Two-Dollar Shower on 9/11

In the U.S., the average time people take to shower is around 7-10 minutes.

Here at the Whitefish Montana State Park, it costs $1 for three minutes of hot shower water. Quarters only please.

Have traveled around a bit, and can honestly say this campground's bathroom gives the fanciest hotel a run for its money when it comes to cleanliness. They don't spare the bleach and the elbow grease.

So today, on 9/11, I took my towel, canvas bag of bathing accoutrements, and eight quarters across the road to the campground Ladies room. It takes me six minutes to move the dirt around a bit, conduct hair patrol, and wash this red/brown hair. Insert $2.00 in the machine please.

Ah, what we take for granted, don't realize and may never know.

Seven years ago this morning, I was in Alexandria, VA, setting up a class, when one of the tech folks came into the room and exclaimed, "Did you hear about the bombing at the Pentagon?" I went immediately to CNN's site and saw the first Trade Tower on fire, and said, "This is bad. I am going home to the woods." Friends and relatives called all day, wondering if everyone I knew in Washington, Virginia and vicinity were OK. We were. And I remember feeling terribly alone that day, as so many Americans did, as the destruction we all witnessed was brilliant, and so terribly evil.

So today, I am thankful for the use of enough hot water to get the job done, and the wherewithall to travel around and write about what I see. This is a beautiful country, and it has nothing to do with red, white and blue and colors that don't run. I cherish the ability to turn off the radio when I hear some pistol-packin' mama in designer eyeglasses talking in a shrill voice, a female who the Reps have shoved into the limelight as bait for women votes.

Get lost. Put that worm in the water elsewhere.

Comments

[Toni]

Amen!

[Gail]

I have enjoyed your journey's and travels and the stories you relate. However, I wish you would not get political while you write. Your stories otherwise are moving and entertaining.

[Kim Hannigan]

Amen, my dear long-lost friend...