The final legs

We've decided to follow the Pacific Coast up to Lincoln City, Oregon before heading inland. The coast has treated us kindly offering sunshine and calm weather along the way. While the sun is bright as we move north it is getting cooler. We have used the furnace for the first time in weeks. The last time we turned on some heat at night was in New York in early October.
Purring along the coast we began to reminisce about the trip and started to generate a list of favorites. The list filled so quickly with highlights it is sufficient to say the trip has been a success.
We are richer for having come this way. The trip will surely be part of our lives, a very rich and rewarding part. It is more than we dreamed it would be. The sights, the people, the situations have given us a deeper understanding of the diversity that comes together to make this an incredible nation.
What resembled Peewee's great adventure when we began talking about traveling developed into what will be a highlight of our lives.

Carmel by the sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea and a little "motel therapy" has brightened the dispositions and restored our perspective (only the 6Th motel stay of the trip). Everywhere in this town we see character. The beach introduced through the sprawling branches of cypress trees, the streets lined with unique shops, the absence of chain retailers and commercialized beaches, the narrow blocks and streets yield a close, comfortable familiar feeling. Carmel has ambiance, a character that refreshes the spirits.
Modern hotels offer glitz and glamor, ambiance and amenities but the maturity of the Normandy Inn puts forth a calm, comforting aura in which to relax. We feel the road tension melt away. It also might be the maturity of the property appeals to the maturity of this traveling couple. The dining experiences are equally ladened with the same character to create an wonderful evening.
This break from the Pleasure Way revitalizes the search for opportunities filled with fun and growth. It fortifies the basic optimism that makes the trip so interesting.

One foot, so many dances

ONE FOOTPRINT, SO MANY DANCES

Walking on the beach at Morro Bay I noticed a foot print in the sand. The foot print was similar to prints I had seen on the trails in Big Bend, Texas, on the sands of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and many places we have traveled over the last three months. That footprint, while it is basically the same, plays out so differently depending on the conditions and places where it was made. The diversity of the outcomes is wide ranging from the toil of every day work and responsibilities to the joy of local festivals.

Whether the prints are made by David Brezina as he builds his life and his future on his Iowa farm, or Nat Geraths as he manages the health care options for veterans in the Chicago VA hospital, or Minnie Smith as she bakes her pies in her Asheville, NC restaurant - the prints reflect a purposeful and positive stride from which we all benefit. Their work, like so many of our neighbors, make it possible for our people to move ahead. The foot prints of those at work create the backbone of our culture.

Those same foot prints could be seen in the entrails of the pumpkins that the people from the village of Cooperstown NY made as they came together to celebrate Fall with the annual Pumpkin Regatta. The kids in the mariachi band performing in Tucson to celebrate children's literature made smaller versions of the prints. The surfers we've seen all along the California Coast create more of the foot prints in the sand. These prints of joy add cultural fiber to the backbone to make a more complete culture.

We are able to celebrate because we can dance so differently.

ONE FOOTPRINT, SO MANY DANCES.

Pacific Coast Highway

A less traveled road without a schedule is proving interesting as we slowly move along the Pacific Coast Highway. Each passing mile brings new sights and situations. From overstated wealth to the homes and communities of those struggling to make a living can be seen as we drive along. From the youthful vitality of the surfers riding the waves to the checker boards in the sun outside the retirement homes all ages can be seen along the roadway. From the high rises filled with people pursuing their jobs and careers to the RV parks filled with retirees or vacationers seeking relaxation line the highway.
The diversity we have experienced throughout the trip is evident mile by mile as we move along the coast. Living side by side are people who approach life so differently. This makes our experiences interesting.

Another observation I had not considered is the vastness of the agriculture industry along the coast. I had long held the opinion that California agriculture centered in the interior valleys. To see mile after mile of produce, some being planted, some being harvested surprised me with its vastness. Again the huge fields of produce growing beyond the reaches of the developers wanting plant the foundations of new condominiums. I hope the developers are never granted the opportunity to replace these fields. That hope is based on two reasons. First, the fields are nice to see. (I was going to say something about the aesthetics of seeing the fields, but I couldn't spell aesthetics.) Secondly, as evidenced by the shape of my body, I like to eat.

An amazing fact as we move into the 11th week of travel and have covered over 11,000 miles is that we have turned on the windshield wipers twice. One time in Alex Bay, New York and once in Pennsecola, Florida each occasion we drove through a thunder storm of relatively short duration.

