Day 41

Day 41

February 27, 2015

Miles: 

Today is Cole's birthday! I'm so excited for her! I miss my friends and family.... I just wanted to share that.

I've been feeling quite a bit under the weather today.  That being said, we are about to be under some weather out here in the mountains.  Storms are moving in and we have no way of moving out.  

So why Jubilee is getting her attitude adjustment we have no way to move our trailer about.... Here's hoping the rain doesn't shift is even more than we already are....

Word to the wise: When camping/RVing/traveling alternately, be careful who you engage in conversation.  Met a local today that told me "they" are out to get her and manipulate her.  "They" have been stalking and harassing her.  "They" are testing her illegally and torturing her cat.  I don't know who "they" is but I want to avoid at all costs...

 Really my day has been fairly boring today.  I've been scoping out bus routes and train routes except the ones I need don't run on Saturdays...  I guess I'll just have to get creative for tomorrow.  I've spent most of the day sleeping, reading, sneezing, and playing my Lego games.  Hopefully I'll kick his cold before tomorrow morning!!

Sleep Sweet everyone.

I miss you when we laugh together.

I love that you pay attention to the little things (sometimes).

Goodnight!

Xx

Day 40

Day 40

February 26, 2015

Miles: (Jub is being fixed so we are in the Edge!) 

Waking at 5am to drive into the city at 6 means several things: 1. You miss majority of the 7am traffic; 2. People drive a little stupider because they are eating/drinking/waking up/finishing dressing/etc.; 3. You get to watch the Valley below wake up with the sunrise.

That last one has been my favorite part of the day.  Watching the sun crest over the peaks and slowly spill down into the valley gives such a sense of tranquility.  It's a fabulous start to a day!! It amazes me that I am not a morning person because I love the morning.  I just hate the waking part.  I wish I could share the beauty of this morning.  The mist rising from the ponds and lakes in the surrounding area.  Watching the fog down in the lower valleys dissipate with the rising sun.  It's all so organic and serene.  I love this place!!

So I decided to start writing as the day goes.  It helps me keep my thoughts fresh and my writing up to date.  It has helped a lot today since I caught my thoughts and feelings on this morning's sunrise.

I need a vacation from my vacation.  This weekend I'm super stoked because I'll be staying in a posh hotel with some friends and I'll be able to go out, have too many drinks, do something (probably) stupid, and just have a good time.  No worries, no cares, just me and my friends being awesome!  I can't waits. It will bra much needed time away.

Oh, if by chance you don't hear from me ever again, it's cos I died attempting mass trans of SoCal.  I'm just saying.

Every one in the cabin is feeling under the weather.  We haven't exactly put ourselves in the best position at this point and honestly, getting sick would just be sprinkles on this sundae on bullshit.  I don't want to be bothered by any of it any longer.  Ugh!! I'm going to bed.

I miss snuggles.

I miss goodnight kisses.

I love my pillows.

Goodnight!

XX 

Day 39

Day 39

February 25, 2015

Miles: (I accidentally cleared the tripometer I was keeping, so now I have to do math:-/)

To all the people that decided to text/snap/message/FaceTime me this morning:  you suck! I love you, but really every single one of you suck!!  Remember I am TWO HOURS BEHIND YOU!!!  That means that if you are driving to work and it's snowing at 7am and you decided to snap a photo and send it or text me to tell me about it or FaceTime because you want me to see what I'm missing, DON'T!!! It's 5am in California when it's 7am in Texas!!! I love you but SHUT UP TIL A DECENT HOUR!!!!

That being said, I was up early today.  We drove from our pretty awesome campground this morning to the middle of the mountains again.  This time we are in a different mountain range, just north of San Diego.  And I have mobile service out here, but that's about it.  To get to our campground you have to take about 14 miles of whinding, curvaceous, mountain roads.  It's gorgeous but damn it's work to get out here.

So leaving camp tonight to run into town to the store, one of the neighbors down the way hollered frantically as we were driving by, so DQ (yes, I let her drive, yes, I was terrified the entire time, no, I'll try to never let that happen again) backed up so we could see what was wrong.  This guy yells "we need help" and I notice a little old lady sitting on the ground outside a trailer.  Me, being the good Girl Scout I am, jumped out of the truck (literally) and ran over to the lady (yes really). She refused medical help but I did end up helping her into the trailer.  I'm sorry she fell and got hurt, but man was I bummed about being covered in urine after the whole ordeal.  I encouraged her to call an EMS to at least be looked at, but I've learned from caring for Grumpy that you can't force people into what they don't want.  She didn't want medical attention, that is her perogative.  I wish I could have at least tended to her wounds, but I won't force care on anyone.  It makes me sad.  She shouldn't be living in that trailer alone.  She can hardly stand, I'm not actually sure she can stand without assistance.  I ended up picking her up and placing her in her chair.  It's just heartbreaking.  I wish Grumpy would understand that's exactly where he'd be without me and DQ.  Who knows how long she sat out there almost indecent in her attire, covered in her own filth and bloody.  I just.... It makes me too sad. 

