18 Comments
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Sandra Pawula's avatar

Maia, I loved how you trusted your intuition to find more resting places for your Mom and Dad's ashes. You found such lovely ones!

Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Oh, Maia, how did I miss Part 1? Thank you for sharing your journey; it's quite remarkable. And a beautiful tribute to your mom and dad. It brings up memories about receiving my folks' remains.

Karen Weber's avatar

Thank you, Maia, for sharing your trip. Though it may have been bittersweet I felt so much life in it, the places you stopped, the memories. I'm sure your dad would be proud!

I've driven much of what you described and actually really love it. I often stop in Needles at an Airbnb of an old Route 66 house still in good condition, airy, with a 1950's style kitchen that brings back my childhood. Even Maddie seems to like it there! (Perhaps because there is a nice size yard and cats who come walking along the fence tops.)

Maia Duerr's avatar

There was a lot of life in that road trip, for sure, Karen!

And if I drive that way again, I'll have to get your info for a place to stay in Needles. That area always feels so forsaken to me, but there are gems everywhere, as you so well know.

Karen Weber's avatar

It is forsaken and eerie yet there is a local museum run by some older women that is fun and interesting. Members of the Mojave tribe live there as well as some old timers that I met. Another time, another world. I remember from my childhood road trips to visit family in the midwest.

Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Family road trip?

Spread cremains... smiles, love remain.

What a ride-along!

Maia Duerr's avatar

once again, haiku nails it!

(and there's a line 2 for you, lol)

Keith Aron's avatar

Those hearts in the mountain! Topographical love notes. This was a fun read, Maia. Thank you.

Kim's avatar

Thank you for taking me with you. I know a lot of the places you visited. I lived in Glendale until I was 18 but also lived with family in Antelope Valley. For a couple of years. One uncle & aunt were postmasters in Pear Blossom Ca and my other Uncle worked at Edward’s as crew chief of the X15. It sounds like this trip was pain relief for your soul - the next best thing since we can’t fix grief. Blessings to you 🙏🪷

Maia Duerr's avatar

Thanks, Kim. It’s interesting, I don’t think of grief as something to fix, more like a presence to befriend.

Tom Bentley's avatar

Maia, lovely that your parents went on a Rt. 66 journey with you, and that gestures of their spirits were given new shelter there. Two hearts, wow.

Maia Duerr's avatar

I know, right? I was aware of that lovely snow formation in the crevice of the mountain but I didn't think of it when I was choosing this place, and then when I turned around and saw that, it was just perfect.

June Ryushin Tanoue's avatar

What a great trip you had and I loved your stories of your meanderings with your parents cremains. That last shot of the two hearts in the mountains was so moving to me...angels indeed are here with us... 💖

Patricia O'Brien's avatar

Maia

Such a lovely description of this journey of the heart and your discoveries along the way. 🙏🌷

Maia Duerr's avatar

Thanks for coming along on the ride, Patricia!

maryann hrichak's avatar

that was an informative little trip with you! Thanks for all the insights and reminiscences(sp?)

Maia Duerr's avatar

Thanks, MaryAnn! It was fun to relive the trip by putting together this piece. Curious if you have ever been to any of the spots mentioned…