For over 15 years, I’ve gone “on retreat” during June to the Wood River Valley in central Idaho. I have a friend in Hailey (no, it’s not Bruce Willis) with a house there, and he has graciously given me the run of the place for a week or two every year.
I make his home my “command post” and it’s easy access from there to Ketchum, Sun Valley, even Jackpot, Nevada. I’ve gotten to know many people in that area, and I even have swimming pool, video store, and grocery discount cards.
But this year, my Idaho friend promised he’d housesit for his sister in Malibu (rough duty) while she tours Italy in honor of her 60th birthday. Unfortunately, that wipes out my retreat for the first time since I started my “after school gets out” pilgrimages there, and I’m kind of bummed.
Seinfeld fans will immediately see the connection between my title and text; everyone else can spend the day shaking their heads.