The Farewell Tour Begins!

Some might say that a farewell tour is a tad premature, given that the Peace Corps still hasn't told me exactly where or when I'm going. But hey, any excuse for hitting the road. The "tour" is my way of enjoying places and people special to me as I get ready to move on to a new chapter.

I didn't have to go far for the first stop on my "tour". I just drove down I-4 to Winter Park where my friend Kim Cameron was performing with her band. She actually was on a real tour and luckily for me was performing at a couple of Orlando venues. I love her music and meeting the band was great. Next time, guys - pool party at my house! Am I too old to be a groupie? Can I get a backstage pass? AARP discount?

Kim and I worked as contractors together in the corporate world. Now we're both living our dreams. She's writing music, performing, touring and doing interviews and photo shoots. I'm doing deep knee bends to prepare for a squatty potty. Clearly, Kim is the brighter woman.

It was great to see you, Kim, and I'll be listening to your music, wherever I am. Check out Kim and the band. Talented people, doing what they love. http://sidefxband.net/

Next stop on the farewell tour was Tucson, Arizona. We moved to Tucson when I was five and it was the family home until my dad died in 1995. In my heart, it will always be home, no matter where I live.

The week was filled with friends, cousins and Mexican food. Not just any Mexican food, mind you, but Tucson Mexican food. My soul food.

Years ago, friends in Michigan and I debated over which kind of stuffing/dressing was the best for Thanksgiving. It didn't take us long to figure out that what was best was what you grew up with. It has nothing to do with the recipe or the quality of the cook. It's all about the comfort and memories.

Same deal with Mexican food, for me. Sure, I love a good Oaxacan mole, but give me a cheese crisp (with chiles, please), a cheese enchilada and a green corn tamale and I'm transported to a special place. It gets even better...all over Tucson are drive-thru mom and pop joints that are open 24 hours. And don't even get me started on the taco trucks.

Yes, I ate Mexican food for every meal except one. For a week. Richard Simmons just called. He's concerned.

Tucson itself is beautiful. The mountains that surround the city are constantly changing with the clouds and light. It was spring, so the desert was in bloom. Not the in-your-face kind of spring that I experienced living in Michigan. Michigan spring is like a herd of hookers on a Saturday night. Hard to miss with all that spandex and bling. Spring in the desert is more like Audrey Hepburn. Understated. Stunning but not flashy.

The best part of this stop on the "tour" was the people. Aletha and David rearranged their schedules so we could spend as much time as possible together. They also generously had 3 beautiful children so that I could visit them in 2010 and be reminded that I'm older than dirt. How can the "babies" now be so grown-up and successful?

By the way, with all the great Mexican restaurants in Tucson, the best enchiladas are the ones that David makes. Green or red? Can't decide - must have both!

John drove all the way from Albuquerque, through a horrible sand storm that caused the closing of the freeway. I'm glad he made it because it was great to spend time together. He also has created the perfect Margarita recipe. Really, perfect. I think it's the agave syrup. Or the touch of fresh orange juice.

Candy, Christy, Markie and Terre - thanks for trekking from Yuma and Prescott! Spending time at Casa Molina, talking about all the great times we had together as kids was fantastic. Nice that the Munkies are still such a close, happy family. Bummer that we weren't able to fit in the egg salad sandwiches, canasta and a stroll to Sabino Canyon. Thanks for lunch, Mark, and for getting up before the sun to make the drive!

Christy, thank you so much for bringing the photos, letters and telegrams. Wonderful family memories that I'll treasure. There's a certain irony in reading the telegrams from my dad that he was on his way back from the war in the Pacific, when I'm heading out to the same area, on a more peaceful mission.

The first sound I heard when I parked the rental car at the hotel was the doves. A sound my mom loved. She'd sit on the patio for hours, listening to the doves. So, it was a tiny bit ironic that when I was getting settled in the car to head back to the airport, I realized that I had a new hood ornament. A dove, sitting squarely in the center of the hood, staring at me. She didn't move when I turned on the engine. Didn't move when I backed up. Stayed firmly in place as I drove through the parking lot, flapping a bit, to keep her position. Staring the entire time. I finally stopped the car and she flew off as I got out of the car.

Nice that the dove made me think about my mom as I was leaving town. I know that the people we love are always with us. But sometimes a reminder helps. Which is why I now have ten pounds of green corn tamales stashed in my freezer.