Just when I thought I was done with home ownership, I stumbled into the cutest little cottage that simply screamed my name. It’s funny how life throws these surprises at you; you just can’t help but embrace them.
I took a bold step, made an offer sight unseen, and suddenly, the house was mine. GULP
Visiting for the first time yesterday, I was smitten. The view? Breathtaking Strait of Juan de Fuca in the front, and majestic Olympic Mountains in the back. The deal? Incredible. The adventure ahead? Thrilling. I’m overflowing with ideas to bring my own touch to the space.
You’re all warmly invited to come stay! I don’t need to be there, I’ll let you know where I hide the key. Sequim is oddly charming, and it’s about to get a notch quirkier with me in town.:-)
Check out the listing photos below for a sneak peek. And how can you not smile at the address—3 Crabs Road?
I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves, let the paint fly, and dive into the fun!
CC and I found ourselves in the hot tub one evening, discussing plans for New Year’s. I suggested, “Let’s go somewhere.” Without a destination in mind, we decided to consult the globe. Before we knew it, we were booking tickets to Panama. Why Panama? It’s warm in December, tropical, and neither of us had been there before.
And what a delightful surprise it turned out to be!
Arriving in Panama with just one night’s accommodation booked, armed with a rental car and a vague itinerary, our trip unfolded in three distinct sections:
New Year’s and the Pacific
Coffee and the highest peak in Central America
San Blas (Bliss)
Our New Year’s weekend took us to the West Coast, where we lucked out finding a charming, small surfing paradise called Playa Venao. It was perfect—a quiet hostel-like place amidst music and festivities on the beach. We spent three days enjoying the warm, blue waters, working on our tans, and easing into our two-plus week adventure.
During our research, I discovered Isla Coiba, an island that seemed unmissable. And boy, was I right! Coiba turned out to be one of the highlights of our entire trip, offering the best snorkeling experience since my visit to the Great Barrier Reef in 1993.
In Santa Catalina, a tiny village on the Pacific Coast serving as the gateway to Coiba, we found a fantastic hostel called Surfers Paradise—ideal location, friendly hosts, and a great vibe.
Our day trip to Isla Coiba included snorkeling in three spots, exploring the Park and the museum, enjoying lunch, swimming, and absorbing all that Coiba had to offer. Just wow! I regretted not having more time there, but our schedule was packed, and after two nights, we were off to coffee country.
Chiriquí, David, and Boquete equal coffee for me. We took a scenic drive through the countryside from Santa Catalina to David, then to Boquete. In Boquete, we joined a coffee tour at Don Pepe Coffee Estate on the slopes of Volcan Baru. The ripe coffee cherries and the ongoing harvest added to the charm. We even had the chance to cup coffee, a treat for CC, a coffee enthusiast who was cupping for the first time!
Volcan Baru was another reason for our visit to Boquete. I wanted to climb the highest peak in Panama. Completing the journey at 11,460 feet, I discovered that Volcan Baru is also the highest peak in Central America. An achievement unlocking the highest peaks in all of the Americas for me—North (Denali), Central (Volcan Baru), and South (Aconcagua).
CC graciously served as my shuttle to the trailhead. After picking me up, we hiked the pipeline trail, a lush jungle trek leading to a waterfall— a perfect day.
The next chapter in our adventure involved driving back to Panama City, returning the car, and embarking on our trip to San Blas. Little did we know, that the best part of our journey awaited us.
San Blas Islands, an archipelago in the Caribbean managed by the Kuna Yala native population, exceeded our expectations. Booking a single-hull sailboat The Tintamare with Captain Hernando and his wife Montse was a fantastic decision. Their hospitality, kindness, sense of adventure, and competence made for an unforgettable three days in Panama. The blue waters, the fun sailing, delicious food, and amazing company—it was a special experience that will be etched in my memory forever.
In our final days in Panama, we visited the canal museum and the canal itself—an experience not to be missed. We learned a lot and witnessed a ship passing through. It served as the perfect conclusion to our trip, blending history and significance to wrap up our incredible time in Panama.
It caught me off guard in many ways. This trail was a real challenge, full of ups and downs, and in some spots, it got pretty narrow, rocky, and slippery. Some stretches were downright sketchy! There was a lot of exposure too.
But even with all the mud and slipperiness, the beauty along the way was sensational!
See the goat? MangroveLush TrailThe trail inArch
Words just can’t seem to grasp the magic of the lush tropical forest; even photos fall short of its true beauty.
Every moment was a treasure. I tackled the full 11-mile trail on day one. But as the rain poured down in the following days, my tent became a cozy haven for diving into books. It was incredible! I devoured three books, adding another layer of adventure to my five-day journey.