I sang loudly in the shower tonight because magically the light shut off while I was showering and I swear someone was in the bathroom with me.  So I sang as loud as I could cos I figured if someone was there to "get me" maybe my sound may freak them out, or maybe they'd think I was so crazy they'd have to keep me subdued as I may start screaming like a banshee!  Either way, I was a little freaked out while I finished my shower. And when I was drying my hair I swear I saw someone in the corner of my eye in the shower area.  Needless to say, I'll be much louder when I head to the showers and bathrooms.

I'm exhausted and we have to be up at 5am tomorrow morning to take Jubilee in to the Ford house in SD.

Sleep sweet my people!

I miss you.

I think I still love you.

Goodnight.

Xx

P.S. Picture from sunset/dusk over the mountain

Day 38

Day 38

February 24, 2015

Miles: 5148.9

Long ass drive!

Big ass fight!

I'm tired of being the piñata.  How do I get off this train of crazy?!?

Our stop over tonight is in Valencia, I think.

The truck has a SEVERE attitude and needs a MAJOR attitude adjustment.  So tomorrow I'll be hauling ass to get as close to SD as possible to get this damn thing fixed.  We won't make it out of California at this point simply because the engine may explode before then.... 

F balls!! I'm wiped and need to sleep.  I'll catch y'all on the flip side.

Day 37

Day 37

February 23, 2015

Miles: 4822

Today was a BLAST!!

Okay so we decided to stay another night here in Lodi and dude! I'm being spoiled today because of it!!

First stop of the day, Lodi Wine & Visitor's Center.

Yeah, no joke!! There are over 65 vineyards just in this small town so we popped in to get a little extra information and directions!!

The wonderful lady at the Visitor's Center gave us a LOT of information so DQ (Grumpy stayed home with most of the herd) and I decided a quick bite for lunch and we could plan our route while we eat.  I figured since downtown was so cute the other night when I went to the cinema, I'd take DQ down and show her around a bit.  We saw an old McDonald's (like the original store design) but I forgot to take a picture for CDawn!! (Please tell her I'm sorry but I have gifts for her!!). Downtown Lodi is so cute!! It's got that hometown feel to it.  Most of the people in this area have been here their whole lives and fully plan on future generations in this land.  It's a lovely thought that I used to share, but now I'm just glad to have them be locals while I travel the world.  

There isn't much in this town that isn't absolutely adorable!

We stopped at ShangriLa and had bento boxes for lunch.  It actually filled us both up pretty good and we had a lovely waiter (local of course) that helped us figure out our winery plan of attack!

Second stop of the day's tour was Jessie's Grove estate.

Have I mentioned I love CALIFORNIA?!?!??

The vineyard looks like someone's farmhouse and honestly it's like coming home to the family farm when you pull up.  They welcome you right in and find out how the family is!! Our sommelier, Andrew, was lovely!! We did the reds tasting and HOLY CRAP!! It was pretty damn good!  I ended up buying two different bottles; I loved it so much!  The grounds themselves were beautiful!

I think that's my favorite place so far, and not just because of the wine (even though it was scrumptious and I'm not sure those bottles will make it home before I drink them!!) but it was just a warm and welcoming place.  Peaceful.  Made my heart warm and full.  I loved it.

Our next stop ended up being the last of the wine portion of our day because SOME PEOPLE can't seem to hold their wine tasters very well..... ahem.

Michael David's despite being born the same year as the most AWESOMEST person YOU know, I wasn't very impressed with their wine or their sommelier for that matter.  I did end up buying a bottle I liked but that was mainly because I had already promised myself at least one bottle from each winery we tasted in.  The grounds were lovely but they had that generic hotel/staged feel to them.  The garden looked like a exquisite place for a party/wedding/etc but it was too cold feeling to me.  

I don't know.  I think I was just THAT impressed with Jessie's Grove. 

Our final stop for the day was all about DQ.  

I found a Ghirardelli outlet near Stockton, CA so I drove DQ down to shop and taste a little.  To say she was excited would be a SERIOUS understatement!  It was pretty awesome though, we walked in the door, were welcomed and handed peppermint bark candy.  WHO WOULD ARGUE WITH THAT?!?!? And peppermint being my favorite, I was pretty sold on the place.  Needless to say, I picked up a gift or two for some of my favorite people, so I plan on being SUPER popular when I get home!!

All in all its been a good day.  I brought home lots of wine and chocolate so yeah we are good.  Tomorrow is going to be a hella long day, so I'm headed to bed!  

I love you enough to think of you when I go places.

I miss you enough to buy you a gift even if you said you didn't want it; I am my mother's daughter.

Goodnight!!

Xx

P.S.  Y'all see your gifts??

Day 36

Day 36

February 22, 2015

Miles: 4756

Today has been a long but good day!! 

We started out on the road to San Francisco and let me tell you, central California is BEAUTIFUL!! Too bad no one seems to know how to be courteous nor how to drive.  It's a bit ridiculous!  

So we drove to the north side of the Bay so we could take 101 South across Golden Gate Bridge.  I took a few pictures from the look out cos DAMN was it spectacular!!

