The blue yonder dreams and second hand shoes
Are so far gone that you live to lose
And it’s too late to go home all alone
You’re the tar in that old cigar
And the worn out cable on a cable car
And you’re too tired to admit you’ve got to choose

Today:

Sleeping in, a long walk to Crissy Field with the Golden Gate in the distance, a hunt for city shoes (unsuccessful), lunch by the bay, Trader Joe’s extravaganza, a long walk back, relax, hop on BART to Berkeley where there was dinner with good company, and now home to find success tomorrow…

Goodnight, friends!

WE ARRIVED IN SAN FRANCISCO LAST NIGHT, after one of the most significant drives to date—or during my lifetime, for that matter. The scenery from Portland, trailing through Oregon and blurring to Northern California, the Redwood Forest, and coastline was invaluable. We took Route 101 and saw age-old trees, astounding in size and humble beauty. Moving forth left no question of our own size, as we were towered by cliffs and river valleys while rolling along a road marked into the sides of mountains proclaiming their magnitude. Then driving through the sweeps of forest-spangled inclines spanning south to Sonoma, wine country, as sunshine sweated over clean parallels of leaves, branches, grapes. Just beautiful.

When the miles started to tick down—Eureka, Petaluma, San Rafael, Sausalito—we readied ourselves for the entrance. And as we drove around the final corner, and I saw the Golden Gate ahead, well—it was the best kind of bliss. That moment was perfect. We drove across, windows down, music loud, feeling free and new and alive! So alive. I couldn’t believe where I was or how I’d arrived, but nothing could have been better. A quick doodle down Lombard and we arrived at Union Street—”home.”

Today I took on the city, or attempted to. The best thing right now is there’s no itenerary. I left the building this morning with not a single plan or direction, and ended the day quite the same. Spontanaeity is a beautiful thing. I was lost, tired, scared at times. I feel powerless and insiginificant here, but I know better. I try to walk with conviction, even though I have no idea what corner I need to turn next. This is the happiest uncomfortable experience of my life.

There is so much opportunity in this entire endeavor, the problem is I don’t know how or where to begin. I need work, and experience. I’m so happy, but I’m so, so scared. I’m nervous. I want to turn around, but I’m going to keep marching. This place is made for realizations. That’s why I came.

Tomorrow will be much the same, with a little less fear. Beginnings are scary, but I crossed the Golden Gate into this city in the most perfect way. The ripples from that moment will spread, eventually.

This—this San Francisco, the first day of a new, new lifestyle for a short while—this has been unforgettable, will be forever.

1. Fresh berries picked in Stanley Park
2. Path, Stanley Park
3. Carving and cutting dinner
4. Ingredients
5. The indulge
6. After dinner record, Neil Young’s After the Gold Rush

•••••••••• • •••• •• ••• • ••• • • • • •• • ••• •••• •••••• • • • • • • • • •

These past two days have been nothing short of extraordinary. Adam and I have been trekking our surroundings as though they’d crumble if we dismissed them. Our adventures have been rewarded with photographs, bodies sore from walking, people watching, realizations and satisfactions. I’m happy.

Today we were excited to get the day started—so excited that we wandered the streets and scraped past closed shops, empty sidewalks and quiet traffic. We decided to venture through Stanley park, Vancouver’s trademark playground studded with forest, shoreline, gardens and paths. It felt otherworldly—staring up at the trees during our walk, I didn’t feel like I was anywhere I could readily compare to somewhere I’d been.

After our park exploration, we found lunch downtown. A long walk through the downtown grid made for an eventful afternoon, and an exhausting day. We reveled in coming back to our lodgings, the upstairs unit of a house that Adam so cleverly discovered, to make a homemade meal and relax. Which is exactly what we did! We made delicious food (well, mostly Adam did) and for a moment (however brief) felt like true urbanites.

