Sometimes in life, a dream you've held for a long time wiggles it's way to the surface of your mind, and a voice inside says -- do it now. Well, this is one of those times.
Thirteen years ago (scary!), as a bartender at Scooter McQuade's in Portland, Oregon, I became inspired by my regulars who would regale me weekly with their stories, hurts, hopes, and philosophies on everything from death and dying to where to take a "lady friend" for the weekend. I think it was a friend from college who first suggested that I write character sketches of these folks. And in the labrynth of my mind, that idea eventually evolved into a vision for an entire coffee table book that celebrates the wisdom that such "barflies" -- not in Portland, but in America's smallest towns -- have to offer.
Finally deciding that it's now or never, I left Portland yesterday to drive to Orifino, Idaho (population 3,247) to kick off my latest adventure -- 5 days, 3 states (Idaho, Washington, Montana), and a river of Busch and Bud Light until I have enough fodder for 3 sample chapters to shop to agents by summer's end.
My friend, Darin, who hails from Idaho, has kindly agreed to escort me on this scouting mission. According to Darin, all we have to do is buy these guys beers (here's where the river of Busch and Bud Light comes in) and talk to them about fishing and hunting, and we're in. Step 1: Give Patti a crash course in hunting and fishing. Did you know that to attract a buck when deer hunting, you rattle antlers together so the buck thinks two males are fighting over a female and the buck runs over trying to get in on the action? Then when he shows up he get's shot. Brilliant! Just like the human world.
With the hunting lesson down and cash enough for plentiful rounds of $1.00 Bud Lights (yes - $1! Can you believe it? It's better than Argentina here!), we were ready for action. First stop -- The Oasis, Orifino's finest. Guns & Roses was on the jukebox, the regulars were lined up at the bar yacking through the smoky haze, and I .... well, I had come home.
The crowd did not dissapoint. Vern is completing his truckers certification and was about to embark on a 48 day long haul across the U.S. His family has lived in Orifino for generations. At one point a female barfly at the corner of the bar says -- "hey, Vern, you still staying at granny's? Can I get a lift home?" Yes, everyone really does know everyone. Newly divorced, Vern calls himself a "he whore" (now there's a new one!) and cautions me about the downsides to picking someone up in a bar. (His last bar score was attractive enough until he awoke in the morning to find her taking antipsychotics. Yikes! Gotta run - think I have an 8am conference call.)
Brian works in natural gas drilling in Wyoming and travels 6 hours each way back to Orifino to see his 12 yr. old daughter as often as he can. I find that eye opening. And humbling. Life is hard, and not just for the barflies. Dan is the bartender, and as he says - he gets off work so he can go to work again. When he's not schlepping drinks, Dan is a bounty hunter and something else I can't recall (I was too mesmerized by the whole bounty hunter thing -- I've never met a real live bounty hunter!). Aside from the time when he had to duct tape someone and have his partner sit on them for a 120 mile drive, Dan says that in most cases, people are pretty much relieved to finally get caught. I guess that's pretty universal -- when you just can't face the music yourself, sometimes you just need it to face you so you can move on.
This is just the first small glimpse into the Pandora's box we've cracked open. No telling what lies down the road tonight, but if you want to find out, just stay tuned .....
