Travel – Fscottwrites

Van envy and other highlights

There were many highlights from my weekend stay at my writing coach’s house. It started with Ingrid, my coach, and I walking a couple of blocks from her house for an excellent meal (seafood for this landlocked Montanan) and visit. Then a hot tub before bed.
She really wanted me to meet one of her other writing clients from another group. Saturday we meet Ruth for coffee. Yep, it was immediate sisterhood. Ruth is maybe a couple of years older than me. Shares her time between Seattle and Taos, traveling in her van. The layout of her van is pretty much like mine. She has it all set up complete with twinkle lights and hand sewn curtains that attach with velco. That’s exactly what I want to do. It was such an inspiration. I hope to use some of my winter, making curtains and a platform for my bed.
I hope some of my friends get a chance to meet Ruth. She’d like to come visit in Missoula. For now, I’d like to recommend her online game that is very soothing. I downloaded it onto my ipad and gave it a whirl. CanCan, a game of color and creation, where everyone is an artist.
The rest of Saturday afternoon, I got to cook jambalaya for our memoir writing group that evening. Ingrid and her husband had granted me their downstairs apartment for the weekend where I made myself right at home. Late afternoon, Ingrid, her husband, John, and I got a walk to the Pudget Sound in. John is just as personable and laid back as Ingrid. I loved being with them. John joined us for the jambalaya then left us five women writers to our giggles and stories.
Sunday a quick stop at the Ballard goodwill where I scored. Made it to Olympia just in time for dinner at Taj’s. Wow, does she have a nice set up right on the Sound. I felt like I was at summer camp. She and her roommate cooked a meal to die for, salmon and all fresh veggies and salad. Lovely young women and good conversation.
The past two nights, I stayed at The Tradewinds in Rockaway Beach. I’d recommend it, right on the ocean, with a kitchen and quiet. Just ask for Neil at the front desk. Really I rested, took a walk on the beach, not much else, a little writing. I’ve got a low energy thing happening, tired when I wake up.
Before I make my way to Eugene for a few night stay today, I’m meeting some friends from Missoula, former co-workers from the Good Food Store, who are just up the road. We’ll get a walk on the beach in. I’m excited to see them.
Thanks for reading.

**Ruth calls this her sunken living room!** **Oh I like the carpet too.**

Like I Promised

Like I promised, fall is here. The van is set up for camping and I take off tomorrow.
First stop, Seattle for a weekend with my writing coach. When she realized her downstairs apartment was available for the weekend, she invited me to come stay. Four other memoir writing women will join us on Saturday. We have been zooming for months now, sharing some of our most intimate, joyful and painful tales. After learning each of our stories, I would say we make a group of some strong, resilient women. We have cried and laughed together virtually. I’m guessing the laughter will magnify as we physically come together.

Then to Olympia to visit Taj, who I cared for as a child. She is now a grown woman and holds special place in my heart. Her mother is like a sister to me. They are both family.

From there I plan to drive down the coast. The beauty is, from Olympia there is no agenda. Just me, my camping gear, books and pen and paper.

Happy camping everyone. Thanks for reading.

I don’t wear jewelry anymore

Did I beg mama to give me the cluster of pearls ring that was my grandmother’s
Or did she just give it to me willy nilly and send me on my way
all I remember is I was around nine.
Memory is sometimes vague, often it only comes with a certain feeling.
I remember being in the back yard searching for it, just me.
Did she know I lost it, I don’t know but I hate that I don’t still have it.

My high school/college boyfriend, yes he was the love of my life really in truly, brought me a necklace of an etched whale’s tooth from his family trip to Hawaii. I still have the Bulova watch he gifted me. Wish I still had him, ha. He is dead though, he died from ALS. His wife invited me to come visit several times before he died. It was precious.

Mama wouldn’t let me pierce my ears. I took care of that with an ice cube and a sewing needle. I don’t think I got in trouble. She usually didn’t have the energy to punish or guide me. My pierced ears created a tradition, my daughter would always get me a new pair of earrings for my birthday. I kept some of those earrings even though I don’t wear them anymore.

A few years ago, my ears began to turn red every time I put an earring in. They would itch and burn. The best solution was to no longer wear them. I gave away most of my earrings, kept the ones that hold a special memory in my heart.

In 9^th grade, Mama took me and my older sister, on a ten day tour to Europe. In ten days we went to London, Stratford on Avon, Paris, Lucerne, Rome, (day trip to Assisi), Florence and Venice. My memories are fairly vivid from this trip. We were blessed by the Pope at the Vatican. In Lucerne, Mama announced we could get a special piece of jewelry to commemorate our trip. My sister chose a watch. I chose a sapphire diamond ring. Eventually I passed it down to my daughter. I hope she still has it.

The one last piece of jewelry I possessed from my grandmother, a stunning, unusual turquoise and diamond ring was stolen a few years ago. Traveling through Portland. I went out to my car after a night’s stay at a boutique hotel in the northeast neighborhood. Not only was one window busted out, but two. I had the ring in the car because I was taking it to be repaired. It is gone. I searched craiglist ads, placed an ad. I still think some weird miracle could happen, shopping in Portland and spotting it. Who knows, none of us know.

Thinking ahead

Some of you know I have a Toyota Dolphin motorhome. I love it, it needs a lot of work. During downtime, youtube has been a source of entertainment. I came across this Renovated Toyota Dolphin

Aubrey, who redid this Dolphin is living the life I’d love to live. And she has a dog. I found her on instagram, Adventures in huck phinn. She has put some miles on Huck Phinn. Presently, she is in Baja.

Little roamer , lives, travels and works in her dolphin. Her dolphin is the same layout as mine.

These two have got me dreaming about this lifestyle. It could be my tiny home for when I am not house/pet sitting. Kevin, here in Eugene, does restoration on campers. He did some work on Finny, my dolphin. We’ve chatted. Finny has dry rot and other issues. May not be worth the time and money to fix her up. Meantime, Finny and my stuff, are in Montana. Thinking I’ll at least use Finny to get my stuff to Eugene, then assess the situation.

This is once everything opens up a bit. Presently, travelers who arrive in Montana, must quarantine for 14 days.

Comments, suggestions are encouraged and welcome. Know anyone who does camper repair?

Happy camping!

2 Years Later

Just over 2 years ago, I traveled to El Pescadero, Baja with the thought of living there and managing my nephew’s vacation home. It’s taken this long to have all the construction and finishes touches done. It’s beautiful and available to rent now via me, Airbnb and VRBO.

From this: E895EDCA-9E3F-41B3-AEF7-0EFCF2D44041

To this: 7C0B05E1-D385-4E4C-ACA3-A2DB251C39C1

I’m not living there but managing reservations from afar. I’ve enjoyed building the rental sites, getting Casa de Savannah on google maps and communicating with renters. A couple of people have asked about the possibility of holding a wedding there. A wedding planner is visiting the casa later in April to see if it is suitable.

Check it out: Casa de Savannah Airbnb

Casa de Savannah Facebook