Not so sure how this is gonna go down...

Lo and behold, we have been in Victorville for two days now...well a night, a full day then today...so we'll call it two full days! Now that me and myself have had our conversation...back on topic

When we drove into Victorville, I have to be honest, my heart wasn't in it. Some parts of me really wanted to be back out on public land but some parts of me were yearning to turn around and go back to the beach. The parts of me that wanted public land were yelling in my ear: You can spread out, get some guitar practice in, do your meditations, Savannah can be outside again, it will be great. There were other parts of me whispering...but hey, I'm the beach! haha To go along with my indecisiveness when we woke up yesterday morning it was 52 degrees outside...good thing we prepared and got our comforter back down! I was not a very happy camper yesterday. In my mind I was thinking, we left the beach for this?? J' was kind enough to get my chair down for me but due to the chill, little bits of rain and massive winds yesterday, my chair would sit outside empty for another day...boooo. I think Savannah was even a little depressed yesterday. Upon waking this morning, things "cooled" off in my mind and I figured I would embrace Victorville in all of its glory! ha Savannah and I went on a nice long walk, I handled some business I needed to tend to, charged my battery (did I tell you I got a new computer battery, hallelujah!), made Nana a place to hang out with me, got out my guitar, and placed my happy butt outside in my chair. I practiced some on Claramae, it's been a while, so practice was short due to my sore little fingers but getting 'her' out again is huge! After messing around on ole Claramae, I revisited my mediation course. It was so hard getting any meditation time at the beach because we were always driving or simply enjoying our day out and about, it definitely was pushed to the back burner, but I was living life so I don't feel so bad!

We found a spot right before sunset the night before last. It seemed to be a pretty good spot with a really cool Joshua Tree right in the middle. We made it our camp and haven't moved...that was the whole point right!? haha

[caption id="attachment_4400" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Camp[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4401" align="alignleft" width="150"] Find Joon[/caption]

We are the only ones here. There are houses a few miles from us but other than that it's just us and the desert

...the wide open desert.

I have been able to sit outside, but there is a time limit!

The mornings are a bit chilly here and the early afternoons, about 3:00 p.m., the wind picks up and can really be a pain having my computer outside. Even just trying to play the guitar, leaving all electronics inside is a mess...I have sand flying in my face and eyes and in my guitar, my hair feels incredibly dirty and I just washed it yesterday. But I am delighted that I get the time I do and I use that time wisely!

Savannah has been hanging out with me. I put her blanket in the shady areas of the branches of the Joshua Tree. Some branches have fallen off of it but it makes for a nice place for us to hang out.

[caption id="attachment_4407" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Outside again[/caption]

It sure is nice to be outside again. How I love the fresh air, the sunshine dancing on my skin and feeling a little more at peace with not having to move every 5 minutes.

Oh, but the wind....the ever-blowing, massive wind, it's enough to drive ya mad!

I guess we'll have to play it day by day here.

PEACE

So...we drove

First things first this morning...we had to take Joon to get one of her tires patched...man, what's up with our tires!? Ends up we had sprung a leak in one of the rear tires. *Thanks to Mr. Bicycle Man who rode by and yelled, "flat tire" to us yesterday. I'm sure J' would have seen it sooner rather than later but it's always nice to have people looking out for ya, even if you are strangers. To a Wal-mart we went, we had shopping to do anyway and it's nice to know that Savannah is in a cool, shady spot and she's not alone.

[caption id="attachment_4377" align="aligncenter" width="224"] Fixing, yet another tire[/caption]

Our plans were to disperse camp in the San Bernardino National Forest. We had done tons of research and for what we wanted...free camping still close enough to the beach...it seemed like a no-brainer. That was, until we got there! The National Forest is beautiful and there is some vast open land intertwined between the mountains, and there are roads...where the roads lead was another thing. We drove the roads, they were rocky but we've done much rougher roads so it wasn't a big deal and we could tell that these roads are used.

