I spent a lot of time in my car this past week. Some weeks are like that - I have many appointments and they take me all over the place; other weeks I spend more time in my office. It’s not unusual to put 100 miles on my car in a day if I’m traveling from one end of the Valley to the other (which is getting rather expensive right now). Before Covid, I often had others in my car with me, if I was showing them properties for sale. Since Covid, I am mostly alone, which suits me fine - I can put my book on and listen as I drive from place to place.
My week started on Sunday this time - I met with clients starting at Mountain House Road and ending in Boonville. It was a beautiful day and most of it was spent outside, hiking around various properties, which is something I enjoy. It was a long day, with my getting home not too far from darkness falling, but at least I was able to see when I fed my horses.
Monday was an office day, which is how I like to start the regular week. It allows me time to answer calls and emails that came in over the weekend that I haven’t already responded to and gets me set for the week to come.
Tuesday was a little crazy - I started at the clinic for my annual check up (all is good), then a quick drive outside of Philo to look at a property for a potential listing, then over the hill to Ukiah to see my chiropractor and do some grocery shopping.
Wednesday I made up for working on Sunday and took my bike to Lake Mendocino with two friends and took a gorgeous ride partway ‘round the lake. It was sunny, just nicely warm and the trail was dry but not dusty. The only downside was the poison oak that is already almost too much to safely ride through.
Thursday I spent a good portion of the day way out on Clow Ridge looking at a property with the wonderful owners. We drove and hiked around the property, looking at views and home sites, old cabins and old livestock pens. They offered me a wonderful lunch - homemade soup, homemade bread and homemade sausages, followed by a Danish Kringle. All that I missed was a nap after.
Friday I spent in Yorkville again, this time on a property that is in escrow. I met my client there and we spent the day with various inspectors getting the scoop on various aspects of the property. It was a second visit for my client and it confirmed for her the beauty of the property. It was another long day but a good one.
Saturday I met with new clients for a new listing and then drove to see yet another potential listing. It wasn’t a long day nor did I have to drive far, but it was another day where I spent a bit of time in the car. The book I am currently listening to, The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi, I started on the 7th of this month; it’s just under 11 hours long - and as of right now I have just under two hours left. Most of that listening time was in my car, so that gives you some idea of the time spent there this past week.
Getting to listen to great books is one of the pluses of being in my car so much. The downside is not having as much time in my office to manage the other aspects of my work - there’s a lot of paperwork that goes along with the real estate business. I found myself sitting at my laptop early in the morning or in the evening when I would normally be attending to other things at home (even if that other thing is sometimes the New York Times crossword). Overall, though, I enjoy it - seeing this beautiful Valley from end to end, watching as the trees leaf out and flowers start to bloom. It’s not a bad way to spend a day.
Lovely essay Anne! Felt like I was right there with you.