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Archive for the ‘Road trip’ Category

Soaked to the bone on Day 46

Posted in Country, Home, Planning, Road trip on October 25, 2010| Leave a Comment »

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Yes, you’re right. Some of you remembered that one of my original milestones was to be in San Diego by today so that I could see the Patriots play the Chargers. I’m afraid I didn’t make it. I revised my itinerary a couple of weeks ago when I realized it just wasn’t realistic. I didn’t want to rush down the California coast and miss out on so many things, especially since I can see the Patriots play back home. (Albeit in the snow by the time I get there.)

Well, instead I’m in very rainy San Francisco. I’m rather disappointed as I love this city so much and I’d like to be off exploring, but it’s good too because it gave me time to simply sit and catch up with friends. And that’s exactly what I did. In the late morning I met Joy and her family at their home in San Francisco (I was supposed to meet them earlier for dim sum, but surprise, surprise, yours truly was running late).  Then in the late afternoon I visited another high school friend, Lauren, and her family at their home in Oakland. The funny thing is, neither of them knew the other was out here. It’s amazing how people spread out around the country, and the world. Some for school, some for jobs, some for love, some simply to escape. Many love it in their adopted homes, but it’s also interesting how many end up back home again – at least eventually.

Between visits I popped over to see the Golden Gate Bridge, since I wasn’t sure if I’d have a chance tomorrow or not. While hunting for a good viewing point I found another National Historic Site – Fort Point. The Civil War fort is right on the water, just underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. I braved the elements – and nearly sacrificed my camera – to get photos of the bridge, waves (which I was afraid for a bit would wash away my poor car) and the fort.

Over dinner with Luke and Laura we came to the consensus that, since the weather is clearing, I must spend a few hours in the city tomorrow before heading south on route 1 (just like home). So I’ll play tourist for a few hours in the morning (well, I guess playing tourist is my full-time job right now, so nothing new there) and see if I still love the city like I used to. What I know, though, is it’s time to hit the road because if I stay here any longer, I’ll put on 20 pounds! After another wonderful dinner, Luke, Laura and I headed straight for another little gelato shop. Yummmm… At least we walked a bit after, and then went on another brief road tour before heading home. It’s going to be hard to leave – it always is when your hosts are family and make you feel so at home!

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Seals, starfish and surfers on Day 45

Posted in Alone, Country, Home, Road trip on October 24, 2010| Leave a Comment »

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I’m loving California! (Don’t worry, folks back home, so far I’m still going back east eventually.) The day started with a great breakfast and conversation with Todd, followed by a brief walk among the Redwoods, since he knows how much I love trees. They were incredible, gentle giants – and Todd explained that these – some of which are a few hundred years old – are the babies. I can’t wait to see the parents!

 I was sad to bid him farewell, but glad to know that some friendships are forever enduring, it doesn’t matter how much time or distance there is. I feel like I gain new insights with everyone I visit, and take a piece of them with me along my journey. So I guess I am really never alone…

It wasn’t long before I arrived in Los Gatos to visit my uncle Luke and aunt Laura. (Yes, General Hospital fans, I am staying with Luke and Laura!) Despite the weather, they gave me a whirlwind tour of the area. It reminded me so much of being with my Dad and Maggie – very warm, welcoming and comforting, and including a chauffeured tour around town, learning all sorts of interesting tidbits about the area and people, just like my time with my parents. We went for a rollercoaster ride through the Santa Cruz mountains, complete with peaks and dips and hairpin turns – and fabulous views, although there weren’t really safe places to stop for pictures.

The San Gregorio General Store was our first stop. It is the neatest place, everything rolled into one: a live band, bar, restaurant, book store, post cards, gifts, clothes – you name it, they have it. A true old-fashioned general store. We sipped our hot beverages, soaked in the atmosphere and browsed the goodies. (Luke said I fit right in with my cowboy boots.) I was tempted, but continue to hold strong, resisting major purchases – hope you’re proud of me! Pescadero Beach was next, with crashing waves and crazy surfers. It was a first for me – wearing cowboy boots on the beach. I let Luke do the wading and he found a big starfish, which he saved by throwing back in the water.