We finally figured out how to cross the bridge into San Francisco downtown.  I have never been so turned around in my life.  Sad thing was I could guesstimate where everything was, and mostly accurately but I couldn't necessarily figure out how to get there.  It definitely doesn't help to have a passenger that's a back seat driver! Sheesh!!

DQ decided since we haven't really gotten Grumpy much seafood, we should splurge and go eat on Fisherman's Wharf.  So we park next to a Bentley (holy crap!!) (my fifth one since we've gotten here!!) and go into The Franciscan Crab Restaurant.  Lunch is a pretty big affair.  We each ordered appetizers and then shared this giant skillet of crab and shrimp.  I can honestly say now I have finally had Dungeness crab AND cracked my own crab! (It was interesting to say the least... The very least!)

I'll be honest I wasn't super impressed with the food, especially for what we were paying, but it was a nice afternoon and we did sit right on the water.  Most of my meal was spent looking at the ships and Alcatraz.

After lunch, DQ and I wanted to see if we could find some true San Franciscan icons.  We drove around til we found Chinatown and then went in search of Lombard Street.  Yes, Lombard is quite easy to find if you look at a map, however, we were looking for the. Most iconic part of Lombard.  There is this short section, literally only a block long, that is sooo steep that they have built a labyrinth of sorts to drive down it.  It is illegal to bicycle, skate, or walk down this section.  You may only drive down or take the stairs lining either side.  It was equally awesome and terrifying!  Even in the big truck, we made it down safely.  People kept stopping to take pictures of us navigating this drive.  I wish DQ could take decent pictures or I'd show y'all just how it looked from the cab.  (California has strict rules about drivers touching their phones, thus you do not get pictures from the road anymore, even if I was using a piece of equipment designed to help me be safer... I don't want to risk a ticket not be disrespectful to the CA laws.). Either way, if you ever get the chance to drive or ride around San Francisco, Lombard and Hyde is where you want to start!!   Oh and at the bottom of the curves, if you keep going to Columbus you are likely to see the "jump on and off" trolley car (which of course we didn't get a picture of either.... le sigh).

Our adventure to SFO ended much how it began, a bridge and a long drive back. But it was definitely worth the drive to see all those historic sections of one of the biggest western hubs.  

I'm loving CALIFORNIA more and more.

Oscars tonight.  So originally, my plan had been to beg a friend to get me passes to the red carpet in Los Angeles, but as we are up here, that didn't happen.  But we did get home in time for me to catch some of the Oscars.  I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this year's Oscars.  I'm torn.  I'm sort of proud that people are standing up and speaking up about injustices.  But I'm also sort of bummed they are speaking up at times when we should be celebrating talent and nothing but...  I'm a feminist.  I believe in equal rights for all people.  And I don't give a flying hootinnanny about your color or your background. I change colors more than anyone else I've ever met!! I also had some low times in my life.  But dude, you just won an Oscar because you busted your ass to be the best at what you do!! Treasure that!!! Let politics and bureaucratic nonsense be saved for a time when we aren't celebrating what a badass YOU are!

If you want to make a big statement about color and gender and sexuality equalities, you cover every bit of you from head to toe.  Let them guess your color/creed/ethnicity/gender.  Be neutral.  You want equality for everyone, then STOP putting qualifications to the segregation.  It wasn't just a black man that was gunned down in the streets, it was somebody's brother/son/nephew/father/etc. Focus on the real issues, not YOUR issues.  Celebrities make BANK on what they look like.  There is NO disputing that.  None of them got where they are today with their body fully covered in a burlap sack.  Even radio hosts are being taped for television shows.  You make your money on how you look, why the hell are you now saying "don't treat me different because of the way I look"?!?  You are sending mixed messages!!

If I were to ever have/raise children, I'd hope they wouldn't think twice about whether someone was a certain color or gender or anything RIDICULOUS like that.  They will never find someone their own ethnicity, unless it's a fullblood sibling.  There will never be ANYONE the same color as them because all pigmentation has anomalies.  There will never be anyone just like them because everyone is special.  They will learn that love is the binding factor for the world.  Love and be loved.  That's all there is.  

Oscars, I believe I am now disappointed.

I love you because that's what I do, love.

I miss you because I could use one of your hugs right now.

Goodnight!!

Xx

P.S.  Here's a couple #AggiesEverywhere for y'all:

Day 35

Day 35

February 21, 2015

Miles:  4565

Friggin BIRDS!!! Yes! I said BIRDS!!! Okay, so if you know me (and I mean personally), you know I'm not a huge fan of the feathered fiends.  If you've known me long, you know why... If you don't know why (or if you do, skip ahead cos I'm telling these poor people), then I'll explain.  Seventh grade (means I was 11-12 years old), my Language Arts teacher, whom I love dearly, wanted her students to be cultured I guess, so she introduced us to Alfred Hitchcock's genius.  As you can probably guess, we watch The Birds.  Now I've never been to into birds, they are loud, smelly and carry diseases.  So you can imagine how my fantastic little brain reinvented my understanding of birds from that point.  I walked home from school that day (and every subsequent day, I believe) carrying my musical instrument case and portable stand as if they were baseball bats ready to beat any bird that came within swinging distance, I don't discriminate, they were ALL going down!  Fast forward to this morning.  We go up to the Visitor's Center and I notice the collection of seabirds on the calm water this morning. I studied MARB, logic tells me a school or five came into the cove area and the birds are feeding, I get it (I'm not completely irrational).  So we go into the Visitor's Center and next to the viewing tide pool tank is a collection of news articles on the wall.  All of them reflecting the summer of 1961 when thousands upon thousands of birds amassed in Aptos, CA covering the bay and the streets and literally everywhere.  Then the articles go on to the story of the great director, Alfred Hitchcock, in town researching the flocked surge for an upcoming film.  THEN the next articles detail Hitchcock's fantasizing the attacks of birds in his new film "The Birds"!!!!

I have a high tolerance for a lot.  I can handle a lot of shit.   This... This I did not handle well.   I have NEVER been so excited to not have stay somewhere again in my entire life!!! I couldn't even handle the suggestion of the connection let alone the actual connection between the fictional story that terrified me as a child and the true reality I was seeing in water in front of me.

Needless to say, we were packed up and moved out within the hour.   

We drove further inland.  We went over "the hill" as SR17 is known as. It was pretty spectacular.  We drove down a mountain side covered in coast redwoods (skinny but super tall). We waved at San Joae for BBaer as we drove by.  By late afternoon, we had made it to Lodi.  And boy did we luck out!!!  This place has a dog park on the property!! Three acres of fenced in running space? The herd was in heaven!

I used the red cabbage and carrots from yesterday's chop up to make lettuce wraps tonight.  They were AWESOME!!

And now, since it is Saturday night and still fairly early, I'm gonna go into town and catch a movie I've been patient (a little too patient probably) to see, "50 Shades of Grey".  Before I get hate mail or ridiculed for promoting seeing this movie, you don't know me.  You do not know my station in life, and you certainly do not know how very dear this project is to my heart, so SOD OFF.  Respectfully.

I'm shutting off my phone now as to not be disrespectful in the theater.  Sleep well everyone.

I love you because you still find time to play and be silly with me.

I miss you simply because.

Goodnight!

Xx

Day 34

February 20, 2015

Miles: 4417

Today we explore the Monterey Bay Area, sort of.  We drove down to Moss Landing to this farmer's market DQ saw on our drive in yesterday.  Turns out the farmer's market was a FANTASTIC idea!!!  They had incredible produce for ridiculously cheap prices.  And since we are in the artichoke capital of the world, of course we bought artichokes (which of course we have NO IDEA how to cook!).  But they had a flat of local strawberries for $7 and avocados 5 for $1. And Meyer lemons... I'd never seen them before but dude! I can't even.... Oh! I'll tell you about them when we get to dinner!!

So we drove on to find the local

Walmart (which we will not even discuss DQ's verbal altercation there!!), since we had to find a proper lead for the last dog.  He pulls on Grumpy and DQ when they try and walk him and frankly I don't wanna visit anymore doctors or ERs so that is stopping IMMEDIATELY!  We passed another farmers market with a food truck.  We ended up stopping on our way back and the truck is actually called The Choke Coach!! It's apparently a pretty big deal.  Tyler Furgeson, I think that's his name, has his picture on the front because he's a huge fan of their French fried chokes.  Which is COMPLETELY understandable because HOLY HELL are they phenomenal!!  I don't know how or what or anything but good God Those things are amazing!!! Please, any foodies out there, go find the Choke Coach and have the French fried artichokes!!!!! SOOO worth the trip!!!! No joke!!

I think that's the greatest snack I've ever had in my life and we all know I'm not that big of a fan of fried food, but damn if that wasn't heavenly!!!

Okay as much as I want to keep carrying on about the choke coach... I have to move on to dinner.  So after all the delicious produce we bought today, DQ and I decided to make a fire in the pit and have ourselves a little BBQ.  Now I won't lie and say every meal has been cheap.  None of them have, but all of the food we bought to make tonight's feast was practically a STEAL!  Groceries are a helluva lot cheaper out here than back home.  I'm just saying, my points before about living where there is fresh is spot on.  Right, so, beach BBQ. Greatest idea ever!!!  I spent the afternoon chopping mushrooms, onions, asparagus, Meyer lemons, sweet chilis, artichokes (a couple eating at the Choke Coach gave us some ideas on how to cook them), elephant garlic, and then red cabbage and carrots for dinner tomorrow.  I'm telling you!!! If they gave awards for most colorful dinners, we'd win every night around here!!  I put everything together in foil so we could just throw them on the grill to cook.  And HOLY HELL was that fabulous!  The steaks were cooked to perfection (and yes I did them by myself!!), the grilled onions and mushrooms were the best!  The asparagus and artichokes were amazing when cooked with the Meyer lemons!! Those lemons are smooth skinned and SOOO juicy! It was scrumptious!!!  Don't tell Grumpy but that was such a healthy meal for all of us!! There weren't many carbs at all and it was fully filling for everyone.

I did have a nice little night light as I cooked.  Take a look at our view of the bay tonight:

I think I heard that Venus and Mars are supposed to be together somewhere up there with the moon or something.  I don't know.  I just thought the dusk was too pretty not to share.

