We took a hiatus from life and went to the island for the weekend. Where we are off grid most of the time (love it that way too), and where it was the most normal of normal life. Peaceful, no protesting, no rioting, stores open, campground open, beaches open, golf cart rentals going, winery was absolutely packed (they put outside tables all over the property), live music at all our favorite stops, and beautiful scenery.
We got to stay an extra night. Oh darn, lol! Winds were bad on Sunday and the ferry shutdown after about 9:30am. We had just got in line, but went back to our lodging and we were allowed to stay another night. No one would be coming over anyway, so most people had a place to stay.
Monday however, they ran one ferry. We got in line and were told 4-5 hours. An hour later they had 3 ferries running and 2 hours later we were back on the mainland.
I wasn't worried. I have a crochet project and a pack of cards. The girls played cards in the back of the truck while we waited. Some people got out and had a picnic in the grass with their family. We were all patient, except for the store workers in the marina store at the ferry. They were furious (and very rude) with the onslaught of sales while we all waiting. By the way, we had access to public restrooms, a restaurant and store at the marina where the ferry pulls in. It all worked out.
Lots of wild life over there too. Saw many deer, raccoons, rabbits and lots of birds, including Boston orioles.
The island has an eagle nest too. They have 3 babies in the nest. So cool!
Upon arrival home, our mailbox was bashed in with what we believe was a baseball bat. We have a USA flag cover on it, and feel it was because of that and a lot of vandalism in an neighboring town (someone on a 4 wheeler at night). They also stole one of my nice solar lights I had in a flower pot (which has glass panels on it). I'm so mad about it, so we will be adding more security cameras. Next time we go away, we'll have a house sitter too. We had someone come to feed animals, but they we will hire someone to stay the night from now on.
I already want to go back to the island....vandalism at our home, news, media, more protesting, vandalism nearby, stupidity regarding flying our America flag (by the way our flag pole was laying in the bushes, and it appears the flag pole holder was beat off the porch post). I have another place to put it up today, and I dare them to come back and beat it down again. America is not the land of freedom any longer. It's home of a bunch of idiots and other words I can't put on this post.
On top of dealing with that, the washer drain pump broke the night before we left. The new pump arrives tomorrow. No laundry today. On top of that...yes there is more...we have 2 vehicles and 3 people working today. Hubby took the Harley to work. My car is done. He drove it last night and said, "it's done." We will be car shopping in a hurry this week. If it rains, we are in a huge pickle.
The septic guy came Monday. I had to find a location on the island to get a signal to call and explain our situation and where to locate the septic. Got home and found he located it and emptied it. That is off the to-do list now.
Deer have located our tomatoes and ate the tops off some and most of the others down to the quick. It could be the year of no tomatoes again. I am walking the dogs around the back of the homestead to leave scent and keep the deer off. In all the years we've lived here, we've never had a problem with the deer (other than the eat pears, but always leave plenty for us).
So, while we got a weekend of rest, we are back to one big headache here on the homestead. I'm so tired of the way Americans are acting right now, tired of the media, news, and now this vandalism that happened on our very own property. It's time to get the back stop up and some shooting practice going. If things continue like the are, we'll need the practice.
I hope you enjoyed my weekend retreat photos. I'm about to go take a peek at the tomatoes and get my late day started.