West Coast 2016

I've spent the last couple of days at camp solo.  I realize I haven't written much in my blog since my retirement which was one of the things I was sure I'd do once I had time.  hmmm . . ..

On my kayak paddle today (September 22, 2016) - the first day of autumn - I noticed the swallows that usually nest under the Hallowell-Litchfield Road bridge had already left for warmer climes.  However, I did see a few, though very sparse, population of red-winged black birds in the northern marsh.  Most, I suspect have also headed south.  

What I call the cormorant tree on Cobbosseecontee Stream in West Gardiner

The cormorants are still around and seem to be using the old cormorant tree again this year.  Heard some loons last night.  

I have to say that I'm extremely grateful that the family that owns the rooster lives far enough away so that I can only barely hear him crow from 4 to 7 am.  If I hadn't been awake reading my book, I wouldn't have heard him.  My closest neighbor upstream used to have chickens but thankfully they never had a rooster.  

My first 10 months of retirement have been everything I expected and wanted.  I still wake up in the morning with a sense of wonder that the day is mine, to do with as I wish.  If I want to spend the whole day reading a book, I can do that. If I feel like spending time in my pottery studio, that's what I do.  I have started a routine of going to the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so on those days that obligation is in place which is often not welcome.  But I feel stronger and have much more stamina and getting in and out of my kayak is much easier than it has been in years so the work is paying off.  I've lost 15 pounds as well so I'm happy about that.  

 We spent a couple of weeks on the West Coast in July.  We started off with a week with Jason, Adri, and Hugh in Claremont, CA, spending lots of time in their pool and playing with Hugh.  He just recently turned two and he's clearly got a mind of his own but is almost always happy, engaged, and delightful. 

"Again!" yells Hugh, until Jason's arms are like jelly.  :-)  

Rick, Hugh, and Jason walking to the park

 However, after a week of that we were ready for some adult time and rented a car and drove up to Big Sur.  We stayed a couple of nights at the Big Sur River Inn, hiked down to the Pacific Ocean at Andrew Molera State Park, had dinner at Nepenthe, and just admired the amazing views the area has to offer.  Two days after we left the area experienced some significant wildfires so I feel so fortunate that we were able to explore before that happened.  

Walking down to the beach at Molera State Park

Dipping my toes into the Pacific Ocean - it was cold and windy as heck!

Having drinks at Nepenthe

Our room at the Big Sur River Inn

We left Big Sur and drove up Route 1 to San Francisco to meet Jerry Nicosia for lunch.  Spent a couple hours with him at a nice little coffee shop in Mill Valley and then headed north again, on our way to visit Annie and Woody Woods just outside of Portland, OR.  We went inland to save time and stopped to visit some redwood forests along the way in the Avenue of the Giants.  

A magnificent redwood tree

We had decided to wing it in finding a room for the night and ended up in Eureka, CA at a sweet little hotel overlooking the rather industrial bay area. 

Our rather industrial view in Eureka, CA

 We talked to a gentleman at the Applebee's we ate at and asked about recommendations if we had just an hour or two to see the sights and he recommended an absolutely magical beach on our way about a half hour north called Houda Point in Trinadad CA and Luffenholtz Point.  Wow!  It was foggy and drizzly which really seemed to add to the magic of the place. 

Luffenholtz Point - the old man in the sea?

Houda Point, Trinadad, CA

 I could have spent days there but we were scheduled to reach Tualatin by 5 that night so we tore ourselves away and drove north, taking the James River road that took us from CA to OR.  Such beautiful, hilly, rugged country!  I really hope to come back in a camper and spend time in northern California - both the wine/ranch country north of San Francisco and the more rugged areas around Eureka. 

We arrive in Tualatin and had a wonderful visit with Annie and Woody Woods.  

Rick, Annie, Woody, and myself.  I may have had a little of that herb that's legal in Oregon.

At McMenamins on the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington with our great friends Annie Courchesne Woods and Woody Woods.

The Columbia River Gorge - Oregon on the right and Washington on the left

At the Portland Saturday Market - great people watching

At McMinimans in Washington

Our last night in Oregon

Friday in Pleasantville

Got woken up by a text this morning about 9:30 (yup, 9:30) from my lovely neighbor, Christine, to meet at the point for a chat. I brought a couple cups of coffee and we sat on the rocks and caught up with each other.  She had her two sweet little four legged friends. It was a little blustery but the morning sun kept us warm.  Chris had to move on with her agenda for the day but I came back home and grabbed some more coffee and my Kindle and read and watched all the activity in our usual quiet little corner.  The town maintenance crew came and did their spring cleaning of the beach and I had to appreciate how fortunate we are to have such close proximity to the waterfront without having to pay waterfront taxes or to maintain the area.  The town does a good job on the public beach, though I have to say our shared private access point is currently pretty littered and junky from our neighbor who just doesn't know how to respect a piece of property and clean up after himself.  He's got too many toys to properly care for so his winter's ice shack is sitting out there along with the summer's 50 feet of docks, so it's a little hard to reach the rocky shoreline.  He's got a huge pile of trash and pallets stacked up and obviously plans a substantial bonfire though hopefully on a less blustery day than today.

They did a nice job cleaning up the public beach area.

Headed back across the street to our house(s).

Across the cute little bridge Rick made for us.

To hang out on the deck.

reading my Kindle and watching the ubiquitous and vocal goldfinch, cardinals, and all the other usual suspects.

My 60th Birthday

Rick threw me a surprise party for my birthday.  Wow!  If he’d asked me do I want a birthday party I would definitely have said no.  I’m glad he didn't ask.  What a fun time! 

