As many of you may already know, we have decided to leave Humboldt. It has been a great three and a half years here. It has been a hard decision to decide to move on at this point. However,we did "pro's and cons" lists and the direction became clear. We're heading to Texas, on or about August 1st.
At or about that time we also plan to start another blog, so we'll keep you posted how that goes as well. Much going on... purging... packing... taking care of the details for Rich to transfer ... contemplation and planning for a web-based biz (more details soon...)
Also we have an appointment to get our computer worked on before we leave Humboldt so perhaps we'll be able to load pictures again... sadly, our computer has been rather temperamental in that area for awhile now.
Hope this note finds you and yours doing well... we'll post more soon... Yes, I really will... I know the posts here have been spotty at best, but as the title here says "A New Chapter begins..." and with it comes more postings! Yes!! Such excitement, so many new places to visit and things to do on the horizon! Fun! Fun!! I'm ready!!!
Smiles & blessings...
Carolyn
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Update from Humboldt
(Another post saved on the computer - January 10, 2010)
Update from Humboldt
The new semester begins, for Rich, at Humboldt State University (HSU) on January 19, 2010, marking three years since we first came to Humboldt. It has been an interesting journey.
Though his initial thought was to pursue a Bachelor’s in Oceanography, he has since figured out that another program will better suit his desire to work in the ocean, rather than just about it. His planned degree is in Natural Resources Planning and Interpretation (NRPI) with a minor in Scientific Diving.
The Diving program here at HSU is highly regarded, and Rich has enjoyed the experience of participating in the classes very much. He has even been diving at Catalina Island (a University of Southern California facility) twice over the past three semesters of HSU Diving classes.
Though his requirements for his minor are fulfilled, this semester Rich plans to complete a Rescue Diving Course and Underwater Photography. These two courses will be very valuable in his future pursuits as a Scientific Diver.
Although we have had great challenges finding long term parking for our RV, since being here – it seems that few places are willing to accommodate rigs over 10 years old – most recently we have been blessed finding a “home” in the foothills about ten miles from the University; and it is beautiful!
We are in an area called Freshwater, renting a space from a very nice couple. The property includes an adjacent building that houses a laundry room, carport and what was previously a workshop. Since we’ve been here, with the help of others, we’ve been working on converting it to a “playroom” (think family room) – It’s coming along great!
Living here in the forest, but yet only about five miles from the Bay as a crow flies, it is truly breathtaking. Waking up every morning to incredible beauty; it’s like that feeling waking up when you’re camping. We have yet to build an outdoor fire pit, but it’s in the plan.
At this point we anticipate being here in Humboldt until sometime in 2011… but, more to be revealed. Thankfully, it seems, we’ll be able to stay in this place until Rich completes school. Only wish we could have found it sooner.
This past Christmas was spent in Oroville visiting Rich’s folks, and our son AJ and his family. We had only planned to be there for a couple of days, but God had other plans… The night before we were to leave we received a call from a friend offering us a van that she no longer needed. The only catch, it was in Reno, Nevada.
Interestingly enough, though, since we were in Oroville that made the drive to Reno only about three hours, one way, whereas if we would have been in Humboldt it would have meant at least seven hours, each way. So, we likely might have passed it up.
The weather was dicey so Rich watched for a “hole” to hopefully be able to get to Reno and back without having to chain-up. He managed to get up there, get the van then got back as far as Cisco Grove (just on the west side of Donner Summit) before it became evident that the alternator was not working.
With no resources for auto supply stores he found a safe place to park the van for the night and proceeded to ride back to his parents with his nephew who had accompanied him on the trip, and was now driving the car they went up in.
He got back to Oroville and figured out that the alternator on the car that his sister had had totaled in an accident (a couple of days before Christmas) might actually be able to work on the van. So he removed the alternator, charged the battery from her car, and the battery from our Land Cruiser (that is parked for a new engine) in order to take them with him --- just in case.
The following day he left, again with his nephew (and Ian), to go up to get the van. He arrived at the parking lot where he left it, to learn that it was a popular sledding spot… which thrilled Ian but made getting in and then out, after the van was running, just a bit challenging, to say the least.
