Hiking in LA: The Big Santa Anita Canyon Loop

What a perfect hiking spot!

The drive to Arcadia took an hour and change but the last leg up the winding mountaintop was absolutely breathtaking. The rolling hills and deep ravines reminded me of a forested Grand Canyon.

PARKING.

There is absolutely no adequate parking. Ever. But drive to the convenience store and purchase your 5 dollar parking pass then pray for someone to leave. Worst comes to worst begin driving back down and park along the winding road. Don't be overwhelmed by the number of parked cars, the trail is wide enough to accommodate all of these hikers!

THE TRAIL.

The trail begins on pavement for nearly the first mile.  You will see a marker to go right towards a dirt path.  Don't be tricked, keep on the pavement towards 'Sturtevant Falls'. This is the 50 foot waterfall you came to see - and the hike will only rack you up 3 miles and change, but there are plenty of add on trails that can bring you closer to a 10 mile hike. The trail will switch off pavement after the initial descent and you'll follow the streaming river to the beautiful waterfall and pool.

The trek down is fairly easy, but don't forget you have to come back up at some point.  The add on hikes can be much more steep if you need the extra challenge.  While there are plenty of additional trails located near the waterfall, a nice option is to hike back up the paved trail and decide at the top if you would like to add on the dirt path I mentioned earlier.  This trail will bring you down to a small pool perfect for taking a dip or enjoying a picnic and adds on another 2 miles.

DOG FRIENDLY.  They should be on the leash, but I left the Golden off-leash and no one seemed to mind (aside from when he shook himself dry next to a picnic-ing family)

CAMPING.  There are cabins doting the trail, which can be rented out for camping.  Seems a little to Blair Witch Project for me, but might be nice for a big group to rent a few adjacent campsites.

A Weekend in Vegas - The Monday rant list

It's Monday morning.  I can't go back to sleep, but I can't muster the energy to crawl out of bed and face the week ahead.  I've got the post-Vegas blues.

Living in So Cal, I've spent my fair share of time throwing away money on Roulette and slot machines in lovely Sin City.  However, this weekend was the first time I've had the entire Vegas experience: The pool parties. 

I still can't fathom how we drank (and I mean drank) all day poolside only to head back to the hotel room for a measly hour of reapplying makeup then hit club after club until the sun came up. AND THEN GO RIGHT BACK TO THE POOL and do it all over again.  Crazy. ness.

In an attempt to delay getting out of bed, I'm going to recount the stark observations I made over this jam packed weekend.

The Car Ride:

1. Don't be accommodating and say you don't mind sitting bitch.  In traffic this could be a 5 hour drive.

2. Speaking of the car ride. You cannot buy a gas station hotdog, or any other foul smelling food and eat it in the car.  You're also not allowed to eat shit food then whine about being fat for the rest of the trip.

3. I'm excited to see Avicii, Hardwell and Bassnectar too! But there's no reason to blast house music for the entire ride before we get out eardrums blown out by the same music for 72 hours straight.

4. No objections.  We're stopping at Mad Greek and I'm loading my bags with baklava and gyros.  Sorry for partying. 

The Pool:

1. Cheeky bottoms are totally in! But don't wear them if your ass is covered in cellulite.

2. You know what, I don't care if you're addicted to In n Out, but if you're body is not 'bikini ready' why don't you just keep your cover up on? 

This pool doesn't count it was a private cabana!

3. Wedge sandals at the pool - absolute must.  Stilettos?  go to hell.

4. Every girl in Vegas has fake tits.  It literally feels like a playground for girls with boobs.  Check your insecurities about being flat chested at the towel rental.

5. Would I go in the cess-pool where people are blatantly having sex?  Probably not.  Am I judging you for dipping in?  most likely. (this rule especially applies to Wet Republic).

Sin City:

1. Yes the Spearmint Rhino serves food.  No you're not going to order anything to eat a strip club. Slap out of it.

2. If your ass cheeks are showing out of your dress and your strides are a small shuffle, your dress is probably too short and too tight. Oh and just because its Vegas doesn't mean you need to be adorned in glitter and sparkles.  Or (gasp) white eyeliner.

opening weekend at Hakkasan

3. Dear guys from New Jersey who fly to Vegas with their 20 closest meathead friends:  Cat call and whistle all you like, but get your tanned hands away from my ass.  NOT COOL to grab girls when they walk by you.  Ok. I suppose it's probably not just NJ guys, so let me retract that and generalize to all guys. take. note: Sexual harassment doesn't work. even in "Sin City".