A Down Day

Time to leave San Diego. That in itself is a bit of a downer. To enjoy the ocean and beaches as much as possible we decided to travel up the Pacific Coast Highway from San Diego to Oregon. As we came into the Los Angeles area we recognized the Santa Monica pier from movies and tv so decided to stop.
This is where the real downer began. Approaching the pier we saw the plaques and equipment for Muscle Beach. I approached the site. No one invited me to join them.
Just to the right we see the beach volleyball courts where all those people with buff bodies frolic in the sun and sand. Much to my chagrin, once again, no one invited me to join.
At this point I did what any good, red blooded American couch potato would do when the ego is bruised by reality, I found a bar on the pier and had a beer. The beverage was tasty.
Guess the day wasn't a total loss.

Back to the Pacific

Out of the desert to find the ocean breeze. San Diego greeted us with great weather and a variety of tourist activities. Even sitting in the campground sipping an adult beverage brings a contented smile to our faces and warm feelings for this life we are living.
Cheryl puzzled yesterday, "Why would anyone move away from here?"
After some thought I could not think of a good reason. In fact leaving after a few days of visiting will be a challenge. This is close enough to home to return soon and regularly. The warm weather, the swimming pool, Balboa Park with its museums, the zoo and then the waterfront calls.
We enjoyed dinner after walking along the water and meandering through Seaport Village. The sunset over the water viewed from the restaurant was enough to ensure a memorable evening. The days are memorable as well. While thoughts of returning home begin to play in our mind, the beauty of San Diego calls us to enjoy the days here to the fullest.

Understanding life's challenge

One last reflection from Tucson.
In my best imitation of middle school mentality I must say, "She made me do it!"
I knew sooner or later my wife would get me in trouble. At the mission last Saturday we saw what looked like a bride and her attendants lining up in the back of the church. As we viewed the displays and artifacts in other buildings we heard the blare of a trumpet leading a mariachi band as part of the celebration in church.
My wife lured by the music turns to me and asks, "Wanna crash a wedding?"
With that kind of pressure I succumbed to the temptation of an inexcusable social error and quietly slipped into the back of the church. What a happy event we witnessed.
I was not able to kiss the bride.
I share this event so everyone realizes the pressure I endure to try to live a proper life, understand the challenges with which I must live each day.
It's kind of fun.

Tucson

As was previously stated we have found so many things and conditions we sought when we stopped here in Tucson including the food item of the hour. A chili dog was immediately located, purchased and dispatched with appropriate style. Our needs have been met for now.
Opportunities to visit air and space exhibits, historical sites and demonstrations, city conditions, desert conditions, science and entertainment. All this in what is pleasant Oregon summer conditions even though they are cooler fall days for the locals. Sooner or later I fear I will have to retire the shorts and sandals,but alas, it won't be in the immediate future.
The Desert Museum visit yesterday was one of those stops that left me thinking after viewing the outstanding displays. The goal, to understand the desert was carried out throughout the large outdoor exhibits -the desert's plants, its animals, its reptiles, its geology displayed in natural settings. The common theme is how these species have adapted for survival in this environment.
I guess we are all like that to some extent. We bend to exist in the space we occupy. Those who can adapt themselves to the space and still others are able to adapt the space to themselves. The ability to accomplish these adaptations determines our level of fulfillment. Making peace in the space granted is the first step. With peaceful acceptance we can begin the analysis of what we have. This understanding gives us the power to begin the adaptation process which leads to an improved level of life.
In a slide show at Saguaro National Park a Native American stated that within his religious beliefs we, as man, come from the earth and return to it in death. Therefore, we respect the earth, that with dignity, love and kindness because our ancestors are part of it and it is the source from which our progeny will come forth.
In current terms: Respect the earth for it is our past AND our future.
That same slide show concluded in dramatic fashion as the large screen we had been viewing retracted into the ceiling and the background curtains quickly opened revealing a panoramic view of the desert. From the darkness of the theater to the brilliance of the intense sunlight the view was filled with acres and acres of Saguaro cacti.
Today we visited a mission church, San Xavier, built in the 1700s. A mass was being celebrated while we were there. It also caused me to think that the same mass has been celebrated in that church, at that altar, attended by catholics for nearly 300 years. Another way of preserving a heritage.

We found it!!

