A break in the action - and just in time

The last couple of weeks have contained a sort of stillness that we hadn't yet experienced on the road.  We have spent the time imposing upon my dad and stepmom in sunny California.  By sunny, I mean oppressively hot by 1pm.  They are having an unseasonably hot Fall in in the valley as well as a drought. 

This was, we thought, our last obligation.  This would be the last time that we had to be somewhere at a certain time.  So we acted like it and became lumps for days at a time.  It was lovely.  The added benefit is that my stepmom is a fantastic cook.  Ethan has been sous chef for several meals, and my waistline reflects this culinary extravagance. On other days, we took day trips with the loan of a car.  I can not even describe the delight of driving a tiny vehicle that immediately responds to the driver after the bumping and swaying of a 33-foot motor home.  We even drove at speeds of 70 miles per hour!   Henry and I took a "date drive" down the coast to Monterey and Carmel.  If you ever get the chance to take the 17 mile drive, do it without hesitation.   It is some of the prettiest real estate in the country.

We also went on saw a dear friend of mine who generously welcomed my family to her home. And as a bonus, her husband is a ham radio guy!  I got a free demonstration. It's something I'll definitely be exploring when it's time to get the sailboat. 

We get a lot of questions about that, by the way. And the answer is, we are really enjoying what we're doing now.  So much so, in fact, that we have started to contemplate trading up.   We did some shopping for trailers that can be towed while we were in the area.  There are a couple of major advantages to this method of travel. First, we can detach the trailer which would mean no more stressful (borderline terrifying) drives up winding mountain roads in the gigantic RV.  Our pocketbook would be happy at the higher gas mileage, no doubt. And second, the kids would have a space of their own.  That would mean no more putting the beds away each morning and getting them out each night.  So! We have put the RV up for sale. I sort of can't believe we're doing it, and we'd be just fine if we end up not selling it. It's our home, after all. We'll see if we get a nibble or two.  With all of the work we've put into it, it's a steal at what we're asking.   A little piece of me just can't think about that too much or there will be weeping. Oh well, it's only money. And I'll take some solace from the fact that someone will get a lot of enjoyment from our labor.  So, I guess, if you know someone who's looking:

http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1997-Coachmen-CATALINA-330MBS-119622900


A couple of other notables from this period.  We drove to San Francisco with the entire family to pick up a new addition to the Madison household.  She is the cutest little thing! 

I will say, though, that driving into San Francisco...on a Friday night...during rush hour is maybe not optimal. 

And finally, the reason for the obligation, the reason we had to be in California by mid-September, the Monterey Jazz Festival.  We got to see one of our favorites, Davina and the Vagabonds.  Check them out if you're a jazz and blues lover. They are fantastic. She knocked it out of the park, as usual. 

Now, the obligations are not ending like we thought they would. They are terrific to have, though. That's the difference in our lives between working and retirement.  People actually want to see us!  Go figure.  So we have dates to see friends and family through December! And there are more friends to add to our list.  I now think that this aspect will not change as long as there are people we know along our route.  Our current stop is the Travis Air Force Base, where Henry's niece is living with her family.  It's a mini city! I had no idea how big it would be. We went to the museum on base yesterday and my brain is still swimming.  I have decided that Erin should be an astronaut. 

So, while the "have to"s have definitely lessened, they have not completely ceased.  I think they lend us purpose, which turns out to be a pretty good thing.