The Unexpected Reward
At Port Ludlow Marina - Bobby, Julie, Susie and Paul
When I agreed to serve as President of Kala Point Condominium Association (a 37-unit condo set in the trees by Port Townsend Bay), I expected budgets, maintenance projects, meetings, and the occasional challenge. What I didn’t expect was how quickly the role would lead to new friendships.
Today was a perfect example.
Paul and I climbed about Frances Mae with another couple from one of the other condo buildings and headed out for lunch at a nearby resort.
Although weekends never seem long enough, one of the greatest gifts is to be able to walk down to the dock, untie and head out. We headed to the Port Ludlow Inn, Marina and & Fireside Restaurant, where we had lunch.
The marina is beautifully maintained, the staff welcoming and everything felt relaxed and unhurried. We took a leisurely stroll through the grounds after lunch, which was one of those meals that reminds you why boating is about so much more than just getting from one place to another.
The restaurant uses vegetables and cheeses from farms. The food was excellent and the staff couldn’t have been better. Moments like these remind us that retirement won’t just be about having more time — it’s also about making time for experiences that fill your heart. Sometimes the best destinations are the ones just a short cruise from home.
On the cruise back to Port Townsend, the breeze off the water felt cool against the warm sun, and we enjoyed crisp mimosas and sample cookies that were soft and tasty. The conversation flowed as easily as the water beneath us, and we laughed for most of the afternoon, enjoying each other’s company.
As we cruised along, it struck me that this is what neighborliness should feel like. Not just people who happen to live near one another, but neighbors who become friends.
Serving as HOA President has opened doors to friendships I might never have made otherwise. Sometimes the best part of volunteering isn’t what you accomplish; but rather it’s the people you meet along the way. Days like today remind me that life here is about more than buildings, budgets, or board meetings. It’s about people. And sometimes all it takes is a boat ride, a couple of mimosas, and cookies to remind you how lucky you are to call this place home.