California reflections...

So here's what I've learned about traveling to new places: You romanticize a place when you only visit once in a while.

You can find your people anywhere.

You can find jerks anywhere.

Being a musician, or having a job that let's you travel and reconnect with friends is awesome.

I love the west coast.

I still love the east coast, I just know it better, so the flaws stick out a bit more.

When I see something in someone's house that I think is awesome and a great idea- I'm going to steal it from now on. :)

And here are my favorite photos from the trip:

Windy San Francisco.

Redwood Park

Oakland pups

Trails in Ojai

Beach time

Baby seal in Santa Barbara

Devil's Canyon in Utah

Crazy jogging path in San Rafael Reef, also Utah

San Rafael Reef (worth the scary jog for the photo)

My friend, Holly, had the most beautiful setting for her wedding!

Cows in Fort Collins

I also romanticize my hometown. Now that I no longer live in Green Bay, I love it. You know, absence makes...

That's what I have for now. Why do you love to travel and see new places?

California Day 7 (driving and Las Vegas)

I was sad to leave Los Angeles yesterday, but I love road trips and I was so excited to get to see a part of the country that I've never seen before! The drive has been amazing so far. Huge sky, and incredible mountains.

A lot of times when I have a long driving day I catch up on phone calls, listen to music I've been meaning to download, and listen to audio books.

When my eyes start to get a little droopy, I'll take out my sneakers and go for a quick jog.

I wasn't tired at all yesterday, so when I got to Las Vegas I decided that a really great way to see the main strip would be to run on it!

One thing I though was odd...

Casinos apparently like you to believe that you're somewhere other than Las Vegas. Perhaps Paris or New York, for example.

A few other things I noticed-

The entire city has music playing out of the bushes, and it's very loud.

Parking is free.

There are a lot of billboards for divorce lawyers.

After my run, I decided I needed to at least play one slot machine, and decided that Caesar's Palace was clearly the place for me.

I don't mean to be a jerk, but I wasn't really that into it. People were smoking around me, the lights and noise were making me feel a little crazy, and to be honest it was smaller than if expected.

But, not all was lost.

I put in $1 at the penny slots, and yep- cashed out with $1.04.

I don't know what I'll do with my winnings yet, but I'm thinking about some kind of investment.

I'll keep you posted.

Off to Denver today! Kristen

Ps...maybe now that I'm a few states away, I should stop referring to this purely as a California trip?

California Day 5 (Ojai)

I arrived in Ojai on Sunday night, so I couldn't exactly see my surroundings very well. When I woke up yesterday morning I was blown away by the mountains. What a beautiful city!

I had the day to catch up on some work, but I also wanted to explore a bit. From what I can tell, Ojai is a super cute town with boutique shops and lots of hiking.

My favorite store (and this is why I need to stop buying them) was an outdoor bookstore called Bart's Books. I had so much fun looking through everything. All of the books are used, and from what I understand the store started as a stand that was just run on the honor system, and books cost 35 cents.

It was really cool.

After working and browsing, I found an amazing hiking trail at the foot of the mountains. The only thing that freaked me out was that they had a sign warning me of mountain lions. So I didn't go too far on any one trail.

And this path was just too beautiful to pass up.

I played last night at the Deer Lodge, and a friend from Florida came out to hear me! It's always so cool to see familiar faces in new places! Anyway, the show was fun, the food was great, and on my way home, I passed by this liquor store.

I think liquor stores across the country should adopt this name. It's so brilliant.

Off to the beach and LA today to catch up with a friend from high school!

And FYI, I typed this entire blog on my phone with a cat smushing his face into my hand the entire time. I'm developing some very useful talents on this tour.

Have a great day! Kristen

Ps...here's a picture of the crazy cat...

California Day 4 (Golden Gate, Modesto and lots of driving)

Yesterday morning I got up early (unlikely, I know) to go and see the Golden Gate Bridge before leaving Oakland and San Francisco. It was so worth it! It's pretty windy in this photo, so I actually had to hold my dreads down...

There's a quote, often attributed to Mark Twain, 'the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.' It was chilly and all, but obviously whoever said this never spent a winter in South Dakota.

Anyway, the views were amazing and totally worth suffering through the crazy road blocks thanks to a crazy costumed event called Beta Breakers.

After a three day stay with my friends at Camp Williams, I took off for Modesto. I met wonderful people, and it wasn't as boiling hot as everyone warned it would be!

I'm pretty sure this photo is of me talking about Pete Seeger...

I arrived at my friends' house last night in Ojai where they left me sweet notes because they knew I'd be arriving late and tired! Today we'll be checking out the town and the farm they live on. More adventures to come!

California Day 1

Yesterday was my first ever day in California. Anyone that I told, from the cab driver to the rental car guy, to my hosts, to the other musicians at Bazaar Cafe immediately welcomed me.

I think all of this sun gets to people out here and makes them really happy. That's my first observation anyway.

PLUS- I had two surprise guests show up and freak me out! My friend Gordon from Connecticut was hanging out on the sidewalk when I arrived, and then my college friend Mike, who I haven't seen in nearly 10 years came. Talk about feeling at home.

Also- it's so strange to see people in different environments. I always think I'm imagining them.

In going to get out a bit more today and I'll report back on what I find!

Kristen

The snow-capped Salt Lake City mountains

My beautiful accommodations in Oakland.

The pretty tree I saw as the first thing this morning!