This one is 30+ years in the making! Lots of details to follow, but here’s the opening photo from easy and smooth San Luis Obispo Airport.
This was a very tough week. On Wednesday, my father’s only sibling, his brother Bill, died – and on Friday, my mother’s only sibling, her sister Harlene, died.
Uncle Bill, almost age 77, was 11 years younger than my father, who died in 1989. Uncle Bill had a tough life, dealing with growing up with difficult parents and fighting mental illness. Although he graduated with a degree in English from Berkeley and worked for many years at the IRS, Uncle Bill struggled most of his life. With few friends, no spouse, and no children, my brother Shawn and his wife Pamela became Uncle Bill’s primary emotional support with the rest of us siblings helping at times. I admit it was tough accepting phone calls from Uncle Bill – aka, Uncle Eeyore. Regardless, I feel sad about his death, caused by contracting covid at his assisted living facility. Not only for the loss of the person but also the last generational linkage to my father.
Aunt Harlene, age 91, was exactly six years older than my mom, who died in 2009. They were both born on March 4. Aunt Harlene became an emotional shell of herself after Uncle Irv, her husband of over 60 years, died three years ago. Social, beautiful, and talented, Aunt Harlene was a special ed teacher and had three children and four grandchildren. The past seven or eight years, since she fell and broke her hip, have been sad and difficult for her. She was ready to go, so when she contracted covid, she told her children she was done. And she was.
Right after receiving the news of Aunt Harlene’s death, I picked up Emmett for an overnighter so his parents could drive down to SoCal to get Emmett’s big brother from sleepaway camp. While having a fabulous – and, yes, exhausting – time with Emmett, memories kept flooding back…
- Emmett calls me “Nana,” the name his parents have given me. He has three other grandmothers, one called Meme and the other two called Grandmama. I love the name Nana! It’s what I called my grandmothers and what my mother was called! Hanging with Emmett, I thought about Nana Harlene and her grandchildren, one of whom is getting married next May. Nana is a powerful and meaningful name in my family.
- Although I’ve lived in my condo for nine years, I had never been in the pool until this Friday when I took Emmett for a “swim.” Who taught me to swim? My Pop Pop Al, Uncle Bill’s father. He built an apartment complex in Burbank with a pool and taught me to swim in that pool.
- While rocking Emmett at bedtime in the chair my mother – Nana Anne – bought me when Ben was born, I gazed upon two paintings hanging on my wall. I don’t remember if Aunt Harlene or her father, Pop Pop Dave, gave them to me, but they’re artwork Pop Pop Dave and Nana Fay received for their wedding.
Uncle Bill (from Ben’s Bar Mitzvah)
Aunt Harlene and Uncle Irv (from a visit in 2012)
I considered camping this week in San Simeon – and decided not to. Instead, I headed up Highway 1 today, thinking I’d get up to Cambria and the Elephant Seal Reserve.
Squirrel! I saw Harmony Headlands en route and chose to explore the coastal park – with my camera in hand. Although the hike is not long – and the beginning trail from the road to the coast is a bit monotonous – once I saw the ocean, I was so happy I made this choice! The fog rolled in and out, along with the waves. Birds, flowers, bees delighted me. Below are a few of my favorite photos from today.
I spent a WONDERFUL week at Joel’s cabin – biking, hiking, kayaking, reading, relaxing… FABULOUS! The first half of the week while Joel worked, I relaxed and explored on my own – or with Viza 🙂 . Over the weekend, four friends joined us for fun and frivolity. Lots of laughter, eating, drinking, stargazing, and activity. So much fun!
Me in my favorite element: taking photos while hiking!
A few pics from Union Lake where we kayaked…
Pics from Calaveras Big Trees State Park, South Grove Trail…
Life as a retiree ROCKS!
One of the best decisions I’ve ever made: RETIRING! In my Facebook memories at the end of every quarter, I see my countdown to break – e.g., “Two done, one to go.” With each memory, I feel the stress of grading, teaching, working…being BEHOLDEN. Then I reflect on life NOW. There’s so much more time and freedom to do what I want, when I want to do it. Spend time with family and friends, travel, read, photography, volunteer…BE. This moment in my life ROCKS!!!
Let me explain… I LOVED teaching. I LOVED working with (most of) my students. I LOVED mentoring students. I LOVED the intellectual challenge of higher education. HOWEVER, when I was done, I was DONE. Before the pandemic, I would walk into my college and, simultaneously, hold two thoughts: 1) I love my job; and 2) I want to retire. When COVID-19 hit and I had to transition to remote teaching, the joy of teaching dissipated. I no longer had the pleasure of spontaneous authentic conversations with students and colleagues. I no longer had the fun of truly connecting with others. I no longer had the satisfaction of feeling like I made an impact on someone’s life.
With this as background, when the opportunity arose to retire I evaluated my financial position and submitted my retirement paperwork. I have NEVER looked back!
Do I miss the day-to-day interaction with students? Yes, if it could be BC (Before COVID). Talking to friends who are still teaching, I know the world of education is forever changed. This does not mean it is better or worse – just different. This time, I had the privilege to choose which different I want for my life.
