Spontanious Trip to San Fran

I have a dog walking duty during most days now. I am covering for a girl who does it full time here in the RV park, but she's in Carmel this weekend. (I guess all those times I watched Audrey has paid off) So, after I walked Chole, I thought, "Hum... I am going to San Fran today." So, I got in my car and went to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and took a 40 min ride into Fisherman's Wharf. This was my second trip to San Fransisco. I went in 2005 when I went to visit Amber & Jason in Sacramento. I knew exactly what I wanted to do today, so you know what, I did it. My first stop, Ghirardelli Square. Hahahaha... yes, for a brownie chocolate sundae with carmel syrup and whip cream. This place is heaven for anyone who loves sweets ( Hello! *pointing at myself*). I then just decided to spend the rest of the day people watching and hanging out. I had planned on going to Golden Gate Park and walking across the Bridge, but due to time constraints... maybe next time. I had a lovely time watching those crazy people (without wet suites) swim in that San Fran Bay. I mean, "Why?" I walked around the beach area and then down a long pier to take the whole city in. I could see Coit Tower (Telegraph Hill), most of the downtown buildings, Ghirardelli and the Golden Gate Bridge all from where I stood. It was a beautiful day, too, a record high for San Fransisco - near 80. It's usually a cool 60s. I even stopped by a street vendor and bought some pretty red earrings from a Chiense woman. She made them herself! They are my new favs! I rode a few streetcars to get to and fro, then ate an early dinner of a clam chowder bread bowl. I enjoyed the day! It's a great feeling when you live in a place where you can just hop in your car and be somewhere totally different in an hour or less. My next day trip planned: A return to Wine Country: Napa and Sonoma. That may have to be after my HWY 1 trip, which is turning out to be my most anticipated trip yet due to some friends who have been on the same route and told me some great things to see.
Here are my pictures from the day (helpful hint, if you want to see the pictures bigger, just click on them):

My frist stop! Doesn't the sky look beautiful! It was the most perfect summer day!


Oh yes! There's a brownie in there somewhere. Unfortunately, I only ate 1/3 of this $9 sundae.


I must work on my posture! Good grief! Alcatraz behind me. (a German man took this, I knew someone would ask)


Fisherman's Wharf. There were little stands everywhere through here with fresh crab sandwiches, shrip sandwhiches and chowders.


Other end of Fisherman's Wharf. See all those people standing in line? They want their clam chowder now!


Cute little boats.


The ultimate tourist shot in San Fran!


Just me with GGB behind. It's a beautiful thing to see.


These crazy swimmers in sub 60 degree water WITHOUT wetsuites. Makes some of you feel like idiots, huh? Seems like it was a swim club out there ... there was about 31 of them out there, I know because I counted. (I didn't waste my time counting!)


Cutest little boy ever! Just a-running around with no pants on. He was just so happy, too.


I really liked this scene. The Golden Gate Bridge in the background, swimmer's arms just a-swimming, kids running around, sailboats. It was a perfect summer day.


Just a taste of what San Fran streets are like. STRAIGHT UP. Three years ago, Amber & I walked up them. Today, I skipped it, although after that sundae I should have ran up them.


This cost me $6.95. Clam Chowder Bread Bowl. Well worth it. I stood in line for this with all those other fools.


Final shot of the day. I was about to go under into the BART and saw this before my eyes... a streetcar coming down the hill into the city. I thought it looked neat.

PCH

I have decided to drive down the Pacific Coast Highway next week. I will leave Morgan Hill to drive down HWY 1 down to San Deigo to vist my pal, Jack. I am planning on leaving in enough time to see all the things the coast has to offer! I plan to stay the first night in Santa Barbara. I want to see all the pretty little beach towns on the way down. On my way home, I have already made my reservation to go visit the Hearst Castle. The nerd I am has always wanted to see it. It'll be amazing! If you don't know what it is, wikipedia it. :)

If you know of any fun things I should see or do while I'm on HWY 1, please suggest away! I am leaving Sept 2nd and returning Sept 5th.

Here's a picture of what I am looking forward to seeing: (Big Sur)

Dan-O-Rama Weekend

Our old friend, Dan, came to town on Wednesday. We had a nice weekend with him! Actually, this was the exact time I was to fly out anyway to come visit, but of course, decided to come out earlier.