[caption id="attachment_4379" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Pretty drive[/caption]

At the same time, all of the roads (not many) that turned into a place to camp (or what other people would see as just open land), were 'blocked' off with "No Parking" signs and "No Trespassing" signs, even signs with fines on them due to parking in a wash. When we got to one of the numbered dispersed camping signs, that we had written down from our research, we couldn't do anything but laugh...

[caption id="attachment_4380" align="aligncenter" width="350"] No wonder it's free[/caption]

 Ummm, that's the side of a mountain!?! haha Now we were wondering if all of the "dispersed camping" areas were going to be signs, with the camp site number on them, stuck into the side of a mountain. And plan #B would be?? We drove on up the road a few more miles, only to see more of the same. We stopped to take a break, we had been driving and doing for quite some time now. We stopped to take in the scenery and some fresh air...and couldn't help ourselves but to admire our less depressed Joon!

[caption id="attachment_4381" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Admiration[/caption]

Away, we drive...back, the way we came.

Quite beautiful to drive through. No where really to park and camp.

[caption id="attachment_4383" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Cool as a cucumber[/caption]

 Driving along a few miles down the road we see a side gravel street, turn off and almost immediately start climbing the side of this mountain. The road was definitely maintained but at the same time was mostly made for one vehicle to be on at any time...no passing, period.

I was not having as 'great of a time' as I would have liked to, due to the high altitude we were gaining driving up this road. Not a huge fan of the heights! Most of my pics were just sticking my camera out of the window, still looking forward, white-knuckling the arm of my chair and holding my breath. Appealing, huh!

(I actually got a couple of good shots though...to enjoy for the first time later! haha)

[gallery ids="4384,4385,4386,4387,4388,4389"]

As beautiful as it was at the top, there is no place to camp no matter how ya slice it...so we drove back down. We thought Big Bear Lake may prove to have a solution for us, so we drove. Another totally rad scenic drive, lush and green mountains...a very cool change.

[caption id="attachment_4392" align="aligncenter" width="350"] We're not in Kansas anymore![/caption]

We are quite the funny pair now aren't we?

When we drove into Big Bear, J' started laughing, pointing out my window...I turned to look, there are people dressed in Winter clothes, sledding down a snowy hill! There are inches of snow on the sides of the road and down by the lake in the parking lot (now kicking ourselves for not sticking some in the cooler while we drive). We got out to throw some trash away and we have come to the conclusion that it was probably about 40 degrees outside. I don't think we left the coast to camp in snow...so, you guessed...

we drove...

actually we are driving. 

[caption id="attachment_4394" align="aligncenter" width="350"] ♥[/caption]

I think Victorville will be our resting place for the night. In the morning , we'll either choose to stay or choose to mush on.

PEACE

 

 

Pretty darn stoked...

I wanted to let you know, I'm working on something so fantastical. I am pretty stoked about it! I finally found a way to put my pictures in a "gallery" but I think it's much cooler than some stinky ole' gallery...no offense to others using gallery type themes...just not for this girl! If I'm a little m.i.a. in the next few days it's due to catching up on posts, fixing back office stuff on the blog, spiffin' up my new "gallery", which equals a ton of work, but worth it for my favorite readers out there and lots of other stuff that has to be done on a daily 'round 'cheer (around here).

I am super excited and hope ya'll dig it as much as I do.

Now, I know ya'll will be pacing your bedroom floor until this is done and posted so I'm gonna make like a tree and leave! (C'mon laugh)

PEACE

The Santa Monica Shimmy

We sure are a couple of 'dirty dogs'...or I should correct myself...were a couple of 'dirty dogs'. Your hair seems dirtier than it is when it's always blowing in the salty sea air. So today seemed like the perfect day to find a new place to take showers! Hooray shower day! Also hopes of the sky clearing up was in the mix, kind of a dismal day at the coast.

Pretty much we got up, I walked Savannah... we didn't even roll up the bed. We were sitting there putting a State Park into the GPS and this guy rolled by on his bicycle and as he passed, he yelled, "Flat tire!" I jumped out and looked at the rear tires...the rear driver side tire was low...not flat, but low. Thanks Mister Bicycle Man! The first thing we did was head away from the coast to get some gas and check the air pressure.

