THE DATE GUY

POST # 122


I have been told on occasion, that I am good with remembering dates, and I would agree. But not yesterday. I had managed to enjoy another full day and had tucked myself into bed, but just before I turned out the light, it hit me that it was blog day. It was almost midnight and I certainly wasn't going to get back up and start typing, so I'm doing it now. Oh well, in the great scheme of things, it's no big deal.

Not much to say today, although I did go for an extended bike ride a couple of days ago. When I was returning along a wonderful country road near the Fraser river, I happened to come across an old graveyard. I decided to stop and have a look and lo and behold I came across these two grave stones.

A bit of internet research tells me that Lewis was the son of Lewis Nunn Agassiz whom the town of Agassiz B.C. is named after.

After my stroll through the graveyard, I continued my ride into the town of Agassiz, to pick up some groceries and head home. Along the way I stopped to visit a baby goat.

This particular one, is about the same size as my Yorkshire terrier buddies, Jackson and Peach. Too cute, is about all I can say.

That's all the news for now, on this day late blog, and I will attempt to remember to write the next one on June 7th.

Happy Trails,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

SASQUATCHVILLE B.C.

POST # 120

The Thoughtful Wanderer has recently arrived in the land of the Sasquatch. I thought that this creature was only mythical, but a quick ride around the town of Harrison Hot Springs proves that they are everywhere, albeit in wood only. I guess it makes the tourists feel like they are out in the wild and off of the beaten track, and I suppose that compared to many places, this is off the beaten track, but to me it looks like a very touristy place. Fortunately, the summer holiday season has yet to arrive and by the time it does, I will be heading out of here.

I arrived on the afternoon of May 16th, and had the rest of that day to visit with the owners, prior to their departure early the next morning. This is a very simple house-sit, without any pets to care for which is good and bad. I enjoy having the four legged critters around, however it is nice to have less responsibility every now and again. The life of a wanderer certainly goes against the grain of our western society which suggests that to be a good little citizen, one should settle in one place, get a good job, work for about forty years or so, and then wait for the good life to start with a pension cheque rolling in on a monthly basis. For most people, that seems to be the path chosen, but after having made the decision way back when to go out and see the world, the concept I have just outlined seems very foreign to me. My journey has been an unusual path, but I have tried to remain true to myself throughout, even though I know that to some, my journey has been unconventional to say the least. Truth is a path with fewer friends.

I suppose that it's this exploration side of me that makes me enjoy the housesitting life for now. Nothing lasts forever, and the way things are going in the world these days, the timeline for the future is looking shorter day by day, and that is why I take so much pleasure in enjoying the moment. As my friend Guy says, live here now, which seems to be good advice as far as I can tell.

So that is exactly what I am doing here in Sasquatchville. The owners have even supplied me with a bicycle and I have been taking daily rides exploring the area which has allowed me to make new friends of the four legged persuasion.

Goats make me laugh and when I was out on my ride yesterday I came across this paddock. When I arrived on the scene, this goat and a few others were away from the fence line. I parked the bike, moved over to the fence and starting bleating out my best goat impersonation. This guy took the bait, and came prancing across the paddock and up to my location. Soon, he (I think it was a he) was right up against the fence enjoying the petting and scratching that I showered him with. Naturally, this caught the attention of one of his mates, and before long I had another friend, Mr. Serious.

We continued the love fest for a while and then it was time to be heading back home. Perhaps I will visit them again later today as it is looking like a wonderful day for a bike ride. In fact, this seems to be as good a time as any, to finish this blog, and get out and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. The goats are calling, Blaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!


Countryside around Harrison Hot Springs aka Sasquatchville

Happy trails,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

DOME HOME IN SNOHOMISH

POST # 119

This would have to be the most unique home on the housesitting tour so far. The original dome was built in the early "70"s and as the family grew, so did the home. If you look closely in the second photo, you might just see the cat that lives here, nestled on the roof at the base of the chimney stack. The cat's name is Kitty.

My housesitting friend Mary and I moved in a few days ago, and it's been a very relaxed and quiet place to be for a short while. The dome is located in Snohomish county due east of Everett, and it is situated on a 30 acre parcel of land. Unfortunately for me, I will be leaving this dome of tranquility this coming Friday, en route back to Canada and my next housesit in Harrison Hot Springs. It will be back to a more suburban lifestyle which I know will be an adjustment to make, but such is the life of the wandering house sitter that I have become over the past two and a half years or so.

A funny incident happened on the day we arrived. We were walking around the property when a guy drove past us on his motorcycle. He parked by the workshop and after he stopped and pulled off his helmet, the conversation went as follows:
"Hi, I'm Paul"
"My name is Peter"
"And this is my friend Mary"
"Peter, Paul and Mary"
Much laughter followed, as we were all of the vintage to know who Peter, Paul and Mary were.

The sun has been shining all week, and it's been a real pleasure to be here.

That's enough for now.

Happy trails

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer



PS: Here are a few more photos of the dome home and the cat at night time.

THE VACATION IS ALMOST OVER

POST # 118


Well, vacation time is almost over. People who know me probably think that since I quit my last job on January 27th 2009, that I have been on a permanent vacation ever since.
By any standard measure of the current culture, I guess that would be technically correct. However when I am at a housesit, especially one where there are pets involved, I like to think that I am working. It’s great work if you can get it, and so I have been lucky so far.

My last work ended when I left Chilliwack and Austin the dog in the latter part of April and since then I have been vacationing at lovely Shelter Bay in Washington State.

On Friday this week though, the vacation comes to and end, when I make the move to another housesit not too far from here, near the town of Snohomish. It will be a joint effort with my friend Mary, and we will be situated out in the country on thirty acres of land. It will be very peaceful I am sure, and it was a friend of Mary’s who brought this housesit to our attention.

It’s late morning as I write these words, here in Shelter Bay, and it has been a gorgeous start to the day. In addition to the magnificent view over the water of Martha’s Bay, there are plenty of trees and wildlife, especially birds to keep one’s mind focused on the present. Just the other day in fact, there were two bald headed eagles soaring overhead for a while until one, and then the other decided to extend their legs and come in for a landing on two different trees right in front of the house. It was a rare and marvelous event to watch.

The weather seems to be holding, so it would probably be a good time to finish this short blog, and get outside for a walk.

Happy Trails,

Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer