Pat's (DesertRat) Open Letter to Cyber Cicely

I can hardly believe it wasn't all a grand dream – being in Roslyn for the first time ever, and for Moosedays! Getting to meet so many familiar folks in person for the first time was wonderful! Seeing those familiar streets and storefronts, and especially, those natural viewpoints featured in some of my favorite episodes was such a thrill! (What a feeling to catch some of "Heroes" the next day back, and to realize I had stood ~right there~ and could orient myself to the various town scenes, and had been in the vicinity of Tooley's fling!) I also really enjoyed meeting some folks who are relatively new to NX and had not previously made yourselves known on the NG. I hope they'll join us now. Thank you, A&E, for bringing us these folks! Registration alone about had me dazed and almost speechless, as I met in quick succession Judy, Eddie, Marie, Linda, and more. Instant overload! Supper soon after was succeeded by wonderful film compilations, courtesy of Matt. Clips from NX and shots of last year's Moosefest. Of course, he would finish off with the music "Our Town," which had most of us at least misty-eyed. Later it was time to at last enter . . . The Brick! Much merriment, discussion with and tours by current owners; we toasted Benny (whose BD it was) and all other absent friends -- more than once, with different casts of toasters. Meanwhile, Kurt was trying to make contact with #thebrick, but the place was empty (at least until after we two left.) Saturday morning bright and early 6 of us intrepid souls followed the yellow moose trail (no, we weren't following large animals with bladder problems, but rather, yellow cut-out moose silhouettes on poles and trees) through town, toward Cle Elum, then into the deep, dark forest, past ravening, barking dogs which gave slavering chase, then through the (gasp!) cemetery, finally emerging safely into sunshine uphill from Ruth-Anne's and Marilyn's houses, with the famous view down Pennsylvania. Susie (the early-morning moose-tack-er-upper who runs on our route regularly) was amazed at our speed! (That is, how ~long~ it took us to go the 4 miles.) The delicious breakfast, which included wonderful fruit and beer-batter pancakes (eat your heart out, Pancake Joe!), could not have been more welcome! Dan Dusek's tour was marvelous. His tales and information on sites were well worth the whole price of admission, in my opinion! Do not miss this opportunity, folks, if you can possibly do it. Our petite lady driver was unflappable as she maneuvered the school bus around narrow dirt lanes, steep roads, and flood-edged turn-arounds. The water level is astoundingly high, with the lake right up to the road! Regrettably, no scuba or snorkeling gear were provided, so we had to use our imaginations for the ground level of former lakeside locations. We got to see "3 Amigos" locations -- a first for a Dusek tour, and very impressive, what had to be done for those scenes. I realized a long-time dream of dancing on Ruth-Anne's grave -- with all the grace of a hippo trying to imitate Ed's and Chris' crane dance (So glad to have amused you, Judy.). Nine of us (including 3 veterans of the Moose-walk as well as Susie the moose-tacker) participated in the Birds of a Feather Watching or Up River Walk, in a 6-mile round trip through woods to the river. We must have seemed a suspect bunch, since few birds dared show themselves (or were they too smart to be about on a hot afternoon?). We did see a robin, a few crows, and -- best of all -- ~heard~ that wonderful hawk call, so frequent a sound on NX. The river itself was clear, cool and beautiful. Lovely walk! The evening's dinner & entertainment were great -- others will describe them, I hope. Chuck Graywolf, the MC, is a wonderful human being -- that shines through loud and clear. I'm enjoying the heck out of Judy's packet that I "won" at the auction, and am delighted that the two moosies I brought found wonderful homes with PatPM and Kimiye's son Benjamin. Nothing but an NX-ian assembly could induce me to be conspicuous in a parade (or in a near-solo dance!), but the Day of the Dead Parade found my husband (he with vulture buddy) and I proceeding through town just behind a witch (now ~there's~ a character reversal) Marie (WingMoose) & just in front of Hayden (James Dunn) in his truck. Got to say, that was a blast! Never would have thought it'd be so much fun to wave at & be waved to by folks (a surprising number!) who turned out to watch. There were all sorts of great sights -- must mention Matt Cloner in stove-pipe hat ~with~ tomatoes. At least one of them found a target! Then there was that exquisite moment on a grassy short-cut afterward when towards us came an older gentleman with a cane -- the man who turned out to be Marie's whimsical magician (see her post). Wonderful! I defer to others for a description of the closing picnic. Oh, but thank you again, A&E, for lovely prizes -- NX tapes and A&E hats. If the buns were any indication, Roslyn has one excellent bakery. As we'd discovered on our own, the Roslyn brewery does very good work, too. And the Village Pizza is every bit as good as advertised (Say, Liz, if you didn't need a fork to eat it, you either didn't order enough toppings or are the original Pigpen ; ^) ), as we discovered after "Days" were over --sniff! -- when we joined others there Sunday evening. Then . . . oooooh . ... sunset on that glorious river overlook eating oranges so graciously provided by Kathy (RubyOslprs) to commemorate the aftermath of Joel's Yom Kippur. The next day we took a few Roslyn-must photos, then turned south to keep a date with a mountain -- Rainier. Several people we passed that day grinned at the words on our shirts:

"Cicely Is a State of Mind." Yes, folks. Indeed it is . . . .

Pat (Desert Rat)

Hi, Folks,

Just wanted to let whomever cares know that James (Jimmy) Dunn (who played the very flawed "Hayden") is a actually a real sweetheart (someone I'm sure NG poster Tom Troccoli would be glad to "hang with;") we ~so~ enjoyed the chance to chat with him at Moosedays. He showed up at The Brick to schmooze with us Friday night. The next morning he was walking one of his dogs behind the Timber Lodge where we were staying, and graciously posed with dog for a photo. He needed to get back to Seattle Saturday to feed his (wolf) dog, but returned by Sat. evening for more rubbing elbows at The Brick.. Sunday morning he was with us in the parade, and before it began, showed us photos of the "wolf" and his cabin in the many acres he owns on the sagebrush side of the Cascades. At the picnic, he very obligingly autographed 2 cards for me, including one for an NX fan who couldn't make it this year. A gentle, sweet soul. Thank you, Jimmy. And, yes, when someone like this attends fans' events, it more than makes sense to pay their way! Chuck Graywolf (who had NX bit parts) was a very big plus in Sat. night's affair and the next morning in the parade. Sadly, Moultrie Patten -- "Walt" -- was indisposed and unable to come, although he had planned to attend. Sorry I missed him, though I do treasure a recording of his performance last summer. Get well fast, Moultrie!

Pat (Desert Rat)