We started the weekend by camping in the Santa Cruz Mountains from Thurs-Sat. It was the first time Amber & Jason took out their new little camper. We had a lovely time. We then spent the rest of the weekend relaxing, cooking out, playing with Baby Sage, then today we spontaniously drove to Carmel-by-the-Sea, (that's the whole name, or as you may know it as "Carmel."). It was beautiful! It's one of those coastal cities on HWY 1. Some fun facts about it: Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor, still has a house there. Jennifer Anniston is from this town. My favorite photographer, Ansel Adams, used to live there. Pebble Beach golf course is there. My favorite fact: The Cottage of Sweets on Ocean Ave is the cutest little thing I've ever seen! So, if you plan a trip down HYW 1 - stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea!

Here are pictures from the weekend!


Our first camping trip of the summer!


Night 2 of camping.


The end of a great camping weekend! Us in front of the '68 Shasta!


Ocean Ave - Carmel-By-The-Sea. The Sweet Cottage. It was the most precious thing ever. Imagine Willy Wonka inside! It was!


My biggest weakness.


Cute Baby Sage in his bear hat. We had to bundle up in Carmel. It was 57 degrees!


They instigated me to do this, again, for the umpteenth time. :)


Us on the beach.


Ever heard of Pebble Beach? Here she is. (the greens)


Another thing Carmel is famous for, "storybook houses," or "fairy tale houses." These houses were everywhere. I wish I had better pictures. They had crazy, crooked roofs and funny windows. So neat!

Need for Adventure

I believe it was two years ago when I started wondering, "Is this really all life is?" I said that as I did my daily routine of waking up, getting ready for work, going to work, waiting on 5pm so I get out of work. I am sure I am not the only one who has ever thought that.

A good friend of mine gave me a book to read on my journey out to CA. I must say, it's now one of my favorite books, "Into the Wild." On the inside cover he wrote to me a wonderful quote that I often turn to just to read. I had already decided to leave Birmingham when I read this and it affirmed what I was doing. It made me feel like what I was about to do was 110% the right decision. Here's the quote....

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservation, all of which may appear to give one piece of mind, but in reality, nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our own encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new a different sun."

I still feel like what I did was the right decision. I have been so lucky to have met so many people here who are so willing to help me find a job. I feel like when you see an open door, take it, and things will eventually fall into place.

It's odd how I haven't thought of Birmingham once while being here. It's just so new out here, so many things to do and see. I miss all of my friends, but the thought of returning to Birmingham has not once crossed my mind. I know I'd just return to all the old things in Birmingham I'd grown used to, and sometimes you're just ready to get out and ready for new things and new adventures. Maybe I'm not that different from Chris McCandless and Everett Ruess. When I was in Yosemite, all I wanted to do was just sit there and stare off into the distance for hours. Both of them had explored that same area. Afterall, most of my trip out here did involve the same exact areas they once explored, while also, being all by myself. (If you don't know who they are, wikipedia them.)

What's Coyote Valley Like, You Ask?

Well... let me show you. I have had more questions on "what's it like out there" than anything else. I just got in from the pool (part of my daily routine) and decided to walk around and take some pictures for you.

Here is Billy's "coach." I was given a crash course in RV talk the day I got here. A coach is an RV that you and drive. The big 'ens. Billy hails from Tupelo,MS and may be my favorite person here, (I told him I had friends from MS). I can't wait to get a picture with him. He talks like he's from the South and says one curse word per sentence, if not more. You'd love him. He's funny. His RV tells it all. (the other side of the flag has a skull and bones)


Here's the nice pool area. Every day, about 1-2pm, I make my way out of bed and to the pool. Muwahahahha, I kid. I wake up at 8am. I help Amber with little baby Sage then go out there to read my book.


Here's the front enterance of Amber & Jason's 5th Wheel. Yes, this is another type of RV. One you can pull behind a dually. It's reeeel nice.


Here's Keenum's RV. His is a pull behind camper. He also has a surf board out for the ladies. He has yet to use it. Looks good, though, right? He pulls in every night like this, just like a bat outta h*ll.



Here's the 1968 Shasta Amber & Jason bought. It sleeps 2 and is just cute as a button. Little, isn't she?


Here's Amber cooking dinner for us on the grill. Tonight it was chicken & steak fajitas. Yummy!


Further evidence that Keenum does not own a shirt. Also, evidence that he doesn't know how to properly wear a hat. (He comes over every day after he wakes up, sits down, says something wise, then leaves.)


We have a family of prarie dogs beside us. This is Patrick. I named him just now. Isn't he cute? Amber says there's a family of five of them. I have only seen Patrick.


And I can't leave out baby Sage. Sleeping like a champ. Arm back, relaxed. I like to think this is how I look when I sleep.


And yours truly. I think I like it here. I might just stay. I applied for several jobs today, we'll see what happens.

Haven't Worn Make Up in 7 Days & Love It!

