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Escaping Akutan, Alaska - Daddy Knows Best
Hey Chico! Where’s my pants? - Life Changes in Big Sur
For the Price of a Souvenir - An Ecotourism Paradise
Island Time Melts Away - The Circle of Life
Straight-Razor Doc - Rio: City of Wonder and Poverty
A Million Needles: Catching the King - Surprise Logic Transit
Waiting for the Aliens - Lettin’ Loose in Isla Vista
The trail leads me to a shaded oak grove – a familiar site to my Southern Californian eyes. The trail gets steeper and the dry, waxy oak leaves are making my tires spin. I have to walk. Right around the next switchback there is an enchanted redwood grove. If I'm careful, I know I can sneak up on a pixie lounging in the ferns. If I went home right now, the four-hour drive would be worth it.
The bike trip drained my body, not expecting to use so much energy. Jerky and trail mix is not going to cut this hunger. The worst that could happen at this point is I eat all my food and have to leave early. I already feel refreshed and accomplished, but I know there is more.
Back at camp, Francisco notices that I'm not cooking, and he happens to make more pasta than he and Jacqueline will eat. I strum my guitar, reflecting on a day I will remember forever, but mostly try to ignore the hunger pains.
I see Francisco glancing toward me and smiling in a shy sort of way. He fills a plastic bowl with bowtie pasta and Italian sausage in red sauce and sheepishly walks toward my camp. I have never been so thankful for a hot meal in my entire life.My cynical worldview makes me wonder if this charming Brazilian man wants something in return for his act of kindness. (Once a boy two years older than I introduced himself, and stole a kiss from my lips. I was so shocked. I just froze and let it happen. I don’t remember his name.) I am relieved that his daughter is with him. He will be obligated to set a good example for her.
Francisco asks for nothing in return. I decide to try something new. I let my guard down. Perhaps there is another way of looking at things. I can simply relax into my true self.
We talk over the bowl of delicious macaroni. He tells me he is a fisherman. One thing we share is a love for the sea.
Any thoughts or opinions email Jennifer HERE
Osprey - JournAlum - The Lumberjack - KRFH/610 AM - Travel