At this point, I could probably get my hair to stand up in a mohawk by itself (eww), due to all that nature has blown into it over the past few days! Aww, but if my hair were long, it would be of the most gorgeous curls that a girl gets only from the beach...yep, those were the days! haha (Can you tell I'd like my long hair back!?) Needless to say...this girl is feeling a little funky!

Driving through the mountains to the park actually drove us right out of the clouds and into beautiful cloudless blue skies. We drove to one park, the name escaping me now and it was closed. To another park and we couldn't figure out how to get the darn gate to open...they never have anyone posted there...finally someone was driving out and we were able to drive in. We spent about 3 whole minutes inside the park only to drive out and on down the road. We were looking for something specific for our day and the parks we had stopped in were not it. We finally just drove to the Malibu Creek State Park...where we were driving initially and found some pretty good open parking.

The lots are big and open but they have a couple of back lots that you can tell have not been tended to in quite some time...maybe even about to start construction in them. Perfect spot for us to spend a couple of hours doing our thing. We parked, situated ourselves and then started digging into our day. Since we put the solar shower away a few months ago, the way we have been taking showers has changed a little. In the dead cold of the Winter we were "taking showers" inside of the van, over the toilet...it worked for what we needed. Now that it's a little nicer to stand outside, we get our gallon jug with the top that J' drilled holes into (our shower head),fill it half with "room" temperature water then heat up the other half, mix it together and you've got yourself a warm-to-hot shower my friends! The nice part is, there is two of us so we can hold the jug of water over the other ones head, so you have the hands-free option! All we need is about 10 minutes, our bathing suits (depending where we are) and just like that we're just like new! Ahhh, nothing like a hot shower on a beautiful day...in a beautiful place!

[caption id="attachment_4335" align="aligncenter" width="225"] So fresh & so clean[/caption]

I have been trying to straighten my hair, with my flat iron, since leaving my sista's house...because it makes me happy and with my hair being so short is very curly and drives me a little crazy because I'm growing it out...BUT I have to heat it up to such a high temperature, our 1000 watt invertor does not want to heat it up to that temperature only going up to 55, maybe 65 degrees. If it would just get up to like 90, it might just work but it won't...tried three different times even with the engine on. I guess my hats will be making even more appearances! Oooh, maybe I could get one that doesn't draw so much power...? I'm just thankful for bobby pins! While I was waiting and waiting...and waiting for my flat iron to heat up, I came across these little booties that we found on our walk the other day. J' actually found them. They are 4 little pink paw booties for pups...they are adorable and just the right size for the Nana Bug!

Now I know my dog and I know she absolutely hates her feet being touched, but I also know I'm always picking stuff out of her feet so I wanted to give them a go. And that's when I laughed harder than I've laughed in a minute. If you have ever put booties on (certain) dogs, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. She stood still for a a few minutes, then after calling her and calling her, she finally came walking toward me, waving her paws in the air, probably trying to figure out what is underneath her paw...taking BIG steps...one foot at a time, hahaha sooo funny. She didn't find it too amusing but daddy did! haha

[caption id="attachment_4338" align="aligncenter" width="350"] She's not laughing![/caption]

We putzed around for a little while. J' had some Joon Van maintenance he wanted to tend to...not only did he fix the wood piece (that holds one of our bed boards in place, that was coming out of the door), he was also able to push out the biggest part of the dent on our sliding door! Which was not even on his to-do list! Huge, man...totally huge! That dent has been there since the day we bought it (previous owners daughter put it there). It has always been an eye sore to us and now it's mostly gone, you can barely see it now, of course there are still a few dings but c'mon. What a great day!

The little things people!!

[caption id="attachment_4339" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Before & After[/caption]

 We were planning on staying at the park all day until we had these two guys learning how to drive a school bus...okay let me interrupt myself...this one guy learning how to back up a school bus...with the backing up noise on every time. Beep Beep BEEP BEEP! Oh my goodness. Do people really think a state park is the place to do this? I thought they had bus driver school...? We think there must have been a field trip going on and the driver of the bus was training the other guy, so while the kids were gone they went into teaching mode. But seriously, we parked sooo far out of the way in a back lot...away from them. Right after our showers, they moved lots and were doing this about 10 feet, no joke, in front of the van. The guy even put cones out in front of our van for the other driver to back up to. haha It really never fails...if it's not construction it's something else to laugh about later. Needless to say, we mushed on...back to the beach.

