Chapter 9- The senior tour

 Sometimes you just have to answer the call 

and head "home" to where your story began!

You see- this pair- has been a part of my life...

well, since before I was born!  

And while Obie was not family by blood...

 He was without a doubt....part of my family of love...

Knowing how much I treasure  my own

  friendships that feel like family..

from the  "right now" chapter

to the middle school "besties"

Well...I just knew I had pack the bag and head home..

not just to celebrate Obie's life...by attending his funeral..

but to honor the remaining "seniors" that contribute so much to  my core childhood memories!

Hence the title- Senior Tour...

First there was CB- settling in nicely in her new place in West Bend-

she has lovingly cared for her sister for over 20 years- and now they are 

both being supported at this wonderful assisted living facility.

I beamed as CB gave me the nickel tour- introducing me as "the daughter of my best friend, Audrey"

Next up- I would lunch with my auntie-

Birdie is thriving  in an independent living facility in Stevens Point

that she's called home for a little less than a year.

I'd wrap up the tour with a quick visit to check in on my godmother..

who with the support of her daughters is still enjoying the snowbird way of life..summers at the lake, winters in Florida..

supportive daughters rocking the "granny pants" I gifted to the

new grandma, Becky

Now before I get too nostalgic..

It is worth noting that "skipping down memory lane" is exhausting

Some suggestions to make the adventure go a little easier..

Stay hydrated

Pause for custard

Create new memories with the next generation..

Admire the view..

from the place called "the fish shack"

Yep-Paul Bunyan and Babe aren't the only tall tales being told

by the folks up north..giggle giggle..shack my a$$!

And never pass up an opportunity for a second stop for custard!

Until next time...

May you  have a chance to return to a place of childhood comfort

and feel the love a second time...

Chapter 8- Recovery mode

RIGHT NOW...

I'm thinking- where did June go?   Seems like I just finished unpacking from our epic 7 weeks of travel, and now boom- the fireworks were going off and we were staring at the month of July.  

I feel like the best way to describe this month would be one of recovery.  Recovery first from that physical experience of fatigue that comes with most travel, but is for sure felt more when traveling internationally.   Next came the emotional recovery...and well that remains a work in progress.  

I'm loving that there really was nothing pressing on the calendar.   Because the motivation to plan and engage in most any task was consistently hit or miss.  

A few simple projects were tackled...

With the help of a talented friend who sews- I was able to turn this snarky stitchery into a pillow.   I love how it blends in with the greens that are featured in our front room.  

Thing 1 and I were called on to cat sit for a friend.   Patches had us in stitches- she was one part happy-purring loudly to see people and also sort of growling- realizing we weren't her preferred humans.  

I made it to the local farmer's market.   Determined to clean up my bad habits as it relates to eating- I was instead distracted by this sort of PG-13 pottery display.   Ok- art is art-whatever...the amusing part was that this is in one of our very conservative communities...

We made a few purchases this month..

from the simple to the 

significant...

it's been wonderful to have once again a second vehicle..

and enjoy some tasty treats from the grill!

Took a few field trips...

from the home once owned by the 

Unsinkable Margaret Brown..

Known not just for surviving the Titanic..

but as a champion for the rights of all..

but we also loaded up the SUV

in search of some refreshing tea..

made just up the road from us..

A fun day indeed!

I'm feeling- almost back to my pre-trip self.   

I've got a solid routine in place for daily chores..

I've done a wee bit of sprucing up the back deck..

and well...fingers crossed that I can keep these alive thru the season.

Until next time..

May you find that you have the gift of time

to recover at a pace

that matches where you are at...

Chapter 7- Home Sweet Home

After nearly 7 weeks, 5 countries visited and close to 2000 photos taken- it’s good to be home!   

I had every intention of updating my blog while on the road.  No- not as routinely as that of Hubby- but at least a reflective post here and there.   But alas- intentions just never materialized into actions.   It wasn’t for lack of time- but more a lack of story telling mojo.  And even now- I’m not sure the mojo is fully in place- but let’s just see where the stories go.   

The most popular question we've been asked has been "How was it?"    My reply varies- depending on my mood and who is asking- but typically I find myself smiling as I say something along the lines of "When it was good- it was wonderful.   When it was not so good- there was still a lesson to be learned".    

So with that- here's some of my own personal take-away lessons from our trip...

The why of travel is just as important as the where...

For us- this trip was inspired by some milestone events happening later this year. 

I will be turning 60 sooner than I care to admit...

and Hubby and I will celebrate 30 years 

of (mostly) wedded bliss later this year

Celebrating these two events should be reason enough for a special trip- yet we are also well aware-that one should take advantage of being physically and financially able to take the BIG trip now- as life  offers no guarantee that "later" will be an option. 

Kindness is a universal language

Whether it was the cab driver who pointed out 

to Hubby where the best pub in town was..

*always trust the Irish cabbie!

To the kindly cook...

 that gave us a personal escort to his restaurant 

after seeing our looks of confusion and frustration

 as we yet again failed in our efforts to 

understand and apply  Spanish dining hours.*..

*don't get me started...

Double points for  kindness- his restaurant had riverside views!  

There was the friendly neighbor

who joined us for an evening of conversation...

And a helpful bartender who made sure we poured 

our Asturian sidre  (cider) correctly...

It's all about the aeration..

I'm not gonna lie- in general we found the reception by the locals to be "lukewarm". There is truth to the ongoing reports that Europeans, particularly Spaniards, are pushing back agains the problem of over-tourism.   

Fortunately- we weren't doused with squirt guns, but we did pick up on the vibe.  

At the same time, we also  left with an understanding of their perspective- for we too live in an area that has become increasingly popular with visitors, driving up costs and leaving little flexibility for locals to enjoy their own home town/home state perks.    We get it- which makes the kind gestures of others so much more appreciated!  

DON'T OVER PLAN

Illness can-and in our case-will occur

when on a vacation..

Had we over planned, with a  tight and pre-arranged itinerary..

 we would not have had the flexibility to slow our travels way down..

creating times for peaceful rest...

We likely would have skipped an entire country...

As Portugal was not part of the initial plan

Nor was France...

Jury's still out on Hubby's part whether

this was a good thing or not...giggle giggle..

We would have found ourselves in a pickle...

when the power went out across the nation...

Instead- in the absence of a tightly crafted itinerary..

we were  able to slow down and enjoy the views..

Embracing the pilgrim ways...

taking in the soothing sound of the river..

and pausing to reflect on the history of the area.. 

and when it was time...

we found ourselves rested and refreshed..

Healthy (enough) to take in 

the amazing roof top views of Santiago de Compostela

the site of one of the world's most significant Christian pilgrimages...

welcoming weary travelers for over 1000 years!  

Life is all about creating memories..Go Create Them!  

From castles...

to fairy gardens..

Prisons tours...

And day drinking..

We sat where legends told stories...

be it Ireland 

or Spain...

Did he really run with the bulls?

And did she finish her wine?  

Who knows...while the details of the adventure will 

likely fade over time...

I shall always remember...

It's not so much about where you go in your travels..

but who you travel with!

Until next time..

May you find a sweet spot to enjoy your morning coffee..

and a cheerful way to end your day...

with your favorite someone by your side!