Amazingly Rich made it back with “Betty Boop” (as she has been affectionately named) with just enough battery to get to the driveway, and then coast in. LOL! Rich spent the following day taking care of mechanical issues and Ian and I tried to help with the cleaning, as the van had been sitting for about a year.
That night we took it on a drive to visit AJ and family and she’s been running great ever since. In the next week or two she’ll get a tune up and she’ll be running great. Did I mention that Betty is an Econoline Conversion van? They are the ones with the raised roof, nice captain’s seats and all the things that make it nice for traveling.
Yesterday, Rich made it official: Betty is a Diver Transport Vehicle she got a California Diver sticker on the back window. Rich is really jazzed because there will be no more tent camping on the ground for his dives; Betty has a bed in the back that sets out with the touch of a button! Yee haw!! (I told him that he should have named her "Mona…" or perhaps that’s "Moana?" … just reflecting back to the van craze of the 70’s! LOL! Too fun!!)
Next weekend we’ll travel back over to Oroville to see family and put new tires on Moana, er I mean Betty! (LOL!) Also we’ll be there to give our love and hugs to AJ and family before they leave for their move to Texas.
They are very excited about this move. It is something that AJ has wanted for a long time. It has finally all come together; he and his wife have secured jobs near Dallas that will start the first week of February.
We are very excited for them, but will miss them much. It has been hard enough to see them on any regular basis just being seven hours away by car; now we’ll be at least that far away by plane. Oh, well… We’ll save our pennies and you know where we’ll be spending next Christmas. ;-)
We will return to Humboldt in time for Rich to start school on Tuesday the 19th. It’ll be a full weekend for sure, but worth it. (Then I suspect we won’t be back to Oroville for a visit until at least Spring Break in March.)
Other than delineating the blessings we have had over the past few months, I think this is a pretty good summation of the latest with us. I will do my best to be more frequent at posts this year. I look forward to keeping in touch.
Until next time…
Update from Humboldt
The new semester begins, for Rich, at Humboldt State University (HSU) on January 19, 2010, marking three years since we first came to Humboldt. It has been an interesting journey.
Though his initial thought was to pursue a Bachelor’s in Oceanography, he has since figured out that another program will better suit his desire to work in the ocean, rather than just about it. His planned degree is in Natural Resources Planning and Interpretation (NRPI) with a minor in Scientific Diving.
The Diving program here at HSU is highly regarded, and Rich has enjoyed the experience of participating in the classes very much. He has even been diving at Catalina Island (a University of Southern California facility) twice over the past three semesters of HSU Diving classes.
Though his requirements for his minor are fulfilled, this semester Rich plans to complete a Rescue Diving Course and Underwater Photography. These two courses will be very valuable in his future pursuits as a Scientific Diver.
Although we have had great challenges finding long term parking for our RV, since being here – it seems that few places are willing to accommodate rigs over 10 years old – most recently we have been blessed finding a “home” in the foothills about ten miles from the University; and it is beautiful!
We are in an area called Freshwater, renting a space from a very nice couple. The property includes an adjacent building that houses a laundry room, carport and what was previously a workshop. Since we’ve been here, with the help of others, we’ve been working on converting it to a “playroom” (think family room) – It’s coming along great!
Living here in the forest, but yet only about five miles from the Bay as a crow flies, it is truly breathtaking. Waking up every morning to incredible beauty; it’s like that feeling waking up when you’re camping. We have yet to build an outdoor fire pit, but it’s in the plan.
At this point we anticipate being here in Humboldt until sometime in 2011… but, more to be revealed. Thankfully, it seems, we’ll be able to stay in this place until Rich completes school. Only wish we could have found it sooner.
This past Christmas was spent in Oroville visiting Rich’s folks, and our son AJ and his family. We had only planned to be there for a couple of days, but God had other plans… The night before we were to leave we received a call from a friend offering us a van that she no longer needed. The only catch, it was in Reno, Nevada.
Interestingly enough, though, since we were in Oroville that made the drive to Reno only about three hours, one way, whereas if we would have been in Humboldt it would have meant at least seven hours, each way. So, we likely might have passed it up.
