The Journey: Day 3

This morning I sit looking out toward the harbor at Crescent City, California. We left Olympia Sunday morning around 10:30 am for Our Great Adventure. The weather was not bad -- cool and cloudy. We drove down Interstate 5 to Portland, Oregon and headed west for Neil's second glimpse of the Pacific Ocean at Lincoln City. (His first glimpse was on a very cloudy and windy Sunday somewhere near Westport, Washington.)

From Lincoln City we headed south in hope of arriving at Bandon before stopping at a hotel for the night. However, the roads are slow and meandering and we made it as far as Waldport's Howard Johnson for the night. It's hard to imagine a quieter Hotel, nor one with such promise. It's a bit down in the mouth right now, but has a lovely view of the bridge and bay.

The coast from Lincoln City to Florence, Oregon is spectacular. We are sorry we didn't start from Astoria at the top end of the Oregon coast even though it would have probably added at least another day to our journey. As is his habit, Neil has collected various real estate booklets and says that if he ever bought property on the ocean that coast is the one he would choose.

I made the journey from Florence to Eureka, California seven years ago. It amazes me how much of it I've forgotten. For example it was a long drive before we saw the ocean at all! And some of the towns we passed through were really not very inviting at all until we got to Bandon -- where we spent a great evening at the Bandon Inn .

Our plan had been to make the hightlight of our trip a drive down California Route 1 along the Big Sur. But time and distance have made us re-think this -- especially as the guide books say that the Oregon Coast is every bit as spectacular as it's 'California Counterpart'.

So here I am in the Lighthouse Inn in Crescent City. The room is very nice and very comfortable. We are shocked at California prices: Gas in Oregon was higher that Washington -- a few cents (3.65 in Oregon), but in California the cheapest we saw was $4.00 and so far the highest was $4.09) -- yes, for regular! California has a 10% sales tax! Olympia isns't far behind with 8.24%. Oregon has no sales tax -- however there was a 1% tax quoted at a Best Western somewhere in southern Oregon. We were surprised to learn that in Oregon there are no self-service gas stations. Neil actually left the first one we went to because they insisted on filling his tank for him!

Tonight, if it doesn't rain, we may try a little camping somewhere en route to San Francisco. Time to cross the Golden Gate bridge for the first time. After Eureka both of us will be on new ground.

I just love hotels with free WiFi!!!

Eyore Blues

Easter has come and gone. So would it seem has Spring! I'm so bored. The problem is probably not wanting to face the groan of moving -- even such a short distance -- larger flat in the same complex. But it's a different building so it's still a hassle. We've managed to find someone to help with the big furniture. There is not a lot, but what there is is very heavy. Especially the mattress to the king size bed. I can barely lift one corner of it to tuck in the sheet. I feel like Eyore -- all doom and gloom.

Password's Delight

The past few days I've been driving myself nuts. I expect the same thing driving me nuts is driving lot's of other people nuts -- it has to do with usernames and passwords. Now for a long time I always used the same username and password -- and I know, I know you are not supposed to do that, but for crying out loud these are not important to me if someone gets in -- and since no one ever has (as far as I know -- what the hell!) But anyway, what's happening now is that sites are getting fussy about passwords -- they have to be so long and have a capital letter and numbers, etc. So of course I have to keep a record, somewhere safe, for all these numbers, codes and usernames. Which I do. But sometimes I forget or haven't gotten round to it yet. The worst is when for one reason or another I have to clear away my 'cookies'. Which is why I've been having a problem with blogger lately. Today I also had a problem with my bank! But I fixed the problem with the bank and now I've managed to stumble on the right username and password for my blogger account!!!

So things being in order for me again, what was I going to blog about. Something to do with being old and grumpy, I think. About living with grandchildren and getting used to new surroundings and smaller spaces. I am utterly shocked to discover there are children who are homeless living in Olympia, Washington, or anywhere else in the USA. Living here is not for the faint-hearted. We are constantly amazed how good America can be for some people and how dreadful for many others.

The Democrats are running amock -- or maybe a-muck is better. I'm really disappointed with Hillary Clinton's campaign. Although I have believed she is the more qualified for the high office, I have been seriously disillusioned with her tactics -- she has come across to me as hypocritical, dishonest and ruthless. Obama isn't without campaign faults himself, but I can expect flaws in any political race and live with his. Hillary's campaign has an ugly face and I am now very uncomfortable with her as a candidate. I'd still vote for her if she gets the nomination, but I'm not now giving money to anybody.

Christmas? New Year? Here at Last

We made it to Olympia, Washington. Got through customs in Chicago -- not pleasant but could have been so much worse! The long flight(s) over, we were welcomed by the Family in rented Dodge mini-van -- small Toyota Echo being MUCH too small for all of us. Before a week was up Grandpa had found a suitable 2000 Ford Windstar and now all of us can travel ensemble! Second week still has a few days to go and we've opened a bank account and today we got to the Social Security office and arranged for Grandpa to receive his card.

