Since my return from Antarctica I have, in some ways, kept life simple and easy. In other ways it’s had a lot. First, I’ve really embraced a social life in virtual reality. Initially as an exploration into having community while being nomadic, but then I’ve made some friends who have become quite close. I’ll detail all this in some future blog because it’s rather other worldly, involves travels in a sense and may make changes to my grand plan. Second, I spent a lot of time with Cinnamon, my rather aged dog, because I knew her time was near. Sadly she passed in early March and is missed very much. This marks the start of the next phase in my grand plan. Now that I’m pet free I’ll travel more, likely move out of this part of Florida and explore some other options in life.
This blog is to detail a trip out west, much of which has been on the books for months. I decided to drive because I now have the freedom to be away more, the need to be in California, Arizona and Texas over and I felt it might help with some deep thoughts I needed to have and grief adaptation.
The drive was uneventful until east Texas, when my otherwise well maintained car had an electronic fit. Alerts about everything electronic all went off. Some, like cruise control, I could live without, but engine and stabilization functions not so much. It went into “limp mode” and I was able to get an appointment at the nearest dealer an hour away in Houston. They were able to take a guess at what was wrong, but unfortunately there were no replacement parts available and couldn’t be for 2 days. The BMW service team though is always great and they found some out of state and had them shipped overnight. They understood that I was stuck in Houston otherwise and might miss a major event.
There happened to be a hotel very near by, so I checked in and waited. Trying to come up with alternative plans to make it to BOB’s birthday event in California. Like flying to Orange county, then back to Houston Sunday and continuing the drive to Arizona. The good news is that being stuck in Houston is a lot better than some random place in the deserts west.
Thankfully and due to good service people I was only delayed 26 hours. So I was able to catch up to my schedule by doing one very very long day.
Arriving in California 1/2 of the party all arrived at the hotel at the same time, which was convenient for check in. Saturday was BOB’s 50th celebration and she hosted a Spa day. Expenses graciously taken care of by Tyler. Given that I made her go to Hawaii for my 50th birthday, I figured it was only right I suffer through this.
I had a good massage, which was very needed after all the driving, but it’s also been nearly 2 years since I had one, so it was certainly good for my body. Also, it was a CBD oil massage. Which I only noticed a little, but I do think it helped with the soreness. Later I had a “back facial” which was nice and interesting, it made me a little woozy for some reason. The day went by very fast sitting in our cabana and having drinks while waiting for everyone to be called for their various services.
Dinner was at a seafood restaurant and Tyler had gotten an amazing 40 year port. Very very tasty. Nothing particularly wild, but it was a very relaxing weekend with friends and I’m quite happy BOB has made it to 50 so I can start calling her old women.
Moving on to Arizona I rented a little condo. I was more worn out than I expected to be and had a number of tasks to get done, so I didn’t get around socially as much as intended. Visited my friend Michelle and her cool dogs, Dr. visit and company meeting was most of it.
I finished up the Arizona part of this trip with a stop in Tucson to see my bio-family and begin the drive to Texas for the Eclipse.
For the Eclipse Tyler rented a house in south Texas. A beautiful spot by the river Frido for the 7 of us with lots of room. Tyler, BOB, Tyler’s two daughters Tobin and Rae and his friends Suzie, Russ and myself all had an easy going time with games, chat and sky watching. Even a walk or two by the river.
The bad news is that it was overcast for the Eclipse. So I did not get the best photos. However, even with the cloud cover it was amazing to see and a very strange experience. I’ve been through a number of partial eclipses, but a total one where it got REALLY dark was something else. Animal life was confused and the light was…off.
The next night in Texas turned in to quite the light show and I got a little bit of photography practice in.
The rest of the trip was an uneventful 2 1/2 day drive home. My birthday was the day after and it was nice to have it be a mostly calm day unpacking and doing little things.
While not as exciting or adventure as some trips it was over all a nice trip. Next up…… Belize. Partly due to this blog, photos and the interview I was invited to Belize. More in the next post 🙂