I have been noticeably absent from both this blog and Facebook for the last month, but I haven’t just been sitting around doing nothing. Like many of you, I’m sure your summer has been busy and full doing things you enjoy. If not, why not? Plus, now that Thom has turned 70 and I’m close behind, our focus is on making the most of every day. And with our pledge to go off social media for the month of July, those of you on Facebook might have wondered just how well that particular experiment has unfolded. So, for those of you interested in what we’ve been up to, here are a few of the highlights.
As usual we began our summer quest of getting out of the desert heat back at the end of May. We made our annual trek up to the small town of Idyllwild in California. With the forest looking especially green and vibrant this year, we enjoyed listening to the water running down Strawberry Creek, daily hikes and being outdoors as much as possible. Also as usual, a big highlight is hosting friends on our patio and dining in town with visitors.
Lunch with Galen Pearl creator of “The No Way Cafe.”
Once we left Idyllwild we packed up and drove north to the Olympic Peninsula. Along the way we stopped for lunch in Portland, and there we met a fellow writer, blogger and friend for lunch named Galen Pearl whose blog is titled No Way Cafe. While we had never met in person before, just like nearly all bloggers I follow, I knew that our time together would be special. Plus, Thom had recently read her latest book, Your Breath is Your Guru, so he was almost as anxious to meet her as I was. During our lunch we chatted like longtime friends and would probably still be there talking if we hadn’t needed to get back on the road.
Our friends Deb & Kenn Gordon when they visited.
Later that day we arrived at our Airbnb in Sequim, Washington. Thom has a cousin who lives nearby so we’ve visited the area a couple of times over the years. But never have we stayed for a month. Now, about halfway through our trip we’ve squeezed in several adventures including time with Thom’s cousin and his partner, and friends Deb & Kenn Gordon from Kelowna BC who visited for a few days.
The Dungeness Split–the Lighthouse is in fog.
Sequim is an excellent place to visit if you like to hike and explore nature. One of the best features here is the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge which features a small forest with hiking trails and the Dungeness Split which is the longest “split” of land in the United States. It is also a wildlife sanctuary for hundreds of birds and other marine life. If you are feeling energetic you can take the 5-mile hike out to the end where there is a lighthouse you can tour (but no, we haven’t gone all the way—yet!)
Another special place to visit (especially if you brought your bikes like we did) is Lake Crescent which is a 45-minute drive from Sequim in the Olympic National Park. Lake Crescent is a 12-mile-long deep-water lake with brilliant blue water and bordered by towering trees. Along the northern border of the lake is the Spruce Railroad Trail which is a paved bike roadway. Thom and I carted our bikes on our car, parked and then road a scenic six miles along the lake. Stunning!
Lake Cresent
One of the trail heads at Lake Crescent
The amazing water at Lake Crescent
Another popular attraction in the area is the Sequim Lavender Festival held every third week in July. The festival includes live music, venders and of course lavender farm tours. The smell is amazing and walking among rows of Lavenders in bloom a lovely experience.
Riding the Olympic Trail Bike path near Port Angeles
The Olympic Trail through the Railroad Bridge Park
Besides our daily hikes, we have taken a handful of bike rides on the paved and well-maintained Olympic Discovery Trail near our Airbnb. The trail is a multi-use trail that runs nearly 127 miles total. The most finished portion travels right through Sequim and features the Railroad Bridge Park. Oh, and did I mention dancing? Sequim hosts weekly concerts all summer long.
Dancing in the park.
But what about our Facebook fast? I’ll confess I missed it more than I thought I would. It’s true that I’ve finished reading about ten books since I’ve started which is over twice as many as usual. Also, true that I don’t feel as busy or overwhelmed about my days. Sure we’ve been active in lots of ways—but the pace of it feels slower. Plus after reading about how the distraction of it makes our memory seem less reliable, I’ve notice I can concentrate better and focus in ways that I wasn’t necessarily doing before.
But and this is a big but, I also realized that what I really missed was keeping up with friends and “groups” I belong to. A lot of my friends travel like we do, and I can also see where they are and what they are doing if they post on Facebook. Also, I enjoy seeing what is happening with family that I don’t always connect with on a regular basis. Plus, the groups I belong to there keep me informed about what is happening. I am very selective about my groups (no politics for example) and the news there is usually enjoyable and fun. On top of that I belong to groups and/or people who share thoughts, philosophies and ideas that I do, and I miss that interaction.
So, beginning August 1st I will be back on Facebook and connecting with those of you who also find it rewarding. If not, I will post now and then here on the blog and share my ideas. And although I don’t always write about the ideas in my head, the fascinating information I find to read, or deep and meaningful conversations I enjoy so much—I appreciate the gift that SMART Living 365 offers me to share occasional ideas with anyone who takes the time to read them. My wish for everyone is that they too find SMART ways to connect with others as the days go by.
Welcome back! Frankly, with the pictures you shared, I am kind of surprised you and Tom could tear yourself away.
I use FB to see what relatives and friends are up to but rarely post original content myself. I moved the app icon off of my homepage which helps with “out of sight, out of mind.”
I am so glad you got to meet Galen. She has been a very dear friend of ours for the last 6 years or so. We have made several trips to Portland just to spend time with her. And, her books are tremendous; I have read each several times.
Hi Bob! Nice to hear from you. And yes, as you know from your own blogging experience, after a while it becomes more and more challenging to keep writing when you’ve done it so long AND so much else is happening. Still nice to stay connected with friends I’ve met through the years–like you and Galen.
