As of June 1, 2019…I’m officially homeless…err, I mean nomadic! I’m hitting the road for a good ‘ole fashioned USA Road Trip of indeterminate length. Since my income comes from working as an attorney for my own small digital law firm, not this blog (yet!), my posts are usually a few days…or even weeks after I’ve gone somewhere.
I wanted a place to memorialize more journal-like updates closer to real-time and help friends and family who ask “Where are you now? I can’t keep up!” This post will be that place. Most recent updates will be at the top.
There will be a slight time delay on publishing some updates or details left out until a day two later because, “I’m at campsite B52, alone,” doesn’t really feel like something I should be sharing publicly in real time. You know, because bears might read it and come try to eat my food. 😉 (Side note: I have pepper spray, thanks Pam!)
You can also keep up with my adventures by signing up for my “sort-of” weekly email updates, which I’m aiming to get out every week or two.
JULY 27, 2019: SATURDAY NIGHT = MOVIE NIGHT!
Where I’m At:Tetons National Forest, Free Campsite
What I’m Doing: Watching pieces of colored sunset sky peek through the clouds sky after a mini rain storm from the back of my CRV. Man, when you start to hear the wind howling…there’s no greater feeling than knowing you don’t HAVE to sleep in a tent. About to pop on two episodes of “Good Girls,” that I pre-downloaded and just chill.
Other Notes: Went through Yellowstone on the way here today…and saw some beautiful things, but man, Tetons already feel more like me. They have a bit of a resemblance to the Sawtooths – a don’t fuck with me look…and while there are still plenty of people around, it’s not the circus-like vibe that some of Yellowstone’s more popular spots have.
Even on the road balance is hard. You have to work, socialize, drive, exercise, feed yourself, keep your food from bears, etc. Having some time to reflect has underscored the fact that I really have a tendency to push to hard and try to fit too many things in. I want, and I’m sure need, time to just be. I can sometimes catch myself rushing through thinking of the next task (what do I have to do tomorrow) instead of just enjoying the moment. Getting better at catching this, but it still happens.
It’s also reinforcing that I don’t want to practice law forever. I’ll stay up until midnight getting wrapped up in writing a blog that will make me $1 or reviewing photos, but pushing through when it comes to law is just getting harder and harder. I really want to try to move to a few days a week of law by the end of the year and the others focused on developing, skills, contacts, and ultimately, business in things I love like photography, travel writing, and actually, maybe even online marketing for small businesses (the working with small businesses is the best part of my law work).
You can’t escape your problems with travel, but it can give you perspective. I have and am continuing to gain it in multiple areas.
Ok, that was rambly – told you this part would be diary style. Now, I’m going to just chill and relax and enjoy this beautiful half-light/half-dark sunset.
JULY 21, 2019: GLAMPING
Where I’m At: Campground between Kalispell, MT and Whitefish, MT
What I’m Doing: Listening to voice memos I’ve recorded trying to figure out how to put some of the more emotional components of this travel adventure into words.
Other Notes: Since I’m on the road a lot, I often have ideas while driving so I’ve started doing little voice recordings when I do. They range from noting some interesting thing on the side of the road to blog articles I want to write to emotional epiphanies to reflecting on some of the past year.
I just finished a post on Stanley, Idaho where I spent most of the past week which I’m stoked on because it was such a great place that I want to highlight it, but I also think I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the emotions of a trip like this – highs, lows, epiphanies, etc. I have a ton of posts I’ve started but it just hasn’t come together yet…
JULY 15, 2019: FUELING THE FIRE
Where I’m At: National Forest near Stanley, Idaho (I’ll fill in more details when I’m not here, but really like this site and will probably stay another night or two)
What I’m Doing: Literally this…
…and periodically literally adding fuel (wood) to the fire that I built with gathered wood and a lighter (but no fire starters or pouring fuel on it).
Other Notes: I am proud of myself for this fire. Last year in Banff, Canada, I realized that despite a weird stage where my sister and I would burn leaves in the woods (I know! No bueno), I didn’t know how to build a continuous fire.
