I wasn't able to write on this trip, but I need a journal of all my travels, no matter how short or seemingly ordinary. I'm sure this will make for completely boring reading; you know what to do.
The drive through eastern Ontario to northern Vermont was stressful and annoying. It rained almost the whole way, we hit rush-hour traffic around Montreal and then missed a turn before the border, adding an hour to our trip at the very end. Bah. We didn't pull into Betty's until around 9:30, a good 3 hours later than we were expected. We sat and talked with Betty for a while before bed. More on Betty later.
The rain was worrisome, because the wedding was outdoors, but RFV and L lucked out - Saturday was a perfect blue-sky day. We found a roadside motel not far from their home by rural standards, telling Betty we were staying at RFV's, and RFV we were staying at Betty's. That way no one felt obligated to put us up, and we (especially me) could have a little privacy and quiet the following day.
RFV and L live in a big rambling farmhouse with exposed beams and zig-zagging additions. Their huge yard slopes down a hill, with a creek running through it and cowpaths on all sides. They live there with L's two sons, a beagle and a couple of cats, and they seem like they couldn't be happier.
Allan has known RFV (that's Ray From Vermont) since high school, a connection that has waxed and waned over the years, as those things will do, but is strong and genuine. I've known RFV a few minutes longer than I've known Allan. Allan and I have met several of Ray's girlfriends over the years, and in recent years he has really wanted to settle down, but was smart enough to hold out for the real deal. It's clear they have a real partnership.
The ceremony was in the backyard, everyone wearing shorts, sandals and plastic leis. They read their own vows, and it was pretty wonderful. I hate the fetishizing of weddings, and neither Allan nor I could care less if RFV and L made it legal or not. But seeing someone you care about in a solid, loving, happy partnership is truly a beautiful thing.
On the groom's side, the theme of the wedding seemed to be, Can you believe Ray is married?? He lived in an extended adolescence for a long time, remaining single while all his friends started families. On the bride's side, there seemed to be sheer jubilation and celebration. I get the feeling her boys' father was not exactly an ideal partner.
As for the party, let's just say it was a lot of time for me to spend in a group setting, without knowing anyone, and without making any good connections with anyone either. But what are you gonna do. Not everything is about my entertainment. I hung out, talked a little, watched my drinking, admired the scenery.
Allan talked to some people he hadn't seen since high school, and also Ray's mom, a wonderful woman who has always been very good to Allan. L's kids had lots of friends there, so there were gangs of teenagers running around and splashing in the pool. People played horseshoes and volleyball, and after dark we sat around a bonfire. We only got into one "discussion" with a wingnut, and even that was civilized. RFV told us several times how much it meant to him that we were there.
I drove back to the motel at about 10 miles an hour. Those dark, winding country roads, wildlife suddenly darting into view, with only a vague idea of where we were going, pose an interesting challenge late at night. But we found the motel without killing any creatures or getting lost, and we were near a good store for coffee the next day. Those are the things that make me happy when I travel.
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