“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate”

If I could only use one word to describe Monterey, it would be "beautiful." (If I could use two, I would also use the word, "windy.") There's no denying that California's central coast has a lot to offer outdoors. I've come to think that maybe I don't find Monterey to be a boring place because of the place itself (because honestly, I've been able to find thing to do to occupy myself with and really enjoy myself doing them!), but because of the lack of people I interact with here. 

Thankfully, I've got a great roommate to spend time with though, and another traveling therapist (who also came from Loma Linda!) in nearby San Jose that I was finally able to hook up with this weekend to start enjoying some adventures with!

Natalia (roommate) and I saw 42 on Friday night. It. Was. Awesome. It was not only a great movie, but it really reminded me of how much I love baseball, and of how badly I want to go to a game at Camden Yards! It was also the only movie I've been to where it was absolutely quiet before, during, and after the entire movie - I feel that had a lot to do with the fact that Natalia and I were the youngest movie-goers in the theatre. All the young people appeared to be in the ridiculous line for Star Trek. 

Old barn marking the start of the hike

Saturday, I woke up early to head down to Big Sur for a seven-mile hike. Trail reviews describe the hike as "steep, but doable for anyone with in at least moderate health." California seems to have a different idea that Maryland of what a "moderate" fitness level entails, but it was a great workout, and worth the screaming quads I now have today, for the sweeping views at the top. I chose to hike up the steeper side of the mountain so that I would finish the loop in the shaded sequoia grove at the end of the hike.. turned out to be a good choice, because I can't imagine trying to scramble down that steep hill in the heat! Though there were signs of snake and big animals, I didn't see any. I did see a bunny and a lot of bugs and lizards though! 

Westward view from the top

Next stop... sequoia grove down in the canyon

Headed out of the canyon back toward the bay!

Saturday night, I drove up to San Jose to spend the evening with Megan, another friend from Loma Linda who happens to have come north like me after finishing up there. We went into downtown San Jose and walked around to a few different bars before heading back toward Castro Street, a little strip of stores/bars/restaurants just a mile or two from her apartment. The Sharks won, so hockey fans were out in full force and in good spirits. We were part of a rare minority in regular clothes, not sporting turquoise and black hockey jerseys. 

Weird picture, but big tree! 

I spent another SUPER lazy Sunday relaxing, prepping for another week in the car (aka my office). The highlights of Sunday do include 1) Skype-ing into the May family birthday celebration, and 2) Leeloo (the kitty) bringing us home a furry gift from her outdoor playtime. With much time, a shoebox, a small audience of children offering to "go get my dad to help you," and a small struggle from all involved, we managed to get the little gopher away from the apartment and into the safety of a far-away bush, where he will hopefully stay out of Leeloo's paws!