The weather was dicey so Rich watched for a “hole” to hopefully be able to get to Reno and back without having to chain-up. He managed to get up there, get the van then got back as far as Cisco Grove (just on the west side of Donner Summit) before it became evident that the alternator was not working.
With no resources for auto supply stores he found a safe place to park the van for the night and proceeded to ride back to his parents with his nephew who had accompanied him on the trip, and was now driving the car they went up in.
He got back to Oroville and figured out that the alternator on the car that his sister had had totaled in an accident (a couple of days before Christmas) might actually be able to work on the van. So he removed the alternator, charged the battery from her car, and the battery from our Land Cruiser (that is parked for a new engine) in order to take them with him --- just in case.
The following day he left, again with his nephew (and Ian), to go up to get the van. He arrived at the parking lot where he left it, to learn that it was a popular sledding spot… which thrilled Ian but made getting in and then out, after the van was running, just a bit challenging, to say the least.
Amazingly Rich made it back with “Betty Boop” (as she has been affectionately named) with just enough battery to get to the driveway, and then coast in. LOL! Rich spent the following day taking care of mechanical issues and Ian and I tried to help with the cleaning, as the van had been sitting for about a year.
That night we took it on a drive to visit AJ and family and she’s been running great ever since. In the next week or two she’ll get a tune up and she’ll be running great. Did I mention that Betty is an Econoline Conversion van? They are the ones with the raised roof, nice captain’s seats and all the things that make it nice for traveling.
Yesterday, Rich made it official: Betty is a Diver Transport Vehicle
Next weekend we’ll travel back over to Oroville to see family and put new tires on Moana, er I mean Betty! (LOL!) Also we’ll be there to give our love and hugs to AJ and family before they leave for their move to Texas.
They are very excited about this move. It is something that AJ has wanted for a long time. It has finally all come together; he and his wife have secured jobs near Dallas that will start the first week of February.
We are very excited for them, but will miss them much. It has been hard enough to see them on any regular basis just being seven hours away by car; now we’ll be at least that far away by plane. Oh, well… We’ll save our pennies and you know where we’ll be spending next Christmas. ;-)
We will return to Humboldt in time for Rich to start school on Tuesday the 19th. It’ll be a full weekend for sure, but worth it. (Then I suspect we won’t be back to Oroville for a visit until at least Spring Break in March.)
Other than delineating the blessings we have had over the past few months, I think this is a pretty good summation of the latest with us. I will do my best to be more frequent at posts this year. I look forward to keeping in touch.
Until next time…
If the RV's a Rockin'! ... It must be an Earthquake!! LOL!!
(one of the blog posts I previously wrote and saved to our computer)
Earthquake: 9 January 2010
What a way to start the New Year! Our blogging is so overdue… apologies! … So after the excitement of today’s 6.5 shaker here in Humboldt County, on the beautiful north coast of California, it seemed an appropriate time to get back in touch.
I will start with a confession: When the quake hit this afternoon, it was met at our house with much laughter. Yes, I said laughter. I feel a little guilty about this as I hear people recall how scared they were when it hit, and friends and family checking in to make sure we’re ok. Then I think back to 4:27pm… me, laughing heartily while the quake was just a rollin’!!
Perhaps I should explain? There really is a good reason. Just minutes before the quake I had gotten up to get a cup of tea and was teasing Ian about being an ornery ten year old! LOL! I told him that I was going to “get him”!
Down the hall to the living room and he went to the couch where I proceeded to tickle him and attempt to kiss him, while telling him that I loved him, and him all the while trying to block my kisses with a book. We were having a great time.
I didn’t pay much mind to the fact that after a minute or two of this both of our dogs came into the living room from the bedroom. All the while Rich was in our room sitting on our bed doing some school work on the computer.
When the shaker started it just seemed like it was just our 'horse play' that was moving our house (as most of you know we live in a motorhome…) It was soon evident that no amount of horse play could move our rig THAT much!!
Rich hollered “What are you two doing???!!” (Apparently he thought Ian was hanging from a shelf and swinging or something.) It was at about that same moment that I realized that we were having an earthquake. So I just hollered back to him “hang on Baby, we’re havin’ a shaker!”
