CHAPTER TEN

The Return to California

1980s

Jim knew he needed to preserve the peace and serenity that had healed his soul. Through his conversations with Ellen, he believed Inverness could offer this kind of life. The beautiful forests of West Marin aligned with the person he had become after years in the Costa Rica jungle.

One of the former finca owners offered to purchase the property. That offer, ultimately sealed his decision to return to California.

The transition was far from easy. Jim moved into Ellen’s house in Inverness and for months, he felt disoriented as he adjusted to life back in the United States. Even simple trips on the freeway felt physically unsettling to him. As peaceful as West Marin was, it still seemed overwhelming to him—like stepping onto solid ground after months at sea. In many ways, he felt as though he was still finding his balance.

Gradually, however, Jim settled back into life away from the jungle.

Within weeks of his return, Jim wrote to Barbara and the children through his sister Lee, who remained in contact with them. He hoped to reconnect through a weekend visit. By then, Bonnie, twenty-five, was living on her own; Giovanna, twenty- one, and Zeb, seventeen, were both living at home. Barbara accepted Jim’s request to reconnect with the family, so he made a weekend trip to visit. Afterwards, the kids began making visits to Marin to see their dad, and rebuilding their relationship with him. Zeb was accepted to university at Berkeley, allowing him to live only an hour away. James also formed a close bond with Josh, Ellen's son, who was eleven when they first met. Their connection continued throughout the years.

Shortly after his return, Jim was introduced to Patty and Jack Wright, owners of a large property on Inverness Ridge that required regular maintenance. The Wrights hired Jim to take care of their garden and grounds. The work was physically demanding, but then again, so was farming in the jungle.

Over time, Jim built a substantial client list throughout Inverness, Point Reyes, and much of Marin County, keeping him steadily employed designing and maintaining gardens. He accumulated many memorable stories from these relationships.

Pat Healey, owner of the popular Station House Cafe in Point Reyes, hired Jim to work at her house; when he needed an assistant, Pat introduced him to Florencio Ramirez. Florencio had some landscape experience and had been working at the restaurant. Jim and Florencio worked together on the installation and maintenance of the extensive Station House garden. Because Jim spoke fluent Spanish, Florencio proved to be an ideal partner. Before long, Jim invited him to become his assistant in the landscaping business. This began a thirty-five year partnership.

Perfectionism was one of Jim's defining traits, and he brought that dedication to every project. One installation that remained especially meaningful to him was the enclosed median on the road through Inverness, which he passed by regularly. With Florencio helping him, Jim was commissioned to landscape the median there. It was one he could admire for years after it was finished with all the colorful flowers.