I think I was introduced to Galen on your blog years ago and since then I’ve been reading her words. She also speaks highly of you and Betty. So glad we made that connection. And met you and Betty ourselves now that we are spending more and more time in Tucson. Speaking of AZ, we will be returning mid-November for the “season” and hopefully can get together once again. Meanwhile, take care and stay cool!!! ~Kathy
Thanks to both of you, Kathy and Bob, for the kind words. I laughed at Kathy’s comment that we’d still be talking if she and Thom hadn’t needed to get back on the road. That is so true! I can talk! It was wonderful to meet you both and the conversation was over way too soon! I hope that we will be able to continue it in the future. In the meantime, blogs and email will have to do. The handful of blog friends I have met in person, like Bob and Betty, continue to be close and dear friends. So grateful that we have connected that way. (But if I had known my photo would end up on your blog, I would have at least brushed my hair — ha!) So glad you are enjoying your trip. Warmest regards to Thom too.
Hi Galen! Clearly you AND both of us can talk!! Especially when we are sitting across from each other and enjoying the light in each other’s eyes. One of my very favorite things to do. And your hair is perfect…after all I think our smiles say it all. And you know that if we come back through Portland on our way back home we will stay longer next time. Yes we are having a good trip but our lunch was a highlight for sure. ~Kathy
Lovely to know you are having such an active summer. In my wider circle of family and friends, Facebook participation has gradually eroded to the point where none of us posts regular updates anymore and instead I check on it more to find out what’s happening locally than for anything else.
Hi Caree! Thank you. I have found the real key for me is being really picky about who I follow and and what groups I belong to…and the minute FB introduces some new friend and/or group I get rid of them. I don’t think any of us trust FB to have our best interests at heart so staying “mindful” about it is essential. But I actually like it better than Next Door–do you have that where you live? It seems like more trolls like Next Door and I just can’t tolerate that. Meanwhile, I hope your summer is going well too! ~Kathy
Hi, Kathy – It’s great to hear from you. I was wondering how your social media fast was going. Your conclusions make much sense. I remain on Facebook solely for the connection with family and friends. It really is a juggling act reducing the distraction and keeping the positive connections. I believe you handle it well.
Please remind me of the dates you will be in QB.
xx
Hey Donna! I certainly missed your posts and photos on FB as well as hearing updates about your life. Isn’t that the best part of it? But I AM looking forward to catching up in person. See you soon. ~Kathy
Sounds like you’ve got a good trip going! I too have cut way back on blogging, and also social media. Too much politics on social media, too much hate, too many snarky comments. Also, only a few of my family and friends still post on Facebook . . . but it is always good to catch up with those who do. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Hi Tom! Yes it has been going pretty well. Of course as we ALL know, things unexpected things pop up no matter how well you plan. Staying flexibility and gratitude are always important bring with you when you travel.
And yes back on FB as of this morning. Nice to see my friends and certain groups there. But it is a great reminder that if I disappeared entirely in a VERY short while I’d be forgotten. Another important lesson to keep in mind. I hope you too are enjoying your summer. Thanks for checking in. ~Kathy
The Olympic peninsula is so beautiful! I have been to the lavender festival years ago and I agree – the smell is amazing.
Interesting to hear your thoughts about your break from social media. I am taking a “blogcation” for the month of August. Just not enough time in a day…even in retirement!
Hi Marian! Good for you for taking a blogcation at least for a while. I feel like I’ve sorta been on one for a long while. As you mention, time seems to get more and more precious as we go along and when we aren’t trying to grind out a living with our blogs or become an “ultimate influencer” the choice to post or not post becomes much more nuanced. Enjoy your time and I look forward to “visiting” your blog when you return. ~Kathy
Isn’t it interesting how social media is a “double-edged sword?” I complain about spending too much time on it and I feel more relaxed when not “having” to post photos on there all the time.
Yet, those times, I miss sharing my adventures and connecting with people in ways only Facebook offers. I do hate the way I sometimes feel after reading discussions and realizing how mean and obnoxious people can be on social media. I guess it’s all about a balance.
I’m happy to read your summer is one for the books!
Hey Liesbet! How is YOUR summer going? Are you still in Europe? I definitely miss following along on your travels. And yes ours is going good but as you know EVERY trip has ups and downs. Best just to ride the waves as they take us. Luckily we are both staying healthy and enjoying the cool so that takes care of any hiccups if they pop up. I just realized I haven’t checked out your blog in a while to see what YOU are writing about. I’ll do that now! ~Kathy
Our summer in Belgium is going well. Thanks for asking! It’s nice to have so much time without too many worries – and having a lot of comfort and “luxury.” My health hasn’t been great, but at least it’s quiet here at night and I’m able to sleep relatively well. 🙂
Hi Liesbet! Glad you are getting good sleep. Maybe that’s what you been needing? And compared to some of your adventures in the last months I’m sure that EVERYTHING feels cushy and luxury. Enjoy it while you can, right? ~Kathy
Nice to meet you and Thom on the Discovery trail. Elizabeth and I made it home yesterday evening after 214 miles of riding our fully loaded bikes
Hi Susan! Congratulations! Thom and I were thinking of you both especially with the weather turning to wet on Monday. I hope that you made it to “drier” ground and that the upward path you said awaited you wasn’t as difficult as you thought. So nice to meet you both and thanks for inspiring us. If you are ever down in Southern California and/or Tucson, let us know and we’d love to see you again. ~Kathy