[Paddlewise] Paradise... and a sense of home

I'm about to move from my ocean front house of the last three years. 
Of course, I'm only moving 12 miles up the coast - to another ocean 
front house - hee hee.  The house I've been renting these last few 
years has been sold, and not only does the new owner wish to live 
here, but he also just painted the house a hideous color.  I think he
did this for me - to make it easier to leave.  The place I found is 
very nice, and I know I'll enjoy being there.

Whenever I'm out looking for a new place to live, I see many 
different people's idea of what home is, and I ponder what drives me 
in my search, and how others look for, find, and create the places 
that call them home.

In the next few years, I'm planning to move up the coast a bit 
further - to Alaska.  I want dramatic mountains plunging into the 
sea.  I want snow in winter.  And I want to paddle all the water I 
can find - coastal, as well as lakes and rivers.  And so...  the sea 
is my home, and coastal Alaska is my paradise.

Until I move north again, my life here will continue as it has been, 
and was again today...  I paddled with three of my whale friends, and
surfed some lovely shore break.  As the sun set, I paddled slowly 
home in calm waters, and was filled with the wonder that fills my 
spirit every day.  Living so intimately with the sea, there is never 
a shortage of wonder.  After living so many years in large, noisy, 
stinky, wonderful cities, home is calling me, and so I continue on my
way - slowly northward.

I am ever grateful to the lovely craft called qajaq.  It was sitting 
in one of these wee boaties for the first time that showed me how 
real the dream could be, and I've been following my bonny wee boaty's
lead ever since.  She knows the way home.

Where is your home, and your paradise?  And are you there?

Melissa



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