My first few days in Coyote Valley have been nice. The weather here is perfect. You wake up and it's in the low 60s, then by mid-day it's near 90-100 degrees, then cools down to low 60s again by night. It's definately long sleeve weather at night. Morgan Hill, which is where we are, is in between two little mountain ranges. We are also 30 min from the coast (Santa Cruz).

It's been great meeting all these new people in the RV park. They are so welcoming and nice. It's been great vising with Amber, Jason and getting to know baby Sage. He's so precious. He has the biggest cheeks and just smiles. He's 12 wks and it's interesting to see what a day in the life of a mother is like. I haven't seen Keenum all that much yet as he works night shift (he's an RN) and has worked the past four days in a row. He really will be working until Dan gets here, on Wednesday.

Amber & Jason bought a little camper yesterday. It's a 1968 Shasta camper and looks like one of those old vintage pull behind campers. We are going to take it on our camping trips and then also tent camp beside it since it's only 12 feet long & will only sleep 2 ppl max. It'll be fun!

Here's a link to view all my pictures from the trip: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=137478&id=618212641&l=c0c1194211

What a Great Trip!

Six days. 3,100 miles. By myself! :) I have not had the best Internet connection in each place I've stopped, so I haven't updated. Plus, after driving 12 hr days, the last thing you want to do is type. You just want to relax. It's been an amazing journey though. I don't regret doing this. The things I've seen, the places I've been ... pictures and words can never do it all justice. I will do my best though. Here's my recap of my trip:
Saturday: Birmingham to around Gulf Coast to stay in Houston with Julie & David.

Sunday: Houston, TX to El Paso, TX. Nothing interesting there. Lots of Mexicans.

Monday: El Paso, TX all the way up through AZ to Flagstaff. Stayed with McWane. We had an excellent time. I went to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. We then went out on the town that night and met an interesting biker ...

Tuesday: Flagstaff, AZ to Las Vegas to stay with my Uncle Tom. This was one hot drive. AZ and NV are hot hot. I saw the Grand Canyon this day. Words will never do this justice. It was something you could only experience for yourself with your own eyes. I could honestly have sat there and stared into it for hours. It's that mesmerizing. It made me wonder, what did the Native Americans think when they first stumbled across this? I can't help but think they had the same reaction that I did.

Wednesday: Vegas to Mammoth, CA. I drove through Death Valley. I thought it'd be neat. Well, it was neat and HOT as you know what. HOT. 121 degrees. It was crazy to see. Mammoth is what postcards are made of. Unreal. Beautiful beyond measure. It's a huge ski resort in the winter and a lot of fun things to do in the summer. I also saw portions of Yosemite this day.

Thursday: Mammoth, CA to San Jose. I finished my trip through Yosemite. I saw all of it, except the southern Redwood area. I saw that 4 yrs ago when I went to Yosemite for the first time. Yosemite is a place like none other. I can't tell you unless you've seen it for yourself. Of all the days I was on this trip by myself, this was the one day I wish I had someone with me. It's the type of place you want others to see, so they can feel what you feel. If you don't believe in God, go to Yosemite. It's a spiritual experience.

So, at 3pm Pacific Time, I pulled into the Coyote Valley RV Park! I still can't believe I up and came out here, but it's been great. I have loved every minute of this trip.

I'm now here for an undetermined amount of time. I am looking forward to what my future holds.

I will post pictures later. If you're on Facebook, they are already up.

Dan comes out in one week. I believe we'll be going to Yosemite to camp, which I can't wait for. So, more pictures to come from that trip.

1,200 Miles Later

I left Birmingham around 6:45am on Saturday. I left the Magic City seeing several friends on their long run through Homewood. It was nice seeing some familiar faces so early in the morning as I left on my big trip, (Phil, Pam, Tom & Micki).

It took exactly 12 hours to get from Birmingham to Houston. It was a smooth drive until I hit Houston traffic (sigh). I made it to Julie & David's around 7:30. We went to eat at Lupe Tortilla, which was great! They had these HUGE hand-made tortillas. We had some great beef fajitas. Julie & I grew up going to school together from 3rd grade until we graduated high school. It was great to spend some time with her and meet her husband.

I then left Houston around 7AM to make it to El Paso, TX. I totally pulled a "Jason Keenum." I had no clue El Paso is on Mountain Time. I thought I got here at 6PM CST, but really, it was just 5PM. If I could have cancelled my hotel reservation I would have kept driving some, but just decided to stay. I need to rest. These long days of driving will eventually get to me. So, today, I drove 11 hours.

Driving through TX hasn't been that exciting. Once I started getting closer to Mexico the terrain definitely changed a lot. It was amazing to see. The land is so flat and the mountains are huge. I watched several sand storms and rain storms pass by, it was so cool to see. I am now looking out my window into Mexico, that's how close I am. No lie. I can see the flag waving, so odd.

