Marie's Moose Days Memoir

I'm going to try to send this to three groups at once so I don't have to type it over and over again. Hope it works. I've enjoyed reading Linda's version...the Montana one...of our Moose Days adventure. I'd like to add my two or three cents worth. It might be long, so if you don't want to read the whole darn thing...well...I'll understand.

It all started Thursday morning when I got up early so I'd be at the airport on time. Lo and behold!  No hot water!  We had gotten a new gas stove the day before and somehow the pilot to the hot water heater had been turned off. Had to get DH up to light the pilot. Oh, dear. I did finally get some hot water and got to the airport in time to meet Kathy. The plane was a bit late getting started and somehow we didn't get seats together. But the fellow I sat next to had a sister who had baked cakes for the cast of NX!  My adventure had certainly begun. He was so nice and let me sit by the window so I could see the mountains as we approached Seattle. Beautiful!

We met Barbara (Chicago) and Jerrilynn (Colorado) at the airport and had to wait in line awhile to get our rental cars. Barbara rode with Kathy and Jerrilynn rode with me. Without her assistance I'd probably still be on the road...maybe somewhere in Montana...THANK YOU Jerrilynn!!! She is a wonderful navigator...especially for someone as directionally challenged as I am.

We drove into Roslyn...always a thrill...and I dropped Jerrilynn off at the Village Pizza and went to Cle Elum where I checked in at the Iron Horse Inn. For those of you who haven't been there...it's an old railroad bunkhouse. They have wonderful breakfasts. The depot nearby is being restored and will have a museum and restaurant among other things.

Back to Roslyn. A bunch of us were gathering for dinner at Village Pizza and ran into James and his dog Justice from New York (wondered where they had been all winter!!!) and Sheila from California. They had both driven many miles to get to this magical place. We sat outside until it was dark and all the tables and chairs around us had been taken up and put away. I think we finally got the hint that it was time to move on. Move on we did...to the Brick where we ran into more fans...Maria, Chris, hmmmm....memory fails at this point. Suffice it to say there was a nice bunch of NX'ers who were entertained by a blow up moose that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Friday morning after a delicious breakfast of waffles with fresh strawberries, hot blueberry muffin, fruit, potatoes, coffee, etc. I went to Roslyn. The trip between Cle Elum and Roslyn isn't very far, but the speed limits vary from 25mph to 45mph and I have to cross Hwy. 90 with sometimes lots of traffic going both ways. So...it takes awhile. Anyway...I went up to Memory Makers to visit with Bobbie and to Cicely Gift Shop where I bought a couple of cards. Ran into Eddie, selling the third NX CD, bought one (it's fabulous!) and we moseyed on up to Lost in Roslyn. Always something cool to buy there. Jerrilynn bought one of the "fairy charms...bottles...whatever" that twirls and looks like a p**** on top. It's really a mushroom. On the walk back who should we run into...but Linda who just dog sledded in from Montana. We all went up to Tranquility Base and checked in...signed up for the bus tour, Trivia contest, got our t shirts, etc. From there we went to Pennsylvania Station where we had lunch. I had a burger and fries...lots of pickles...Kathy had a burger plain and dry. Again...lots of great NX'ers joined us for lunch. At Ruth Anne's store I bought a great hat that I just love.

The get acquainted spaghetti dinner was at Tranquility Base. We ate...again...though I was hardly hungry at that point. But Elaine Miles, her mother, Armenia, and son Dusty were there. Barry Corbin arrived...tired from filming...and a few of us went outside to see him. He asked what he would be riding in the parade. Susie told him it would be a convertible. He asked if he could have a horse instead. But he wanted to ride it early so he could make sure it didn't get "silly" on him. Susie said she'd get a horse for him. He went inside and greeted Elaine and Armenia and said hello to the crowd. Then he left. After dinner a few of us went out to the cliff and I left my glasses on the table. When I came back the next day...they were gone. I haven't seen them since. :o(  We ended up the evening at Marko's where Kathy bought a round for everyone. I wasn't even tired and hated to see the evening end.

Saturday arrived with a bit of rain and maybe even a rainbow through the shining sun. It was cool and somewhat overcast. Kathy and I (the Minnesota Coven) put on our costumes in the bathroom. Someone from the paper took our pictures with Barry Corbin. Then the parade started. The Running of the Bulls started out the parade. Kathy and I followed Elaine in a red convertible and behind us were the Yakima Indian Dancers. We had candy to throw to the crowd. What a trip!!!  Dusty, Elaine's son, rode in the fire truck. The dancers stopped on the main street and performed their dances for everyone. Kathy and I kept on going, got back to Tranquility Base, changed out of our costumes and went back in time to see the dancers dancing with people from the audience. Then they performed the Lord's Prayer...very touching...very beautiful...in lovely sign language. At noon we met at TB for the bus tour with Dan Dusek. Even though this was my fifth tour, I enjoyed it just as much. Dan is so full of interesting stories and facts about the show. Later we went to Memory Makers where it was apparent that they were about to sell everything there before going out of business. So sad. Elaine was sitting in the back signing autographs. She was hungry so I went and found someone who would make a hot dog for her ...which is what she wanted.

The Trivia contest was at Tranquility Base. During the contest, Barbara set up the auction and I decorated the tables.

Cocktails were at 6:30, dinner at 7:30 (or thereabouts). The Favorite Character contest was great...lots of wonderful costumes. James AKA Adam was the winner...two years in a row. The auction went very well. The highlight of the auction was Barry's NASA cap which went for a whopping $550.00!!!  All of the stars spoke to the crowd. I think Linda's story gives a bit more detail here so I won't repeat it all. I know everyone had a wonderful time. There were SO many new people there. That is just fabulous!  Of course we went to the Brick after all the entertainment...and ended the evening at Marko's  A whirlwind of a
day.

Sunday...you'd think things would settle down a bit. But no. I got to town and nobody was at Tranquility Base. Everyone was at Memory Makers where people were "scarfing up bargains like beer nuts!!!"  So the picnic, the Trivia Contest, the golf tournament, were all delayed. But...no problem...this is Cicely Time...and everything is somehow taken care of without too much ado.

Later we ate pizza again at Village Pizza and ended the evening watching The Big Feast in Barbara's room. Another day I didn't want to see come to an end. I rode home with an almost full moon, brilliant stars, and Green Onions playing on the CD. A magical moment indeed.

Finally...Monday...time to go home. Jerrilynn navigated me back to the airport...bless her little heart. We said goodbye to Jerrilynn and Barbara, and Kathy and I got on a plane back to hot and muggy Minnesota. And so...the time in Cicely came to an end.