CHAPTER 17 : The view from here - take the long road don’t go home

As I sat in front of my computer pen in my mouth and glasses on, I noticed there was a bunch of emails coming in. Maybe time to get into business - I thought. The long weekend was approaching, and my need for drive far to a magical place was taking form. Gary and I, both enjoyed traveling down south to explore the West Coast of California, take the dogs for a walk, Gary wind surfing. I always loved to take with me a sketch book and some art supplies for quick sketching of the beautiful scenery this side of the world had.

It has been 7 months since we last met. Then we both had to travel overseas, Gary to music gigs and myself to participate at art galleries to present my works of art. I was invited to participate, to which I could not denied. My works got featured in a very important magazine, offers started to pop up requesting more of my art pieces to be taking participation in more art galleries.

Gary got some time off, and agreed to go on the next long weekend, just after his birthday. He loved my paintings as well, so I decided to paint about his favorite place - Carmel Beach - Carmel by-the-sea, his favorite beach, the wide expanse of sparkling white sand, the deep blue sea, and the windblown Monterey cypress trees give this beach a distinctive appearance that's unique to the Northern California coastline.

His first time going to that beach got him mesmerized. Of course he says, you have to see the night where the starry nights look like diamonds in the sky and the moon so clear and bright, it makes you think you are in one of those fantasy movies. Based on his comments and descriptions, I decided to put his thoughts on my canvas. I carefully packed the new paint and securely placed it at the back of his blue (same as his beautiful) eyes), FJ Cruiser) The dogs hopped in the blue two tone FJ Cruiser snd voila , we were all on our way to that magical place.

Gary loves to go camping, so he had customized the roof top of his FJ Cruiser to accommodate a camping tent. That became our 2nd house for our adventure trips. Food? Yes fishing was good there, so I took part on the cooking. Got some extras for the dogs. Done.

I carefully packed a red velvet cake- his fave and a candle for him to blow and make wishes before blowing the candle.

We were still young, we both loved nature and scape from the busy chaotic world.

When we arrived, a couple of hours before sunset, I could understand his mesmerizing comments.

The view from here was mesmerizing, the sun, huge perfect round, full of life, slowly disappeared in the horizon, giving the moon and stars an opportunity to show off their beauty. The night was so clear, we could see the Milky Way.

Time came to present dessert, and his birthday gift. I told him to cover his eyes, to what he followed.

I said - ok open your eyes now.

Surprise!

He looked surprised and looked at the paint and smiled and asked; have you been to this beach before?

I said no, this was my first time. I just did the paint from the mesmerizing descriptions you told me. Gary hugged me thanking me for the gift.

He said after we hugged, he said - you know today is my birthday. Thanks for coming today and be a part of this wonderful trip.

You're very welcome I responded. I'm glad you like it.

There was a moment of peace. It seemed that the waves stopped waiting for the next move to do.

We were used to travel together and share the same tent. Gary hugged me and said - you know, we have been traveling together many times. Which we enjoyed very much. Every time I was far on my trips I thought nothing but you. I noticed that there was something in you that made me miss you and wanting to see you more often. Many nights loosing my sleep made me missed you more. I realized I need you. My days and nights were not complete if I didn't see you.

Gary says- I've got something for you from my last trip. Hope you enjoy it.

This little box carefully wrapped caught my attention. The moon for some time kept shining for us, setting up a romantic environment. Gary goes. don't be shy, go ahead ; open it.

To which I followed.

The moseying opened the little suspicious box, the moon seemed to bright at its most revealing the magic the suspicious gift had.

It was a ring.

I was shocked, Gary looked at me, waiting for an answer. I looked back at him, and said; yes of course.

The view from here was amazing, a starry night, a stunning moon and of course the lovely smile of the man I was to share the rest of my life with.