Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax

Home again

Yeah, vacation is over. That is the fastest week of my year by far.

My family has gone for a week at the beach for about 26 years now. As soon as I pick up the condo key from the rental office I start thinking I really need to buy a place here. Then I could bring the pets...then I could come down whenever I want...

Last year a new building went up near where we stay. It's beautiful, overlooking the bay:

This year, there was a new one almost finished right across the street. I sat on the balcony every day and watched the landscapers. I also checked out the model...it is nice. It is much nicer than my house. It has a gas fireplace, huge whirlpool tub, wet bar, walk-in closet, four bedrooms.

It also costs five times what my house here is worth. So I thought maybe if I lower my expectations, maybe I could afford something a bit more modest. An older condo, of the non-luxury variety...I don't need air conditioning at the beach. An efficiency. A trailer.

The only thing in my price range was quite small: