I met Wayne at a party 15 years ago. I was assembling Vietnamese spring rolls, which are much better when fresh. I was a professional cook then, and I made a mean spring roll.
Wayne stood watching me, then, with a quick motion I would come to know well, he picked up a spring roll and took a bite. I didn't realize it then, but this was the beginning of an amazing friendship which has now lasted 15 years, and, I hope will continue for many years to come.
"You know, they won't fall apart if you give them a minute to dry out." I said, edging the comment with humor and a little annoyance. Who was this guy?
Wayne was not deterred.
I could make spring rolls just a little faster than he could eat them, mainly because he was chatting as he bit into the soft rice paper and caught the cascading filling in his other hand.
"The dipping sauce is important too." I said, pushing the bowl of salt/sweet/sour/hot sauce his way.
His eyes lit up.
We were at a party at the home of my friends Ginny and Nancy, probably for a celebration of their July Birthdays. It was one of their famous deck parties where the conversation, beer and food are excellent and varied. Wayne and Robbie, his partner, were new to the mix.
Most of the action was on the deck, but Wayne stuck with me in the kitchen, eating a few spring rolls, but mostly being gregarious. In the course of the conversation, he managed to find out about my new take out business "Susan's Kitchen" my husband, my connection to Ginny and Nancy, my politics (politics are important to Wayne), and where I was from. I didn't get as far on Wayne's
biography at the time, but I did find out that he was from Hood River Oregon. I told him of our plan to celebrate my 40th Birthday out in Oregon.
With an exuberance I would come to know well, Wayne began building our itinerary of "must see" places.
"You have to go up to Mount Hood, and to Hood River on the Columbia River Gorge. And you have to go to Oswald West on the coast." He said in a tone that brooked no argument.
He told me about Powell's bookstore in Portland, about the giant, old growth trees along the coast, the trail running around Mount Hood, and Hood River, where he'd grown up, run a blueberry farm, and run for, and won a seat in the Oregon legislature.
I made spring rolls and he made plans for our trip, pausing for a bite of spring roll and a hit of dipping sauce.
Finally, I had to tell him the awful news. "These ideas sound wonderful, but neither of us drive."
I expected him to look embarrassed and politely change the subject. Instead, he gestured expansively with his spring roll.
"Not a problem." he said.
At this point, the spring rolls were done, I took the platter out to the party, chatting with other guests,
When introduced to Wayne's partner Robbie I realized that she had been the creative person at the USDA office who'd helped us to fund ramps and accessible bathrooms for people with disabilities when I'd been working at the Center for Independent Living. I enjoyed her open friendliness, less flamboyant, to be sure, than Wayne. But she was fun, smart and warm.
I liked these people, but didn't hold my breath waiting for Wayne to organize our travels in Oregon. I am cautious about such offers, having been disappointed in the past. I barely knew Wayne and Robbie and I didn't want to put a strain on what seemed like a fun friendship in the making by expecting too much.
But Wayne didn't forget the conversation. He probably talked to my husband Michael at the party as well, and he immediately set to work.
Within a few days, we got a call from Robbie, inviting us up for what would be the first of dozens, if not hundreds of dinners at their Towne Street home. And Wayne had a detailed itinerary for us.
Day 1, fly to Portland. Go into the city, visit Powell's Book Store. Catch an afternoon bus to Hood River. There you will be met by Roger and Judy who will take you to their home for the night.
Day 2. Roger and Judy will feed you pancakes and take you to Lost Lake for a day of hiking, beautiful views and boating. Rich will meet you at Lost Lake, and take you to your camp site on Mount Hood.
Day 3, hike on Mount Hood and move up to Timberline lodge for the night. Enjoy the sites of this splendid WPA construction project with its folk art, stunning views and excellent food.
Day 4, spend the day hiking on Mount Hood, then meet Larry, who will return you to Rich's house. You'll cook a dinner for Rich, Larry and Tom and Jeanie, people you have to meet! Stay over night at Rich's house.
Day 5, Rich will take you to the bus in Hood River. Travel to Portland to be met by Dick. From Portland, Dick will take you to the Oregon Coast, where you can check into your Cannon Beach Hotel. Dick will then take you down the coast to Oswald West park for a picnic on the beach and a tour of old growth forest. Dick will then return you to your Cannon Beach hotel.
From there, we would be able to manage the rest of our travel and lodging on our own.
We had known this man for less than a week. We didn't really even know how we'd recognize his friends when they came to meet us at bus stations, lakeside trails or hotel lobbies. And we were asking a lot of these total strangers, miles of driving, and a fair amount of hospitality. Wayne gave us a lot of background, enthusiastically telling us how long he'd known each of his friends, what they did for work, what they did for fun, what they liked to eat, who their children and spouses were.
I packed my suitcase with some fun cooking ingredients and made plans to feed our various hosts dinner.
We hopped on a plane, and when we got to Oregon, everything went exactly as Wayne had planned. Wayne had planned it all with a certainty that we would like his friends, and they would like us.
By gum, he was right!
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