I just returned home yesterday. Isn’t it lovely when you’ve been gone and then you get to wake up in your own home the next morning? I snuggled my man, padded into the kitchen to make the coffee I know I’m going to love, I played with the kitten who is so soft and cute. I carried a full thermos out to my backyard office and sat down at my comfortable desk in a place I have set up just exactly for me. …ahhh, home.
I still do love to travel though! Anywhere is good for me. I just love it all: the anxiety of making connections, the quest for decent food, the unexpected generous smiles of a stranger in an airport, the scenery in unfamiliar places, the weird person sitting next to me on the plane, the chatty Uber driver dominating the conversation.
I love the views out the windows! I always get a window seat. I know it means I have to beg total strangers to move, on my behalf, when I have to use the bathroom, but it’s still worth it for the views.
Coming home, we traveled right along the Columbia River Valley. It may be that I don’t often sit on the right side of the aircraft, and the views all seemed new to me. I had fun identifying things from the air. North of the river (on the far side from my perspective) is the state of Washington, and south of the river is the state of Oregon.
Food is always an adventure when traveling. Often it’s disappointing because I’m in unfamiliar areas. But sometimes I am very happy with my uninformed choices.
Annapolis is a darling coastal town steeped in history. It’s old enough to have odd narrow streets and cobbled roads and beautiful old buildings. We instructors shared a meal at an Annapolis classic: Chick and Ruth’s Delly – where I ordered crab, as I always do there. Then we stopped at the Double T diner to choose dessert to go from their outstanding dessert selection.
Things have changed over the years, but not much. We have lost a few and gained a few people. There have been promotions. We have become more streamlined. Back in 2019 when I started, I taught my 3-hour class 3 or 4 times in 4 days. One training session we had a whole day off just to enjoy Annapolis and get a free tour of the Naval Academy. This week I taught 5 times in 3 days – that pace is exhausting. This used to be all fun, but now it’s work, and I have to say that’s fair. 2025 is my seventh year teaching the VFW employees and it has become a big part of my life.
Upon arrival I decided to eat at the airport. Pedro was busy at an event hosted by his employer in downtown Portland and would be there all day. I’ve been wanting to try out Loyal Legion – a place serving about 100 craft brews on tap. I had a burger and fried cauliflower (good beer food) and tried a nice, very hoppy, ale. Then I dragged my tired out self back home and cuddled my Jupyter kitten and began doing laundry.
I did manage to find a new trail in Maryland!! I’ll post about that next.
Conscious Engagement 
Laundry would be the last thing on my mind after a trip away
I’m a little OCD about putting things away. I was also motivated because Pedro was not home. When he’s gone I can move erratically around the house without worrying if what I’m doing is getting in the way of his work day. I feel more relaxed about doing chores then. So, I took advantage of both issues (OCD and empty house) and got every last thing put away and all my laundry washed and folded before I went to bed. 🙂
That is impressive. It does help that you were home by yourself, a little sad though, to bang about. I can imagine you doing that.
I approve of seeking out a favourite restaurant – as you would expect 🙂
Of course! It’s so good that I haven’t really tried to find more, ha ha. I usually order a great big meal and then eat the leftovers the next day, as you guys do occasionally.
Indeed
That airport carpet is a delight! Signalling a new adventure or a return home, I love both for a hundred reasons!
It’s such a fun tradition for this silly city.