It might be hard to notice the bench, being that it is between such a picturesque town on one side and crashing waves on the other. You may remember, there was a bench that I found on Antelope Island that I said I would frame when I got home because it was in such an amazing location. But I believe it just got the boot. This bench is the winner and it will be put in a heart-shaped frame. To put the cherry on top, I spent the time with my man, John Steinbeck. I'm reading "Tortilla Flat" and, again, I revel in Mr. Steinbeck's constant genius.
(Side note: if you have the book, please check around page 23 for the paragraph that describes the correlation between the amount of wine in a jug to the common actions of the paisanos. I was so impressed that I wanted to call someone and read the paragraph to them because it seemed like such a gem. Ben, we may need to have a Steinbeck book group when I get home; we can take Mary Ann's idea of a salon. Mary Ann, you're invited, too.)
From Portland, I did a reorganizing day in Eugene, followed by a day in Coos Bay, then went on to Eureka, California, which I used as my home base while checking out Redwoods National Park. I was able to do a fantastic hike at the Klamath Overlook, leading to this view:
Yesterday, I went from Eureka to Mendocino passing through Humboldt State Park. This took me to the very top of the infamous Route 1 that goes along the California coast. My dad had actually called me that morning to warn me of the intensity of this road, so I kind-of had a feeling it might be difficult. But really I didn't believe him. How hard could a road be?
There is a 20 mile stretch that goes from inland California to the coast that is insane. I've never been car sick while driving before but I had to pull over 3 times yesterday within those 20 miles to pull myself together and shake off the motion sickness. I was actually to the point where I was telling myself to "just make it one more mile." You may have to experience it to believe it. I did text my dad right afterwards to let him know that he was right. I said that I would never doubt him again. He has told me he is "going to preserve that text for posterity -- and as a reminder."
I had mentioned that Portland marked a turning point in my trip where I realized that I'd have to start thinking about reality again. During my 10 minutes of sitting still, I've come up with my big goal to try to achieve after this trip. It, in general, is to live passionately. My top three ways to do this (I'm huge on top three lists) is:
1) Stay close to family and friends. I've realized that although I've seen some amazing places on this trip, the highlights have been when I reconnect with people in my life and when I meet and make new friends.
2) Eat well and exercise daily. To "eat well" is in one part to keep myself thinking straight but also to become a little less meh about food and a little more aware of taste. Exercise for me is walking or hiking which gets me out and looking around me.
3) Take time to sit still and take time to write. Doing both of these things helps me to slow down and let experiences seep in a bit more.
I have to admit, this is all pretty easy to do when on the road and going to beautiful places. Check back with me when I'm working a nine-to-five job and taking care of mundane life chores. I'm interested to find out how I incorporate living passionately with doing laundry, getting groceries and paying bills.
I'll close this post with a picture that I like to call "Big Tree. Tight Pants.":
We will certainly talk about Steinbeck and his trilogy about the paisanos in Cannery Row, but please let's spend some time with a writer who lived in one of your favorite places -- the Twin Cities. I'm talking about F.Scott Fitzgerald, who wrote THE great American novel. He grew up in St. Paul. And the midwest imprinted him the same way home made pasta has imprinted me. (Food and literature feed the same hunger). Scott (we're on a second name basis) wrote some of the best sentences in American literature. And that light at the end of the dock keeps calling us all back to his work, although I wish that he would have punished the Twin Twits -- Daisy and Tom.
ReplyDeleteYour pal, Ben
Hey Sharon, I know that bench well! Mike and I had a few trips to Mendocino pre-kids and spent quite a bit of time along that exact coastline. Your pic is incredible. Makes me want to drive there now.
ReplyDeleteThere were lots of names carved into the bench. Was the "Anne + Mike Forever" from you? (just kidding.)
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