I just couldn’t help but laugh, it all seemed so funny; and the timing so ironic. Being in a motorhome you’re on shocks, and we were a rockin’ and a rollin’! Rich said it felt like somebody, a REALLY BIG somebody (perhaps Paul Bunyan???) was outside shaking the RV. Ian said it was more like King Kong… Rich said no, it was Paul and Blue (his ox) right outside our door doing jumping jacks. LOL!!
The poor dogs, didn’t know what to do. The little one (Spike, our Pug) was sitting on the couch trembling and the big one (Sassy, our Boxer) was lying on the floor completely flat, as if glued there, and extremely quiet. Perhaps she was just praying for it to be over??
Shortly after the shaking subsided Rich and Ian hopped in the van and headed up the hill to check on our neighbors, a couple in their 70’s, to see how they fared. As it turned out the wife was home alone and quite shaken.
They had a fair amount of breakage to clean up, but overall did ok. Rich and Ian stayed there for an hour or so helping with cleanup and during that time the husband arrived home and their son and daughter also came over to help.
In their absence I decided to try to find a local radio station to listen to the updates. This proved to be a bit challenging as it seemed many stations were off the air, at least initially.
I did finally find a station in Ferndale, just south of us – nearer the epicenter than we were, and sustained more damage than I was aware of in our immediate area (I have since learned that Eureka got hit pretty hard, with utility disruption up to three days in some areas) – and enjoyed listening to the updates accompanied by songs to do with “shaking” … I didn’t realize there were so many with that theme.
The humor in the DJ's song selection reminded me of a Mary Chapin Carpenter song ("Down at the Twist and Shout") that cites having hurricane parties! Oh my!! (Only in Louisiana! LOL! Guess that's why so much of my family LOVES it there!! tee hee hee...)
I know that a good portion of the north county here was without power for many hours and lots of mess was attributed to our first quake of 2010, but truly we were blessed! I heard it on the radio and read it on many Facebook posts, and I concur, “we are so blessed, it could have been so much worse.” Amen!
Until next time…
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Internet Sweet Internet... Blog Sweet Blog...
Oh my gosh!! It's horrible how long it has been since I've posted. I've actually written a few blogs on our computer to 'be uploaded later' but alas.... later never seems to get here! LOL! Perhaps that day has FINALLY arrived!!
As of last night we have internet at our "house"!! Woo Hoo!! I am so excited! I have felt so out of touch. I truly will post (later today) the blogs that I have written over the past few months; just for fun!! I am more excited, however to post in the future. I am still getting the hang of the "blogging thing" and posting pics, etc. but it truly is fun.
Who would have thought that 20 years after first learning how to use a computer, usually with my nose stuck in a book and trying to follow every direction and suggestion... that I would be enjoying my computer time. I remember in those days you installed programs using DOS... then went to Windows... and all the terminology -- Aaghhh...! Well, the terminology still doesn't always make sense, but with the help of my wonderful 'sorta techno geek' hubby, I muddle through... and where the Blogging is concerned it is typically with joy as I feel closer to my friends when I am writing.
Over the next month we'll be planning a short 'vacation' of sorts, while Rich is on Spring break from HSU. So I look forward to not only sharing some of the considerations as to where to go, but maybe getting some input from you all. Then after we return we will be working on our summer plans.
Summer should prove to be interesting. Rich is applying for diving internships and jobs, so who knows where we may 'summer' ... LOL! But additionally we have several graduations just around the corner; yes three all within a week of one another in two different states... thankfully the states are CA and NV and the drive is only about 4 hours or so in between... we'll get that figured out!
Some of you know that our oldest son, AJ, and his family moved to Texas last month. That was bittersweet. I know in my heart how very long AJ has wanted to move to Texas, additionally living in CA with the economy the way it is and the taxes here were just killing them financially. Although it is now about six plus hours by plane, opposed to six or so hours by car, to visit them I am truly happy for their move. (Trust me I'm looking forward to the 'road trip' to TX! Yee Haw!)
