BACK TO REALITY

Just returned from my first vacation in many moons. As a travel writer, some thought I was always on vacation, but there were always properties to inspect, a schedule to adhere to, foods to try. This time, I had no editor waiting in the wings. I was all on my own, and had the best hosts who allowed me to keep it that way.

I do miss the amazing weather at my former home--Santa Cruz on California's Central Coast. It came through perfectly for me this time, as well. I'm a light packer, so I did the layer thing (and reminded Patti (my host) that her jackets fit me.

During my ten days, we went to the County Fair, a first for me. Being used to Ag Fairs during my time living on St. Croix, I was surprised at the diversity of the Santa Cruz Fair. We examined the art gallery, quilts, plants and flower arrangements, 4-H Club exhibits that built all sorts of farm instruments from Leggos, and the ubiquitous produce display. We skipped the animal building.

Another highlight was our night at the Santa Cruz Follies, a very professional production put on annually by the Senior Center, and it was as delightful this year as always. Since I participated one year (line dancing) and then slid into the background to do marketing, I saw many friends both in the cast and in the audience.

So many good friends wanted to catch up on my life, now that I'm a published author of a novel, it took several days of lunch and dinner meetings to get everybody in. I even went grocery shopping with my son and timed my visit to celebrate his birthday.

Now that I've used the last of my frequent flyer miles...and my 90th birthday is fast approaching
...,I'm guessing this was my last visit to Santa Cruz. So I fully enjoyed the company, weather, scenery, boardwalk, pier, and surfers catching the waves at every turn. Great fun/ Great hosts. Great friends. Great town.