The different I have now: TIME! I have TIME to relax, breathe, hike, travel, explore – all with friends and family – or on my own.
It is the FREEDOM that comes with retirement that I LOVE.
Final day of our Oregon trip returned us to our first stop, the Redding Elks. Since it was much hotter today than it was nine days ago, we relaxed during the afternoon and took an evening stroll to the Sundial Bridge. This time, I brought my camera!
Viza enjoying the Sundial Bridge – after a swim in the river and the surprise of a river otter!
The moon rising behind the bridge.
Sacramento River bridge at sunset.
Another bridge over the Sacramento River at sunset.
Addie and her buddy…until next time!
After leaving Keizer, Nanine and I stopped for a fabulous six mile hike in Cottage Grove on our way to the Melrose winery, tonight’s Harvest Host. This winery is GORGEOUS! It’s also used as a wedding venue, as one can tell from these photos. The big lawn was PERFECT for Bossa and Viza to romp and play, off leash and feeling the freedom.
Exploring Row River Trail from the Mosby Creek Trailhead.
Nanine…always the rebel! Haha!
Beautiful Melrose Winery.
Melrose Winery.
Can you see the vineyards from Melrose Winery?
Flowers all over Melrose Winery.
Moss hanging from trees at Melrose Winery.
Viza, resting after running and playing.
Addie and her buddy tucked in for the night.
Yesterday was a different kind of day. After leaving Blue Heron French Cheese Co., Nanine and I headed to the Keizer Elks. Although the sign said “full,” I called the camphost. Lo and behold, two spots were available. Yay! My friend Katelyn, her partner Chris, and their dog Indie joined us for “Saturday at the Elks!” After walking our various dogs, we left Viza and Bossa in their respective second homes and relaxed in the gazebo for snacks and wine. Later, we went into the Elks for pool and shuffle board – and drinks, of course! So much fun! Katelyn and I took students to Morocco and Spain in 2017 – an adventure that we will never forget and that has cemented a forever friendship.
Indie (being camera-shy), Chris, Katelyn, Me, Nanine.
What’s this???
A pool shark I am not!
The drinks did not help my shuffleboard game.
When I think of Tillamook, I think of cheese. So, when looking for a place to stay in Tillamook, Nanine – also a cheese fan – and I decided to stay at a Harvest Host, Blue Heron French Cheese Co. Yes, they have cheese. And wine. And kitsch. And pretzels. Really, they have a full deli, along with lots of gifts items – and llamas, goats, donkeys, chickens, and peacocks! For those familiar with San Luis Obispo, this place is a cross between Avila Barn and Apple Farm.
Our drive up the coast today from Florence to Tillamook was a bit disappointing. The weather was gray and misty, not a big surprise to anyone familiar with Pacific Northwest weather, eh?! Regardless, the scenery was beautiful even if not conducive to a nice hike to break up the drive. Still, we arrived in time for lunch – and I finished The Peach Rebellion by Wendelin Van Draanen, an excellent young adult historical fiction with themes of classicism, feminism, and friendship.
Blue Heron French Cheese Co. participates in the Harvest Host program. This organization matches hosts with self-contained RV travelers. Hosts are wineries, distilleries, farms, etc., with the space for RVs. Guests don’t pay for the spot, although they are requested to spend a minimum of $20 at the establishment. I’ve stayed at several Harvest Hosts – and have loved most of them! My favorite was in Canada over Labor Day weekend, 2021, at the Crump Family Farm. They were new hosts and had three vehicles – totaling five guests – staying with them. While I was sitting in Addie finishing dinner, Mr. Crump knocked on my door – completely surprising me! He said that since this was the first time they had so many guests, they were inviting all of us to a campfire. For the next three hours, the seven of us sat around the fire sharing stories.
That was only one of many terrific Harvest Host experiences!
Below are a few photos from Blue Heron French Cheese Co., tonight’s host.
First, in Addie, enjoying the drive up the coast.
Is your Mama a llama?!
Nanine pumicing our sticky table with salt!
Beautiful gardens filled with chickens and peacocks!
Another view of the gardens. There are SEVERAL RVs parked in the outer edges of the parking lot – all staying for free under the Harvest Host program.
Last year on my big trip, I spent a couple of nights at Washburn State Park in Florence, OR. When Nanine and I read about the Florence Elks Lodge having an AMAZING RV park, we decided to spend three nights at the Elks in Florence. What a terrific decision! The RV park, which is much more similar to a state park than a typical Elks RV parking lot, has large spaces, lots of green, electrical and water hookups, dump stations, and very friendly people. Furthermore with two full days to hike, we explored the Darlingtonia Natural Site and the dunes without driving and an amazing forest hike a few miles north.
The Elks… Although I joined over eight years ago, I haven’t really done anything with them other than paying my dues. The philanthropic contributions of the Elks inspire me. However, I never felt super-comfortable hanging out at the lodge. I had heard that many people join the Elks due to their support of those that travel in RVs. After I bought Addie, I began to consider this benefit of being an Elk. I’ve stayed at a few Elks in my travels, for example Goleta and Twenty-Nine Palms. When Nanine and I met up at the Napa Elks last month to plan this trip, we decided to plan it around staying, when we could, at Elks lodges. (Nanine is also an Elk.) The lodge in Redding was our first stop, and we were very impressed. The Florence Elks RV park is AMAZING! Our next stop will be at the Keizer Elks – hopefully, that’ll be as good as the others on this trip!
