Go West Young Men (and Frances)!

We actually made it 3 weeks ago...or so. I've lost track of time since then and am currently in Washington state working at Sunfield Farm and School, a private 501c3 Waldorf school and farm....but back to the road trip.

Driving from the Peninsula to Portland, we met one of Nick’s friends from Williams for dinner at a local, organic Mexican restaurant with massive burritos for $6. After dinner, we headed to Eugene to meet the infamous Leo Lober-Tracy, Zack’s best friend tracing back to elementary school. Leo gave us directions to his frat and stood on the corner of his street, anticipating our arrival with the same eager impatience to greet the world just as Zack did. A huge grin on his face, he darted over to the jeep to give a hello hug to Nick and meet Micah, Matt, and I for the first time. I had heard so much about Leo, particularly in reference to “Hurricane” Katrina as well as the classy hit song “Nuttin It II” with his fellow band members, The Eunochs. He was happy to give us a place to sleep, but unable to pass the evening with us as he had finals. As it was, we were tired and went to bed almost immediately with plans to meet him for breakfast.


Sneaky Francy Pants entertains herself in less creepy ways than Matt on the last few hours of the road trip by taking photos of people she knows.

It was a beautiful thing. Four people who had impacted Zack and who had been impacted by Zack in some wonderful way or another quietly, but contentedly ate their breakfast together. We didn’t talk much, but there was no real need. I was completely content, happy to enjoy the company of four friends. Also, Matt Quarles had Soysage (an epic and hilarious moment since soy lacks the greasy, salty, tough skinned fatty goodness of real sausage)—it was a local, organic, vegan breakfast joint which had a sign that all cell phone conversations must be taken outdoors and a Bush-isms poster in the bathroom. My two favorites…(upon viewing a world map): “WOW, Brazil is REALLY BIG”. My other favorite (stated while addressing a single mother with 3 kids): “Wow, that’s so uniquely American of you to be working 3 jobs. That’s just wonderful!” Alas, the old white bastard isn’t in his pretty white house anymore—rather he’s not just hangin’ at his vacation home in Texas. MOVING ON….


Meat Fuck BBQ Sauce

After breakfast, we hit the road. Jumping on I-5, we booked it, first to In-N-Out Burger just south of Shasta, arriving in Piedmont around dinner time—just in time for the traditional Sieben Sunday dinner, in fact. Making a quick detour for a pre-sunset view of the Bay area from the Oakland hills, we absorbed the incredible sight, spotting the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, Alcatraz, the Marin Headlands, etc.


Zachary's Berea Broobs

Raring to see the Sieben’s and ready to eat, we climbed back into the packed jeep (for the last time!) and drove down the hills to the sweet blue house on Olive Lane which was bound to be packed with family and friends—and it was, of course. Bobbie, Louie, Kayla, Elizabeth, Lauren, Orli, Lorrie, Brian, Allie, TT, Sue, and Greg were all present and ready to greet us with warm hugs. Snagging grilled corn and ribs, our brilliant meal was complemented by Greg’s delicious home brew: Zachary’s Berea Broobs. Of course. Topping my ribs with “Zachary’s Atomic Nasty BBQ Sauce” of the Meat Fuck variety (also created by Z7), my meal could not have been any better—great food and amazing people make the best dinners.