September 1st, 2015
A summer road trip that you dream about-12 days discover new sights –
12 days of reconnection with family and friends…old and new, young and old…
12 days of memories to last a life time.
First stop, San Francisco-time to revisit this fabulous city
and dinner with family
(tip, if while waiting in an hour line a guy comes up to you and offers to take you up to Union Square from Ghiradelli Square in his limo for the same price as the cable car…don’t hesitate-say yes, then take the cable car down from Union Square to the wharf…way shorter wait times)
We stayed in Alameda
–a lovely town I discovered in December and we all agree is an easy ferry or bart ride ride away from the busy city which makes Alameda a calm place to stay for future trips.
A short 20 minute ride and you are at
The Ferry Building-the customs house back in the day –
that has been converted into boutique food fantasy shops & restaurants where artisan goodies abound.
We indulge in Oysters from the 1st place we see
and feed our souls at Book Passages.
When asked…”did I find anything interesting?
The answer…”yes, my grand niece”-turns out she shares my love of books, past down to me from my father-her great grandfather-
I am thrilled to discover she got it too.
The years that separate us disappear…
As if is not two people 45 years apart in age with nothing to talk about, but two people whose common passion for books sparks precious conversations
in the back seat as the miles fly by with the sharing of her world and mine
-from Dr Who to our mutual love of Van Gogh-
with my 9 year old grand nephew
– a child of the 21st century –
who although had his eyes seemingly focused on his video game was absorbing all we had to say as he sat in the middle between us.
Next stop the Redwoods, Arcata
&
Moonstone Beach
where we surround our selves in the magnificence of the redwoods
and feel Jeff’s energy as he guides us thru our day in his town.
Then onto So Oregon to stay with a long time friend and next up to Portland to stay with a niece, and meet up with more family & friends.
-1st time in Oregon for me and I will definitely be back-
Luv Oregon!
Practically out my niece’s front door awaiting our enjoyment…
~Portland a beautiful city surrounded by nature~
An early morning walk to pick black berries
…which gets turned into a cobbler before we leave for–
Fun at the Horsetails Falls, Columbia River, Oregon.
Yes, I could do the hike, but why was I not in the water?
I could tell my self it was because there wasn’t a place to change into my bathing suit
-or was it something more?
Was it the changing of the guards?
What they don’t know now,
which I didn’t know then either,
is how fast young goes.
While hiking i listened to my niece’s tales of her adventures to Yosemite & of hiking in Palm Springs and making the 10 hour hike coming off the mountain with just enough energy to spare,
I am recognizing this is the real reason I was not in the water…
~ENERGY~
I did not have the energy for the transition from land to freezing mountain water.
But I DO still have the Energy to have a dance party in my niece’s kitchen,
as my loved ones are gathered around the table-some joining in the dancing, some watching, some singing, while others are bonding with a new friend over the learning of a song on a table top keyboard.
&
Energy enough to
take a train ride 4 hours north to Seattle for more fabulous days of visiting another BFF
and of course, to indulge in the pleasures at Pike’s Place Market
Yummy- grilled cheddar cheese, tomato, basil sandwich – at Beecher’s
and
The Stunning Chihuly glass art museum at the Seattle Center
Color, Light, Beauty beyond belief…
…shared between older and younger, topped off with a frappuccino in the outdoor café surrounded by the blue Seattle sky and Glass art…
.
The blessings of this road trip were many…
And start with taking the time to smell the flowers…
…& recognizing times change …
but realizing you are never too old to have a good time,
that life can still bring delights to the wide eyed child that resides inside you.
…and Connection with family is something you can’t buy
& Happily finding a connection that has been dashed over the many years, but never broken.
Whether I’ve known them all of my life, or all of theirs,
or 44 years of friendship…
they are my family…
they are my tribe….
and for this I give Thanks
At first I said no to this trip because of all life’s logistic reasons, but so glad I went for it.
From now on I will be taking a clue from the younger generation…
And remember what I used to know…
Forget what you think you shouldn’t do,
Go with what you feel,
Be open to the possibilities,
Live in the moment,
and let go.
Just say Yes
~Trust in the Journey~
That’s when the magic happens…