The Idiot’s mother, who celebrated her 101st birthday last weekend, had a number of odd requests for some slightly belated birthday presents. The Idiot, her eldest son, dutifully fulfilled her wishes when he journeyed across the Trinity Alps to the family home near Trinidad, California, on the Pacific Ocean.
Here’s what she wanted, and what she got, for her 101st birthday.
1. See if you can actually witness The Green Flash at sunset.
Waiting for The Green Flash at sunset on the Pacific Ocean in Trinidad, CA, on October 25, 2020.
Still waiting for The Green Flash at sunset on the Pacific Ocean in Trinidad, CA.
The sunset just after The Green Flash on the Pacific Ocean in Trinidad, CA.
2. Do something about this year’s apple crop.
Part of this year’s apple crop on the ground and in the trees at the family home in Trinidad, CA.
Reducing this year’s apple crop by one apple at a time at the family home in Trinidad, CA.
Removing a “Follow The Idiot” baseball cap serving as a scarecrow from an apple tree in order to encourage crows to eat apples.
3. See if there are still nude sunbathers at Baker Beach (a half mile from our home) in late October.
Confirming that there are still nude sunbathers at Baker Beach just south of Trinidad, CA, in late October.
4. Take some photos of the ocean from the front yard.
Looking towards Trinidad, CA, from the front yard of the family home on the Pacific Ocean.
Looking towards the Pacific Ocean from the front yard of the family home in Trinidad, CA.
5. Walk into Trinidad and take pictures of two oceanside homes.
A family sign in front of an oceanside home on Trinidad Rancheria land during the walk north from our family home.
An oceanside home where the new out-of-town owner had visible “home improvements” stopped (he received a “cease and desist” order) because he didn’t realize that permission from various rigorous regulators is required before making any substantial change to a home on the Pacific Ocean.
6. Go to the beach at low tide and take a picture of my house.
Walking on the beach below his mother’s house in Trinidad, CA, at low tide.
A picture of his mother’s house taken from the beach at low tide.
7. Get bedroom shots of the moon above the apple trees and, around two a.m., above the ocean.
The moon above the apple tree from the bedroom in Trinidad, CA.
A photo of the moon above the ocean at two a.m. on Oct. 27, 2020.
Happy Birthday!
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