Trip Begun and Well Started

This trip was planned specifically to go to Russ' family reunion. We haven't seen many of these folks for more than 10 years, so I am excited, if not about being in New Mexico in the summer. I melt. Plus, we have to travel without using Harvest Hosts or boondocking because we need to run our air conditioner for the cat. We did manage one off-grid stop early, but it was high in the central Oregon desert and the nights were cool. Our first stop was slightly out of our way, but we stayed one night with our friend Z at Ocean Park, WA, on the Long Beach Peninsula.

Cedar had a rough first day in the truck. Comfort during the last section.

Dinner at Mycovios - so amazing.

Z joins us in the R-Pod for a good night bottle of white.

Home Between the Trips

We spent a couple of months at home between our trip to Portugal and Spain and the next trip to New Mexico. Because the interlude was short, I tried to jam as much fun and upkeep into the time as I could. I did lots of hikes, spent time with lots of friends (sometimes on hikes), got through a bunch of medical appointments, celebrated our wedding anniversary, and ate a lot of good food.

Bald eagle at Point Defiance.

Friend at Point Defiance. Gig Harbor across the narrows.

Rhododendron Garden at Point Defiance.

Better Weather, Wine, Family and Friends

How many times do we need to do something for it to become an annual tradition? It feels like just a few, really.  We seem to visit Prosser, Washington in the spring every year now. I don't think it counts yet, because we've also been using the spring months to travel to New Mexico. Regardless of how I name it, we took a short week to find better weather, wine, and family time in Eastern Washington. Because we stayed only five nights, we only visited our favorite spots, and not even all of those. Our return home earlier than we originally planned was so we could spend time with a friend who stayed with us for a weekend.

Sunset over Prosser (with Mt. Adams)

Our spot at Wine Country RV Park

This qualifies as green hills for the area.

Daylight views of the Yakima Valley.

El Rio de Oro y España (Douro River Cruise)

We took a Viking River Cruise on the Douro River in Portugal and added three days in Madrid, Spain before we boarded our boat, the Viking Helgrim. My mother came with us, it was so nice to spend time traveling with her again. We have often traveled with my parents, but my dad decided to stay home with the dog this time.

The Viking Helgrim

Bridge over the Douro in Porto, Portugal

Russ on our balcony, Mom behind him from her balcony.

As we return from a day trip.

Fishing at the mouth of the Douro River.

My favorite thing about the trip was being able to use my Spanish. I've been studying the language for about four years now, mostly online with Duolingo and Italki (more recently), and I was thrilled to use it. Even though we spent more time in Portugal, I really improved my conversational Spanish. Even my Spanish tutor on Italki noticed! I feel like I leveled up. I find it easier to watch Spanish language programs now, too. Listening comprehension is my weak area, still.

Friends, Food and Travel Preparations

V and J, long time friends, are moving to Arizona. We've been seeing them for a dinner out about once a month for years, and V and I walked together weekly for a while after I retired and she was between jobs. I find it difficult to keep in touch with people after they have moved some distance away. I have been working to keep in touch and to reconnect with friends that are distant, but it feels harder than staying close with friends that live nearby. Even so, I am impelled to continue my efforts; staying close to friends is rewarding and makes my life richer. I'm glad that I seem to make friends easily and keep them for a long time. We do go out to eat a lot as a way to stay connected and spend time with our friends. Every now and then I'll get inspired to invite people over for food at our house instead.

Safe travels and see you when we visit.

Mom, Dad and Z at our favorite: The Red Hot

Friends we met at work (two jobs back) that we keep close.

A new friend for Sharon. I met T in my Pilates class.

Home as A Comfort with a Tattoo Reminder of Death

Since returning home, I've concentrated on the small concerns and comforts that make home feel like home. I did finally decide on the artwork that I would want to see on my body permanently, so I also chose an artist and got a tattoo. My friend Z joined me and got a tattoo of her own. It felt special to share the experience with such a good friend. I was a little nervous about the pain, but I found that I weirdly enjoyed it. It felt almost like an electrical shock, but more. It's now one week later, and it's healing well, but itching and peeling. I will look at my arm every day and see Memento Mori, a constant reminder to live life in the moment and not take anything for granted. A younger me admired cynicism, but now I find that rather sad. Now I want to feel only awe, even in my everyday domestic life.

Fresh reminder of death.

Christen at TygerWolf Tattoo makes her mark.

Z with Marissa.

Gin and Tonic to celebrate the new art.

The Long and Icy Road Home

After our almost mandatory stop at Erick Schat's Bakkery, we turned north and east. Hwy 395 North of Bishop advertised bad conditions with chains required, so we took the lower, longer road to Reno and then moved east and north to Janesville, California. We stayed at a Harvest Host there, Benson's Humble Homestead. It was terrific. Cedar loved the sheep and got his walk before the many dogs were out and about. I bought a fair number of winter seasonal offerings and some treats (persimmons and toffee).

So good. Love this place.

A Bishop institution.

Can't wait. Eat it now!

Turning North and East out of Bishop, CA.

Cold but lovely.

Cedar liked his walk at the farm.

Farm Store.

Breakfast donut from the Schat's Bakkery.

Benson's Humble Homestead Sign.