kateandjohnsail.boats

As you may recall, the European Union invites visitors to step away from its shores after they have visited for 90 days. Luckily for us, June, July, and August are arguably the most pleasant months in the Pacific Northwest, and weather-wise, this summer was perfection. We are also realizing just how much it means to stay connected with our relatives, particularly those at both ends of the age spectrum.

Following are significant bits of the mosaic that was our summer:

• On Day 1, a trip to the hand surgeon, who confirmed that John’s thumb is healing well with much of its original functionality, so only hand therapy will be needed in the future
• Outings to strawberry and blackberry patches that included playing with grandkids and later making jam
• The well-timed opportunity to assist with an aging parent’s health appointments and decisions
• Paddleboard experiences on 2 rivers and one Cascade Lake
• Invitation to a children’s summer camp dramatization of the story of the Trojan Horse (particularly to cheer on Helen of Troy and Ajax)
• A sweet little July 4^th parade and the chance to connect with our former neighbors
• Grandchild milestones: birthdays, first fish, mastering a 2-wheel bike, first canoe paddling experience, discovering tide pools
• Hikes on Cascade ridges and Pacific promontories

• Welcoming a brand new granddaughter into the world!!!!
• Walks, meals, worship services, and evenings with friends and family “catching up” and just being together
• Attendance at our shared 50^th high school reunion (I won’t lie; it was more than a little bit fun to be the former high school nerds who are now living an exotic dream)
• Visits to Montana, California, and central Oregon for scenery and more people time
• The privilege of caring for six different homes as their owners did their own summer exploring

Here is where we must thank Beth and Allen, Barbara and Steve, Jane and Bruce, Kathy and Steve, Anne and Mike, Joanne, and Leslie and Dave for allowing us to enjoy their homes this summer. Couch surfing is one of the secrets of keeping this dream on budget, so consider yourself part of the dream that now has us back on our tiny floating home, bobbing around in the Adriatic Sea.