It would be hard to say what the best part of the day was, but Pigeon Point Lighthouse might be it. Seeing the lighthouse up close was great, but I especially loved the seals basking in, well, not exactly sun, but in the light, rain and wind. No, the weather didn’t seem to bother them a bit. We even witnessed a baby trying his hardest to join the others on the rock. Eventually he succeeded, but it took him awhile. And I can’t forget Luke’s favorite part: the old whale bones by the lighthouse. Final sight-seeing stop: Greyhound Rock in Davenport, a monster sitting in the ocean by a small beach, complete with caves to explore.

The evening was a culinary delight – at least in my eyes! Melt-in-your-mouth clam chowder and calamari at Zelda’s on the water in Santa Cruz, followed by ice cream at Powell’s Sweet Shop in Los Gatos (raspberry white chocolate for Laura, banana chocolate chip for Luke and strawberry cheesecake for me), and finally concluded with espressos, lattes and caramel hot apple cider at Starbucks. Yes, we rolled home, admiring the Halloween decorations on the way…

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Eureka! Arriving in California on Day 44

Posted in Country, Planning, Road trip on October 23, 2010| 4 Comments »

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Day 44 was another day of driving – this is when planning and thinking ahead a bit more would come in handy, but oh well. You see, even though people told me it is a lot farther than I think from Washington to California, I didn’t really pay attention (sorry guys). So when I punched my friend Todd’s address in Aidan and found it was about nine hours and nearly 600 miles, and we were supposed to be meeting for dinner, I knew I wouldn’t be there right on time. I also knew I couldn’t lengthen it any more by taking the scenic route – I’d get back to that from San Fran to LA. So I think Day 44 was the most driving in one stretch yet. Funny enough, I didn’t get sick of the drive or tired, but simply wished I had  more time!

For the first time, I was tempted to actually pick up hitchhikers. They reminded me of the people who started Lonely Planet – I read in their memoir about how they started and a good part of it was hitchhiking. Anyway, these were both guys (Lonely Planet creators were a guy and a girl – a couple, now married) with long hair, very hippy-like, smiling and happy, sitting on the side of I-5 with a big sign that said “Australia – Mexico.” How cool would it be to help them on the final leg of their journey? But then the practical side of me chimed in and so I didn’t stop. Hope someone else did.

I soon approached the California border – so very excited to actually be in the state! I’ve been promising Duffy and Jay that I’d visit them for 15 years and I’m finally, really going to do it! I was thrilled to see there was actually a lookout point just before the Oregon/Cali border, so was able to stop and get some photos. (It also looked like there was a giant cloud hanging over the state, and it wasn’t long before I drove into the rain.)

I was surprised to find that they stop you at the California border. At first I thought it was a toll to enter the state (wouldn’t be surprised if, of all states, Cali did that), but no, it was to check for any fresh fruit or plants. It was almost like it’s a separate country and doesn’t want anything from the other places to contaminate it. Ah, California.

I arrived at Todd’s about 9 pm – just as Aidan predicted. I had thought about him along the way – it’s been 16 years since I last saw him at our graduation from Dean. What I remembered most was how genuine and warm he is. How he has the gentlest soul and always looked at you so intently when talking that you felt like the only person on earth and how what you were saying actually mattered. I was instant friends with Todd in school, and was so glad to find when I arrived that he hadn’t changed at all in the ways that mattered. He’s really just more found himself and what makes him peaceful and happy – devoting himself to making beautiful music. Like my friend with the horse farm, it makes me so happy to see that Todd spends his days and supports himself by fulfilling his dream of making music and sharing it with others. It is a unique, soothing sound that he creates using acoustic world instruments. Listen for yourself here: http://www.toddboston.com/.

We had a fabulous, relaxing evening catching up on the last sixteen years of each other’s lives and discussing the next leg of my trip. He filled me in on some must-see places that I know I’m going to love. I’ll be updating the itinerary soon – probably when I have some down time in LA toward the end of the week. So much more to see – just never enough time anywhere!

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