Observations

By Kendra Smith
It’s finally summer. Magazine and newspaper articles have been touting it for a while now, with their advice on affordable vacations. “Take a road trip, it’s cheaper.” “No, don’t take a road trip, gas is too expensive. Take a package tour.” Now, with school out, graduations past, and the solstice upon us, it’s time to seriously think about some time off.

Thumbing through the Sunsets and Travel & Leisures lying in a pile on our living room floor (next to the overstuffed magazine bin; come to think of it, I should probably take a day off to clean those out), I realized I already have my own guide at hand. In our glove box, a little notebook from a small letterpress company in Petaluma, adorned with butterflies and the word “Observations.” My husband and I picked it up last year at a late spring street fair, to carry with us as we travel around the west and note places we want to go back to.

It has been handy, say, for keeping track of that little café we visit twice a year on the way to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival (Common Grounds, in Willows) and knowing just how far down Highway 1 you’ll find delectable berry goodness (Swanton’s Berry Farm, just past Davenport). We sleep under the stars and the next day note better campsites than the one we’re in—for next time.

So, as much as I like so-called “travel porn,” I’m going to look to my own observations for trips close to home this summer. And hopefully find something to leave undone for next year.

Let’s stay in touch.