Page 2 - Sonoma County Gazette - June 2018

Dear Readers,
It’s officially SUMMER even though the Equinox is still three weeks away. Parking at our river and coast beaches is already challenging and school is still barely in session. If the itch to get out to play hasn’t bitten you yet, it will soon. These warm days lure us outside and make us dream of never having to work again. Go ahead...go buy that Lottery ticket because it may be the only chance you have. As the saying goes, you can’t win if you don’t play! Does that apply to recreation as well? Maybe.
I’m at the age when my friends are retiring, or have already retired. I see the stress leave their bodies. But so many say they may have waited too long. Their Bucket List includes hikes in the mountains, travel around the world, camping on cliffs overlooking far away oceans, lounging on tropical beaches.
So if your list requires long journeys and lots of money, you might want to bring it closer to reality and what you CAN do. People travel thousands of miles to come where we live. They spend thousands of dollars to get here and stay here. For us, it’s a day trip to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park to see how nature is thriving after the wildfire. It’s a drive out to the coast where a picnic lunch on a cliff above the sea costs only gas and lunch. It’s taking the kids to a park they’ve never been to just for the fun of it.
Our Community Columnists got into offering suggestions of what to do
for fun in their communities. Take a tour through our pages for ideas and events you may want to attend. And of course, our CALENDAR is jam-packed with events coming up this month... all the FIREWORKS across the county - Summer Concerts - it’s all here - in print and online.
If you have favorite places where YOU like to Vacation at Home, please send your suggestion my way (vesta@sonic.net). It’s true, I’m one of those people who has little time to play and I miss it. I dream like everyone else. My dream... no mortgage, enough money to pay bills, free time...dream on. Not yet!
Perhaps a trip to Fred’s Liquors in Downtown Forestville for a pint of ice cream, a scratcher and Lottery ticket will make me feel like I have a chance at the Golden Ring. In the mean time, people have sent me suggestions to lighten your hearts and minds by staying close to home, spending very little money and enjoying yourself as if you planned this trip for months when it was only an impulsive thought that got you out the door.
HAVE FUN! That’s the Mantra of summer. We live in Paradise. Appreciate what we have!
Enjoy!
2 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 6/18