The Middle Part

The Old Town Beach

Reading “The Four Hour Workweek” while lying on a Mexican beach is kinda dangerous. Within 24 hours of arriving in Puerta Vallarta I was asking how much it would cost to change our flights home. There is something about Mexico that really enchants me!

At the posh Grand Mayan

Not everyone can truly achieve the four hour workweek as Timothy Ferris has managed, but I did find a lot of really interesting ideas in his book. David and I spent a great deal of time in Mexico talking about our future and how work would fit into it. The fact that we had these discussions while floating down a lazy river at a resort, or perched on the rooftop terrace of our tiny old town hotel made them all the more relevant. We like to travel, and we are willing to be creative to find ways to do more.

Even on holiday, I do love to cook!

So often we throw ourselves into our work full bore, and take whatever time is left over to pursue the things outside of work which have meaning for us. I have a very strong work ethic and will push myself to do the best work I can. The down side is that I can burn myself out and forget to get enough exercise or indulge in my love of cooking. Ferris suggests many ways of truly working “smarter not harder” and I plan to implement them in my next gig. Take multi-tasking for instance. We get really good at juggling email, phone calls and online chats with colleagues all while purportedly completing some essential task at hand.  Ferris suggests that we try focusing solely on one item at a time, and turn off all the interruptions. Turn off the email alerts, check it only twice a day. Twice a day! Wow that’s an interesting concept! I have been experimenting with this idea and I have been impressed with the results. When I am interrupted, it takes me quite a while to get back into the swing of the article I’m reading, the notes I’m taking on my latest book or the post I’m writing for this blog. If I turn off all alerts and truly focus, I’m amazed at how productive I can be in a relatively short time.

Love the terraced streets in Vallarta

Ferris doesn’t think the 8 hour workday is usually necessary and I’m inclined to agree. We all work best in our own ways and not necessarily from 9-5. I might do my best work after dinner in front of my home computer. Or perhaps a solution to a problem might hit me while I’m taking the dog for a mid day walk. I can really see the logic to structuring alternative work situations. I mean really, would you rather see the work get done or just have a chair warmed? Why not look at creative solutions and allow for greater happiness for each individual staff member. Study after study affirms that this makes for more productive employees, and that’s always good for the bottom line.

Bucerias

Sayulita

Job sharing arrangements and unpaid leave are also creative ways to allow for those of us with a bit of a wanderlust to scratch that itch. Trust me, we come back happy, recharged and ready to dedicate ourselves to work at hand. I think mature workers especially are attracted to situations like this. With the depth of experience these workers provide, it’s worth being flexible about travel time. Here in the middle part of life, our kids are grown and we can actually take off for a chunk of time to get a real taste of other parts of the world. My kids even look after the dog and drive me to the airport!

All these ideas were explored along with David’s new business concept while we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Mexico. I know some folks worry about the drug wars, but we saw no evidence of it in the areas we visited. We rented a jeep one day for a tour of some of the smaller towns and met only lovely folks. As a bonus, the beach vendors in the small communities are also less aggressive than on the Vallarta main beach! Even the annoying vendors have a sense of humour and will go away when you ask them to. We found the food to be wonderful, everywhere from restaurants to street vendors. Vallarta has public art everywhere and had we stayed longer, we could have gone to a variety of performing arts events. And of course Mexico is just so beautiful. We’re already plotting our next visit!

Last Night in Mexico, what a hoot!

The view from the "Low Quality Inn" (as we called it) in Crescent City, CA. The view was worth it!

Our trip through the US and Mexico has been full of many amazing experiences and vistas. This coastline is staggeringly, eye-poppingly gorgeous. As we progressed down the west coast and gradually moved out of the Pacific Northwest clouds, sunsets emerged and we began to celebrate “Sunset Appreciation” each evening.

Old Town Vallarta - this was my favourite day of the whole trip.

We did this every night possible for the month we traveled, and I’ve been reflecting on what an important ritual it is. There’s something really quite magical about pausing in the busyness of our day to just absorb a gift that nature bestows on us. It’s the old “stop and smell the roses” adage.

We especially love it at this time of year when the sun goes down before dinner. We settle in with some wine and snacks and kick back to enjoy the show. Conversation is quiet, and frequently filled with long pauses as we simply take in the changing display. When the sun finally does its final dip into the Pacific, applause has been heard on some beaches. We are not the only admirers.

Off season travel, nice and quiet!

My favourite part is the fireworks that come after the sun has set. We’ve had some stunning, fiery clouds in Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias, and in Big Sur. In the warmer climes, we’ve been watching for the elusive green flash. No luck so far.

Nuevo Vallarta

Taking a little time out to admire the beauty is a fantastic way to just slow down and be. So often we bustle from one seemingly important activity to another, and forget to just pause and appreciate life. Sunset Appreciation is a great reminder to do so. I’m not advocating being totally irresponsible, there are lots of important things that do need our attention. I’m just suggesting a wee break for beauty is a good thing.

My lovely inlaws, we enjoyed a week of sunsets with them.

