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This week is culminating with big changes for my family, especially my parents. While it is affecting them the most there is always that trickle down effect that comes into play. So while their impending departure was causing a whirlwind of activity for them at ground zero, the winds were definitely reaching the rest of us in the process.
After 45 years of living in Temple City my parents decided to sell their house and leave the City of Temple behind. It is not that they don’t like the city, they do. Believe me, knowing my dad, if he didn’t like this town he would have packed it up ages ago. He and my mom will be leaving behind not only family, but also friends that they have made through their lifetime.
When I first hard of their plans to leave I was very sad at the prospect of not having them here on a somewhat regular basis. I guess I was spoiled at the luxury of having my parents, when in town, so close. I deluded myself into thinking that they would never leave such a beautiful home. But I should have listened to my wife who was the only one listening to what they were saying and who was the only one not surprised by their actions. I know my sister and I weren’t listening or maybe we were but just not hearing what they were trying to say. You never know what you have until it is gone.
After the initial shock had worn off, I realized that this was what they need to do. At this point in their lives, they had to do this for them and not for the rest of us. They had already given all of us, my sisters and their grandkids, so much through the years it was time for them to take their retirement to the next level.
What are their reasons for their leaving this utopia in the middle of suburbia? Many have speculated. Was it the inundation of bridal shops and nail salons in the downtown area? Was it a dislike of neon signs? All of the bad drivers? No, my friends, nothing of the sort, it was just time. For many moons now the amount of time they spent at this home base was less and less. They spent more time away than they did here and the time they did spend here was usually to take care of problems pertaining to that property.
“So where are you going?” I have heard many a person ask them and the answer, once heard, sounds very attractive to most. They are very fortunate in the fact that they have not one, but two places to go, depending on the season. They are going to be nomads except with predetermined destinations. In between those destinations we will see them as they make their way from one place to another.
When they leave here on Friday they will be heading south to their house in Baja, Mexico. They have had this house for many years and have spent a lot of time making renovations, making it a home away from home. They were first attracted back when my dad was flying and had his own plane. This little fishing village on the bay side of Baja had a paved runway, unlike many of the towns in the area whose runways were made of adobe or clay.
Just in case you are wondering what the difference is, let me tell you this from experience. Adobe and clay, especially when it is raining, sucks. As an example, once, when flying back with my parents from Cabo San Lucas, a storm forced us down on one of these runways. Landing wasn’t the tough part. You see, once the storm had passed, we couldn’t take off again until the runway had dried out, which in this case was three days.
Along with a paved runway, it is also home to quite a few Gringo pilots and a view to die for. Their house is about 30 yards from the water and faces a clear blue bay that has a group of islands that stand sentry at its opening. The islands also make up what is called “The Straight of Whales” that is periodically home to many species of whales, along with dolphins, seals, and other marine life. Sounds like a real tough place to spend half of your year at, especially if you are as into fishing as my dad is.
If living near the ocean in Mexico isn’t your cup of tea or tequila, as the case may be, how about option B. Once the snow has melted in the Eastern Sierras how about living there during the spring and summer months. As I have written about in the past my Nirvana to the North is where they will be residing.
This residence is only about 15 feet from the water and has one of the most spectacular views in the High Sierras. The lake is full, well sometimes full, of rainbow and brown trout and has enough species of birds to make Audubon jealous. Add to that the other wildlife, like chipmunks, deer, and bears and you have the makings of a true mountain wonderland. Not to mention another great place to spend half of your year.
While both of these places would be places most of us would die to live at, only time will tell whether or not this nomadic lifestyle will stick or not. Knowing my mom pretty well, I give it a couple of years before they find someplace that will become home base that is centrally located between the two that they can call home. To me both of these places have already been their home for years. So regardless of how it plays out, and while I am very happy for them, like you I am incredibly jealous as well.
I am sure of one thing. If they do find a new home base it will be in a city that will be a little more conscience as far as its code enforcement and city planning is concerned. Just in the last few days, as what should have been an exclamation point to their residency in Temple City, they received a letter from code enforcement telling them that their realtor’s sign was not in compliance and needed to be removed. This was a sign that had been on display since August of last year, and in true code enforcement fashion, they received the letter two days before the sign was already scheduled to be taken down. I guess Code Enforcement’s caseload is too busy to take care of my neighbor’s car repair shop and Laura’s trashcan raider, but has enough time to send my parents a letter regarding a sign that has been up for 7 months.
To both of you, thank you for all the time you gave us and the community while you were here. Mom, they will miss you at the election polls, and Dad they will miss you at your volleyball games, but we will miss you more. Christmas and birthdays will never be the same. We will be here waiting when you pass through and will be sad to see you go, but enjoy this new chapter in your lives. You’ve earned it.
Farewell until the next time you pass through on your nomadic journey
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