The high tide this morning nearly covers the tidal flats, including several campsites that people used last weekend! I am still on the grassy area so did not wake up with wet toes.
The forecast calls for a glorious day, at or near 70 degrees, and more people arrive as the weekend approaches. Last night I counted 6 RVs and one other tent camper. By Friday night, it should be hopping.
I met a guy last night around my age. He is originally from New Jersey but retired to North Dakota. I mostly listened while he told me his life story. He sprinkles his conversation with bits of serious wisdom, humor, and obscure historical tidbits. Interesting combination, and we had fun quaffing a few beers in the saloon and enjoying halibut sandwiches for dinner. This morning, he is off to other Alaska adventures, and I am planning to hang out in Hope for another hopping weekend of music and people.
As I think about heading east early next week, I have mixed feelings. In many ways I do not want to leave. Alaska is amazing and my journey has been all I hoped for. However, I have new things ahead of me and I feel the pull to get going. Yet, I paid for 3 more nights in Hope! Talk about mixed feelings.
One thing I have not addressed in my blog posts is loneliness. Since I am traveling alone and because I seek more remote destinations, loneliness, and even a touch of depression, set in. I do like large doses of alone time for reading and writing, but I have more than I need on this trip. Tango helps but is not a substitute for human company (don’t tell him I said that). Obviously, that is why I love Hope so much. It is a funky, relaxed setting with open camping on the grass, music, and a huge dose of interesting people on the weekends.
Something else about loneliness. Just when I think I will go stir crazy from being alone, people arrive in my life, most notably Vickie/Jerry and Phil, the talker I met last night. I feel like these encounters are special blessings – gifts – not mere coincidence.
While I have loved everything about this trip, I doubt I will undertake such a long trip by myself again. Adventures of this magnitude need to be shared with others. It would be difficult to do with a casual acquaintance but perfect for good friends for a few weeks or maybe a month with a significant other. My winters are filled with people, especially other wanderers, and I need to structure my summers to include more people as well.
About that writing class that starts on June 25. I have never had a writing class beyond English 101 in college. I did writing for a living sometimes, but that kind of writing (scientific, technical, etc) required nothing more than a basic understanding of grammar and a style guide (i.e. Chicago Manual of Style). Growing up with English teachers and a journalist, those aspects of writing are second nature (although my grammar has suffered since my overly critical Mom died). Sermon writing is a bit more creative but still formulaic. I have studied other aspects of writing on my own (i.e. rhetorical methods, creative structure). Writing often and reading extensively are the best teachers; however, I can’t wait to learn more about creative non-fiction in a class with others who love to write.
Onward towards the weekend. My sweet cherries are gone but I still have some good veggies, hearty soups, and peanut butter. Life is good.