It's another cool night tonight but I smell the fire from the pit in my room and my belly is full from such a lovely spread.  I'm sure the snuggles will be warm and worth it tonight.

I miss our history together.

I love that you always find little ways to show you are thinking of me.

Goodnight!

Xx

Day 33

Day 33

February 19, 2015

Miles:  4347

Woke up this morning to the sound of rushing waves.  

Swells have been HUGE so it safe to say I was bummed about having to leave this gorgeous sight!

We had a LONG drive today.  Went from just south of Santa Barbara all the way up to just south of Santa Cruz.  It's a lot further of a drive than I was expecting.  It was gorgeous though.

At one point, we drove for 27 miles and all you could see were vineyards... Just rows and rows of nothing but vines....  It was gorgeous!  The mountains had these brilliant shades of green all over their rolling hills and then pops of color in orange or yellow randomly.  It was picturesque, in fact I think Grandad and I did that puzzle once.

We stopped for lunch at this local dive called Pappy's in some town along the road.  The food was pretty good but I loved the history that covered the walls.  There were all the local ranch brands up on their main dining room walls and their menus.  The locals are all ranchers of some sort that remind me of the good ole' boys that are rough and tough and don't mind anybody.  It was fun.  Oh! And they made their own pies.  I've recently become a pie-finder of sorts.  The Boy loves pie so I always look for the best pies to tell him about.  I know, I'm lame.

We finally get to our spot this afternoon and I'm not joking, I could trip and fall in the ocean!!  We are directly on the walk along the beach.  We are in another CSB but I almost think this one might be a shade prettier than the last.  Don't get me wrong, I loved Carpinteria, but Seacliff.... Man.... It's a-whole-nother  world up here.

I'm laying in my bed and the cool breeze from the ocean is so chilly and the roar of the crashing waves is so loud yet soothing.  If I could get these damn kids to shut up and go home, this would be perfect!  Well we will overlook the hammock to make complete perfection.

I'm going to relax and listen to the waves tonight.

I miss you.  

I love you.

Goodnight!

Xx

P.S.  Roo made a new friend and I took her picture this morning before we left.  I think he's really missing his best friend... But meet the neighbor's Lucy!!

Day 32

Day 32

February 18, 2015

Miles: 4071

As much as it breaks my heart, I had to do a little housekeeping today so I didn't get to enjoy the beach as much as I would have liked..

The high tide this morning was much needed!  I had forgotten how much I love everything about the ocean.  It's days like these last few where I almost lament not finishing my MARB and not going to school in Cali.... Almost lament.  I'm still proud of being an Aggie, no question.  And although I do miss my dolphins and whales, I'm so grateful for the experiences I had on main campus with my ENGL people!!

But man, have I missed the ocean...

I got to listen to the waves break all day.  That roar of the tide and the smell of the brine make my heart so much lighter.  I'm half tempted to move out here.  Sure, I'd miss my Texas but what can I say? That song of the Pac calls to me...

I've thought a lot about my life recently.  Reconnecting with old friends has me looking at the last 20 years with a more observant eye.  I realize how much I've alienated myself from those I care a lot for.  Even some I haven't spoken to in 10+ years, I still care a lot for them and realize we've missed out on so much in each other's lives.  I'm hoping this next step for me pans out the way I pray it does.  I need a reeducation on the way I treat myself and others.  I'm hoping this project will teach me about living life.

Speaking of projects, I cleaned the racks up today.  I reorganized a bit so the top rack is more open.  Roo proved his nickname when he hopped (yes, literally hopped) up to the top rack.  Now that's almost a 4' clearance and he had legs tucked and everything.  This was no scramble, he just leapt up there.  It was hilarious and amazing all at the same time.  I finally got Lil to get up there and stay (I kept picking her up and putting her up there, but she'd jump down... Damn dogs).  As long as she stays, Roo stays too.  So for the first night in 32 days, I am blogging from my own unobstructed bed.  The only things snuggling me at the moment are all these pillows.... It's kind of glorious.  I love my furry babies, but it's nice to have my own space without being kicked or shoved into the wall.  And I love that they have their own space and aren't kenneled.  Today is a major breakthrough on the anxiety thing for them.  Especially Roo... He's never slept without a human outside of his kennel.  I still may go get him a giant teddy bear like he slept on when he was a tiny baby.  Just so he has a snuggle buddy if Lil is cranky.

So, for the first night in a long time, I'm sleeping under my dogs but in my own space.  We will see how long this lasts tonight.

I miss seeing your face.

I love how you can make my smile through tears.

Goodnight!

Xx

P.S.  Here's a couple shots from this morning's high tide.

Day 31

Day 31

February 17, 2015

Miles: 4051

Whew!  What a day! 

The drive from the San Bernardino National Forest to the state beaches in Santa Barbara is so beautiful (I know, I know! I'll find a thesaurus).  The mountains just jut out from the shore and the colors in the sand and rocks just make a glow on everything.  

Our camp is right. On. The. Beach!! No joke! I already have sand everywhere! I can't wait for tonight! It's gonna be awesome!!

Lunch we went to the joint called the Brophy Bros.

