The plan had simple: I would see Krystal in Marin County in the evening, then find a place to stay, and then meet up with Carolina and her beagles at Fort Funston the next morning so Tuck could romp around his favorite haunt. Then we’d drive the five hours south to Burbank.
But the universe finds plans amusing.
Or maybe just mine.
Krystal had thought some friends of hers were coming into town the following day, but they had a quick switch of plans, and were arriving that very same night. While I was invited to come over as well I was not yet comfortable being indoors maskless with people I didn’t know, drinking and eating for a prolonged period of time. Even in my plan to see only Krystal, I had pictured us sitting out on the patio. This wasn’t just for my own protection, but because I had been traveling and staying in hotels; I wanted to reduce my own potential of getting anyone else ill.
So we saw one another outside for a brief moment out on the street, for the first time in nearly two years, and made plans to meet up the next day after her guests had left. My days go from absolute nothing but long naps on the couch and reading to traveling two hundred miles, hiking protected lands, scouting burial sites, and seeing old friends all in a 12 hour timeframe.
I awoke in the morning to another change of plans. Carolina’s husband had tested positive for COVID. So, the Fort Funston romp was a no go. Later in the day, Carolina also tested positive. Although I was bummed to not see her, I was glad to see Krystal, and get an extended time with her as I had no other plans for the afternoon.
She took me to China Beach, where Tuck and I were allowed on the shores, but not in the fishing village.
But the universe finds plans amusing.
Or maybe just mine.
Krystal had thought some friends of hers were coming into town the following day, but they had a quick switch of plans, and were arriving that very same night. While I was invited to come over as well I was not yet comfortable being indoors maskless with people I didn’t know, drinking and eating for a prolonged period of time. Even in my plan to see only Krystal, I had pictured us sitting out on the patio. This wasn’t just for my own protection, but because I had been traveling and staying in hotels; I wanted to reduce my own potential of getting anyone else ill.
So we saw one another outside for a brief moment out on the street, for the first time in nearly two years, and made plans to meet up the next day after her guests had left. My days go from absolute nothing but long naps on the couch and reading to traveling two hundred miles, hiking protected lands, scouting burial sites, and seeing old friends all in a 12 hour timeframe.
I awoke in the morning to another change of plans. Carolina’s husband had tested positive for COVID. So, the Fort Funston romp was a no go. Later in the day, Carolina also tested positive. Although I was bummed to not see her, I was glad to see Krystal, and get an extended time with her as I had no other plans for the afternoon.
She took me to China Beach, where Tuck and I were allowed on the shores, but not in the fishing village.
It wasn’t the side of the Bay I was used to seeing, so for my first time back to the Bay since my exodus in March of 2020, it was truly a whole new experience.
There was no romping like at Fort Funston, but Tuck found a delectable stick and went to town on it.
And after a magical morning of catching up with an old friend in the safety of the outdoors, we began out southward journey--but not before catching a glimpse of the native wildlife.
Leaving here was almost as difficult as leaving Portland.
The Grapevine, the final big “hill” between Central and Southern California, was closed due to snow. There was a detour that would take an additional few hours. Or, we could continue our coastal route, which would take the same amount of time with the detour, but with a different view. I chose the coast.
But alas, that too, was blocked with afternoon traffic. So, after an eventful morning, then eight hours on the road, and still at least two hours from home, I called it a night. One more hotel room, one more night away from my own bed. So be it.
Once more, the universe proved that its yield signs aren't done to anger us, but let us slow down and enjoy ourselves. The delay and the detour gave me a chance to experience something new. Never had we gone this way before, or at least that I could remember.
But alas, that too, was blocked with afternoon traffic. So, after an eventful morning, then eight hours on the road, and still at least two hours from home, I called it a night. One more hotel room, one more night away from my own bed. So be it.
Once more, the universe proved that its yield signs aren't done to anger us, but let us slow down and enjoy ourselves. The delay and the detour gave me a chance to experience something new. Never had we gone this way before, or at least that I could remember.
As we neared the mountain range, the dog settled in to obscure the peaks.
The closer we got, the the thicker the fog became, obliterating the cloudless sky above and beyond.
As if paying homage to Oregon, California showed us that its viewpoints could be just as secretive and time-sensitive.
The sun tried to light our way, but it just wasn’t cutting through the blanket of mist.
So onward we went, until we passed the mountain summit and there in the distance, below the sun and blue sky, was the ocean once more.
After over a hundred days away, we returned to our humble abode, having given our old house a break from our antics.
The orange trees greeted us with an abundance of fruit.
The orange trees greeted us with an abundance of fruit.
And the avocado tree showed off its newest babes. I am wishing and hoping the majority of them grow their full potential and remain on the tree till harvest this fall.
2021 was the Year Away after a Year At Home. From Connecticut to Georgia to Massachusetts to Oregon, Tuck and I had been on the road for over nine months of the year. We made it in just under the wire on New Year’s Eve to end the year at home.
But the truth is, Home is wherever we are together. Our little plot of land is our basecamp, our physical place to rest and recoup, and our project to help heal and evolve after years of abuse and neglect prior to our residency.
Our little house needs some attention and love before we leave her to rest in quiet again. Between our healing moments on the house that gives us shelter, you will find us in the nearby wilds, with a city just far enough away to be accessible, but forgotten about once we turn our back to it.
And here we will stay until the open road calls to us again.
Our little house needs some attention and love before we leave her to rest in quiet again. Between our healing moments on the house that gives us shelter, you will find us in the nearby wilds, with a city just far enough away to be accessible, but forgotten about once we turn our back to it.
And here we will stay until the open road calls to us again.
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