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It’s amazing/shocking how fast you think/thunk you got smart. Last week’s excursion to Vancouver Island = spectacular. So much fun(s).

Thing is though, I noticed this weird phenomenon happening inside my brain around day four or five –>

I started thinking I knew the place, I fancied myself a seasoned islander. I could blindfold navigate the condo property + I knew what color bill a twenty-spot was + I was an Oceanside expert who could convert litres to gallons. Yes we had the beach gear and cooler scene dialed to perfection, we understood how to get takeout and work the DVD player. We had poutine and liked it. After awhile, I found myself judging the new arrivers, chuckling to my inner self at the lost look in newbie’s eyes as they searched for the 200 unit, or wandered aimlessly looking for ice. I got mad when someone parked in “my” spot. I gave three people directions in town. I told myself I was a canyon river aficionado. I looked down on those without proper footwear.

I was local. Course, I realized soon enough even the locals weren’t local. I caught myself misinterpreting the legend of Englishmen River Falls, getting lost in Nanaimo, and misjudging the tide at least twice. I found out I never knew how to properly say “Tsawwassen”, and after some digging, I began to understand just how little I did know about the island and its landscapes, its peoples and stories.

I’m smart, but not that smart.

My family is cool, and we are growing.

Track 3

When you’re older with young kids & you’re raised SDA & you are a Seattle sports fan, you tend to worry about the future.

Our family unit is headed to Vancouver Island for a full week of us-time. After a brain rack, I couldn’t come up with a longer stretch of days we’ve had “just us” since Tayen’s been around. Looking forward to a week of rambling, toddler-gazing, hitting it hard at times relaxing at others………..&…………….slowing down just enough to see each other in full, not as blurs.

I don’t want to worry about the future this trip. I’d like to avoid over thinking the septic system, what school our not yet born child will attend, or if the tomatoes will make it a week without us. No need to worry about 2014. I’d rather stress about my scrabble game, what driving music we can all agree on and what corner to take next. I want to get lost at least once + be cool with getting found.

Track 2

I will be missing a Withrow gathering this weekend. A big ups and heartfelt cheers to Heidi and Ian. They are celebrating coast to coast I hear.

Legal unions the theme, I’ll be on a side-quest for a good friend at another good friend’s property in Packwood, WA. Just south of Mt. Rainier National Park, wedged in along a Cowlitz River bank, you’ll probably never find yourself at this particular parcel. Even if did pass by with snowboard on rack or on some volcanic escapade, you might not notice its significance. So let me give you a flavor.

This land is close to my heart. Hallowed ground and air as far as I’m concerned. The first time I visited was a ski-trip in 4th grade. The family cabin we stayed in then has since been washed away by the river. The Cowlitz, wild in nature and white in color, maintains flow constantly, yet has changed its way(s) so much over time. Parts of its run are vicious, parts serene. It’s damn cold. Since that childhood adventure, certain factions have used what’s left of the Teal property to host birthday gatherings, ring in new year’s, mark graduations, mourn lost friends and fathers, summit annually, work out answers while bringing up more questions. This weekend, in what’s become a ritual of sorts, men will celebrate/question together the ensuing marriage of one of our own.

Not clear enough. I’m a gamer, so maybe this will help. A listing of the game-like activities I’ve been a participant/witness to at Packwood, WA:

-cribbage
-football
-stick-ball
-fishing
-glow stick bocce
-texas hold em’
-swimming, diving, rescuing
-scrabble
-gold panning
-fire jumping
-kite flying
-musical chairs
-verbal dodge-ball
-seed spitting for distance and arc
-shootin’
-dominos
-gear stacking, on human
-astronomy
-formal debate
-“golf”
-montana golf
-capture the flag
-H.O.R.S.E. with rocks
-22 Questions
-name that tune
-4…..used to be 3-wheeling
-parkour
-archery
-staring contests

Track 1

Whenever I hear someone say, “don’t even get me started on…”, I instinctively want to get them started. A few weeks ago at a family reunion (mom’s side) a cousin spoke that very line. I don’t always, but in that moment probed and prodded, compelled to dig deep with her and others near us. Glad I/we did. The three or four of us entered into one of those taboo/hot button/don’t go there topics…..&.. along the way learned much about each other and selves and stories. It was a well spent hour.

Not exactly sure how that led me to this, but it does/do. It’s been brewing in me for awhile to find some way to connect with family, many I don’t see in person that often. Possibly it’s being tucked in tight up here in the upper-west. Maybe it’s three plus years of super-hyper-kid-focus-mode + go-go-to-it mode and feeling some isolation. OK, isolation. Maybe it’s a need to write some thing down. Maybe it’s a bit selfish. I can say for certain it is sparked by a deep desire to reach out to all of you family. To see and be seen you know.

Many of you get the “weekly email” from my Dad. I don’t think I understood them at first, and if memory serves I may have taken a jab or two at them early on, but I like them now. They serve multiple purposes I’ve noticed. These tracks/correspondences will not be those, but will be an homage, or at the very least a tip of the hat to what my Dad’s been doing for some time =staying more connected. That said, I won’t be running down the birthdays–> won’t send out every Sat.morning (though I’ll shoot for one a week)–> some may be just a line while others will arrive in list format–> they will be missing the crosswords, but will hopefully contain a few clues.

Where I’m at is here. Just outside the city line, Bellingham, WA.

Now I’m going to press send.

–Wesley Withrow

Wesley Withrow Tracks

outside the city line since 2013

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