After two uneventful days of travel it might have been the grapefruit tree, or maybe the lemon tree on the other side of us. Maybe it was the lighted palm trees, or possibly the hot tub at the RV site. Whatever it was, this RV park in Tucson feels like the place to stay for a while. I don't think the title will change to "Travels without Cheryl" because I think she likes it here as well, but it could if she wishes to move on too quickly. If that is the case -- I'm going to miss her. The park, the weather, the possible activities have made Tucson a favorite for us.
After traveling over 10,000 miles since early September, seeing so many places, it surprised us to be so taken by what was presented here in Arizona. We have at least 3 days of activities ranging from art and natural history to air and space displays, wildlife to historical tours. We plan to stay busy AND enjoy an outstanding RV Park. The weather in the 80s is also easy to take.
If no postings to this blog occur for a few days you can rest assured we are keeping busy -- and enjoying every minute of it.
This how life is meant to be lived.

The search for Rouladen

Over the last few weeks a German dinner with rouladen, beef roll filled with a pickle, onion, bacon, mustard sauce and other seasonings has been a menu we sought. Since Texas has many German settlements stops were selected in towns where we thought rouladen would be served. Success avoided our efforts. But today in West Texas rouladen came to us at a lunch stop at an old hotel in Alpine, Texas. As we prepare the left overs this evening we feel free to move on to something else exotic, maybe like a chili dog.
While the search for rouladen raged, we did make some other discoveries. I did not know Texas had mountains reaching nearly 8000 feet high. In Big Bend National Park we discovered mountains, beautiful mountains rising out of the desert. Dinner with two other couples in Chisos Basin, a basin formed by high mountains with a window to the west so you can enjoy the spectacular view of the sunset as you sip wine with an excellent dinner, but alas, it wasn't a rouladen dinner.
We dined with a couple from the Texas Gulf Coast who had just finished serving as judges at the annual Terlingua Chili Cook Off and another couple. He is a Poli Sci professor and his wife a German immigrant which further inflamed the rouladen fires. The diversity of background created interesting dinner conversation and thought provoking ideas.
While in Big Bend we found it is possible to have temperatures in the 90s in November. A 6 mile hike was very difficult with elevation, the heat and my pudgy body taken into consideration. This consideration would have been wise to have before embarking on the trek over the rocky terrain that absorbed even more heat. After a while I forgot the rattlesnake possibilities along with the other native residents of the region that can ruin the day and just walked until the air conditioning of the Pleasure Way welcomed me home. Cold water, ice cream and rest eventually brought the body temperature back to normal.
The hike brought new sounds. The desert birds and insects made sounds I had not heard. Even the breeze, when there was some, sounds differentthan in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. I am used to the smell of conifers, fir and pine, when I walk. The desert smells differently. it is a treat to the senses to hike in this new environment. Demanding as it was, the hike was well worth it. It woke up some things we seldom think about.
Part of the time I walked above the Rio Grande River looking across it into Mexico. This sight drives home the folly of trying to close off a border that runs for hundreds of miles in a desolate corner of the country. To think a border defined by nothing more than an Oregon creek can be closed is purely unrealistic thinking, but it makes for popular political rhetoric.
This was a day of role reversal where the Pleasure Way just sat in the shade and we traveled. Upon further deliberation I think we will go back to having the Pleasure Way covering the mileage and we just sit.
I learned some other things in this area.
1. You can stop and watch a tarantula spider cross the road.
2. Javelinas are ugly
3. Javelinas have a disposition to match their looks.
4. In West Texas a warning sign for a dangerous curve suggests you slow to 60 mph.
5. In SWest Texas there are no turnouts for scenic drives or vistas.
6. Wind can really blow and weather changes without warning. After 90 yesterday the high temp today was predicted to be in the 50s.

As has been the case throughout this trip every corner of the country produces new experiences and new opportunities in wonder and awe.
How fortunate to be able to experience these small pieces!!

Grand daughter and parent fun

Celebrating halloween with the most beautiful young lady is a special treat even though she did not appreciate the catepillar costume. A great deal of appreciation was accorded to the carved pumpkins placed on the porch. I must say the pumpkin located on the left closest to the door exhibits a great deal of flair for the artistic. While modesty forbids me from identifying the creator of this work of art I must say it was an enjoyable evening carving pumpkins to help Audrey celebrate her first halloween.

The time spent with Jason's newly expanded family was a warm, fulfilling experience as we watched him interact with his wife and daughter. To see him engage in parenting, as we have watched our oldest son, Tom, do so in the past is to feel fulfillment that the torch is being ably passed to a new generation. The optimism and hope for the future is the true gift we can offer to our children. The mounds of plastic and simulated wood pale in comparison to this gift of future.

Special events come and go. Hope and optimism can be part of the core that lasts forever.

Austin, Texas

Sometimes it is the pauses in travel that are the most inspiring.

A new grandaughter leads the list of inspirations.

Audrey Y Nhi Nguyen Gries -- more inspiration to follow.