4. If you are somewhat attractive, or just one of your friends is cute, a Vegas weekend can be completely free.  This doesn't mean you should act like a entitled bitch and forget to say thank you for the rooms, tables, dinners, gambling money and possibly even flights.

5. Vegas is as fun as you make it.  Despite my stark criticisms, I love a city where everyone is accepted with open arms.  Don't stress over your body or wardrobe or anything else superficial.  Grab a cocktail, roll the dice and fist pump with abandon - what happens in Vegas still stays in Vegas if you spend your time enjoying yourself instead of on instagram.  

Coachella - What to Expect

Coachella weekend is absolutely magical.  But only in so far as you plan it right.  I've just now come out of the coachella-coma and feel ready to really digest the whirlwind festival.

Tickets.

Lets start from the beginning, shall we?  Tickets sell out fast.  if you're going for the parties, get your tickets the first weekend.  If you're going to camp - well then it doesn't quite matter much as the line up is exactly the same.  Don't panic if tickets sell out, there are desperate ticket holders trying to unload their tickets after the line-up is announced, then again closer to the event.  VIP isn't quite worth doubling the price in my eyes. Sure, there are fenced off areas closer to the stage and it's easier for you to get alcohol and food, but with a little bit of patience (and pushing), general admission can come very close to giving you the same experience.

Packing. 

This can be overwhelming.  Especially for the fashionably conscious, but don't fret.  Truth is, you'll probably only look cute for an hour before you're covered in the dust and filth sticking to your sweat.  This is a boho-friendly, hippie-inspired festival.  Looking unkept is, well, encouraged.  These things however, are MUSTS when packing:

-Sunglasses

-Sunblock

-closed toe ankle boots

-distressed high waisted jean shorts & vintage tanks

-heavy sweaters and jackets

-bathing suit

-bandana

-face/baby wipes

-ATM card

-cross shoulder bag or backpack

-extra contacts/contact solution

-hat

-long pants/skirt

-hairbrush & leave in conditioner

Fashion.

On the packing note, I will be posting my fashion do's and donts for Coachella soon, so stay tuned ;)

Festival.

As a recent festival chaser, I can say I was pleasantly surprised by Coachella.  Despite being owned by the conglomerate AEG, it still held the charm of an indie festival. The waters are only two dollars, there aren't sponsors harassing you, and you can have three koji truck tacos and a beer for under 20 bucks.  Plus they give the option of camping.  In comparison to Insomniac events, they really skimped on sound, lighting, and experience creating, but the layout and staging was definitely on par.  This festival is a well oiled machine from check in to the ease of navigating the massive fair grounds.

If you are going just for the festival and staying at a house or hotel that's a drive away, I would really study the lineup and make a priority list of acts.  You're not going to see it all, and there is by no means any rush to get to the festival early and stay until the very last set.  it is three full days after all.

Transportation.

The cabs back and forth are expensive and sparing, and while some hotels have shuttles, the distance is to Palm Springs is too great to make multiple trips in a day. Parking is free, but the lots are enormous and confusing, so snap a photo of your cars location so you can find it again.  And for God's sake don't drink and drive, there are cops littered everywhere.

Weekend Getaway to South Lake Tahoe!

Well first, don’t go to lake Tahoe if you plan on doing water activities --- the lakes always a comfy temperature of freezing.

Really, the water is unbearably cold, the boat rentals are excruciatingly over priced and when we called to rent ATVs they were rented out for the next month.

That being said, if you are traveling to South Lake Tahoe for the romantic sunsets, amazing dining options, and lively casinos then continue on!

