California Mille 2025, Day 1

April 28, 2025April 28, 2025 Ovis ObscuraLeave a comment

In Which Our Heroine Attempts To Begin A Travelogue

Today is the first day of the California Mille, a 1000-Mile Classic Car Tour that Alex and I have been on once before. I enjoyed it last time. I would like to practice trying to bring you along on my travels, Dear Reader, in hopes that you might enjoy a few of these moments with me.

The first day is fairly relaxed. We picked up our Swag Bags and put our decals on our car.

Our 1949 Maserati A6, all dolled up and ready for our tour. (There are some other cars, as well.)

We had lunch.

Toki Cooler at The Conservatory in the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, CA

One thing about the California Mille is that it is Rather Fancy, so the organizers arrange for the participants to stay and eat in some fairly fancy places. It’s a nice treat – fancy enough to feel spoiled, but not so fancy that I feel uncomfortable and out of place.

We also experienced a truly beautiful sunset.

A beautiful sunset over the California Coast

We met some new and old friends, which is one of my very favorite things about this hobby. People are so kind and so sweet (and so understanding when I can’t remember their names).

Tomorrow, we get to go to Alice’s Restaurant, where you can, apparently, get anything you want (but we’re having pie).

Further updates as events warrant! See you tomorrow!

Reflection On Rest

April 26, 2025April 26, 2025 Ovis ObscuraLeave a comment

In Which Our Heroine Reflects On The Effects Of A Weekend Well Spent

Sometimes, one just needs to get away and recharge, and Alex and I were lucky enough to do that last weekend.

We started with a beautiful drive…

The Oregon Coast as seen over the bonnet of our Jaguar XK120

Alex helped one of our friends build a 3D Printer. We cooked delicious food.

Panko-And-Herb-Encrusted Rack Of Lamb, Potato Pavé, Toasted Baguette, Salad. This is just one of the several delicious things we cooked and consumed.

I relaxed with our other friend.

Paint Gems, a Lovely Friend, Butterfinger, and Bourbon – what’s not to love?

Alex and I really needed this weekend, and I am so grateful to have friends who invite us out to their peaceful sanctuary. I slept so well, and I went home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. We’ve been so busy lately that it’s felt like we haven’t had time to just sit and appreciate those happy moments while we’re experiencing them.

We’ve been getting back into the busy groove this week, preparing to drive a 1949 Maserati for 1000 miles in northern California! But thanks to that break at the lake, I feel ready to take on whatever comes.

I wish all of you that peace, whether you get it for a minute or a weekend. See you later this week!

Pondering

On The Go

April 13, 2025April 13, 2025 Ovis ObscuraLeave a comment

In Which Our Heroine Ponders The Advantages Of Blogging From A Portable Device

A broken scallop shell that I found on a trip to the Oregon Coast a few weeks ago, held in my hand. My blurple nail polish coordinates nicely with the colors of the shell. There is blurry sand in the background.

One of my goals for myself this year is to write here more frequently. Unfortunately, being me, I have a tendency to put pressure on myself to write up the perfect updates or essays at my computer and, due to my Amazing Powers of Procrastination, I wind up being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of Stuff that I want to tell you. Than, I go away and try to plan a series of updates, and the cycle continues.

In the interests of getting around this issue, I have installed an app on my phone that will allow me to update on the road, wherever I go. I’m hoping that this will make things quick and easy and low-pressure for me as I go about my daily activities. This will also give me the advantages of things like Instagram while I continue to try to dodge The Almighty Algorithms.

The photo of the shell above is particularly apropos, I feel. It is a souvenir of a trip. (The photo is, anyway – I left the shell on the beach.) It is imperfect, broken, and beautiful. It’s a good reminder that things don’t have to be perfect in order for me to share them with you.

Thanks for sticking with me on this journey. There is much more to come.