In the morning, I was the first one out of bed. I showered and quietly walked downstairs. Being coffee dependent, I longed for a cup to start my day. I tried to watch TV but it hurt my head. I decided to be a good guest and wait for the others rather than take a coffee drive (there didn't seem to be any coffee in the house). I decided to take a walk through the suburbs. As I walked, I could feel the disconnection to nature that suburban living brings. It was a beautiful morning, songbird sunny, yet I was the only walker on the road. I felt lonely but appreciated being on the road and away from my own home routine.
When I returned the house was still quiet. Kristen was showering, so I decided to lay down for a bit. After a few restless minutes I walked downstairs and found Bob and Kelly awake. Wearing the same clothes as the night before, Bob remarked that Kristen and I slept late. I mentioned my morning walk and he went upstairs to change. At this point, I realized that he had been waiting to get into the guest room where he kept his closet. We all make sacrifices for the sake of friendship.
We departed quickly, eager to start the day. Quiet prevailed on the empty New Jersey roads. We stopped at a Starbucks and enjoyed coffee, sandwiches and cake. We reflected on the wonderful show. It was only 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and Kristen and I had a whole day ahead of us. I was a bit tired from the wine but maintained a positive attitude. Bob and Kelly guided us to the Rockaway Mall. In Macy's, we hugged and said good bye. Hugging in Macy's on Sunday morning is a strange way to start the day.
I do not like to go to the mall. But on this morning, the mall was quiet and calm. We pledged that future visits to the mall would take place in the morning. We exchanged some Christmas gifts for things we really needed. We ran into some old friends who we had not seen since summer. At my wedding, Eric asked me to be his best man. He is one of my oldest friends, but we don't see each other very much. At the mall, we didn't have much to say. "We've reached that awkward point", Eric said of the silence. I felt unsettled as I walked away, wishing I had more time to spend with my friends. We bought a couple of books about good health and went on our way. In the parking lot, Bob and Kelly's car was gone. It was time to be on our way to Jim Thorpe.
As we climbed out of New Jersey, crossed the Delaware Water Gap and climbed into the Pocono Mountains, we learned that a winter storm was approaching. Four to six inches of snow was forecast for Jim Thorpe. As we drove under darkening sky and clouds, snow and ice began to fall. Railroad Earth in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylania was sure to be a memorable occasion.
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