…if only I could find them. 🙂
Last year, on the perhaps two days during our girls hiking trip in Banff, Alberta, Canada that we even dealt with attempting one, Natashya and I built some of the smokiest, shortest lasting fires in the campground. We’re both quite smart – so I knew it was just that we hadn’t learned how (probably because at every bonfire/campsite there are always ten dudes vying to be the main person in charge of the fire) not that we couldn’t.
I’ve dated guys that have told me they’d teach me how to build a fire….but that never happened. So, this year, I literally made it one of my goals for the year to learn how to build one. One REI survival class, a bit of Pinteresting, and some really shitty fires later, I finally feel pretty confident doing it. Now it’s just fine tuning my skills.
Kinda cool (and free) to gather your own wood. The only downside is it’s harder to find nice big logs for when it gets going so it’s more hands on. Guess I’ll need to figure out how to use an ax next…Anyone volunteering to teach me that.
…and Open Roads Festival was awesome. Still riding a bit of a high today, which is good because I needed a positive attitude when getting back to the grind.
JULY 11, 2019: VAN LIFE?
Where I’m At: Ponderosa State Park, McCall, Idaho, USA
What I’m Doing: Getting my last fix of relatively good cell service and WiFi before heading to Open Roads, a van life festival, until Sunday.
Other Notes: Since I don’t have a real “van,” (#CRVLIFE!) I’m doing a camping site at Open Roads. Goals for the event are:
RELAX. Taking it as true vacation and hoping to relax, have fun, and socialize a bit.
LEARN. See what kind-of van life rigs people have, what it’s like full-time living in a van (gotta admit, there’s temptation), and attend some of the seminars like one on cooking.
SOCIALIZE. Hoping it’s a good opportunity to hang out with some like minded, relatively young people. Strangely, I think I talk to people in real life more on a daily basis more now than when I was working remotely in SD (kinda sad), but small talk with a random older guy at a viewpoint is different than hanging out with people that are more peers. I’m due for some mo’ of that.
WRITE. Hoping to do a little blog writing to catch-up – lots of half written articles and voice memos with ideas from when I was driving. Though, rumor has it WiFi will be “extremely,” limited so not counting on being able to publish anything until I mosey back to civilization Sunday. First up will be my report from month 1 of being a solo-female on the road. Time flies!
I’m strangely a concerned that ll the other attendees at Open Roads are all going to be established van-lifers with really nice rigs and I’m going to roll up with my self-built CRV sleeping mobile (“built,” being used very generously) and feel self-conscious. Not sure why I’m feeling that because my set-up is working really well for me but I am, so I’m being honest and sharing.
JULY 5 – 10, 2019: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.
Where I Was At:
Revelstoke Campground, Revelstoke, BC, Canada
Some Campground on the Vernon-Slocan Highway (BC 6)
Kokanee Creek Provincial Park (LOVED!) outside of Nelson, BC, Canada
Wan-Mart, Moscow, Idaho (I’ll get back to this in a future post)
Hell’s Gate State Park
What I Was Doing: After 5 nights in Revelstoke, I was starting to feel settled-isa there, but it was time to hit the road again and start making my way down to McCall, Idaho for a van life festival I impulsively signed up for a while back when it popped up on Instagram. (I was already going to Idaho and it was occurring around the time I intended to be there – meant. to. be.) Driving, exploring, working, travel planning. Here’s a quick photo re-cap of some of it:
Leisurely strolling with a new friend at Revelstoke National Park Revelstoke has my heart. Leaving Revelstoke! Had fun HANGING there. Of course it stopped raining on a Monday (that means work day) outside of Nelson, BC Canada I mean, I’m trying to give an accurate portrayal of life but I really need to take a photo rested with dry hair and make-up. Perfect camping weather at Hell’s Gate. Cool flowers on walk-run at Hell’s Gate State Park, Idaho.
Other Notes: If I get the chance, I’ll come back and fill in more details, but for now wanted to get a little caught up.