EATING:

If I only have one reader worthy review, it is this one.   I left my heart at Café Fiore.  Truthfully the most romantic restaurant I have ever visited.  It is a small (miniscule even) restaurant with only 7 tables nestled into the base of a mountain. Strewn white Christmas light illuminate the impressive selections of fine wines.  This is the place of proposals (Matt missed the memo), celebratory news and anniversaries.  I’m a sucker for atmosphere, so I would have already rated Café Fiore highly just on my initial gush over the quaint romance oozing from the walls – but the food is equally spectacular.  Lamb chops soaked in butter, garlic and thyme and swordfish smothered in marinara and veggies escalated this restaurant to the top of my list before we even dived into the dessert.

We also stopped at Beacon bar and grille for the famed Rum Runners and some ahi tuna and short rib tacos.  The food was delicious, the outdoor patio fabulously fun and the food on par.

ACTIVITIES:

1.Casinos - Visit Harrahs and Harveys, but spend your time at MontBleu.  A clean, airy casino with a lovely selection of restaurants and an indulgent spa.   The other casinos are obviously fun (I mean really, gambling is fun anywhere) but if you are an atmosphere gambler, MontBleu is your best bet (heh heh pun alert!).

2. Boat Rentals – Every place will rape you on rates, no matter how honed in your swindling skills may be.  The water is much more like ocean boating with the choppy waters and cool wind.  Plus the water is unbearably cold.  If your heart is set on boating then I’d suggest renting some fishing poles and hitting some of the gorgeous inlets and coves to cast off.  There is a fish worth 1 million dollars swimming around in the dark deep waters, so keep your eyes peeled for any unusual taggings. As for the astronomical prices - some hotels will offer you a discount code, so don’t forget to ask at the front desk.  

3. More affordable are the paddleboard, paddleboat, kayak and jetski rentals but still bare in mind that the water will be too freezing to swim in. (Yes, even in August!)

4.Hiking.  While I didn’t get a chance to hike because my boyfriend can be quite the lazy slug after a night of pouring money into slot machines and blackjack (ok, ok I didn’t want to get out of bed either).. there are some amazing trails for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding and atvs.

Summer in South Tahoe is over priced and chilly – but I have an inkling that the mountainside town comes alive for winter activities.  Perhaps my review in December will have a different tune.

Catalina Island - A Kayak Adventure!

I have been to Catalina Island twice, and the two trips could not have been more different.

Trip one: EXPLORING Catalina via Kayak

We excitedly bounced onto the Catalina Express Ferry equipped with enormous backpacks filled to the brim with camping 'necessities' (ok and Matt brought his straightener). 

We spent the day setting up our big camping adventure for the following morning, but still leaving a bit of time to explore the tourist town overlooking Avalon Bay.  While we enjoyed our ice creams, we strolled through the shops, stopped at the beach to admire the marina life and popped in and out of bed and breakfasts trying to find the perfect stay.  Unfortunately the locals aggrandized the fact that the island is haunted and built on an ancient burial ground - a notion that put my 250lb meathead boyfriend into a frenzy, so we ended up staying in the most modern hotel we could find: Hotel Vista del Mar. The hotel was comfortable and luxurious, but lacked the charm I was craving. 

The next morning we rented our kayaks from Catalina kayaks, and took off for the few mile paddle around to the secluded campsites. Hours later, I was near tears and Matt was hollering at me as we finally pulled up to the inlet we would call home.  I love adventure and fitness, but kayaking in the ocean as a first timer was much more challenging than I had anticipated.  As the sun quickly set, we scrambled to build a fire and put together our tent.  Before long, we had decompressed and were enjoying smores over the fire.  It wasn't until 9ish that the panic ensued as the waves crashed up onto our tent and put out the fire.  We moved up into the brush, which had us spooked because of earlier ghost stories AND the fear of wild animals.  Secluded is one thing, but this was too much.  We spent the night shivering, soaked and scared.  And when the sun finally peaked over the mountain I brushed the bugs and dirt from my hair, jumped back into my kayak and took off as fast as my swollen arms could take me. 

That night, staying at Hotel Vista del Mar was more than spectacular - it was absolutely perfect. The next day we scuba dived with the legendary Ron Moore, rented a golf cart to cruise the town, and dined on fresh fish until the sun began to set.  Then we hightailed it to the ferry and took off for Beverly Hills!

Weekend Getaway to Palm Springs, CA

if you don't golf, you aren't retired or you're not flamboyantly gay, then you probably wouldn't think of Palm Springs as the perfect getaway.

