Tag: travel

A Seattle Native Born In Rhode Island?

Carl Setzer
tower under blue sky

What do I mean by this? Well, I have a unique background. My father was in the Navy when I was born, which is the root of this situation. I was born in Newport Naval Hospital. My father was stationed there, however briefly. Thus, “born in Rhode Island”.

Native Seattleite, though. Well, my parents were both born in Washington. My dad was born in Seattle. His mom was born in Seattle. All my grandparents were born in Washington…you get the drift. Fun tidbit: I was supposed to be born in Seattle, but I opted to crash my mom’s trip to visit my dad. I like to be early.

My first and second birthdays were celebrated at my grandparent’s place in Edmonds (my mom was finishing up grad school at UW). That same place was “home”, as in “we’re going home for Christmas”.

So, yeah, my early childhood was spent living all over the world. Besides “greater Seattle”, I lived in Rhode Island, California, Virginia/Greater Washington DC, San Miguel and Subic Bay, Philippines, before we moved to Lynnwood when I was not-quite 10. A little over-complicated, but a key factor in becoming who I am.

Journeys to the End

Carl Setzer

The road goes further
Without places for dining
And the food was good

Exploring Hawaii, We went to a place called <a href=”http://South Point Cliff Dive
Ka Lae Rd, Naalehu, HI 96772
(808) 961-9540

https://goo.gl/maps/GSNU115xmYU2″>Southpointe. Ostensibly the southernmost pointe in the US. <a href=”http://Hana Hou Restaurant
95-1148 Naalehu Spur Rd, Naalehu, HI 96772
(808) 929-9717

https://goo.gl/maps/PkXgrgpao1k”>Hana Hou, the restaurant above is little ways away.

Nearby is a place called <a href=”http://Paradise Meadows Orchard & Bee Farm Home of Hawaii’s Local Buzz
93-2199 S Point Rd, Naalehu, HI 96772
(808) 929-9148

https://goo.gl/maps/Noj5SzC5ii12″>Paradise Meadows, which I found charming. A handy pit stop, with locally grown coffee and macadamia nuts. I enjoyed chatting with their collection of parrots.

On The Road 

Carl Setzer

I’ve long admired that itinerant hippie lifestyle.  Driving into town within my VW Van, working for a few months raising money for the next leg of the trip. Spending years driving. Wind in my face, windows down, carefree.

Part of the love lingers on. But I’ve left that notion behind. It really doesn’t match my personality.

I found this series on YouTube. Kombi life features folk who’ve done this. They’ve driven this weathered ol Kombi from Peru to Alaska. Quite impressive.

An lingering dream of mine 

Carl Setzer

An old life goal of mine: explore the country in a decent camper. Not a monstrous RV, rather, a modestly sized one. Perhaps a custom van, though one with a bathroom feels nice. My first version: a camper shell on a pickup truck. 
Sleeping close, up against nature, the world’s beauty elicits powerful feelings. All my fear proximal and organized: glorious! Driving up to my desired place, parking, leaping out, exploring without pitching a tent an unpacking? Delightful! 

Though the notion yet lingers amidst the darkness of my subconscious, I’ve hardly acted upon it.  I’ve owned a few vans and pickup trucks, not one outfitted for camping. No campers installed. No sinks or cook tops. No great motivation, I guess. Yet, up it pops, from time-to-time. 
​​Dreams of journeying 

Sleeping right next to wonders 

A personal touch