Yep, just like most other folks right now, the family vacay turned into a stay-cay. In our case, we had been looking forward to a multi-generational trip with grandparents, kiddos, aunts and uncles to Cozumel, Mexico for a week of diving and snorkeling and celebrating 75th, 50th and 21st birthdays! WOW, are you kidding me? Trip of a lifetime and wonderful memories – and we were all so incredibly disappointed to have to postpone. But never fear, we aren’t giving up on the plan and as soon as borders open up and risk goes down, we will gather in Paradiso for our fiesta grande! As for now … California staycation!
Have no fear, creativity is here! We knew there were myriad opportunities to create a little break from the tedious schedule of what seemed like nothingness, despite the ongoing summer school and client work and start-up creating that we were variously participating in. Where to go? What to do? Balancing safety and logistics, we planned for a Catalina Island excursion, taking the Catalina Flyer ferry over and back, and 3-night stay in the currently under renovation Bellanca Hotel right on the marina. Hey, beachfront hotel, restaurants hosting evening dining tables on the sand, scuba diving right o# of Casino Point – it had all the makings of a fabulous trip!
And fabulous it was, girlfriends! A day spent at Descanso Beach club, ordering cocktails while the kids did the eco-zipline and took turns throwing each other o# of the big blow-up floatie shaped like a watermelon slice. A few of our group parasailed high above the Pacific Ocean while the others did our first cold water, full wetsuit scuba dive deep in a kelp forest with giant black sea bass the size of a grown man … and one had a fish tail hanging out of its mouth from its own cannibalistic seafood lunch, yikes! Beautiful meals waterside (outdoor dining, of course), with everyone doing their part to keep each other safe … my sister-in-law even found the CUTEST kitty cat face mask, with EARS! I think it’s hilarious and adorable (an opinion not shared by ALL of my family), and I wear it everywhere now.
But even better than my new cat mask, this family adventure had all of the ingredients for a fantastic time — family time with cousins from Texas (wonderful!), the resilience of bouncing back from the disappointment of canceling the original trip (a good life-lesson for the kids), the camaraderie and collaboration of the service industry and guests working together to stay safe (a good lesson for the grown-ups!). In a sneaky, spirited sort of way, the “power of positivity” from this trip happened unexpectedly …
I’d been feeling powerless to connect with some of my dearest loved ones … you know, those friends and family that you have that special heart connection with. Whether because of distance – geographic or emotional – or stress, or feeling overwhelmed, the current “shut-down” seemed a threat to my relationships. But then came our Catalina Conservancy Jeep Tour on winding dirt roads, up and around the peaks of the island — and as we bumped along, something shifted for me.
As we climbed the steep hills (looking over the side of the road was a LITTLE daunting, let me tell you!), the view of the shoreline and ocean down below was spectacular. Luis, our guide, shared cool facts about the flora and fauna on the island – I learned the difference between native, indigenous, and invasive species, for example! Who knew?! Little science lessons wrapped up in a super cool island tour. But the advertised highlight of the tour is getting to see the herd of American bison that have roamed the Conservancy since they were brought to the island in the 1940’s. Another cool fact: the bison were brought over as part of the movie industry when the island owners attracted studios to “lm on Catalina. How ‘bout those Hollywood bison, honey!“
So okay, that’s pretty cool, you say. It’s not every day you get to see these enormous beasts up close and personal. But what does this have to do with connection and relationships? Yep, ladies. Regardless of species, we women need other women. We hold each other up, together. We’re stronger, together. We can dominate, together. We can overcome, together.
In the open-sided jeep, with the sun shining and the wind whipping my hair in my eyes, I laughed out loud with delight when Luis delivered that BISON brilliance. There it was – at any moment, in every moment, I’m always looking for a sparkle of positivity, a “nugget” of wisdom or insight to open my mind and expand my heart. And I found another one that day atop Catalina Island.
I was reminded that the strength of my friendships will support me during the down times, keep me strong and centered and moving forward, and help me continue to love and grow while I find patience with my other relationships that are still finding their rhythm.
Yep, I found the thriving female spirit alive and well, running through the bison as a scienti”c reminder of what we Girlfriends already know.
Whenever danger approaches, even if we are afraid and under threat – reach out to your girls, band together, and run straight at whatever scares you. Because with our girlfriends by our side, we are powerful enough to overcome whatever stands in our way. Just remember the BISON, baby!