However, unbeknown to 20 something year old hollywood hipsters, Palm Springs IS the perfect getaway, especially for a young couple.  

Viceroy Main Pool

Viceroy

HOTELS

*Best Boutique Hotel - The Viceroy.  Old hollywood glamour with modern accents make this gorgeous hotel my Palm Springs favorite.  I also love the slightly more affordable, but still fabulous, Colony Palm Hotel.  The Moroccan accents create a tranquil atmosphere.  Spring for the casitas and you'll have a private sun deck with a soaking tub for two! 

JW Marriot

Best Resort - JW Marriot, a gorgeous property with everything you could ever want in a hotel from private tennis instructors to a man-made lake with ferry rides.  A picturesque mountain backdrop makes even the most simply decorated rooms feel luxurious. 

Best Family Hotel - Rancho Las Palmas.  Just as nice as the JW, but do not stay here if you aren't totting children. There's a huge family pool with slides that keeps kids squealing from 7am until dark. 

ACTIVITIES

Thursday street fair - there is something for everything at this weekly festival.  I love the local artists, the jewelry, the free samples of everything from beef jerky to local strawberries.  BUT what keeps me coming back is the Calipop kettlecorn.  Honestly, I didn't even know I liked kettle corn until I stumbled across their booth.  The perfect mixture of sweet and salty, freshly cooked right in front of your eyes.  There are two kettlecorn stands, make sure you go to Calipop over the organic guys (who are also good, but no comparison!)   

Aerial Tram - amazing views and great hiking.  There is a small restaurant at the top, but it is too pricy for the low quality food they churn out.  I suggest bringing a picnic instead (perhaps some kettle corn from the fair if you have any left!).

Boutique Shopping downtown and the Cabazon Outlets

Rent a cabana at the Riviera hotel pool & let the pina coladas free flow

Casino - a few great casinos call the desert their home. Agua Caliente just underwent a multi million dollar facelift but you'll have an equally good time visiting the Morongo.

Knotts Soak City - Okay I know what you're thinking, water parks are for children.  But the summer heat can be borderline unbearable. Plus it's fun to channel your inner kid every once and awhile!  ATV rentals and mini golf also fall into this category.

Food

Kaiser Grill - The food is fresh, delicious, and never disappoints.  My favorites for lunch are the homemade hummus, cranberry turkey club and the caeser salad.  

Falls Martinis

The Falls - Go here for a delicious steak dinner and fabulous martini list.  Sitting outside on the balcony is a must.  Save room for the fried dough balls dessert and three dipping sauces. 

The Purple Palm - Pricey, but well worth it. Situated in the Colony Palm Hotel the outdoor seating is right along the edge of the tranquil pool.   The portions are small, so plan on sharing an appetizer or two before your entrees.  The dates stuffed with serrano ham and blue cheese are lightly drizzled with honey and surprisingly hearty instead of sweet.  I also suggest the marinated artichoke hearts, the beat salad and the grilled caeser.   What makes this upscale trendy spot my favorite in Palm Springs is one particular dessert: the brioche bread pudding creme brulee.   Don't ask, just order it and thank me later.

The brunch buffet at the JW Marriot is also a favorite indulgence of mine - featuring fresh fruit, cheeses, an array of honeys, hams, raw bar, omelet station, pastries and the usual waffles and pancakes.  The patio seating overlooks the man made lake, where you can watch the swans and ducks lazily float by. 

Yogurt on Tap - I have done my tour of yogurt and ice cream spots, literally scouring the streets of LA, hunting out the best - and I can say, hands down, this is the best yogurt in the world. A do it yourself bar with every candy, fruit, syrup and sauce you could ever dream of immediately gives Yogurt on Tap 5 stars in my book.  But the real magic is in the rich and creamy variety of flavors they offer.   I mix half banana half carbo-lite peanut butter with locally produced toffee, mixed nuts, banana, mochi, peanut butter sauce and warm dark chocolate.  De-licious.

Cali Coast Road Trip - Day 5!

 I cannot believe that the trip is over and I'm now sitting at my boyfriends apartment in Los Angeles.  How did it fly by so fast?  And how did we cram so many giggles, adventures, and memories into 5 short days?!

