Backpacking Lake Spaulding

This weekend I experienced the highs and lows of backpacking on my first trip with five amazing women. My friend Carolyn set everything up for us (and graciously loaned me her older gear). Carolyn and one other woman were experienced backpackers, everyone else was experienced with hiking or camping, and then there was me...The one who borrowed every essential piece of equipment and made several orders with Amazon for all the rest!

We ended up hiking for about two and a half hours before coming to a camp site that was deemed perfect. And it really was. We were right by the water, with an amazing rock formation that had water gushing over and around it creating the most magical background noise. 

The mosquitos were awful. I spent half of my evening hiding in the tent, and the other half continually dousing myself with bug spray and swatting the damn things away from me. Those clever little suckers still managed to cover me in spots all over my legs. I thought I would have more of an aversion to the bugs out there. But aside from the mosquitos, I was relatively calm about the other critters. 

Our evening was spent in front of the fire eating dinner, laughing, and roasting a considerable amount of marshmallows, as any good camper/hiker does (even I know that). 

The next morning had me up pretty early, but it allowed me to take in my surroundings and be quiet just a little longer.

Heading back to the car only took two hours since we weren't stopping to check the map every once in a while. Even though it took less time to get back, I found myself getting frustrated and annoyed. Understandably as it was the trek back. But I had this running dialogue in my head of being frustrated with myself for not being in shape for this kind of activity (which I know is ridiculous because why would I be in hiking shape when I have never hiked? let alone backpack?). Then I started encouraging myself and tried to motivate myself. Then it switched to back to belittling myself, or comparing myself to the other women I was with, or discrediting my growth and efforts on the trip. 

Overall though, I am incredibly proud of myself for going on the trip. Per usual, before the trip I thought of the different excuses I could give for backing out. But in the end I jumped feet first and put myself out there in so many ways. And I'm so grateful for the experience. 

A little blurry, but also very indicative of how I was feeling upon finally getting back to the car...We did it!

xox

San Francisco

Last weekend my mom and I headed to San Francisco to get out of the stretch of 100 degree weather days we had been having. The city greeted us with rolling fog as we passed over the Golden Gate Bridge.

I've seen countless amazing photographs on social media and Pinterest of the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach, so we made our way there to take in the view. It was beautiful. First of all, it was cold enough to need a warm sweater or jacket. And when you've been wanting to just lay naked on your bed with the air conditioning running for the past week, the chill in the air was very satisfying. 

When we finally left Baker Beach we headed over towards our favorite bakery, Tartine. Along the way I wanted to stop at another cafe/coffee shop I had read about online called The Mill. But as fate would have it, we passed by a barbecue restaurant that smelled too good to pass up. Thank goodness for fate and destiny because damn, that food was delicious.

After sufficiently gorging ourselves on bbq, it was only natural to pick up a few treats from Tartine (read: two morning buns and four shortbread cookies for me-of which I still have two left...I know, I'm even surprising myself with this level of self control- and a morning bun and chocolate pudding for mom. All amazing as I can confirm by sampling a little of each). We walked over to Dolores Park to slip into a food coma before heading over to Big Daddy Antiques and then heading home.

We did plenty of eating on this trip...which, let's be real, is why I go on any trip.

xox

From Sactown to SoCal

Last weekend I drove down to Southern California to take a couple art classes. I have a cousin who lives down there and has been the sweetest to me by always allowing me to crash with him. Even now, just after moving into a new house with his partner Sara and their two young daughters, they welcomed me with open arms. I was never really close with any of my cousins growing up. But in my twenties I've been able to connect and forge strong relationships with several and it has made my heart just sing with joy. 

I decided that on the way down I would take highway 1. I've never been to Carmel or Big Sur but have seen so many gorgeous pictures of the area on Pinterest and Instagram. Let me tell you, it does not disappoint in real life. There were so many pull outs to stop and take it all in and capture images...I must have stopped at least a dozen times, adding at least an extra hour onto my travel time. But I just couldn't help myself. It was gorgeous. And I've decided my next adventure will be to Big Sur to actually spend a night or two and explore more than just the views off the 1. 

I finally stopped for gas and sustenance (side note: I feel no shame in admitting that I learned this word courtesy of Elle Woods) in a little town called Cambria. I ate at a sweet little cafe/restaurant called Harmony Cafe. Delicious chicken sandwich with a crisp pinot grigio. Then I wandered around their main street, popping in and out of shops. 

I've written here before about my love for hawks. I felt completely touched and captured by them (and God) my entire drive down to Thousand Oaks. (They followed me home too as I took the quicker route of I-5)

The workshops I attended were awesome. I found Jenna Rainey through my recent joining of Instagram. She is an illustrator and calligrapher. I took a watercolor class and calligraphy class at her studio in Costa Mesa. Although I enjoyed the watercolor class, I was more energized and excited about the calligraphy class. It's been something I've wanted to learn how to do for a very long time now. And it felt really good to be stretched and challenged in an artistic way rather than just academically through my grad program. I bought a notepad to practice on right after the workshop. Hopefully I'll find time to practice between all of my homework because let me just tell you that shit is hard; there is definitely a fines to it. Jenna was a great teacher, and I would love to make the trek down to take another class from her. You can find her at www.monvoir.com

xxo

River Ride

I recently switched up my work schedule to be able to have Fridays off (aside from the evening class I teach at Arden Hot Yoga). This week marked the start of that new schedule, and it was amazing. I took my bike and camera to the American River bike trail and cruised around for about an hour, just soaking up the sunshine and fresh air. This change in weather has created a whole shift in my being...

I've always loved trees, and I think that's part of why I love the Sac State campus so much. My favorite scripture is from Ephesians 3:17. It says, "May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love." No matter how disconnected I feel from my faith right now, that scripture still speaks to me. And for that I am grateful. 

xxo

A Treck Through Fields of Butterflies

The weather here this past week has been amazing. The days start off cool, but the afternoon brings a warmth from the sun that is just enough to take off a sweater, but not too much as to have me sweating like the dead heat of summer.

This shift in weather has created a shift in my energy and outlook on life, too. It's amazing what a little sunshine can do to change your perspective.

Saturday I went on a hike with a long time friend. We explored around the Nimbus Dam Recreation Area in Folsom. When I taught yoga out in Folsom my favorite part of the drive there was seeing the beautiful hawks over head. And sure enough they were up above on Saturday as well. Heart=full.

xxo