday and today Arnold and Joyce are coming from California to spend a few days with us. As I await their arrival I thought back to that crazy road trip when I read She's Come Undone in the back seat of the minivan.
We left California on August 17, 2000. It was a long road trip, 2042 miles round trip. We covered a lot of ground and found ourselves at our final destination, elevation 9658 ft, enjoying views of the Grand Tetons and learning to horseback ride, again. When the trip started, I announced to my fellow travelers that I was going to keep copious notes of our adventures. I got into the rear seat of the minivan, arranged my notebook and pen, and then from my tote bag I retrieved my copy of Wally Lamb's bestseller She's Come Undone. Have you read it? It was the Oprah's Book Club selection for January 1997, and according to Wikipedia "She's Come Undone explores a feisty but troubled young woman's journey through her suburban New England existence." I know it may sound a little dull, but believe me it is the kind of book you just don't want to put down. The main character, Dolores, was born in 1952, and the story begins when she is about four. Since I was born in 1949 many of the story's historical references are familiar, particularly the parochial school experiences of the 1960s.
We left California on August 17, 2000. It was a long road trip, 2042 miles round trip. We covered a lot of ground and found ourselves at our final destination, elevation 9658 ft, enjoying views of the Grand Tetons and learning to horseback ride, again. When the trip started, I announced to my fellow travelers that I was going to keep copious notes of our adventures. I got into the rear seat of the minivan, arranged my notebook and pen, and then from my tote bag I retrieved my copy of Wally Lamb's bestseller She's Come Undone. Have you read it? It was the Oprah's Book Club selection for January 1997, and according to Wikipedia "She's Come Undone explores a feisty but troubled young woman's journey through her suburban New England existence." I know it may sound a little dull, but believe me it is the kind of book you just don't want to put down. The main character, Dolores, was born in 1952, and the story begins when she is about four. Since I was born in 1949 many of the story's historical references are familiar, particularly the parochial school experiences of the 1960s.
Well, as I said, I don't have a lot of time today. If you are wondering what happened to my "copious notes", it so happens I still have them. In fact, just last night I was re-reading them. You might wonder why I never published them. Good question. Answer: Arnold threatened to sue me! I am not sure how serious he was, but I didn't want to take any chances.
Typical conversation between Arnold (driver) and Dennis (riding shotgun).
Dennis: "We are going to turn right on Rt 12."
Arnold: "Thanks for telling me, that is 60 miles away!"
Here are your action items for today: plan a trip to the Togwotee Pass or sit back and read She's Come Undone. Either way you won't be disappointed.
Arnold, Joyce and Dennis enjoying Bryce Canyon National Park
This is a photo of a street called "No Name"...just one more highlight from our trip.
Labels: Aaron-Helfand, California, Dennis-Helfand, She's-Come-Undone, Togwotee-Pass