 This morning I was really craving one final stop before the last leg of our journey.  And really, what could be more perfect than an emu and ostrich farm?  With their big prehistoric feet and beady little eyes, I might be the only one who found the oversized feather dusters adorable, but I know Jenny had fun feeding them too.  Two pans of food later and we were back in the Corolla with the gps set to tinsel town.

 The trip was perfect.  We conquered California and explored how multi-faceted the Golden state really is.  From the cityscapes of San Francisco and Los Angeles to the rolling vineyards of Napa to the beaches and fresh produce, I feel confident that our trip embodied all that CA has to offer.

  Moreover, the trip couldn't have come at a better time for the two of us.  Jenny has just moved to Hollywood and will be starting her new job on Wednesday.  When we applied for the show, Jenny was a small town girl from Nebraska with only a faint glimmer of West Coast dreams.  And here we are, cruising to her new Los Angeles home.. together!

   And then there's me. I spent two years getting acquainted with Los Angeles while working as a casting associate before accepting a job offer back home.  I was reluctant to leave, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to work as an agent for a franchised acting and modeling agency.  In LA I would have been a casting associate for eons before a promotion, and here I was offered a director position AND an assistant.   An exact year later and I'm taken back to California, but this time in front of the camera (my true passion).  I gave my boss a four weeks notice, finished up a fashion show I was putting together and packed my bags to "hit the road" with Jenny.   After this, I'll be researching a book I'm co-authoring with my Mom in Portugal and France before relocating to LA permanently.  Where my career will go from here is still murky, but I am confident that I'll find my niche in the entertainment industry upon my return. (positive thinking!)

   I am so very thankful for the opportunity to share the adventure of a lifetime with my best friend.  Along the way, I saw breathtaking sights, overcame a fear or two, and learned some valuable life lessons.  Jenny and I will always be pen pals.  Whether we're next door neighbors or I'm off back packing through Southeast Asia (what? it's on the bucket list!), our pen pal-ship will continue on as normal.  Only this time, our bond is strengthened by the tangible memories "Hit the Road" has afforded us.  

  To the casting director, producer and cameramen, I can never thank you enough for this opportunity, but I can promise to add you to my Christmas card list.  Really though, thanks for putting up with us, for enlightening me on all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, and for giving me the travel itch - your stories of adventure have expanded my bucket list ten fold.  It's not everyday that you run into people who can profoundly change your life in one week (just by being their awesome selves!), and for that I am forever grateful. 

   To Jenny, you're the most honest and down to earth person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  To travel with you was something I will hold near and dear to my heart throughout my entire life.  I can never fully explain what our pen pal-ship has meant to me, but having you in my life makes me feel funny saying I'm an only child.  Thanks for writing back even when my letter is three pages of whining; for letting me poke fun at your lack of taste buds and your disregard for fashion trends; for remembering my birthday even though I send your present two months late every year.  To my personal counselor, my best friend, the audience of my new joke material, the keeper of my silliest fears, most embarrassing moments and wildest dreams; to the closest I have ever had to a sister: thank you for embarking on this journey with me - I look forward to sharing all that our bright futures have in store for us.  

Paz and Amor,

Chelsea

Cali Coast Road Trip - Day 4!

  Capturing the sunrise was such a fail.  Not only was it overcast and freezing, but halfway through my jog it started drizzling. To top it all off, Jenny confessed (between coughs and sneezes) that she really had no desire to go dune buggying at all.  I coaxed her into the car, but I truthfully was less than excited myself.  Even with three jackets on I still shivered against the biting wind.

    To my dismay, we actually followed the rental guy onto the beach and drove right on the sand ...mere feet away from the breaking waves ...in our front wheel drive Corolla.  I kept looking around waiting for the police to roll up, or for us to get stuck, or swept out to sea while we crossed rushing rapids (hm, ok maybe they were just trickling streams, but still). We made it to the rental spot glitch free, suited up and I jammed my head into a helmet so tight that I couldn't even smile (well if I had wanted to smile I couldn't - I was in full only-child whine mode at this point).

  All it took was one rev of the engine before I abandoned all regard for safety and ripped off towards the dunes.  Laughing like a mad scientist, I whipped up and over the dunes, burying us with sand.  Sun Buggy Rentals (ironic name huh) are absurdly fun and such an adrenaline rush.  SO you can imagine how very disappointed I was when Jenny said she didn't want to drive.

