I was up at about 7 this am. We are planning on heading out for a hike on this last day of 2018. It’s gonna be awesome. But, if it is so awesome, why am I the only one awake and up moving around? It’s because the other two get up and going like they were related. SLOW. I got up, made coffee, fed 2 dogs, fed three cats, and assorted other duties (like dishes). At 730 I took a shower, no one up. Out at 740 shaved and dressed. At 750 my lovely bride spoke to me. From bed. I went to kitchen and poured coffee, made breakfast and ate. By 8, Marika was up and then Emily quickly thereafter. She probably did not want to be last. They are obviously related to one another. I am going to the bank to do my errand. I am sure they will not be ready even after I return.
So I got yelled at by Emily from the bathroom. She did not want me to go to the bank. She was going to be ready “right away” and we would all go together. Which did happen, fifteen minutes later. Or “right away” as she said.
So all ready we drive to the bank. Together. Until we got there and I went in by myself. Never mind. Got my money moved. All that counts.
Off to the coast! Down 80 to 37 to 101 south in the direction of SF. We are going!! Gonna hike through above Muir Beach!! There was a sign board on the side of 101 we noticed while driving. It said, Muir Woods full. Stinson Beach closes. I asked Marika how the federal government shutdown was affecting our outing. Turns out she was not aware of the shutdown. And unaware that many parks are run by the feds as well. And she is in charge. Uh oh. She got in-line right away and with a few choice curse words, we went to Muir Beach.
Got there, and all signs say parking full or beach closed. So what to do? We got there. Parking lot was empty, and closed. So we parked illegally, right under a sign that said $99 fine for illegal parking. Fuck the government. There is a clown in charge anyway and he is ruining my day.
Emily put out quite a bit of harrumphing over the parking. Shut up, please. Doing it anyway. So we all got ready and took off. Onto to the readily available trails above Muir Beach. There are quite a few scofflaws wandering down, and up, the trails. We hiked out about two or three miles up the hills and down. Over hill, over dale and on the dusty trails. Had a blast. Marika got to use some of the excess energy she has. Emily got to complain about all sorts of things. And I got a hike. No, not fair, but it is what it is.
We wandered around for a couple hours. Up the he top of many hills and down the coast to see much coastline (duh) and a few coves and no whales. But islands. Nice day. Great view under clear, sunny skies. Oh yeah, it was damn cold. Lots of cold, biting, wind which overcame our sweating and heat from hiking and our jackets. Yes, I was surprised by that too.
We turned around when we were ready to turn around and headed back. Up the hill, and over and down. To the (illegal) parking lot. As usual, the hike back seemed longer. It was colder.
Funny. From the top of the hill, where we were on the trip back, we saw a cop car, lights blaring, doing who knows what down near where we parked. Emily did get a bit upset. She likens to worry. She enjoys being upset. She wants to say I told you so because I willingly parked illegally. So we hurried on down the hill. By hurried I mean walked as gas t as we could. Which could be called slow. And probably is. But haters are going man hate.
We got to the flat bottom. Cause that’s how it is at the bottom. Flat. We hurried to the car with Emily murteringbiur car would be towed, or tagged. We jumped in and drove. Emily still worried we would be tagged. For what? We drove, down the road, toward the cop. Who, it turns out, does not care. She just wanted to move the folks who parked in front of the gate to the parking lot. It’s a fire road. And god knows, parking lots can burn. Right? Stupid. We left. And others drove down the road to park illegally.
We headed in the opposite numeric direction – 101/37/80. A nice day for a drive. On the way Emily decided we should stop for lunch. Neither Marika not I prob would have but Emily is crazy. Stopping on the 101 in Marin County is dangerous. The area is very expensive. So lunch there is also very overpriced. And that’s what we got. We ate at a Mexican place that was a little to upscale to be Mexican. Small portions at high price. Sounds good, right? No, not good. We enjoyed an over priced semi Mexican lunch. Yay.
Back in the car. Btw, no real traffic today. That’s a win, isn’t it? So we had an easy cruise across 37 to 80. A few miles down 80 and we stopped to get food for dinner. Marika has decided on a charcuterie plate for dinner. So we picked up a half dozen types of cheese a few of meat, some olives and nuts and jam. And we good. Another 30 minutes down the lane and we got home. I was ready to relax. No. Emily wanted to clean house, a little. I didn’t. I wanted to sit on my chubby butt. So did Marika. Who can blame us. So, in response, I decided to go to the store for mint leaves for the Mai Tais I am making. That’s a very important task.
Marika ran out too. Can’t blame her. She had to get out.
She and I went to the hardware store and nursery. I figured get the plant and I enjoy having mint forever. Problem. Damn hardware store was closed. In spite of online site saying they were open. Liars. Gotta Yelp that.
So instead we went to the grocery store. Which had, mint with root ball attached so they can be planted. Winnnnnn!!! I’m gonna plant it tomorrow.
At home, Emily some woth cleaning. Thank god. I don’t have to help. I made Mai Tais, with mint. They are awesome and have nothing to do with work. We are al enjoying them. And watching really bad tv. What a New Years.
About 30 mins later we decided to get the food going. Being charcuterie, all we had to do was get the platters and put out our cheese, meats and all other goodies. And set them on the coffee table and eat. Extra tasty cheesy meaty goodness. Yum. And a bottle of champagne to make it all better. Did I forget to mention we have champagne? We have champagne. Goes well with charcuterie.
We enjoyed cheese and meat. Until we were all stuffed. My gut hurts. I am full. Seems so are they. A few minutes of sitting here stuffed, and wiping champagne, Emily went for a littler dessert. Cookies. Then some doughnuts we had in the fridge. Donuts go well with cheese and meat. We are now even more stuffed. Not throwing up. Yet.
We are now in the full and watching bad tv state. It’s 910 and I am ready for bed. Forget New Year’s Eve. I need sleep.
OK. We cleaned up the food mess. By we, I mean us and not Emily. She is lazy. She never reads this. So Marika and I cleaned up. Then Marika decided we needed more bubbly. So I have another glass. I know full well that Emily and I will be asleep before midnight. No surprise there. I am always asleep before midnight. Today is just another day.
We have pepped up a bit. A bit, not a lot. Finally found something on TV worth watching. But that’s only for another 30 minutes. Then whatever.
Emily now asleep. I woke her and she is going to bed. So I am going to bed. An hour shy of midnight. And two hours past regular bedtime. And we are tired from our hike. So to anyone out there, Happy New Year!!! Early.