We figured it would be a perfect time...and time of day to visit the Santa Monica Pier. It was something I definitely wanted to walk down and see before we left and with all of the change floating around us...you never know when that's going to happen! The last time I was on the Santa Monica Pier was 2003, I had a lay-over at LAX and thought it would be a super idea to see the Santa Monica Pier in between flights! I wasn't really hip on L.A. traffic at the time...got on a bus, with luggage, sat in stop-n-go traffic for about 50 minutes with just enough time to walk trot down the pier, buy a pair of Elvis sunglasses (I was on my way to Vegas), take a gloomy picture (due to it being a stormy day) and get back on a bus to sit in 50 more minutes of traffic to barely make my flight by about 12 minutes. At least it makes for a good story now, haha.

[caption id="attachment_4346" align="aligncenter" width="315"] Follow Up[/caption]

 The experience this time, was a whole different one. The sun was out so there were people everywhere, the rides were going, screams could be heard along with the sounds of laughter, talking, feet shuffling about. The Santa Monica Pier is "the last stop" on Route 66, so it's a world famous pier...pretty cool!

[gallery columns="4" ids="4350,4352,4347,4349,4351,4348,4353,4354"]

It was a pretty fun day. I do wish I had known about a picture my mom has, (she told me about after we left the pier). She has a picture of her grandmother standing in front of the big sign right at the front (street side) of the pier, the last time she was in Santa Monica, she came and walked the pier. It would be cool to have all three of our photos in front of the sign...oh well, next time!

[caption id="attachment_4355" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Lovin' it[/caption]

We ended our fantastical day back beach side. Tomorrow may be the start of our journey away from the coast...it's the talk of the fort.

PEACE

 

Today...We Tour Venice

Change is floating through our air right now. We feel it a little more each day, our curiosity at a peak. When we are in any place I think it's natural to be curious because everything is new to you. There are so many places to go, to see, to discover, to experience. It's tough, I know...but someone's gotta do it!

[caption id="attachment_4302" align="aligncenter" width="344"] Beach Bug[/caption]

This leads me to our next few days.

But first...

Today.

[caption id="attachment_4303" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Panorama from Joon[/caption]

We did our usual morning rituals along with a nice walk. I read a couple of chapters in my book. J' is doing some other stuff today...not working! With both of us just kind of mozying around our day and getting kind of bored in the process, we decided to go for a drive...see what's around that next corner.

It was about 1:00 p.m.

We had read online and heard many a story about how easy it is to park, during the day and at night in Venice, only being about 6 miles away ...that's where we drove. We found parking just a couple blocks away from the madness that Venice Beach is...it's definitely its own little world. We parked by an apartment complex under a nice tree with the perfect amount of shade. I don't even think it got into the 70's today...it was actually a perfect day for walking. I didn't want to bring Savannah because I didn't know what to expect and with Savannah being so close to the ground...I don't know what she's going to pick up, in her mouth or her feet. Sometimes it's just safer for the little munchkin to stay in the fort. It was a good thing we did that too because there was just waaaay too much loud noise, feet, skateboarders, much bigger stronger dogs getting into riffs...just too much for the lil 'bug. Plus, mama & daddy need a break from the lil rug-rat sometimes!

We walk our couple of blocks; concrete to sand to the Venice Boardwalk...in all of its glory! Tons of people walking around, bicycles have another boardwalk just for them and the sand of the beach is right past the bicycle path.

[caption id="attachment_4309" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Lots of action here[/caption]

We walked further down the boardwalk and there it was...Muscle Beach!

