The Adventures of Fric and Frac: Adventure 161: Santa Rosa, California/Post E

The Cager's win streak continues: -$87

Not all days on the road are fun and games. On a regular basis, some housekeeping is required. Today, we took Fric to the car dealer for an oil change, took ourselves to the beauty shop for a pedi for Judy and a pedi/mani for me. After our makeovers, we needed something more than just Semel and coffee, so we chose a pig and a poke for breakfast. We got poked. Hank's Creekside Restaurant was a greasy spoon, which would have been fine if it hadn't charged like it was something better. No matter, the diner food readied us for a day of cleaning. Judy did the wash. I cleaned the bike and the truck. I put the table and chairs away, folded the awning, and basically readied Frac for our next stop: Yosemite National Park. We'll leave in the morning after the morning rush hour has passed, and venture south just to the northern edge of San Francisco and then east to a small town called Groveland, which borders the western entrance to Yosemite. The highway map shows major highways. Hopefully, we'll enjoy traveling mercies. After the trailer was spruced, the truck shined, and the bike preened, we decided to go for a classic California burger at SuperBurger of Santa Rosa. What a treat! My faith in mankind, womankind, youth kind and the spirit of joyful work was affirmed by our teen girl waitress, Shelby. She was bright, competent, cheerful, and she inspired me so much, I tipped her twenty bucks. When we got there, she was the only one working, and boy, was she! She was bustling about smoothly and efficiently, handling at least ten customer groups by herself. She quipped, "Another girl will be here in ten minutes." By the time we finished our burgers, onion rings, and shake, her co-worker had arrived, but she spent the first ten minutes of her shift complaining to Shelby about things the day shift had left undone. I spent much of my life working in the service industry; I appreciate a good worker when I see one. What appealed to me most about Shelby was how she approached her job. Work was not a chore; the job was not a burden. I have the feeling that is just how she is. My guess is that she brings sunlight wherever she goes. She made my day. This young girl validated my faith in possibility. She presented herself in the same way that the Alexander Valley presents itself as the jewel of the Sonoma County. She proved (Again) that life is good, especially today.