Barbara J. Hamby

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Twists of Fate

Al and I had planned a cross-country auto trip before we went on our recent cruise. We planned to visit New England to see the fall leaves, spend a few days in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian, then head south to drive back through the Gulf Coast and be in the Southwest when the weather began to chill here.

While on the cruise, we realized our energy limitations and postponed that trip. Had we left when we planned, we could be on the Gulf Coast now. We might have changed our route somewhat since we saw television coverage of New Orleans on the ship when Hurricane Katrina struck. But we could well have been in Texas when Rita first began threatening.

A couple of visits to poverty stricken areas in other countries of the world have killed any wish I might have to be a tourist gawking at other folks’ misery. We talked about where we might have been this morning and agreed that neither of us has any desire to go there soon. I sent a check to the relief fund. That’s the best I can do right now.

Our shorter trip to California points in October will be a substitute for the longer one. A visit to Death Valley will be our consolation prize.