I thought we were probably going into Hallowell to meet my sons for a nice birthday dinner . . . until he handed me a blindfold and said to put it on.  It suddenly occurred to me that this probably wasn't dinner. 

So I put on the blindfold and noticed we did a 180 degree turn and were headed back to Hallowell.  He accused me of peaking when I knew we were headed back to Hallowell but come on, aren’t people who are being kidnapped able to tell you how many lefts or rights you've taken and approximately how long you drove in each direction?  J 

Anyway, I was pretty disoriented once we stopped and he took my arm and guided me to a step and an open door where someone else took my other arm.  Then the happy birthday music started and when I removed my blindfold there were 50 of my favorite people in the whole world with great, sweet smiles.  How wonderful is that? 

Rick had hired two of my very favorite bands – not one but two!!! – and a photographer.  I’ll post photos when I get them.  My dear, wonderful, talented, and creative neighbor helped him pull everything together.  Thank you Chris!  Greta provided a drum head with her own beautiful creation on the back and space on the front for people to sign.  I’ll post a photo. 

Lots of wonderful music ensued, including a rendition of Old Flames by Rick, Woody, Richard, and Jane!   I think Alfred was on drums for that one, too.  Chris Rusnov and Deb Dunn and others danced away.  I joined in a few myself with Rick, Rose, Betty, Liz, Susie, Jordy, and others.  I had to laugh when Liz was amazed that I hadn't heard about the party because, she said, everyone in town knew about it!  Good job Hallowellians – and Rick!     

   

60 - wow

I turned 60 last Monday.  Wow.  60 means old.  No convincing yourself that you’re still middle aged.  60 is old.  It was really old when I was younger and though it’s not nearly as old now, it’s still old.  But, damn, I really like being 60.  I know I could stop working tomorrow if I chose to do so.  I could collect enough Social Security retirement and pension to get by.  It might mean a smaller life – spending more time at home.  In summers doing gardening, winters pottery.  But I’d be in control of my time.     

On my drive to work earlier this week I watched an older woman walking from her mailbox with the newspaper and couldn't help but think how leisurely that felt at 8:00 a.m.   I was envious that on this showery November day one might choose to stay home by a nice fire and read the local paper, maybe do all the puzzles: Sudoku, jumble, cryptoquip, and crossword.   If the skies cleared she might go out later and do a little yard work, or maybe just stay in and get lost in a good novel.  

I’m hoping to be able to build a year round home on my property on Cobbossee Stream.  Summers always see a nice breeze, great kayaking, lots of wildlife to watch, and easy access.  Winters and spring are likely to have some access issues since there’s an almost mile long dirt road but I feel like it will be a challenge that could be rewarding to face.  Stock up, stay in, find your own entertainment.  I love that . . . as long as it doesn't last 6 months.  J 

I would like to think we could take an annual trip to California to visit Jason and Adri and maybe a side adventure to Sedona, San Franciso, Joshua Tree or such. 

I guess we’ll see . . .

But so far, 60 is good.  

Sedona, AZ 2013

Rick and I took a trip out west for our vacation this year from July 13th to July 23rd.  We flew into Phoenix on the 13th and spent the night at a local flea bag motel but got up early the next morning and drove to Sedona.  Beautiful drive!  Here's the scene that greeted us as we came into town.

Coffeepot Rock

Not sure but these might be called The Sisters

From our hotel.

Our hotel - Sky Ranch Lodge in Sedona, AZ - best rooms in Sedona!

Taken during our Pink Jeep tour on Broken Arrow Trail.

From Broken Arrow Trail.

More from Broken Arrow Trail.

The jeeps go around this.  A little hairy.

Yes, we drove down this.

Taken at Taos Restaurant - our first stop in Sedona on July 14th.  Temps at about 100 degrees. They had the misters going.  See the thunder storm in the distance.

View from Room #235 - Sky Ranch Lodge - Sedona

Nice hike down the West Fork of Oak Creek.

More from the West Fork hike.

Love the way the stream gurgles gently during most of the West Fork hike.  Nice rock overhangs.  

What a ride that was through the red rocks!  Even after braiding my hair it was pretty wild at the end of the ride.

Sunrise at Airport Mesa

More sunrise at Airport Mesa

Sunset from Sky Ranch Lodge

Grand Canyon

Us at the Grand Canyon

Rick at Grand Canyon.

Kate, Rick, and me at Mother Road Brewery in Flagstaff.

During our time in Sedona the temps were mostly in the high 70s to low 90s. Apparently July is their monsoon season - daily thunderstorms and reasonable cloud cover kept temps at reasonable levels allowing us to hike, shop, etc. without oppressive heat.

We spent 5 days in Sedona and left on Friday to drive to Los Angeles to visit with Rick's son Jason and his fiance, Adri.We went to visit the Son's of Anarchy Teller Morrow site and then Venice Beach.

SOA Set in LA

Jason, Adri, and Rick at Venice Beach

Rick giving Jason a banjo lesson.

Jason playing the banjo his dad gave him last fall - one that Jason's mom bought him 30+ years ago.

It was a great trip. We paid the extra $ to get the extra leg room on Jet Blue and it was definitely worth it.  Flights were smooth if not always on time.  Driving was fine - even in LA - though we were glad to let Jason take over the driving around LA once we got to his house.  He's amazing in terms of being able to get anywhere with the least amount of traffic; always knows where he is; can jump from one highway to another  or just avoid highways and take side streets everywhere.  He took us to Rodeo Drive where we saw a commercial being filmed with Malin Ackerman (I had no idea who she was but Jason and Adri knew of her) and The Grove where we saw them filming an episode of Extra with Mario Lopez.