Two years ago this April, I answered a knock at the front door. It was Andrew; we had not seen him in 2 years. As I stared at him dumbfounded, he said "I don't want anything." Then he laughed, and we both went wild with joy.He was healthy, tan, stylishly dressed. He had a place to stay, a job, and was driving a vintage, black, gas inhaling Chrysler Imperial Crown.
He had been all over the country for 2 years. From age 22 to 24. Occasionally we heard from him, and it was either heartbreaking, or exhilarating . I knew he didn't have a driver's license, so I overlooked the car that took up half the driveway, and he came in and had dinner and told us where he had been. Lest you get the idea that it was a romantic road trip, let me say parts of it were BAD, very BAD, but other parts were an adventure that one can only have at 22.
He stayed sober that spring, summer, into the early fall. Then he went on the run that put him where he is today.
So here are Andrew's Random Travel Observations (if you don't agree, consider the source):
- worst place to have your girlfriend's mother call the police on you for trespassing--Maricopa County, Arizona
- last person you want to see when your girlfriend's mother calls the police on you for trespassing--Sheriff Joe Arpaio of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department
- worst jail in America--Maricopa County Jail
- town with the most recovery houses where the owners are using--Prescott, Arizona
- town with the most fashionable clothes carelessly left in a public bathhouse--Venice Beach, California
- town with the most recovery houses where the owners are using and receiving messages from God--Riverside, California
- most beautiful place to live in California without the weirdos--Temecula
- most difficult town to score Xanax--Provo, Utah
- most beautiful state to hitchhike through--Colorado
- town with "pretty decent" cops--Dallas, Texas
- town with the most drugs available at the Greyhound Bus station--St. Louis
- town where you go into the alley behind the Greyhound Bus station to buy drugs, and you most likely get robbed instead--St. Louis
- town with lots of mean people--Falls Church, Virginia
- town with lots of friendly people--El Paso, Texas
19 thoughts:
Thanaks for that Lou... the list will be a great help when I finally get to the States!
Some things can only happen to a junkie... a lovely car, nice clothes, clean... but NO licence! ;)
There's always something... it's never quite normal. The stories make me smile more than anything.
I hope you're well... Best wishes, Shane.
Oh I loved this post Lou!
Real is real ain't it?
And yes, El Paso is friendly.
I've been to six on the list and concur with the findings.
Especially the Sheriff Joe part, who a lot of people love, and a lot of people hate.
I have to smile at Andrew's "adventures". He has quite the sense of humor.
Pam-Andrew says El Paso is the kind of town where people give you $5 for a meal, and then ask if you would mind if they joined you.
He would like to live there.
You won't won't find that info in AAA magazine! Loved it!
There's recovery in El Paso, too!
El Paso is wonderfully full of good souls!
As it is with most addicts, Andrew has had an adventure! If he continues to do well and move on in life he will have lots of stories for the grandkids one day! And a couple that he doesn't want them to know about. As will I.
I giggled at this post. Thanks for sharing with us!
Kat
I've been to those places--right here in Naples. EXCEPT for
"hitchiking Colorado"--would love to do that in summer!)
And that Maricola County jail crapola
I could go to Maricopa County and never see the inside of a jail.
But when I was TWENTY-TWO they would have stopped me at the county line!
See - this kind of an "adventure" just does not appeal to me... but perhaps Andrew can right a book like Kerouac's one day ;)
clap... clap...clap
great, simply great.
i once wrote a similar list but only included NYC..
You r Loved
Brother Frankie
A Biker for Christ
(if i didnt know Jesus, I would suck)
Lovin' some Andrew adventures.jeNN
God bless him, that was quite a list! I can't imagine not seeing your child for 2 years. Mines not ever leaving. Well maybe I will change my mind in a few years lol.
Love that list!
I was wondering if he remembered like the best place to get food, or like the worst hotel rooms?
Did he take pictures when he went cross country?
This is something that I have always wanted to do since I was a kid, Traveling.
Anywhere & everywhere really.
I know there will be a time in my life when I will do it, and I can't wait frankly.
There are so many places and when I do I will keep this list in mind and maybe make my own.
Right now I can only do one of New York.
Hey that's an idea huh?
We should all do a list of our states, and post them, and tag others as well. how does that sound to you?
Yo I'm really surprised that the "pretty decent" cops were in Dallas, Texas.
From what I know and heard they so strict down there no?
Maybe they got to liked Andrew? I know hes a great kid so I don't find that hard to believe!!!
Stay Up!
I like Andrew :)
This confirms what I've always believed: Texans are friendly folks!
I too giggled at his list. I imagine that was a tough 2 years on you and your husband. I can totally relate. **sigh**
Catching up... I love this one - great list!
very good!
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