The Changing Winds

It’s been several months since my not-so triumphant return to Wisconsin. I’ve missed writing, and quite frankly, I’m disappointed in myself for not keeping up with it. These past few months have been a whirlwind of emotion ranging anywhere from gut-wrenching anxiousness to surprising blissfulness. It comes in waves. Life is crazy like that.

I’m thankful for the support of my family. Often we forget that family is first and foremost. Without the words of encouragement and unwavering kindness, I’d be entirely lost

There’s been so much change in my life lately. All for the better. I’ve discovered the beauty of meditation seemingly by chance, and have in turn, began studying the practice from the basics. It’s a truly powerful aid to a cluttered mind like my own. Inner peace is something I’ve been striving for my entire life. Meditation has been unbelievably helpful. It was foolish of me to doubt it for so long. I never pictured myself giving something like that a chance. Again, Change. Change is something special.

I’m happy to have found myself in a great career (finally). If only they knew how thankful I am for the opportunity. This job market is cutthroat. College Degree? Check. Experience? Check. Work Ethic? Check. Want a Job? Too bad. I’m so glad I’m done writing cover letters. I started to see them in my nightmares (kidding…maybe?)

All in all, I’ve got an optimistic view on my future. Credit goes to my mom for giving me that kick in the ass I needed on a long drive up north a few months ago. Love shows itself in many forms.

It feels good to write again. I need to stick to it. The ol’ 9-5 won’t be an excuse. Here’s to change.

 

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Soul in SoCal

“She took his hand and she led him along that golden beach
They watched the waves tumble over the sand
They drove for miles and miles
up those twisting turning roads
Higher and higher and higher they climbed”

 

 

 

The Trails of Alum Rock

Eagle Rock. Overlooking all of San Jose.

The Alum Rock park trails are amazing. Nothing beats making it to the top and sitting on Eagle Rock.

Best hiking experience since Tahoe.

Hazelhurst, WI

Photo of myself from July 2013.

This is the view I live for every summer. I’ve been coming every July for nearly 23 years. It’s a home away from home. I always find myself going through Hazelhurst photos when I’m away from Wisconsin.

Nothing quite like being Up North.

Santa Cruz

The drive into SC was out of movie. Winding roads with curves that made you hug the side of the car. The horizon painted with rolling mountains, entirely green. Endless forests with trees taller than I’d ever seen. It was northern Wisconsin on steroids. Breathtakingly gorgeous.

The drive was smooth sailing until we reached the edge of town. It was a tourist congestion overload–instant gridlock. The out-of-towners (including myself) were appearing in droves. Strangely, it feels as if I’ve lived here before in a past life. Maybe it was just a dream. Nevertheless, I’m overcome with Deja Vu.

I didn’t mind the wait. Sitting in the passenger seat looking out at the mountains kept me entertained.

Suddenly, I’m in a beach town. Sunny and 70 degrees in mid-February. Damn, February never felt so good. What the hell was I don’t wearing Jeans and a sweater? How midwest of me. After parking, I made my way to the tourist hotspot that is the Boardwalk. It smelled like weed and corn dogs. Northern California is something else.

After walking up and down the boardwalk, which was absolutely packed, I walked to the beach. The sand was so soft that had to laugh. I pictured the streets of Milwaukee knowing I would be stepping in 3-5 inches a snow if I were. It’ll always be home, but I’ll never get used to Wisconsin winters.

As I’ve found to be the case in much of Northern California, Santa Cruz attracts every walk of life. One second you’re surrounded by beach bros, and the next, by a sea of tie-dye. Drum circles to your left and a volleyball games to your right. Affluent families cross paths with nappy-dreaded homeless. And there I was, somewhere in between, just passing through.

I did a lot of walking, trying to see as much as I could. The downtown area was bustling. I kept forgetting it was Sunday. So many people, not enough sidewalk space. From head shops to record stores to fancy restaurants, it was all there. Tucked neatly a few blocks from the beach, housing plenty of “street entertainers” showcasing their musical talents. Some were quite impressive, others not so much.

It was a nice city, I really enjoyed my time there. Everyone I met was about as nice as you can get. I can’t wait to visit again. Hell, I’ll even look into UCSC graduate programs. Hit the beach after finals? Yeah, I think I’d be alright with that.

Golden Gate Park to Haight and Ashbury

Haight Street was a trip. I was catapulted back into the sixties. The Haight and Ashbury area, aka the Castro, are home to some of the most progressive local shops in the city. Cannabis smoked in public like it’s entirely legal, which it damn near is. Dreadlocks and hemp necklaces. Rainbow flags and homeless hippies. It’s all there – A world of its own. Beautifully unique and unassuming. If only the rest of this country was as accepting to the counter culture. Maybe, just maybe, we could all get along. Peace and love are very much alive in the heart of Frisco.

Golden Gate Park is magnificent. As if dropped in the middle of the city by Aliens, it feels so out of place, and yet, completely and utterly natural. There are miles of trails, lakes, forest, and a bit of everything else. At times it felt as if I were somewhere in Northern Wisconsin. I loved it. So far from home but the smell in the air was that of northwoods – serenity to the tenth degree.

I miss Wisconsin, but there’s something about the Bay that reminds me of home. Maybe I’ll live here one day, finally settle down. Who knows?

San Fransisco

It’s everything I expected and more. My first stop was the Golden Gate Bridge, of course. It felt as if I walked into the tourist hub of the U.S. First I hear Spanish being spoken, then French, then Vietnamese. Very quickly I understand this part of the country is a cultural melting pot. I love it. The diversity is refreshing. It’s absolutely nothing like Wisconsin out here.

The Golden Gate was much taller than I anticipated. Much taller. My fear of heights, which I’d forgotten I even had, began to kick in. I wasn’t much fazed by it and continued onward. What an unbelievable experience. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day to be out there.

I could see the city in the distance. The horizon was littered with houses and buildings, most white. Downtown San Fransisco looked intriguing. I was instantly drawn to it. Instead of walking the entire bridge, we ventured towards the big city.

Driving through downtown was inspiring. Everything I thought I knew about big cities was completely altered. Hands down, the best city I’ve ever visited. It blows Chicago and Vegas right out of the water. It’s in a league of its own. I could see myself living here one day…if I ever accumulate enough money to actually afford it. No wonder it’s such an expensive place to live. It just might be one of the best places to call home in all of the world. I’m just grateful I was lucky enough to see it.

Much more to come. I couldn’t possibly write everything I did and saw in one post.