Joe: Oh, that’s great. He must have been psyched to see, uh, Derek’s kids also, and Mark’s new baby.
Eric: Oh absolutely, at this age, he, they do a lot of, of parallel play. And, because he’s not old enough yet to, to play with, he kind of plays alongside. But he’s just starting to get the hang of playing with and interacting with. And he just, he loves to be in packs of kids. It’s just he really has a great time.
Joe: Yeah, it’s like innate [laugh], y’know.
Eric: Yeah, it really is. It’s fun to watch him learn. He’s at this age of language explosion and certainly being around other kids really helps.
Joe: Oh, definitely. So you guys, uh, you went out on Mark’s boat so that must have been fun.
Eric: It was.
Joe: So, uh, what else did you guys do while you were there?
Eric: Well, y’know, on the whole boat thing…. We, uh, did some crabbing where we caught some crabs. And, uh, used the boat as sort of a shuttle to get from island to island. So we did a little bit of island hopping, with picnicking on some islands, uh…. We cooked some great meals, sort of, um, with the whole group of us together…
Joe: Oh, that’s great.
Eric: …yeah, and some people got some massages, just tried to chill out and relax, uh…. And it was just really low key. A really restful trip, which is what I think about when I think about Mark and their place up there.
Joe: Yeah, it sounds like you were really able to let go, huh?
Eric: It was, it was a longer trip for me than I’ve taken in the last couple of years, goin’ up there, we went for five, five or six days, and…
Joe: Oh, I didn’t realize you were goin’ that long.
Eric: Yeah, normally I’m just up there for a long weekend…
Joe: Sure.
Eric: …but this time I thought, y’know, I haven’t taken a vacation in a while. And I just wanna get up there and chill out.
Joe: Oh, that’s great.
Eric: Yeah.
Joe: Y’know, I understand that John’s living up there now as well and, uh, if for no other reason I should go up and visit everybody, y’know, while he’s there.
Eric: Absolutely. He, uh, he’s, he’s not living on their property anymore, uh…. He’s moved just to, y’know, really close by on the mainland off of Bellingham. So he’s in the area still. And he would just be tickled pink to see you and to hang out with you. I know he would, so…
Joe: Yeah, I mean, uh, it’s amazing how, y’know, uh, you can let so much time pass. And, uh, you don’t even realize it’s happened when it comes to visiting with friends who live far out of town.
Eric: That’s right…
Joe: Especially ones that are really close to you.
Eric: Yeah, and the oldest of friends, it’s, uh, it…. Time just really flies and before you know it, it’s just been a long time since you’ve seen somebody. So when you get that time it’s just wonderful to take advantage of it. And certainly John being all of a sudden on the West Coast, it’s great to be able to, to just jet up to Washington and, and see him, fairly easily.
Joe: Yeah. Yeah, I told him next year I’d, I’m going to make my best effort to get up
Eric: I hope, I really really hope you do.
Joe: Hey, uh, y’know Eric, time’s kind of escaped me tonight. I’m supposed to meet Kristin for dinner in a little bit. So, uh, y’know, I’d love for us to continue this conversation, uh, y’know, maybe tomorrow or somethin’, if you’re, if you’re available.
Eric: Hey, that’d be great.
Joe: Okay. Alright, listen, I’ll call you then.
Eric: Alright, take care my friend.
Joe: Alright, bye.
Eric: Bye.