Quick Trip

I started to title this entry, "Quick Trip Home" then realized, Salinas isn't home anymore, is it?

I drove down Highway 68 with a lump in my throat. The autumn afternoon sun shone down on the massive maple leaves adorning the pastures on either side of the road. Mia and Cooper made their little innocent comments, "I remember this place," or "Mommy, did I grow up here?" as I fought hard to choke back the tears. As I passed miles of old barbed wire fences, I thought about blissful memories of the past thirteen years. The day was gorgeous. The air was crisp and golden. And I had to keep telling myself, "it isn't always like this."

I do love the weather in Santa Clarita. I love the heat. I love that there is actually a summer. And I love that summer stretches far into fall (and may even poke it's nose into winter). I love having a pool just steps from my back door. I love the stable where I board my horse. And I love my neighbors. God, I love my neighbors! (see previous post about hide-and-seek!)

But I miss the quaint, country charm of Salinas and the old buildings downtown. I miss the lush greenery. I miss that everybody knows each other somehow. I miss having ten acres of privacy and all of the smells and wild sounds and bright evening stars that go with the territory. I miss that Monterey and Carmel and all the shops and restaurants and wineries are only thirty minutes away. I miss having an elementary school that I don't have to worry about. And most of all, I miss my friends. God, I miss my friends.

Every time I return to Salinas I find myself doing two things: 1. I avoid driving to my old home like the plague, and 2. I am constantly outweighing the "pros" and "cons" of the two cities, just as I did here.

My old home will be rented out soon. Someone else will be living in the country retreat I spent years making a home. Someone else will be making memories on those tile floors, filling the large rooms with laughter and enjoying the sights and smells of the oaky knoll.

In a way it's a good thing. It just buys me more time to outweigh the "pros" and "cons" of each town.