Pulling Back the Arrow

 Audobon Society, Barnstable, MA

It seems entirely appropriate that to begin my trip out west, I first drove as far east as I could to Cape Cod where I spent time time with a group of friends from college. My friend, Dana Clancy, so poetically described this as pulling back the arrow before releasing it into the air. It felt good to begin my journey with good friends and in a place that is so quintessentially New England. I love the Massachusetts cloudless, blue sky, the scrubby seaside landscape and the rolling dunes. We spent the weekend kayaking in the pond, wading out into the ocean during low tide, eating good food, and playing games. Perfect weekend.
I left the Cape and followed the Tucker-Smiths to their home in Williamstown, MA, where I spent a full day. My sister went to college here so this place is flooded with memories. I still remember driving away from her when my parents and I dropped her off for her freshman year of college. It is hard to believe that this is now long over twenty years ago.

Becca Abbott, Becca and Dave Tucker-Smith

Mark Abbott, Becca and Dave Tucker-Smith

My first day of driving felt interminable. I listened to multiple podcasts, playlists and attempted to listen to books on tape, but quickly realized that this makes me fall asleep or immediately start daydreaming. One man, or should I say one-woman, karaoke was probably my main activity. I think it took me nearly 10 hours to get to Elyria, OH. Why Elyria? My friend since freshman year of college, Kerry, coaches basketball at Oberlin College. It was so wonderful to see him and to meet his family for the first time.

Below is a picture of him playing xbox Just Dance with two of his kids. Sorry it's not the best picture, but you just have to believe me that this was one of the cutest things ever. Kerry always reminds me that I am the first person he met at Amherst. I strode into his room, introduced myself as "Sachi like Chachi from Happy Days, but don't call me Chachi", grabbed his bag of cheetohs, sat down and made myself comfortable. From this day on, we were fast friends and his nickname for me has been "Sachi don't call me Chachi".

From Elyria, I had a shorter drive to west of Chicago. For much of the journey, I drove through a wall of rain. I love being in a rainstorm when the land is flat and you can see for miles around in every which way . It feels like being covered by a dome of weather. I'm writing now from Chicago where I'm staying with another dear friend, Elizabeth, from college. This trip has turned into one big Amherst and friend reunion. At the risk of sounding cheesy, lately I have been feeling beyond grateful that there are so many people in this world who I love so dearly. It is truly a privilege.

Elizabeth's kids, Ben and Jonah

For lunch today, Elizabeth and I met up with my painter and BU friends, Rachel and Jen. The two of them are collaborating on a project at Ragdale, an artist community. We had a delicious lunch at a Japanese market. 

I apologize if this is not the most exciting first post. No grand landscape photographs or interesting stories. So far my trip has really consisted mainly of friends and endless hours of driving on interstate 90. Tomorrow morning I drive to Omaha, Nebraska where my friend Kelly lives. She and I taught chemistry (yes, chemistry!) together long long ago in another lifetime. From there, I will head to the Badlands 

for two nights and then to Sheridan, Wyoming where I will begin my residency! My Prius feels like it glides, so it is easy to imagine myself as an arrow sailing through the air. I am anxious to reach my first destination and to start working, but Rachel and Jen calmed my fears today by talking about how amazing their residency at Ragdale has been.

Take care for now! And I promise to post pics of the Badlands soon!   xo Sachi