The original Muscle Beach used to be in Santa Monica, but now it's here. I remember visiting Muscle Beach, as a child, back in the 80's and the gym was actually in the sand. All of the guys were all big bo-hunks with bleach blonde mullets...ahhh, the 80's! Like a scene right out of a movie...haha

Muscle Beach isn't what it used to be...there wasn't but one guy in a blue speedo that was there working out. Kind of sad, to see all of the old, rusty equipment that many legends have used just quietly sitting in the sun looking more like a museum than a frequented gym.

Moving on...

All along the boardwalk there are artists, musicians, vendors selling everything...maybe even the kitchen sink! Anybody and everybody just tryin' to make that buck, man! As we walked we were approached by musicians with headphones trying to sell us their new album...trying to become a star. We also saw a few fights; some dogs, some grown men that didn't want to play music together although they were sitting right beside one another...One Love man! One guy just stood in the middle of the walkway smoking a huge Cheech & Chong doobie (it wasn't real, but it was funny) and asked for $1.00 to smoke with Poe...feel the love! haha

[gallery ids="4314,4315,4316"]

Among the many shops of anything and everything you could imagine there were dispensaries scattered throughout. I guess that's just as big of a thing out here as it has become in Colorado...they're everywhere. Whatever floats your boat, man.

After our time on the boardwalk, we walked the sandy beach, mesmerized by all of the extraordinary people in this world I had to step aside and just watch. Everybody doing something different, a couple of guys dancing to their beats on this ledge, a few girls taking in the rays of the sun, people working out, some having picnics, everyone just doing their thing.

What a moment.

We strolled on back to Joon Van, waking Savannah from her nap, deciding to drive around and look for spots. We drove around for a little bit only to default back to Santa Monica...we already have a routine there and only being 6 miles away wasn't a long drive back to where we're comfortable. In a matter of minutes we were back by the ocean in a much nicer, less of a wash spot...just in time for the magical sunset.

PEACE

Pretty Comfy on the Coast

We have now been on the California coast for four full days now. While it has been fun, it has definitely been an interesting learning experience. I have grown rather fond of the little routine we've gotten ourselves into. Here is a little run-down...

A usual day:

Wake up at 5:45 a.m., J' gets up and drives to our "day spot" aka the side of the road that sits on the ocean that we park at all day for FREE.

We park and lay in bed together, either falling back asleep or watching the sets roll in in the dark, misty morning water sometimes even catching a glimpse of a tribe of dolphins...

[caption id="attachment_4279" align="alignright" width="150"] Cozy?[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4280" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dolphins![/caption]

the wash of the traffic rocking the van ever so slightly for that romantic feel...and feeling very thankful that we get to lay here in our fort, in bed while they all rush off to the rest of their day.

When the sun has risen in the sky a little more, to shine some light and warmth down upon us, we do our morning rituals and enjoy a nice stroll along the beach with Savannah, she totally digs this. She just loves all the smells of the beach and the city...and lots of other things I can't smell!

We've been doing some long walks, definitely a couple of miles. We like to know what's around us and if there might be better spots we could be parked, so we walk...plus we all like the exercise!

Once back from our walk, our daily 'grind' will begin... gazing at the sets rolling in, watching the surfers do their thing, books being read, work being done, life being lived, more walks being walked, all the while the salty fresh breezy air playing against our skin and dancing with our hair.

Yep, I love Mother Ocean, she's incredible!

When we're not "sitting still" we are usually driving to see more of what surrounds us; cities, parks, beaches, etc. In the last couple of days we have been to Redondo Beach and have discovered quite a bit in Malibu but what seems to be quite fitting for us, is Santa Monica. Here, in Santa Monica, we can park within a few miles of both our night spot to our day spot...so for now, we don't really feel the need to change it. Of course, we are the *ADD Tribe (*Always Dreaming & Driving) so I'm sure that will change at any moment! haha

The day passes, we sit through rush hour traffic again...with the same people as the morning I'm sure and as night falls, we set up the bed in our day spot...with lights and laughter!

[caption id="attachment_4286" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Now that's a sunset![/caption]

Once 8:30-9:00 p.m. rolls around, the bed is down and we are rollin' rubber to our snooze spot. We find ourselves a nice level, quiet space to fill for the night and with just a few things to put up in the windows, just like that we are laying in the fort dozing off to usual neighborhood sounds.

Easy.

Next day...the fun starts all over again!

[caption id="attachment_4285" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Stealth Machines[/caption]

It's definitely been a change from the last 10 months of desert and mountains and private space and we are definitely tossing the idea around of staying here for a while. Everything in our lives is ever-changing...which we crave... so we always like to seek out other options. You just never know what's around the next corner if you never drive around it!

PEACE

 

 

Boppin' Along the Coast like a Couple of Beach Bunnies!

A little something new for us today...we started our day off driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in California! How's that for different!? We drove into Long Beach at about 9 p.m. last night. It's a little harder to get your bearings in a place you've never been before, in the dark, when we're both tired...but after making sure that we were in a safe enough neighborhood, we stopped for the night. Now getting ready for bed in Long Beach was a horse of a different color...stealth parking in a city, a beach city, is a whole other animal in and of itself! First, you have to be discreet, this means: no regular talking only whispering, no tele, no lights, be as still and quiet as possible, making sure Savannah also abides by the rules...not the easiest task when we have to put the bed down along with the boards and everything else that has to be shuffled around...plus, it's Savannah's favorite part of the day! Oy vey! Second, finding a spot takes time. You have to make sure where you park, you're allowed to be there the hours that you need to be parked there. For instance, you can be on the East side of this street except between the hours of 5 a.m.-9 a.m. on Wednesdays for street sweeping and on the West side of the street you cannot park from 10 p.m.-5 a.m. Every single road has about 3 different parking signs with different days and hours for different things: school zone, street sweeping, bus stop, loading zones, etc. All we did was try to find a decently level place near an apartment building...not someone's house, too intimate for us...or some other kind of building or wall or landscaping that we could just blend in with our surroundings and so far so good!

We parked, did our duties in the dark, went to bed, laying there about 9:30 fiddling with all of the thoughts in our minds and this morning we were up and Joon was moving by 7:00 a.m., right along with the morning traffic. It's the perfect 'crime' haha!

We needed to truly get a grip on where we were and where we were going to spend the next leg of our journey, so today would be Beach Boppin' Day! We started our journey in Long Beach driving through and marking spots along the way, right 'next to' Long Beach is Huntington Beach, where they have a great dog beach!

[caption id="attachment_4226" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Driving Long Beach[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4227" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Huntington Beach Pier[/caption]

Driving South on the Pacific Coast Highway, we were looking for beach parking, street parking, FREE parking, all of the above and more! After driving a little past the dog beach we pulled into one of the many State Beach lots to get some info on this whole State Beach/State Park thing. The gal gave us a lot of good information along with a map of all of the parks/beaches and when we asked if there was any free beach parking, she even threw in some places around Newport Beach (that she said we would have to scout out)...thank you kind lady! To park at one of these State facilities it is $10.00 for the day and the day only, you have to be out of the lot by 10 p.m...not bad if you're a millionaire...or if you have a pass...gonna have to look into one of those!

We drove into Newport Beach and parked at a meter! haha We really just wanted to get out and walk on the sand before our day got too far ahead of us and it was still early enough that Savannah could come walk on the beach with us. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m...we were just in time!

[caption id="attachment_4232" align="aligncenter" width="350"] At the beach![/caption]

We parked and paid our $1.50 for an hour and started walking down to the sand. We walked the beach for a little bit, getting the sand in our toes and salty air up our nose, then hit the boardwalk. The beaches sure are beautiful here. We walked the boardwalk with other walkers, bikers, roller-bladers, dog walkers, strollers, etc. There are many vacation properties that are not full right now, so the beach is totally empty.

The breeze still has a chill to it, but it makes the sunshine feel that much better touching your skin. As we walked we approached an Elementary school...on the beach! Now, how rad is that!? Some of the kids were in P.E. class playing kickball...how fun! There were also basketball courts and a playground right on the sand...I couldn't get over this! The kids bicycles were outside, locked up side by side...even their cute little backpacks were hung on cute little hooks outside! These kids are pretty lucky and probably don't even know it.

