Another Bad Hair Day

Wednesday I could not stand my shaggy hair one more minute and, after reading reviews on several hair salons close by, I gritted my teeth and went to one that was highly recommended by the reviewers. 

Having spent the past four winters in Mexico it has been an ongoing  project to get a halfway decent haircut. To begin with, there is usually a language barrier. Since my Spanish is mostly about beer and bathrooms it is difficult at best explaining how I want my hair cut. Heck, I have trouble getting beauticians in the States to understand what I want. Even taking a photo along doesn’t seem to be much help. After much commiserating with my women friends off other boats I resigned myself to the fact that the options in Mexico are pretty much a bad cut or no cut at all. Haircuts for men are, of course, a much different matter. Their only real concern is how much or how little they will be required to pay. 

So…Wednesday’s haircut. I had high hopes when I entered the salon but from the minute the first cut was made I knew I was in trouble. I had told the beautician that the shaggy stuff over my ears and on the back of my neck had to go, and that it all needed to be shorter (but not too short), especially my bangs. I stipulated a part on the right side (which I realize is usually the domain of men) and asked her to trim my “sideburns” shorter & jaggedy. By the time she finished with me and I walked out $28 lighter, my hair was so short the only option I have is letting it stick straight up, the part was on the wrong side and it was full of “product” that I don’t use. Arggh!

I have finally come to the realization that a good haircut is probably a thing of the past for me. I am trying to remember that the one good thing about a bad haircut is that it will grow out.

A New Beginning

I have been updating the other blog (Travels With Faith) since we left home two weeks ago, but it just doesn't feel right so I decided to begin again. This blog is likely to be finite since the trip is expected to be a one time experience but I hope it will be fun to keep everyone in the loop. Chris and I have so many places we want to see and things we want to do and because of somewhat unusual circumstances, this seems like the perfect time to put check marks beside those "bucket list" items. Next winter we intend to be back to boat cruising. In the meantime, this will be about the Land Cruise of 2012/13. 

Today we are in Oceano, CA...which is slightly south of Pismo Beach...and it is raining. Mind you, we are used to rain (well, at least I am used to the rain), but the expectation was that we would have sunshine in Southern California. sigh... Actually, I am enjoying a day to just veg out.   

Yesterday we had drop dead perfect weather to make our way to Hearst Castle. Chris had been there before but it was a first for me. My sister, Barb, told me numerous times to make this trip and I have to say, "Thanks Barb!" The price of admission is a bit on the high side but the tour is fascinating and once that is over you are given as much time as you want to explore the beautiful grounds. The artwork inside and out is stunning. Strolling the gardens is rather like wandering about in Italy. The view from the top of the hill is breathtaking as you can see all the way to the ocean. It is easy to see why Mr. Hearst preferred being here to anywhere else. I have to admit, I can't imagine what it must be like to have as much money as a small country but this castle gives a pretty good look into that rarified air.

If you'd like to see the entries from the beginning of our trip, check out http://travelswithfaith.blogspot.com.