The Fourth
An early morning walk with my two Golden Retrievers, was a nice way to begin this holiday weekend. The Fourth Of July has always been one of my favorite holidays, albeit sometimes a little awkward when the 4th falls in the middle of the week. This year it fell on a Saturday setting up a long three day weekend. Sadly, this July 4th 2020 was different for most Americans.
Covid-19 has many people out of work, working from home, or on modified schedules. The days of the week blur and weekends have, at least for now, lost some of their sex-appeal and welcome relief from the daily grind. I often find myself saying, “is today Friday?”
Still Grateful
The morning wasn’t much different than most. They usually begin with a walk with one or more of my three Golden Retrievers (my “Girls”). But the Fourth of July reminds me of how grateful I am to live in the U.S. Although I’m not overtly patriotic I do recognize that it’s a privilege to live in these United States of America. Having said that, the current political climate and social unrest makes our country feel a little less united. But this post isn’t about politics or unrest. It’s a reflection on good fortune that brought my wife and I to Tuolumne County in the Sierra Nevada Foothills and a home we call the Golden K. For that I’m grateful.
Tuolumne County
I’m grateful as I walk roads near our home we call The Golden K with my my Girls. The Golden K is in the town of Tuolumne. It sits on five acres and provides just enough insulation for privacy in a tranquil and quiet setting without being isolated. Neighbors are just around the bend or visible through a patch of the forest. Many of the homes in Tuolumne County towns, like Twain Harte, are vacation homes for families that live in the bay area or beyond. I can’t blame them for wanting a home here. The only thing better than a vacation home in Tuolumne County is a permanent full time home. Now with so many people finding out they can work from home almost full time I expect there may be more suburban families making the move up “the hill”. It provides a good option for those who only have to go into “the office” once in a while. And with only a hour and forty five minute drive back to the East Bay the foothills provides a golden opportunity to cash out of suburbia and come home to “God’s Country”.
Rural vs. Suburbia
Tuolumne County is over 2200 square miles but is a lightly populated rural community with less than 60,000 residents. Compare that to Alameda County in the San Francisco East Bay where I raised my children. Alameda County is a mix of mostly urban and suburban communities. It’s roughly a third of the size at 749 square miles and over 1.6 million residents. Quite the contrast and one that is not lost on me as I move about my foothills community with no traffic and crowds.
Fulfill Your Vision
I suppose mountain living may not be for everyone. For me it’s the fulfillment of a vision I had as a young man wanting to live in a slower paced and more inviting community. My romantic perspective of life at 3100 feet.
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