day 9 philly to boston - homeward bound

9 days, 207 hours, 3012 miles, 11 states, 7 different beds, one helluva trip

We write to you today from the coziness of our own homes, after a night of sleep in our own beds and dang does it feel nice to be home.  But before we rest, we had to get home.  Our final day was really the perfect way to end this trip.

We woke up and had a lovely morning at Gail and Penny's in Philly.  Gail had to leave for the day (happy birthday!), and we spent the morning learning about Penny's female iconography collection.  Everywhere you turn in the house there are dolls, images, commentary on what it "means" to be female.  Statues, barbies, figurines, photos, record covers, you name it - she had it.  It was great for us to hear about her joy in collecting and her subversive vision for all of the images and things.  She displays them in cheeky installations which are just delightful, sardonic and beautiful.  We discovered a classic Barbie dream house, a Wonder Woman doll and a Drag King Barbie -  and then had some fun!  We played with the dolls in their home and found that with an adult sense of humor, playing with Barbies is actually pretty fun!  Before leaving, Penny sent gave us toy care packages that we weren't able to open until we had left.  Once we did open them, they were just the perfect thing for each of us.  Thank you.

We did a whirlwind driving tour of Philly with Renee showing us Penn's campus, her alma mater.  We even drove past Hollenback Center, the place where Renee was in Navy ROTC and where she was "on trial" and ultimately discharged from the military because of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy.  After that we needed some greasy goodness so we headed to Pat's, King of Steaks and had such good greasy cheesesteak goodness.  (Including the traditional 'wiz wit'  which is a cheez whiz covered steak.  Yes, that sounds disgusting but it's so, so good.)  With the grease lining our bellies, it was time to head home.

With Kathy playing DJ, the road home was filled with song, laughter, planning and reflection.  It's been a whirlwind trip and one that we think will settle in our bones in the days and weeks to come.  We've met some amazing people, seen some inspiring sites and kicked up a lot of stuff.  We really learned so much more about ourselves because of the people and places we visited.  It's cheesy, yes, but true.  

We'll be continuing to update the blog in the next few days/weeks with videos, reflections, photos and more.  As we start to shape the show, we'll also be sharing thoughts on the blog.  Our plan is to have a workshop production ready for early fall and then a full show shortly thereafter.  

Thank you for taking this trip with us, for your support and your feedback.  We can not wait to take this experience and to continue to make our art.  It may not include 3000 miles, but it's a going to be a journey like no other.

day 8 pigeon forge to philly - city of sisterly love

We stayed at the Days Inn in Salem, Virginia. A bit of a crusty sheen on the bathroom floor, but we slept for a few hours before rising to a hearty breakfast with a somewhat surly waitress at Sarah Ann's breakfast nook.  Not the best food we have eaten, but consuming a corn dog the day before, it sufficed as food.

We each took a turn at the wheel, until Renee took us to our home for the night - and a place both Renee and myself have a warm chamber in our hearts - Philadelphia.  For me, it was where my best college pal Lee lives, with her Mom, in a beautiful little home in downtown Philly, in fact in the gayborhood. How appropriate is that? The city streets were decorated with rainbow banners (how'd they know we were coming?) for the Equality Forum, a big lgbt event that takes over the city. Lee grew up here, and when we were in college I'd come to visit, spending fun days at Hepburn's (the now defunct Lesbian bar) and consuming cheesesteaks 'til my gums bled. 

I hadn't see Lee in over three years, since my wedding, and it had been far too long. Lee was my

freshman roommate, and the first one of my friends to come out to me. And she is the friend that knows my queer history the longest, because she knew it even before I could make my queer stand on my own. Well her, and Cagney and Lacey. And we have found a home in our friendship, and no matter where we are, or how long it's been since we have talked to one another, as soon as we reunite, we fall into a familiar dykealicious step of our own vivacious out loud unique splash in the world without apology. And I am so grateful for her, for the fact she can remind me parts of myself and where I've been that I have forgotten. (Too many late night quarters games will do that to a impressionable freshman mind). And she has been a gender warrior far longer than me, giving me permission to uncover all that was too hard yet for me to get my gameboi on. 

As we have travelled into unfamiliar territory all this week, and felt moments of being uncomfortable, as well as understanding who gets more punchy late at night after a day in the car and far too much sweet tea, it was a wonderful gift to come back around to family that grounds me and reminds me of where I've been and who I am, at the core. 

and now.... over to Renee 

I have to ditto what Mal said - it feels really good to get this moment of grounding and true home at the end of what has been a whirlwind adventure.  After visiting w/Lee, we drove to the suburbs to see my "lesbian moms" - Gail and Penny.  In college, they took me under their wing when I was figuring stuff out and gave me one of the biggest gifts - an example.  Here was this amazing couple, flawed but loving, raising a little girl together.  Last night, the home was filled with laughter and family and good conversation.  It was amazing to see their daughter grown up and to interact with her that way.  

We had a great sit down interview with Gail, talking a bit about what I was like back in the day and why I became a part of the fold.  We also talked a ton about the pioneering career that Gail has had - she was one of the first female sports writers in the country and was the first female sports writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Not only that, she was one of the very first out journalists.  I had known these facts for years, they're not something she hides, but I had never heard the struggles or the reason why persevering like that had been so important to her. 

As I type right now, Kathy and Penny are wandering the house examining Penny's vast female iconography collection.  It's like Barbie threw up!  (But we love it!)  I can't wait to hear the juicy vittles.

When I'm in this house, I'm both grateful and humbled.  We've talked a lot on this trip about breaking barriers and about role models.  I can't think of a more fitting place to wrap up our journey than here.  

And now dear readers, we get some cheesesteak and we hit the open road one last time. 

Nashville to Memphis (day 4)