Minimalism In Motion

“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” –Paul Theroux

We’ve been driving down the California Coast the last few days, mostly on highway 1. If you crave danger, formula one type racing, twists and curves and hair pin turns…then this is the road for you! It hugs the coast almost the entire way, climbing mountains only to descend immediately (into more twists and turns), sending even the most calm person into panic at times. While the driving freaked me out a little (ok, a lot!), the views were absolutely spectacular. Even from the road you could spot the harem of seals. Hundreds of them, possibly even thousands. All just hanging out, bobbing in the water. The coastline is actually pretty rocky and mountainous. For some reason I imagined sandy beaches. So naive. But now I know different as I’ve been fortunate enough to see most of the coastline from Oregon to now Southern Cali. California is my ultimate playground- trees, mountains, oceans, lots of VW buses and Whole Foods. Yesterday was my first Whole Foods experience and I’m in love. I am rather fond of health food stores and this one was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Fresh, beautiful, locally sourced organic produce, eggs, milk…it’s like my Mecca! Camping and whole foods with my family, my life is complete! (more…)

“Holy Cow! Look at that tree!” – Taio Om Wasylishen in reference to the Redwood trees in Jedediah Smith State Park.

The day started out in an abrupt, heart-pounding way. The four of us had been snuggled up in bed, sleeping peacefully when I awoke suddenly to the sound of some rustling at the window of our (somewhat dodgy) hotel room.  I jumped out of bed and just as I got to the window, it slid open slightly. I immediately slammed it shut and heard footsteps running away. That will get the heart rate up quickly! It had been raining through the night and with lots of homeless people in the area, I’d like to think someone may have been looking for a place to stay dry. In all honesty, the place we were staying in kinda looked like an abandoned building. We had booked a room online, one with a kitchenette so we could maintain some semblance of minimalism and cook instead of eat out. The place ended up being a lot shadier than we anticipated. The motel was next to an old apartment building which the owners must have acquired and adopted as additional rooms with kitchens. Anyway, after that early morning fright, I was ready to move on. (more…)

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” ― Ernest Hemingway

Well over the last few days we’ve gone from Northern Washington to the west coast of Oregon and down highway 101 into northern California. We’re all very delighted to see the ocean and to play at the beach! Sorry to rub it in, but it’s pretty great! (more…)