JULY 4, 2019: AN AMERICAN GIRL…IN CANADA
Where I’m At: Mountain CoLab, Revelstoke, BC, Canada
What I’m Doing:Reflecting a bit on the past two weeks in very clean clothes because I did laundry today!
Other Notes: Being an American in Canada on Canada Day was awesome because it’s like your accidentally in the middle of a celebration and everyone is in a good mood. Being an American in Canada on the 4thof July, at least in a smaller town, is kinda weird. It’s like you want to celebrate a bit but aren’t sure where to do it. I settled for a craft cocktail and really good sliders.
JULY 3, 2019: NOT STRANGERS, “NEW FRIENDS”
Where I’m At: Mount Revelstoke National Park, Revelstoke, BC, Canada*
What I’m Doing: Hiking, or more appros, “sauntering,” with a new friend I met at the co-working space. Man, it’s nice to hang out with cool people to break up the solo-time.
“I don’t like either the word [hike] or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains – not ‘hike!’ Do you know the origin of that word saunter? It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the middle ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre’, ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”
― John Muir
Other Notes: Obviously, wrote this one ex post facto, not while out and about.
The past few days I’ve started to feel truly disconnected from San Diego and “home.” The first little bit of the trip was getting a lot of texts and since I don’t see everyone in San Diego all the time anyway, I didn’t feel that mentally distant from it, even though I was physically far away. The current feeling is interesting – it’s a bit like a roller coaster drop – it’s a “WOAH,” sensation – a bit of a stomach drop and a smile at the same time.
Part of the point of this trip was to get some distance so I could get perspective on a number of things you can’t see clearly when you’re in it – you know, the simple things like where to live, what to do with your life, what type of person is a good long term relationship fit, how to find that person, etc.
JULY 1, 2019: CANADA DAY (AM)
Where I’m At: Dose Coffee, Revelstoke, BC, Canada
What I’m Doing: FEELING GOOD. Sitting at a coffee shop enjoying excellent tomato toast and a latte in the cute-est freaking mountain town. The word idyllic keeps coming to mind.
Other Notes: Thinking it’s probably a good thing that I didn’t grow up skiing because I’d definitely be a ski bum. I feel so at home in cool little mountain towns. Although, I should probably pick up skiing and/or mountain biking because now that I think of it, I’m not a ski-bum or even a MTB* bum, I’m kinda just a bum hanging out in mountain towns.
Also, wondering how I can get a Canadian citizenship…for the same reason…LOVE mountain towns…and don’t hate the mountain men either.
Other Notes: For my parents: MTB = mountain bike
JULY 1, 2019: CANADA DAY (PM)
Where I’m At:AirBnB, Revelstoke, BC, Canada
What I’m Doing: FEELING REAL GOOD. Had a great day. Feeling relaxed. Playing on Instagram and about to get into some sort-of Netflix watching and relaxing. It is nice to have a bathroom you don’t have to walk outside to use.
Other Notes: Found a perfect co-working space today, Mountain CoLab, where I finished some projects. The space wasn’t crowded because you know, Canada Day and I’m in Canada. Chatted with a few people who were working or stopping by on the holiday including another remote attorney which doesn’t happen that often. Looked and felt a little homely in the AM but wanted to knock out the work and get it off my mind.
Treated myself to a nice shower at lunch and put on some make-up. Didn’t go so far as to blow-dry my hair because ain’t nobody got time for that. Well, some people have time for that, just not me. Well, I have time for that, I just didn’t want to.
JUNE 29, 2019: PARTY TIME!
Where I’m At: Raging Elk Hostel, Fernie, British Columbia, Canada
What I’m Doing: Socializing.
Other Notes: After a few US hotel nights and 2.5 weeks on the road with only two spent with someone, my cousin, I was ready to save some money and maybe hang out with some people so I booked a few hostel nights in Canada. Hostels were a great way to meet cool fellow travelers in Asia, but I wasn’t as sure about North America. Turns out, same, same but different country.