This summer, June 4th to be exact, (in the midst of the various graduations) we will celebrate the addition of two more into our family "officially" -- everything will be finalized for AJ's adoption of his 'big kids' Claire and David. We are so excited!! We are especially excited because they will be coming back to CA for a few days to finish the 'court stuff'. (And you know we'll have to do something special!!)
So as you can see our summer calendar is already filling up fast. Hopefully it will work out for our grandkids (at least Claire and David, "Jack Jack" is still a bit young to be away from home for too long...) to spend some of their summer break with us. The details are still to be figured out, but you know I'll share my excitement as we go... At the very least... we will plan to head to Texas for Christmas this year ... and so it goes... 2010 is going to be busy!! Yay!! I am SO excited!! ;-)
I guess that's enough of a start to get back into the swing of my blogging. I will add the other blogs later (just for fun...) and I will add some pics. Ian's b'day is coming up on the 20th so you know you'll be hearing more about that and seeing pics in a couple of weeks.
((Hugs)) Smiles & Blessings... Until next time...
Carolyn
PS. Yes, hubby is really turning into a "Techno Geek" ... but we'll save that for another blog post (that he can write...)
As of last night we have internet at our "house"!! Woo Hoo!! I am so excited! I have felt so out of touch. I truly will post (later today) the blogs that I have written over the past few months; just for fun!! I am more excited, however to post in the future. I am still getting the hang of the "blogging thing" and posting pics, etc. but it truly is fun.
Who would have thought that 20 years after first learning how to use a computer, usually with my nose stuck in a book and trying to follow every direction and suggestion... that I would be enjoying my computer time. I remember in those days you installed programs using DOS... then went to Windows... and all the terminology -- Aaghhh...! Well, the terminology still doesn't always make sense, but with the help of my wonderful 'sorta techno geek' hubby, I muddle through... and where the Blogging is concerned it is typically with joy as I feel closer to my friends when I am writing.
Over the next month we'll be planning a short 'vacation' of sorts, while Rich is on Spring break from HSU. So I look forward to not only sharing some of the considerations as to where to go, but maybe getting some input from you all. Then after we return we will be working on our summer plans.
Summer should prove to be interesting. Rich is applying for diving internships and jobs, so who knows where we may 'summer' ... LOL! But additionally we have several graduations just around the corner; yes three all within a week of one another in two different states... thankfully the states are CA and NV and the drive is only about 4 hours or so in between... we'll get that figured out!
Some of you know that our oldest son, AJ, and his family moved to Texas last month. That was bittersweet. I know in my heart how very long AJ has wanted to move to Texas, additionally living in CA with the economy the way it is and the taxes here were just killing them financially. Although it is now about six plus hours by plane, opposed to six or so hours by car, to visit them I am truly happy for their move. (Trust me I'm looking forward to the 'road trip' to TX! Yee Haw!)
This summer, June 4th to be exact, (in the midst of the various graduations) we will celebrate the addition of two more into our family "officially" -- everything will be finalized for AJ's adoption of his 'big kids' Claire and David. We are so excited!! We are especially excited because they will be coming back to CA for a few days to finish the 'court stuff'. (And you know we'll have to do something special!!)
So as you can see our summer calendar is already filling up fast. Hopefully it will work out for our grandkids (at least Claire and David, "Jack Jack" is still a bit young to be away from home for too long...) to spend some of their summer break with us. The details are still to be figured out, but you know I'll share my excitement as we go... At the very least... we will plan to head to Texas for Christmas this year ... and so it goes... 2010 is going to be busy!! Yay!! I am SO excited!! ;-)
I guess that's enough of a start to get back into the swing of my blogging. I will add the other blogs later (just for fun...) and I will add some pics. Ian's b'day is coming up on the 20th so you know you'll be hearing more about that and seeing pics in a couple of weeks.
((Hugs)) Smiles & Blessings... Until next time...
Carolyn
PS. Yes, hubby is really turning into a "Techno Geek" ... but we'll save that for another blog post (that he can write...)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Catching up is hard to do...