I was thoroughly impressed.  And the food was pretty great too!  Fish & Chips were good, but if you get the chance to go, sit at the bar.... TOTALLY WORTH IT!!  The view is incredible!!

Oh wait, I meant

Hahaha

Let's be honest, both views are pretty spectacular! Haha

The dogs, bless 'em, needed a good run, so we headed out to the Douglass Family Preserve there in Santa Barbara.  It's the giant nature preserve on a clifftop overlooking the beach.

There were people parasailing and flying gliders.

And they are all about off leash dogs, so our herd had a BLAST!  We let them adventure about for a good hour before Roo started hunting for cool dirt to relax on.  We decided to bring 'em back to the truck and head back to camp.

We were back in time for sunset.  If you have snapchat, you can watch sunset with me.  It was GORGEOUS!!

I wanted to write this early today because I've decided to lounge on the beach til it's too cold to handle and head to bed.  Tomorrow is gonna be a wonderful day and I am going seal, sea lion, and whale watching!!

I hope everyone enjoys their evening.  Here's a few pictures from sunset tonight.  I didn't see the green flash, but one day.....

I miss you.

I love you.

Goodnight!!

Xx

Day 30

Day 30!!

February 16, 2015

Miles: 3858

If you read this post earlier, sorry!! I hit publish instead of draft, so here's my actual account!

DQ and I had to go into town to seek out some internet.  Campground still had 400+ families/campers there so Internet has been zilch!  Had Panera Bread today for the first time in a long time.  (Nanna I thought of you while we were there...)

Internet, as usual is pretty uneventful, but it was spectacular to look at the window and see the Sierra Madres just outside.

I realized something today about the California Highway System.  It's basically like America's version of the Autobaun (I would assume only because I've never been on it before).  People drive as fast as they want because "speed is strictly enforced by radar".  Seriously?!? Are you kidding?!? Radar?!?  And the Highway Patrol... Sheesh!  So the HP isn't really anything like state troopers I know.  The HP only pulls up behind vehicles on the shoulders, it seems.  But during rush hour, they have the COOLEST job!  So when traffic gets congested, the send a HP out to whichever freeway/highway/whatever.  Then, they drive super fast across the 6 lanes of traffic, with their lights on, to start dividing the herd.  It's literally like watching a cowboy on a drive.  They shoot across the lanes and then weave back slowing down the traffic for upcoming congestion.  It's kinda brilliant to watch.  At first I was a little freaked out like someone was having a car chase or something (it's L.A. you never know!!) and I almost called Polo-er to ask what to do, but I was so close to her house I figured I could last another 3 miles, haha.  But it was awesome to see.

Polo-er and I got together for dinner tonight though! Holy crap! She took me to the Long Beach pier/wharf/harbor and we had a blast!! We took pics out by the Queen Mary and dinner itself was pretty amazing.  We went to the Yard House and sat out on the patio.  The beer list there is pretty lengthy so it took a bit to figure out what we wanted.  I ended up ordering a BBC Strawberry Blonde ale and Polo-er had a Shiner (shocker!).  

Some one remind me to load her up on Shiner when I find it... Halletsville/Shiner folks: she wants the 978 one... I don't know what that means but I'm certain most of y'all do...

Right, so the beer was pretty tasty but the food was immaculate!!  We had the lobster(ah), crab, and artichoke dip with chips and pita bread then we shared a lamb burger with truffle fries (oh yes!!) and spicy jambalaya!!!  I don't think there is a more scrumptious spread on any other table!! The restaurant itself was really cute and cozy (and yes I mean cute but packed full!).  The waitress was really helpful cos she worked out our orders for us.  Couldn't have picked without her help, for sure!

All in all, I loved seeing my Polo-er again!! We are having a puppy date next time! And I can't wait!! 

I need to sleep cos we are pulling out in the AM.  Headed up the coast.  Kinda stoked about it!  I'm looking forward to tomorrow's greatness!!

I miss that y'all aren't here to experience this with us.

I love that I'll get to see y'all when we get home.

Goodnight!

Xx

P.S. Sunset Long Beach harbor

Day 29

Day 29

February 15, 2015 (figured they get out of order so I'd actually put the date as well...)

Miles: 3701

Today has been pretty arctic as far as the crew mentality/interactions go.  There is still a LOT of animosity from last night's ordeal.  I've realized my meters are all getting pretty damn full so my goal today was to avoid as much as possible.. People, places, things, everything!! Avoid, avoid, avoid!

Went into town a few times today.  No cellular service plus everyone and their dog streaming movies and gaming out here means that I can't use my phone/kindle/laptop to contact anyone so I have to leave the mountains. It gets hard sometimes when all I really wanna do is call a few people and talk.  

le sigh

Grumpy and I went to dinner.  I guess I was feeling a little homesick so we went to Chili's.  At least they have real ranch and iced tea!!  Sheesh!  I really have enjoyed California but DAMN somebody needs to teach these people how to spell "Lusianne Tea" cos the shit they serve out here is NASTY!! Ugh!!

