December 2, 2024Monday, December 2, 2024

Just a thought… If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet. [Rachel Wolchin]

Hello from Cathedral City, California. I thought I’d share with you some notes from the road, as Rob and I arrived safely Saturday at my escape for three months (and his for one month) right here in California. Yes, Dottie and Livi are here with us and travelled beautifully, from riding together in a crate to sleeping peacefully with us on our hotel/motel beds wherever we stayed.

On Wednesday, we were up before the birds to catch a ferry out of downtown Victoria. But that early morning walk afforded me a serene view: a heron all hunched up against the cold winds, watching for his breakfast from atop a pillar.

Getting to the ferry with lots of time to spare paid off (or was it blind luck?) as we managed to be the first off the boat when it arrived in Washington State. I mean, this is as good as it gets!

The dogs were allowed on deck and got plenty of pats and smiles. Dottie shook most of the way but we didn’t dare bring her CBD drops; our friend Nancy was practically strip-searched when she very honestly told Customs upon returning to Canada from Portugal that she had doctor-prescribed pain meds that contained CBD. (Suffice it to say she has fired off letters to no fewer than three levels of bureaucrats to find out just what the dang rules actually ARE. So be careful! Lisa Brandt and I will tell more in an upcoming episode of our Gracefully and Frankly podcast).

Where was I? Oh, yes, Washington State. Our six-hour drive from the ferry dock in Port Angeles to our destination of Salem, Oregon included a one-hour stop to charge the car so that when we arrived exhausted at our hotel we wouldn’t have to spend another who-knows-how-long charging the car. It’s all working out; charging to 80% for that hour cost us $14 USD. (The speed at which you choose to charge is reflected in the cost: higher speed, higher price. One charge on the trip cost us $54 US.)

The dogs rode along calmly in their crate (they like to share one), we listened to all kinds of podcasts from round tables and interviews to historic retellings, and as the sun set, we were afforded a view like this one dramatic one in Oregon.

Thursday’s travels were smooth under blue skies that afforded us incredible views like this of Mount Shasta…

…and the smaller, but closer Shastina.

Traffic was wonderfully light as folks celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday, and although finding a bathroom in the town of Grants Pass (no apostrophe – they dropped it long ago) was a challenge, I lucked into finding a friendly 7/11 cashier who read my desperation and, as I found out in our chat, happened to live in Toronto years before moving to California, then Oregon.

Friday, we departed for our final hotel stay in Lebec, near Redding, California. The day’s drive was much more boring; our longest ride’s highlight was a stop for an outdoor lunch, dogs at our feet, while the car charged. Avoiding shopping malls and Black Friday mayhem, I actually walked into a Target to use the bathroom and bought nothing (applaud here, please. LOL).

I’ve already strained your eyes enough for today, so I’ll sign off. We’ve settled into the older house we’re renting, as we try to figure out the heating system for the pool, for which we’ve purchased a solar blanket to stretch our beleaguered buck, and how to get the house’s EV charger working. The owners had it installed but had never used it, so it’s up to us to figure it out.

Today, Rob and I, along with another couple down here, are going to see Wicked at last. It’s either going to destroy or elate me – or both – but seeing this show that was a family favourite when we were three is something I just can’t wait to do.

Back with you this week with a new Not a Mourning Person and, of course, episode 103 of Gracefully and Frankly. Talk again soon!