Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Mississippi heat stirs thoughts of California

Golden Gate Bridge, looking toward San Francisco

What to do?

Would one want to live under what may be considered a warm wet blanket for three or four months?

Or spend time in an atmosphere that in the past made one feel anew, refreshed, and full of life?

All too often, it is not what we would like to do, but the reality of the situation.

There is home, family, routine. Everyone becomes comfortable with the everyday.

But that’s not to say, one doesn’t think about other options.

On coastal Mississippi, when the nighttime low temperatures start staying in the 70’s, summer has arrived. That’s usually early to mid-May. 

And those low temperatures hang around, often through September and into October.

And daytime temps usually hit the high 80’s to mid 90’s or higher sometimes.

That’s when my thoughts, though not often as much lately, turn to California Dreaming, and along the Coast, with lows in the 40s and 50s and highs usually in the 70's with low humidity.

I would now change that title to “West Coast Dreaming,” because when I bring up California, a lot of people refer to it as a place inhabited by fruits and nuts. Flyover country residents don’t take a liking to the Left Coast.

But I can’t help it. The West Coast still beckons.

Just this past week, for the first time in ages, I told my wife I had a hankering to once again see the Pacific Ocean.

“Are we going to fly or drive?” she asked.

Let's see, eight hours in the air, or drive seven days out, spend seven days there and take another week to get back home.

Flying would seem to be the best option. And when the costs are added up, would probably be cheaper.

But health issues come into play.

It’s been about five years since our last excursion in that direction and I’m getting the itch.

After all, we are retired, don’t have to answer to any bosses and can chart our own course.

The West Coast is getting closer all the time.


Next post: June 20, 2017

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