I have some non-travel stuff to write about before I get into my next trip.
One is, don’t take any day, or moment, for granted. I went to a funeral last Saturday. It was a guy I was acquainted with – played music with him a few times at parties. Didn’t know him well but he was very likable. The previous weekend he was playing at a gig with one of his bands (he’s a bass player), and at the end of the last song of their last set, he dropped dead. Right on stage. Age 49. He didn’t mention feeling ill or anything. His band mate said it was like lightning struck it was so fast. Video showing him playing up to the seconds before he died didn’t show anything ‘unusual.’ Needless to say, his family, his band mates, his friends, the music community were/are in shock. His teenage daughter spoke, talking about how she had been pushing him away (‘cuz that’s what teens do) and now she can’t tell her dad she’s sorry. Heart wrenching! Hug your friends and fam every chance you get!
On a lighter, though irritating note, I have developed a trigger thumb. It seems to be getting better, but here is a link to exercises you can do to stop it from developing. Apparently it is mostly seen with women between the ages of 40 and 60.
https://www.braceability.com/blogs/articles/trigger-finger-exercises
But on to the subject topic – my next trip. I have purchased a one-way ticket to Long Beach, CA, where I will be visiting friends Jon and Tina. There is a big block party for 4th of July, and one of the guys from the band Sublime (Santeria is one song) lives around the corner from them. Sounds like a lot of fun! I am also the officiant for their son Chase’s wedding next year, so hoping to catch up with him so I can get an idea of what they’re thinking of for their ceremony. Plus, there is a Hash out there, and, I am hoping to reconnect with my friend Edd who moved to San Diego a few years ago!
After Long Beach, I am still trying to figure out what exactly I am going to do, but I have it narrowed down pretty much, except for which days what will happen and where.
I’ve been feeling like I’ve been wanting to go to a Resort Spa. I think I must’ve read about one somewhere and then I started looking at a bunch of them. I think I have settled on Miraval, which is outside of Tucson. I originally was thinking I would fly there but now I’m thinking I may rent a car and drive there. I can go through Joshua Tree and stop in to see my friend Derek in Phoenix, on my way there. Besides the requisite facials and massages, there are lots of opportunities there to do spirit and energy work (naysayers hold your tongues!) There’s even a shamanistic treatment that I’m thinking of doing! So, thinking I’ll spend 3-4 nights there.
After that, I’m thinking I’ll be driving to visit my friends Brian and Stacey, in Santa Fe NM. There’s a Folk Art fair the following weekend. Not sure how long I will stay there yet.
And not sure where I’m going after that yet. Home? Take a train? Still gotta figure it out! (Read on to see how I maybe figured it out when I took a little break from writing this post)
Before I started this post, I read in the Sunday NY Times about an outfit called ‘Under Canvas’ that operates seasonal glamping resorts near national parks. I’ve been wanting to go to Mount Rushmore and lo and behold there is one there! And I took a 10 minute break from blogging to see how far it is from Santa Fe NM to Mount Rushmore. It’s only like 12 hours (I would do it in 2 days, not one). I just talked to them and they have availability for the time stretch I’m thinking about going (mid-July ish). I think I’m going to do the Expedition Package – check it out!
https://www.undercanvas.com/camps/mount-rushmore/
Well, this day of travel planning took a surprise turn. I still need to figure out what I’ll do after Mount Rushmore, and see if Miraval has availability, but, things seem to be starting to come together.
Stay tuned to see what I end up with!