View from my campsiteRain and rainbows
In the breaks between showers, I wandered the beach, sought out magnificent waterfalls, and refreshed with dips in the natural pools.
Pool below the waterfall Another Hawaii WaterfallDelight on the trailCamp visitorFriend along the trail
I soaked in all the sounds—the chirping birds, the wild, crashing waves, the howling wind, and (lots of) falling rocks.
I took my time hiking out, breaking it up into two days. Once out, I learned the trail had been closed for the prior two days, due to rainfall. It didn’t rain that hard where I was, but the first two miles are traveled by 900 people PER DAY, so they are careful.
View from the edge“crawlers ledge” I earned this mud!
An unforgettable week—one that’s etched in my heart for years to come
A friend once said to me that Birthdays are your “own private holiday” I still love that thought. I try to find fun ways to celebrate, often in new places I have never before traveled.
It might not feel good to be getting older, but a celebration of still living a great life is worth pausing to consider.
West coast beach on Kauai
The alternative is to not be here, not getting older, not having experiences. I often think about how much life Scott is missing. His memory moves me to keep my life full and exciting.
Waimea Canyon
Tomorrow, I venture on to Kauai’s Nepali Coast with my backpack and my tent. A new path to follow. I’m using the hike as a beacon for the coming year: new trails, unknown places, and fearless exploration; on all levels of my life.
Surf fun
My birthday gift is from all of you: fun, friends and loads of love.
A warm man, who took family seriously, and was the best provider in the world. My words, not his.
Janet, Bob, ScottMe, meeting Bob for the first time (1987) he’s to the left in the tie. He said “Hi Christi, I’m Scott’s Dad, you can call me Bob”.
He was fun, funny, and serious all at once. He always treated us well. I loved, admired, and respected him.
He died of a broken heart. His stroke came just days after Janet died. I didn’t really believe that was possible. I now believe.
Bob flying off a carrier
He was a badass in his younger days, for sure. A Navy fighter pilot, engineer, and energetic young man.
Scott learned to be a really good man from his dad, Bob. I miss them both. I miss Scott every single day, he was the best there is.
One of the treasures that came to the surface while we were packing up Bob and Janet’s home this week, was a poem that Scott shared with Janet before he died in 2018. It’s beautiful. I feel compelled to share it here.
I hope the three of them are partying and laughing their hearts out together in the 4th, 5th, or 6th dimension. I love you Scott, Bob, and Janet. The universe is a different place without you.
The Grand 2017
It’s sunlight dancing on the water
And having just enough when you have nothing left
It is finding a path when you seem utterly lost It is a kind word in the face of unkindness
A path of deep water in a shallow twisted maze It is caring for your Grandparents and then your Parents as Death takes them from you
It is fulfillment and joy in the face of fear and loathing The face of God for the lucky few who find it It is evolution and devolution all at once It is building up and moving forward The apex of all we have as humans Empathy
It’s not a billion plastic presents under the tree Not a big house full of things It is making a decision to be content
It is a hand to hold A face to kiss
A smile and a tear It is picking up and washing off Something someone else discarded
It’s pulling weeds to clear a garden The buzz of a bee To the ear of a deaf flower
The sun on my face As I sit by the riverside
A hot spring On a cold cold winter night
It is union In a chaotic world It is patience And knowing
The smell of vanilla and musk The tastes of salt and sugar Vinegar Wine
Whiskey to the lips of some A cigarette for others
It is that last stroke That sends you into the void and over the edge A place not all will find If the sun does rise Rain may fall from the skies
Our heart beats on through Like an eternal song We begin again
To walk on in any direction Our thoughts a compass Emptiness The great abyss Darkness
A line in the sand Enigmatic Oceans, rivers, creeks The sky, the sun , the stars Rain
The rhythm of my breath The beat of my heart The song of the river
Singing to my soul Sleep it comes to me Late in the autumn eve Dreams come too
Of the morning sun The smell of smoke The crackle of a campfire A hot cup of coffee in hand Awakened by the roar of rapids In the Canyon On the Grand
Flying in to 88NV (Burningman airport) is always a joy!! All of the weather worries were for not along my route. I literally had blue skies and tailwinds!
Two tumbleweeds
CC drove the RV and made it just after the gate closed for 3 hours. We hung out in a dust storm waiting for the gate to re-open.
We finally made it to the airport, found our camping spot, plugged in, and got settled.
Sunday morning we swung into work mode. CC was assigned runway chevron duty and I mastered setting parking whiskers on the ramp.
Runway chevrons
At lunch time, CC showed up driving “truck-a-saures. Now he wants to buy one.
