I rented a cabin in Idyllwild to get away for awhile. I needed a different venue. I haven't participated as a storyteller in any Song and Story Fest Virtual Campfires during the pandemic because I haven't felt like I had a story to tell. All my creative juices have gone into figuring out how to be a pastor and preacher in this time that has required me to learn all new skills. I thought if I unplugged for a time I might recapture the joy of storytelling.
I got up today with a sense of anticipation in my soul. Then the wind began blowing. From what I could discern, if I could get past Beaumont the wind would die down....and that is exactly what happened. I have never been to Idyllwild before. What an amazing drive up from the valley.
I got to the cabin around 3 p.m. I unloaded my car, connected to wifi and found all the light switches. Then I got a text from my son, Brett. He asked if I arrived safely and to please send him the address of the cabin, which I promptly did. In a series of follow up texts he gave me a lecture about how scary it was that I would head off without letting anyone know exactly where I was going. I was going to text him back and tell him that I didn't need him to parent me. But then I stopped and breathed in his love and cried. When you are single you don't have anyone to text when your plane lands. You don't have a spouse or partner to call when you arrive safely at a cabin you rented. It might not even cross your mind to give someone the address. Brett reminded me that I may be a widow but I am still loved. Allowing that goodness to wash over me was exactly what I needed.
Then I drove into town in search of an Adventure Pass so I can do some hiking this week. I need some adventure.
I was in the grocery store buying logs for the fireplace when the winds hit Idyllwild. I said to the clerk, "Do you get winds like this often?" "No," she said, "but when we do they usually turn off the electricity because of fire danger." I thought to myself that I better hurry back to the cabin so I could find a flashlight, charge my phone and heat up some dinner. The drive back was a bit scary. I did stop to admire the sunset.
By the time I got back to the cabin the electricity was off and I got exactly what I wished for....to be completely unplugged. But it meant no wifi, no warm dinner, no ability to charge my phone or call my family....and I couldn't find a flashlight. I was glad I had thrown in some peanut butter and a candle at the last minute so that I could at least have a cold dinner by candlelight.
Eventually the electricity was restored. I was grateful. I wanted to be unplugged but I still wanted wifi, my cell phone, television, some hot chocolate, a heater, and a CPAP machine that works. I guess what I really wanted was the illusion of being unplugged.....along with a fireplace, a good movie and some ice in my club soda.
