But move I must. I have been in Fort Bragg for 6 weeks and it is time to move inland. People ask why I am here and I tell them my truth "I am interviewing California to see if I want to live here." And how did Fort Bragg do in the interview? It ranked quite well on many things but on other uncontrollable or unchangeable things it ranked too low to stay. Plus there are many other places to check out. This is a good time of year for this "interview process" as summer can mesmerize and lure you and winter can give you a huge wake up call. I met so many wonderful people. There is a feeling of small town community. People take care of the homeless and unfortunate and know and trust their neighbors. I felt accepted. I feel that I could grow my business and life here but unfortunately you can't change some fundamental things.
MAC KERRICHER STATE PARK
Last week was just too darn cold for me. Each morning there was ice on my windshield. Walking along the shore in the AM was a joy that I had and then lost. We have had much needed rain and along with it cloudy days and very cold nights. Wearing extra clothes inside the house makes me unhappy. I long to be able to see the skin on my legs for more than that flash of a second between getting out of my jeans and into my jammie bottoms or when showering and quickly toweling dry. I am a native New Englander but remember I run from the northeast in the fall and winter and do not return until May. To tell me that this area is great in the summer isn't enough. So is Massachusetts and I love New England spring through fall. I am looking for a winter place that can extend to full year.
MAC KERRICHER STATE PARK
MAC KERRICHER STATE PARK
Fort Bragg is also not high enough in the location category. On one hand it is incredible being along the ocean and near so many state parks and redwood forests. On the other hand Fort Bragg is isolated. To get to any medium sized city takes hours of traveling. You can't go by what your GPS or google maps quote for travel times because they calculate the miles at 55 mph which is false. Very little of the road is at that speed with most being from 15-30 mph due to the curves. There are winding roads to the north, south and east. The Pacific Ocean is to the west. I had to take a day trip to the closest town of Ukiah just to buy a few turtlenecks a few weeks ago. It explains why the prices on food and merchandise is so high here. Goods need to be hauled over the same 15 -30 mph curvy roads that I have to drive to do my errands.
So what do I want? I ask myself that question often. Ideally I want to settle up into a place that has an abundance of nature, a community of like minded individuals, a place where I can re-open my private practice and teach, create my art and collaborate with other artists. A place with soulmates that dig what I dig (Can you dig it?) and want the same things as I do and... know how to say "Yes lets go. Do you think we should we bring the tent?" A place where I can expand my passions. A place where the sun shines more than it is obscured by clouds. A place where ice doesn't need to be scraped from the car windows EVER. And a place where I don't have to leave every 90 days to get a re-entry stamp in my passport, where I am legal to work and more. A place where I do not have to count out my change to make ends meet and most important - a place that I KNOW is the correct one - for me - for now - because I change and I grow and nothing is permanent.
STARDROPS
Where to next? Not far really. I am heading inland and a bit to the south to Santa Rosa. I am leaving Mendocino County and moving over to Sonoma County for a bit. I have some couchsurfing hosts lined up and a house/dog sit for the days before Christmas. As for Christmas Day and beyond I don't know - south somewhere. And that is OK. I am not supposed to know yet... because life is an adventure.
WINDSTAR
I could post the lyrics from West Side Story's "Somewhere" but it is just ME, no place for US. And that is quite OK too. Instead, thanks to my Newton High School friend Eli, here is a youtube video of the Sir Douglas Quartet performing Mendocino. :) Yup - that's where today's post's title came from. I am still keeping with the 1960/70's lyrics theme. It's fun. Also I have spattered this post with more cool photos. I hope you enjoy them. And since it is gloomy again I thought I would post some of my recent mandala watercolor and ink 8x10s. I don't plan on participating in any art shows as I am moving around a bit too much this season so if you wish to purchase simply mail me and I will send it off to you. Paypal and BOA bank transfer are accepted. :)
Onward to Sonoma County. I am really excited for the change of scene, the opportunity to meet some great hosts and their families and to get some of those awesome salads that I discovered in San Diego from Trader Joe's. There ain't nothing like that 'round here for the price. Maybe I will also purchase a package of sport socks for hiking at Walmart too. It will be my Christmas present to myself. Ah the simple pleasures of sub/urban life. and Ya - I know - It is wine country too. ;)
BOLLYWOOD
UPDATE: I am leaving for Santa Rosa to stay with a family on Friday for three nights, then Sebastopol for four and a Rotary Club lunch, then two or three nights in Petaluma with another host and then back to Santa Rosa for the house/dog sit. Actually all these places are less than a half hour of from one another. This gives me a nice chunk of time to discover the vibe of that part of Sonoma County. It is a tad bit warmer and drier in Santa Rosa and the adventure will do me good. I already have google searched the addresses for all the Walmarts. Targets, Trader Joe's, Dollar Tree Stores ( I get some art stuff there) and TJ Maxx (I need new yoga pants for short people). The house/dog sit just got extended until the 29th so I will not spend Christmas in a motel. I am sure that I will find a place to celebrate with people.
MYSTIC
Well that's it. It is 3:30 PM and I need to put another layer on so that I can type at the dining table of the inn. I already am wearing one turtle neck and sweater. Soon my fingers will freeze when the sun goes completely under the horizon. I will need to find a space near a portable heater.
Until the next installment of THE ART OF ADVENTURE ON THE ROAD - STAY WARM and DRY all you teenyboppers.
Oh My that's Michael Caine across from Hugh... Everybody's Groovin' and Movin'
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