Sunday afternoon was busy getting ready for the rain. The last time we had rain during Burningman was in 2014.
Sunday night the rain arrived and lasted through morning. There is something special about rain at Burningman. It’s like living through a disaster, but still fun.
CC was out early in his mud boots fixing the power connection and dumping water out of the shade structure.
We are hunkered down inside while the playa absorbs the moisture.
We sure hope this is the end of the rain for another nine or ten years at Burningman.
OSH = Oshkosh. CC and I flew two planes from Southern Nevada to Oshkosh Wisconsin. Whew! It was sure different than my last trip to OSH. I took three weeks last time. This time, we made it in three days. Ugh.
I won’t bore you with all of the stops and the details of fixing CC’s exhaust in Mike Patey’s hangar…..or my flat tire the next morning in Utah……But here are some photos of our fun.
We made it to OSH in the time we were hoping. We had nice tailwinds and the weather was manageable.
The next morning, we were off to my first STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) competition – Sodbusters! Turns out I sucked, but it was fun and I had one great takeoff. Now that I have one competition under my belt, I will go again. (I did so much better in practice!)
After the Competition, we headed back to OSH and got to tangle with the crazy traffic! What a hoot to fly with so many airplanes. It was nuts.
CC gave two presentations, and I had one. Mine was a repeat of last year’s talk about flying to Burningman. I had about 100 people this year, twice what I had last year. It was so fun! I also got to connect with a bunch of my burner friends. So great!
The way home was definitely more challenging than the way there. Bumpy, headwinds, and long days of flying. It was a journey, again in three days.
Overall, flying around the country in a small airplane is a joy. Doing it with someone else is even more fun. I’m so lucky and grateful.
Fly – Climb – Fly. That has been the plan for a long time. Scott and I started discussing flying to Lone Pine to climb Mt. Whitney in the 90s. And finally, this year, the plan moved into action!
Fortunately, Kat managed to score a one-day permit and graciously invited me to join her. I felt incredibly lucky to have this opportunity.
The adventure began with a two-hour flight from Cal Nev Ari to Lone Pine. Departing at six in the morning allowed me to savor the cool, smooth air throughout the journey.
After landing, I tied down the plane and hopped on my mountain bike. As I rode through the famous Alabama Hills, known for its role in various Western films, I couldn’t help but notice Mount Whitney towering above me. My excitement was palpable!
To ensure our safety and make the most of the experience, Kat arranged for a guide named Kurt. This was Kat’s first mountaineering outing, so having an experienced guide like Kurt was invaluable. He had climbed the Mountaineers’ route just two days before our trip, giving him a clear understanding of the conditions and the safest path to take. Given the substantial amount of snowfall this year, the terrain still maintains winter conditions with plenty of melting occurring.
Our ascent began at 12:30 PM. However, our progress was slowed down due to a last-minute addition to our group—an enthusiastic but inexperienced young man who wasn’t fully prepared for the challenge. As we climbed higher, I couldn’t help but wonder if he would make it to the 14,505-foot summit, especially when he was puking at 10,000 feet. Miraculously, he pushed through and managed to reach the summit…..barely.
The final 400 feet of the climb required us to rope up due to the frozen and steep terrain. It added an extra element of excitement to the experience. And then, we were standing on the summit!
And then, we were on top!
To our surprise and delight,, “@summitshuffler” joined us at the top and provided some entertaining moments!
Summit Shuffler
By around 4 PM, we had safely descended and made it back to the car. Exhausted, we returned to Lone Pine, fell into bed, and the following morning, Charlie Mike and I took to the skies again for a smooth and uneventful flight back.
The joy of life continues to astonish and inspire me. I am grateful to Kat for extending the invitation and for being an exceptional climbing partner and friend.
Whew! A whirlwind of activities, many in the air! May has whirled by.
The month kicked off with Kat’s birthday party at CC’s. Hiking, magicians, unicycles and bush stew.
Next came Cindy, Jerry and Melissa’s birthday’s celebrated with a luscious dinner, hosted by Dad. We went to Iconic. Go there! It’s amazing!!
Flying to Nevada was another highlight. Charlie Mike is in prime shape, I got to see my burner friends along the way and flying is always one of my joys in life. Thank you Scott.
Baja!!!! One of my happiest places. CC and I grilled lots of fresh fish, walked and ran on the beach and best of all, hung out in La Paz with Ana, Emma and Pavel. My Mexican family. We found lots of sunshine, blue water and white sand.
As a grand finale to the month, we took three airplanes to the Grand Canyon, (another of my happiest places). The next day we flew to Amboy California on Route 66. What fun with airplanes!!!
There’s much more to come in June! I’ll report back soon.
christiontheroad 