When I condense everything that has been going on, really since I came back from Belize, it seems like I must have been really busy and things are just cooking!
Well, to begin with, it was a bit hectic, getting the new business (Suki & Deluco Tour Company) up and running. And it was a lot of fun, doing that. Sure took my mind off the weather and being stuck up here. But things unraveled a bit, or things took a turn, not for the worse, but in a different direction.
In a nutshell, the Tours did not take off as envisioned, and as we (Ryan and me) didn't want to put out a lot of cash, but just to test the waters, we reluctantly let it go. It's a great idea, but needs lots more lead time to build up name awareness through social media. Plus money thrown at it for a van etc.
While this was going on, and realizing that it was going to take more time and funds, I came to the conclusion that I am done with fighting the loan company about this house, and listed for sale with Susan. It's a short sale, which means basically no money out of it for me, but I know that this place, this area, is not right for me. It's too isolated; the neighbors too weird and I get too lonely down here by myself. I can genuinely feel no regrets walking away from it. Of course, there is always the cat issue that I must handle when I leave. That is the most painful part of the whole thing.
Along with getting the house ready, and keeping it ready, for potential buyers, I am dreaming about my next big adventure – Belize, here I come. The plan is to get out of here before winter (I refuse to spend another winter here) and go south to explore. And to find the ideal place for Ryan (and possibly a couple of his friends) to buy a property that can be used, while they aren’t there, as an AirBnb, while I will have a small cottage on the property and take care of guests. That’s the plan, so I am hoping to head down there in the autumn.
It was 16 years since I first went to Belize, when I fell in love with the place. When I returned in March this year, I felt the same way. The people, the water, the islands, the jungle all just draw me in to their magic. It’s like a part of me that has been lying dormant suddenly reappears! I felt happy, invigorated and alive, as opposed to depressed and old and frumpy here in the PNW! I’ve given a lot of thought to where I want to live and South Africa still holds my heart strings – but it is SO far away from my boys (the human ones) even though I don’t have much contact with Cody. Maybe I can swing it so I spend 9 months in Belize and leave for 3 during mid-summer/rain/hurricane season and go see the family back home in South Africa or come up to the States for a few months. Wouldn’t that be cool? Best of both worlds!
In the meantime....
A day trip to Salt Creek Park, just over an hour from here was the highlight of my week! It doesn't take much! Susan and I drove out there, just to get away from here for a while.
It's a lovely, county-run park with lots of campsites for both tents and RVs, many right along the bluff and nestled into the trees. It made me want to get a tent and air mattress and head out there, something I just might do.