On May 1, we took a side trip up Hwy 101 (aka Redwood Highway) destination Brookings, OR via Crescent City. This was really for a side job for Hubby, but may as well enjoy the journey, right? So we stopped to enjoy the sounds and smell... ahhh.... and... well, let's see if the pictures load.
and then... (ooohhh... I'm getting the hang of this picture thing... Yay!)
Lucky me! Aww.... after all these years... still crazy about him! :-)
And then...
There's Ian! (He thinks we're funny!)
Before we headed out on the 19th we were had the fun of spending the weekend with Jana Smith (and boys Jake and Josh) and also managed a brief "meet-up" with Kim & Dennis Goza and friends Libby and Linda.
I have to say that leaving Humboldt this time was a bit harder this time... Our very good friends, The Welch Family, will soon be moving to Ohio. While we wish them all the love and blessings for a safe trip and getting settled in their new home, we will truly miss them and Humboldt just won't be the same without them.
(Me, Jana Smith, Space Welch, Rich, Smiles Welch)
I have to say that leaving Humboldt this time was a bit harder this time... Our very good friends, The Welch Family, will soon be moving to Ohio. While we wish them all the love and blessings for a safe trip and getting settled in their new home, we will truly miss them and Humboldt just won't be the same without them.
(Me, Jana Smith, Space Welch, Rich, Smiles Welch)
We will look forward to, hopefully, catching up with them when they come through Sacramento on their way across to Ohio. And, OF COURSE, it will give us an incentive to go visit soon...
From here I will insert a couple of blogs that I wrote while we were traveling last week (yes, it's taken me a week to get these posted... sorry...) Along with a picture that gives an interesting perspective of traveling 101 in large vehicles. Unfortunately I was not having luck getting the camera adjusted on the really "tight spots"... but for you who have not traveled this highway before it gives you a hint... there are just areas that you take it slow and easy...
On to the blogs:
On to the blogs:
Tuesday - May 19, 2009
Headin’ out of Humboldt…
Heading south on Hwy 101, (aka the Redwood Coast Highway.) At the moment we are passing the exit to the Avenue of the Giants. It is very rare that I take the co-pilots seat in our motorhome. Typically our Ian rides “shotgun”!
We took our time leaving today. We have decided that we prefer to travel late in the day when leaving Humboldt enroute to warmer climates; as we are today. The semester ended for Humboldt State Universtiy (HSU) last week. Summer Break! I think somehow we are doing this backwards, though, most people head to where it is cooler, during summer months. We are going to where it is much warmer.
Our destination is hubby’s parents house in Oroville, CA. Some of you may know where Chico, CA, is; Oroville is about 30 miles or so south in Butte County. Tonight, our first destination is to Yuba City, CA. There we will visit our son, his wife and our three grandchildren. Yuba City is only about a 40 minute drive from Oroville, so we will be able to visit them often this summer.
So, back to my riding “shotgun” --- It’s a rather different view from here. Watching the road come at you and go away. In our RV even the largest of vehicles look rather small. I am blogging as we head down the road at 60mph to the tune of Lynard Skynard. Yee Haw! We love our life!
Despite Ian loving his typical “shotgun” position he seems to thoroughly be enjoying the opportunity to turn his “Longshot” Nerf gun (thank you Josh) into an “air guitar” to play with the band… he’s dancing around, rockin’ out as we head south.
And my hubby, well he is just cruisin’ – He drives our behemoth like it’s our minivan. I know we both look forward to the day when we do get to take our “Moby D” down the road more often. Currently 'Moby' sits for most of each semester; we travel primarily on breaks. Once Rich graduates we anticipate that he will work in a location for a few months at a time, or so, and then we will travel to some place new. (We do have plans to do a bus conversion... more on that another time.)
It is funny, we recently realized that since we have been married we live in a place for a couple of years and then we are ready for something new. The same seems to be true for our current stay in Humboldt. We recently admitted to each other that we have “itchy feet” to move on.
We know that hubby will continue at HSU for at least one more semester, but after that we are just not sure. He is starting to look at programs elsewhere to see if he wants to consider transferring. Our oldest son and family are looking at moving to Texas, perhaps as soon as the end of this summer. That is a bit of a catalyst for us to head out and maybe spend some time in Texas for a bit.
Truth be told, it is a difficult decision. We really like Humboldt and have some great friends whom we will miss when we leave. HSU has awesome Natural Resource programs available. We are not sure if we can find anything that comes close somewhere else. Perhaps we will be here for a few more years with his studies and just be content travelling during school breaks… time will tell…
I’ll sign off for now… and just enjoy the view for awhile…
Wednesday – May 20, 2009
On the Road Again…
We rolled into Robinson Rancheria, on Highway 20 near Clear Lake, at about 9:30pm and decided to finally stop for food and rest. Hubby decided he was tired, so after food we called it a night. We don’t gamble much, hubby being raised in Reno, NV, casino’s don’t have much appeal. But we are thankful for the big parking lots and for how welcoming they are to be able to stop for a rest.
The next leg of this journey will take us, we estimate about three hours, through the hills that lead to Colusa and then into Yuba City for a visit with our son and family. Our old rig can only do about 20-25mph on the hills, so it’s slow going… but hey, isn’t the journey what it’s all about?? Isn’t that what we learn by enjoying this lifestyle with our kids?? We can only hope…
Until Next time...
Modern America...
Sorry so very long in between posts... again... I thank you for your forgiveness
First off I want to explain my reference to "Modern America" ... the pic of me with my laptop was taken by Ian on our recent trip from Humboldt County (CA) to Butte County (CA) to visit hubby's parents for a couple of months.
When I first saw this pic it reminded me of bygone years and a conversation my mom had with my brother. Now close your eyes and visualize this... oh wait, you have to have your eyes open to read this... sorry, silly me... As I was saying, try to imagine this.
First off you have to know that my brother is one of the biggest Garth Brooks fans that has ever lived. And uniquely enough he resembles Garth to the point that we once were traveling Route 66 together and a bunch of teeny-boppers got giddy when they thought they were waiting on Garth 'live and in person'... it was ok, when they found out he wasn't Garth, he was still a cute -- single -- guy!
So, back to "Modern America"... It was in the 80's (don't ask me to remember specifically the year; numbers are my brothers thing...) and my brother had managed to get one of the illusive "wrist bands" that entitled him to stand in line at ARCO Arena (Sacramento, CA) to 'maybe' get to buy tickets to Garth's upcoming concert.
So as any good little fan would do --- he camped out at ARCO the night before, then dutifully stood in line. However, Joe (my bro) wanted to insure his opportunity, and that of friends and family members, to get tix -- so he called Ticketmaster on his cell phone (or it might have been Dad's cell phone) as soon as they went on sale. [yes... he managed to buy tix via phone thanks to his trusty Visa.]
Now, today with cell phones being as prevalent as they are, that perhaps doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. But back then, some of you may remember, cell phones were about the size of a brick... LOL! Anyway, I remember the conversation when my brother called my mom (from the cell phone of course) to tell her that he got tickets to see Garth... while he was still standing in line to get tickets to Garth... and Mom's words... "Welcome to Modern America."
Enough reminiscing... thank you for indulging me...
more in a bit...
Monday, April 20, 2009
4-20 in Humboldt
Our posts are long overdue... and this will just be a short one... but just HAD TO!! HAD TO make a post on 4-20 in Humboldt. We sit here quitely relaxing 200 yards from the beach listening to the waves crash to the shore. Meanwhile less than five miles away hundreds of revelers partake in one of Humboldt life's "greener activities"... LOL!
Humboldt is known for being "green" in more ways than one. Today, 4-20, the influx of transient visitors to this fair county is exemplary of one form of the "green". For those who don't understand the significance of this calendar day Google "4-20" -- It will explain the origins behind this celebration of Cannabis. In short, while March and St. Patrick's Day is about the "wearin' o' the green" --- April, and 4-20, is about the "smokin' o' the green" -- Any questions??
As we sit here watching the minutes tick away on 4-20 aware that we do not have any herbal supplements of which to partake, we realize that... we must be getting old... LOL! But we are taking a moment to recognize this unique snippet in time, of which most revelers will only vaguely remember... It is quite unique also to be in Humboldt County on this particular date... If you missed it... there's always next year... :-)
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