I rolled into Fernie, BC Friday early evening a bit tired and no longer feeling very social…or so I thought. Turns out, I was almost instantly energized by the live music, good weather, and people hanging out on the patio of the hostel. The lady checking me in told me there were burgers for sale. Perfect, I’d have a burger, ONE beer, maybe chat with a few people, then retire for the night.
And that’s exactly what happened…except that I retired after hours of well, partying, with new hostel friends that included passing around a cup, yes CUP of fireball, swiping other people’s Tinder accounts, tasting Screech, a Newfoundland rum, and a trip to the local bar. It was a late night…but it was a much needed fun night…and thank God for that burger or things could have been a lot worse the next morning.
My take-away is this: I’m too old to “rock and roll, and party every night,” as evidenced by the fact that I just used that lyrical reference, but not to do it occasionally for the right reasons (i.e. not as an escape.) Although, if I’d known I was going out on this particular occasion, I might have spruced up my look with a little make-up and one of the cute outfits I’ve brought and have yet to wear.
JUNE 27 – 28, 2019: LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN WORLD
Where I’m At: Ponderay, Idaho
What I’m Doing: Enjoying small town kindness, a little exercise, and plotting my next move.
Other Notes: While in Ponderay, I:
- Drove 10-minutes down to Sandpoint, Idaho to view the city and stroll along the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail.
- Had two of the best meals I’ve had this trip at the Farmhouse Kitchen and Silo Bar, and enjoyed chatting with the friendly staff.
- Had hotel waffles two mornings in a row (hey, if you’re paying for it, might as well live it up at the continental breakfast)
- Got a solid hike in at McKinnick Trail (6.5 round trip and 2,100 feet of climbing)
- Decided I was definitely going to Canada…an idea that I’d been mulling over, and booked a few places to stay on the morning I was heading out. Wasn’t sure how Canada would be but it felt good just to have some things booked.
- Binge watched Dead to Me…like stayed up until 1AM binge watched. It’s been a while since I’ve done that. My favorite part is still the first exchange shown in this trailer:
JUNE 26, 2019: FEELS LIKE IDA-HOME
Where I’m at: The Yurtle, Athol, Idaho
What I’m Doing: Sweating my a$$ off and texting with some friends. I seem to have gotten a little too good at building a fire in the wood burning stove and it’s not cold enough out to balance it out yet.
It’s nice to be in one place for a few days…and the Yurtle is nestled in nature but with all the basic creature comforts that make life easy – a sink, wood burning stove, indoor and outdoor table and chairs, bed, plugs, and even string lights to really set the relax and find yourself mood. I still have to walk outside to the bathroom but at this point, it would be kinda weird if I didn’t.
Days are longer here. Sunset isn’t until almost 9PM and first light is around 4AM, which has led to me naturally staying up later – 11 – 1AM range – and waking up in the 7 – 8 range. The light makes me feel awake later too which has led to an interesting routine. I’ve been waking up, doing my most important work task(s), taking a long lunch break to get some exercise/eat/clean-up a bit, then circling back for a second round of work in late afternoon until mid-evening.
Fun to jog/walk at Farragut State Park If I sit here, the answers will come? Heeeey, cutie! In Farragut State Park. Play time at Couer D’Alene. Off the Tubbs Hill trail.
JUNE 23, 2019: WELCOME TO THE YURTLE
Where I’m at: The Yurtle, Athol, Idaho
What I’m Doing: Starting to get a little excited about this trip again.
Other Notes: After driving over 300 miles with my packing tape window flapping in my ear teetering on losing my mind, I finally arrived at the first place I booked for this trip: a yurt in Northern Idaho!
I became almost immediately relaxed when I met the kind AirBnB host and saw the Yurtle (their name for it) in person. It is charming as I had hoped!! This will be the perfect place to figuratively catch my breath and clear my mind. San Diego as is was
Definition of adorable. Could not get any cuter!
One of my goals for this trip is to just have time to breathe and think and hopefully gain perspective with distance from my usual routine. It’s a longer story that I’ll get into at some point, but living in Encinitas, in North San Diego, County was not working well for me in the period before this trip. I needed/need a change, but am not sure exactly what that looks like – work, location, relationships, etc. And, I had not been able to think myself through it while in the situation.
