uncle mel

my uncle mel and aunt judy had planned a road trip of their own, coinciding somewhat with mine. their plan was to drive from their home in lynden, WA, to nebraska and ohio to see relatives. uncle mel, you need to know, has always taken great pleasure in beating me at things. i remember when i was three or four feet tall and he graciously agreed to teach me how to play chess. i think it took him maybe four moves to checkmate me. again and again and again. no mr. nice guy. but it forced me to learn the game. i didn't find out until years later that he had enough chess trophies to fill a room. at some point recently, mel and judy decided to extend their trip all the way to key west, probably so he could beat me there. but the stupid cancer he has been beating back for a number of years now had him feeling bad when they got to idaho, so they turned back. so i'm going to push on, for me, and for mel. key west or bust. do me a favor and keep mel in your thoughts. he's a good uncle, and a good person. tomorrow: woodinville to the potholes in eastern washington...