We are supposed to leave our little mountain oasis Tuesday, but we haven't decided our path so I have no clue where to book or anything.  Grumpy needs more drugs and I have to know where to have them sent.  This is getting a little ridiculous.  I ask"can we get this planned?" And the only responses are "I don't care"..... Well damn.   If it's up to me, we are going near my friends and I'm getting myself a rental cos I need a damn break!! I have yet to see any of my divas in L.A. and I kinda miss their crazy.  I hope I get to see them this next week or so... I could use some pointers on this open call.  

I REALLY want this call to go well for me. I REALLY REALLY want to be picked.    I need this. For me.  For no other reason than it is time I do something for me.

Here's hoping.

Oh and if any of you like my snaps on snapchat, I'm sorry.  I'm deleting it.  I am an adult, and I can handle adult situations, but I cannot handle some people acting like children.  So to save myself the headaches, I'm just removing nonsense.

I hope everyone sleeps well.  I am going to work on my character building.  I need something new for my Marine to read and I need something consice to have BBaer read.  Here's to "Something More"!

And before I get stoned by the masses (biblical reference not beatnik), I have not seen 50 Shades yet. I would like to, but I haven't really the time just yet.  I will be soon enough though.  

Snow don't hate me, I'm so excited for you, though!!!

Right then... Off to make my own best sellers!!!

I can't love you.

I refuse to miss you.

Goodnight, everyone else.

Xx

Day 28

Day 28

February 14, 2015

Warning:  I'm gonna swear a fuck-ton! And this shit is gonna get real heavy!

You've been notified.

Day 2-fuckin'-8

Miles: 3659

I'm fucking over everything.  I can't do any of this anymore.  If I hadn't screwed myself into this corner I'm currently in, I could have a flight to Texas tomorrow... Or bus fare... Or at least rent a car so I could save my furry babies from this goddamn nonsense as well!!!

I just don't understand why I ALWAYS get treated like this.  I don't deserve to be treated this way.  

~*~

I figured it out.

A lesser person would have walked away tonight and found the first bus away from that situation.  A lesser person would have told everyone to go to hell and bugged out months ago.  A lesser person would have never come in the first place.  

I get treated this way because I allow it.  I stay in this really shitty situation because that's what a decent person does.  A decent person tries to make a crappy situation better.  A decent person tries to make everyone happy.  A stupid person lets everyone berate and belittle her.  I'm tired of being stupid.  I'm tired of the verbal and emotional abuse.  I can't keep doing "the right things" when they aren't right for me.  It's time for other people clean up their own messes. It's time for other people to deal with their own shit.  

Now that my lovely afternoon drive through LA has been completely spotted by poor behavior, I can't even really tell you every thing I saw and where I went.

I know I drove through Brover's old neighborhood, passed by the tar pits, the theaters, La Cienega, down Wilshire, up Sunset, and glimpsed the Hollywood hills sign.  I sat in a lot of traffic, drove through Santa Monica and parts of Malibu, then went through the Malibu Canyon tunnel, which is kinda awesome since half of it is just mountain for a ceiling....

Then shit hit the fan and the rest of the night has pretty much outweighed the fun of my afternoon.

Marine and BBaer are wonderful for listening to my vent.  I'm sorry I laid that on y'all.  I have a lot of stuff to figure out for me.  And I know I'll have Marine and BBaer to watch my six.

Sleep well everyone.

I don't know the meaning of love, I thought I did.

I can't miss what I never really had, right?

Goodnight.

Xx

Day 27

Day 27

February 13, 2015

Miles: 3450

Today we took DQ to see another friend from elementary school.  We met her and her boyfriend and alone Star Steak House.... Yes, a bunch of Texans went to a Texas themed restaurant in SoCal.  I see the irony, you should have seen the look on my face when I realized their ranch was from a bottle... Yuck!!

Lunch was a nice affair.  The afternoon was spent doing nothing so DQ and I went to karaoke at the lodge.  The other groups in there with us were a bit much, if I'm honest. The table behind us, nice people but a lot crazy!  One of the husbands wanted the be first for karaoke so he ran up there and took 5 requests before the DJ even set up his board.  His first choice was "Wonderful Tonight" and man.... I wish I were that confident.  His "give-a-damn" wasn't just busted, it was non existent!! He was hilarious though and it was sweet he sang for his wife.

They were pretty fun to hang out with.  The DJ made me sing a few times  which is flattering but still terrifying.  I guess I have to get over that if I want to do that open call.

Needless to say it was a pretty okay night.  Not too terrible for the night before Valentine's Day.

Sleep sweet my Cupid friends.

I love you, because I don't know any better.

I miss you because the stars were beautiful tonight.

Goodnight

Xx

Day 26

Day 26

February 12, 2015

Miles: 3347.4

I had some weird ass dreams this morning! I woke up searching the back of my head for the bird pecks and yeah.... Terrifying dreams... But I woke up in Long Beach and Polo-er's house is awesome! So warm and bright and light. It was just lovely to wake up so nicely.  Polo-er, bless her heart, had to be at work about 5:30 this morning so I didn't get to talk to her before she left but luckily we kept in touch via text all morning.

My drive back to the mountains wasn't as fun as the drive in, simply because I didn't dance like I did yesterday.  It was nice though, and traffic has been really good for me.