Other Notes: The past few days did prove to be the breather I needed after the too busy start to the trip. AND I now have a car window made of glass, not packing tape, again. I’ve started to get excited and enjoy this trip. I’ll be honest, the beginning was so rough I was starting to question my judgment….and worse than that, if I even LIKED travel anymore (Spoiler Alert: I do.)
JUNE 22, 2019: WELL, THAT SUCKED.
Where I’m at: Red Lion Hotel, Bellevue, Washington
What I’m Doing: Enjoying a brewski on hotel ice and calming down after a strange day. Since I don’t have a cooler and don’t drink an entire six pack when I buy beer, I’ve ended up with a fair number of warm beers. I’ve learned that you can cool them back down by filling the hotel ice bucket and sticking them in.
Yeah, yeah, I know that going cold, warm, cold is not the best for the beer’s taste/quality, but let’s be real, I’m staying at the Red Lion Hotel, I’m not that fancy.
Oh, and the day was strange because I had a really fun hike with my cousin Leila, and then returned to my car…to find the driver’s side window had been smashed in. Yeah, that sucked, but I did come up with a few positives about the situation, you can read them here.
My car is currently sitting with a clear packing tape “window,” that we “made” in the Safeway parking lot after the incident. I brought everything valuable into the hotel so if someone wants to take my blow dryer and bug spray…go for it! Just please don’t break another window.
JUNE 19, 2019: IT’S GETTING DARK OUT HERRE.
Where I’m at: Silver Springs Campground, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Site 54
What I’m Doing: Wondering how it got to be 10PM already. Oh, yeah, because I drove alllll day. Left Bandon, Oregon around 10:15AM, got into campground about 8:45PM. ETA on the drive was 7.5 hours but with stopping for a photo of a cool Leave No Trace Sign, bathroom breaks, gas (x2) and hitting rush-hour traffic in Portland (nothing like seeing that it’s going to take 50 minutes to go 7.5 mils on the GPS – ughhhhh), it was a lot longer.
Planning to work tomorrow morning then meet up with my cousin Leila in the afternoon. Very, excited to see someone I know! Doing so much driving means I haven’t had more than a quick passing conversation with anyone in real life. Though, I must say the Oregonians were very friendly.
The people in Bandon, Oregon were as promised by the internet, especially friendly. I walked around there this morning and multiple people not only said “hi” but asked a question like “how’s your day going? “see anything interesting?” (was looking in a window). Got a Lox & Bagel before I hit the road – trying to get some healthy fats and veggies in (tomato and cucumber).
In other friendly Oregonian events of the day…was cruising along the 101 in Oregon today when suddenly cars in front of me started stopping suddenly. We all came to a complete stop. The car in front of me had its hazards on so I joined the club and put mine on too. Then I saw what had happened. A large branch had fallen onto the other side of the road….and a bunch of people were out of their cars hurriedly hauling the branch and other debris off the road. Traffic on both sides of the highway had stopped to allow them to do the moving. 5 – 6 minutes later we were all on our way again. Moment struck me as really heart-warming for some reason. You know, strangers pulling together type of thing.
Other Notes: Podcast count for the day: 3 Planet Moneys, ½ Rise Podcast, 3 Life Will be the Death of Me (Chelsea Handler podcast with the same title as her book).
I’m officially tired of driving and being in a different place every night, buuuuuut all of my BIG driving days are now behind me and I’ll be in the same general area for the next few days, I get to hang out with another cool human – my cousin!, then onto Idaho, which was the original impetus for this trip. Somehow, “I want to visit Idaho,” morphed into “I’m going to go on a 3 month-isa USA road trip.”
Supposed to rain in the middle of the night. Hope I don’t have to pee then.
Title of this journal entry is to Nelly’s classic Hot in Herre. I think that’s important context.
