There were a few things we learned about traveling for eight months that are worth sharing. Some are obvious. Some, not so much.

    We were reminded of something that we had forgotten as we flew over the US: America is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. If we were traveling here as visitors, we would have had our faces pressed against the Plexiglas over the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell. Oh wait, we did have our faces pressed against the windows. Our flight from Chicago to LA was gasp producing, even though we’ve done it many times before. Guess we just forgot how nice it is. Some other things we forgot about:

     The Central Coast of California is about the prettiest place in the world. The beaches, the rolling hills, the spectacular vistas, Montana de Oro, Big Sur, they’re all beautiful. The little town of San Luis Obispo is lovely as well as are the surrounding towns. Most of us inevitably take for granted the cities or the areas in which we live. I think we had done that as well. We knew it was nice, but we just didn’t recall how nice. This place provides some awe inspiring scenery and an abundance of all things outdoor.

     Our house was nicer than we remembered. We arrived at night and the soft glow of the lights made it look like a restaurant or night club with a soft ambiance. Carol's mom had done such a great job keeping the house in tip top shape she seemed more like a museum curator than the keeper of the house.

     The United States is the “service” capital of the world. We have great service by any measure in this country of ours. Restaurants, grocery stores, retails outlets, and even car washes provide service that goes far beyond what we found anywhere else in the world.

     We have a democratic process that works very well and unfortunately, we all take for granted. Notwithstanding some voting irregularities in Ohio and Texas, and a few recalls that oust Governors ahead of their time, we seem to trust our democratic process more than other countries, and we exercise the patience to let politician’s terms run their course. Not so for other democracies that are still learning. Countries are struggling to believe in the process while abuses run rampant. And who can blame them when you have a sterling example like Zimbabwe going so horribly wrong.

     We tend to tear down “old” buildings and replace them with new ones while the rest of the world seems to honor their old buildings like they were fine works of art. I remember watching the kingdome implode. Maybe we destroy our old buildings because they’re just not old enough. We’re lucky to have a mission in our little town that dates to the 1600s. I guess it’s old enough to keep.    

     Yeah, yeah, there are many other things we learned, but I’ll stop at that in the name of brevity.

    Anyway, we’re home now, have hosted visits from numerous family members and are enjoying all the things California’s central coast has to offer. We’re surfing again, Parker and Griffin are in the junior lifeguarding classes and skating, Parker’s golfing, Blake is preparing for a triathlon, golfing, and attending the summer car shows, while Carol is back to yoga, hiking, working out and hanging with friends and family. I must say that there is no better place on earth to take advantage of the outdoors and the quintessential California lifestyle than right here in San Luis Obispo, and I swear that after traveling around the world, we are never going to take this place granted again..…. Yeah right.

                                         Home at last (1st part)

           Written by the Irving family        Posted on July 28th, 2008