Can't We Just Leave?

Can't we just leave?! Aen't you gone yet? I thought you were supposed to be gone by now?!

We get these questions every day, and here's the answers, folks...
It's been a 2 1/2 year planned journey. The AH HA! moment started with a show called House Hunters International. I was recovering from gall bladder surgery,lying in bed with Tony, watching said show. The story was of a woman living in Northern Cali, who was selling everything to move to Merida, Mexico. I turned to Tony and said, "Why can't we do that?" He said, "I'll go pack my bags."

So, we talked about it, dreamed about it, planned, changed plans repeatedly, argued, laughed.....then finally put up a huge piece of butcher paper on the dining room wall. On the right side it said: "Somewhere warm." For the next two years we filled in that huge piece of paper from left to right. It was a bitter sweet day when I took the paper down to paint that wall.

We slowly moved from thoughts of living in Mexico, to moving back toward somewhere sunny in the states. Mexico can still be in the picture, and so can Palm Springs,CA or Natchez, Miss or Fargo, SD. Wherever the big yellow ball in the sky is, that's where we'll be.

We're hoping I'll be granted a leave of absence, and can hit the road to Palm Springs in January. If I'm not granted a leave of absence - more than likely, as the gov'mint doesn't like giving its' employees anything that might be construed as a kind benefit for a job well done - I'm afraid I'll have to retire. I'd like the state to think outside the box for me, with me. We can work out an economically feasible alternative work schedule.

Hopefully, my next post will be from the road.

फोर्ट WORDEN

Started the New year at Fort Worden, outside Port Townsend. A mini-trip, designed by me to get back in Blue and relax at the beach for a few days. As usual, nothing proceeds as normal.

Stopped at the Cenex in Chimacum to fill our empty propane tank. But, Blue won’t start. Seems we forgot to put it in Neutral before turning off the engine. Shit! Rebooting doesn’t work, so it’s back to the remote start. On our way again.

Stop at the office just at 5:00, but they’re closed. See tons of rigs as we head for our camping spot at C-24, plug in, heater on, let the fun begin. Lovely relaxed evening, great dinner. I head for cozy bed to read, while Tony is burning the midnight oil studying for his IRS/AARP test. I love watching his face as he takes his test - oblivious to all but what’s in front of him.

I slept like a BABY all night - what a miracle. The stormy wind rocked us all night to a blissful sleep. I regretfully bundled up for the long walk back to the office to do a formal check-in. Luckily ran into the park guy who said the office is closed and we’re good to go. I headed for the beach instead, and took a brisk but thoughtful walk back to Blue.

Clouds are running, hurrying past our windows, patches of blue bring me hope. We may head to Port Townsend for a little shopping later, or not. It’s a lovely day ahead.