JUNE 18, 2019: THE PEOPLE’S COAST
Where I’m At: Bullard’s Beach State Park, Oregon
What I’m Doing: Loving the Oregon Coast. From the viewpoints that seem to crop up on the Oregon Coast Highway 101 every 1/4 to 1/2 mile to the relatively inexpensive campgrounds with friendly staff. I recently read that Oregon’s coast is also known as “The People’s Coast,” because of how accessible it is to people. I like that, and from my experience, it’s an accurate description.
View further out where I was working. Views along the drive. Ridiculous! Mondays…Am I Right? I actually had lawyer work to do, but put up the blog because you know, confidentiality and such. 🙂
Other Notes: I’m tempted to keep going up the Oregon Coast, but I have campground reservations close to Ranier in Washington State so I’m going to take the more direct, less exciting interstate route up. Plus, I’ll be returning in September to Cannon Beach further north on the Oregon coast for a friend’s 40th Birthday. Tillamook creamery here we come. 🙂
Bullard’s Beach Campground is just north of the town of Bandon, which is adorable. I stopped for a bite and a beer at the local market, and hope to go back to walk around a little more in the morning.
If you’re less into camping, I’d recommend staying in Bandon, Oregon (Check SkyScanner Bandon Deals |Check TripAdvisor Bandon Deals) . My experience matched what I read: quaint town with exceptionally friendly folks.
JUNE 17, 2019: IF YOU HAVE TO WORK…NOT A BAD SPOT TO DO IT
Where I’m At: Harris Beach State Park, Oregon
What I’m Doing: Enjoying hot personal showers and warm vibe at Harris Beach State Park. By far the best bathroom set-up I’ve had at a campground…on this trip…or ever.
Other Notes: Damn. It ended up being a good day. Started with a “10-minute walk while I drink my coffee,” that turned into a 4-mile exploration of the Rim Trail and overlooks that shoot of it at Patrick’s Point Campground.
Few Photos from the AM Walk…
I intentionally planned only about 2-hours of driving for the days since I knew I’d have work to do. When you’re digital nomad-ing, Mondays are still Mondays in a lot of ways. I drove maybe 30- 40 minutes then stopped and worked from the back of my CRV while looking out at the ocean. One of those is this really life moments.
The DC to AC inverter I bought has turned out to be a game changer! It plugs into my car and I plug normal things like my laptop into it. I can do one plug and a USB at the same time if needed. I’ll certainly still stop and work at coffee shops but it’s really nice not to HAVE to find one where I can hang out for a few hours.
JUNE 16, 2019 [PART TWO]: LOOKING UP
Where I’m at: Patrick’s Point State Park, Abalone Campground
What I’m Doing: Reveling in how beautiful this park is. It feels like an enchanted forest on the ocean. Reconciling being in beautiful, lush, woods and seeing the ocean is blowing my mind, in the best kind of way.
Other Notes: The start of today’s drive was a slog. There was traffic getting out of the Bay Area. After finally getting through it, I stopped at a Trader Joe’s for a few things, most notably pub cheese, and checked my map to find there were still 4-5 hours left in my drive. Ugh.
Traffic! More traffic but the bridge was cool.
When possible, I try to avoid landing at campgrounds or other areas I’m not familiar with after dark. For one, I have less than ideal night vision so the driving can be stressful. Additionally, it’s hard to assess a situation when you arrive at night and more of a pain-in-the-a$$ to make a change if it feels unsafe. I’m all about saving cash-money by staying at campgrounds or deals when I can find them, but I’m also all about leaving if it feels sketchy. Not worth it.
Fortunately, since I was traveling further north, sunset was getting later and later so even though by arrival time was looking like 8:00 – 8:30PM, it would still be daylight. And, as I continued north, more good things started coming my way in the form of improved scenery. The roadsides started to reveal pretty farmland…then massive redwoods. And as the scenery improved so did my mood. I was once again energized and excited.
I made it Patrick’s Point Campground around 8:30PM. There was still someone at the check-in gate which I liked…and there was still enough daylight for me to walk out to see the ocean at 8:40PM.