I’ll have to figure out a way to maintain this ritual at home. We previously enjoyed sunset appreciation from our deck, but our neighbours built a massive addition to their home, and sadly, that option is no longer available to us. I’ll find a solution, as I really value the lesson I’ve learned.

Pause, enjoy the beauty around us, and the quiet interactions with those we cherish.

Big Sur

I did a pushup today. I was so excited that I did another one. Amazing! While this may not seem like a big deal to some, for me, it was a major milestone.

One of the priorities for my sabbatical has been to look at my well-being from a holistic viewpoint. That means not just looking at where I am career-wise, but also looking at ways to improve other aspects of my life. Coach Dave recommended a very helpful book, “Well-being, the Five Essential Elements”. The theory presented is that to be a fully healthy, happy individual, we need to be fulfilled in five areas: Career, Social, Financial, Physical and Community. I have a good handle on most of these areas, but physical has been one area where I have been seriously lacking.

We're out in any weather!

Hubby David and I started a running program in November and we’ve been pretty consistent. We packed our running shoes on our trip and ran in all kinds of weather. We ran through urban centres and through small towns. It was a great way to get to know the communities we visited.

In Newport, on the Oregon coast, we ran on a blustery morning and encountered a well aged surfer who was contemplating heading out to surf the waves on the river just inside the jetty. I had no idea this was possible! I was impressed with his strength and the fact that he could physically do what he wanted to at his age. In San Jose we ran on the concrete and giggled at the number of Hummers. In Mexico, ah Mexico, we ran on beaches and boardwalks and then bought street tacos immediately afterwards for breakfast. Yum.

No better place for yoga than the beach

I also packed my yoga mat as I’ve been studying Ashtanga Yoga. I’m loving the way it makes me feel, the aches that can crop up in this no-longer-youthful body are kept at bay and I remember to stand up straight and breathe deeply. All those sun salutations have apparently had an impact on my upper body strength.

I'm not missing hikes with views like this (Over Old Town Vallarta)

Sadly, I have not done as well with the running. I developed a foot injury due to an expensive but apparently incorrect choice in footwear (I know, seems ridiculous that it would have such an impact!) The injury went away for awhile but has returned with a vengeance inhibiting my ability to enjoy hikes and dog walks. Unacceptable. So, we’ve recently decided to commit to the gym, after going there for occasional visits. We are lucky to live where the recreation centres have great facilities at a reasonable cost.

And that’s where I was today when I surprised myself. I was so excited I made David watch the second one to bear witness. Next I’ll do five pushups!

Leaving the beautiful Oregon for California, I was really getting into this relax and enjoy concept. After a minor border incident involving contraband oranges (they made us eat them rather than bring them into California !) we headed straight for the phenomenal Redwood Forests. I see big trees here on the island, but man those puppies in CA are impressive.

So still, and no crowds!

One real advantage of undertaking a trip like this in the off season is the lack of crowds. We went for a hike to Stout Grove in Jedediah Park, a cathedral-like grove of giant redwoods where we had the park to ourselves. We were really taken by the overwhelming silence and oppressive darkness that the enormous trees created. Our footfalls were silent, our voices quiet. Beams of sunlight sliced through in a few places, low, reminding us not to linger too long. But linger we did. It was just so beautiful and so peaceful, all we could do was drink it in. After the crashing power of days dominated by cliffs and surf, the soft silence was a new wonderful treat provided by nature.

Three o'clock in the afternoon and this dim in the forest.

I later saw this quote on the wall of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and I think it is quite fitting:

“Wilderness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.” Terry Tempest Williams.

Our urban lives often leave us disconnected from nature, and I wonder what that does to our point of view. When we made our way to San Jose a few days later, I was struck by the overwhelming presence of concrete. The city is dominated by freeways, overpasses, and concrete waterways where a Terminator driving a truck would be right at home. Nature was confined to a trail system completely surrounded by concrete and wire fencing. Birds managed to survive and apparently some folks catch the fish in the water. But you can’t eat them of course.

Kitschy but fun - the famous "drive through tree".

Isn’t it an interesting dichotomy that some of the greatest innovations in the world come from this valley. I wonder how those brilliant minds manage to think at all, never mind remember that they are connected to the rest of the planet. How do they stay in touch with their creative spirit? I only know I found my creativity stifled. Back out to the less populated, less car oriented regions for me!

An essential stop for lunch at the Lost Coast Brewery, home of my favourite Tangerine Wheat Beer!

Just before leaving on this trip, I met with Coach Dave. I fessed up that I had encountered some uncertainty around my potential hedgehog. We had a great chat about why I had my doubts, and what I had learned from exploring this potential path. I am passionate about food, but am not certain that the final component of a hedgehog is met. Monetizing this would be difficult.

The food movement on the island is vibrant, with many folks working on a number of initiatives. They are chefs, farmers and health care professionals, with many years of experience in this area. I know I don’t want to run a restaurant, and I don’t want to work for one of the many small not for profits. I can see an opportunity to unite some of the  groups, but don’t think I am the right person to tackle that job. I think I’ll stick to cooking for my friends and family, expanding my garden and supporting the local food movement.