Another organization offering safe places to stay is Harvest Hosts. I stayed at several during my big trip. On this trip, we’ll be visiting three Harvest Hosts – EdenVale Winery (Medford), Blue Heron French Cheese Co. (Tillamook), and Melrose Vineyard (Roseburg). I’ll write more about Harvest Hosts in my next post! In the meantime, here are my favorite photos from Florence.
Roosevelt elk on the way to Florence.
Darlingtonia California, cobra-like plants found in the bog areas of Northern California and Southwestern Oregon. They flower in May or June with hanging blooms of yellow and red and produce up to a dozen leaves per plant. Insectrs are lured into the leaf opening uder the hood by necrtar on the colorful petal-like appendages and the edges of the opening.
Wild rhododendrons everywhere!
Dunes hike.
I love the beauty of the forest.
Rhododendrons!
Anyone know the name of this mushroom/fungus?
Rhody!
Forest hike.
Amazing forest growth!
Following a wonderful night’s sleep at the Elks in Redding – a place we will return to at the end of our adventure – Nanine and I packed up our respective rigs and drove to Spring Hill Trail near Mt. Shasta City. The trail provided fabulous views of Mt. Shasta along with a nice climb and well-maintained trail.
Next, after getting gas across the border in Oregon, which saved about $0.40/gallon, we continued driving until arriving at our Harvest Host for this evening, EdenVale Winery. This winery was established in 1999 on the site of the first Pear Tree orchard, founded by Joseph Stewart in 1885. Our host, Aaron, after directing us where to park our rigs, gave us a bit of background on the winery and then directed us to the tasting room for our tasting. I admit: the wines are…okay… I was hoping for some stronger flavors… Perhaps at the other Harvest Host winery we’ll be visiting later…?
Time to rest a bit as there is a major meteor shower tonight. Perhaps I’ll be able to stay awake long enough to see it! And perhaps the sky will clear enough to see some falling stars…
Mt. Shasta playing hide-and-seek with the clouds.
Moi photographing Mt. Shasta 🙂
Beautiful old barn at EdenVale Winery!
Nanine and Bossa enjoying the winery’s scenery.
Addie and her buddy!
Wine tasting with a view!
A few months ago, my friend Nanine and I talked about taking her new Class A RV to Alaska… She was thinking about heading up there for a few months, and I would drive up with her in her rig, explore a bit, and fly home. Through several iterations and due to a few factors, including sky high gas prices, our adventure evolved into a ten-day trip up to Oregon. Flexibility, as I’m learning!, is key to a wonderful life – and a fun retirement!
Our first stop was supposed to be the Elks Lodge in Red Bluff. Nanine arrived about fifteen minutes before I did. Let’s just say, she was not impressed! Instead, we continued up about 30 miles to the Elks Lodge in Redding. What a surprise! Not only is the lodge active and beautiful, it’s located on the Sacramento River with a phenomenal river trail and the awesome Sundial Bridge just a short walk away! With her dog Bossa and Joel’s dog Viza, Nanine and I decided to spend two rather than one night here, giving us time to walk and explore. Here are a few of the cool sights from Redding.
I had the honor of witnessing the wedding of my niece, Madison, to her now-husband Martin. What a beautiful event – and a fabulous weekend celebration! Not only did I get to spend time with family and friends, but I also enjoyed capturing some of the sights of Charleston with my camera. Here are a few of my favorites:
City of Charleston
Boone Plantation
Some days are hard. Especially hard are holidays when I expected to be surrounded by the nuclear family I thought I had help create. Divorce and independent children changed that. My children are launched and happily living their own lives. Although I have a terrific partner and enjoy many of the benefits of his family, it’s still not the same. Some days are fabulous and I feel completely loved and loving. Other days are hard when, even surrounded by others, I feel alone. Yesterday, Mother’s Day, was the latter. I’m learning what my triggers are…mainly, family gatherings when I am not surrounded by those who I thought would be surrounding me.
I fully understand the privileges I have – health, family, friends, finances. I also completely understand that there are so many people with so much less who deserve as much happiness, contentment, and, yes, privilege as I enjoy. AND I also recognize that my feelings are real to me. I love my family, I love my friends, I love my life. And sometimes, life is just not as easy as it seems.
For my final stop on this mini-California adventure, I met my friend Nanine at the Napa Elks, a beautiful location, friendly lodge, and great walking area. Who else goes to Napa, has no wine, and walks 13 miles in one day? Nanine and me! Not that we didn’t drink. The Elks Lodge has Taco Tuesdays and provides out-of-towners free second drinks in its bar.
Napa
Napa Elks Lodge – Beautiful!
Addie looks a bit small compared to Nanine’s new rig!
Nanine snapped this picture of me taking photos for my photography class
Ziploc wallet – of course!
Napa 9/11 Memorial
