Monday, August 8, 2011

Taking One's Time

It's August.  I live in a tourist destination and we are full up! While trying to navigate the area today, I doped off, becoming ensnared  in a line of tourist traffic forcing me to drive very sloowwly down the main "business route" through town. After 14 years in the mountains, I'm still an impatient driver.  It no doubt stems from my SoCal upbringing where "Hurry up and wait" is the driver's motto.  Rarely, however, does bumper to bumper LA traffic afford one a view of anything interesting other than the guy next to you talking on his cell or worse, picking his nose. Here, it's a sensory experience.

Today, I found myself looking in store windows, artfully displayed for summer visitors. I saw people eating al fresco, enjoying their food and the beautiful weather. I saw bicyclists, joggers, dog walkers, park sitters, moms pushing strollers, old folks, youngins and everything in between. I noticed our lovely independent book store had a new coat of paint; that a small retailer had expanded, we have more new hair salons, we have less real estate offices.

I noticed the summer flowers planted by the Garden Club in and around major traffic crossroads.  The green spaces were green with granite benches for sitting.  There were water fountains, here and there, reminiscent of horse troughs but made of granite.  Everything is made of granite because it is, after all, "the Granite State".

I thought of all the years I'd waited in traffic, to and from the Valley to L.A.; to and from Richmond to D.C.; in and out of major cities while on business.  I thought of the many hours of pleasurable car trips my husband and children have taken over the years up and down the coast to see my parents in their central coastal community of CA.  The coastline from Ventura County north is always beautiful.  It never gets old.

But I digress.  Here is a two minute video of where I live, produced by the people with whom I work.  Stop what you're doing and take time to watch.  You'll be glad you did.





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12 comments:

Brian Miller said...

so traffic is a little more than those pull back cars in the vid right? some really neat captures in the vid...a lovely place...

mermaid gallery said...

lovely place you live in...so important to support local, promote local and shop local.....it really can make a difference....

Betsy Brock said...

Ah, beauty in the ordinary! You're singing my song! What a lovely and charming Main Street! I want to buy something in that decorative glass shop, eat lunch on the sidewalk and take that train ride! :)

ratatouille's archives said...

Hi! C.G...
After reading your very thorough description Of your observation Of your town I reached only one conclusion that your post is a [prime] example Of..."Stopping to smell the roses."

Great post!
I also like the video too!
Nice community!
Thanks, for sharing!
deedee ;-D

DJan said...

Wow! You do live in a great place. Thank you so much for sharing this...

California Girl said...

Everyone: I often take this place for granted. I find myself irritable when it's full of tourists even though that's what we all survive on. I sometimes ignore the real beauty around me because it becomes every day. I am guilty of not counting my blessings enough. I think I'll go back to writing 3-5 reasons I'm thankful each day. That was always quite illuminating.

Captain Dumbass said...

Looks like a great little town

tut-tut said...

we were just remembering a special time at Santa's Land nearby (am I remembering that correctly?) and Christmas Inn when my daughter was about to enter the 1st grade! She had a birthday cake made just for her. The rides at Santa's Land took my mind off my parents' impending divorce, too.

California Girl said...

Captain: It is a nice little town. The politics are maddening but I figure it's a microcosm of the macro going on in this country. Here, you know everyone who's an asshole up close & personal.

tut-tut: you have a great memory. Santa's Village is still going strong and is one of our annual advertisers. Christmas Farm Inn is trying to make a comeback after a variety of owners who can't keep the juices flowing the way the Zeliffs did. My husband and I actually conceived our 1st child there. True!!! Probably had alot to do with our moving here eventually.

Pat Tillett said...

What a beautiful place. I've never been there, but I've heard talk of it several times in my life. It's in NH, right?

Baino said...

Looks lovely. Got a couch I can flop on?

Grandmother Mary said...

My best friends lived in Mt. Washington Valley for a number of years and I came to know and like the area. Thanks for the video reminder.