The first boat bringing supplies to build a lighthouse overlooking the Columbia sank, taking all the supplies with it!

So, back to the drawing board, but with some new insights into what I do and do not want. It’s great to have some clarity on what’s important to me in a work situation. Dave suggested that as a next step I be curious and talk to people about the work they do. I could also use this trip to look at new employment opportunities, as new concepts are created every day. Maybe there’s something just right for me that didn’t exist a year ago. As we rolled on down the west coast, I chewed on all of this. We crossed the Columbia River into Oregon.

Devil's Churn, well named!

Oregon is awesome. It began with dramatic cliffs coupled with dramatic weather, giving way to gorgeous sandy beaches littered with enormous rock formations. It was spooky to stand on the cliffs and think about the hundreds of shipwrecks at our feet. Determined folk settled this area. I read about early postal workers who crawled along the clifftop trails during storms, holding on to the tails of their horses to keep from tumbling over the edge. That’s dedication!

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, OR. The town is so quaint it looks like Martha Stewart lives there.

The pace in Oregon now is super chilled, and the people lovely. Every turn seemed to offer another opportunity for a hike or a gorgeous viewpoint to be enjoyed. We were not making good time, and we didn’t care.

The beach at Bandon, OR.

The sun broke through in the seaside town of Bandon, Oregon where we paused for a night. We stayed at an old style motel perched on a cliff where we could easily explore the shoreline. The motel was well loved and had the most well outfitted kitchenette I’d ever seen! We had brought along a cooler and a few supplies from our camping trailer. This allowed us to make breakfast, picnics on the road, and sometimes terrific dinners. We ate like kings in Bandon.

Yup, that's my hubby next to that massive beach pepple.

As we climbed back into the car the next day to continue our journey, I picked up my notebook and went back to the hedgehog search. I found I was pressuring myself to come up with some kind of work path to explore. I was looking at the dilemma from assorted angles and generally driving myself crazy. Finally, I recalled the comment made just before we left, by another wise man, my son Graham.

“Just stop thinking about it, Mom. It will come to you”.

Clever boy.

I closed the notebook and decided to just enjoy the journey.

They used to launch lifeboats from here. Seriously, when everyone else was ducking for cover from the storm, they were heading out!

I am a very, very bad blogger. My apologies for being absent from this space for so long. My excuse is this: I have been off swanning about the country (er, three countries to be precise) with limited Internet access and even more limited opportunities for focused writing. I’ve just been having way, way too much fun! If you are still with me, and have not snorted in disgust and shut this window by now, let me begin to bring you up to date.

If you are lucky, a journey of self discovery also includes a real journey. On this sabbatical, I am indeed lucky.

My wonderful hubby, David and I left in mid January, turned the iPod to shuffle and pointed the Subaru south. As with all journeys off the island, it began with a ferry ride. This time, we took the US ferry to the Olympic Peninsula and drove through the magnificent Olympic National Forest. Sadly it was completely absent of glittering vampires. (A Twilight reference for those of you who are not fans) All the same, it was exquisitely beautiful. Storm locked, green-grey, misty and mystical.

Cute as a bug's ear!

Our first night was spent in Long Beach, Washington. We cruised in after dark in pouring rain and came upon this delightful motel. Clare gave us a discount “ because it was raining”. The place really is as cute as bug’s ear. We spent a cosy night in our cottage, and explored the longest beach in the world in the morning.

Just outside Long Beach is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Centre. We found it fascinating. The Centre is perched atop a cliff overlooking the entrance to the Columbia River and the expedition’s goal. We immersed ourselves in the story of their cross continent journey, and were impressed with the dedication required to overcome incredible obstacles. For 18 months in 1804-1806, the expedition journeyed to the Pacific from St. Louis, Missouri, exploring and mapping territory previously unseen by Europeans. Their work provided the basis for a legal claim to these territories and built diplomatic relationships with the indigenous nations of the region.

I was particularly struck by the story of the “Dismal Niche” where they were pinned down by currents and storms, wet to the bone, for six days. This within earshot of the Pacific Ocean. Imagine the frustration of being so close to your goal yet unable to get there, coupled with the physical misery of the situation on the river bend.

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse at the mouth of the Columbia

David and I speculated on the leadership required for this journey. These were all military men with the reward of a full discharge awaiting them upon their return. Yet with all the difficulties they encountered, clearly some extraordinary leadership was at work to keep them moving forward. There are notes of the junctures where Lewis and Clark polled the full team, including a native woman and a black man (most unusual inclusion for the era). Sometimes they overruled the views of the majority, yet I think that spirit of inclusion may have made it easier for the crew to accept decisions.

I am studying leadership just now, and see evidence that this type of inclusion is one of the things that makes a leader great. By allowing a full discussion of the options and an airing of all views, everyone feels heard and is then more able to stand behind whatever the ultimate decision might be. It appears that Lewis and Clark demonstrated this type of leadership and standing in their footsteps, in foul weather, made a huge impression on me.