Move Over Willy Nelson

On the Road Again… That was the theme of our recent exploration of California.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXe1jtS7k28

The original estimates notwithstanding, here is a glance at the actuals:

10 Nights

8 Hotels (Including a pre-trip Newark Airport hotel)

20 Stops (Meaning a meal, coffee, or sleeping)

And a whopping 1123-Miles when we dropped of the rental car

So why the healthy jaunt through Cali?  It was a multi-faceted excursion and very practical (in theory only).  We wanted to catch up with some old friends while simultaneously cramming in every part of California we could possibly explore for future inhabitance.  This petite window helped us to rule out some parts of California for future living.   SEE RESULTS LATER IN THE BLOG

We are exploring California intently because there are many things about the state itself that we appreciate.  As a resident of the state, Bill Maher summed up many great points via his “New Rule” method.  Beside those points the weather and alternative public charter school funding and support are both sizeable pluses.

Every day 1 of traveling amazingly our daughter goes to sleep at 8:00 PM, even during travels into a different time zones.  This trip was no exception.  Over the years several people have asked if that is when we, the adults, turn down. Oh no, no, no.  Our secret hide-away, especially in warm climate or in this case not so warm, is always a room with a balcony or when not outrageous, a suite. In Cali this time of the year, balconies consisted of layers, a scarf, and one night, a very strong contact high.  A friend with 2 children once suggested always get a hotel room with a big closet and make it a special treat with lots of pillows and blankets to tuck her in but I would feel too guilty and besides 3 in a king size bed is not bad. After one early rising, I did do something I promised as a parent I would not do.  The unthinkable, a bribe of a gluten-free cupcake or treat that day if she went back to sleep and it worked like a charm (OK, more than once).  Alright, so it was a win-win and in California these are easy to come by.

Checklist of the abundant accomplishments this excursion included:

• Trip to see amazing healer in Fullerton.   Ancient Chinese secret – our lips are sealed!
• Watched the remarkable Alberto Villoldo PhD speak to his organization, The Four Winds Society, and reuniting Alumni from his classes.  The consummate orator Alberto never disappoints.  Also got to sit with him and his partner Marcella and reconnect with some other people that we have met through the organization.
• Bruce Lipton lecture – WOW!  Simply astounding.  Oh just a little epigenetics and cellular biology defining the molecular pathways connecting the mind and body.
• Time spent with the Drunken Taoist, Daniele Bolelli a favorite Italian Martial Artist of ours.  Daniele, an author, was originally introduced to us when he wrote the Martial Arts book On the Warrior’s Path.  It was great to catch up and have our daughters meet for the first time.
• Santa Barbara – Lovely, lots of elements that we enjoyed.  Along with other spots in Ventura County we appreciate it for the Arts, Culture, and greenery.
• Monterey Bay– This was just a stopping point for us on our trek.  Great vistas but wow the pier restaurant hawkers were bordering on belligerent!  Sorry we don’t want your chowder sample or to eat at your tourist trap.  We did however as you can see from our last blog Enter the Travel Guru enjoy some tasty authentic Brittany-style crepes on the pier at the Crepes of Brittany.

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Here is where things start to get blurry.  Onwards towards the Bay Area, the rest of our trip, which was supposed to be more investigative, was somewhat transformed into touring time.  We could tell right away that it did not feel right for us permanently.  Berkeley, which was supposed to be 2 days, we changed just to a lunch, too concrete jungle.  Petaluma – nice but obviously very San Fran suburbish.  Wine Country – Beautiful but touristy. Los Gatos – Nice to visit but can you say Stepford Wives?  We did manage to squeeze in a visit with my artist friend Tara de la Garza and family but bummed that it did not line up for a visit to my author friend E.V. Anderson.  By the end we realized that we were way to ambitious but got the information we were looking for.

Although we love travel and seeing new places switching hotels that many times is crazy and unadvisable unless running from the law or driving cross country on a deadline.  Contrasting hotels in other countries, most American hotel breakfasts include a personal hell filled with over-processed, high-carb foods so that is a pass for us and we head out early.  Our plans for big travels include renting places for a few weeks to a month and ah yes, breakfast sitting in our PJs.

With that many miles logged we could not help but play a healthy game of cat and mouse.  Not with the police, mind you, but our old foe the GPS.

1. In park, set the destination and receive the arrival time.
2. Finito.  Arrive at that time.

This technology is incredible and must be far more developed then we can comprehend.  No matter how fast our pace the arrival time never seems to get any nearer.  During the infrequent moments when it does, we are destined to encounter a speed trap thus requiring a bit more time be consumed.  Is the technology really that high tech or maybe, just maybe, we are monitored even more then we realize and the Matrix already knows our speed habits?  Our profile definitely fits the compulsive and competitive lead foots so we are categorize and triumphed over on every occasion.   Ok, one time we won by 5 minutes but that small trophy was not very gratifying for blowing 85 in a 55 plus all of the additional energy spent praying to the police gods promising to be good if they turn a blind eye once again.

Without further ado onto the results…

For us, Southern California.  We will see in the end but in contention nonetheless.

Tuckered out we returned to New Jersey with no traffic tickets and our gained wisdom of the 3^rd largest state only to get catapulted right into the tumultuous packing Rick’s personal effects from PAMA and the taking apart our home.  It is daunting and exhilarating all at once, collapsing and deconstructing not only the physical but also the Egos attached to it all.  We are making progress on all accounts and in the mist of it all my ever resilient partner is planning out his seminar for this Saturday, his last as owner of PAMA 😦 🙂

Next blog:

-About the “Last Lecture” seminar