Here I sit, alone in an empty apartment, waiting for sleep to cure my forlorn state. I do enjoy Chico, and I do enjoy the Summer Orientation training that is keeping me here, but I dislike living with only bits and bobs of furniture and things leftover from a year of active life. Actually this will only be my second night here alone since summer started, I've been sleeping other places with other people (not like that, dirty mind!) whenever possible.
The start of summer was a whirlwind. I went home after your party, then my brother and I packed and prepared for a backpacking trip along the lost coast trail way north on the the CA coast. Our mother dropped us off and picked us up three nights later. The coast was absolutely beautiful. We saw lots of wildlife including elephant seals, sea lions, sea otters, pelicans, songbirds and the biggest rattlesnake I have ever seen in my life. I was leading as the trail meandered through tall grasses and stunning wildflowers. Suddenly there was quick movement not four feet in front of me as a gigantic snake fled to the vegetation from where he had been resting in the middle of the trail. He was probably as big in diameter as the bottom of a tall glass, and was quite long, although he disappeared too quickly to gage length. We did get an excellent view of his many-segment-tail, however. Quite exciting.
The trip was wonderful, and I relished the chance to spend so much time with my brother. I feel blessed that we have such a great relationship. Upon our return to civilization, (after a shower and long sleep) we drove to Oakland to surprise Jasper's best friend (who is essentially my other brother) for his birthday. Then I started training for Summer O last Tues. We have one more week of training then the actual orientation sessions start. I can't wait!
I'm actually visiting a chocolate and heath bar shake nestled in the freezer periodically as I write. My mother and I went there when she dropped me off this evening. It continues to amaze me how terrible their service is. The guy who made ours had a hell of a time, and when we finally got them, they were just chocolate, no-heath. I said something and they made me a new one. If their products weren't so tasty I wouldn't go.
I miss you and especially O'Malley when I am home alone. How is he?
Love,
Ellie
