Adventures of Betsy & Kate with Puppy!

Jim Lehrman shared with me how Betsy had mentioned our friendship and adventures several times over the years. Jim commented that we must have had some great adventures. Both Jimmy’s let me know that Betsy was gone on March 31st, 2023.

THIS IS THE LONG STORY...Adventures with Betsy began when we met at the American University in Washington D.C., during our First Semester, in the Fall of 1971. Our friendship grew as kindred spirits. It was all about Music, Friendship and Music There are many stories to share…

Fall 1971...One of the first was when Betsy looked into a ‘Free’ Pottery Studio Class in the South east of DC in the Inner City. Anything Betsy was interested in always sounded  good and she asked if I would join her. ‘Definitely’, I responded,’ but how will we get there’? Betsy already had asked Jimmy if she could use his car. "Great, it will be so much more fun Together”, she cheerfully showed her happiness. Betsy had a gentle & natural finesse at the Pottery Wheel! I watched her gentle touch with the clay as it molded to her touch and took form. I was showing a tinge of discouragement, and  Betsy encouraged me, as a beginner, to continue. We did take enough classes to have our pots fired in the Kiln. When we returned to class for our Poettery, mine did not withstand the firing Betsy’s Pottery was beautiful 

I feel like this jumps to 1972! I bought the Van and at some point we were driving in the Inner City, possibly to register the Van! We suddenly stopped at the sight of a small black Dog wandering towards the curb, with many people walking past the bewildered Dog. Betsy opened the door and called for the Dog. We got out of the car,  Betsy picked up the Dog and off we went! We began discussing which of our House mates would allow this new Sweet Dog! What should we call HER…Puppy, Betsy exclaimed! First we went to my House and as we entered we received a resounding “NO WAY!”. One of the House mates had a new, young pedigree dog. We promised to bathe Puppy and go to the Veterinarian for all the necessary shots! “NO WAY”! In Betsy’s true fashion as a gentle and peaceful person, she calmly responded." It’s OK Kathy, I will head home with Puppy. Jimmy & I will talk this over." Together they made a family of three.

I turn the page  to  December 1972 and  the end of the third semester at AU and our grand plans for a major Coast to Coast Round Trip Road after the Holiday Break, where ON!   Neither Betsy nor I were  returning to AU, after the Holiday Break. We made plans to “Head out West”! The Van was such a great deal. The seller did not have any records of maintenance, but he seemed honest. It was our ticket to Freedom... A 1969 Slant- six Dodge Window Van. We had some of the guys build a plywood bed that could fold up and become benches, in the back of the Van! I made curtains.

Since my Family had moved from New Jersey to Denver,  I was to Fly to Denver for the Holiday. Timmy was spending the holiday with his Family in Jersey . Betsy was spending her holiday in Harrisburg with her Family. Then a whole crew of A.U. guys were driving OR flying to Denver for a big Ski Trip.

My boyfriend , Timmy and Betsy drove the Van to Colorado. I could not wait to join Betsy. Our connection was a Happy Friendship! Our adventures were always on the cusp. Of our early days in Washington D.C., I springboard to "On the Road".

Betsy & I were on the Interstate heading into New Mexico! We picked up three hitchhikers. I swear it was Mama Cass, who  told us to get off the highway and take the backroads into Santa Fe. In the midst of pre-dawn, we arrived in Santa Fe, an Adobe Village with narrow streets, the likes of which we had never seen. Our passengers had friends to catch up with, so we slept in the Van & got some shut eye. We headed up to Bandelier National Monument and hiked into the main Archeo;ogy of the Frijoles Canyon.The natural trails had a large main Kiva for gatherings and larger living area divided into small sleeping quarters. As we hiked along the path we noticed the high Stone Walls & began to see Petroglyphs. Taking higher trails we saw Kiva Ladders to climb and enter the preserved adobes carved into the walls, The Petroglyphs became clearer and our imagination was our guide. From the chill of the morning, the afternoon Sun began to heat up!  Betsy wanted to head back down towards a Stream she had seen and cool off in the water. She always liked to be near the water! We both felt the Ancient Wisdom guiding our new Sense of the 

Southwest. We drove to the Bandelier campground to park among the Pinon Trees and Scrub Oak, for a good night's Rest.

 Our next destination, a stopover, was Tucson, then to California, we had a bit of a late start after walking around Sante Fe and checking out unusual markets with odd names like serapes or ponchos, "The Jackalope" with a HUGE rabbit out Front. We headed West and with Nightfall, the Eastern Full Moon Rise, was in my rear view Mirror. Cars and Trunks were Hauling , but I could not resist glancing back!  Without realizing it, that gentle Moon rise was Now the Biggest most Gigantic setting Moon on the Horizon, straight ahead of us. Betsy, WAKE UP and check out this Gigantic Moon! Betsy mumbled a bit and then joined my chorus of, "OH Man,wow that is Huge. Kept me awake as we arrived at the South Highway into Tucson. We parked in front of my friend's home. Morning greeted us with their children and Breakfast.

The next day I shared with Betsy that I wanted to get up by TWO A.M. so we could get to the Pacific Ocean by Sunrise, calculating about a SIX Hour Drive ,with losing an Hour! Oh, Betsy exclaimed, "I will never be able to get up that early and I won't be able to DRIVE"!!! That's OKay , I will do all the Driving!!

