The Wandering Widow- Day 4

Yesterday, I found myself crying over a lost cooler.

It wasn't just any cooler, it was Ralph's vintage Oscar Cooler by Coleman, circa 1981. I left it in Moab in the hotel parking lot and someone took it. I know this because I called the front desk four hours after leaving, but it was apparently gone.

I remember trying to get all my crap in the car in the same way I had fit it all in like a puzzle when I left San Diego. I fancy myself a good packer, but that was Ralph's thing-organizing- he even made a living at it. I usually end up tossing everything in at the end and calling it a day if the car doors will close.

I even went out in the night air of 5 degrees and emptied my car out again, thinking maybe I misplaced it- as if it was a shoe or a hairbrush.

 The last time Ralph used the cooler was on his 70th birthday at his beach party in August. In October, a month after he died, I needed to use the cooler and I opened it up to find it full of beers. COLD BEERS!

 I knew that I could get rid of all our other coolers because this one would now be mine.

And straight out of the chute, I lost it.

 I could blame the medications I am on for severe bronchitis and altitude sickness, or widow brain, but in the end, it doesn't matter. I drove off and left it and someone took it.

I sat in the car and cried, and then I remembered it held a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream, an expensive bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay my friend gave me for Christmas and my freaking cough syrup- talk about insult to injury.

That just pissed me off.

 I woke up this morning and thought about the cooler and realized that it was just a thing. I've thrown plenty of his belongings away already and the cooler, while it was a sweet memory, won't bring him back, it will just keep beers cold for a month.

 I'm learning to let go of things on this trip and I guess that was the first thing to go.

 Meanwhile, I'm sure his spirit followed the cooler culprit and gave him a flat tire, or at the very least, turned my fancy wine to vinegar.



 

So I was born in Egypt and cast out into the Nile... thankfully not! 

BTW- My future wife was 5 months old when this photo was taken.

I had the incredibly good fortune to be born in San Diego. And a more cushy life really could have not been had. A milk- toast neighborhood in the middle of white- bread America. 

Every advantage offered. I must have done some wonderful things in a past life to deserve all these blessings. Whatever the case may be... I will try to give back to those around me for making this life so fantastic. Love and Blessings to my immediate family and friends for making me feel special. 

Love to you all!

Oh... and another spectacular day in sunny Del Mar.

Day 20 - It's the Weekend...

When the weekend comes around after semi-celebrating each day so far this month, it seems laissez-faire.

Friesland flag in the RV Park

 But the wife is asking what's up for the weekend? So something should be planned. Let's BBQ is probably not going to cut it. But it turned out  she needed to work/write- so I was off the hook and looking forward to some relaxation.

Well, not relaxation in the typical sense of the word. I went for a workout. A nice sweat and, of course, a long bike ride. 

Nothing special except for the shout- down by a handicapped lady to a woman whose dog was invading her space. The police actually came. Nothing like a little drama, especially when I'm a total bystander.

Aja & Julie- BFF's

My daughter came by with her gal pal and spent a nice afternoon on the beach. 

All is well in the weekend home space.

Day 17- What's Up With That?

It started yesterday while I was enjoying the sand and surf. 

 A gentleman set up his camp right in front of me somewhat blocking my view. No worries as there was enough space. Sometimes I think it a bit rude to set up directly in front if there is a lot of open sand. 

So today as I was again enjoying the sand, the same gentleman set up camp directly in front of me. I did choose the same general area so I was not completely surprised, but again, did think it rude. No big deal. I could move if I wanted, but there was a bevy of beauties nearby.

After about an hour, the guy gets up and starts striking poses while glancing at me. Oh no! What I had believed was just a coincidence just became something totally different. There really are no coincidences. Nothing happened, no really nothing happened! Except that most of the surrounding people were giving me knowing smiles.

I feel like such a piece of meat!

Day 10 - High Jinx (Guest blogger RTR)

It's a typical day at the beach- but which beach? Do I just enjoy the local playground or take it south? During this stirring conversation with myself, the wife comes home unexpectedly. No worries, I was decent. Well, as decent as I can be, which is sketchy.

So her news was a new work schedule and other opportunities offered. Lucky me, I mean us! Another reason to celebrate. So she went back to work and I headed down the coast to reunite with her later. 

Not The Wife

I have discovered that no matter what sand position I choose, young ladies also choose my immediate area. This is great and also disappointing.  

I love the view but I understand that I am completely non-threatening. The balance scale of life...

Great happy hour at the Mission Brewery found us enjoying ourselves again and realizing that life takes many turns, but with the proper attitude...

Day 8- Monday, Monday...(RTR)

Mondays after eventful weekends start slow. 

But not for the wife who was up and out by 6:am.

 I was up by 9:00 and was out at noon. Perfect start to the week. 

Not the usual bike ride at the beach but inland to visit the brother.

Not the brother whose birthday it is today, because he moved to Texas. Long bike ride. The brother I went to visit was not home, so I used the time to go to Old Navy for properly priced T- shirts and a new wardrobe. ( Highly recommend )

A patio afternoon and evening with a bottle of rosé, BBQ burgers and catching up with the Sunday paper. Another great Monday. But I forgot to call the middle brother with B- Day wishes. So I will have a good start to Tuesday.



 Ah... RV Living.

Day 7 - Day of Rest? (Guest blogger RTR)

After over-doing it yesterday, most would relax, take it easy. It's the right thing to do. Not according to my young wife. Out to breakfast at Tony's after double coffee and Baileys. 

The wife had to write and I had to bike. Extra special sight-seeing as summer crowds escalate. A simple beach chair and towel no longer cut it. Apparently you must bring the whole of your home patio- along with grandma dressed for church and wearing support hose. Great theater- thanks to all for the entertainment.

The boat dock also makes a splash as rookies and professionals back trailers onto the ramp. I haven't seen more disastrous attempts since I tried to put John's boat on his trailer sideways at Lake Havasu. All in all, another great day on the coast enjoying good weather while the wife enjoys me being away.

Day 6 - Blood is Thicker than Wine (Guest Blogger RTR)

Our two nieces came up to visit yesterday.

Great day highlighted by conversation, beach walks, Pacific 333, fresh peach daiquiris, BBQ lobster & trash talk! 

These gals came to play. They are a force to be reckoned. 

Another beautiful day at the trailer court. What a blessing to be here. Two minute walk to the Harbor. Three to the beach. I appreciate my life and do not take it for granted. My wife works her arse off- well not all of it- to round out our days with the proper amount of wine. Thank You!

The kids are enjoying themselves in Vancouver, BC. as depicted. They are a joy to behold!

Day 3- Beachin!

I hope y'all did not think I was going to be like now Disneyland, and then Sea World and Knotts. No, I was saying I'm on a quest to make every day this month especially enjoyable.

So I enjoyed relaxing this morning with morning television personalities relating all things relevantly ugly but also some uplifting. You get to pick and choose your poison. I change the channel the same way I delete ugly Facebook posts. And to that, please don't ask me to say amen or re-post your opinion. In my mind it's like saying "On your left '.

I did go to Carlsbad State Beach where I found sun, surf- not the expected 'high surf' -but interestingly enough that they were breaking as usual and reaching the shore. An enjoyable read along with a bevy of people to watch is always fun. And here, again, I mean the ladies.  

Some, thankfully, not quite lady like.