JUNE 16, 2019: SO FRESH & SO CLEAN-CLEAN
Where I’m at: Aloft Hotel, Dublin/Pleasanton, California
What I’m Doing: Enjoying every last minute of being in a hotel after three days of dirt-bag camping/in-car camping. I don’t stay in hotels often but really love Aloft Hotels and occasionally, like tonight, you can find a deal on them.Other Notes: Had a nice chat with my dad for father’s day. Parents
JUNE 15, 2019: U.T.WHYYYYY?!
Where I’m at: CVS Minute Clinic, Santa Clarita, California
What I’m Doing: Getting care for a urinary tract infection (“UTI”). The past few days, I’ve had this sneaking suspicion that I had a UTI. I’ve had a few in my life and was having some of the tell-tale symptoms like painful urination, urgency, lower abdomen pressure, and flank pain. If you’ve had one, you know, it’s a pretty distinct feeling.
I convinced myself that “I just have to pee a lot,” (accurate but not quite to the same level usually) and that I should wait it out a few days. I kept exercise to walking, downed a bunch of cranberry juice (worth a shot! – and seemed to be feeling better.
Then last night, the flank pain got markedly worse. I wanted to chalk it up to muscle pain from driving but knew that wasn’t the case. My rational brain reminded myself of the risk of a kidney infection if I didn’t get things squared away and I promised myself that I’d get it checked out in the AM.
So, I went to CVS Minute Clinic in the AM and it turns out, the suspicions I tried to ignore were correct. I have a UTI. I do not, however, have a kidney infection which is good news. Got my prescription and treated myself to a Starbucks sandwich after because I was starving.
The $200 for the appointment was money I hadn’t planned to spend but also money well spent. By handling things now, I know I’ve avoided future expenses, figurative headache, and literal pain.
Other Notes: For minor issues, I LOVE CVS Minute Clinic. I’ve been a handful of times for things like a TB test, weird skin spots, and dermatological issues. It’s efficient, you can get your Rx right away, and every medical practitioner I’ve had has been more than competent.
Rest of the day was a bit bland as well. Drove to the California Poppy Preserve, knowing it was unlikely there would be expansive blooms but thinking there would at least be some interesting trails. It was desert hot – like instant dry mouth when I stepped out of the car and the trails were pretty bland so for safety and mental sanity I just did a quick mile walk and called it a day.
Rest of the day was driving which was largely that long, boring stretch where you see all the signs for California prisons. BUT there was a light at the end of the tunnel – I landed at an ALoft hotel at the end of the day and promptly took a log, hot shower and didn’t leave my room for the rest of the evening.
JUNE 14, 2019: #CRVLIFE
Where I’m at: Castaic Lake Campground, Castaic. California
What I’m Doing: Sitting in “bed,” enjoying the sunset, breathing, and enjoying a beer. Had been a little stressed about finding a place to stay tonight. When you’re unfamiliar with an area it’s hard to know what spots are safe (my primary concern.) Was looking at my Rand McNally Road Atlas to figure out a good “goal” drive-to point would be and happened to see Castaic Lake.
After seeing it, I looked up Castaic Lake online – seemed nice – and there appeared to be a few “walk-up” camping spots that might be available. I figured, I’d give it a shot and if there was no availability or it seemed sketchy, I’d continue driving and maybe snag a hotel.
Lucked out and when I arrived just as the park was closing was told by a staff member, “There’s one site left, but it’s an RV site,” and then perhaps I looked confused because he continued “that means you’ll have to sleep in your car.” Not a problem! Takes the tent vs car decision out of the way.
This campsite is perfect. Full, lots of families, and spots close together – these are things that group campers may want to avoid, but when I’m solo, I want people around. Bathrooms are clean and having flushing toilets (yes, that’s a bonus amenity) and the view from the back of my CRV is quite nice.
Was still pretty full from lunch (I did go back to Sancho’s Tacos) and chai latter in San Clemente so had a simple dinner of avocado and tuna “salad” (mixed them together) seasoned with Cholula and cranberry juice. Downloaded the Jo Koy Netflix stand-up special on my Kindle so will fall asleep to that.
