Leaving California and transitioning into Oregon is not short of dramatic. The last bits of California ( From Shasta up through Eureka) are breath taking. It's almost like advent- anticipation that powerfully transitions you into something extraordinary in a way that is its own significant event.
We stopped in Dunsmuir, CA thanks to Aleece's recommendation. The "town" is quaint, and we made out like bandits at the local thrift store. If you are ever driving through, stop there. The store is run by these ladies who volunteer at the shop and also at a shelter/rehab center for women who are either contemplating abortion, have gotten one and need healing or who refused one and need to learn how to raise a kid. Hearts of gold, those ladies.
We landed in Medford for a night with our new friend Joel Swenson who we later performed with. We spent the next day there then headed to Corvallis for our first Oregon show. It was awesome. Oregon people are not like California people. There aren't mini skirts and ugg boots, affliction T-shirts, tans, juicy couture, or surfy looking folks. I feel like you only see a) people who outgrew coolness and are just super normal b) hip indie rock type folks or c) mountain people. I love going places that are irreverent to the entertainment industry as a whole. Maybe I just enjoy it because I'm normally in its epicentre... either way, go Ducks.
After Corvallis we packed up the Element and headed back to Medford for the night. We ended up getting into town at 4:30am. Yes. 4:30. I couldn't be more exhausted and irritable when we pulled up- especially after having to drive pitch black mountain roads in the rain. Buh! We dragged our luggage up the steps to what was easily the nicest place we were going to stay on the trip so far. Our friend Evan of the Parson Red Heads invited us to stay with his family for a couple of nights. The outside of the home was perfect. Well, maybe according to my standards. It was like a huge cottage with a porch swing, lots of windows, lots of trees and pumpkins. Despite me dragging my feet all the way into our room I was excited. This place felt like home. It only got better from here.
I awoke the next morning at about 10am. I wanted to get a start on what would be our only full day without driving. It was a little gloomy outside the way it usually is in the North West in the morning- and the trees shone all kinds of gold and red. I tip toed down the old wooden stairs listening carefully for signs of life. I knew that Evan had several adopted siblings and I was sort of waiting to hear the chaos of all the kids. I walked down stairs to find musical instruments, a huge library of books, cereal, milk and coffee. Yesss. Anytime I wake up to coffee I feel like I received a little gift. After pouring myself a cup I meandered into a room I thought I heard noise in and found Evan's mom and two of his adopted siblings.
I sheepishly said "Goodmorning?" and WHOOSH! They all ran to me as if I was Mickey friggin mouse. I got three sincere hugs and after that an onslaught of questions... "What's your name? You wanna see me ride my bike? Can I show you my skateboard? Do you like monkey bars? Whats your favorite color? We have a pumpkin growing in our back yard! let me show you my car collection!". To which I said...."OK!!"
I spent the next few hours laughing, playing and making silly faces with Jamie and Travis. They were two of the Ways beloved children that had fetal alcohol syndrome and needed to be in families who could really love them in a healthy home. Both of them are fully aware of their adoption and even celebrate their adoption birthdays. There's another child in the mix too and he's only about 8 months old I think.
The Ways... Oh I could create a whole other blog about them. I was almost moved to tears watching them take care of these children. They are both into their 60s and have fully adult children who are off doing life elsewhere. The father is a Pastor and a gentle man, full of wisdom and patience. The mother is hilarious and a little crazy ( she'll tell you herself). When she's not being super mom she dances ballet and has an entire basement full of elaborate costumes and toe-shoes. The home is warm and full of the kind of love we all crave. The Ways ooze patience and hope. They laugh at their kids jokes, show no signs of anxiety or fear and seem to glide throughout their disciplinary action with trust and love. Their home made me want to follow in their footsteps- but it became apparent by the first few hours of hanging with their kids that it would take YEARS before I could exercise patience like them. I am honored to have been able to stay with them and can't wait to do it again. We got to play a great show in Ashland and that was a blessing but- the best part by far was our visit with the Way family.
Our last stop in Oregon was one of my favorites. We landed in Portland Oregon in the afternoon and we got to stay with my good friend Peter Liptak's parents. Now, this wasn't just their home. Its a place called " Madison House" and is hundreds of years old. It used to be a home for birthing children of single mothers before being a single mother was acceptable. This Doctor ran the home in a progressive act of creative tolerance. He would house the women in the huge number of bedrooms, birth their children, and throw adoption parties. Strange? Yes but, super cool. On the third floor there's a ballroom where they'd have dances! Families would come, dance and leave with a new adopted child and a "nurse"to take in with them. This way, the single mothers could still take care of their children but with support and without the shame they bore from society.
Now, the Liptaks just couldn't be any cooler. They chose to honor the tradition of the home in some way by housing young girls and mentoring them. They, too have children who are now adults living their lives and instead of indulging in the time alone they could have, they chose to run a home with 8 girls living with them at a time who they'd love, display a healthy marriage to, and support. This home is gorgeous and these girls are getting a great deal. I love the Liptaks so much. They are the kind of people you want to receive advice from any time, about anything and trust that they've lived it and know what the crap they're talking about. I got home the night we stayed there and I was gonna turn in and go to sleep when Valerie walks in from the theater. She saw me in my pj's and with utter boldness said " What do you think you're doing? Sleeping?? Oh NO, put your rain boots on". I smiled and became elated at the thought of a late night outing with the fam. She insisted we go to cart-opia. Its this little corner with the best food carts " of all time". I got a mingonberry, lemon custard, goat cheese crepe. Oh my gosh. Thank you Liptaks.
Our last show in Oregon was special. We played an outdoor house show by fireside- IN THE RAIN. It was freezing but beautiful. We played our songs underneath a little tin overhang that soon turned into the percussion section for our band. It poured, HARD. People in Oregon are cool with it though cause they're so used to it. So instead of peacing out, they hugged their cups of cider and swayed to the music like troopers.
Oregon, I love you. I will return.
-Carly
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