Coincidences can be fun
Translated with ChatGPTOver the past week, I've been trying to live more in the moment. I've made conscious choices not to focus too far ahead, attempting to take life as it comes (yes, taking it as it comes, a fun song...). So, every time I've started thinking about the next day or beyond, I've stopped myself and redirected my focus back to the present. It's been fun because I've succeeded a few times. I've also become more aware of how often I actually think ahead and forget about the present. Of course, I've thought about the next day when planning our driving route and stops, even the night before. But it hasn't been the focus throughout the day, and I've rarely thought more than 2 days ahead.
This has resulted in some fantastic experiences! When we were in Seattle, we booked accommodations for the road trip down to San Francisco. There were four overnight stays. Here in SF, we booked before leaving Norway since it's a 5-night stay. Anyway, we booked those four overnight stays. One was at a hotel in Portland, one at a B&B in Newport, one at a motel in Gold Beach, and the last one at a B&B in Ferndale. Portland was good. Still a bit strange that it's acceptable to smoke marijuana on the streets and there are still quite a few homeless people.
The next stop was a little piece of heaven! It was incredibly cozy there, and the lady who took care of us was super friendly. Plus, there were some amazing cookies out all the time. It was raining outside and gray, but like true Norwegians, we thought, "Out on a hike, never grumpy," and took a walk. It was right by the beach, so we walked the few meters there, turned the corner, and got to see a beautiful sunset! It was still drizzling a bit, but not enough to stop us from taking a few minutes to enjoy the moment.
The next day, we headed to Gold Beach. The weather was worse, and there were wildfires everywhere. We got help to figure out where the fires were and if we could follow our planned route. Then, we hit the road again. We drove along the coast and saw the enormous waves. It was both terrifying and beautiful. We arrived at our destination early. I managed to squeeze in a workout, and Morten went for his first jog. In the rain! He did it in swim trunks and got a talking-to from a policeman who thought he was heading out into the wild stormy sea. I was in the shower when the lights flickered several times, and I realized this wasn't just regular bad weather. Morten returned without food. He had seen the power lines sparking and thought it would be a good idea to come back to me. Plus, all the restaurants had lost power! So, it was sandwiches from the grocery store, which still had power. The night was filled with howling wind and pounding rain, but we remained dry and safe.
The next day, we continue driving. The weather is still dreadful, and the car is swaying in the wind. But we persevere along the coast and into the Redwood forests on our way to the B&B that Morten really wanted to stay at. It's filled with colors, designs, patterns, and furniture that smells old. A super cool experience, but the feeling of being the only couple in this vast, old house scares me a bit. We go to the store and wander around a nearby town. When we return, there are six Porsches parked outside. It turns out that 6 couples from a Canadian Porsche club are also staying there. And they are incredibly friendly! They invite us to join them for games and snacks. We politely say we'll see when we get settled. Not happening! I think. But then I remember that I was supposed to do these kinds of things now! So I tell Morten that we'll take a trip down there. He's happy about it. And it turns into a really fun evening! I laugh, chat, and share a bit about myself. Then, we eventually go to bed. So my brain can start the horror movie in my head. Because we all know what happens at places like where we stayed! Fortunately, we survive the night and wake up the next morning. Healthy and just as alive.
So now we've reached the drive down the Avenue of Giants, which is a beautiful road with enormous Redwood trees. We stop here for some pictures. One of the pictures shows Morten without his right arm! So, I freak out a bit and hysterically laugh/cry while convincing myself that I haven't inhaled evil spirits that are ruining the pictures I take, and Morten isn't standing by an enchanted tree. Nonetheless, I run back to the car, and we continue driving.
Finally, we've arrived in San Francisco! We're getting close to the hotel, but the road is blocked by a police car. We look so confused that the officer comes over. Morten explains that we're going to the Fairmont Hotel. The policeman says, "Okay, are you a guest?" Morten responds, "Yes." The officer then says, "Alright, drive up to the tent, and the Secret Service will check you there." WHAT??!!! Oh no. I always forget whether I should be nice or naughty in these situations!! I talk and babble and say strange things. And I look extremely suspicious while nervously fiddling with everything I can find! We have to get out of the car, and dogs, men, and women crawl around inside it. They explain that the President is staying at the hotel, hence the extra security. We're allowed to drive on, take a wrong turn, and joyfully repeat the whole process!! So when we finally arrive and I think, Phew, it's done. We enter the entrance and see metal detectors and lots of security personnel. I mean, a lot!! Our suitcases don't fit in the machine, so they need to be opened. Right in the lobby. They're joking, and I respond clumsily, and probably sometimes offensively. At one point, one of the agents is holding my bag of underwear. My brain is just repeating: Don't say anything! Don't say anything! Please don't say anything! He notices it and quickly puts it back down. Everyone comments on how organized the suitcase is and jokes that they'll call me next time they need to pack. I laugh and say, "I can do that!" Huh?? Can I do that?? Of course, I can't do that!! I'm certainly not going to pack suitcases for Secret Service guys! OMG! Who responds like that?? After an eternity, we manage to get everything back together and haul it up to our room.
(Det var folk på bildet av teltet, men jeg fjerna de siden jeg ikke veit om de vil være med på bloggen 😇)We need a quick trip out to buy some groceries. I only take my phone because it goes through security more easily. We return after about 30 minutes. Outside, it's total chaos. A million police and security personnel, countless motorcycles, thousands of important vehicles, and lots and lots of people all staring in one direction. We shuffle our way towards the building, a bit scared of being shot, scolded, or attacked. We're told to wait outside. So we wait, along with everyone else, for about 10 minutes before we're allowed into the building, through security, and eventually into the elevator and our room. THEN I start crying. What an experience! I'm so scared, yet so proud. I didn't do anything that got me arrested. I got through it gracefully. So now, I have just a couple more days of this as my everyday life...
It's strange how things happen when you don't plan too much. I couldn't have planned any of this, but it has given me unparalleled mastery. I went with the flow, and I managed. Yes, I probably said some silly things, but I can do that on any regular Wednesday. So all in all, I'm very satisfied!! Sometimes, coincidences can be fun. Tonight, on Wednesday night, we're going to a concert before a few days of city excitement. More about that in the next post.