05/21/2021

It seemed the world was just coming out of a long dark Covid slumber. The world, after being in near solitude for so long, found relief in a vaccine that seemed to be working on holding back the most painful aspects of the virus. My wife and I had been two of many essential workers, tired and overworked for so long, were ready for a vacation and people contact.

We had both been vaccinated and would plan an overnight trip to one of our favorite places, Old Sacramento. We had spent many laughs and good times there and were eager to visit the shops, food, and bars.

I planned a whole night of fun starting with a nighttime tour of the underground. Dinner at a Japanese Ramen Restraunt, laughs at the comedy club and drinks at our favorite Irish Bar. Of course like many of our excursions, nothing I planned would come to fruition. It’s just like us to cast all aside and just live in the moment.

We boarded the Delta King and checked into our room and quickly made our way up K street. We were seated at La Terraza Mexican Restraunt with a birds eye view of 3rd St from the upstairs balcony. We watched as teenagers popped wheelies on bikes in the middle of the road. It was a quiet time before the hundreds of people would show up to have a weekend out.

We watched a group of local elderly men sitting on an outside table in front of Finnegans Pub having a beer and laughing. Much like us they too were people watching. Later we found ourselves sitting at that exact same table and watching as people from all over would be walking by us. A group of women celebrating a girls weekend, bikers meeting up at the bar and show cars turning 3rd St into a drag like in American Graffiti. Some displaying their hydraulics and some with antique cars. Families making there way through the many ice cream and candy shops. Young lovers on a date night and people just getting out. Endless entertainment as 4 hours went flying by.

Old Sac is so reminiscent of Monterey, Ca and San Diego, Ca where you will find a melting pot of many ethnicities coming together to enjoy a vacation in these historic fair cities. What I found were that all these people, with their many colors and different up-bringing shared one thing in common. They are all good people just living their best life. Survivors of a virus that gripped the world and made us all take stock in what is most important. Family. Our family of loved ones, our family of friends, the essential workers, and the fact that we all need each other to make the world move forward. And everyone needs a hug.

Thomas Michael Pico

Icarus Wave Publishing ©

05/12/2021

The sun seemed exhausted after giving such a beautiful display for the day. It’s bright orange shimmering glow was slowly getting ready to leave us on this side of the earth. Our stay in the south seemed so forgiving of stress and anxiety that all seemed to disappear in light of the beauty of the day.

Soft subtle winds sang a song as if we were listening to it from a seashell. Is it the music that carried its way through the halls of Los Palms Island Hotel. The soft yellow-orange sun reflected off the skyscrapers far in the distance and lit them up with the softest glow.

The Coronado Bridge, that seemed like a relic from my youth, still stood strong and proud even after all these years. Even though life has sent me far away, San Diego still feels like coming home every time I visit. Clouds seemed to move by gracefully, sometimes bringing a refreshing light rain, but always giving way to the most beautiful bright blue sky.

The skyscrapers added another beauty of its neon glow far in the distance from our nighttime view of Point Loma. Sailboats rocking steadily anchored and some sailboats moved gracefully through the straights of Shelter Island. It was a time and place I wished I could hold onto forever. Sometimes life seems to stand still when there is no past and no future. No plans. Just living in the moment. That is what vacations should feel like.

One of the most life fulfilling things this week was watching the little boy I raised becoming a man and how he treats his wife. I once wrote how my lady wears a crown. She is my queen. I see that in my son and how he treats his wife and his daughter. It fills me with joy and our vacation together adds to a lifetime of memories as we stroll down the streets of San Diego. My home. Always in my heart.

Thomas Michael Pico

Icarus Wave Publishing ©