Other Notes: Didn’t even finish the beer. I think I just like the ritual sometimes. Should switch to tea. I have an absurd amount of tea packed. Had it at my place before I moved out and figured “waste not, want not.” I’m also prone to taking the free tea packets from hotels.
JUNE 13, 2019: GUESS I’M REALLY DOING THIS.
Where I’m at: San Onofre Bluffs Campground, California
What I’m Doing: Sitting in my CRV having a beer and debating whether I want to “car camp” – i.e. sleep in my CRV, or give a night in the tent another round. Made it until 3AM in the tent last not then got freaked out by noises and slept in my car the rest of the time.
Turns out, the makeshift “bed,” I made by cutting up an old mattress topper that Pam had given me a few years ago and double layering was really comfortable. Like, felt like sleeping in a bed comfortable and the window blockers I cut out of a roll of Reflectix blocked out light and muffled the roaring sound of trains going by.
Other Notes: Still have not found the hole in my sleeping pad sooo that deflates over night. Fell in love with Sancho’s Tacos, might go back tomorrow.
JUNE 6, 2019: MINI-ROUTINES
Where I’m At: Woodsy Coffee, Encinitas, California
What I’m Doing: Having coffee and a breakfast sandwich with my laptop and a view of pickle-ball courts. A little stuffy but energy level is way up from the past few days! Even having creative ideas again. 🙂
Other Thoughts/Notes: This is the third day in a row I’ve come to Woodsy Coffee to do work first thing in the morning. One part of travel that can be exhausting is the logistics. Everything is new so you’re constantly figuring things out that would be almost automatic in your “regular” life. Where to get coffee, where to find groceries, what to do with your day, and where to sleep all start to require mental effort.
I find having mini-routines, even if they only last a few days, help cut down on logistics planning fatigue. Mini-routines are temporary routines that last for a few days like my coming to Woodsy the past few days, or my dad and I eating at the same breakfast place virtually every day when we went to Havana, Cuba helps cut the logistics exhaustion, or having the same breakfast every morning on our girls Banff Hiking & Camping trip.
JUNE 5, 2019: NO TIME TO BE TIRED…BUT I AM
Where I’m At: Encinitas, California, Pam & Marcel’s Spare Bedroom (thanks guys!)
What I’m Doing: Trying to find the balance between recovering from the past month which included backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail, a snowy hike, a bunch of work, moving out out my place and heading off to NJ for my cousin’s wedding with no time between the two – like finished moving out before 7AM then went right to the airport.
At the same time, trying to do billable work, finalize trip planning and packing lists, organize storage and my car…because those things need to get done and they need to get done before I leave in one week. Oh, and I seem to have caught a tiny sore throat and cold which is not helping with the whole tired thing.
Other Thoughts/Notes: Recent Amazon purchases I’m hoping will help me with my organization:
Unrelated, you can justify anything with the internet. A quick Google search for “beer when you have a cold,” revealed these articles: Time Magazine: Got a Cold? Have a beer! and L.A. Weekly: Beer May Help Fight Cold Virus. You have to drink more than a case of beer (the impact of which would of course offset any benefit) and the study was sponsored by Sapporo – a Japanese beer manufacturer, but you know, those are just minor details. Cheers!?
JUNE 2, 2019: ON A PLANE!
Where I’m At: In the sky, somewhere between Newark, New Jersey & Denver, Colorado.
What I’m Doing: Sitting on a plane en route back to San Diego (via a Denver stopover) following my cousin’s Jersey shore wedding. How was it? Exactly what you’d expect from a Jersey shore wedding – dancing from before salad was served until the very end of the wedding, tons of great food, and stage diving from the bride and groom. Got to catch-up with family including some I only see every few years or so in between wedding events and songs.
Finished reading Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan, the third in the Crazy Rich Asians series which I got from a little free library a few weeks ago. In the process of making travel and work to-do lists and organizing my desktop, but I refuse to check my work e-mail because tomorrow, which will be a full first work day back from vacation, will come soon enough.
Other Thoughts/Notes: None
