Always thought it would be fun to be a writer...but then again, I haven't managed to put enough words on paper or into the 'puter to say I have really written. Do all frustrated writers start a blog to get their creative juices flowing?
I have been reading the blogs of my nieces and nephews...they seem to live very interesting lives in the exotic places where they are. I doubt that my job merits much interest...so I will be searching for other things to write about. I have always enjoyed learning about new places, and meeting new people. Sometimes going back to some place that you haven't been in a long time can turn into a new experience, as well.
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Last year I decided that I wanted to have a vacation just for enjoyment and relaxation. It was tough deciding where to go, but I finally decided on revisiting San Diego, CA. I wanted to stay somewhere that was different and unusual. I discovered hostels...inexpensive and somewhat eclectic...and that worked for me!
Downtown San Diego has seen a lot of revitalization over the last few years, and has become quite a trendy place. The hostel I chose is part of the International Hosteling network. Nothing fancy...the primary focus is on the younger generation, with limited travel budgets...students especially, many from around the world. In the lobby was a wall that boasted many clocks, set to times in other countries.
What makes the hostels so interesting is how the rooms are set up. I actually reserved a single for myself, but the majority were bunk rooms, with 4 or 8 bunks, with a locker for each occupant that could be padlocked. These rooms are for either men or women, not mixed. There was a large kitchen, where every moring, pancake batter was prepared...just go in, grab a skillet, and cook some up for yourself. Grab a cup of coffee, have a seat at one of the tables, and enjoy. Just be sure and clean up after yourself!
If you wanted, you could go to the tv room and join the group there, or pick a game to play, or read a book. Couches all around, or find a seat in the center, enclosed patio. Sign up for a walking tour of the area, hosted by an employee of the hostel, or go out on your own.
One of the sights that I most wanted to see was the "Star of India". She is a permanent part of the Maritime Museum...a 3-masted bark, the oldest iron- hulled merchant ship still afloat. Built on the Isle of Man, she was launched in 1863, and christened "Euterpe". I have some great pictures that I took on my vacation, including many of this grand old lady. The following is a link to my Picasa web album, if you'd care to check it out:
http://picasaweb.google.com/laura848/SanDiegoVacation?authkey=xzusL31aswM

A blog has to start somewhere....so this is where I decided to start mine!

I think that being born so close to the Pacific Ocean, in Santa Cruz, CA...must have affected my feeling of relationship to the trees and the water. I've been in WA since 1989, and immediately started growing my "webfeet" ...it's probably too late now to get my old ones back, so I might as well stay here.

I assume that I acquired some of the genes of my forefathers/mothers; they showed up in the NW landscape in the late 1800's-early 1900's in Seattle and across Puget Sound, in Kitsap county. The following picture is of my grandparents, Charlie and Jessie [Kilburn] Wilson, taken somewhere on Puget Sound around the time they were married [1914].

These were my mother's parents. They lived across the Puget Sound from Seattle, and mom's oldest brother and sister were born there, in what was called South Colby. I say "was", as the place no longer exists.

Later, they moved down the coast of Oregon...my mom and her other brother were born in Port Orford.

Then came the eventual move to California, where my parents met. My dad was a southern boy....southern California, that is! Chino was his birthplace, down in the San Bernardino area. Just throwing in this shot of dad WAY early in his career...

After my parents got married....in Carson City, NV, they settled down to life in Santa Cruz area. First they were blessed with me, then my brother Jim, and lastly, sister Doris.
For some reason unknown to me, they didn't like the coast/trees and water like I did...and they removed us to Hinkley [Barstow area] CA...and later, to Nevada.

I learned to swim as soon as I had a chance...might have even started growing the webfeet then, tho I didn't notice until I'd moved to WA [likely hidden inside my cowboy boots :)]. Kids growing up always found plenty to do in the country...we learned to amuse ourselves, without the aid of computers and phones. With good weather and little rainfall, we were always outside, and brown as little Indians during the summer months.


During my high school years, it was more likely to find me on horseback or swimming, than chasing boys. I only had one "steady" during high school. So now is where I show you my favorite picture of myself...taken on the ranch where we lived, just over the Nevada border into Arizona:

My pride and joy, Papoose...half mustang, half thoroughbred. When he was given to me for my 16th birthday, he was "greenbroke"...I finished polishing him up to suit me. I was involved with the local 4-H horse club, and participated in local events such as barrel racing, as well as riding in parades in Las Vegas.

Childhood always comes to an end...after my high school graduation, I spend a few months in Santa Cruz with my grandmother, then came back to Las Vegas and got married, eventually divorced after 18 years, and moved on. Some years traveling around...New Mexico, Texas, Colorado...and then Washington.

I guess I can say I've lived a full life...I've visited more than half of the 50 states, lived in 7, gone to Mexico and Canada...next thing I'd like to do is go on a cruise, possibly up the Northwest Passage.