I drove through Grant's Pass, but would like to spend more time there sometime. It looks nice and I don't know it very well. I tried to find a fish taco place, but kept running into lunch places that were closed. So I took the river road to Medford and drove until I found something that looked familiar. Medford is so big and there are so many cars! Too big for me. I stopped at Shari's for dinner.
Now previously I talked about eating by myself in a restaurant. I have actually gotten over that paranoia a bit now, since I have had so many experiences alone in restaurants throughout this adventure. I am not so uncomfortable now. So a few minutes after I walked into Shari's waiting for a table, a gentleman walked in by himself behind me. When the host asked if we were together, I said, no, but then... I don't know what came over me... I turned and asked the guy, "unless you might like some company for dinner?"
Poor guy was really thrown by that. He was just an average guy, probably in his 40's, a little overweight, glasses. And all I was thinking about was not to eat alone. He kinda choked and said, "Uh. Oh. No, thank you, I'm fine." So I turned to the host and said, "Just one please." I got a soup and salad and quiche and a free peach pie dessert.
I spent the night in the Medford Walmart parking, and tried to connect with some friends. While I was waiting, I rented "Safe Haven" from the Red Box and watched it in my van under a big shady tree by a golf course and driving range. Then tried to do some shopping but wasn't in the mood so I went to Olive Garden Restaurant instead! Love that place! Yum! Someday I am going to get to Tuscany and drive over the roads and stop at some roadside cafe and say, "This looks just like the Olive Garden!" :)
A man had walked in ahead of me, and was seated. Then I was seated in the same room in the next booth, and sat on the same side so that I was facing his back. We each ordered, he took a call on his cell phone and then got up and walked out for a while. When he returned he said to me, "Last time I was here it was raining and thundering." I replied, "Oh really? Was that a week or two ago?" We chatted a little and I said, "Would you like to join me?" and gestured to the other seat in my booth.
This guy looked like a businessman, but not in a suit, about 50's, tall, bald and used to eating by himself. It was 4:00 in the afternoon. He said, "No thank you, but thank you for asking." I said, "Sure." When he was done with his meal, he got up and came over and shook my hand. He said, "I just want to thank you for asking me to join you. That was really nice." So he must have given it some thought to the fact I had asked.
I am not trying to pick up guys. I just know that people usually feel a little uncomfortable eating by themselves, and if I can make a new friend, that would be nice. You know, where you from, where you going? Europeans eat with strangers all the time because that is just how they seat people in restaurants. I will not be making a habit of this. Honest Mom, I will not. But for those of you who think I need a man in my life... looks like I am just "too something" for guys... and that is just fine with me.
Then I took a nap. Of course! After that I started the last 4 hour trek of my adventure. I spent the time thinking about all I have experienced and learned. Things like: I am a strong, capable woman and I can do so many things. I can talk to anyone in almost any situation. Most people are good. God cares about and watches over me each step of the way.
Just before coming into L-town, I stopped at the side of the road near Drew's Reservoir. It is a spot I have often stopped at before, on shopping trips to K-Falls. It is usually cold through there, but the stars are so bright. I am often scared to get out of the car because you just feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, and something might get you!
I stopped, turned off the engine, looked up at the millions of stars and the Milky Way, so distinct, and I thanked my Father God for bringing me safely back home over all those miles and experiences. I breathed deeply of the cold fresh air.
Then, as I was looking up out of the driver's window... a meteor, a falling star, zipped past, just above me, leaving it's streak ever so briefly...
and I knew God had heard me, and He was saying, "You're welcome."
:)
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