[caption id="attachment_4231" align="aligncenter" width="350"] The school[/caption]

While walking we did see quite a lot of parking spots that we could use for day and/or night parking, so that was comforting to see. Savannah did pretty darn good on the walk, especially with all of the commotion of bicycles and runners passing us from front & back. I was a proud mama! After our stroll down the boardwalk, we wanted to see what else this whole *Cali-fornia Coast* had to 'offer' us, so....we drove. Driving was a good thing. We saw vastly different scenic views of cliffs, beaches, shopping, landscaping, people...all very interesting and beautiful...yes, even the people! We drove up the coast passing beach after beach: Newport Beach, Balboa Island, Corona del Mar, Crystal Cove, Emerald Bay all the way down to gorgeous and luxurious Laguna Beach.

 Once we drove in and around Laguna Beach, we decided to call it a day on the driving, we could just drive all day...but our wallet can't! On our way back to Huntington Beach, J' pulled off on a side road...just because...which put us into the most beautiful neighborhood. We drove up to the top of the hill of the road we were on, putting us in front of a neat little place called, Inspiration Point and with the view that we had, I could definitely see why it's named that!

[gallery columns="4" ids="4235,4238,4237,4236"]

 There were ladies hula-hooping, people laying in the grass, walking their dogs, meditating, hanging out, gazing at the beauty surrounding us...what a priceless little find! As much as we wanted to stay for hours, we still needed to get back to Huntington or Long Beach to find a place to lay our little snoozers tonight.

Wish us happy (and peaceful) hunting, we'll probably need it, at least for the next few days while we're still sorting everything out!

PEACE

This is How we Do... ♫ ♪

We knew when we went to bed last night that we had a pretty 'busy day' ahead of us.

A.m. rituals, work some, then...Spaaaaa Daaaaay!(Oprah voice) A real spa day! Say wanted to 'reward' us for helping her with her website...what better way, than spa day!?

We were up early again this morning, hopefully it's turning into a habit. I'm sure the nicer weather and the places we are going is going to make that time even earlier. It feels great to be up & at 'em, getting all of the usual stuff out of the way, then by 9 a.m....It's on!

❤Love that Sunshine!!!☼

After getting up, I walked Savannah, tried to go into Petsmart but I was too early...again. I did read the sign wrong, they open at 9 a.m., not 8...boo. I'm sure we both would have enjoyed it. We all met up in Joon Van and while they worked diligently, I made cafe' and worked on some of my stuff. A couple of hours later, everything is looking good on her site and everyone is ready to blow off some steam at the spa...yes, I just said that! haha We packed up and drove Downtown to the Spa Resort. The weather is perfect today, it's a little overcast so it won't be too hot, perfect for Nana's set-up. We walked into the club...Sayward giving us the grand tour. This place couldn't be a better place to be. The Spa has a fitness center, a full day (women & men, just separate) private spa with mud baths, saunas, massage, tranquility rooms and 3 different pools as well as an attached hotel, restaurant and casino. After the full tour, we were signed in, given keys and the doors were opened to our afternoon playground. We all went off in different directions: Say-Pool, Me-locker room, J'-Showers.

[caption id="attachment_4205" align="aligncenter" width="304"] Workin' it out[/caption]

I started in one of the weight rooms, there were a bunch of different machines for pretty much everything: arms, legs, chest, butt, abs, back. I moved around the room mostly working the things I would like toned, it's not every day you get good machines like that! I finished up on a spinning bike for about 15 minutes at a good pace with some pretty good resistance. J' did his own workout with weights and jump rope. We both met Say out by one of the mineral pools after our workouts. The sun has been peeking in and out of the blankets of clouds that are lying on-top of us. It's super nice.

There is a great breeze that is the perfect blend of warm and cooler air. I feel like a kid getting into all of the different pools, all 3 pools are set at a different temperature, the cool breeze against your skin is such an exhilarating feeling...makes you feel your skin! Sayward asked me what I was thinking... I said, "I was just thinking to myself...do I want to get into this pool...or that pool." She giggled with happiness that that was what I was contemplating at the moment.

