30 years ago today

I remember October 9, 1980 a little better than I remember most other dates from 30 years ago. It was a weekday, my day off, bright and sunny with a little Fall chill in the morning and in the shade. I had made plans with my best friend to meet in the University district where she could go to her bank, and then we would commence our trip for the day. After conducting her business at Rainier Bank near 45th and University Ave. we started walking down the Ave and browsing in a few shops along the way, chatting in the way only best friends do, finishing each other's thoughts and jumping from topic to topic in random fashion.

First stop on campus was the undergrad library cafeteria for something to drink. This is where I got my instructions of what to expect of the day. This was my inauguration to the world of hallucinogens. Yes. This was my first (of just a few) acid trip. Looking out for me, and not wanting me to have too intense an experience, she gave me half a dose, carefully folded into a piece of Orbit gum (really, is there any better brand for this purpose?). And shortly after starting to chew  our gum, we sort of planned our route for the day.

I think it was about 11 AM when we left the library and decided to walk South through the campus. We skirted Red Square and passed the Drumheller fountain and continued on toward the University Hospital. After crossing a busy street we were at the University Bridge. The drug was starting to course through my body, and clear thinking was challenging. We knew where we wanted to go, but the intersection where the bridge is is not particularly pedestrian friendly or safe. We knew we had to get to the other side of the bridge - but how? I remember going down a flight of stairs next to the bridge and then walking under it where there was a nice promenade along the canal that connected Lake Washington with Lake Union. Unfortunately, on the other side of the bridge there wasn't another flight of stairs! So we had to scramble up the hill! How undignified for two young women trying to act so "normal."

In any case, we crossed the bridge and wandered through a neighborhood of lovely homes that we coveted. Then we made it to the Museum of History and Industry parking lot at the end of which was the entry to the Arboretum's Marsh Walk. Yes! Our destination on such a lovely day. Amidst the beauty of the lush undergrowth of the marshland were the trees just starting to turn colors. It was easy to appreciate the wonder of nature as it seemed as though we were all alone in this Garden of Eden. Soon enough we got to the footbridges, a pleasant surprise. We stopped on one bridge to enjoy the warm sun; there was a man with a little boy paddling in a canoe while watching a little sailboat they had launched. We watched them and the boat for awhile, then turned our backs to lean against the rail. We were making up their life: He was a graduate student whose wife was working while he went to school and/or took care of their child. We were getting quite elaborate in our reverie when there was a little *bump* against the bridge. We turned around, and, Oops, the two we were talking about were right there! EGADS. Our voices carried across the water and they had heard every single word!

"Act nonchalant" I whispered to my friend, who was more flustered than I was.
"Great day for a canoe ride," I said to the guy and his kid.
"Great day for making up stories," he replied "and you have me nailed!"
Needless to say, we smiled and continued on our way, over another bridge or two, and through the woods.

It was at about that time I started seeing trails. And I don't mean the trails that you walk upon; I mean the trail that are part of the hallucinatory experience. Say you wave your arm in front of you, you see what looks like a timed exposure of your moving arm. Every thing you see is exaggerated, including the footprints in the grass. It's really very interesting. So for a little while I must have looked like I was doing Tai Chi or something because I was mesmerized by this new to me phenomenon.  Further on we went through the Japanese gardens and then out the other side of the arboretum where we were once again in civilization. We went down Madison street to Lake Washington, then up to a coffee shop to get something to drink. While waiting for the bus we had a lengthy discussion about the new versus the old style of two-toned cars, then we caught our bus and met up with some friends to see Dr. Strangelove at the Harvard Exit theater. I HAD to take my contacts out half way through the movie, and so I couldn't see the ending. But I heard it. "We'll meet again....."

And that was the only bad thing about the day: my eyes dried out and when I removed my contact lenses, I sloughed off a little of the moist lining of my eye. I had to wear my glasses for about three days after and wait for them to heal. I think it was a small price to pay for a day with such sweet memories.

Good Night, TTYL and Be Well