I am leaving tomorrow to make my way to Flagstaff, AZ. I will drive through southern NM and all the way up the lovely state of AZ. I am going to meet up with McWane, a pal from the Trak Shak this summer. We are going to Slide Rock to do some swimming, Sedona and a few other areas. Memi would be excited to hear I will be visiting one of Frank Lloyd Wright's monuments. :)

My route may be altered a little. It may be extended by a day. I am going to see the Grand Canyon on Tuesday then head into Vegas to stay with Uncle Tom. I'm quite excited about that visit, I haven't seen him in many years. From Vegas I will drive 12 hours to San Jose by way of Yosemite. I have a *feeling* I will want to stop many times in Yosemite, so I may stay a night there... or it may just take 15 hours to get to San Jose. We'll see what happens. Either way, I'm obviously not pressed for time to get back to anywhere, so I'm just going to enjoy the trip as it comes to me.

I can honestly say I am still so happy that I am doing this. I wake up excited each morning ready to get on the road and see new things. It's been odd being by myself, but I don't know that I'd want it any other way. It's given me time to think a lot and even catch up on the phone with some old friends. Thanks to everyone who has called to check in, texted to see where I am and said a little prayer for me.

I think that bed is calling my name... :)

Here's a picture of what it looks like here. I told you. Boring.

The Route

Many of you have already asked, "What route will you be going?" So, I have settled on one. We will see how true I stay to it.

Night 1: Birmingahm to Houston, TX. I will stay with a friend from HS, Julie, and her husband. (est time - 12 hours)

Night 2: Houston, TX to Santa Fe, NM. I will try to make this stretch, but it could be doubtful. I do plan to stay somewhere in NM at least. I gotta get out of TX!! (est time - 14 hours)
***I have since changed my plans here after talking with someone. I will be staying in El Paso, TX. Since I'll be so close to the Mexican border, I don't need to take chances on where to stay. I pricelined a hotel, of course, IMO, the only way to go!

Night 3: I may play around in AZ. I want to see Flagstaff, Sedona and a place my friend, Heather, talks of - Slippery Rock. I even saw it on the Travel Channel the other day, even more reason to go. I have a friend in Flagstaff, one whom Stephanie, Deb & Chris love, who I hope to meet up with there. When I am done for the day there, I will make my way to the Grandest of Canyons. I hear the sunsets there are enough to make a grown man cry. I may see what that's about. Don't count on this girl doing a mule ride down to the bottom. I checked into it. It takes a day and $200. I, however, would love to raft down the CO River, so we'll see. I may just jump in and see where it takes me. (est time - 5 hours to Flagstaff from NM, est time to GC - 1.5 hrs)

Night 4: I had planned to stay in Vegas with my Uncle Tom. Uncle Tom isn't doing a good job of cleaning out his cell ph voice mail and so it's full. Not sure what will happen this night, I'm not really worried. I've seen the lights of Vegas. It isn't as much fun by yourself vs being with a slew of other trouble-makers and party people. Points of interest in this area I want to see are: Death Valley, NV, Kings Canyon NP, CA. I may make the haul into San Jose at this point by way of my lovely Yosemite. (est time from Grand Canyon to San Jose - 12 hours)

This trip is not like me at all, not in the sense of adventure, but of planning. Any of you who know me know what a "Patty Planner" I am. For some reason, this time, I don't give a flip.

I have had such an outpouring of support and love recently. I've gotten emails from old friends I haven't seen/talked to in years and even from acquaintances who I barely know. My good friend, Deb, her former boss emailed me yesterday. I'm going to post here what he said to me, as it brought tears to my eyes and made me realize again why I'm doing this. His words inspired me even more.

Deb is just bubbling over with enthusiasm for what you are doing. I’d like to join her in encouraging your undertaking. It struck a chord with me, as I’ve driven to the west coast perhaps a half-dozen times or more, various routes. Enjoyed every trip. Being an older man, of course I have advice for you, poor helpless young female, which should be promptly ignored. Take a camera and stop everywhere you like, to record scenes. If something interests you, stop and explore. By all means include Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Grand Canyon is absolutely the greatest natural thing you will ever see. Don’t be limited by 3 or 4 days. Let the trip dictate the time. Know in your heart the greatest adventure of this trip will be something unplanned, unexpected. And it will be a good adventure. That is the beauty of real travel. What you are doing is real travel.