The traditional after dinner walk pursued, first to McDonald’s to partake in the traditional Canadian dessert of various flavours of McFlurries. We continued walking to a park near the neighborhood we’re staying in, and upon making a steady climb through gardens, reached a summit and discovered the Vancouver skyline before us, beautiful white and colored lights speckled at the mountains’ feet. It kind of hit me, what’s happening. I’m here. I’ve been blessed with this place, and this opportunity. It’s unbelievable.

We rounded the conservatory and reached a fountain, where dozens of sychronized sprays danced at different levels, spouting for moments and evolving to silence. And wandering home, as we were lost, and found, and finally found home, I felt so right, and I knew I’d sleep well.

Tomorrow we’re headed south, back into the States, to Seattle, a place I haven’t brushed since a summer visit some years ago with my grandma and sister. I can hardly contain the buzz and yearning for the city, markets, parks, coffee, people, streets, life. The best of the buzz is, this is just the beginning.

Love from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! As much love as I’ve earned for this city since I arrived—
jc

We made it to Vancouver, B.C. this evening—a nine hour drive with one stop. Walked around and got a feel for the city after a lovely dinner (we opted to try something other than Subway), and I’m definitely feeling it’s a fantastic place.

It’s safe to say I’m exhausted, and will find much more to explore and document tomorrow. Vancouver is my oyster! Also, I have a camera, and I’m willing to use it.

xo
jc

We spent the day at Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, a truly beautiful place (photos of myself taken by Adam Hurly, my trusty cousin and partner-in-travel).

Tonight is an evening in the quaint mountain town of Golden, British Columbia. Tomorrow we’re pressing further west, toward two days in Vancouver, B.C. before shooting back into the States. So far, so wonderful!

xo
jenny

We made it through to Calgary today—a quick blip at the Port of Entry (where we were inspected, made to open the trunk, told our life story, then let go into the Canadian abyss). After that it was 11.5 hours of traveling, two bathroom stops, and a quick bite at Quizno’s in Moose Jaw, where I spent several of the Canadian notes that Dad gave me. He handed me a few bills this morning saying, “I know they’re old, but they’re still good.” The sandwich workers got giddy when I paid with them. I told them the money was of no use to me, then reconsidered taking the bills to the Canadian bank to see if they’re of extra value; collector’s items! We instead charged forward, Adam with a steady grip on the steering wheel. Needless to say we blasted through about 9 CD’s including Lady Gaga and Hanson. You can about imagine.

After arriving at 7:00, we located our (ghetto) hotel. Of course, we knew this when we made the reservation but it was a cheap room and we don’t need much. The red flag was in the description: “Located near a river…,” yet the river was never identified, and we still haven’t found it. It’s probably three miles from here. Tonight we’re actually sleeping in our street clothes so our pajamas don’t garner the cooties from the sheets. And Adam has been on drug patrol all night, busting the floor pot smokers. Vacation, indeed!

Tomorrow we’re going to mosey to the grocery store and pick up necessities: Bread, peanut butter, jelly. We’re cutting back from $6 sub sandwiches. Afterward there will be coffee (both of us run on it) and a visit to the Calgary Olympic Park, home of the 1988 Olympic events (we stumbled upon it during a hunt for McDonald’s and a Mint Aero McFlurry. Score!) Then…then…on to Banff!

Now that the longest leg of the trip is complete, we feel more at ease. I caught a cat nap for half an hour, ever hour on the hour. Adam has been a trooper, doing all the driving (with a little help from his GPS, Barb, whom we are indebted to). This party is just getting started!

Tune in tomorrow for another Canadian extravaganza!

Cross country road trip! New life! Leaving everything a thousand miles away! Beginning again! Experiencing! Loving! Being uncomfortable! Going broke! Following my heart! Living! Let’s do this!

I’m really doing it, starting today with a 13 hour drive to Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Destination C)! I’ll be writing about my adventures on here—keep up if you can!

xo
jenny