Now there are two more accomplishments: One to find a suitable and economical place for all of us to live and two I must find a job. Both should be reasonably difficult and problematic -- so we get on with it.

In the meantime the news of all days is what will happen in November 2008 -- and the game of the moment is endless attempts to predict who will run against whom. There is a not very nice battle going on between the Clintons and their ilk and the Obamas and their ilk. I don't want to choose. It would seem that it's down to choosing two candidates, both of whom I think could lose -- though I will support either to my dying breath.

Christmas Eve

It's my favorite day of the year. There is something magical about Christmas Eve. In Britain the day is easily referred to as 'Christmas Eve', whereas in America people tend to say 'Christmas Eve Day'. It makes sense here not to make much of a distinction as the days now are rather dark and gloomy -- but anyway, I do like just 'Christmas Eve' as that has a more magical and mysterious ring to it ...

Christmas for me is about expectation, anticipation. The joy of it is in the planning, the culmination, the moment 'just before'. It is mystical and momentous, a time of smells and memories, music, sights of wonder, children, sugar plum fairies and so on. How lucky I am to have this day in my calendar -- this day of 'angel dust'.

Memories: One of my favorite memories is the Apollo 8 Mission when the astronauts read from Genesis -- just as we were all about to go off to church for midnight mass. At the time that was the most highly watched TV program ever! Being a New Englander there are memories of many a White Christmas, of eager anticipation for gifts (I was very demanding and probably still am!). I loved the 5 Christmases I spent in Germany and the joy on my husband's face that first Christmas Eve when the snow fell in the evening and there was white magic everywhere -- and that special quietness of the snow falling.

One of the things I miss here in England is the regular singing in church of Silent Night. I loved singing that favorite carol in candlelight just after Communion finished. It surprises me that Silent Night is not even in the hymnal we use in my church. That was another favorite memory of living in Germany.

My sister just sent me this -- a bit silly but still a good laugh! Merry Christmas and hope it a magical Christmas Eve.

Christmas hmmmmm bug -- Ahhhhh

Christmas again. I love the music. I am bored with the waiting. Waiting to get things done. Here I am today twiddling. My husband is farting around doing this and that -- he won't be bothered ('bovvered') until Christmas Eve. Then he will start asking me if I got 'something' for this person or that, or sent them a card. And did I remember 'whatever' ...

So on we trudge toward the 'big' day/week, depending on where you live in this world. In the U.S. I always feel let down after Christmas Day. Big preparations and the decorating splurge all feel flat by the 26th of December. On this side of the Atlantic Christmas is a two -day holiday and for most people lasts through New Year and on through Epiphany. Many Americans, in an attempt to stave off the 24-hour blow-out, keep their lights up -- especially the outdoor festive fare -- until Valentine's Day! Which seems to me rather pathetic.

Yesterday the tree went up -- we picked a nice bushy, traditional English Christmas tree -- which was also the cheapest! And imagine this, it's also our preferred type of tree. Smells good, too. I also managed to make a traditional Christmas log, for our dessert -- in the freezer (what a delicious chocolate mess I made) and am slowly checking things off the 'to-do list'. I think I've bought all the presents and wrapped what needs wrapping. Today ma belle-soeur arrives -- ah check off the list that I've made her bed!

Quite a bit of discussion this year in the media about Christmas cards. Personally, I love Christmas cards. Especially getting them. Sending them is a chore, but it is nice to think about the people we have managed to keep in touch with over the years. It is an expensive thing to do, however. I divide my cards into three parts -- across the oceans, Europe and the UK. The postage runs about £25 - £30 and on top of that there is the cost of the cards -- which cost less than the postage, for sure! I don't send cards to people because I feel I have to -- I send them because I want to, which for me is the whole point of the exercise and somehow makes each Christmas an inclusive time of the year.

So, now it's on with the decorating -- almost done!

I am not impressed with myself -- over a month since last posting. Since then I've been to the US and returned. Big changes for us. The plan is to spend a year, at least, in Olympia, Washington. It's odd that I feel so at home whether here or there -- I just sort of meld into each nationality, both seeming familiar.

It will be very interesting to live on the west coast, which to me is so very different from the East. I'm looking forward to the new adventure and the exploration into that difference. The people in Olympia seem very nice, very warm and friendly. It really is the land of the car and more wide open spaces than I am used to. I love the mountains, especially the majesty of Mt. Rainier; and the freshness in the air, despite all the cars and highways. Olympia's location at the southern-most end of the Puget Sound, is perfection -- it has all of the charm of a small town, yet the sophistication of a discerning, well-educated population.

The present is very tenuous both in the UK and the US. We are lucky to be retired and to have our home almost paid for and a steady, if not enormous income. I look at my children and grandchildren and wonder if retirement will be a thing of the past by the time they are my age. Life has been good to the children of the 60's and we have consumed it, which is probably not so good for everybody else.

But first it's Christmas. More about that anon!