May 25, 2017
My desire to see new places, meet new people, and travel continues to grow as I grow older. And speaking of getting older, I can't believe I'm more than halfway through my 38th year on the planet. I don’t know how my life will unfold in the future, but I do know this: I want to travel when I’m healthy.
Last week was full of work and travel adventures in Northern California. I spent a few days in Red Bluff shuttling my mom to and from a doctor’s appointment. (Don't worry, she's doing great.) Every time I visit my mom, there is less stuff in her house. Recently, a friend helped her clean the shed in the backyard. They took 500 pounds of paper to the dump and other odds and ends that have been collecting dust and spiders for the last two decades.
During the clean-up process, my mom found my old Ducky Blanket which was like my second appendage until I was six. My mom had to take the blanket away from me because I kept kneading the blanket like a cat. In addition to letting go of old baby clothes and blankets, she's sold and given away furniture, cleaned out both garages (yes, she has two), and she’s given away most of my dad’s belongings.
After hanging out with my mom—and her crazy dog, Henry—for a few days, I visited my friend Bea in Sacramento, CA. Anytime I visit the Davis/Sacramento area, good memories resurface. We lived in the area from 2003 to 2010, and during that time, we began to simplify our lives. For example, we moved into a 400-square-foot apartment, went car free, did the 100 Thing Challenge, and started to save for a tiny house on wheels.
Also, in 2007 I started a new job in Sacramento, and my friend Bea was hired shortly afterward. We met on the job and became fast friends. I hadn't seen Bea in over a year, so our visit was long overdue. Bea is a wonderful human, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with her this year. We committed to organizing a girl’s weekend every quarter. Our next play date will be in July—hopefully by the ocean.
If you haven't been to Sacramento, I highly recommend visiting the city. It's bike-friendly, walkable, lined with gorgeous trees, and there are many yummy restaurants and cafés.
Here’s a list of some of my favorite places in the city:
The Capitol
The American River Parkway
Zuda Yoga
The Crocker Museum of Art
The Sacramento Midtown Farmers Market
Mikuni: Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Cafés to visit: Old Soul at Weatherstone, Temple Coffee & Insight Coffee Roasters
When I drove home early Monday morning, I felt incredibly grateful, happy, and loved. Wishing y’all a lovely weekend!