Then, my dear, sweet great friend, Ryan. I wish I could see him more than I do. We've been friends for many years. He and his lovely wife, Anna, just moved from New Orleans to Grayton Beach. They have always wanted to live there, so they made it happen. Here's his email to me, which also, (the sap I am) brought tears to my eyes.

Beautifully written and I admire your decision. As a person who recently left a home, a job, friends, and comfort for a dream, I can say that it will not be easy. There will be times when you want to turn back (like after wrecking a Uhaul). The turning back is the easy decision but not the best. Read the "Dreamgiver" on your way to California (or join audible.com and download it to your ipod) for inspiration. Don't listen to the naysayers and trust your intuition, because a woman of such courage should at least be able to trust in herself.
Love you tons,
Ryan

Yet again, I want to emphasize, I am not sure how long I'll be gone. I feel the chances of me returning home are far greater than staying out there. Maybe a month isn't long enough for the things I want to see & experience, and that's OK. I may take 6 wks to explore everything out there. We'll see.

If any of you know friends/family in the areas I'm going to, let me know. It'd be fun to make a new friend here & there.

Close your eyes, clear your heart, cut the cord.

Last Monday I drove into work like any other day. I thought it'd be a normal day, but it was far from a normal day. It was the day I was fired. In the moment it happened I thought, "Great, what am I going to do now?" I looked for jobs for a week and all I came up with were part time jobs and waitressing gigs. Little did I know, it'd be that day that would allow me to do what I'm about to do.

If you know me, like, really "really" know me, you know of my desire to move out West. I was lucky to have lived in Montana for three years when I was younger. I have been out West many times and words can't express how truly beautiful it is out there, unless you've seen it with your own eyes. My first visit to California was the summer of 2005. I fell in love with that state. I then returned in a cross country RV trip in 2007 to Southern California. I have always said I left my heart there.

I read a book two years ago that changed my life. My dear, sweet friend, Amber Montgomery told me I had to read it. She's one of those who "really" knows me. It is Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller. I have referenced it before in past blogs. If you are anything like me, a free spirit, adventurous and long for something new ... read it. You'll never be sorry. The forward alone gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes. It's just like he's talking to me. He explains why he left Texas with his best friend, years ago, to set out on the open road on a cross country road trip. He explains a deep desire he had for something new. His words are my exact thoughts and feelings at this moment, if not always.

My best friends live in San Jose. Amber recently told me it was time for me to take a break from Alabama. She always says that, for me to come out & stay, but this time I told her she better be serious about her invitation. I was to fly out Aug 19th anyway, but I thought, "why not go earlier?" I mean, I just lost my job and have nothing holding me back? Why not?

I was having a hard time trying to decide what to do. Should I stay or should I go now? I prayed a lot and talked to my parents in depth. My dad told me a story that he'd never told me. He was 27 and living in Montana. He had just gotten out of a difficult relationship and needed a break. He knew of a friend in Alabama and heard of a big company hiring. He flew down, interviewed, met some people & decided to move to AL. He borrowed a truck, drove back up to MT and gathered his "wordly possessions," as he called them, then drove back down. As his story goes ... he met my mom months later and they married soon after. When he told me that story I knew what I had to do. He said to me, "Catherine, just go." Hearing my dad's blessing gave me a peace about it & I then realized it was time for me to go.

I can't think of another time in my life where I've been more ready for this. I have toyed with this idea, of California, for four years now. I have nothing tying me down. I don't have a mortgage, a job or much "stuff." So, I'm going. The money I have been saving couldn't be spent in better way, in my opinion. I am leaving Saturday. I am leaving in my car, driving the 2,800 miles on my own. I believe this will be a great adventure and one I won't regret. I plan to stay one month. We'll see what happens from there. I know, just as some of you know, hardships and bad things in life can result into something beautiful. That's my hope here.

So that's where my story starts ...

I am only taking a suitecase with 2 wks worth of clothes, my bike, and a few other things. I will be staying with friends & family along the way. Once I arrive in San Jose I will be staying with my dear friends Amber & Jason and also Jason Keenum.

This trip will take at least three days. I may do it in four to see a few areas along the way. I'm making my way through the Southwest region. I have been lucky enough to see most of that area, but never the Grand Canyon. I hope to do that on my way out and possibly make my way into San Jose by way of Yosemite.

You are probably thinking, "Does she know the unemployment rate in CA is the worst in the country?" Yes, yes I do. I just feel people always find their way somehow. I have faith in the sweet Lord that things will work out as they are supposed to.

Thanks to all of my great friends who have recently sent kind words, well wishes and your blessings for me to do this. I still can't believe I am doing this, but I am very excited!

So, here's to many fun adventures ahead.... I love you all!

(BTW - points to who can guess what song I referenced in the post title, Berg??)