  Ok let me back up.  So our entire pen pal-ship, we have always recounted our adventures.  Jens hiked volcanos in Guatemala before - active ones!  We've bounced off travel ideas and adventures and it always seemed like the sky was the limit... that like me, there is nothing Jenny wouldn't try at least once.  And here we are halfway through our cross country extravaganza and I've had to beg and plead for her to try new foods, convince her surfing would be fun, drag her out at night.  And now this!  We knew about dune buggying, she should have mentally prepared herself for taking the wheel.  So here I am, basically yelling (ok, I was actually yelling) at Jenny to pull herself together and take the buggy for a spin.  Blame it to only child syndrome again, but I was so sure that she would enjoy it as much as I did if she would just try!

   Well, I couldn't have been more wrong.  Jenny hated driving.  Lesson learned Chels.

   After apologizing for acting like a tyrant, we rinsed all the sand out of our mouth, dusted it out of our eyes (I don't get how Jen couldn't like it, lol) and drove the Corolla off the beach before we actually put ourselves in danger of being swept away by the rising tide.

  Switching gears, we headed to a strawberry farm where we gorged ourselves on the freshest and juiciest fruit I have ever eaten.  When I think about California, I envision fresh farmers markets over flowing with avocados and strawberries.  Well, all I can say is that this strawberry farm surpassed my farmers market expectations ten fold.  

TODAYS BUCKETLIST CHECK OFF:

Capturing sunrise - fail

Dune buggying - check

Being understanding that Jenny isn't obligated to like everything I do - fail

Picking fresher than fresh strawberries right off the vine - check

Driving along the 1 highway with our shades on and hands out the window despite the freezing temps - check

Alright we're going to explore the quaint dutch inspired town of Solvang and get our fill of dutch pastries. Lekker! (it means delicious in Dutch, duh)

Paz and amor!

Chelsea

Cali Coast Road Trip - Day 3!

  I take full responsibility for suggesting surfing to the producers.  In my defense, I pictured our lessons in Sunny California to be a perfect 85 degrees with a light breeze creating manageable crystal blue waves.  Perhaps I'm a dreamer, but what's more synonymous with California than surfing at the beach?

  The reality of this morning's 8am surfing lesson was 60s and rainy, dark clouded waters and whipping winds.  Our enthusiasm was at an all time low as we squeezed into the wet suits and little booties.  We did find solace in our surf instructor Dylan, who couldn't have embodied "California surfer" more perfectly.  On the sand, he walked us through the steps of surfing in a way similar to a yoga instructor.   Focusing on breathing and core strength was something feasible to me, and I started to feel (just a little) more excited than nervous to jump into the water.  The adrenaline pumping coupled with the warmth of the wet suit kept me from focusing on the chilly waters as I dove under and began paddling behind Jenny and Dylan.  

  As I struggled to glide over the breaking waves, I worried about the sea creatures lurking just beneath my board.  When we finally rested beyond the breaking point, Dylan passed on some wisdom that will forever stay with me.  He explained that you need to focus on breathing; on calming and steadying your own body and mind.  Without a clear head devoid of stress and worry, you will never be able to surf.  One deep breath later and I was paddling out to catch my first wave.  My wipeout to getting up ratio was heavily skewed to falling, but I DID stand up and ride (very ungracefully) a wave or two.  I felt the same pride and sense of accomplishment for my own achievements as I did watching Jenny catch her first wave.  We did it, and we did it together.

  A few caught waves and a sea lion spotting later and our surf lesson came to an end.  After replenishing with lunch we headed to the boardwalk, another California staple.   The Santa Cruz boardwalk is home to the Giant Dipper, one of the worlds first wooden roller coasters.   All I can say is I was very wrong to assume that the coaster would be an easy ride since it was built in 1924.  After screeching over the steep drops and sharp turns, I felt like we successfully accomplished Santa Cruz.  

