Crescent City

We're back! Did you even know we were gone? Did you miss us? We missed you, internet! Well, in a narcissistic, over-exposed, talking-to-ourselves-in-the-mirror kind of way. This summer has been busy! Namely because of our wonderful neighbors. From canning to vacationing, we've kept ourselves going-going-going.

Vin and I took the annual trip up to Crescent City for the 4th of July fireworks and took our neighbors with us. It's taken twenty-two years, but Vin finally was able to return to his old hunting grounds to bottom fish where his grandfather used to take him. It was even more special because he was the only one on the boat to limit out and catch the biggest fish. You can check it out the glory page here!

Because I drank a whole bottle of wine the night before (I know, I'm ashamed!), we weren't quite motivated enough to catch the parade this year, but we certainly heard it. Cheryl and I needed to hit up the grocery store where we thought we'd try our luck at the lotto kiosk. The night before we had eaten an exorbitant amount of crab with butter and garlic. Have you ever been around someone who's eaten a whole clove of garlic and you haven't? That smell that's somewhere between the odor of a cadaver armpit and the underside of mushroom sprinkled with cow shit? Yes, I'm sure that's what we smelled like, in some fashion, but because she and I had both ate it, we were blissfully unaware of our perfume. Until Crotchety Old Bastard at the lottery kiosk alerted us.

I had already begun to loathe this cranky crotchwaffle when, as I checked my tickets to see if we had any winnings, he grumped, "How long you gonna be? I could get a beer already."

Seeing as his bald head adorned with a baseball cap proudly displaying he was retired Air Force, I simply smiled and said, "Just a minute," and went back to checking my tickets. Depressed I couldn't call into work and tell them I'm never coming back, I moved on to feeding my tickets into the machine for the next draw.

"How many of those you gonna play?" he balked.

"Just four," I said really trying for politeness and not quite managing.

"And how many times do you play a week?" he demanded.

None of your fucking business, I wanted to say and gave a tight lipped, "Twice".

"So, a hundred dollars?!"

I narrowed my eyes and said, "No." Because if he'd do the math he'd know it was $40.

By then, Cheryl, who'd been breaking change at the courtesy counter returned and I was done with my tickets. Now it was Cantankerous Bastard's turn at the kiosk. Cheryl stood behind him, politely waiting her turn to gamble her chances at whisking us all away to some island paradise.

As the old fart fumbled with his ticket, I felt I should be nicer. It was Independence Day, he was obviously a Vet, and had probably been through many an ordeal that granted him the Badges of Bastardry.

And then he said, "It's stinky! Stinks in here!" He continued to punch impatiently at kiosk to move on to the next option.

Cheryl stared at me with her wide eyes. Apparently we did stink.

"Like Garlic!" He scowled, talking to the machine. "Stinky!" He dropped his ticket and managed to argue with it under his breath. "STINKS!" he exclaimed.

I tried not to laugh and instead hid my mouth behind my hands. Holy crap, did my breath stink. The old guy finally was finished molesting the lottery kiosk and angrily shoved his ticket into his wallet.

"Good luck, sir," I said with a smirk.

"Adios," he snapped.

"Did you hear that guy?!" Cheryl asked, laughing. "I guess we do stink like garlic!"

That indeed.

The fireworks that evening were AMAZING. We were lucky enough to score a beach house with a 180º panoramic view of the coast line which included the beaches where the locals would be entertaining everyone should the firework show thrown by the city be fogged out. The before it had been, but we were not disappointed because of the impressive display given by the campers on the beach and in the docks.

We didn't freeze our asses off this time because we were cozied up on the sofa pushed up to the picture window overlooking the harbor and the beaches. With coffee and blankets, we were privy to box seats of the best fireworks show we have ever scene. Completely disregarding the "if it flies, it's illegal" warnings plastering the city, the locals outshined in showmanship the full line of mortar-deployed fireworks. Starting well before dusk, our front-row seats gave us the advantage of enjoying the most law-breaking citizens. We didn't even care if the show thrown by the city was fogged out, but because of our seats, it wasn't. Granted we couldn't see the highest launched fireworks, and even some of the low-level stuff was cut off by the fog bank, it didn't deter from the incredible show.

One public service announcement I feel must be made is: If there are any folks out there who want to donate to a good cause, I urge you to log onto NOAA and donate to the marine mammal rehabilitation centers, or if you're able volunteer your time at your local center. Most of these centers are burdened by displaced or abandoned animals who need care. All staff is on a volunteer basis. At Crescent City's Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center they had 27 young harbor seals and sea lions who had been found abandoned up river due to off weather patterns. Any little bit helps. Okay. End service announcement.

On our way back home we took a leisurely ride through our state, stopping off at Loleta Cheese Factory--where one of the Halloweenmovies was filmed--and the best place to find chipotle cheese! Then we checked out Eel River Brewery where you'll find the coolest beers, the best burgers and the prettiest outdoor garden. With cats! Check those places out if you're even in California's north coast.

It was a fun trip, it was a bummer returning home, but it was a wonderful vacation.