Once we were at the Beach, I woke Betsy up (slowly) We were told we could Park BUT not sleep in the Van. Oh, can we sit on the Beach? We want  to watch the Sun Rise! The Ranger just Laughed!!! It was very cold, so we pulled Blankets to roll up in. UNBELIEVABLE... There were Dune Buggies and CARS driving right by us, onto the Beach and zooming up and down. OMG...we are gonna get RUN OVER...Back to the VAN!    DUH, Besty, Wait a minute! My bad, The Sun Rises in the East! No wonder that Patrol guy was Laughing!

My Brother and his Family lived nearby in LaJolla, so we headed to their Home, where they were so kind and welcoming! We had plans to head up the Coast. 

First we went to Disneyland! Oops, on the way the Van saled. We were only 30 minutes north of LaJolla and my big brother Kindly drove up to help get the van started. It was the 'butterfly' in the carburetor. After a short visit to Disneyland, we headed to Santa Cruz to visit Betsy's boyfriend, Jimmy H, at College. With all of our stops and delays, our timing was off , with his Class Schedule & exams for a visit with Jimmy H. 

 Now.We headed South to Sonoma. My High School Friend had just returned from the Grateful Dead, European Tour with her boyfriend and she invited us to visit her. The only thing about that visit, is I really wanted it to be about Time with her , not with the Grateful Dead.( I don't think Betsy agreed ?) It was important to get some land and Sea Fresh Air and Exercise! We made a plan to pick her up at the Grateful Dead Offices. Then we would go hiking up in the  Armstrong Redwood Forest, Then afterwards we would go to the Coast and View the Ocean over the Cliffs!  Karen was delighted to see me & happy to meet Betsy, who loved going to Dead Concert.

Karen said, "Follow me and I'll show you around the studios". I said I would wait for them there in the Office. This really handsome guy entered the Office and asked,

"Do I know you?" I replied, "I'm Kathy Wegrzyn from New Jersey". He replied, " Hello, I'm Phil Lesh". I didn't know who that was and kindly said, nice to meet you! 

Karen & Betsy came back and we headed to the Forest and the Sea. 

We headed back to LaJolla to say goodbye to my Family . Nina was visiting from Norway and it was good to see her! She was very interested in making the drive with us to Washington D.C. My brother said it would be fine with her Aunt. I called a friend and former roommate, Steve , who was going to Law School. I asked if he had room for Nina to  stay and if he had time to show her around. Wow it was all set.

My plan was to drive a different route along the border through Ca, Az , NM, & Texas, inot New Orleans. Hopefully, there would be less traffic than the Highways 

We had already traveled .THEN IT HAPPENED! We ended up visiting every Garage/Repair Shop... that WE NEVER WANTED TO SEE! As fate would have it,          every stop was Kind, Helpful and Rasonable. Having learned Spanish in High School helped! 

That was until the Radiator Shop! The only one in town, far back behind other shops. He claimed he was busy working on other jobs and he could not pill the radiator and fix the leak , until the other repairs were done. As he walked by  Betsy & Nina in the Van, I could see his crude eyed response. EXCUSE ME SIR, as I abruptly

closed the Van Door!  Sternly,I looked back at my traveling friends and their eyes opened WIDE, as I said under my breath, " Do Not, under any circumstance look at, smile nor talk to this man. I am in charge and I can handle this.I asked him if I could get some light and remove the radiator to save on the cost. A few customers did arrive to pick up their trucks. There were no lights, in this industrial area. He brought out a standing light. As soon as I touched it , I was shocked. He had set it in a puddle of water..Just tell me what I will owe you to pull the radiator, seal it and fill it with radiator fluid. 

Money was short and the drive through Texas was long! I saw three hitchhikers, and stopped the Van.I called one fellow w/ a cane and a dog to come over to my

Window. If you have cash for Gas, give me a tank full now and fill another tank enroute. I will give you three and your dog a ride. We are driving to New Orleans..

Once we arrived in NOLA, I called Timmy to wire money for our safe passage to get to Jimmy H's apartment. That arrival was a welcome. We bid our Hitchhikers farewell.The next morning, Betsy & I hugged with great friendship...Until we meet again! From there I headed to Boston.

It was time to sell Ole Blue! First thing I did was to join the FREE Salem Auto Co-Op! The Mechanics & Auto Body Teacher was FANTASTIC! I learned some reviews of the various repairs incurred on this great Adventure. Learning Body Work was fascinating. Onto Primer spray, my confidence buckled as it came to the final spraying of the Paint. I asked for help and he agreed. That evening I parked on Massachusetts Ave., outside the Apartment. A LOUD CRASH woke us all. Bobbie came into the room and said, "You better come out and see". Ole Blue's tyrod bent flat to the curb, Drivers side smashed. Police arrived,then left for another crime, sent for another Patrol Car. REPEAT. Next morning a Tow Truck . From there I headed to a Cabin, in the North branch of the Raritan River in New Jersey.

Many Merry meets and Merry Greets anointed the Friendship Betsy and I shared.

As time would have it...Betsy was preparing to join the Findhorn Community in Scotland. She was introduced to a fellow traveler , heading to Findhorn Community as well. Betsy was given a place to stay before embarking on this great opportunity. 

From this time forward...Jim and Betsy Lehrman united became a Family

Love Kate Wegrzyn