Hi friends! After 12-13 days traveling, I’m finally back on the West Coast. From Punta Cana I went straight to Orlando for a work trip. It was one of our biggest shows of the year, and what’s not to love? I get to eat well, experience a new city, and catch up with all my favorite retailers, customers, and colleagues from across the country. Food shows, and work trips in general, are exhausting, but they also give me a new sense of energy and excitement. I presented the two new varieties in my Redwood Coast line, and did some PR around those. I live for that stuff, and love talking about our products, offerings, and company. My job really is one of the highlights in my life, and I can’t help but be thankful for all the fun and crazy and exciting things it brings to my life. Travel is high on that list, and I am happily gearing up for June to be another crazy month.
I thrive on the “go”, and once I’m going that old saying “once you slow down, you start dying” really resonates with me. Well, I think that’s an old quote… otherwise I just made one up. Either way, to error on the side of safety and stay on this side of the dirt, I like to keep the wheels turning. My brain is wired for the go-go-go, and readjusting to home life is usually a little bumpy. However, I’d say this weekend was a good transition. Jared and I stayed home Friday night, and took our time getting moving Saturday. I had my coffee, relaxed, got a little workout in, and we packed up to stay at my Uncle’s in Redding. Despite the crazy winds, I laid by the pool and soaked up the sun. I touched up my burn from Punta Cana (thankfully a very light touch up, I was smarter this time and at least put on some sunscreen), flipped through a couple pages of my book, we barbecued, and overall just enjoyed some quiet time.
Sunday was a little more get up and go, we had sh!t to see! One of my favorite things to do is chase waterfalls, which is great because technically they don’t move and that makes the chase relatively easy, so that’s what we did. We went to McCloud Falls, and hiked to all three waterfalls, conveniently named Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls. I’d never been there before and it was beautiful. Each of the falls were different and unique in their own right. To get to all three was about 3.5 miles total, so we got a nice walk in and had a chance to enjoy nature’s sights, sounds, and serenity. Being in nature has a way of reminding you to enjoy the little things in life, appreciate the moment you’re in, and recalibrate. These are all things I need. I wish they could bottle nature up. But I think that would defeat the whole purpose. I guess it gives me a good excuse to leave town and chase waterfalls (cue smiley face).
Once we were sweaty and the doggos were wore out, we headed on to Burney. We opted out of walking to Burney Falls, we’d both been there and I don’t believe the trail is dog-friendly. No fur babies, no fur momma (ridiculous basic white female statement). Plus it was hot AF and I don’t need a doggy heat stroke situation. But, not to leave Burney completely off the docket, we stopped in and had lunch at the local burger spot – Alpine Drive In. A prerequisite for every small town is a good local burger spot. This one did not disappoint. If you’re driving through Burney you can’t miss it, the building is conveniently painted hot pink. I indulged in one of the best bacon cheeseburger and onion ring combos I’ve had in months, plus a Diet Coke. Sometimes you have to throw this idea of being skinny out the window and just live, so I lived through that whole meal, and enjoyed every morsel.
Once our bellies were stuffed full, we headed on to Lion Slide Falls. You can tell this was a local spot. It was the trickiest to get to, but still beautiful and Jared’s favorite of the day. I would say this was probably Charlotte’s favorite too. I unclipped her leash and let her pick her path over the rocks and up the trail. She is a great little hiker! Not something you’d normally say about a doxie, but she’s quick, athletic (by little dog standards), happy, and game for anything. She’s the best little adventuring pal around.
My only regret at the Lion Slide Falls was not throwing on my suit and bringing a towel so I could take a dip. (The waterfall dropped into a great swimming hole, and you could cannon ball from the top of the fall into it. Cannon balls are my signature swim move. Big ass = big waves.) There were quite a few people there so we didn’t venture as close to the fall as I would have liked. In fact all the falls were pretty busy, which was a little bit of a bummer. One of the objectives of chasing waterfalls and being in nature is to get away from people, but I shouldn’t complain because in the same hand I love seeing people outside with smiling faces and getting to chat with them in our passings.
Once we were loaded back up, we headed home. It was a good little day trip with plenty of views and movement. In addition to the falls and delicious lunch, the drive itself was beautiful. I love taking the time to explore places so close to home. It always amazes me how many beautiful places are in our backyard that we don’t take advantage of. To that point, one of my coworkers shared one of his grand ideas with me (seriously, no sarcasm, it really is a good idea). He’s lived in lots of different places from East to West Coast, so I feel like there’s some substance behind his thought. When he and his wife moved to California, they put together a jar of different places and things to do within a day’s travel of their town. When they have a free weekend or day, they draw an idea out of the jar, and on the road they go! I love this. It’s easy, takes stress out of the equation, and gets you out of the house.
I’ve said it before (sometimes I need a reminder), these are exactly the types of things I want to make a priority in my life – getting outside, being spontaneous, seeing new places, unplugging, and enjoying the beauty that’s at my fingertips. When I look back my life, I don’t want it to be a series of Instagram scrolls and screen time, but rather with my face to the sky, sun shining down, listing to a river run and birds chirp, and connecting with God’s grace.
Today I vow to appreciate home (extending the term beyond these four walls to include the entire north state) and the slower pace of life. While I plan to continue embracing all the travel I can while I am young and able, I don’t want to overlook the adventure around me.
Rather than put a John Muir quote here, go look some up for yourself. He’s nature’s most poetic spokesperson, and if you need some inspiration, his is boundless. Cheers! And wish me luck as I try to balance my beer, and martini, worlds.
Beer in a Martini World 