Day 127

Walked 10K+ steps yesterday distributing Senior news. It was hot. Over 80 here. The house is cool this morning. I’ll close it up and hope it’s cooler outside. Today I have errands and then Karen for massage. Good way to begin July. I am thinking about the times with Gene, patrolling in the police van was a private place for sharing. I admired how he overcame his early life and how it informed his generosity and compassion. Good man.

Senior News column

If you are looking for a place to visit this summer that supports a healthy lifestyle, look no further than Del Norte County. When I volunteered at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, I talked to tourists about their road trips and asked what they like to find in a new location. Our natural beauty tops the list, along with our clean air, clean water, and beaches that are free of crowds and litter. I call it postcardville as any direction a camera is pointed is beautiful.  In our small county, we have a wealth of resources for people who want to hike, camp, or simply hang out until a gorgeous sunset paints the ocean with Nature’s extraordinary palette.

Our Fourth of July celebration is worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting. The parade begins with the firing of the cannon on the lawn of the museum. A spray of paper accompanies the big bang and the participants move down the street to the appreciation of the crowds. The Jed Smith mountain men add the roar of their black powder muskets as they walk by in their authentic outfits. I will be serving coffee at the annual pie social. Homemade pie and ice cream will be served on the lawn of the museum. I see so many old friends and have quick catch up conversations. Later people will congregate at the beachfront for entertainment and food from a variety of vendors.

Another place to visit is the harbor. After the 2011 devastation from the Japanese catastrophe, the construction is over and the result is a state of the art tsunami proof harbor. Engineers come from all over to appreciate the innovations. The harbor is full of visiting yachts, working boats and the busy fishermen preparing for their trade. Harbor seals, sea lions and many birds are there too adding to the activity.  And beaches galore! Rocky beaches for tide pooling, sandy beaches for walking, and beaches along the rivers for picnics and swimming. We have everything for the visitor who loves the outdoors. The Redwood National Park office has maps of walking trails that show the difficulty of the trail so people can choose what is best for their time and ability. They also book the park camping spaces. Come visit our neighborhood. Touring doesn’t have to mean a long road trip. We have so much right here to offer.