Dolores, Julie and I have all made it to Arcata, albeit at different times. I have been here since vacationing with Jim, Greta, and Sarah among the sands and redwoods of this lovely coast. The first week of June saw us camping at Patrick’s Point State Park and hiking along the Rim Trail and Agate Beach. We all enjoyed the feasting of creative camp cooking usually over a drift wood fire. I thoroughly enjoyed the companionship of good friends and their love and support. This mini Vermont reunion was a special time and we were all sad to have Julie leave us. She was tragically called to Louisiana and her family’s side as her father passed away from a heart attack. She was able to spend the last few hours with him. She bereaved this time with her siblings and mother. After holding space in Slidell, Julie joined me and Dolores in Arcata.
Dolores had only arrived one day before Julie and was still nursing a “cough” from the highlands of Mt. Shasta. When I came to the coast with Jim and Greta in the fast, rented Nissan Altima, I had safely parked Big D (Dolores) curb side between 2 churches in Mt. Shasta. The reasons for this are a series of decisions I had to make in the moment (like all choices are made). Big D was not starting and running smoothly. The path of least resistance showed itself to be, stay with my friends and leave Dolores to have her quite meditation on the mountain side among the pious. When I returned to Dolores parked securely in the shade I took a long nap and then cranked her over for a rough start. Not being able to keep her running I was just about to call my mechanic, Larry. Then after one more smack on the Double Relay she started and ran smooth. I test drove her: Success! I stopped by all my friends houses to bid farewell. Still the van started. I was ready to drive; to go for the coast and my change of lifestyle. Yet it was getting dark so when my friend, John, offered me a big soft bed after my shower I said yes.
In the morning Dolores and I started beautifully in the early light. We were on our way to Arcata! I did stop on the Trinity River to clean house: a few dishes, the carpets, pack up some of the vacation toys, a swim. Just 2 days before I was riding by this emerald flow in a strangers truck headed up stream.
To get myself from Arcata to Mt. Shasta I chose to hitch-hike. Usually I think of hitching as a fun activity but this time I had been enjoying the vibe in Humboldt County and my new friends, the Dunning Family. Making my own choices was easy with the freedom of the moment and living out of a backpack. But the call to reclaim my life with Dolores and Julie compelled me to make the “swim” up stream to Mt. Shasta, 250 miles. So one morning I stuck my thumb out next to the on ramp of the 101 N. 6 rides later I was 60 miles up canyon sitting on the side of the road wishing I had brought along more lunch. At 7:00 pm I had avoided a torrential rainstorm and while I digested my salami and ice cream I was deciding between calling it a night and holding out for one last ride. One last ride brought me into Redding with 15 minutes of light to get a ride out. No dice and after I walked into the Safeway to get my dinner the skies let lose again. Sleeping in a doorway that night I thought a lot about the safety of Dolores and the security of having a home to go to at night. It rained all night that night in Redding. I woke up early and tried to catch a ride with the early morning crowd. After a few hours I was tired and ready to be where I wanted to be. I called Julie in Slidell, and she found the Greyhound bus station on-line for me and a bus I could soon be on. Yes! I was soon on that bus, and not too long after I was taking that long nap in Dolores in the shade.
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