Finally made it back to camp and got to spend the day relaxing.  I tried to get my mind right to write some, but that didn't happen.  I took a really long, LOVELY nap this afternoon and apparently I really needed it.  

I've spent most of the day just being quiet and being still.  There are still a lot of arguments within the ranks in our crew.  I don't understand why such rudeness and animosity it required for every single day.  Why can't people just be nice?!? I'm over the fighting. I'm over the petty arguments.  I'm over being ignored unless a fight is being picked or something has to be fixed.  I don't understand why I can't just spend time with people who just want to enjoy my company.  I seem to constantly have this issue.  Yet, I don't.  I have true, genuine friends that enjoy time with me just as much as I do with them.  I get compliments from people I hardly know and those I've known for decades.  Why is it, the ones that are supposed to love and protect you the most are the ones that are the least nice??  I keep questioning what I'm doing.  Why do I bother being someplace where I'm not actually appreciated? Why do I insist on living like this??  I've been debating whether or not to do this open call for myself.  If I was lucky enough to land the call, I could get help losing weight and maybe get some time to figure out me.

That would mean I'd have to leave Grumpy and DQ to their own devices, but the selfish part of me thinks that maybe that's not a bad idea.  Let them deal with each other.  If I got to do this, I wouldn't be able to get millions of calls and texts from DQ about trivial things or for her to pick a fight.  I'd be able to focus on me for once.  Because despite what some people say when they want to hurt me, I don't make everything about me.  I hardly make anything about me.... 

I'm depressing myself enough.  I'm gonna go curl up with my furry butts and sleep.

Sleep sweet my friends!

I love you, because sometimes I have hope.

I miss you, because that hope lingers.

Goodnight!

Xx

Day 25

Day 25

February 11, 2015

Miles: 3281.6

Most anticipated day all week!! And it's a Wednesday... Go figure!

So I woke up to yet another beautiful scene.  

I keep my windows open all night and day.  There is something about the air up here.  The crisp coolness of the mountain air, the perfumes of the already blossoming trees, the woody musk of the lagoon and lakes, all combine to create this tranquility within myself.

 I love it here.  I can't wait to hit up some of the trailheads through the San Bernardino National Forest.

So today was the day of the GS/EDj concert with My Marine and Polo-er!!!! I could hardly wait!!  I headed to Polo-er's new apartment in Long Beach.  It is a little interesting how much I've missed her.  I just met her a few months ago but she's sweet and fun and I just really enjoy her company. If I'm honest, I was a little worried about coming out to see her. This was the first time we'd be without VetFT and The Boy.  Not that I think they have to be here, but more we can be ourselves without them. And it probably helps that we both got emotionally stomped on by both of them.  It was fantastic to see her.  If anything, I think we are gonna be buddies for a long time.  We bonded a little more over those two F-tards but we don't need either one of them as a crutch.  We found our own stuff.

The drive to West Hollywood was fun.  It's the first time, this trip, I've been able to relax and look out the window cos someone else drove.  Polo-er took us up there and truly, I've never been so at peace with someone else driving... It was a little weird, ha!  West Hollywood itself is a collection of lights and posh restaurants and bougie shops.  It was kinda awesome.  

We get to the Troub and, of course, my Marine and Non-Brat are not there yet.  Thank God Polo-er is so sweet and patient.  She helped me figure out their stupidity so we could FINALLY go in!

The concert itself was fairly good.  Granger came out and did a few too many covers for my tastes and didn't play any of my favorite songs, but eh.  He came to stand on the speaker we were next to so we got some good shots and had a brief half second bond over our rings.  

Then Marine and I REALLY wanted to hear our favorite song so Marine made a dink sign to show him what we wanted.  Granger saw it but never played it.  I was bummed but at least the set was good..... Until it got REALLY REALLY a weird.

So Granger Smith, apparently, has a alternate persona, Earl Dibbles, Jr.  Now I greatly misunderstood what that meant because he comes out puts almost an entire bag of chew in his mouth and starts being a little too over the top (OTT, right KT?).  I mean he had a rifle made into a mic stand that he "fired" with smoke and confetti.  The look on Marine's face probably matched the horror on mine.  I really love Granger Smith; the band, the lyrics, and the fact we're alum family, combined into a really easy and good bond between musician and fan.  But this shit.... Holy hell.  I couldn't even watch.  I realize it was all show so these 150+ people who had never seen him before would be entertained, but geez!!  It wasn't fun or entertaining for those of us looking for a bit of home.  I just.... I felt horrible that Marine was so upset.  Granger is easily his favorite singer.  So to have Granger Smith here while I'm here, it staves off the loneliness of being so far from home.  He just looked angry and a little heartbroken. I felt awful.  Good thing about marines, they are really resilient.  I'm just sorry he has to be resilient over something silly like this.

le sigh

We finished our night by hitting In N Out. Now I've officially had In N Out in Los Angeles... in the middle of the night... with some of my favorite people... it was awesome!! 

It was a long night, but a good night.

I miss you, even when I don't.

I love you, even when I love others as well.

Goodnight!

Xx