  But of course I can never let a good thing come to an end (only child syndrome symptom I suppose) and I convinced Jenny to play a ball toss game.  Six tries later and I didn't pop one single balloon.  Not one.  And some little show off 6 year old next to me hit three right in a row no problem. Embarrassed beyond repair, I grabbed my stuffed squirrel consolation prize and dragged Jenny (who did actually break a balloon - just to show me up I'm sure) and headed South for Pismo Beach.

TODAY'S BUCKET LIST CHECK OFF

Standing up on a surf board - boo yeah! Check!

Erasing boo yeah from my vocab - fail

Visiting a California boardwalk - check

Big Dipper - check

Winning a big prize on a boardwalk game - giant fail

Alright well Jenny is basically comatose and sleeping sitting straight up (it's way creepier than you can imagine) so  I suppose I should shut off the light and let her recoup.  I convinced her she wasn't getting out of surfing.. but she could still try the sick card for dune buggys tomorrow morning.  I'm going to wake up and jog along Pismo Beach and try to capture the sunrise tomorrow.  Sooo California of me. :)

Paz and amor,

Chelsea

Cali Coast Road Trip - Day 2!

 I'm an early riser, but 5:00 AM came a lot faster than I expected.  With our hats on (I insisted we wear hats so our hair didn't burn up in flames. In hindsight a completely unfounded and ridiculous fear) we clumsily threw on layer after layer and headed out for our hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley.

  The take off field was littered with brightly colored nylon balloons draped over the rolling green hills. I was struck by the size of the wicker baskets, able to hold 25 passengers including the pilot (or as we affectionately renamed him, the balloon-atier), and absolutely mesmerized by the process of getting the balloons upright and ready for flight.  The open flame straightened the balloon and basket, leaving us just enough time to clumsily scramble inside.   I didn't even have a free moment to process my fear of heights as we glided peacefully off the ground.

  A calmness washed over me as we rose above the clouds and our shadow grew smaller and smaller.  The balloon-atier pointed out the contrasting crops below while Jenny and I relished in the moment.  We had already spent some time marveling at the beauty of Napa's countryside, but to see the same landscape from a birds eye view was absolutely breathtaking. 

  We felt a little nervous to land, especially since our balloon-atier seemed rather nonchalant about how and where we would touch down.  This was one of those rare instances where our worries were not unfounded.  Without warning, we violently crashed into alfalfa fields then skidded over to a field of baby tomatoes before the basket nearly tipped completely.  I'm doing a poor job describing how frightening this experience really was - but picture Jenny and I squatting in the basket clutching on to the side for dear life while the balloon threw us vertical.  I'm still shuttering a little thinking about it.

  With our feet firmly planted on the ground, we enjoyed a lazy brunch (well I enjoyed it because I'm not afraid to try foods - Jenny got scrambled eggs) then drove through the vineyards, stopping along the way to snap photos and pick grapes.   Around sunset we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge, threw in the 90s mix cd and headed South for Santa Cruz.

  It was fun to have the down time to really catch up with Jenny face to face.  We're both at such a pivotal point in our lives and things are happening so fast that often by the time she replies to my letter I'm worrying or stressing about the next thing.  Belting out the best of the 90s... the songs we grew up sharing with one another, was almost surreal.  Not to mention sharing the experience of the balloon ride together, now really ...how cool is that!!

TODAY'S BUCKET LIST CHECK OFF:

Balloon ride over Napa Valley - check

Not falling out of the basket - check

Taking car dancing and singing to the next level - check

Rolling vineyards and hills of Napa - check

Ok off to explore downtown Santa Cruz.  Yesterday we lied and said we were doing a special on crocodile migrations and thats why we were being followed by camera crews.. lets see what kind of absurdities come to us tonight..

 Oh I almost forgot - Jenny keeps "faking" sick (ok.. she is wicked sick -- and I do feel quite guilty that I keep dragging her around and expending her fleeting energy reserve).  I'm extremely nervous she's going to pull the sick card when we wake up for surf lessons tomorrow morning.  Not only are we both afraid of the ocean and miserably uncoordinated, but it's going to be a crisp 60 degrees and raining.  Worse, we've been talking such a big game that we will stand up and ride a wave no problem on our first try.  All I can picture is the show cutting to us both crying.. covered in sand.. and shivering.  All the more reason to celebrate tonight I suppose.

Paz and amor,

Chelsea