Adventure is Calling

My eyes need a sky full of stars,

my lungs, the deep inhale of sea salt air.

My legs crave the ache of a long day on a dusty trail.

And my skin, the comfort of the desert sun.

Once, I told my little sister that I wished I could go hug a saguaro.

Well, I would tomorrow if I could,

and tell all my secrets to the trees. 

I whispered some wishes to the bay today,

but it didn't quite wash away the nagging need for an adventure.

image unknown

If my grandma had been walking with me,

I am quite certain she'd give my hand a squeeze 

and pose the familiar question, 

'A penny for your thoughts?' 

Oof. So many. 

And so. It's time to plan a trip. 

One for mind, body and spirit. 

Adventure is calling, friends.

And I must go.

Stay tuned.

xo

The Girl and a Wolf

I was lucky to split my time this Thanksgiving between the beach and the mountains.
That’s pretty dreamy, eh?

I was invited to a Thanksgiving feast set outdoors among rolling hills where coyote and bobcats likely roam.  

From my seat at the table I could steal glimpses of the ocean, 

and watch the sun dip away from its waltz with the sky.

The trees were treated to a chorus of our laughter throughout the night. 

For that alone, I give thanks.

With my belly full and my heart even fuller, 

I headed to the mountains where I counted fish in the lake and scouted for eagles in the trees.

I probably could’ve drank a little less, and used my brain a little more… 

but that’s what New Year’s resolutions are for.  

image is my own, Lake Tahoe

All said and done, I'd rather have a collection of stories to share, 

even if it means a little repentance in the morning.

I tuck those stories away in my back pocket for a rainy day.

You see, a few weeks back I was the girl who cried wolf.

And I feel lighter in step because of it: because of this reversal in course… but.

But there are people I care about that I think I might have let down.

And all I can offer you is this:

I will always be guilty of falling in love with places I haven’t been; with people I have yet to meet.

It’s a fickle fortune that I’ve been dealt by the universe.

And all I can hope is that you won’t fault me for it.

Because all things considered, I think it’s a pretty sacred fate.

And after months of confusion, I figure my path doesn’t need to be so clear.

I will let my heart be guided by the sun and the stars and trust that the other pieces will fall into place.

Have a happy week, my friends.

xo

The Siren Call of Summer

Hello, friends.

It's been too long since I last shared a tale.

You see,  the air has been thick

-heavy almost- 

with the anticipation of the season to come.

And I got carried away with my daydreams and summer time schemes. 

I love this time of year. 

Like a steady, rhythmic drumbeat

signaling the eruption of a rock anthem, 

May's last few days are the siren calling summer.

 Hot off the heels of my last post, 

I've been treating Northern California

as if my time is limited, but my adventures- limitless.

There have already been ferry rides and road races, 

fancy galas and lunar eclipse watching.

image is my own; ferry ride to Tiburon

Summer's itinerary includes hiking Yosemite's Half Dome 

and heading out on long, lazy bikes rides in the hills of Santa Barbara. 

There will be Memorial Day  in the mountains, 

and a star spangled July 4th spent in the those same Sierras.

Summer brings my little sister's first trip to the shining sea,

and a best friend weekend in wine country.

And all the while I'll be zipping back and forth 

over amber waves of grain,

towards the Atlantic and then back to the Pacific

to celebrate weddings, birthdays, and beach days. 

Here's to summer's official launch.

May your days be spent in sun and surf, 

surrounded by good friends and family.

xo

Sherbet Sunrises

I had a day that left me wishing-

nope- pining for a getaway.

Tedious projects; impossible deadlines.

Conversations that inspired a lot of wincing,

followed by a lot of eye rolling.

I want to dig my painted toes into the sand

and splash salt water on my cheeks.

I want to dance under a low, heavy hanging pink moon,

 and wake up to a sherbet splashed sunrise.

I want to spend my days collecting shells,

 and smelling like coconut.

 image

I'd like to link hands with handsome man,

and hum along to a steel drum band.

I'd like to eat fruit that I pluck, straight from a tree,

and braid my hair with a hibiscus tucked behind my ear.

I want to go to bed counting the freckles on my nose, 

and the fish in the ocean,

and the stars in the sky. 

Instead, I laid my head in my hands 

and shook my mind back to now.

It was a long day.

 A day that is strung into a series of long weeks.

Sigh.

Here's to sweet dreams 

and sunny shorelines... 

soon.

 

Adventuring

Gaaah! I'm experiencing a lack of inspiration as of late.

And believe me, I feel bad about that.

Lately, all I want to do is ditch my daily routine

and go a globe-trotting.

I'm serious.

I need to sail the seas and pound the pavement.

I have to witness dolphins catching air.

image

I am longing for quiet mornings

weaving in and out of shops along cobblestone streets,

cup of coffee in hand and my spirit as my guide.

I need to feel the wind in my hair and the cool shock

of rushing water between my toes.

There is art to see and rocks to climb.

I don't know where I'm going...

but I'll tell ya, I think I've got to go soon.

Happy Adventuring, friends!

xo

Sit Tight!

I'm back from the bottom of the Canyon!

There are so many stories to share.

Of dusty trails and layers of red rock,

desert sage and prickly pears in bloom,

hidden waterfalls and the emerald green of the Colorado.

photo snapped by me at the top of the South Rim

Ring tailed cats and low flying bats,

ice cold beers and hearty canteen stew.

I promise, I'll share these tales soon.

Until then,

I'll be reading up on how

I can make a go at becoming a Park Ranger.

Speak soon, friends.

xo