Thursday, September 8, 2011

California Dreamin'

Actually, it's no dream — we're headed back to California for a month!




That's the decision we made recently, planning to spend most of September and part of October touring the interior of the golden state. During our last visit in May, the focus was on driving up the west coast and therefore we missed out on Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite and a whole slew of other great national parks.

So, armed with our new home (tent), sleeping bags and stove, the plan is to rent a car, hit the parks and do some camping, hiking and exploring. We'll also get back to some of our favourite places along the shore, especially in that northern stretch from Bodega Bay up to Mendocino. There is even serious talk of renting a house for a few days and meeting up with my folks. And now my sister says she's coming too, if she can swing it!




It was Jenn who suggested we head back to California. We were looking at going to Iceland, to eastern Europe, to Indonesia, to Alaska, eastern Canada or the Arctic. But after checking our budget and flights and how far we can make our money go on this leg of the journey, we decided on a trip back to the west coast, the Pacific Ocean and an area we love. A grounding trip is what we feel we need knowing that after this jaunt, we have three settled months in London caring for the pets while Elaine and Dale head to New Zealand. We want something fairly relaxing yet active, being able to move at our own pace and with the all the natural beauty of the ocean, cliffs and forest nearby. Plus the foodie options in California are pretty darn tasty!

So stay tuned to the blog — we'll be updating our travels once we're back out on the road.

As I write this in early September, I'm looking back on a super summer (see the photos in Jenn's previous blog montage). We've spent lots of time with family in London, Sarnia, Dundas and up at the cottage in Temagami. It was a blast. We're sick of no one and no one seems to be sick of us (who could be?) even though we've been surfing from guest room to guest room. We've had a chance to really BE with our friends and family — no rushed visits, no "we'll have to do that another time." A time to connect, talk, tease each other, go hiking, play golf and ping pong, make dinners and chocolate cake, ride bikes, laugh at each other and laugh together.

We feel relaxed and free. At times, we catch ourselves dwelling on what might be coming next and the unknown questions we still have to answer — where to settle, where and what we might want to do for work, where we might travel next? But then we tell ourselves these will all get answered eventually. One step at a time, one day at a time. It will all unfold.

I know great things lie ahead for us. Slowly, the pieces of our new life are knitting together. Everything feels new and possible and the very best version of me yet is emerging. I am excited to follow along the path and see where things lead, see what opportunities unfold. And I'm thankful, so very thankful, to have this opportunity to pursue it.

So, yeah, that's one great summer. One great year in fact. And it's not over.

California, here we come!

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