Our ten day hiatus in Arcata was a close-to-perfect mix of work and play. To keep use of the local gym, I worked several shifts in the “Kid’s Korner.” In exchange, I was able to do yoga, go to Zumba, lift weights, and catch a few TV programs on the Cybex. I also got to spend lots of time with my CASA kid making meals, watching movies, and celebrating her birthday. Pat’s former roommate and her boyfriend, who took over our old apartment, generously let us stay in our old guest bedroom. We entertained each other with travel stories and even got to introduce them to Japhy’s — the best soup shop in the world!
Retired life still has its responsibilities (true!), but the impact of the consequences for not taking care of business isn’t as serious. I mean to say that I gave into the hedonist in me on several occasions. Shortly after arriving, I let my momentum and urge to finish everything I start keep me up all night uploading photos, uploading blog posts, returning emails, and researching what it would take to break into the narrative-fiction-travel-writing scene. On a Wednesday, I stayed in bed until late afternoon reading the book I’d become addicted to (“The Help”). Pat was a supportive angel, not mocking my laziness *and* bringing me food!
Between researching our next big step, managing our dwindling finances, maintaining the car, catching up on my CASA case paperwork, and finishing wedding-related shopping, we got to see friends!
We rekindled our Humboldt social life by attending Tai’s awesome birthday sushi celebration, followed by an appearance on Arcata’s “nightlife” scene. We also shared a pretty amazing BBQ dinner with our Humboldt family — the Shaw/Haskett’s. Somehow, my returns to the north coast have coincided precisely with my first book group, so I got to see those lovely ladies yet again! (This was a big night, as I ended up with the addictive book they just read *and* a costume for an upcoming themed birthday party!) We also got to meet up with Tai and my former co-worker Erika at my favorite Mexican hot-spot for dinner one evening. Pat made the amazing Lime Peanut Coleslaw for a potluck at our friend Nathan’s house where we met some fabulous folks and saw old friends. Then we watched our wonderful friend Phil (see Amtrak, Arcata, the Big Cleanse, the epic roadie ) in the Pirates of Penzance followed by an evening of great cheese, wine, salami, and lentil poker. Jesse’s Disco Birthday Party was a total highlight, held on the rooftop patio of his Plaza apartment.
The faux-stache and general costumes were fantastic! Once we’d properly recovered the next day, we took to the water on Nathan and Toby’s new boat (!) — the Synapse. Pat loves sailing!
Speaking of which, we’ve been logging lots of hours gathering information about what it would take to cross the Pacific by sailboat in the fall. We know we want to travel internationally, and were hoping to start the journey in a non-traditional way. We are finding, however, that the smartest and most experienced captains don’t try to cross the Pacific until March or April each year. So, we’re faced with the decision of sailing to Mexico and spending a few months on the Sea of Cortez or scrapping the boat idea. We’re not totally decided yet, but we are itching to get out of the Western Hemisphere for awhile. We shall see!
We left Arcata for the Idaho summer camp wedding on a Tuesday morning. Staying in our old house was quite a trip. The new residents bought most of our “common area” furniture and we also gave them lots of our stuff. It was like entering a new dimension with constant déjà vu. Many of life’s daily activities were still ”˜muscle memory’ for me in that house. I knew it was time to go when, the night before we left, I automatically swung the bathroom cupboard open instead of the guest drawer to put away my toothbrush. Goodbye, again, Humboldt!
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