[caption id="attachment_4207" align="aligncenter" width="313"] Spa Eye Candy![/caption]

Our lunch was probably the most refreshing thing we've had to eat in a minute...other than the world's best sandwich yesterday...A huge chicken salad with spinach, cukes, roasted peppers, tomatoes, egg whites, bacon bits, olives, BIG blue cheese crumbles, cheese and avocado, with the most amazing homemade salad dressing. The salad was of amazing proportion and was just divine...yummmmerssss. I don't even have a picture because I wasn't missing out on any of that!

....

We said our see-ya's to Say and were driving down the road by 6:30 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_4216" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Good day![/caption]

The Coast was calling our names, we had to mush on.

Wish us safe travels...

PEACE

The 9-5...Our Way

Woke up again this morning at 6 a.m. Happened yesterday, too. Yesterday I read a chapter in a new book I'm reading and fell back asleep. Today, I figured I'd do the same and I did, however I did not fall back to sleep. Instead, I got up quietly, sat in the passenger seat and did my meditation session. I'm on day 3 of the 21-day course...still doing it. By 8 a.m. I took Savannah on a walk across the lot, hoping to walk around Petsmart, but for some reason their doors weren't open...I swore the sign said they opened at 8 and it was 8:20...? I love walking 'Nana through that store, she gets all the good smells and new sights...fun for us both. As I walked back to the van, I ran into Say and started gabbing and with the gabfest we ended up in her rig chattin' and snacking on some Muesli. J' had gone inside Wal-mart so when he came back we all decided to get ready to go into town for a little work and of course, some play.

It's 11:20 a.m.

We drove into Downtown Palm Springs to a little cafe' shop called Koffi. It's truly the neatest place...I don't know why more places aren't like this! Koffi is a cafe' like Starbucks, but outside among the other little shops around it, is the most beautiful courtyard. There are chairs & tables set-up throughout the entire place, there is lush green grass in the middle layered through flowers, plants, shady trees, palm trees, sculptures, fountains and walkways. It reminds me of my mom's backyard, I could spend a good part of the day here.

[caption id="attachment_4185" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Zen Garden?[/caption]

J' and Say went inside to work, so Savannah and I are just chillin' outside. This Palm Springs seems like a pretty easy going place. Yesterday and even today there are so many people out enjoying the day and their lives, it seems like a weekend...or everyone is on vacation...it's fantastic! Savannah is actually doing very well with how much is going on around here, there are people, other dogs...that are playing (god forbid!), loud noises, food. I'm pretty impressed with how she is handling all of it.

[caption id="attachment_4186" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Red Fox[/caption]

She's only barked at (and scared the crap out of) one lady...and even though she was probably just being nice, didn't seem to mind...said she (Savannah) was just doing her thing. Yep! I still get totally embarrassed though. Now, if only this chick would stop rolling these super loud trash cans by us...the whole scene would be Mellow Yellow baby and the Nana Bug could chill. I definitely think these people are doing exactly the right thing with their business...even though I haven't tried their pastries or cafe'...the vibe and environment is juuuuusssst right.

[caption id="attachment_4187" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Awww, yeah[/caption]

The day tried to consume us with work at Koffi but we weren't going to let that happen...we broke free of the work world and entered into the land of fun for the rest of the day. We first stopped at The Sandwich Spot, which has to be my most favorite sandwich I've ever had...no joke! I had this sandwich called The Volley & Serve: Hot turkey on Dutch Crunch bread (amazing), lettuce, tomato, Avocado, Cream Cheese, their secret sauce and this bomb sauce that's like a spicy ranch...I'm salivating just writing this, that's how Bomb! this sammie was...WOW!! Yeah, great sammie! After devouring our lunch we took a drive through town, Sayward pointing out some of her favorite spots to walk the dog and hike and places in general that she likes to hang out at. It was a great day and great to be able to spend some good time together.

With the weather being pretty nice...there's talk of a spa day tomorrow!

PEACE